2023 Buffalo Bison Infield Options

This year’s edition of the Buffalo Bisons’ infield is a little easier to follow than the outfield. There are multiple players that can play multiple positions and are likely to play in a rotation.

At 1st base, 25-year-old Spencer Horwitz (2019 24th round) should get the majority of reps. We can expect the OBP machine to hoover around 15BB% with a high BABIP. Horwitz should see his ISO rebound to .200 after posting a .117ISO in 44 games at Triple-A.

At 2nd base, 24-year-old Otto Lopez (2016 IFA) has one more minor league option and should see more of the reps at 2nd base. A traditional utility player, Otto is a contact-before-power type hitter. In 91 games, Lopez got on base at a .378 clip with the Bisons in 2022. Lopez will play all over the diamond and could see more and more time in the outfield.

At SS, 23-year-old Addison Barger (2018 6th round) will get the bulk of the playing time. 2022 saw Barger skyrocket up the prospect charts, landing on some major publications’ top 100 prospect lists. He is expected to take some reps in the outfield this spring which could open up more avenues to the majors. Barger will also see a good chunk of time at 3rd base with the possibility of moving over to 2nd base. Barger only played 8 games at Triple-A but finished with 3 home runs at the level.

At the hot corner, it looks like it is 24-year-old Tanner Morris (2019 5th round) will get first crack. The LHB struggled in 31 games with the Herd after batting over .300 in 43 games in New Hampshire. Morris should post an excellent 1.00 BB/K while posting a high batting average with limited power. Morris is steady with the glove and his arm is stretched at 3rd.

Behind the plate, the Herd will roll with a bunch of veteran receivers. 33-year-old Rob Brantly, 28-year-old Stevie Berman, and 29-year-old Jaimer Ritchie. 27-year-old Chris Bec (2018 5th round) could also be in the mix.

Other Options

25-year-old LJ Talley (2019 7th round) saw time at 1st base, 2nd base, and 3rd base in 2022, splitting his time between AAA and AA. Talley posted an impressive .349wOBA in 86 games with Buffalo and should continue to play all over the infield.

26-year-old John Aiello (2018 14th round) looked good in 81 games at AA, batting .305 with 9 home runs while walking 12% and striking out 22% of the time. Aiello played 40 games at 1st base and 22 games at 3rd.

24-year-old Rafael Lantigua (2016 IFA) split 2022 between AA (86GP) and AAA (42GP). With Buffalo, Rafael slashed .286/.346/.373. Lantigua played 2nd base (55GP), 3rd (11GP), SS (16GP), and LF (28GP).

26-year-old Vinny Capra (2018 20th round) signed back with the organization in the offseason and received an invite to spring training. Capra did very well, slashing .283/.378/.429 with 5HR in 52GP. Vinny split his time in the field between 3rd base (20GP), SS (20GP), and LF (7GP).

Keeping A Close Eye

21-year-old Orelvis Martinez (2018 IFA) set a new club record for home runs (30) in a season as a member of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats but he struggled to make consistent contact. Orelvis takes his walks (8.1BB%) but he also has some swing and miss (28.5K%) in his game. A small change in approach, maturity at the plate, and luck (.217BABIP) could push Martinez back into the Top 100 prospects in baseball. Orelvis will continue to split his playing time between SS and 3rd base. He has a chance to start the season with Buffalo with a good showing this spring.

24-year-old Zach Britton (2020 5th round) has seen his development accelerate last season and during his time in Arizona Fall League. Britton can play behind the plate and LF. He showed decent power with 7 home runs in 57 games with Vancouver. He shows a good eye at the plate with a 17.4BB% with the C’s.