27 Jan 2048
Jerusalem, Israel
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The UMEBA preseason officially begins today and if I told you the 2048 version of the Hammers looks a lot like the 2047 version, at least from a distance and not under the hood, I wouldn't be wrong. I also wouldn't be wrong in saying that's a pretty good thing. Jerusalem made the Wlld Card round of the UMEBA playoffs last season and that was after a losing record in May and a July averagely average, but a team with Mr. All-Everything and his Superstars can never be counted out. Let's look at what's in store for the fans current stretching their replica jerseys to fit their post-quarantine waist lines. We'll start where the most questions lie (mostly due the fact that the questions were already there):
Pitching Staff
The Top 3 is set and there should be no argument, but there will be some competition for the spots behind after them:
21 yo SP Gary Goodchild
28 G, 28 GS, 11-9, 3.30 ERA 1.28 WHIP +4.2 WAR
The unquestioned ace of the staff is a bit of an enigma. He doesn't have the kind of stuff to put batters away, and his slider and changeup are above avg. But the knuckleball he throws may be the best in professional baseball. It is simply filthy and nearly unhittable.
22yo Hsuang-tsung Xu
34 G 34 GS 12-11 3.92 ERA 1.27 WHIP +3.2 WAR
Xu profiles as the perfect follow-up behind Goodchild. I wouldn't be a stretch to say he could fill the top or 2nd role in any lineup. He has a huge arsenal and, more important, knows how to deliver it.
22 P Leon Luderman
29 G 29 GS 7-9 4.54 ERA 1.48 WHIP +3.8
Luderman aptly filled the 3rd spot in the order and it's here you can start seeing the effects of what would dog all Jerusalem pitchers over the course of the 2047 season.
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After the "cemented 3" there was a revolving door of picks to fill the last two spots in the order. The is expected to be the case for the Hammers this season as well, but that's what Spring Training is for...
32yo Manuel Andres
35 GS 30 GS 13-9 5.39 ERA 1.44 WHIP 2.8 WAR
Andres rarely came in out of the bullen as he fits the role of a starter. If his STA was just a tic below what it is now, he would be a devastating force to trot out as a closer or high-leverage reliever.
21yo P Jaypee Estancia
35 G GS 10 4-6 4.6 ERA 1.39 WHIP +1.2 WAR
One can't complain that Jaypee's initial season was standard for a rookie, but he showed a flexibility that hints as an excellent SP or RP. He also deals from the right side of the mound which is crucial in a lefty-heavy rotation.
How many stars, even appearances, the remaining players below with SP profiles will be up for grabs:
26yo P Wally Bowden
22yo P Ragnvard Lamm
33yo P Mateus Rabisca
21yo P Brett Vanderven
21yo P Mokichi Yamamoto
