We Got Wood - 47.31 - Three Promoted. Eye 2048 Roster!

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In an effort to ensure the guys are ready for the BBA and Portland in 2048, the Lumberjacks front office promoted three minor leaguers from double-A to triple-A this past week. All three pitchers are optimistic to be on the 2048 version of the Portland Lumberjacks.

Felix Vidaca, Randolph Marable, and Ruben bin Majid al Din are the next trio of arms that Portland GM Chris Wilson hopes to add to the stable of young pitching in Portland next season. "We are high on these guys as well" commented Wilson this week after calling the trio up. "We've been awaiting the day for when these guys can all join in together with Sparks, and Thompson, and Warren and make our pitching staff one of the best in the league. We purposely started all 3 in Alpine Valley this year with the full expectations of calling all 3 up to Quincy by the all-star break. This way they run the full development cycle. We expect all three to be ready for spring training with the big league club next spring and then with the big league club to kick off the season."

Vidaca, the hardest thrower of the three, was an important piece in the Robert Menzies trade with Charlotte that also brought in Andrew Gallagher, has probably the highest ceiling of the three as well. He's been used primarily as a starter in the minors though there is some speculation we could see him as a super reliever in the BBA. Granted, the Lumberjacks have built up quite the stable of hard throwing arms out of the pen so getting the most innings possible out of Vidaca will be the goal.

Marable came to Portland in the Pedro Gomez deal with Chicago. That deal also landed Portland current Lumberjacks Juan Martinez and Rafael Gomez. When acquired, Portland eyed him as a possible reliever conversion candidate. However, the hard throwing lefty has performed well in the minors as a starter and adding another southpaw to the rotation with Thompson and Warren wouldn't be a bad thing either.

The guy with too many names to type was acquired from San Fernando in the Gusby Pinkerton trade that also landed Portland its current closer, Matt Alicea. al Din is another hard throwing guy that will add depth to either the Lumberjacks rotation or bullpen in 2048.