Brains! 2063.1: The Offense Works...

[aaronweiner]

There have been offensive stops and starts for the Jacksonville Zombies this year, but, overall, the team has to be happy with the returns on the offense so far, as the Zombies have been in first place offensively repeatedly and currently stand a robust third place, just 13 runs out of first place. This is the sort of production that the team was hoping for last year, when they finished first in walks and second in home runs, which are exactly Jacksonville's current standings in those categories.

"So far this year this is working better than it did last year," said Zombies manager Shoiab Kardar. "Some of that's luck, but some of it is a comfort level with each other."

Kardar has a point. Paul Long has been one of the best players on the Zombies this year, and he didn't play an inning for the team last year. Gabriel Manuel and Isourko Takimoto became regulars just last year, and now they're likely to be with the team for quite a while. Yes, the best player on the team is still Pepe Aragon, whose bat hasn't suffered despite the move to shortstop, but there's little question that the team has a number of up and coming young players and some solid veterans, a good mix that has kept the Zombies offense churning in 2063.

The Zombies also made some significant adjustments this offseason, moving Big Papi to the leadoff spot and having Long hit behind him. The two players each have an OBP well above league average. Additionally, a two-month injury to Majd bin Nawaf has opened up a lineup spot for former first round pick Benedict Daniel, who has put up the best numbers of his pro career.

"We're certainly enjoying the ride right now," said Aragon, who leads the team with twelve homers and 29 RBI. "This is fun baseball right here."

[RonCo]

If the contact holds, Manuel should be a star.

[aaronweiner]

If the contact holds, Manuel should be a star.

He was one home run off the JL HR title last year. Love to see more of that.