2031 Edmonton Jackrabbits Preview

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bigmike13
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2031 Edmonton Jackrabbits Preview

Post by bigmike13 » Wed Apr 26, 2017 5:56 pm

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The Edmonton Jackrabbits role into their third year in the league and like all expansion teams are still feeling their share of growing pains as they build a team to compete in the tough BBA. In 2030 Edmonton made a meager 2 game improvement from their inaugural season in 2029, but more improvement is anticipated for this franchise.


Key Subtractions
: None

Key Additions: 3B Luke Jordan, SP Lienhard Zieff


Catcher: Starter Ulbert Spitsbaard returns to the Jackrabbits for his third season in Edmonton. Though nothing special, he at least provides a warm body for the pitchers to throw to. Expect him to continue to get the majority of work with his platoon mate Mike Hunter.

First Base: 24 yr old Les Deadman seems to have taken control of the 1B job for Edmonton after his extended audition last season. He ended 2030 with a .235 BA 14 Runs and 8 RBI's in 166 AB's for the big club. Nothing that inspires confidence but there really aren't any better options to choose from right now and at 24, he still has some growing room to improve.

Second Base: Veteran Mario Murillo, a 2030 FA signing, is back manning the middle of the Jackrabbits infield and providing solid leadership for this young club. Murillo gave the team a .241 BA with 91 Hits, 75 RBI's and a eye opening 35 HR's last season. Throw in his 23 SB's and he remains a solid option at the top of the Edmonton lineup and should be solid again this season.

Shortstop: SS looks like it's going to be a offensive black hole for Edmonton in 2031. They can go with last year starter Rien Vies but it is painfully obvious that his better days are nehind him, and the jackrabbots can't afford a repeat of his .217 BA if the hope to make strides in 2031. They could always go with the more offensive minded Mario Vera but the trade off is in the defense with Vera being average at best.

Third Base: Edmonton gave themselves an early Christmas present when they went out and signed 3B Luke Jordan in December. The 3B is a solid BBA veteran and should give the Jackrabbits a steady middle of the order bat. They would be thrilled if he can repeat his .270/.336/.431 slash line and his 57 Runs and 66 RBI's from 2030 in Yellow Springs.

Outfield: The Outfield situation is a little more stable for the Jackrabbits. Veteran LF Pedro Burgos, BBA 2030 Comeback Player of the Year Alain Pichon in CF and the exciting Felix Duarte in RF give the Jackrabbits some serious production. Burgos is coming off a very good 30 HR, 113 RBI 2030 and should get close to those numbers again. Speed merchant Pichon chipped in 55 RBI's and 33 SB's last season and Duarte who seems to have proven all he can in AAA. The Jackrabbots will probably platoon Duarte with James Kane as to not put too much pressure on the kid in his first full season in John Ducey Park.

DH: Edmonton has a couple of options for the DH role and bench spots with Takeo Kaneko, Jeffery Verkade, Arnaldo Scalia and Santiago Hernandez.

Starting Rotation: Pitching will be the downfall of this club with the team having no true stud in the starting rotation.

Stuart Pearce, 35 yr old Southpaw, went 12-14 last season with a 4.21 ERA and 143 K’s in 233 innings.

Lienhard Zieff, 34 yr old Righty, went 9-13 in Omaha with a 4.49 ERA and 125 K’s in 216 innings last season.

Edgardo Burin, 34 yr old Lefty, 8-14 with a 4.85 ERA, 107 K’s in 211 innings.

Roger Van Der Knaap, 28 yr old Righty, went 11-13 with a 4.08 ERA. Punched out 131 in 203 innings pitched.

5th Starter looks like it will be Ed Kenney who had a 3-3 record in 7 starts for the jackrabbits at the end of last season.

They have 19 yr old Bobby Lynch honing his skills in the minors but he is probably a year, maybe two, away from helping the big club.

Bullpen: For what the team lacks in starting pitching, they make up for in the pen. Best pitcher this team has is Closer Domingo Ayala and he should once again anchor this team and be very good. Last ear he gave Edmonton 36 Saves and a 3.65 ERA.

Bailey Attoehow, Taisuke Suzuki, Alfredo Martinez, Joseph Turberville, Arend Glas and Eddy De Greef are competent arms and will give the Jackrabbits solid late inning support.

Synopsis: This team has a LONG way to go. With most of their top level prospects in AA or below this will be a bumpy ride but it has to be done. Their is hope with guys like the aforementioned Bobby Lynch, Augie Plascencia, Delan Crauen, Les Fawcett, Maxime Manceau in the pipeline for the future. Edmonton can see brighter days ahead, they just won't come in 2031.

Prediction: 70-92. 7th FL Pacific
Mike Calvaruso
San Antonio Outlaws 2030 -
Birmingham Bandits 2006-2029


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allenr
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Re: 2031 Edmonton Jackrabbits Preview

Post by allenr » Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:18 pm

That's more positive that I am about the team!

Nice write-up and interesting take. Some definite differences from how things are likely to play out I think, especially given how badly Stuart Pearce lumped lately.
GM Edmonton Jackrabbits (2030-??)
2030: 65-97 | 2031: 70-92 || Total: 135-189

bigmike13
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Re: 2031 Edmonton Jackrabbits Preview

Post by bigmike13 » Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:29 pm

Pearce took a pretty good lump on you
Mike Calvaruso
San Antonio Outlaws 2030 -
Birmingham Bandits 2006-2029


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allenr
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Re: 2031 Edmonton Jackrabbits Preview

Post by allenr » Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:05 am

Good call on the record, Mike! Bang on. I was worried we were going to be horribad for a while there, but we picked it up with a few good stretches, including a 6-0 sim.
GM Edmonton Jackrabbits (2030-??)
2030: 65-97 | 2031: 70-92 || Total: 135-189

bigmike13
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Re: 2031 Edmonton Jackrabbits Preview

Post by bigmike13 » Wed Jul 05, 2017 1:27 pm

allenr wrote:Good call on the record, Mike! Bang on. I was worried we were going to be horribad for a while there, but we picked it up with a few good stretches, including a 6-0 sim.

:hi5:
Mike Calvaruso
San Antonio Outlaws 2030 -
Birmingham Bandits 2006-2029


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