2053 Edmonton Jackrabbits Preview

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datom25
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2053 Edmonton Jackrabbits Preview

Post by datom25 » Wed Nov 30, 2022 12:02 pm

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The Jackrabbits had to undergo major open roster surgery over the summer, filling the majority of line-up spots with free agent signings to plug gaps as the youngsters get ready. While 2053 promises to be a tough year, the players brought in are nothing if not fun.


Hitting:

With an OPS over .800 in 11 of his 13 full big-league seasons, the marquee addition is DH Gonzalo Martinez (.295/.352/.479). He’ll provide some support to 1B Dylan Malloch who hit .264 with 22 homers in his first season over from the GBC. 3B Manny Collazo (.266/.314/.421) is an almost an old-timer in Edmonton, having signed in 2052, but will be expected to provide a solid bat at the hot corner even as the defence declines, and while good production can be expected out of RF Matt Garrison (.243/.319/.483), out in left Bhumimitra Keshab (.269/.330/.364) screams defensive replacement.

Spine Defence

All new in Edmonton! Catcher position looks like being Parker Davenport (.241/.305/.362), who is fine, having signed a three year deal for respectable 3mil per. Two more free agent signings up the middle will cash a substantially bigger cheque, with Scott Bell and Damek Korbel costing $21 million between them for excellent defence an acceptable .300 OBP. CF Dan Flores is similar, again expect gold glove defence and a .300 OBP, but the only worry is how long he can keep it up as he enters the twilight years!

Pitching:

There isn’t much to inspire the purist here – Aki Kondo (did not pitch in 2052) returns to the majors and will continue to pad his gaudy career totals, but maybe not his WAR, Claudio Garcia (6-12, 4.68 ERA) and Gary Owens (0-2, 6.43 ERA) are young enough to break out or flame out, respectively. If you go to the ballpark one night, go see SP James House (9-7, 5.31 ERA) - a walking crowd catch machine, giving up 30 homers in 125 innings while striking out 106. It’s an adventure!

Bullpen:

He had a good year last year, but looking at his stuff in Spring, it is entirely a mystery how Joel Ottoboni intends to get anyone out in 2053. The rest of the bullpen is…. Well, Jose Lopez and Greg Milley can at least get outs and have some upside. It's not clear whether the others can do the former or have the latter, but I suppose, that's why we play the games.

In conclusion:

Edmonton are beginning a long rebuild back to contention, and the front office has put out a ballclub that might see some growth on last year’s win total. But some of the FA signings might be more bust than boom, and a year of watching the youngsters develop alongside a ragtag bunch of fun new players might be pretty entertaining even for the most despondent Jackrabbit.
Montreal Blazers (2052-): Playoffs 2052, 2054 (2-6)
Sao Paulo Pilots (2051-2): Playoffs 2051 (0-5)

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