2057 New Orleans Crawdads Preview

[Krathan]

The New Orleans Crawdads have a phenomenal track record. They have been in the playoffs more times than they haven’t since 1995, with 34 trips to the postseason in 62 years. The Crawdads have 5 championships as well, with their most recent coming in 2051. In 2056, they did something remarkable. The Crawdads improved by 32 wins over their 65 win total in the 2055 campaign and finished in 2nd place, 6 games behind Charm City with 97 wins. They lost in the first round of the playoffs but they are back in the discussion after that incredible turnaround. Let’s take a look at how the team looks going into the 2057 season.

KEY DEPARTURES:

SP Arnold Cantrell (5.2 WAR)
3B Tomas Borges (3.6 WAR)
SP Steven Anderton (2.5 WAR)
RF Brad Parkinson (1.7 WAR)


KEY ACQUISITIONS:

SP Brad Mills (2.6 WAR)
3B Ron Ritchie (2 WAR)
2B Bob Irwin (1.6 WAR)
RP Slawomir Trzcinski (0.3 WAR)

Despite the losses of Cantrell and Anderton, the starting rotation is still a formidable group. Bill Mills should add quality innings toward the back end of the rotation, but the team didn’t feel the need to replace Cantrell with an Ace because of the quality they already possess. John Lucas, Steven Flannery, Micah Harrington, and Arturo Trevino all proved that they are capable of pitching at a high level in the BBA. Harrington and Trevino are particularly important to the equation as both of them spent time in the bullpen before becoming effective starters for the Crawdads. Trevino likely needs his screwball to develop further if he wants to move up in the rotation, but he had an ERA+ of 167 in 2056 in 29 games, 13 of which were starts.

Trzcinski joins a bullpen that includes several returning pitchers who were quite effective last year, including Frank Benitez and Toby Bundy among others. The group should be good enough to preserve most leads throughout the season, though this may be an area that the Crawdads look to bolster this year depending on how things progress.

The pitching staff posted a team ERA of 4.03 last year and figures to be a strength for the squad again.

Aging star Juan Donestevez showed no signs of slowing down in 2056, posting his highest WAR total (4.9) since 2052. Donestevez is entering his age 36 season so there is some reason to worry about regression, but until he shows that he is slowing down, the team will rely on him to be an offensive force. An exciting prospect in the Crawdads’ farm links as though he will be given a chance to show what he can do at the big league level. Tom Guenette is a 22 year-old left fielder who has never played above the AA level. He has outstanding tools, with very good contact, excellent power, and a developing eye. If Guenette is able to play up to, or near his potential, he could make a case for a rookie of the year award. Other key returning position players are 1B Luis Estrada (41 HR last year), C Todd Tatlock who is an incredible defender and an excellent offensive contributor (118 OPS+ last season), DH/2B Jason Newton (53 XBH in 2056), and speedy CF Jared Boll (30 SB0. Newcomers Bob Irwin and Ron Ritchie should fit in nicely and add some depth to the lineup as well. I think there are question marks with this group, but they should score enough runs, especially with the quality of the pitching staff, to win plenty of games.

I think this is a good team, but maybe not quite as good as a year ago. The Crawdads should still have enough talent to hold off the improving teams below them in the standings, but I don’t think they will have enough to overtake Charm City. I believe New Orleans will finish the 2057 season with a record of 91-71 and find their way back into the postseason once again.