2058 Edmonton Jackrabbits Preview

[JimSlade]

As Edmonton Jackrabbits GM Mike Neugebauer will tell you, 2058 is a bit of a placeholder year to allow developing organizational talent a chance to develop while being surrounded by enough veterans on short-term contracts to allow them to compete. Closer Max Birstall was signed away from Montreal on a longer-term deal that will allow him to anchor the Edmonton pen when young power arms like Ivan Martinez and Krantivira Kalluri are ready to set him up, while veterans Carlos Benitez and Chuckie Dickens will have a year to infuse younger players with their brand of leadership and savvy.

The 2057 Jackrabbits brought up the read in the Johnson League's Frontier Division, with a 58-104 record. Longtime shortstop Danek Korbel and centerfielder Kane Gregson were allowed to walk in free agency, where they still remain as the 2058 season is about to kick off. Reliable middle reliever Bill Young has also left the team for the Long Beach Surfers. The trio accounted for about 4 WAR on a WAR-starved roster, but the Jackrabbits are wise to clear room for a youth movement. Another year from any of the departing veterans wasn't going to make up for a 5.48 team ERA.

This year's rotation is led by relative veteran, at 26, Keith Forrest, who if nothing else is ready to take the hill every 5 days. Young Glenn Hargrove, the former third overall pick, is another starter who reliably shows up to perform. Hargrove took his knocks in his first full season in the BBA, but he's got the tools to succeed once he cuts down on free passes. Edward Joseph Pfeffer is another young starter who has room to grow, and I'm interested to see how quickly 24-year-old groundballer Mus'ad Amr, a 2055 1st-round pick, fits in.

As for the bullpen, while Birstall rehabs from a short stint on the IL, veteran lefty Jose Lopez, who put up a 0.97 WHIP and .237 BABIP last season, and offseason addition Pedro German should hold down the fort, which ample opportunities should be available for the team's aforementioned young power arms.

The Jackrabbits' lineup provided adequate firepower in 2057. Designated hitter Gonzalo Martinez, who posted 35 HR and 104 RBI last season, shows no signs of trending downward at 37. Corner outfielder Matthew Woods led the team with a 2.5 WAR, despite subpar defense. His 28 HR and 71 RBI came up big. Veteran GBC outfielder Antonio Roman should be an interesting addition, and team captain and well-traveled poster boy for the IL Dickens is not likely to hog too much playing time from young backups Bob Pope and Dwight Hartsock. I'm also a fan of steady third baseman Ray Hoskins. He's the kind of player I might have thought has value in the middle of a 1st round. [Oh right, I did!]

The Jackrabbits' approach to 2058 is sensible. The short-term veterans should help support the growth of the younger players - and allow kids in the minors an added year of development. Getting their young pitching staff begin settling in and preparing for the long haul will be a major win in 2058.

[CTBrewCrew]

Tracked in PPT Tracker