2060 Austin Shredders Preview

[JimSlade]

The team formerly known as the Edmonton Jackrabbits picked up stakes after the 2059 season, crossed the border, and set up shop in Austin, Texas, a homebase for outlaw country artists, bluesmen, barbeque, and god knows what else after dark. Newly dubbed the Shredders (guitar reference, for any squares out there, maaaannnn, not cheese), the franchise, under the leadership of GM Chuck Valenches, has had its share of the blues in recent years. A 73-89 campaign in 2059 and a move out of the cellar in the Frontier League, however, is a sign of better times ahead. It's a matter of perspective.

I don't want to make this about me and a favorite former player, but as a fellow GM of a team trying to scrape its way forward, I look over at Chuck's team and see some former Rockville players. I especially kept an eye on our former SS Socrates Kazantziakis. It was hard to let him walk away from Rockville, but it felt like the time was right. I would glance over at then-Edmonton box scores and see how The Philosopher was doing. "Yeah," I'd nod to myself, trying to stave off doubt and regrets, "I made the right decision." The fact is, though, at season's end, Socrates put up almost identical numbers to what he'd been doing his last couple of years in Rockville. Whatever it takes to scrape forward should not be frowned on.

The Shredders made some possibly tough choices of their own this past season, as they let veterans like RF Eric Wagner, 2B Billy McKay, DH Matthew Woods, and RP Jose Martinez leave for free agency. They didn't break the bank to add any superstars, but RPs Fernando Villareal and Angel Garcia should help nail down middle innings. Enrique Mendoza should be a stabilizing upgrade behind the plate. Rule 5 pick Jorge Marin is an intriguing 5th starter option.

The team's offensive core returns, led by DH (and long reliever) Brent Gilbert, who put up his second consecutive 30 HR/.840 OPS season to go with a 3.2 WAR. Late-career GBC refugee Antonio Roman will continue to fight for playing time in the outfield and as a DH. After Gilbert, he's the next-best candidate on the team to pop a home run. Despite rarely displaying the power and run production associated with a corner infielder, 1B Ray Hoskins is a model of slightly above-average consistency. He can carry his weight if surrounded by a little more pop from another position. RF Andre Ly, still kicking at 40 years of age, keeps things interesting when he's not on the IL. And then there's Socrates, who's range as a shortstop is diminishing to the point where a future at 2B or 3B may be in order, but who can still help turn a lineup over.

Adding to this year's everyday prospects are a couple of intriguing younger players. 3B Antonio Linares came up with the big league club for about 100 plate appearances at the end of last season. In that small window of opportunity, he put up a 2.0 WAR and slashed an eye-opening .412/.468/.670! He and rookie LF Luis Rubio also bring more defensive skills than most of Austin's everyday lineup. This gets at a theme to keep in mind with the team's pitching staff.

I'm a big fan of the top 2 pitchers in the Shredders' rotation, Mus'ad Amr and Glenn Hargrove. They're a matched pair of 26-year-old groundballers with a diverse arsenal of plus pitches. They eat innings and keep games at hand. Much of the team's pitching staff is composed of similar groundballers, both in the rotation and in a bullpen led by the promising tandem of Bryce Sparks and Edward Joseph Pfeffer. (Keep an eye on young relievers Pepe Rivera and Nasuh Kurtbeck, as well.) As the Shredders team evolves, it will be interesting to see how much more mileage they can get out of their young pitching staff with better defenders behind them.

I feel this team is on the right path: another explosive bat, a couple more gloves, and good health could get them over .500 this year or next, at the latest. Maybe some budget space will open up and allow them to make an in-season move that pushes that agenda.

[BaseClogger]

Wow, Rubio moved quick.

I like their core of young pitchers. My perception of this team has been poor defense the last couple of years. I'd focus on that in the short-term and look to add a bat(s) when they're ready for contention.

This was very well written, Jim.

[Chuck V]

Nice piece. What is funny is when we moved Hoskinf to 1B, Socrates to 3B McKay to Ss and plugged in + bat Manuel Ortega we actually had good defense and range in the infield!

I have yet to figure out how to get Hargrove and Amr to turn into steady starters, they are both off to horrible starts.

[JimSlade]

Yes, had I extended Socrates, I was thinking 3B would be his next home.

I'll let you know if I have any helpful thoughts on these 2 young SPs. I still think they will round into shape.