41.6 Checking the Locks: Left Field

[crobillard]

This is a series where I will evaluate the options in each position leading into Spring Training. This is the sixth of eleven parts. I will be taking a look into the left field position in this post.

Sure fire locks: Jose Salas
Trying to get in the door: Julio Uribe, Lorenzo Leon

Making his debut half way through last season, Jose Salas impressed with a .285/.388/.423 batting line with 16 XBHs, eight of them triples, three homeruns, 39 walks and 22 for 30 in stolen base attempts in 239 at bats. With a full body of work coming in 2041, Salas is expected to improve on 2040's stats possibly in a big way. The question for Edmonton's manager is where to put Salas in the lineup. There is no shortage of speedsters in the lineup with Steven Collins III and Mons Raider swiping nearly 80 bases each. Salas is short of his potentials with 9/9/4/7/9 actuals and 10/10/6/8/9 potentials. He probably could have used another year in AAA, but Edmonton is rolling the dice and hoping that Salas can fill out in the majors. This backfired previously with Collins where he lost a couple of point in contact because he was called up too early. Salas might go the same route. Another area were Salas will struggle is in the field. In only 68 games started, Salas had a -1.9 ZR, but only 1 error in left field. Still, you expect to see better results from your left fielder.

Uribe is probably far from the majors, but he's given his first shot in the spring. Uribe has 7/9/4/4/5 actuals with 9/9/4/4/5 potentials for a strong contact hitter archetype. If he bumps his power or eye he could be pretty good, otherwise he's just another contact outfielder in a flurry of contact outfielders for Edmonton.

In a deal last season that saw reliever Jose Torres sent to Valencia, Lorenzo Leon was among the return. Leon isn't anything special. More of a designated hitter than an outfielder in any spot, but he hits the ball well with 6/8/7/5/6 ratings and he's already filled out. The more important factor he may bring to the Jackrabbits is a lefty power bat that is slightly lacking on the team. Leon has a real chance of making the team, but performing well in the spring could give him a bump.