Edmonton All-Star "Sandslash" (Hoppy Endings, Sim 15) [PP:2052.19]

[neugey]

The Jackrabbits lone All-Star representative was not a name many expected to see at the beginning of the year: OF Bhumimitra Keshab. The 25-year outfielder and occasional infielder has been coming into his own this year and is earning far more at-bats than he saw in his first two seasons with the Jackrabbits.

"Keshab has improved his approach at the plate and is elevating his game," said hitting coach Bartolo Ortega. "He's also been a very valuable glove in the outfield, showing superb range in left field and also backing up at center field from time to time. He's been a base hit machine this year, and he's second only to Matt Garrison in runs scored. With Jose Salas out due to injury for a long stretch, Keshab stepped up and has done a fine job hitting leadoff for us. He has excellent range in the outfield, and some of our other corner outfielders are lacking that, so he's a very important part of the team."

During the All-Star game, no one could pronounce his name correctly, and thus the idea was spun to name him "Sandslash" based on a few BBA players' irrational love of Pokemon. Bhumimitra has come to like the nickname.

"It has a cool ring to it," said Sandslash. "The guys in Edmonton are now saying it regularly. A few of the other guys on the team have neat nicknames, and it's nice to have one for myself."

Sandslash was originally a scouting discovery in the Jacksonville system in 2043. He came to Edmonton as part of a trade package in 2046. He debuted in 2050, and since then his playing time has increased with each year. With his solid contact hitting and defensive abilities in the outfield, the India-born Sandslash is sure to command a nice sum during arbitration hearings this off-season.