Bounce Back Bunny, Vol 1: Ivan Martinez (Hoppy Endings, Preseason Sim) [PP:2057.05]

[neugey]

It was a lousy season for Edmonton in 2056. But a silver lining of that season is that the basement of the team was reached, and some positive regression will hopefully occur. Thus these perils have now led to a new promotional series entitled “Bounce Back Bunny”.

The first “Bounce Back Bunny” we will look at is RP Ivan Martinez. Acquired from Nashville as a Rule V pick back in the 2054-2055 offseason, gave hitters a lot of trouble especially in the first half of the season. But then the organization perhaps pushed their luck a little to far, giving Martinez a trial in the starting rotation. That experiment did not go so well, as his ERA ballooned with a barrage of homers.

His 2056 campaign was split between the Jackrabbits and the AA Saskatchewan Monarchs due to some substantial growing pains. His ERA inflated to 5.60 and he allowed 2.3 HR in 27 innings of work. But in AA he showed nice improvement, recording 37 saves and a 2.98 ERA.

Sporting a lethal fastball/slider/curveball combo, and also a respectable splitter, Martinez dazzles scouts, critics and fans alike. Despite his struggles, his popularity with the Edmonton fan base has climbed rapidly, to the point where the team will not be able to develop him in AA any longer.

Ivan is not the only “Martinez” on the team, with established veteran DH Gonzalo Martinez also foremost in people’s minds. And even though Gonzalo has reached recognizable first-name status with Jackrabbits and BBA fans, some distinction is still in order.

“2057 is the year of the ‘Marty Party’”, proclaimed catcher Jay Pochin. “I expect Marty to pitch much better, along with the rest of the bullpen.”

A few “Marty Party” signs are already starting to show up at spring training practice sessions. Let the festival begin.

[trmmilwwi]

Need to get 64 year old Bad Bunny to perform.