Fresh Fur: LF Kieran Rinn (Hoppy Endings, pre Sim 5) [PP:2057.09]

[neugey]

Edmonton is hoping that the man with the Star Wars name will give them great help – and so far that seems to be the case.

LF Kieran Rinn, who was on a majors/minors contract, was recently elevated to the majors to help fill the spot vacated by CF Dan “Pizzaburger” Flores after the veteran landed on the IL for the next two months. Despite a rough start in the minors, Rinn turned it around immediately with the Jackrabbits, hitting .381 in his first 6 games with the team.

Rinn’s hot start shouldn’t come as a big surprise. Considered a tireless worker by scouts, the 31-year-old Rinn has never hit below .270 in seasons with sufficient at-bats in the GBC and BBA. And as recent as 2052, he hit .326 with GBC Sydney.

The Frontier isn’t the GBC though so ultimately the right-handed gap hitter should come back down to Earth. That’s okay though. In addition to his hitting and speed, his solid defense and strong arm will be of value in Edmonton. With outfields Dwight Hartsock and Kane Gregson needing to log more time at center to cover for Pizzaburger, Rinn’s outfield prowess will be needed on a team that has shaky outfield defense with Dean Procter, Matthew Woods and rookie two-way sensation Brent “Spork” Gilbert.

Rinn was originally drafted in the 4th round by the Mumbai Metro Stars in 2045 during the prime days of the UMEBA’s hookers and cocaine craze. His big break in the BBA came when Rocky Mountain signed him in free agency in 2053 based on his 2052 career year. Rinn won’t be mistaken for an All-Star, but he still flashes enough talent to be a helpful contributor. That will be important, as Edmonton will have a vacancy in CF after this year and is expected to have some other roster turnover due to the age of the team. If Rinn does well, he could prove to be more than just a rental.