Fresh Fur: SP Pepe Rivera (Hoppy Endings, pre Sim 6) [PP:2057.10]

[neugey]

Currently at 10-21, Edmonton is not having a great go of it in 2057. But unlike last season, there are more silver linings and signs things could be on the upswing.

Experts believe that the 2057 schedule has been fairly difficult so far and will ease up. There have also been some grueling extra-inning games that didn’t go the team’s way. The Jackrabbits are reportedly hoping some of this turns around. In addition, veteran starter SP Jose Martinez has had an unusually tough start to the season (9.11 ERA with a .435) but some positive regression to a normal ERA should hopefully be coming soon.

But if not, the long-term prospects of the team may be brighter. Already sporting a farm-system that is ranked 4th in BBA, the team was able to secure the top pitcher in draft in SP Pepe Rivera. Rivera is 20 years old and already has a changeup that is top tier even compared to BBA competition. The organization expects him to dominate in the minors for a year or so before he is counted on to supplement the Jackrabbits rotation.

He joins quite the collection of rotation arms in the Edmonton farm system. 2055 1st round pick Mus’ad Amr is shininig in AA and is nearly ready for major league consideration. With him in AA are Fletcher Brown and Edward Joseph Pfeffer, pitchers who do have some faults but could also prove useful if things break right. The team also likes the work scouting discovery Krantivira Kalluri is doing in A ball and hoping his improved play continues. And down in Short A, the team has one of the more intriguing pitching prospects in 18-year-old Nasuh Kurtbek, who was acquired from Las Vegas via trade last season.

With this collection of pitching available, Edmonton’s future may depend on how the position players shake out. They’ll likely need to hit gold in free agency in that area. Or all this pitching upside may be all for naught.