In our annual preview, we'll take a quick look at each of the minor league affiliates of the Boise Spuds, as well as players to keep an eye on:Salt Lake City Alpines (AAA)
The Alpines have had two good back-to-back seasons, going to the playoffs in 2037 and finishing second in the Western Division last season. Salt Lake City's success can be attributed to a collection of high draft picks over the first four years of Boise's existence moving through the system. The Alpines expect to field another competitive team lead by a group of veterans and young prospects. 3B Dan Norman and LF Adam Parrish, both veterans of the BBA, were signed during the off-season and are expected to not only be organizational depth, but field generals to help lead the younger players. Naomichi Harada will return to Salt Lake City at age 20 and is expected to be the closer of the future in Boise. RF Jim Des Jardien moves up to Triple-A after a 33 home run campaign in Double-A last year and has the potential to be the Spuds right fielder by 2040.
It should be noted that the players will not be only ones being watched by Boise management, but the coaching staff as well. WIth new general manager Joe Lederer taking over during the winter, he'll be focusing on making sure the right coaches are in place throughout the entire minor league system to insure his players are developing. Lederer has hinted at the goal of having the entire organization working together as a whole, embracing the same philosophies and winning culture, so any coaches that don't fit could be on their way out.
After a forgettable 2038 in which the team went 49-82, the newly dubbed "Wooly Bullies" will feature two of the organization's top prospects: Promoted SS Motonobu Yamashita has BBA-ready defense but will look to improve his bat this coming seasons while LF Ricardo Ruíz returns to Double-A and will likely be asked to use his speed more on the basepaths and legging out extra base hits. Buffalo's top pitcher will be 2037 1st-round pick Frank Metcalf. The hard-working lefty went 11-5 with 4.35 ERA in Buffalo last season and will look to improve and continue to move up through the minors.
Tulsa Drillers (A)
Many believe it was the handling of Tulsa that was just as much of a factor as Boise's sub-.500 record that lead to former general manager Jeff Palin's ousting. The Drillers set a modern-era record for futility, going an astonishing 9-122, often losing stretches of games by double-digits without any changes to lineups or the coach staff. 2039 expects to be totally different, as Tulsa features the organization's best collection of talent, including top prospect and as of press time, BBA's #8-ranked prospect Félix Román. Sources say Lederer received several calls for general managers across the league inquiring about dynamic center fielder. Despite Dennis French expected to patrol center in Boise for the next decade, Roman will remain in center and develop. Teenagers Pepe Madrid, Masamichi Kubo, and Gui Jen return for a second season in Tulsa with redemption on their minds.
Hot Springs Majestics (Short Season A)
Hot Springs had a disappointing 2038 after making the playoffs the prior season. Myeong-hwan Kim, an international free agent signee out of North Korea in 2036, has the tools to be a .300 hitter one day but needs to speed up his development before moving up through the system.
Tijuana Cutthroats (Rookie)
Cuban righty Jorge Maestas will look to head a young pitching staff after throwing 126 innings as a 17-year old in 2038. The organization is expected to give every player an opportunity at playing time to encourage development.
International Complex
The previous regime did not make international scouting a priority, stocking their international complex without any potential impact players. This is expected to change under Lederer, as he promises to make a bigger push in finding talent across the globe.
One of new general manager Joe Lederer's goals is to improve the talent pool at the organization's international complex, where 16, 17 and 18-year old BBA hopefuls can develop into future Spuds.