May 20, 2054
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
With Sammy ‘Bumper’ McNeill shipped off to Charm City, a gaping hole was left in the middle of Nashville’s defense. Niaz Minhas is expected to be the team’s primary SS, but rookie Brooks Eliot has been called up to reinforce the infield. Eliot is, of course, the son of Nashville GM Chad Nason, but no calls of nepotism are being heard as Nason’s spawn is a highly-touted prospect and fans are excited to see him play.
INF Brooks Eliot
It is expected that Eliot will primarily play 2B, which will allow Helmut Grün’s concrete feet to move to 1B, pushing Wafid Bishr to DH. Jorge Gutiérrez hasn’t found his groove yet this season and will be relegated to the bench. Eliot went 0-2 in his debut against the Chicago Black Sox before being lifted for a pinch hitter late in the 0-1 loss. The next day he would give Tony Frost a breather and get the nod at 3B. In the 4th inning he took a first pitch fastball over the left field fence for his first career homer.
“I was excited to give my wife the news,” said Nason. “She was washing the dishes when I said ‘Wanna hear the good news?’ She asked ‘What’s happening in the Brewster?’ sarcastically and I told her our son made it! Then I had to deliver her some bad news and tell her our eldest, Brand, was likely being cut. Hope the kid has a great career, it just won’t be in the BBA.”
Eliot was originally drafted by the Brooklyn Robins with the 2nd overall pick in 2049 and traded to Nashville later that winter. After struggling in 2050 with the short A Springdale Roosters, Eliot found his form, batting .351 in 2051 and hasn’t looked back. He continued his torrid pace in 2052 before being called up to AAA Orlando Oranges and batted .330 over parts of three seasons. He was hitting a robust .360 in 2054 before his callup to the Bluebirds. While he doesn’t possess great power, expect 10-15 a year from Eliot with the potential for more as his body fills out his frame.
McNeill will be missed, but at least the Bluebirds weren’t left without options. Eliot’s future looks bright and fans will be excited to see him in the lineup.
