Brains! 2062.1: Checking Back, Checking Forward, and Definitely Checking Left and Right

[aaronweiner]

Look backwards, look forwards, look side to side is now a popular sign on the streets of Jacksonville in the postapocalyptic landscape that makes up the town, because you never know if a zombie is lurking somewhere, even though the perimeter of the town usually makes it difficult for them to get in. The baseball Jacksonville Zombies are doing the same thing, and there's a lot to catch their attention.

"We may have lost to Charm City yet again, but we have a lot of very positive reasons to look forward to the 2062 season," said starting pitcher Bob Anderson, who captured his second Steve Nebraska Award in the 2061 season. "This is a loaded ballclub."

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This guy wasn't checking at ALL.

Anderson is right: in addition to looking on all sides, the Jacksonville fans will almost certainly be looking up quite a bit this year watching home runs fly out of the stadium. Gabriel Manuel supposedly made huge strides this season offensively, and with the return of Steve Holcombe to the lineup, the emergence of Pepe Aragon, and full seasons from players like Benedict Daniel, Majid Husam, and Majd Nawaf, Jacksonville might cross the 200 home run mark for the first time in more than a decade. Jacksonville used to be one of the best offensive teams in the BBA during their 12-year playoff streak in the 30s, way before the fallout. The team that they are fielding now threatens to return them to that status.

"This team is just absolutely stacked offensively," said shortstop Don Colbert, who won his first Golden Bat award last year, albeit by hitting just around league average. "We don't have a single position who can't hit. Even our platoon players and backups can hit."

The hitting explosion does come at some expense. Their defense is a little weaker with Nawaf and Holcombe manning left field instead of walk machine Bae Pae, who will start some games out there and spell them late, and moving Colbert to shortstop weakens the infield somewhat, too.

The pitching staff, however, is the same as it has been recently with some new faces. The rotation is basically static with Anderson leading the charge, Takehide Gertrudes providing support, and then at various times this year, it will be some combination of Gav Mastinsky, Ches Efgrafov, Dan Voelzke, Rubin Din, and possibly a few of the bargain bin bullpen members they signed this offseason who can serve as swingmen. The team is hoping that a number of sneaky signings will lead to the Zombies' pitching being nearly as good as it was last year.

"We have a lot of veteran pitchers on this team, good players who know what they're doing," said new pitching coach Arend Glas, signed this offseason for his first major league exposure at age 60. "We'll work well together."

Can the Zombies finally break through and win their division? It may depend on whether the offense stays healthy, but in good health, they may lead the JL in offense.

"We literally can't wait to see how this plays out," said Big Papi Husam. "I've been part of some good teams in Twin Cities, but this feels a lot like those."

[ae37jr]

I'm sure this is a sore topic, but can you imagine how good Jacksonville would be right now if Klaas Renders didn't bust?

[aaronweiner]

I'm sure this is a sore topic, but can you imagine how good Jacksonville would be right now if Klaas Renders didn't bust?

He might still be two or three years away even if he didn't, but it's a bummer, yes.

[Trebro]

Will be interesting to see how bin Nawaf does this year.

[JRamirez]

Glad DM doesn't have to bat against Anderson.

[aaronweiner]

Will be interesting to see how bin Nawaf does this year.

I mostly need him for the playoffs, but I'd be happy with a .850-.900 OPS.

[Trebro]

Will be interesting to see how bin Nawaf does this year.

I mostly need him for the playoffs, but I'd be happy with a .850-.900 OPS.

I would have, too!