Edmonton 2067 Season Preview

[Roggie]

Well, I've never done one of these since they would have been very simple in the past: We suck. But now we actually have a semi-competent team that could make the playoffs, and I'm bored at work, so why not?

Offense: The offense has been heavily retooled this offseason, albeit with short term contracts while prospects are a couple years away.

Additions: 1B Jay Dillard, 2B Michael Collazo, 3B Eugene Hill.

Infield:

1B: Jay Dillard. Dillard is in on a 1 year deal, basically replacing Juan Valena in the lineup. We are hoping he can be a solid bat somewhere in the 3-6 range of the lineup while being a good defensive 1B.
2B: Michael Collazo. Looking for Collazo to be a decent #2 hitter vs righties and a lower lineup bat vs lefties. If we can get around 10-15 homers from him with a high OBP while playing respectable defense, he will be a perfect fit.
SS: Charles Hughes. The lone holdover from the infield of last year, Hughes had a very solid first season as a full time starter. He won't hit for power, but he should hit around .270 with a decent OBP and play above average defense at SS. Has been a good pickup from Boston in the deal for Roy Mata.
3B: Eugene Hill. Another 1 year deal in FA, Hill was monstrous last season in part time play for Richmond. We will be looking for him to play every day to give Luis Torres one more year in AAA to develop. He's also shown the ability to play other spots in the infield if needed. Hill will be another middle third of the lineup bat.

Outfield:

LF (vs RH): Bobby Smith. Smith was a revelation last year as a Rule V pick, putting up a 3 WAR season playing only vs righties. He returns to that role this year, and we hope he can put up numbers close to last season again.
LF (vs LH): William Graham. A solid 4th OF/platoon bat who can play either corner OF spot respectably. Not looking for miracles from him, but am looking for him to be a guy who can just do his job at a solid level.
CF: Howard Palmer. Palmer had a bit of a sophomore slump, but still was a very good player. Plays an above average CF, although he's primarily a corner outfielder, while hitting between 15-20 homers and hitting around that .275 level. Nothing to sneeze at, especially when on a rookie contract.
RF: Joseph Potts. Potts is a OBP machine who plays good enough defense in RF to be useful there. Not the best hitter vs lefties, but still knows how to draw a walk. Should hit between 20-25 home runs as well. Does the job well anywhere in the upper half of the lineup.

Catcher/DH:

C: Joe Cochran. Cochran is an elite catcher in this league. Good defensively, hits for power, average, and gets on base. Was an all-star last year. Easily my best draft pick.
DH: Keith Flores. Flores is a 3B, so if something happens in the infield and Hill has to move off 3B, Flores can slot in there. The last 2 years, Flores has blossomed a bit as a power hitting bat, but it would not surprise me if DH was upgraded a bit this season.

Prospects on the cusp:
3B Luis Torres. Torres is an elite 1B/3B prospect. Has struggled in his time in the majors, but was dominant in AAA last year. Will start him in AAA again.
1B Frank Risner. Risner also dominated AAA last year, but still has some work to do defensively and against left handed pitching. Almost a lock for ML time later this season.
2B/SS Pedro Roman. Roman was good in AAA last year but not to the level of Torres and Risner. He could also see time this year, but likely only as an injury call up.
SS Chuck Baxter. #2 overall pick in 2065 and he's already knocking on the door to the majors. Will see time in AAA this year at 2B to increase his versatility defensively as he develops his game more.

Pitching:

Additions:
CL Hiro Ine (FA), RP Caden Richardson, RP Esteban Estrada (Rule V)

Rotation:
SP Jose Gomez. The ace of the team. Gomez pitched very well last year and has improved his craft even more this offseason. Expecting a monster season from him this year.
SP Gabriel Castillas. Castillas will get a shot in the rotation to start the season after missing most of last season with an arm injury. Was lights out 2 seasons ago pre-injury, but may be better suited to a bullpen role.
SP Jesus Alvarado. A solid mid-rotation lefty. Nothing fancy to his game, but does the job well. Put up a 2+ WAR season last year and are expecting that same level of results this year.
SP Sean Franklin. Franklin got a taste late last season with a couple months in the rotation. He pitched well enough to have another look, and he also improved in the offseason to give us more hope for a solid year.
SP Mike Reynolds. Reynolds surprised us last season with a respectable 2 WAR year. He didn't appear ready for a rotation spot, but was forced into the role when Castillas was injured, and he took advantage of his opportunity.

Closer:
Hiro Ine. The big free agent addition. Ine has lights out, elite level closer written all over him. Huge stuff, plenty of movement, and above average control as well. We are expecting big things from him closing out games.

Bullpen:
Bunch of mediocre arms, but rookie Jimmy Jackson should make the OD roster.

Prospects on the cusp:

SP Shawn Wallace. The other piece of the Roy Mata deal. Wallace was dominant in AAA last year, but still has some work to do on tightening up his pitches. The #6 SP this year and will be the injury callup guy.
RP William Williams. Will get time in AAA to work on his control a bit, but he could easily find his way up to the majors this season.
SP Andres Martinez. On the DL right now, but could have a shot at the majors this year in a bullpen role.
SP Jay Donahue. Probably won't make it this year, but could easily be in the rotation next season.

[ajalves]

cool write up

1B: Jay Dillard.

I think i drafted this guy before my hiatus

[wdoupis]

Good looking team with a great looking future. Cookeville and Edmonton have two of the brightest futures and could be a WS matchup in the not too distant future

[Cnasty]

Great looking future for this franchise that can start with adding some pieces now to start a nice run.

Nice writeup.