2015 Third Day Team Preview

Zack Wheeler (NYM - SP)

Summary:  A lot of things went wrong for Third Day's (TD) players last season but some surprising play from some unlikely sources will make this team fun to watch. On top of all that, if the youth of this team comes through then this team could really be something to see going forward.

Offense:  To be honest, TD's offense probably should have been better last year as it is fairly
talented but was inconsistent.  Outfielder Adam Jones and 1B Victor Martinez were head and shoulders the best bats on the team with new Blue Jay three-bagger Josh Donaldson and 20/20 Brian Dozier, who continues to surprise, as likely the next best.  Martinez, the 7th best player overall in 2014, has since torn his meniscus and will miss 4 to 8 weeks, making him questionable for the start of the season. On top of that, Martinez loses catcher eligibility this season and is 36 year-old.  After those four, the next highest ranked bat is catcher Jonathan Lucroy at 104 overall, which isn't to say this team is lacking talent.  First baseman Billy Butler and  OF Jason Heyward find themselves on new teams though they and 2B Jason Kipnis failed to build on past potential while 1B/3B Chris Davis suffered an untimely suspension for Adderall use and the talented SS/2B Jurickson Profar missed last season opting against shoulder surgery but is now slated to have surgery and could miss all of 2015.  Amazingly, the versatile SS/OF Danny Santana 6th best offensive player last year while fellow Twin OF Oswaldo Arcia may of had a power breakout in 2014. Arismendy Alcantara looks more like a future utility guy while on the Cubs though 3B Jake Lamb may or not start the season in the majors but along with Raul Mondesi, Jr. and uber-prospect Byron Buxton remain very talented.  If Jones and Donaldson repeat, TD's offensive hopes seems to swing on the output of Heyward, Kipnis, Butler, Profar, and Davis while Martinez heals.  Dealing the aging and now hurt Martinez to a contender might be a smart move and a potential steal though the risk might outweigh the return.  Still, there is a lot to like here and age doesn't seem to be an issue, minus Martinez.

Pitching:  Like it's offense, the pieces are there for TD to have a successful staff if all goes right.  The dynamic Chris Sale remains amongst the top AL arms, NL ROY Jacob deGrom looks poised to avoid a sophomore slump while fellow Mets teammate Zack Wheeler has all the talent as long as he is healthy.  Pitcher Shelby Miller partly suffered the aforementioned sophomore slump last season but will look to correct that on the Braves.  The biggest bump in the road is Tyler Skaggs, who will be out all season and will have to face TJ surgery but that losses would be lightened if the likes of the underrated Henry Owens finds himself in Boston, top draft talent and TJ surgery healer Lucas Giolito debuts in Washington, and Arizona bound Archie Bradley find themselves pitching in the majors this season.  The gambles continue with TD's relievers Ken Giles and Kevin Quackenbush who are currently closers in waiting but are seemingly on the cusp of closing.  Getting some help from some quality MLB pitching while it waits on the great arms of Owens, Giolito, and Bradley would help this team, which makes Rule-5 pick Anibal Sanchez a fairly safe keep.  Also, the possible ascension of Giles and Quackenbush to 9th inning duties would surely help as well.

Draft:  With the 2nd overall pick in both drafts, it will be smart to presume TD goes high upside with many of its picks while some slight lean towards pitching.  Assuming Carlos Rodon is previously selected, the young Texas flamethrower Tyler Kolek would be a logical selection with the 2nd pick. If offense is the choice, OF Alex Jackson, SS Nick Gordon and Korean SS Jung-ho Kang as potential options.

Prediction:
RD 1:  Tyler Kolek (Mia - SP) - See above (Josh Beckett clone?), scored an 80 fastball from BA
RD 2:  Michael Taylor (Was - OF) - Many are calling him a big sleeper and is very projectable
RD 3:  Bradley Zimmer (Cle - OF) - Nice pedigree and college bat should move quickly
RD 4:  Jake Marisnick (Hou - OF) - Physical specimen came on late last year, nice ballpark
RD 5:  Anibal Sanchez (Det - SP) - R5 Keeper on good team will help solidify young staff
RD 6:  Henry Owens (Bos - SP) - Keeper

Prospect Draft:
RD 1: Nomar Mazara (Tex - OF) - Likely the best bat available and hard to pass on
RD 2: Gilbert Lara (Mil - 3B) - Projectable international signee with Juan Gonzalez comparisons
RD 3: Andy Ibanez (FA - 2B) - Cuban import may become the best 2B prospect in the game