2017 Jackie Treehorn Team Preview

Andrew Miller (Cle-RP)

Summary: Jackie Treehorn (JT) is probably the start of potential contenders for the league as the offense certainly looks capable while the starters are good but will likely not be enough so look for this team to acquire some arms and fast. 

Offense: JT's bats posses probably enough potency to challenge anyone in the league being led by field general Buster Posey (SF-C), the uber powerful Jose Abreu (ChW-1B) and the eventual world-beater Kyle Seager (Sea-3B). Team those 3 legit MVP candidates up with Cuban All-Star Aledmys Diaz (Stl-SS), AL Champs Mike Napoli (Tex-1B) / Jason Kipnis (Cle-2B), Rule-5 power pick Mark Trumbo (Bal-OF) and former WS Champ hitman Eric Hosmer (KC-1B) then you really have something. In fact, the more you look you realize just how contributing players this team has including the Cardinals trio of Matt Carpenter (Stl-3B,2B,1B), Stephen Piscotty (Stl-OF) and Randall Grichuk (Stl-OF) to go along with Carlos Gomez (Tex-OF), Starlin Castro (NYY-SS) and Cole Kalhoun (LAA-OF). Dark horse Keon Broxton (Mil-OF) and the lackluster Eder Inciarte (Atl-OF) look to be the only possible weaknesses with prospect Lucious Fox (TB-SS) still developing on the farm but that is nitpicking. Nice group. 

Pitching: Dealing with the other side of the extreme, since JT's offese is so complete its pitching leaves something to be desired with oft-injured ace Adam Wainright (Stl-SP) attempting to get back in the grove along with Carlos Carrasco (Cle-SP) who was out with injury during last season's MLB post season. Perhaps Jeff Samardzija (SF-SP) and possibly Gerrit Cole (Pit-SP) can harness their talents to rise to the next level and motivate David Phelps to do the same? Maybe not but the team's 3 late inning relievers will be a weapon to use throughout the season. The quality of arms here isn't bad there just likely isn't enough to compete with the big boys so maybe giving up some offense for some arms would be smart.  
Draft: Adding quality pitching should be a paramount priority to this team and Puk presents an excellent way to get a college arm with more upside than most pitchers his age.

Prediction:
RD 1: A.J. Puk (Oak - SP) - Big tall lefty with some concerns has excelled so far
RD 2: Brandon Maurer (SD - RP) - Settled in as Padres closer with good numbers
RD 3: Joaquin Benoit (Phi - RP) - May close for Phillies and then be dealt at deadline
RD 4: Mike Trumbo (Bal - 1B,OF) - Rule-5
RD 5: Ian Happ (ChC - 2B) - Keeper
RD 6: Lucious Fox (TB - SS) - Keeper

Prospect Draft:
RD 1: CJ Chatham (Bos - SS)
RD 2: Jae-Gyun Hwang (SF - 3B)
RD 3: Adam Walker (Atl - OF) - Keeper