Yukon Jacks

Yukon Jacks
Owner: Jeff Ellis
Park: County Stadium
AKA: The Brewary

Projected Line-Up

Rotation 
1. J. Mays
2. J. Weaver
3. B. Tomko
4. J. Burkett
5. S. Avery/
   G. Meche

Closer 
R. Aguilera

Line-Up
1. R. Cedeno RF
2. W. Morris 2B
3. B. Anderson CF
4. S. Casey 1B
5. R. Klesko LF
6. R. Belliard 3B
7. E. Marrero/
   K. Manwaring
8. J. Vizcaino/
   W. Weiss SS

Tomko will be hard
pressed to win more
than 15 this season.

Eli needs to improve
his bat. The defense
and the arm is there
but batting under the
Mendoza line is very
unacceptable.

     The Yukon Jacks are a team on the mend. Coming off 
of a horrific '99 season the Jacks are in the middle of a 
huge rebuilding project. It is safe to say that those in 
Yukon will not be attennding any World Series parades any 
time soon. With that being said, the future in Yukon looks
to be 2-3 years away still, but if the players involved in 
that future live up to their hype, the Jacks could quickly
make themselves a contender.

Rotation

     As we'll find in most areas, the future looks more 
promising than the present for this Jacks squad. The team 
has some promising young arms: Joe Mays, Jeff Weaver, Brett 
Tomko, Tony Armas Jr, Gil Meche, Ryan Glynn, Micah Bowie, 
and Andrew Lorraine, to be specific. All of these pitchers 
are presently on a steep learning curve, however, and will 
require time. For now, the Jacks have a decent front guy in 
Joe Mays, although he isn't up to typical ace snuff. Weaver, 
Tomko and Burkett, in the #2 thru #4 slots, will be exciting 
to watch this season, but not for the right reasons. And 
while Gil Meche should provide a sample of what is to come 
in the 5th spot, Steve Avery isn't the pitcher he used 
to be.
     Two years down the road, we give the Jacks a better than 
even shot at a strong rotation. In fact, if we were rating 
the future, the Jacks would come out stronger in several areas.  
But we're not: for now, it's something of a fireworks display… 
on the wrong side of the wick.

Bullpen

     Rick Aguilera, sure… but little else. The bridge between 
the starters and Aguilera may require binoculars at times, 
and would ideally be crossed by a Sherman tank… but at the 
moment, the Jacks need to do it on foot, and calluses should 
result. While the rotation looks super down the road, Yukon 
has much work left to do in the pen. Aguilera's supporting 
staff of Slucumb, Mohler, Arnold, Perkins and Weathers will 
provide further adventure this year… but more like a haunted 
house than a trip to Disneyland.

Catching

     Marrero will handle the bulk of the catching duties, 
with Kurt Manwaring and Angel Pena as backups. Marrero can 
handle the running game, sporting a strong arm, but is 
unlikely to provide much more than Mendoza-line offense 
this season. Manwaring looks better at the plate than behind 
it, but will only be able to provide about 30 games of 
relief. Pena will likely see 20-25 games himself, and could 
see increased playing time in future.

Infield

     Here's yet another area where the Jacks look strong 
for the future. The difference is that we get to enjoy 
some of it now as well. Sean Casey and Warren Morris look 
set to explode with breakthrough seasons this year. Each 
looks capable of 15-25 HR or more, and .350-.400 OBP. Both 
handle their positions well, and look solid for years to 
come. Ron Belliard will man 3B capably. He doesn't exhibit 
3B power, and would likely slot in at 2B on most clubs, 
but could hit .300, with a solid number of walks. The ever
aging Walt Weiss will split the shortstop duties with Jose 
Vizcaino. 
     Walt is on the team to help mold the young prospects 
and help them climb towards their potential as quickly as 
possible. Expect to see a different look on the left side 
of the infield every game. With no big time players to use 
it will be a constant use of who's currently swingin the 
hot bat.

Outfield

     Speedy Roger Cedeno is a bright spot here, he 
posesses  blinding speed and a solid glove defensively.
Brady Anderson is in decline, he has never been the same
since his 50 HR performance a few years back, (though he 
should produce this year), and the Jacks' lack of depth 
will force poor-fielding Ryan Klesko into left field. 
Klesko possess some pop at the plate but often sacrices 
hits with his superb overswing for the fences attitude.
Uber-prospect Bergeron, Carlos Lee and Shane Spencer will 
all see time in the outfield as well. The oufield looks 
great down the road.

 
Beware of this speed
demon. When Roger gets
on base you can blink
and he's on third.

PRESSURE PLAYER

We all know that the Jacks
will not be winning the 
division anytime soon. The
team needs to build around
Casey. He has the capability 
for a high avg, 20-30 HR's 
and 100+ RBI's season after
season. This superstar should
carry the team for years to
come.