3. Syracuse Orange, 76-86
Key Losses: CL Paco Rodriguez, C Max Pentecost, 3B Xander Boegarts
Key Additions: C Christian Vazquez, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, 2B Arismandy Alcantara, CF Ben Gamel
Prospect to Watch: SP Tyler Kolek
Outlook:
The Orange managed to outperform expectations last season, and they’ll look to do it yet again this year. The team seemed to dedicate their off-season to shoring up and adding to an already talented and deep minor league system. The team did a great job bringing in young talent that should make an impact in the future.
Unfortunately, the team didn’t add a lot of immediate impact. Alcantara is a very good second baseman, Vazquez and Gamel offer great defensive value, and Goldschmidt is a great platoon partner at first base. Each player has value, but not enough to outweigh the losses of Boegarts and Rodriguez, and the expected production of Pentecost.
The team made the right move trading Boegarts, as they received maybe the league’s top pitching prospect to do so in Tyler Kolek. Not only does Kolek profile as a future dominant starting pitcher, he should be pitching in the big leagues very soon. Syracuse may decide to give him another full season in the minors, especially if they aren’t in contention down the stretch, but make no mistake about it: Tyler Kolek is the real deal. He’ll front a very elite Syracuse rotation in a few years, mark my words. Sacrificing this season for that dominance will be well worth it, Syracuse fans.
