2022 JLB Season Preview: Sex Panthers

It's time for the Sex Panthers preview.

Why?

So she can stop asking why I waited so long to do her preview.

Truth is, I don't know what to say. The Sex Panthers haven't been to the playoffs since 2015, the longest drought in the JLB. They haven't won more than 208 games in a season since 2011, an era that many choose to believe never happened.

And that doesn't appear to be changing in 2022.

But is there light at the end of the tunnel?

One would hope. There are plenty of young stars here, but some of them have stalled.

Jo Adell and Jarred Kelenic didn't exactly light the world on fire with their MLB debuts, but that doesn't mean they still can't.

"Hoping maybe it was first year jitters," Gina said. "Especially Kelenic. I think they’ll be fine."

I agree. And I think Adell will finally get the chance to play out his struggles with space on the roster, and Kelenic has quite the exciting lineup around him.

Adell may not be that next Mike Trout that some thought, but he should be serviceable in left field. Kelenic, on the other hand, he really has the potential to be something special. 

There are other excitable youngsters in this lineup, like Jesus Sanchez, who will be the Marlins starting centerfielder, and Steven Kwan, who has strong contact skills and could easily hit .300 for the Guardians.

Add in proven stars like Bo Bichette, Joey Gallo and Marcus Semien and there's a chance for a decent lineup here.

It can be even better if Byron Buxton can somehow play a full season. He's never done it, and last year's 61 games was just another example of a shortened season for the once No. 1 prospect back in 2014.

So is this the year?

"I honestly have no clue," Gina said. "I’ve been a cheerleader for him for so long and I feel like he started to get into the groove last year... so maybe he can wear a bubble suit and not hurt himself."

Buxton batted .306 with 19 HRs, 32 RBIs, 9 stolen bases and 50 runs scored in 61 games. It was by far the best stretch of his career and he was looking like an MVP. He picked up where he left off this spring, batting .469 in 12 spring training games with 5 HRs and 13 RBIs.

So maybe, just maybe, he can lead the turnaround.

"I’ve always thought I had a decent amount of youngins, but I’ve just been waiting and waiting for them to come up," Gina said. "We are turning it around!"

The turn-around will have to also happen on the mound, and there are some decent arms here, but the Sex Panthers are truly waiting for MacKenzie Gore, Matt Liberatore, Simeon Woods-Richardson and Jackson Rutledge to come up. Nick Lodolo made Opening Day, and the aforementioned four pitchers shouldn't be too far behind. We easily could see all four by mid-summer. May even see Gore as soon as the Padres decide they're ready for Opening Day.

So yes, it may be a little too late for the 2022 season, but the building blocks are there.

With a little luck and active waiver wire moves, the Panthers can be a bit of a thorn. And if the season goes as projected, there are a few desirable vets who could be flipped to open up the window in 2023.

She may even trade a great minor leaguer, like Marcelo Mayer.

"Sh*t, he’s a Red Sox? Was he always?" Gina asked, not realizing she acquired him before he was drafted into MLB. "That sucks. Guess he’s on the block. I’m sure Crox will want him. I refuse to keep someone in that crap organization."

That's good. You owe Crox a stud shortstop after schooling him in the Bichette trade.