Someone has to finish in last place. That's how standings and preseason polls go.
The S-Scale has the Sex Panthers firmly in that last-place position, and just like the National League where the Stantonians find themselves in a similar spot, I am not buying that these teams are just flat-out the worst teams in their respective Leagues.
I really don't know who will fill that last-place spot. Just as I can make cases for all 12 teams to make the playoffs, I could make cases for several to be in that last-place spot — because as I said, someone has to be there.
Last year, the Panthers took that 12th spot in the JLB.
It happened with a franchise-worst 255 losses and the writing was on the wall early, leading to a sellers market for the Panthers and she took full advantage of it, snagging up first, second and third round picks.
She wound up moving some of those picks in the offseason, but when the draft came around, she still had three first-round picks and seven picks in the first four rounds.
That led to the additions of DJ LeMahieu, JD Martinez, Taijuan Walker, James Kaprielian, Cal Raleigh, Bryan De La Cruz and Ha-seong Kim.
They all fill needs and could really help her out if a few things bounce the right way.
All three first-round picks, DJ, JD and Walker, were solid choices in my mind. A healthy LeMahieu will thrive in the Yankee lineup, just as he did in the first half of 2022. J-Mart didn't have a horrible season last year with the Red Sox, but it was a step back from his 2021 campaign, so there's some hope he could recapture that magic out West. And Walker quietly put up a 12-5 record with a 3.49 ERA in 29 starts last season with the Mets. He wasn't dominant in strikeouts, but he was efficient, and that should continue in Philly with the pressure not focused on him as a No. 3 starter behind two aces.
Kaprielian was most likely a bit of a reach with the first pick in the second round, considering what other SPs were out there, but he's only a year removed from his decent rookie campaign.
Nevertheless, he's not the focus of her rotation.
Cristian Javier, last year's postseason stud, and Nick Lodolo are. The two aren't the household names when you think of fantasy front-liners, but they are the cornerstones of what could be a very strong pitching staff moving forward.
"Well, personally I don’t want to have to like Javier considering who he plays for (ugh) but in the fantasy world I realize that I need him to compete, so he better continue to do well," she said with spite. "I’m excited for Lodolo. My only concern for him is that he’s a Red and ya know that team can be iffy (sorry, Parker) haha. I hope he gets the support he needs!"
He should, and when teamed with Joe Ryan, Mackenzie Gore, Cal Quantrill and Tony Gonsolin, you can begin to see why the Sex Panthers may be stronger in pitching than the projections suggest.
The key will be having the prospects fulfill their destiny.
And that's truly been the issue for the Sex Panthers over the last couple years. Top prospects failing.
Jo Adell is gone, and still lost at Angels camp striking out at an insane 46-percent rate.
Royce Lewis is still injured and had to be let go.
Deivi Garcia was sent packing after years of nothing.
Jesus Sanchez struck out too much and was demoted to the minors last year, and so he was sent packing.
Buxton has received several roses, and when he plays, he has performed well, but injuries continue to derail hot starts. Could maybe a full year at DH keep him healthy enough to have an impact offensively for both the Twins and the Panthers? One would hope so, otherwise, both teams might have to move on in 2024.
"Well I feel like you can’t include Buxton in that since he’s been playing for years now, but maybe he’ll finally not get injured. I’m excited to see what the others do. I have high hopes since y’all have been trying to get them in trades. That’s how I know they’re good!"
Gore hasn't reached Buxton frustration levels, but he needs a good year to avoid getting there. He started 13 games a year ago and struck out batters at a good clip, but his 1.471 WHIP was killer, leading to only 3 quality starts and a 4.50 ERA.
Kelenic's struggles in 54 games last year were well-known. He batted only .141 with 61 strikeouts (37.4% strikeout rate).
Gore's prospect promise and Kelenic's spring results have led to their continued status as a Sex Panther, and this could finally be it. Kelenic changed his approach and it's been so good he may not just make the team; he may be the Opening Day starter next to J-Rod in the outfield.
To say the Sex Panthers need him to be a star is an understatement.
"I’d say it’s very important since he has been probably one of the most prized possessions of the team," Gina said. "Hoping he can keep the momentum at the major league level this year."
If he does, perhaps the Sex Panthers won't be that last place team.
Maybe they'll even be a playoff team.
What will that take?
"If I come in 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the division, duh," she said.
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