Prospects Players Peer into MLB Crystal Ball

The majesty of opening week in Major League Baseball is upon us.  Rivalries being renewed and highlight reels being filled with amazing catches and towering homeruns await us all.

No matter your favorite source of baseball information, a common theme of opening week is predicting who will win their respective divisions.

What's a writer to do but join the party and bring some friends?  7 of your Edmonton Prospect players joined me in making MLB division winner predictions.  Thank you to Andy Wicklund, Dean Olson, Caleb Henley, Dwight Mack, Sean Guite, Justin Hanks and Nathan de la Feraude for participating.

Here's the breakdown of how the "expert panel" of Prospects see things shaking down in the MLB.

AL East winner = Toronto (5 votes) Tampa/Baltimore/Boston (1 vote each)
AL Central winner = Detriot (unanimous)
AL West winner = Anaheim (7 votes) Oakland (1 vote)

NL East winner = Washington (5 votes) Atlanta (3 votes)
NL Central winner = Cinncinati (5 votes) St. Louis (3 votes)
NL West winner = Los Angeles (6 votes) San Francisco (2 votes)

Of course, another unanimous decision amongst the "expert panel", this summer will be the best Prospects seasons yet!!

3 Months Until First Pitch

Baseball is still one of the most relaxing and at the same time exciting sports to watch.

Sporting events are inherently exciting: who will win, who will lose? So even if you have never really got the point of going to watch a baseball game, or maybe your dad's a big baseball fan and he wants to take the whole family to see a game but you are not that keen on the idea, remember the following:

There's a reason Telus Field is called a "park", the baseball experience is pretty much akin to what you would experience at a real park. Enjoy the atmosphere. Save for a few exceptions you're outside on a nice evening. It's a much better option than sitting home in bed, so enjoy the feeling of being among an electric crowd in an outdoor environment.

Enjoy the company you're keeping, the finest gift you can give another person who loves or cares about you is spending time with them. The casual pace makes for the perfect social outing. Unlike other sporting events, it’s easy to laugh and converse with friends, family or a date.

Yes, a Prospects game makes for a great "date night". What better way to get to know someone than to go to a baseball game? Sure, the old dinner-and-a-movie date is OK but it is terribly cliché and it is not easy getting to know someone over a meal much less during a film. If you do not want talk during the game, there is always time between innings to chat. You're in a public place so if one does not want to be alone with their date they do not have to be. You can carry on a conversation with your date at a normal tone of voice and not have to get shushed. You do not have to worry about asking or getting asked to dance like at a nightclub. There is not dance music played at ear-splitting decibels either to make it difficult to be heard or to listen.

Whether it be a family outing, a date, or just a couple friends hanging out, every seat at Telus Field is the best seat in the house. You will be able to see all of the action on the field just as if you were watching a MLB game on TV.

Opening week has four games, starting with a two game series on Tuesday and Wednesday June 4 and 5 versus the Okotoks Dawgs. Both games start at 7:05PM.

Saturday June 8th and Sunday June 9th, the Prospects welcome the Lethbridge Bulls to Telus Field. The Sunday game is 2:05PM start.

 

Connor Jauch

A freshman at the University of San Diego, Connor Jauch is preparing himself to earn plenty of at bats this upcoming summer at Telus Field.

Name: Conner Jauch

 

Hometown: San Jose, Ca

 

Primary position: Middle infield

 

Strengths: My strengths are my ability to get on base and my speed. I'm also a utility player so i can play various positions.

 

How can you help the Prospects?: I can help with getting on base and being a presence on the bases. Also i can play wherever the team needs me to play.

 

Best word to describe you: driven

What do you know about Edmonton? I know it's in Canada, a Vibrant city, and the home of the Oilers.

Nathan Parade de la Feraude

The starting catcher for Chicago State University, Nathan Parade de la Feraude also is a willing and capable first baseman and outfielder.  Oh, and he can pitch too!! 

Name: Nathan Parade de la Feraude (de la is always lower case)

Nicknames? Nate, Nate dogg

Hometown: Surrey

Primary Position: Catcher, OF

Secondary Position: 1B, RHP

What do you feel are your strengths in the game of baseball? How do you think this will help the Prospects prosper in the new season?

Clutch: love being up with two outs and the game winning run nearby.. can't play scared

Best word to describe you? Comedian

First thing you will buy after signing a million dollar contract?

 

Buying mom and dad a house on the beach

Tommy Clouthier

 Currently playing with the Creighton Bluejays, infielder Tommy Clouthier comes to Edmonton this summer looking forward to unleash his competitive nature. 

 

Name - Tommy Clouthier Nickname - TC

 

Hometown - Highlands Ranch, CO

 

Primary Position - 2nd Base  Secondary Position - 3rd Base

Your Strengths? I would say that my baseball instincts are on of my strengths in baseball. Just knowing the game and being in the right spot at the right time.

 

Best word to describe me - Competitive

 

Without using "google", what do you know about Edmonton?

 

I know it's in Alberta, Canada and my teammate told me the biggest mall in North America is in Edmonton.  I'm excited to be in Edmonton this summer!

Welcome to Edmonton Tommy!!

Justin Hanks

Introducing the opening day starter for Chapman University and soon to be Edmonton Prospect Justin Hanks.

 

Hanks currently sports a 1-3 record but had a no decision game in which he pitched a dazzling 7 and 2/3 innings of six hit, shutout ball.  Hanks is second amongst the Chapman starters in ERA.

 

 

Name: Justin Hanks

Hometown: Valencia, California

Primary Position: Pitcher

What do you feel are your strengths in the game of baseball? How do you think this will help the Prospects prosper in the new season?

 

My strengths are my desire to win and the competitive mindset I bring every time I step on the mound.

Best word to describe you? amiable

 

First thing you will buy after signing a million dollar contract? A very expensive steak dinner.

Without "googling" it, what do you know about Edmonton? That it is located in Canada.

Connor Battaglia

Chapman University has been playing Connor Battaglia as their cleanup hitter.  In 14 games so far this season, Connor has posted a .364 batting average and has been only held hitless twice.  Currently on a 3 game hitting streak, Connor also brings good defense along with his bat as he has only committed 1 error so far this season.

 

Name: Connor Battaglia

Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA

Primary Position: CF Secondary Position: RF

What do you feel are your strengths in the game of baseball? How do you think this will help the Prospects prosper in the new season?

 

Good glove, good stick, and a great attitude. All about the team.

Best word to describe you? Hard-working, unselfish

Without "googling" it, what do you know about Edmonton?

 

It's the most beautiful place on the face of the earth with amazing people and gorgeous scenery. That's a fact.

 

Welcome to Edmonton Connor.