TGIF, everyone. Also, TGIO20UOD (that’s thank God it’s only 20 days until Opening Day), though that doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. Well, we’ll settle for it just being Friday.
Consider this your creative writing prompt for the week, or, a marketing exercise. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: give us the elevator pitch for which darkhorse should get one of the roster spots for the 2018 season. When I say dark horse, I don’t mean “Freddie Freeman.” We know he’s going to be there. I’m talking your Miguel Socoloviches, your Charlie Culbersons, your Christian Colons. I suppose you could even twist this and talk about your Ronald Acuña here, too... because he really is a darkhorse to actually make the Opening Day roster.
But, here’s the thing: don’t just take the easy way out. Don’t write, “I think Lane Adams should make the roster because we need someone else to back up center field before Acuña is promoted.” I mean, you can do that. No one is going to stop you. But, instead, give us the measure of the man. Tell us about Charlie Culberson’s hair. Tell us about Chris Stewart’s smile. Tell us about Phil Pfeifer’s favorite Saturday morning cartoon hero. By all means, use stats if you’d like, but tell us something you don’t know. Don’t just tell us that this guy or that guy is the best choice, or the obvious choice. Tell us why.
Maybe you’re sorely missing Peter Moylan’s antics. Maybe you think Chase Whitley’s fastball could really do a lot of damage (not to his own team) in this run environment. Maybe you still have faith in Rio Ruiz, or think Matt Wisler deserves a third (or fourth? who’s counting, anyway?) chance. Maybe you just want to be the type of person who laughs as the world burns as everyone misspells Kade Scivicque’s name every 33 minutes during the 2018 season.
Go forth and prosper — and most importantly, tell us something we don’t already know.
(Or just tell us things we already know about Ryan Schimpf. There’s no way anyone can ever get enough Schimpf.)
You can start your own Fanpost right here. If you need inspiration, the complete Spring Training roster is here. The first Talking Chop stock watch is here for hitters and pitchers.
Bonus points for visual aids! (I can help with this too.)
Blam!