Preview: 2015 Buffalo Bisons Season Opener

Mandatory Credit:https://buffsports.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/new.jpg

Buffalo Bisons

Coaches: Manager Gary Allenson, Richie Hebner, and Randy St. Claire

Ball Park: Coca-Cola Field

2014 record: 77-66

Offence: .260 BA, .721 OPS,  .335 OBP, 101HR, 566RBI, 111SB, 277 extra base hits

Pitching: 3.52 ERA, 105 HR, 2 CG, 6 SHO, 35 SV, 438 BB, 1106 K, and 1.28 WHIP

Jays Journal has already completed a series for articles forecasting the Herds rotation, bullpen, infielders, and outfielders, please check them out and feel free to comment.

As a Bisons fan, I was secretly hoping that only one of Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez made the Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day Roster. When Marcus Stroman was lost for the season to a torn ACL, I know that both pitchers would not be starting the year in Buffalo. So instead of having a starting rotation with a pair of Top Prospects, the Herd will start the year with a trio of veteran LHP in Andrew Albers, Jeff Francis, and Randy Wolf. These vets will be following by RHP Scott Copeland and waiver wire pick up 24-year-old LHP Juan Pablo Oramas.

With Dalton Pompey, Devon Travis, and Kevin Pillar all assuming starting roles with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Herd will need to rely on a group of veterans to carry the offence. A.J. Jimenez is the only Top 20 Prospect on the Herd’s roster, but he is better known for his abilities behind the plate than at it. Last years club relied heavily on the speed of Pillar and Anthony Gose, but this years club will need to rely on the bats of 3B Matt Hague, 1B Andy Wilkins, DH Jake Fox, OF/1B Chris Colabello, and OF Caleb Gindl.