Preview: 2015 Fisher Cats Season Opener

Mandatory Credit: SportsLogo.net (http://news.sportslogos.net/2015/02/26/u-s-historical-figures-on-sports-logos/new-hampshire-fisher-cats-uncle-sam-logo/)

New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Coaches: Manager Bobby Meacham, Hitting Stubby Clapp, and Pitching Bob Stanley

Ball Park: Northeast Delta Dental Stadium

2014 record: 66-76

Offence: .245 BA, .677 OPS,  .295 OBP, 114HR, 529RBI, 125 SB, 272 extra base hits

Pitching: 3.73 ERA, 106 HR, 4 CG, 10 SHO, 43 SV, 414 BB, 1046 K, and 1.28 WHIP

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

The Fisher Cats will see many of it player returning from 2014 to make things right in 2015. They will be joined by several veteran minor leaguers. This team isn’t filled many high end prospects in the mould of Aaron Sanchez or Daniel Norris, but they will still field a couple interesting players.

The rotation will have Dunedin stand-outs Taylor Cole and Matt Boyd (#22), both struggled last year when they were called up. Cole is an older prospect who put his career on hold for his faith, but has made up for lost time and lead the FSL in strike outs. Matt Boyd could be on the fast track this year if he dominates the EL like he did the FSL. My personal favorite Casey Lawrence will continue his dominance with NH and will have Mike Lee and John Anderson complete the rotation. Lots of minor league innings in this group.

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The pen will welcome back Luis Perez and will cheer him on in his bid to re-establishing himself as big league RP. Dustin Antolin and Blake McFarland will rejoin the Fisher Cats bullpen and will be joined by Jays Journal favourite closer Arik Sikula. Rounding out the pen will be new additions Greg Burke, Cory Burns and Matt West. Congrats to newly promoted Danny Barnes who will be making his début after a solid 2014 with the Dunedin Blue Jays.

The infield will look much the same as it did last year. Andy Burns and Kevin Nolan will be back for their 3rd season with the Fisher Cats, with last year MVP Jon Berti and Jorge Flores returning for their 2nd season. New Hampshire will welcome veteran minor leaguer Jake Fox, who will add a lot of power and will take over for Mike McDade.

Behind the plate NH will be missing Derrick Chung on Opening Day, but will be happy have fan favourite and living legend Mike Murphy behind the plate.

Former Yankees farmhand Melky Mesa and Matt Newman will be returning to man the Fisher Cats outfield. Top Prospect Dwight Smith Jr. will be moving on up to New Hampshire after an outstanding 2014 with the D-Jays. This is where it gets interesting…..Jon Berti normally plays 2nd but could see more time in LF and Dwight Smith normally plays LF/CF but could see more time at 2nd. To further add some intrigue INF Ryan Schimpf could be taking reps in the OF as well.