Idaho 2028 Season Thread

[LT]

As we head into the 2028 season things look to be on the upswing for Idaho. Coming off a 94 win season, a playoff appearance, and several franchise single season records the squad is excited to try and make a deeper run in 2028.

There are some minor changes to the lineup and pitching rotation in 2028.


 The most notable changes are 1B Harry Read takes over for Mike McKinney who struggled in 2027. McKinney will split DH duties with Bingham Klebel and play some 1B on occasion. Ed Cameron, RF, is back from an injury riddled season and has improved tremendously.

Hernandez (LF)
Pegas (CF)'
Dobson (SS)
Allen (3B)
Dixon (C)
Read (1B)
Parks (2B)
Klebel (DH)
Cameron (RF)

Pitching
The notable difference is Jim O'Brien (58 wins for Idaho) has come to spring training in bad shape and has lost his stuff. He is starting the season in AAA. Here is hoping we see him in the #5 starter spot in the near future.

Zach Anderson
Brad Anderson
Jim Fish
Cesar Farias
Cesar Hernandez

Dan Butler will be the closer.

Hal Joe makes his AFBL debut in the bullpen.

[LT]

The 2028 season has been strong offensively for Idaho.The team is first in runs scored, batting average, on base percentage and 2nd in stolen bases. The pitching has been ok, 4th in starters ERA and 2nd in bullpen ERA and the defense has struggled. Overall the club is tied in first in the FL West with Oregon with a 47-34 record.

Notable mid season performers:

C - Dan Dixon is hitting .353-14-50, 4.0 WAR.
SS - Loren Dobson .288-20-74 with 19 steals.
LF - Jesus Hernandez, 107 hits, 32 stolen bases, 9 triples
CF - David Pegas .315-11-55 with 24 steals and a 4.3 WAR

The top 3 pitchers Zach Anderson, Fish, and Price all have 10 or more wins and each one has 13 quality starts (over 70%).
Closer Dan Butler is 19/19 in save opportunities.

Milestones Reached
CF - David Pegas reached 200 SB
SS - Loren Dobson hit is 100th career HR
DH - Klebel reached 500 walks
DH - Klebel passed 4000 at bats
SP - Fish passed 50 career wins
RP - Eric Osborne passed 500 career games

Milestones on the Horizon
Pegas within 5 doubles of 200
Dobson 3 doubles short of 100
Butler within 17 saves of 100
Fish within 21 IP of 1000 for his career

Outlook
The outlook is good for a second straight playoff appearance for Idaho, but lots of work still to be done. The club is hoping to have multiple representatives at the 2028 all star game and hopefully will gather momentum to make some noise in the post season this year.