Jesse & Jaksa's Question Quartet: Playoffs, MLB Debuts, Breakouts, HRs

Throughout this season, Lugnuts broadcasters Jesse Goldberg-Strassler and Adam Jaksa will tackle topics big and small in a brisk weekly Q&A.

Email your questions to [email protected].

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1. Who will be the first Lugnut to make his MLB debut this year?

Jesse: Griffin Conine, Miami Marlins. The slugger is with Triple-A Jacksonville, a step below the struggling Marlins are off to a rough start. Should they decide that enough is enough and they need more pop to add to their offense, they'll look directly to Conine.

Adam: Max Schuemann, Oakland Athletics. The ultimate utility man has been on the cusp of a MLB debut it seems like the last couple of years. He's spent time with Triple-A Las Vegas in games the last 3 years. With his ability to play multiple positions and the A's potentially needing a mid-season spark, the Scheumann could fit just right.

2. Who’s a player you’re excited about on the Lugnuts’ Opening Day roster?

Jesse: Eduardo Rivera is 6-foot-7, 20 years old, and grew up patterning himself off another hulking lefty fireballer in Aroldis Chapman. I think Eduardo puts himself firmly on the prospect radar this year.

Adam: Euribiel Ángeles was traded right before the 2022 season began from the San Diego Padres. He's spent the last two seasons in Lansing. He's shown moments of brilliance, will the 21-year-old put together his most consistent season yet? Angeles likes to swing away and he'll be protected in a lineup full of potential.

3. Who will lead the team in home runs?

Jesse: Henry Bolte is, finish the season with a team-leading 20 home runs.

Adam: Brayan Buelvas. He's spending a third season in Lansing, last year he struggled and moved down but this could be his first full consistent season with the Nuts. Through just short of 70 games with Lansing in 2022, Buelvas banged out 7 HR. I sense lots of Brayan Buelvas bombs coming to Jackson Field this year.

4. Will the Lugnuts make the playoffs?

Jesse: Here's my case for the Lugnuts to make the playoffs this year: They're starting off the season with experience in crucial spots, especially their starting lineup — Jonny Butler, Brayan Buelvas, Euribiel Ángeles and Cameron Masterman were all in Double-A last year, but returned this year because of a numbers crunch. When the inevitable wave of promotions come, it will sweep these players back up to Midland, leaving a talented Lugnuts core of Henry Bolte and Will Simpson now supported by potential call-ups like Myles Naylor and Luke Mann. At the same time, I trust that returning pitchers like James González, Jacob Watters, Mitch Myers, Jack Owen and onward are going to be consistently sturdy, and that new additions in the bullpen like Garrett Irvin, Blaze Pontes, and Dylan Hall are going to be effective.

Adam: I too think the Lugnuts find a way into the playoffs this year. They have a ton of experience from guys that have been at this level before and that also includes coaching. Craig Conklin is back for year two as Lugnuts manager and Don Schulze, the Lugnuts pitching coach has been here a few years now. Mix that in with the returning guys and the fact that younger talent is still expected to come up and I think there's a strong nucleus to build a team around.