Top 6 Reasons the New Hampshire Fisher Cats will win the EL Eastern Crown

#1) Travis d’Arnaud.  Every time Callis or Law or Manuel are ever asked to rank the catchers in the Jays system, Travis is always the lead dog.  And every time, I wonder, “What, not J.P?”  But then, when I stop and look at d’Arnaud’s numbers this year, it becomes obvious as to why:

.324 AVG, 59 R, 15 HR, 30 doubles, 58 RBI, .394 OBP, .943 OPS

Those are not just good; they are other worldly for a catcher.  From all accounts as well, he calls a good game, and is trusted behind the dish.  Posey was the spark plug and best hitter in the SF Giants charge to the World Series last year, I see the same out of d’Arnaud.

#2) The name “Fisher Cats”. Have you ever seen one?  I live in a heavily wooded (ok, desolate…yes we have running water and electricity, make your jokes) town in Connecticut, and these creatures (for lack of better word) roam and SCREAM in my back yard.  House cat? I have seen one taken down by a fisher cat (see ya, New Britain). A sea dog? Fictional character, fisher cats are for real (bye-bye, Portland).  Thunder? They come OUT in storms and say, “We are still going to make blood curdling noises so you can’t sleep soundly, oh, and keep your puppy inside” (adios, Trenton).  I don’t normally go the “well, a bear can take a dolphin route”, but fisher cats are THAT scary.

#3) The Brett Wallace aftermath, code name Gose.  Anthony Gose has been nothing short of spectacular all year long for New Hampshire.  Look past the .263 average, and look at how his “tools” are becoming “weapons”.  He has hit for power (has 11HRs), has shown his speed (52 steals, 6 triples) and is upping his OBP (.358)……and he is 21-years-old. He is the prototypical energy guy, and is bringing that energy on a nightly basis.

#4) Geography. Put a US map in front of your neighbor, best friend, partner or parents.  Have them point out where Reading is, they’ll be lucky if they know it’s in PA.  (and I guarantee, 1 out of every 4 will say “like the railroad in Monopoly?”)  Heck, I live in Connecticut, (which, in area, is about the size of the Rogers Centre) but don’t ask me to find New Britain on the map.  But with New Hampshire, you are giving them a 50/50 shot of NOT pointing to Vermont. (New Hampshire is the one on the right)

#5) The #1 Picks. Don’t just look at the numbers when you look at Chad Jenkins and Deck McGuire. These are two guys that have experience that not only bodes well for them, but gives the younger guys “brothers” to look up to.  Jenkins has been had a few ups and downs this year, but right now, he is definitely on an up, winning his last two, including the gem he spun against Richmond last week.  McGuire is averaging a K per inning, knows how to hit spots, and is a bulldog on the mound. The entire staff is made up of quality pitchers, but it is these two who will lead the Cats to the Promised Land.

#6) They are the best team.  It doesn’t ALWAYS happen that way (anyone think the Giants were the best team last year? I’d say at least five other teams BEFORE I would have said San Francisco) but in this case, it will.  The team has been great all year, they have the league MVP (see reason #1), they have fantastic complimentary parts, and they are hungry.  With less than a month to go, and a 4-game lead, it’s time for Jays fans to start the day with a look at the Eastern League results, and get ready to pop the champagne when it is finally clinched.

Leave your comment on what you think the top reason is!

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