Way Too Early Roster Previews: Eugene Emeralds

So far in “Way Too Early” Roster Previews, we’ve looked at:

• Sacramento River Cats

• Richmond Flying Squirrels

Welcome back from the long weekend! I hope you all had lovely holidays full of feasts and family (whether inherited or chosen) and are ready to take a look at my imagined version of the 2025 Eugene Emeralds!

I have to say, this is a pretty interesting group when I really sit down and look at it. I know that I’ve written that the Giants’ current farm system is on the thin side, and that there’s going to be a gap after Bryce Eldridge’s eventual debut before the next wave of real talent laps up at the shore of 3rd and King.

That said, some of the best candidates for a mid-term arrival are going to be starting on this Eugene squad. That starts, of course, with last year’s top pick, James Tibbs III, who should be the star attraction when Opening Day rosters are announced. But it doesn’t end there. My roster has a solid representation of the top 15 or 20 prospects in the system — and it could be even more if, as I suggested last time, it’s determined that guys like Aeverson Arteaga and Joe Whitman need just a little more High-A seasoning before they’re ready to move up.

I don’t think we’re going to get quite the 2024 Eldridge-levels of enthusiasm whipped up by this squad. But on a consistent, day-to-day level, it has the talent and the potential to produce as broad a group of development success stories as any of the four affiliates this year. It might be a smile, rather than a guffaw, but the Emeralds should be the source of prospecting pleasure come spring and summer. And some of these players could really force the issue on players in front of them with a strong first half.

Also, it wouldn’t be a terrible thing for these Emeralds to return to their rightful position in the NWL playoffs, and grab back that crown! My “Champion Emeralds” polo is starting to lose its relevance! Will this be the squad to make my apparel au courant again? Could be!