#12 Steven Krauth

Steven Krauth is the one and only new face on the ball club in 2016. The team lost three players from a year ago, the biggest one being everyday third basemen, Brian Coffey. Coffey will be suiting up for the Smithtown Bulls this summer, a team in which the Jays will match up against at least twice during the regular season. The other two "losses" were Mike Barrasso and John Klouda. So with the team going with an eleven man roster, ten of them being returning players, where does newcomer Steven Krauth fit into the puzzle?

Believe it or not, Krauth went up against the Jays last summer playing for the LI Eagles. He is primarily an outfielder, currently playing high school ball in left field and center field, according to sources. The same source was quoted saying Krauth brings with him a good bat to add to this already strong offensive lineup. 

Starting on the defensive side of things, Gambardella and Schmidt seem to be the only two outfielders with a solidified starting position to begin preseason. Schmidt will most likely be roaming in center, with Gambardella on one of the corners. The way things look right now, it seems Gambardella will start in right field, a position that he saw his share of time in last season. This will leave left field open for the newcomer to prove himself in a position that he is comfortable playing in. 

Transitioning to the offensive side of the ball, things can become interesting for the Jays. The biggest concern for this lineup a year ago was filling in the two hole to follow Wanderlingh. Gambardella, Schmidt, Dobkowski, and Fauvell all saw their name in the #2 spot at some point last season. Schmidt is too great of a hitter to be in the #2 spot, considering he had the best batting average on the team last year. He needs to be in the #3 or #4 spot for more RBI opportunities. Gambardella fit great in the #2 spot because he is the best bunter on the team, and he would move Wanderlingh over to either or 2nd or 3rd base every time Wanderlingh started off the inning the right way. 

If Krauth can prove himself in preseason and in the opening tournament with the bat, the #2 spot could very well be a spot for him in the everday lineup.