Talk to coaches around the Moore League, and there’s no team that draws more varying response than the Jordan Panthers, with some coaches telling us they think they have the talent to finish second, and some unsure of whether they’ll garner a playoff berth when the season finishes.  But in the last four years, there’s been no team that’s been as up-and down as the Panthers, who’ve finished at third place, and fourth place, and twice missed the playoffs at fifth.

This year they’ve got an experienced squad that’s been up and down so far in league play—the Panthers are 3-4, having scored 26 runs but allowed 30.  They have an outstanding pitching duo in “The Twins”, but could be pretty thin behind that.  Most coaches we talked to expressed admiration for how much the Panthers’ program has improved in the last few years, with one coach calling them maybe the toughest, scrappiest team in the league.  As for where they’ll finish this season?  Well, that’s why they’re a wild card.  We’ll see what they’ve got early, as they open against Poly and Wilson.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marcos Lara, P, 3B – One of Jordan’s “twins,” Lara has been bringing it during nonleague play.  He’s 17 innings and given up 8 hits and…no runs.  That’s right, 17 innings, no runs, and 27 strikeouts to boot.  If he keeps that up, the Panthers could be a team to watch as a potential first or second-round playoff upset pick.

Ismael Lara P, 1B – While he hasn’t put up his twin brother’s gaudy stats, Ismael Lara is a threat to the rest of the league, too.  He’s pitched 13 innings this season with an ERA of 2.6, and he’s got a bat too, hitting .375 with the team’s highest slugging percentage so far this season.

Robert Hurtado, SS – Hurtado is Jordan’s most consistent hitter, batting .316 with 19 at-bats.  He’s also a very athletic shortstop who leads the team in stolen bases—with Jordan’s top two pitchers having the potential to be dominant, one steady hitter may be all they need—and that may be Hurtado.