Cowboys from Hell Preseason 2012

Rising six places in the standings, the Cowboys from Hell are beginning their ascent back into respectable territory. Past investments in the future are beginning to pay dividends. Franchise building blocks are beginning to establish themselves in The Show, and their arrivals are expected to push the team to its most successful season in years.

Lead by starters Madison Bumgarner and Michael Pineda, the Cowboys boast one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Manager Jeff Varnum has paid careful attention assembling his cast of young arms. As consensus top prospect Matt Moore graduates to the Show, the pitching becomes the strongest it has been since 2004. Complimented by additional young arms Mike Leake, Zach Britton, Chris Sale and Aroldis Chapman, the rotation is poised to raise this franchise back into the big picture. Drew Storen and Kenlsey Jansen guarantee that the relief corp will boost strikeout totals and deliver quality ratios.

The hitting is lead by steady moderate producers Miguel Montero and Howie Kendrick. Ike Davis is expected to be 100% this season and is being counted on to repeat the success he demonstrated last season before being injured. Speed threats Cameron Maybin, Erick Aybar and new addition Leonys Martin should keep the Cowboys contending in stolen bases week to week. If Jeff Francoeur and J.J. Hardy post similar seasons to 2011—or Colby Rasmus recovers from his—the team's hitting could surprise and be at least middle of the pack.

The top 10 prospects for this season are thinner than in recent years due to numerous graduates last season. Dayan Viciedo, Jerry Sands and latest acquisition Domonic Brown are some of the promising batters who are ineligible for prospect status. In this case, the lack of depth in the prospect rankings does not indicate a lack of talent in the minors. There are players who are one small adjustment away from becoming regulars in the majors.

Varnum is hoping that the 2012 season will be the return to relevance for his franchise. The Cowboys from Hell are young and projectable. The number of players who fulfill their potenetial will make or break the year.