Zhugli and Olson

When we talk about Las Vegas Jokers, the name of Maurice Gould or Colin St.John habitually come first. But today, we will look two youngsters acquired in trade by the Jokers, Veton Zhugli and Jeff Olson.

Veton Zhugli: In the flurry of news about the ABL, the fact that the Jokers call up this young kid from Murray in Kentucky didn't get noticed. Of course, Zhugli hit only for .241 in Reno (AAA). But the management think it's time to give the chance to the 20 years old to prove himself. Zhugli was obtained in a trade with Maple who saw Vic Jennings going north. Zhugli was the prospect the Jokers want in return. He could play everywhere in the infield and scout judged that he'll have a huge impact with his bat. But in fact, the kid didn't impress in Las Vegas system. His average was .292 in Bristol (AAA) before the trade, then dropped to .211 in Reno. Ok, the kid was traded 2 times that year so he may need time to adjust. This year, he's not exactly where management taught he could be. But in Vegas, the two spare infielders (Price and Robbins) didn't do the job so maybe a call-up could help Zhugli to get back on track. The team saw Phillip Smith blossom after a call-up so everyone wish that Zhugli could take the same way. It will be interesting to see if he could become a solid contributor because if not, the trade with Maple will be a total mess.

Veton Zhugli

Jeff Olson: Another young gun obtained in a trade was Jeff Olson. He was the pitcher Vegas received in exchange of C Ronnie Wells. Olson was a pleasant surprise in AAA, winning 10 games last year before a injury force him out. He comeback stronger this year by posting a record of 8-4 with an ERA of 3.14 before being call-up. Olson can be an enigma on the mount, flashing some great performances like his victory against Mile High (9 innings, 2 points) or Maple (7,2 innings, 0 point) but he can be shaky at time like his start against Boston and K-C. But right now, he please the management in the fifth starter's spot and justify the trade. Of course, Ronnie Wells, even if he did well in Eureka, was unhappy in Vegas when Phillip Smith take the regular catching job. With the way Smith produce, nobody really miss Ronnie. Jeff Olson brings a lefty in the rotation, something that missed in Vegas. Jeff Olson will never become another Maurice Gould but if he can be a little bit more consistent, he will stay in the rotation for many years.

 

Jeff Olson