Loggers general manager Chris Goodell will start building his 2008 roster around a 6-foot, 165-pound utility infielder, and that’s fine with him.

Justin Toole, signed on a 10-day contract, emerged as one of the Loggers’ most reliable players this summer. Next year, Goodell would like to see Toole assume the role of everyday second baseman and team leader.
“Justin Toole exemplifies a lot of what we like to see out of a Loggers player,” Goodell said. “He’s a solid, scrappy ballplayer and he does everything pretty well. You could look at him as one of the leaders back, really.”

But who will Toole lead? Outfielder Brett Jackson is eligible to return, but his breakout season with the Loggers attracted offers from the Cape Cod. On the pitching staff, reliever Jordan Herbert and left-handed starter/reliever Aaron Dott are priorities.

After that, there are only question marks. Veterans like outfielders Eric Thames and Evan Bigley, catcher Mike Brenly and pitcher Justin Walker are draft candidates. Pitcher Victor Black and Trevor Coleman might drop in for a week or two and go back to Team USA for full summers.

Here are four players to build around:

Justin Toole, 2B

2007 recap: Toole, a sophomore from Iowa, signed a 10-day contract in May. He stepped up and earned an everyday role, playing in 59 games and earning the team’s Gold Glove Award while batting .242 with one homer, 15 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He also led the team in sacrifice bunts (17) as the primary No. 2-hole batter.

2008 projected role: Toole would return as the everyday second baseman and team leader. Ideally, the Loggers will sign enough offensive talent for the top of their lineup to have Toole bat seventh or eighth.

Brett Jackson, OF

2007 recap: Jackson, a freshman from California, led the team with a .460 on-base percentage, batting .343 while taking 23 walks, and added some power with two homers. Jackson’s season was shortened to 42 games because of a knee injury.

2008 projected role: If Jackson decides to return to La Crosse instead of accepting an offer from a Cape Cod League team, he’ll hold down center field and bat first or third in the lineup. Jackson seemed to thrive in the grind of summer baseball and was on a hitting tear before his injury. A healthy Jackson would be an All-Star and MVP candidate next year.

Jordan Herbert, RHP

2007 recap: Herbert, who hits 91-92 mph with his fastball, was used to set up closer Don Erdall and appeared in 24 games, second in team history. Herbert, a sophomore from UW-Milwaukee, went 0-1 with a 3.09 ERA and struck out 29 batters in 23 1/3 innings. He also walked 18.

2008 projected role: The Loggers will pencil Herbert in as the closer, but he must cut down on his walks to be effective in that role. Otherwise, Herbert will again be a setup man.

Aaron Dott, LHP

2007 recap: Dott emerged as the gem of a large group of replacement pitchers the team had to sign starting in mid-season because of injuries. The freshman from UW-Whitewater appeared in 10 games, including three starts, and went 2-2 with a 1.63 ERA. He threw a five-inning shutout July 26.

2008 projected role: Spot starter/reliever. Much will depend on how many innings he throws next spring at Whitewater and how his arm feels when he returns to La Crosse. Lefties with velocity and control like Dott are valuable commodities in the Northwoods League.

Here are six wait-and-see players:

Eric Thames, OF,Projected draft pick

Evan Bigley, OF,Projected draft pick

Mike Brenly, C, Projected draft pick

Victor Black, P, Team USA candidate

Trevor Coleman, C, Team USA candidate

Justin Walker, P, Borderline draft pick

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