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reds1 · 02-05-2020, 02:16 AM

Braeland’s second official holiday – Opening Day, has arrived at last! The first holiday of the year – Constitution Day, was way back in May, so Braelanders eagerly anticipate the time off today so that they can enjoy the games that are on tap in eight major league cities throughout the country.

Braeland can use the respite. Although the country committed itself to the United Nations’ combat effort in Korea just a little over a year ago, war weariness has settled in among her citizens. Thus far, 19 Braelander soldiers have been killed, with 136 wounded and two currently missing in action. Although that pales in comparison to causality totals suffered by other nations involved in the conflict, it is more than enough to tire Braelanders of the conflict, especially with the horrors of the Second World War still fresh in peoples’ minds.

So Prime Minister Wesley Bryans’ government faces its biggest challenge yet in trying to help defuse the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Admittedly, there is little a small country can do outside of supporting the armistice negotiations that have been dragging on and off for two years. But with a national election being held in the United States next month, it is hoped that a new American President will find a path to peace – and quickly.

There is unrest in the United Leagues as well. Players are dissatisfied about their current situation, as player salaries have actually decreased over the past two seasons. With the nation’s overall economy growing and the United Leagues thriving financially, players have become increasingly vocal over the inequity. Calls for forming a player’s union to present a more unified front before the owners and challenge the reserve clause are growing louder. Thus, like the Bryans Administration, Sir David Westfall is facing his biggest challenge yet as Commissioner. It remains to be seen how he and the owners will respond to the growing crisis.

In spite of all this, the United Leagues convened for the 16th annual Coconut Leagues in September in preparation for the 1952-53 regular season. Below are the spring training results as well as predictions for the upcoming season. But first, some player transactions that transpired during the exhibition season:

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Trades

September 12:

The Balmoral Giants and Sherburn Tigers completed a two-player deal:

To Balmoral – 25-year old LHP Lucas Nott (45/49)

To Sherburn – 26-year old OF Connor Wadsworth (43/47)

Knee-jerk reaction: While neither player are game breakers, this trade seems to favor the Tigers in my view. The Giants gave up LHP Ricardo Cruz (58/58) to acquire C Alexander Pyatt (54/54) from the Cambria Cannons back in July, trading from their pitching depth to add some offensive punch. That made sense. This time though, they acquire an inferior pitcher at the expense of a usable offensive piece.

Nott was a 2nd-round pick from 1947-48 and has pitched in the United Leagues the past three seasons, but he has yet to prove himself a consistent starter. Neither of his stuff, movement or control (45-55-45) are impressive and none of the five pitches in his repertoire are overpowering (fastball, curveball and slider, rated as 40/40, are his best). He moves from the No. 5 spot with Sherburn to the No. 4 spot with Balmoral.

Wadsworth just completed his first full season in the United Leagues after being drafted in the 2nd round back in 1947-48. He is an elite defender in the outfield with impressive speed whose greatest strength at the plate is making contact and hitting for average. Scouts consider him a fringe everyday player at this point, but he takes over centerfield for the Tigers and will bat from the second spot in the lineup.

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September 22:

The Braeland City Monarchs and Embro Suns exchanged two players:

To Braeland City – 34-year old RHP Jim Hogue (43/43)

To Embro – 27-year old C Jorge Valentín (41/45)

Knee-jerk reaction: The Monarchs and Suns make a deal that looks to help shore up a weakness on both sides. At one time, Braeland City enjoyed one of the strongest rotations in the East; now it has one of weakest. Hogue is not necessarily the first guy that comes to mind who can help turn things around. Indeed, I had to laugh at his scouting report: “the only pitch he throws in a mediocre forkball, a fastball that is slower than molasses, a curveball that needs plenty of work and a changeup that he doesn’t use much.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement. But he does have good movement and control (60-55) and the same report suggests he should have no trouble filling a role in the middle of any rotation. That’s precisely where the Monarchs have placed him: in the No. 3 spot of their starting rotation.

The Cannons appeared to be set at the catcher’s spot with three-time all-star Scott Weller, but the 33-year regressed for the second-straight season, forcing Embro to bring up long-time minor leaguer Antony Bourke (40/41). The 28-year old Embro native acquitted himself well in 69 games last season (1.0 WAR), but the Suns opted to look elsewhere for their new starting catcher. Valentín spent the past 5 seasons backing up
30-year old Christopher Dainty (49/49), whose performance cratered last season as well. But in Embro, Valentín will get to start and bat out of the No. 6 spot. The former 4th-round pick from 1944-45 is a solid defender with good plate discipline and slightly above-average power. He should draw plenty of walks as well.

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October 2:

The Downie Chiefs and Cobourg Red Stockings announced a three-player deal:

To Downie – 29-year old LHP Hank Bennett (41/41) and 24-year old 1B Anthony Granier (33/49)

To Cobourg – 31-year old RF Nathan Ashman (48/48)

Knee-jerk reaction: After losing his starting job to 25-year old Connor Bing (47/54) last year, Nathan Ashman demanded a trade. A few days before the start of the new season, Downie granted his wish. The Red Stockings get a two-time all-star and a five-time Ball Hawk Award winner whose injury history is a real concern (wrecked). If he can somehow stay healthy for any length of time, he should prove a real upgrade at rightfield. In addition to his elite defense, he is an exceptional base stealer with still decent offensive skills at the plate. He will bat out of the No. 7 spot for Cobourg – assuming he can stay healthy.

The Chiefs’ rotation is not the dominant force it was three seasons ago when they won the United Cup – and the addition of Bennett, quite frankly, will do nothing to change that. He has regressed each year over the past three seasons. He is a decidedly mediocre pitcher with control issues and surrenders too many home runs. But he is a left-hander, something Downie’s rotation doesn’t have. He is penciled in as the Chiefs’ No. 4 starter. The real steal, however, may be Granier, a former third-round pick from 1948-49. He is developing into a very respectable hitter (gap power – 55/55; home run power – 35/45; eye/discipline – 60/60) whose best fielding position is at 1B (55). At present, Downie has assigned him to play 3B (45) with their AAA team, the Renforth Braves.

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New Uniforms

The Balmoral Giants unveiled a new logo and uniforms for the 1952-53 season.

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Eastern League Results

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The Eastern League spring training standings reflect the parity that has been the norm over the past few seasons, as just five games separated first from worst. Wellington came out on top, just as they did last year in the regular season. But the predicted standings have the Stratford Barons finishing in first place, just as it predicted last season as well. Last year’s predictions did not pan out though, as the Barons actually finished in last place. With so much parity right now, I suspect that it would be anybody’s guess as to how things actually turn out. Not a fun time to be a prognosticator, at least in terms of the Eastern League.

In reviewing the players who appear in the projected Top Hitters and Top Pitchers listings, a couple of names stand out. Stratford’s 1B Bob Goodyear (49/49) is not the first player one would expect to have a big year. Acquired from the Kingston Pelicans just prior to the trade deadline last season, Goodyear is rated as only the 12th best starting 1B in the ULB. But he has good gap power (55/55) and home run power (60/60) and avoiding K’s (65/65). So, it looks as though he is capable of being sneaky good now that he will get to play everyday, being out of 38-year old 1B Dean Bishop’s (51/51) shadow.

On the pitching side of things, the Downie Chiefs may have a revitalized pitching rotation this season if the projections pan out. Besides calling for a resurgence of 30-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (46/46), the projections are calling for a big season from RHP Harley Bracher (43/43). Bracher has never really had a ‘big’ season in his 13-year career, so that will be something to keep an eye on.

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Western League Results

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The Western League results and projections can at least be relied upon to reflect the dominance of the Wolseley Unions over the past few years. That hasn’t changed and they have to be considered the prohibited favorites to win it all again this season. The question is who will challenge them for the Pennant. Both the spring training results and predicted standings suggest the Sherburn Tigers being competitive this year. Their pitching staff can be as good as anyone’s in the United Leagues, with 28-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (64/64) and an underrated 25-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (49/49) leading the way. But I am not sold on their offensive roster. One newcomer to the listings is Cambria’s RHP Masami Fujihara (46/46), a former 8th-round pick from 1944-45. He has spent most of his career in the minors until he was traded to Cambria from Stratford at the trade deadline in 1950. It appears that he is still developing, so we’ll have to see how things turn out for him as he pitches out of the No. 3 spot for the Cannons.

Another pleasant surprise is the appearance of Pulberry’s SS Francis Jones (51/51) for the second straight year. Jones enjoyed one excellent season back in 1949-50 (5.7 WAR) but regressed the following year. He did rebound a bit last year (3.9 WAR) and if he can continue that upward trajectory, the Trolleys fortunes will be so much the better. But the Top Hitters list has one glaring omission: Pulberry’s 25-year old CF Cooper Tyson (71/71). In fact, he doesn’t appear on the United Leagues Top 20 Position Player list either. That’s probably due to Tyson being injured early in Spring Training and then being sent down to AAA to ‘rehab’. His omission from the Trolleys’ roster perhaps explains their low position in the projected standings. However, he is expected back by the fourth game of the regular season, so the Trolleys’ reputation as having the most impressive outfield should remain intact. But his replacement, 24-year old OF John Oldknow (53/68) is still highly rated and deserves a starting job somewhere; if not in Pulberry, then with another team that could use him.

---------

To round out the snapshot of the United Leagues, here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day. Also included are the latest leaderboards for a slew of offensive and pitching categories.

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Leaderboards

---------

-----------

History

02-05-2020, 02:16 AM	#560
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,929	Braeland’s second official holiday – Opening Day, has arrived at last! The first holiday of the year – Constitution Day, was way back in May, so Braelanders eagerly anticipate the time off today so that they can enjoy the games that are on tap in eight major league cities throughout the country. Braeland can use the respite. Although the country committed itself to the United Nations’ combat effort in Korea just a little over a year ago, war weariness has settled in among her citizens. Thus far, 19 Braelander soldiers have been killed, with 136 wounded and two currently missing in action. Although that pales in comparison to causality totals suffered by other nations involved in the conflict, it is more than enough to tire Braelanders of the conflict, especially with the horrors of the Second World War still fresh in peoples’ minds. So Prime Minister Wesley Bryans’ government faces its biggest challenge yet in trying to help defuse the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Admittedly, there is little a small country can do outside of supporting the armistice negotiations that have been dragging on and off for two years. But with a national election being held in the United States next month, it is hoped that a new American President will find a path to peace – and quickly. There is unrest in the United Leagues as well. Players are dissatisfied about their current situation, as player salaries have actually decreased over the past two seasons. With the nation’s overall economy growing and the United Leagues thriving financially, players have become increasingly vocal over the inequity. Calls for forming a player’s union to present a more unified front before the owners and challenge the reserve clause are growing louder. Thus, like the Bryans Administration, Sir David Westfall is facing his biggest challenge yet as Commissioner. It remains to be seen how he and the owners will respond to the growing crisis. In spite of all this, the United Leagues convened for the 16th annual Coconut Leagues in September in preparation for the 1952-53 regular season. Below are the spring training results as well as predictions for the upcoming season. But first, some player transactions that transpired during the exhibition season: ----------- Trades September 12: The Balmoral Giants and Sherburn Tigers completed a two-player deal: To Balmoral – 25-year old LHP Lucas Nott (45/49) To Sherburn – 26-year old OF Connor Wadsworth (43/47) *Knee-jerk reaction:* While neither player are game breakers, this trade seems to favor the Tigers in my view. The Giants gave up LHP Ricardo Cruz (58/58) to acquire C Alexander Pyatt (54/54) from the Cambria Cannons back in July, trading from their pitching depth to add some offensive punch. That made sense. This time though, they acquire an inferior pitcher at the expense of a usable offensive piece. Nott was a 2nd-round pick from 1947-48 and has pitched in the United Leagues the past three seasons, but he has yet to prove himself a consistent starter. Neither of his stuff, movement or control (45-55-45) are impressive and none of the five pitches in his repertoire are overpowering (fastball, curveball and slider, rated as 40/40, are his best). He moves from the No. 5 spot with Sherburn to the No. 4 spot with Balmoral. Wadsworth just completed his first full season in the United Leagues after being drafted in the 2nd round back in 1947-48. He is an elite defender in the outfield with impressive speed whose greatest strength at the plate is making contact and hitting for average. Scouts consider him a fringe everyday player at this point, but he takes over centerfield for the Tigers and will bat from the second spot in the lineup. ----------- September 22: The Braeland City Monarchs and Embro Suns exchanged two players: To Braeland City – 34-year old RHP Jim Hogue (43/43) To Embro – 27-year old C Jorge Valentín (41/45) *Knee-jerk reaction:* The Monarchs and Suns make a deal that looks to help shore up a weakness on both sides. At one time, Braeland City enjoyed one of the strongest rotations in the East; now it has one of weakest. Hogue is not necessarily the first guy that comes to mind who can help turn things around. Indeed, I had to laugh at his scouting report: “the only pitch he throws in a mediocre forkball, a fastball that is slower than molasses, a curveball that needs plenty of work and a changeup that he doesn’t use much.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement. But he does have good movement and control (60-55) and the same report suggests he should have no trouble filling a role in the middle of any rotation. That’s precisely where the Monarchs have placed him: in the No. 3 spot of their starting rotation. The Cannons appeared to be set at the catcher’s spot with three-time all-star Scott Weller, but the 33-year regressed for the second-straight season, forcing Embro to bring up long-time minor leaguer Antony Bourke (40/41). The 28-year old Embro native acquitted himself well in 69 games last season (1.0 WAR), but the Suns opted to look elsewhere for their new starting catcher. Valentín spent the past 5 seasons backing up 30-year old Christopher Dainty (49/49), whose performance cratered last season as well. But in Embro, Valentín will get to start and bat out of the No. 6 spot. The former 4th-round pick from 1944-45 is a solid defender with good plate discipline and slightly above-average power. He should draw plenty of walks as well. ----------- October 2: The Downie Chiefs and Cobourg Red Stockings announced a three-player deal: To Downie – 29-year old LHP Hank Bennett (41/41) and 24-year old 1B Anthony Granier (33/49) To Cobourg – 31-year old RF Nathan Ashman (48/48) *Knee-jerk reaction:* After losing his starting job to 25-year old Connor Bing (47/54) last year, Nathan Ashman demanded a trade. A few days before the start of the new season, Downie granted his wish. The Red Stockings get a two-time all-star and a five-time Ball Hawk Award winner whose injury history is a real concern (wrecked). If he can somehow stay healthy for any length of time, he should prove a real upgrade at rightfield. In addition to his elite defense, he is an exceptional base stealer with still decent offensive skills at the plate. He will bat out of the No. 7 spot for Cobourg – assuming he can stay healthy. The Chiefs’ rotation is not the dominant force it was three seasons ago when they won the United Cup – and the addition of Bennett, quite frankly, will do nothing to change that. He has regressed each year over the past three seasons. He is a decidedly mediocre pitcher with control issues and surrenders too many home runs. But he is a left-hander, something Downie’s rotation doesn’t have. He is penciled in as the Chiefs’ No. 4 starter. The real steal, however, may be Granier, a former third-round pick from 1948-49. He is developing into a very respectable hitter (gap power – 55/55; home run power – 35/45; eye/discipline – 60/60) whose best fielding position is at 1B (55). At present, Downie has assigned him to play 3B (45) with their AAA team, the Renforth Braves. ----------- New Uniforms The Balmoral Giants unveiled a new logo and uniforms for the 1952-53 season. ----------- Eastern League Results --------- The Eastern League spring training standings reflect the parity that has been the norm over the past few seasons, as just five games separated first from worst. Wellington came out on top, just as they did last year in the regular season. But the predicted standings have the Stratford Barons finishing in first place, just as it predicted last season as well. Last year’s predictions did not pan out though, as the Barons actually finished in last place. With so much parity right now, I suspect that it would be anybody’s guess as to how things actually turn out. Not a fun time to be a prognosticator, at least in terms of the Eastern League. In reviewing the players who appear in the projected Top Hitters and Top Pitchers listings, a couple of names stand out. Stratford’s 1B Bob Goodyear (49/49) is not the first player one would expect to have a big year. Acquired from the Kingston Pelicans just prior to the trade deadline last season, Goodyear is rated as only the 12th best starting 1B in the ULB. But he has good gap power (55/55) and home run power (60/60) and avoiding K’s (65/65). So, it looks as though he is capable of being sneaky good now that he will get to play everyday, being out of 38-year old 1B Dean Bishop’s (51/51) shadow. On the pitching side of things, the Downie Chiefs may have a revitalized pitching rotation this season if the projections pan out. Besides calling for a resurgence of 30-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (46/46), the projections are calling for a big season from RHP Harley Bracher (43/43). Bracher has never really had a ‘big’ season in his 13-year career, so that will be something to keep an eye on. --------- Western League Results --------- The Western League results and projections can at least be relied upon to reflect the dominance of the Wolseley Unions over the past few years. That hasn’t changed and they have to be considered the prohibited favorites to win it all again this season. The question is who will challenge them for the Pennant. Both the spring training results and predicted standings suggest the Sherburn Tigers being competitive this year. Their pitching staff can be as good as anyone’s in the United Leagues, with 28-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (64/64) and an underrated 25-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (49/49) leading the way. But I am not sold on their offensive roster. One newcomer to the listings is Cambria’s RHP Masami Fujihara (46/46), a former 8th-round pick from 1944-45. He has spent most of his career in the minors until he was traded to Cambria from Stratford at the trade deadline in 1950. It appears that he is still developing, so we’ll have to see how things turn out for him as he pitches out of the No. 3 spot for the Cannons. Another pleasant surprise is the appearance of Pulberry’s SS Francis Jones (51/51) for the second straight year. Jones enjoyed one excellent season back in 1949-50 (5.7 WAR) but regressed the following year. He did rebound a bit last year (3.9 WAR) and if he can continue that upward trajectory, the Trolleys fortunes will be so much the better. But the Top Hitters list has one glaring omission: Pulberry’s 25-year old CF Cooper Tyson (71/71). In fact, he doesn’t appear on the United Leagues Top 20 Position Player list either. That’s probably due to Tyson being injured early in Spring Training and then being sent down to AAA to ‘rehab’. His omission from the Trolleys’ roster perhaps explains their low position in the projected standings. However, he is expected back by the fourth game of the regular season, so the Trolleys’ reputation as having the most impressive outfield should remain intact. But his replacement, 24-year old OF John Oldknow (53/68) is still highly rated and deserves a starting job somewhere; if not in Pulberry, then with another team that could use him. --------- To round out the snapshot of the United Leagues, here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day. Also included are the latest leaderboards for a slew of offensive and pitching categories. --------- Leaderboards --------- ----------- History __________________ United Leagues of Braeland