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reds1 · 02-21-2021, 03:11 PM

December 1, 1953

Eastern League: Early Battle for the Top

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Offense: .296/.368/.447 (2nd/1st/1st)
Pitching: 4.60/4.39/5.30 (6th/5th/5th)
Defense: .679 (7th)

Offense is the on the upswing in the United Leagues, at least in the early going. The Eastern League batting average for example is currently .276. If it holds, then that would be the highest league average in 13 seasons. The Embro Suns have been carried by their offense to the top of the Eastern League standings after the first two months. But the lead has changed hands and been shared with others, most notably, the Cobourg Red Stockings. First place is not a runaway this year.

A number of key players are having tremendous seasons at the plate. The offense is led by 25-year old 3B Moromao Nakagawa (.338/.398/.574, 10 Hr, 41 RBI, 18 BB, 2.5 WAR). The former 5th overall pick from 1947-48 has come into his own and is currently ranked 12th overall among position players.

He is joined by lead-off hitter LF Jesús Abreu (.293/.406/.473, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 27 BB, 1.4 WAR), No 2 hitter CF Orlando Morales (.325/.364/.500, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 14 BB, 1.9 WAR), No. 3 hitter 1B Napana Mamo (.295/.358/.471, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 19 BB, 1.4 WAR) and No. 5 hitter RF José Maldonado (.297/.361/.494, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 18 BB, 1.0 WAR). All are enjoying the best start to their young careers.

The defense however has not been as sterling, as the Suns are last in zone rating (-7.5) and errors (59). Pitching has been a mixed bag too. But both RHP Juan Rivas (6-5, 3.48 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 121 ERA+) and veteran LHP Arthur Bence (5-6, 3.68 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 114 ERA+), the Nos. 2 and 3 starters, have been fairly reliable thus far.

Noteworthy:

November 3 – It was a long day for Braeland City, as the Suns scorched the Monarchs 23-4. The game was tied 3-3 until the 5th inning when Embro brought on the heat, scoring 3 runs in the 5th, a run in the 6th, 10 runs in the 7th and 3 runs each in the 8th and 9th. Eight players collected at least two hits, with 3B Moromao Nakagawa going 5 for 7, with 3-run home run and a double, 5 RBI, 4 R; while RF José Maldonado went 4 for 7, with a Grand Slam home run, 7 RBI and 1 R.
November 10 – 28-year old 3B Keon-chae Cho (.355/.429/.613, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 8 BB, 0.7 WAR) has put up the best offensive performance in a game in the Eastern League thus far, when he went 4 for 5 with 2 home runs and 2 singles in the Suns’ 14-4 trouncing of the Queensland Eagles. He scored 3 runs and drove in 7 for a game score of 108.

Current Injuries:

October 9 – SS Kieron Bradridge – strained hamstring. Out for: unknown.

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Offense: .299/.364/.437 (1st/2nd/3rd)
Pitching: 4.13/4.07/4.38 (2nd/4th/2nd)
Defense: .702 (3rd)

Perhaps the most consistent team in the East after the first two months has been the Cobourg Red Stockings, who have gone back and forth with the Embro Suns for top spot the past eight weeks. They have been separated by no more than 1 game so far.

The offense continues to be elite, led by their 2-time Babe Ruth Award winner, CF Raymond Williams (.358/.419/.652, 13 HR, 47 RBI, 21 BB, 3.8 WAR). The 27-year old earned 9.2 WAR last season; this year he is on pace for 11.4. But he has been joined this season in the outstanding performance department by 1B Harry Doxey (.415/.464/.615, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 15 BB, 3.3 WAR). Doxey currently leads the entire ULB in batting average, hits (85) and doubles (20). Over the past 5 seasons, the 28-year old averaged just under 4.0 WAR; this year he is on pace to rack up 9.9.

But the Red Stockings are dealing with a bit of unhappiness. In addition to a lack of leadership on the team, former 6th overall pick Douglas Jones (.259/.309/.397, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 13 BB, 2 SB, 1.1 WAR – 58/73) has taken over the shortstop position full-time from 32-year old John Medley (.340/.373/.511, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 3 BB, 0.3 WAR – 58/58), who is still a very capable player. Medley currently is rated as the 10th-best shortstop in the ULB. Understandably, the 7-time all-star is not happy. We’ll have to see how this plays out.

Overall, the pitching staff has improved over last season, but it still needs to develop consistency if Cobourg wants to repeat as Eastern League champions. 25-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (6-5, 2.93 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 144 ERA+) and 25-year old LHP Bill Budd (5-4, 3.65 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 116 ERA+) continue to be one of the finer one-two punches in the United Leagues.

Noteworthy:

October 6 –SS Douglas Jones did some real damage against Queensland, going 5 for 5 in Cobourg’s 12-6 drubbing of the Eagles. Hitting out of the 5th spot, he hit a 2-run home run in the 4th as well as a 2-run double in the 5th. Jones scored twice and drove in 5 runs.
October 22 – Cobourg was down 4-0 heading into the top of the 8th when they exploded for 12 runs, en route to a 12-6 victory. They needed just 8 hits to win the game. Alas, CF Raymond Williams did not get one, ending his 23-game hitting streak. But he did score twice on 4 walks, going 0-1 on the day.
October 25 – 5th starter RHP Efren Tumanut (2-2, 5.61 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 75 ERA+) pitched a whale of the game, defeating the Wellington Athletics 14-0. On 117 pitches, he surrendered just 4 hits with 3 BB and 4 K (GS: 80). The former 6th rounder from 1945-46 also hit his first career home run, a 2-run shot in the 6th. In all, he went 1 for 4 with 2 R, 2 RBI.
November 13 – The top pitching performance in the East so far came from LHP Bill Budd, who blanked the Balmoral Giants, 7-0. Budd gave up just 4 hits and 1 BB, while striking out 10 for a game score of 88.
November 27 – The Red Stockings rocked the Pelicans in Kingston, 12-1 off of 17 hits. They scored 4 runs in the 1st and 5 in the 4th, with the help of 3-run home runs from CF Raymond Williams and 1B Harry Doxey. 26-year old LF Robert Burgess (.500/.545/.800, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 0.2 WAR) chipped in with a two-run shot in the 4th as well, his first of the season. LHP Bill Budd went the distance, giving up just 3 hits with 6 BB, 6 K (GS: 77).

Current Injuries:

October 20 – RHP Harry Dinsmore – recurring back spasms. Out for: 2 weeks.
November 20 – RF Nathan Ashman – strained oblique. Out for: DtD, 2 weeks.

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Offense: .276/.358/.408 (4th/3rd/5th)
Pitching: 4.05/3.99/4.48 (1st/3rd/3rd)
Defense: .713 (1st)

The Stratford Barons boasted the best record in the United Leagues at the end of October but stumbled soon after when they started the next month 1-8.

The heart of the lineup (Nos. 3 through 6) is enjoying a terrific start. 23-year old CF Sherwin Carasig (.342/.412/.535, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 22 BB, 6 SB, 2.4 WAR), a 9th overall pick from 1947-48, is enjoying a break-out season, while 14-year veteran, 34-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.303/.429/.471, 7 HR, 33 RBI, 35 BB, 2.1 WAR), continues to play at a high level (rated 7th overall among all players). Following them in the lineup are 25-year old 2B Matthew Channing (.299/.359/.503, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 19 BB, 6 SB, 1.9 WAR) and 30-year old LF Roberto Ríos (.304/.436/.391, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 43BB, 2.0 WAR). Like Carasig, Channing is a young player who is enjoying his first break-out year while Ríos appears to be experiencing a bit of a renaissance as he is off to his best start in four seasons.

One surprise is the demotion of 28-year old 1B Bob Goodyear (.293/.373/.341, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 7 BB, 0.1 WAR – 49/49) to the bench. Taking his place is 23-year old rookie Ronald Hollinshed (.294/.330/.444, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 9 BB, 0.5 WAR – 45/50). Hollinshed was Stratford’s 4th overall pick last season, the same year that Goodyear finished 5th in the EL Babe Ruth Award voting.

The pitching is sturdy, but so far only 26-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (9-3, 3.41 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 123 ERA+) has been a real standout. Second year pitcher, 27-year old RHP Alonso Martínez (5-3, 3.41 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 123 ERA+), has had his moments.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 12 – CF Sherwin Carasig (.500, 16 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI)

Noteworthy:

October 15 – The Barons defeated the Brunswick Legends, 3-0 at home. RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco pitched the shut-out on three hits with 2 BB, 4 K on 103 pitches (GS: 83). The Barons got all their runs in the 3rd, with C Aaron Skidmore hitting a 2-out, 2-run home run.
October 31 – The Downie Chiefs could not get anything going against 27-year old RHP Bill Wolf (4-5, 4.25 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 98 ERA+) who pitched the Barons to a 2-0 victory. Giving up just 3 hits – all singles, Wolf struck out 3 and walked 1 on 95 pitches (GS: 83).

Current Injuries:

November 29 – CF Marcello Dean – biceps strain. Out for: DtD, 2 weeks.

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Offense: .293/.354/.446 (3rd/4th/2nd)
Pitching: 4.36/3.75/5.77 (5th/1st/7th)
Defense: .691 (4th)

The Braeland City Monarchs are the fourth team in the East that are keeping things really close, although like the Barons, they too stumbled in November. If they can get their pitching staff, especially the bullpen to step up, then they could easily find themselves holding down top spot very soon.

I’ve been a big fan of 28-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.391/.484/.737, 13 HR, 36 RBI, 33 BB, 4.1 WAR) ever since the former 1st overall pick joined the league 6 seasons ago, but I never felt he was receiving the recognition he deserves. That may change this year. Lidgate is enjoying a monster season so far (he is on pace for 12.2 WAR) as he leads the League in 8 offensive categories. In the ever changing Top 20, he currently sits at No. 1, ahead of Cobourg’s Raymond Williams. 23-year old RF Aidan Trembath (.323/.404/.477, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 23 BB, 1.8 WAR) and 28-year old C Hayden Billyard (.326/.359/.484, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 10 BB, 1.4 WAR) are also off to their best starts.

The rotation has been really good with No. 1 starter, 25-year old RHP Pei Ming (5-5, 2.75 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 154 ERA+), off to a fast start in his second full season. No. 2 starter, 32-year old RHP Okura Suzuki (4-2, 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 107 ERA+) continues to be effective. But outside of stopper RHP Rizal Doctolero (6-2, 5 SV, 3.28 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 129 ERA+), the bullpen is struggling.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 26 – RF Aidan Trembath (.484, 15 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
November 9 – 2B Patrick Lidgate (.533, 8 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI)
November 23 – 2B Patrick Lidgate (.524, 11 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI)

Current Injuries:

November 17 – RHP Bobby Hogg – sprained elbow. Out for: DtD, 2 days.
November 23 – 2B Patrick Lidgate – knee tendinitis. Out for: DtD, 4 days.
November 28 – RHP Pei Ming – mild calf strain. Out for: DtD, 3 days.

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Offense: .269/.339/.387 (5th/5th/7th)
Pitching: 4.99/4.71/5.92 (8th/7th/8th)
Defense: .682 (6th)

Although the Wellington Athletics got off to a slow start in October and find themselves in the second division after the first two months, they really aren’t that far off from competing with the top four teams in the East. But a long-term injury to their best player and an uneven pitching squad may do them in.
The offense has been quite respectable, but they lost their best player when 26-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.350/.429/.613, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 21 BB, 2.6 WAR) broke his elbow sliding into second base in a game against the Fort Richmond Generals. Floyd is currently rated the No. 3 position player in the ULB and his production will be tough to replace. On the bright side, the contributions to Wellington’s offense has been nicely distributed. 28-year old Jim Mars (.326/.386/.420, 0 HR, 26 RBI, 19 BB, 1.4 WAR) has put the distractions of the off-season nicely behind him, although his home run power has curiously dried up. 26-year old 1B Wayne Emmert (.284/.364/.502, 8 HR, 38 RBI, 24 BB, 1.6 WAR) is off to a fine start as well, but a lineup without Floyd is going to suffer.

The pitching has not great to be honest. But No. 1 starter, 25-year old RHP Vinnie Snell (6-3, 4.00 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 103 ERA+) has been decent, while No. 2 starter, 23-year old rookie RHP Darren Etheridge (6-2, 3.64 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 113 ERA+) has been a pleasant surprise, winning back-to-back Rookie of the Month honors. The bullpen has a bit of hodgepodge feel to it, with the Athletics signing 37-year old veteran LHP Anastasio Rodríquez (0-0, 13.50 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 31 ERA+) to a minor league contract. But it appears the future hall of famer’s best days are behind him.

Player of the Week Awards:

November 2 – CF Jim Mars (.560, 14 H, 4 RBI)
November 16 – LF Matthew Floyd (.419, 13 H, 3 HR, 11 RBI)

Noteworthy:

October 11 –RHP Vinnie Snell put up a great performance against the Stratford Barons, blanking them 4-0 on 3 hits. He struck out 10 and walked 4 (GS: 87). He was assisted by 1B Wayne Emmert who banged out a 3-run home run in the 3rd inning against Bill Wolf.

Current Injuries:

October 20 – RHP Matt Price – partially torn labrum. Out for: 6-7 weeks.
November 22 – LF Matthew Floyd – broken bone in elbow. Out for: 4 months.

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Offense: .269/.335/.419 (6th/6th/4th)
Pitching: 4.86/4.80/5.03 (7th/8th/4th)
Defense: .678 (8th)

Hard to believe, but it’s been 7 years already since the Brunswick Legends last made the playoffs. It doesn’t appear the playoff drought is going to end anytime soon.

25-year old C Robert Kersey (.310/.385/.589, 13 HR, 22 BB, 2.3 WAR) is easily Brunswick’s best player and is the top catcher in the United Leagues (6th overall). In addition, 26-year-old switch-hitting CF Gideon Joule (.311/.373/.459, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 18 BB, 5 SB, 1.4 WAR), 25-year old SS Harris Yaag (.328/.360/.519, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 9 BB, 1.4 WAR) and 32-year old 3B Jorge Arredondo (.292/.367/.432, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 23 BB, 1.7 WAR) are enjoying fine starts. But lead-off hitter LF Carl Patton (.246/.361/.267, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 35 BB, 10 SB, 0.4 WAR) has regressed severely, after his breakout season last year when he racked up 7.4 WAR and finished 8th in the EL Babe Ruth Award voting.

An iconic face who has been the heart of the Legends lineup for the past 12 seasons is slowly receding: 36-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.252/.318/.461, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 12 BB, -0.2 WAR) has been reduced to pinch hitting duties and the LHP lineup, as 25-year old Francis Joicey (.256/.323/.433, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 9 BB, 0.4 WAR) has taken over the bulk of the duties at first base facing RHP.

The pitching is struggling but there have been a few bright spots: No. 3 starter, 33-year old RHP Luis Cruz (5-4, 3.36 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 126 ERA+) has been Brunswick’s best pitcher, while 26-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil (5-4, 4.05 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 104 ERA+), who won 21 games last year, has pitched well the last few games. In the bullpen, 28-year old RHP Byron Ollson (0-1, 1 SV, 2.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 184 ERA+) has pitched well in 31.1 innings so far.

Player of the Week Awards:

November 30 – SS Harris Yaag (.520, 13 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R)

Noteworthy:

October 11 – The Legends pulled out a dramatic walk-off win against the Wellington Athletics as 23-year old rookie OF Jay Mitchell (.281/.329/.453, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 5 BB, 0.3 WAR) proved to be the hero. Down 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 9th, C Robert Kersey led off with a double off of RHP Zachary Collingham. 1B Stuart Bentham followed with a 4-pitch walk. RF Marcus Peyto (.264/.329/.521, 10 HR, 31 RBI, 14 BB, 0.7 WAR) then slashed a single into left centerfield to tie the game. RHP Finlay Capstick then came on in relief, getting two quick outs. But then Jay Mitchell stepped to the plate and smashed a 1-2 pitch 421 ft. into the right centerfield bleachers for a 3-run homer, giving the Legends the walk-off win.

Current Injuries: None.

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Offense: .258/.319/.402 (7th/7th/6th)
Pitching: 4.16/4.56/3.13 (4th/6th/1st)
Defense: .708 (2nd)

The Downie Chiefs are just two seasons removed from their last playoff appearance and it appears they trying to rebuild on the fly. They have promoted at least 4 rookies to the lineup and rotation. Considering the struggles of many of their veterans this season, that isn’t such a bad move.

Their offense is sputtering, with only 25-year old 2B Dominic Dudding (.363/.430/.527, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 23 BB, 2.6 WAR) playing up to his expected level. 27-year old CF Alfonso León (.342/.386/.485, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 15 BB, 1.8 WAR) is considered one of the elite players in the United Leagues (4th overall) and is producing, but his overall production is done from his Babe Ruth Award-winning level from last season. The rest of the veterans are all experiencing slow starts.

Perhaps as a result, the Chiefs have promoted a couple of their prospects to the major league lineup. 22-year old Freddie Ogburn (.224/.259/.366, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 7 BB, 0.2 WAR – 45/63), an 11th overall pick from 1949-50 has taken over third base full-time, with 25-year old Louis Revill (.260/.322/.398, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 14 BB, 0.8 WAR) shifting to first base. Meanwhile, 24-year old OF Jack Jefferson (.286/.385/.381, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 0.2 WAR – 48/57) was recently promoted, but has largely been serving as the 4th outfielder for now.

While the bullpen, led by former starter RHP Joong Ling (1-0, 2.13 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 193 ERA+), has been very effective, the club has used injuries in their rotation as an opportunity to try out some rookies. Thus, 22-year old RHP Stefan Rankin (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.88 WHIP – 40/43), a former 4th round pick from 1950-51, and 22-year old LHP Quinn Merrifield (2-4, 5.59 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 74 ERA+ - 23/59), a 2nd-round pick from last season, are getting their turns in the 4th and 5th spots respectively.

Noteworthy:

November 12 – In a wild game that saw the lead change hands 6 times, the Chiefs pulled out a come from behind win over the Hespeler Stars, winning 9-7. Down 7-6 heading into the bottom of the 9th, CF Alfonso León singled off of RHP Nelson Wigley with one out. 2B Dominic Dudding then drew a 4-pitch walk. Next up was 1B Louie Revill, who hit his second home run of the day, a 3-run shot into leftfield, giving the Chiefs the walk-off win.

Current Injuries:

November 11 – RHP Carl Luscombe – torn meniscus. Out for: 7 weeks.
November 27 – RHP Bernie Knowles – strained shoulder. Out for: 4 weeks.

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Offense: .251/.319/.361 (8th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 4.16/3.88/5.68 (3rd/2nd/6th)
Defense: .688 (5th)

The Queensland Eagles are at the bottom of the standings and its not hard to see why: they have the most anemic offense in the United Leagues. But as bad as their offense is, their pitching has been sturdy – and it appears it’s only to going to get stronger. Like the Downie Chiefs, the Eagles have promoted a few rookies on both offense and pitching to see if they can give a much-needed boost to Queensland’s fortunes.

The lineup is a virtual wasteland, with only 27-year old 3B Ryan Conisford (.263/.341/.459, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 23 BB, 1.5 WAR) enjoying a solid start, the best of his 4-year career. Two rookies have made the lineup, attempting to establish themselves. 7th round pick (1950-51) CF Liam Banfield (.254/.338/.365, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 25 BB, 8 SB, 0.6 WAR – 46/49) is leading off, while Queensland’s top prospect, 20-year old RF Hal Dhu (39/68), was promoted to the majors in late November. The 5th overall selection from 1951-52 will bat 5th, immediately behind Conisford.

What the Eagles don’t have (yet) on offense, they have in pitching: the top two rated players in the United Leagues. 28-year old RHP Logan Belsey (6-6, 3.13 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 132 ERA+ - 72/80) and 26-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (5-4, 3.14 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 132 ERA+ - 69/74) are unquestionably the most formidable pitching duo in the United Leagues today. And the rotation could get even stronger in near future. 21-year old RHP Derek Tarn (0-1, 5.14 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 81 ERA+ - 46/64) currently resides in the bullpen, but the former 3rd overall pick (1950-51) is a future starter. Down in AAA, the Eagles also have 21-year old RHP Wayne O’Reilly (36/62), a 9th overall pick from last year and 24-year old LHP Amoka Kalea (40/56), who was selected in the 3rd round last season. If the young guns continue to develop, Queensland could easily have the strongest rotation in the ULB sooner rather than later.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 19 – LF Rod Dennis (.500, 13 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

Noteworthy:

November 25 – It remained a scoreless tie until the top of the 9th inning, when the Eagles finally broke through, but the day belonged to RHP Logan Belsey. On 123 pitches, he blanked the Balmoral Giants, 5-0. He struck out 8, walked 2 and gave up just 4 hits (GS: 85). Triple-A veteran, 27-year old SS Juan Ramos (.250/.283/.477, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 0.3 WAR), got the big hit, a two-out, 3-run jack to leftfield.

Current Injuries:

October 24 – LHP Steven Selkirk – torn flexor tendon. Out for: 5 months.
November 22 – RF Jilenko Vergara – wrist soreness. Out for: DtD, 3 days.
November 28 – 3B Bob Sobel – sprained ankle. Out for: 2 weeks.

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02-21-2021, 03:11 PM	#601
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,929	December 1, 1953 Eastern League: Early Battle for the Top -------- Offense: .296/.368/.447 (2nd/1st/1st) Pitching: 4.60/4.39/5.30 (6th/5th/5th) Defense: .679 (7th) Offense is the on the upswing in the United Leagues, at least in the early going. The Eastern League batting average for example is currently .276. If it holds, then that would be the highest league average in 13 seasons. The Embro Suns have been carried by their offense to the top of the Eastern League standings after the first two months. But the lead has changed hands and been shared with others, most notably, the Cobourg Red Stockings. First place is not a runaway this year. A number of key players are having tremendous seasons at the plate. The offense is led by 25-year old 3B Moromao Nakagawa (.338/.398/.574, 10 Hr, 41 RBI, 18 BB, 2.5 WAR). The former 5th overall pick from 1947-48 has come into his own and is currently ranked 12th overall among position players. He is joined by lead-off hitter LF Jesús Abreu (.293/.406/.473, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 27 BB, 1.4 WAR), No 2 hitter CF Orlando Morales (.325/.364/.500, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 14 BB, 1.9 WAR), No. 3 hitter 1B Napana Mamo (.295/.358/.471, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 19 BB, 1.4 WAR) and No. 5 hitter RF José Maldonado (.297/.361/.494, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 18 BB, 1.0 WAR). All are enjoying the best start to their young careers. The defense however has not been as sterling, as the Suns are last in zone rating (-7.5) and errors (59). Pitching has been a mixed bag too. But both RHP Juan Rivas (6-5, 3.48 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 121 ERA+) and veteran LHP Arthur Bence (5-6, 3.68 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 114 ERA+), the Nos. 2 and 3 starters, have been fairly reliable thus far. Noteworthy: November 3 – It was a long day for Braeland City, as the Suns scorched the Monarchs 23-4. The game was tied 3-3 until the 5th inning when Embro brought on the heat, scoring 3 runs in the 5th, a run in the 6th, 10 runs in the 7th and 3 runs each in the 8th and 9th. Eight players collected at least two hits, with 3B Moromao Nakagawa going 5 for 7, with 3-run home run and a double, 5 RBI, 4 R; while RF José Maldonado went 4 for 7, with a Grand Slam home run, 7 RBI and 1 R. November 10 – 28-year old 3B Keon-chae Cho (.355/.429/.613, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 8 BB, 0.7 WAR) has put up the best offensive performance in a game in the Eastern League thus far, when he went 4 for 5 with 2 home runs and 2 singles in the Suns’ 14-4 trouncing of the Queensland Eagles. He scored 3 runs and drove in 7 for a game score of 108. Current Injuries: October 9 – SS Kieron Bradridge – strained hamstring. Out for: unknown. -------- Offense: .299/.364/.437 (1st/2nd/3rd) Pitching: 4.13/4.07/4.38 (2nd/4th/2nd) Defense: .702 (3rd) Perhaps the most consistent team in the East after the first two months has been the Cobourg Red Stockings, who have gone back and forth with the Embro Suns for top spot the past eight weeks. They have been separated by no more than 1 game so far. The offense continues to be elite, led by their 2-time Babe Ruth Award winner, CF Raymond Williams (.358/.419/.652, 13 HR, 47 RBI, 21 BB, 3.8 WAR). The 27-year old earned 9.2 WAR last season; this year he is on pace for 11.4. But he has been joined this season in the outstanding performance department by 1B Harry Doxey (.415/.464/.615, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 15 BB, 3.3 WAR). Doxey currently leads the entire ULB in batting average, hits (85) and doubles (20). Over the past 5 seasons, the 28-year old averaged just under 4.0 WAR; this year he is on pace to rack up 9.9. But the Red Stockings are dealing with a bit of unhappiness. In addition to a lack of leadership on the team, former 6th overall pick Douglas Jones (.259/.309/.397, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 13 BB, 2 SB, 1.1 WAR – 58/73) has taken over the shortstop position full-time from 32-year old John Medley (.340/.373/.511, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 3 BB, 0.3 WAR – 58/58), who is still a very capable player. Medley currently is rated as the 10th-best shortstop in the ULB. Understandably, the 7-time all-star is not happy. We’ll have to see how this plays out. Overall, the pitching staff has improved over last season, but it still needs to develop consistency if Cobourg wants to repeat as Eastern League champions. 25-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (6-5, 2.93 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 144 ERA+) and 25-year old LHP Bill Budd (5-4, 3.65 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 116 ERA+) continue to be one of the finer one-two punches in the United Leagues. Noteworthy: October 6 –SS Douglas Jones did some real damage against Queensland, going 5 for 5 in Cobourg’s 12-6 drubbing of the Eagles. Hitting out of the 5th spot, he hit a 2-run home run in the 4th as well as a 2-run double in the 5th. Jones scored twice and drove in 5 runs. October 22 – Cobourg was down 4-0 heading into the top of the 8th when they exploded for 12 runs, en route to a 12-6 victory. They needed just 8 hits to win the game. Alas, CF Raymond Williams did not get one, ending his 23-game hitting streak. But he did score twice on 4 walks, going 0-1 on the day. October 25 – 5th starter RHP Efren Tumanut (2-2, 5.61 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 75 ERA+) pitched a whale of the game, defeating the Wellington Athletics 14-0. On 117 pitches, he surrendered just 4 hits with 3 BB and 4 K (GS: 80). The former 6th rounder from 1945-46 also hit his first career home run, a 2-run shot in the 6th. In all, he went 1 for 4 with 2 R, 2 RBI. November 13 – The top pitching performance in the East so far came from LHP Bill Budd, who blanked the Balmoral Giants, 7-0. Budd gave up just 4 hits and 1 BB, while striking out 10 for a game score of 88. November 27 – The Red Stockings rocked the Pelicans in Kingston, 12-1 off of 17 hits. They scored 4 runs in the 1st and 5 in the 4th, with the help of 3-run home runs from CF Raymond Williams and 1B Harry Doxey. 26-year old LF Robert Burgess (.500/.545/.800, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 0.2 WAR) chipped in with a two-run shot in the 4th as well, his first of the season. LHP Bill Budd went the distance, giving up just 3 hits with 6 BB, 6 K (GS: 77). Current Injuries: October 20 – RHP Harry Dinsmore – recurring back spasms. Out for: 2 weeks. November 20 – RF Nathan Ashman – strained oblique. Out for: DtD, 2 weeks. -------- Offense: .276/.358/.408 (4th/3rd/5th) Pitching: 4.05/3.99/4.48 (1st/3rd/3rd) Defense: .713 (1st) The Stratford Barons boasted the best record in the United Leagues at the end of October but stumbled soon after when they started the next month 1-8. The heart of the lineup (Nos. 3 through 6) is enjoying a terrific start. 23-year old CF Sherwin Carasig (.342/.412/.535, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 22 BB, 6 SB, 2.4 WAR), a 9th overall pick from 1947-48, is enjoying a break-out season, while 14-year veteran, 34-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.303/.429/.471, 7 HR, 33 RBI, 35 BB, 2.1 WAR), continues to play at a high level (rated 7th overall among all players). Following them in the lineup are 25-year old 2B Matthew Channing (.299/.359/.503, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 19 BB, 6 SB, 1.9 WAR) and 30-year old LF Roberto Ríos (.304/.436/.391, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 43BB, 2.0 WAR). Like Carasig, Channing is a young player who is enjoying his first break-out year while Ríos appears to be experiencing a bit of a renaissance as he is off to his best start in four seasons. One surprise is the demotion of 28-year old 1B Bob Goodyear (.293/.373/.341, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 7 BB, 0.1 WAR – 49/49) to the bench. Taking his place is 23-year old rookie Ronald Hollinshed (.294/.330/.444, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 9 BB, 0.5 WAR – 45/50). Hollinshed was Stratford’s 4th overall pick last season, the same year that Goodyear finished 5th in the EL Babe Ruth Award voting. The pitching is sturdy, but so far only 26-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (9-3, 3.41 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 123 ERA+) has been a real standout. Second year pitcher, 27-year old RHP Alonso Martínez (5-3, 3.41 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 123 ERA+), has had his moments. Player of the Week Awards: October 12 – CF Sherwin Carasig (.500, 16 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI) Noteworthy: October 15 – The Barons defeated the Brunswick Legends, 3-0 at home. RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco pitched the shut-out on three hits with 2 BB, 4 K on 103 pitches (GS: 83). The Barons got all their runs in the 3rd, with C Aaron Skidmore hitting a 2-out, 2-run home run. October 31 – The Downie Chiefs could not get anything going against 27-year old RHP Bill Wolf (4-5, 4.25 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 98 ERA+) who pitched the Barons to a 2-0 victory. Giving up just 3 hits – all singles, Wolf struck out 3 and walked 1 on 95 pitches (GS: 83). Current Injuries: November 29 – CF Marcello Dean – biceps strain. Out for: DtD, 2 weeks. -------- Offense: .293/.354/.446 (3rd/4th/2nd) Pitching: 4.36/3.75/5.77 (5th/1st/7th) Defense: .691 (4th) The Braeland City Monarchs are the fourth team in the East that are keeping things really close, although like the Barons, they too stumbled in November. If they can get their pitching staff, especially the bullpen to step up, then they could easily find themselves holding down top spot very soon. I’ve been a big fan of 28-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.391/.484/.737, 13 HR, 36 RBI, 33 BB, 4.1 WAR) ever since the former 1st overall pick joined the league 6 seasons ago, but I never felt he was receiving the recognition he deserves. That may change this year. Lidgate is enjoying a monster season so far (he is on pace for 12.2 WAR) as he leads the League in 8 offensive categories. In the ever changing Top 20, he currently sits at No. 1, ahead of Cobourg’s Raymond Williams. 23-year old RF Aidan Trembath (.323/.404/.477, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 23 BB, 1.8 WAR) and 28-year old C Hayden Billyard (.326/.359/.484, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 10 BB, 1.4 WAR) are also off to their best starts. The rotation has been really good with No. 1 starter, 25-year old RHP Pei Ming (5-5, 2.75 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 154 ERA+), off to a fast start in his second full season. No. 2 starter, 32-year old RHP Okura Suzuki (4-2, 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 107 ERA+) continues to be effective. But outside of stopper RHP Rizal Doctolero (6-2, 5 SV, 3.28 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 129 ERA+), the bullpen is struggling. Player of the Week Awards: October 26 – RF Aidan Trembath (.484, 15 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI) November 9 – 2B Patrick Lidgate (.533, 8 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI) November 23 – 2B Patrick Lidgate (.524, 11 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI) Current Injuries: November 17 – RHP Bobby Hogg – sprained elbow. Out for: DtD, 2 days. November 23 – 2B Patrick Lidgate – knee tendinitis. Out for: DtD, 4 days. November 28 – RHP Pei Ming – mild calf strain. Out for: DtD, 3 days. -------- Offense: .269/.339/.387 (5th/5th/7th) Pitching: 4.99/4.71/5.92 (8th/7th/8th) Defense: .682 (6th) Although the Wellington Athletics got off to a slow start in October and find themselves in the second division after the first two months, they really aren’t that far off from competing with the top four teams in the East. But a long-term injury to their best player and an uneven pitching squad may do them in. The offense has been quite respectable, but they lost their best player when 26-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.350/.429/.613, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 21 BB, 2.6 WAR) broke his elbow sliding into second base in a game against the Fort Richmond Generals. Floyd is currently rated the No. 3 position player in the ULB and his production will be tough to replace. On the bright side, the contributions to Wellington’s offense has been nicely distributed. 28-year old Jim Mars (.326/.386/.420, 0 HR, 26 RBI, 19 BB, 1.4 WAR) has put the distractions of the off-season nicely behind him, although his home run power has curiously dried up. 26-year old 1B Wayne Emmert (.284/.364/.502, 8 HR, 38 RBI, 24 BB, 1.6 WAR) is off to a fine start as well, but a lineup without Floyd is going to suffer. The pitching has not great to be honest. But No. 1 starter, 25-year old RHP Vinnie Snell (6-3, 4.00 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 103 ERA+) has been decent, while No. 2 starter, 23-year old rookie RHP Darren Etheridge (6-2, 3.64 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 113 ERA+) has been a pleasant surprise, winning back-to-back Rookie of the Month honors. The bullpen has a bit of hodgepodge feel to it, with the Athletics signing 37-year old veteran LHP Anastasio Rodríquez (0-0, 13.50 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 31 ERA+) to a minor league contract. But it appears the future hall of famer’s best days are behind him. Player of the Week Awards: November 2 – CF Jim Mars (.560, 14 H, 4 RBI) November 16 – LF Matthew Floyd (.419, 13 H, 3 HR, 11 RBI) Noteworthy: October 11 –RHP Vinnie Snell put up a great performance against the Stratford Barons, blanking them 4-0 on 3 hits. He struck out 10 and walked 4 (GS: 87). He was assisted by 1B Wayne Emmert who banged out a 3-run home run in the 3rd inning against Bill Wolf. Current Injuries: October 20 – RHP Matt Price – partially torn labrum. Out for: 6-7 weeks. November 22 – LF Matthew Floyd – broken bone in elbow. Out for: 4 months. -------- Offense: .269/.335/.419 (6th/6th/4th) Pitching: 4.86/4.80/5.03 (7th/8th/4th) Defense: .678 (8th) Hard to believe, but it’s been 7 years already since the Brunswick Legends last made the playoffs. It doesn’t appear the playoff drought is going to end anytime soon. 25-year old C Robert Kersey (.310/.385/.589, 13 HR, 22 BB, 2.3 WAR) is easily Brunswick’s best player and is the top catcher in the United Leagues (6th overall). In addition, 26-year-old switch-hitting CF Gideon Joule (.311/.373/.459, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 18 BB, 5 SB, 1.4 WAR), 25-year old SS Harris Yaag (.328/.360/.519, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 9 BB, 1.4 WAR) and 32-year old 3B Jorge Arredondo (.292/.367/.432, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 23 BB, 1.7 WAR) are enjoying fine starts. But lead-off hitter LF Carl Patton (.246/.361/.267, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 35 BB, 10 SB, 0.4 WAR) has regressed severely, after his breakout season last year when he racked up 7.4 WAR and finished 8th in the EL Babe Ruth Award voting. An iconic face who has been the heart of the Legends lineup for the past 12 seasons is slowly receding: 36-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.252/.318/.461, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 12 BB, -0.2 WAR) has been reduced to pinch hitting duties and the LHP lineup, as 25-year old Francis Joicey (.256/.323/.433, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 9 BB, 0.4 WAR) has taken over the bulk of the duties at first base facing RHP. The pitching is struggling but there have been a few bright spots: No. 3 starter, 33-year old RHP Luis Cruz (5-4, 3.36 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 126 ERA+) has been Brunswick’s best pitcher, while 26-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil (5-4, 4.05 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 104 ERA+), who won 21 games last year, has pitched well the last few games. In the bullpen, 28-year old RHP Byron Ollson (0-1, 1 SV, 2.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 184 ERA+) has pitched well in 31.1 innings so far. Player of the Week Awards: November 30 – SS Harris Yaag (.520, 13 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R) Noteworthy: October 11 – The Legends pulled out a dramatic walk-off win against the Wellington Athletics as 23-year old rookie OF Jay Mitchell (.281/.329/.453, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 5 BB, 0.3 WAR) proved to be the hero. Down 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 9th, C Robert Kersey led off with a double off of RHP Zachary Collingham. 1B Stuart Bentham followed with a 4-pitch walk. RF Marcus Peyto (.264/.329/.521, 10 HR, 31 RBI, 14 BB, 0.7 WAR) then slashed a single into left centerfield to tie the game. RHP Finlay Capstick then came on in relief, getting two quick outs. But then Jay Mitchell stepped to the plate and smashed a 1-2 pitch 421 ft. into the right centerfield bleachers for a 3-run homer, giving the Legends the walk-off win. Current Injuries: None. -------- Offense: .258/.319/.402 (7th/7th/6th) Pitching: 4.16/4.56/3.13 (4th/6th/1st) Defense: .708 (2nd) The Downie Chiefs are just two seasons removed from their last playoff appearance and it appears they trying to rebuild on the fly. They have promoted at least 4 rookies to the lineup and rotation. Considering the struggles of many of their veterans this season, that isn’t such a bad move. Their offense is sputtering, with only 25-year old 2B Dominic Dudding (.363/.430/.527, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 23 BB, 2.6 WAR) playing up to his expected level. 27-year old CF Alfonso León (.342/.386/.485, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 15 BB, 1.8 WAR) is considered one of the elite players in the United Leagues (4th overall) and is producing, but his overall production is done from his Babe Ruth Award-winning level from last season. The rest of the veterans are all experiencing slow starts. Perhaps as a result, the Chiefs have promoted a couple of their prospects to the major league lineup. 22-year old Freddie Ogburn (.224/.259/.366, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 7 BB, 0.2 WAR – 45/63), an 11th overall pick from 1949-50 has taken over third base full-time, with 25-year old Louis Revill (.260/.322/.398, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 14 BB, 0.8 WAR) shifting to first base. Meanwhile, 24-year old OF Jack Jefferson (.286/.385/.381, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 0.2 WAR – 48/57) was recently promoted, but has largely been serving as the 4th outfielder for now. While the bullpen, led by former starter RHP Joong Ling (1-0, 2.13 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 193 ERA+), has been very effective, the club has used injuries in their rotation as an opportunity to try out some rookies. Thus, 22-year old RHP Stefan Rankin (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.88 WHIP – 40/43), a former 4th round pick from 1950-51, and 22-year old LHP Quinn Merrifield (2-4, 5.59 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 74 ERA+ - 23/59), a 2nd-round pick from last season, are getting their turns in the 4th and 5th spots respectively. Noteworthy: November 12 – In a wild game that saw the lead change hands 6 times, the Chiefs pulled out a come from behind win over the Hespeler Stars, winning 9-7. Down 7-6 heading into the bottom of the 9th, CF Alfonso León singled off of RHP Nelson Wigley with one out. 2B Dominic Dudding then drew a 4-pitch walk. Next up was 1B Louie Revill, who hit his second home run of the day, a 3-run shot into leftfield, giving the Chiefs the walk-off win. Current Injuries: November 11 – RHP Carl Luscombe – torn meniscus. Out for: 7 weeks. November 27 – RHP Bernie Knowles – strained shoulder. Out for: 4 weeks. -------- Offense: .251/.319/.361 (8th/8th/8th) Pitching: 4.16/3.88/5.68 (3rd/2nd/6th) Defense: .688 (5th) The Queensland Eagles are at the bottom of the standings and its not hard to see why: they have the most anemic offense in the United Leagues. But as bad as their offense is, their pitching has been sturdy – and it appears it’s only to going to get stronger. Like the Downie Chiefs, the Eagles have promoted a few rookies on both offense and pitching to see if they can give a much-needed boost to Queensland’s fortunes. The lineup is a virtual wasteland, with only 27-year old 3B Ryan Conisford (.263/.341/.459, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 23 BB, 1.5 WAR) enjoying a solid start, the best of his 4-year career. Two rookies have made the lineup, attempting to establish themselves. 7th round pick (1950-51) CF Liam Banfield (.254/.338/.365, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 25 BB, 8 SB, 0.6 WAR – 46/49) is leading off, while Queensland’s top prospect, 20-year old RF Hal Dhu (39/68), was promoted to the majors in late November. The 5th overall selection from 1951-52 will bat 5th, immediately behind Conisford. What the Eagles don’t have (yet) on offense, they have in pitching: the top two rated players in the United Leagues. 28-year old RHP Logan Belsey (6-6, 3.13 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 132 ERA+ - 72/80) and 26-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (5-4, 3.14 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 132 ERA+ - 69/74) are unquestionably the most formidable pitching duo in the United Leagues today. And the rotation could get even stronger in near future. 21-year old RHP Derek Tarn (0-1, 5.14 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 81 ERA+ - 46/64) currently resides in the bullpen, but the former 3rd overall pick (1950-51) is a future starter. Down in AAA, the Eagles also have 21-year old RHP Wayne O’Reilly (36/62), a 9th overall pick from last year and 24-year old LHP Amoka Kalea (40/56), who was selected in the 3rd round last season. If the young guns continue to develop, Queensland could easily have the strongest rotation in the ULB sooner rather than later. Player of the Week Awards: October 19 – LF Rod Dennis (.500, 13 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI) Noteworthy: November 25 – It remained a scoreless tie until the top of the 9th inning, when the Eagles finally broke through, but the day belonged to RHP Logan Belsey. On 123 pitches, he blanked the Balmoral Giants, 5-0. He struck out 8, walked 2 and gave up just 4 hits (GS: 85). Triple-A veteran, 27-year old SS Juan Ramos (.250/.283/.477, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 0.3 WAR), got the big hit, a two-out, 3-run jack to leftfield. Current Injuries: October 24 – LHP Steven Selkirk – torn flexor tendon. Out for: 5 months. November 22 – RF Jilenko Vergara – wrist soreness. Out for: DtD, 3 days. November 28 – 3B Bob Sobel – sprained ankle. Out for: 2 weeks. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 03-04-2021 at 04:49 PM.