David Vinson is currently 25 years old. He is rated 4.5/5 stars. We procured him a few years ago in a deal involving prospects with the Warriors, which by now has turned out to have been about even (the Warriors received SP Manuel Paredes, who struck out 242 last year - he's a Nolan Ryan type though, mounting 124 walks, too).
Vinson is the primary catcher, but he missed six weeks earlier this season to a torn abdominal muscle. Leo Smith is a solid, but clear #2. Vinson's injury has also shown that we basically have no depth behind Smith.
A bonus about Vinson is that he is a rather even-splitted switch hitter, with the main difference being home run power, as he's hitting home runs mainly from the right side. His splits are .271/.378/.443 (left) and .283/.386/.562 (right).
Ironically, when Vinson was paired with Sam Dadswell the last two years, we saw him as the better defensive variation to the slugging Dadswell, but this season proves that Vinson can hit dingers just the same - he's second to Mark Dawson on the team in Big 'Uns. (Mark Dawson has just two HR left to notch 300; Vinson has 28 in his career so far)
By the way, Kisho Saito does not have an actual down year. His ERA is the second-highest since joining the Coons in 1984, but I find 3.38 very pleasing. He will win this years Christopher Powell Rememberance Medal for the pitcher getting absolutely zero run support. The Raccoons have scored exactly 3.92 runs in his starts, compared to 4.18 for the whole season.
Add to that injuries to Jason Turner, Steven Berry (he was good *last* year at least), Daniel Hall (as always), Glenn Johnston, Bobby Quinn, then we are really only half that bad.
Ah, the bullpen was great. At least those seven guys were not plagued by injuries or down years.
More from Coon City later today. Have to fetch groceries, else I'll starve in short time.
