OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

reds1 · 11-16-2015, 02:43 PM

December 1, 1941

Eastern League: Suns Blaze the Early Lead

--------

The Embro Suns have fallen into the habit of starting off strong and then fading as the season progresses. But this season, they appear to be bucking that trend. The Suns boast the best record in the ULB after two months and give no indication of slowing down. At one point, they went 15-1 during this past stretch. Have things fallen into place for the Suns this season?
Their offense is above average (.277/.356/.423 – 4th/3rd/2nd) and their pitching is strong (3.52/3.34/4.86 – 2nd/2nd/6th), with the exception of the bullpen. Defensively, the Suns rate 2nd in the East (.697).

Top Position Player: He may not have won a Batter of the Month honour in either October or November, but 27-year old CF Terence Durney (.345/.423/.570, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 57 R, 29 BB) has been the most consistent, playing at a high level through two months.
Paul Hooks (.311/.422/.601, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 29 R, 33 BB), who won Batter of the Month in October, slumped in November (.241).

Top Pitcher: Tough call between SP Edward Hill (9-2, 2.48 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) and SP Pete Allison (8-3, 2.56 ERA, 1.20 WAR), but I’ll go with Hill, who has come on strong of late, whereas Allison has begun to struggle at the same time. But both have been fairly impressive to start the season.

Key Injuries: None currently. However, SS Gary Watkinson (.325/.447/.450, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 23 R, 26 BB) missed three weeks due to a strained posterior cruciate ligament.

--------

The Brunswick Legends lived up to their advanced billing, starting off the season strong. Only the Embro Suns have been stronger in October/November. Like the Suns, the Legends enjoyed a hot stretch; in November they went 12-1 at one point.
The offense is a real strength (.294/.373/.420 – 1st/1st/3rd), and the pitching staff leads in a number of categories (3.19/2.88/5.14 – 1st/1st/7th). Only the bullpen could see some major improvement. The defense however, is tops in the East (.713).

Top Position Player: Like Terence Durney of the Suns, RF Mark Elston (.395/.524/.605 5 HR, 27 RBI, 37 R, 34 BB) has performed at a high level thus far into the season, richly deserving Batter of the Month honours in November.
CF Harry Chatwin (.288/.371/.460, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 38 R, 25 BB, 14 SB), who won Rookie of the Month honours in October, is tied with Elston for WAR thus far (2.5). However, Chatwin did slump a tad in November (.232). Chatwin was a 4th round pick by the Legends back in 1938-39.

Top Pitcher: SP Anastasio Rodríguez (5-1, 2.05 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) has picked up where he left off last season, where he practically carried the pitching staff with the season-long loss of Matthew Monroe (5-3, 4.02 ERA, 1.34 WHIP). After a slow start, Hirotada Fukushima (8-2, 2.51 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) came alive in November, winning Pitcher of the Month Honours.
Interestingly, the entire starting rotation is left-handed, while the bullpen is entirely right-handed.

[As a side note, I noticed that the pitching staffs in the ULB are now comprised of five starters and three relievers. Up until now, it was just two relievers.]

Noteworthy: The lineup has really been firing on all cylinders. One highlight was 3B Derek Sakurai (.288/.396/.497, 6 HR, 39 RBI, 42 R, 35 BB) who hit three triples in a game against the Wellington Athletics back on October 31, setting an EL regular season game record. Brunswick prevailed 13-3.

Key Injuries: None currently. However, Mark Elston missed two weeks in October with a sprained ankle and Anastasio Rodríguez missed three weeks due to an oblique strain.

--------

The Stratford Barons started the season off strong, but then faltered in November to fall 4.5 games behind Brunswick for the wild card. In fact, if not for their current 6 game winning streak to end the month, November would have been a complete disaster.
It would seem though that their recent struggles are more of a blip, as the Barons are a well-balanced club. The offense has been strong (.286/.355/.435 – 2nd/4th/1st) as has their pitching (3.65/3.73/3.10– 3rd/ 3rd/2nd). Stratford is ranked 3rd in defense (.692).

Top Position Player: The offense has seen some strong performances thus far. I’ll go with 2B Rhett Curnow (.352/.389/.513, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 30 R, 13 BB) who started off strong in October and has only gotten stronger in November.

Top Pitcher: SP Joel Fearn (9-2, 2.27 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) has led the way for Barons in the first two months. His efforts earned him a Pitcher of the Month award in October.

Noteworthy: 1B Don Adkins (.339/.412/.545, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 23 R, 30 BB) enjoyed a 23-game hitting streak that ended on November 2 against the Braeland City Monarchs.

Key Injuries: None currently. However, RF Steven Winstanley (.273/.369/.402, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 22 R, 22 BB, 3 SB) missed 3 weeks in October due to a sprained finger.

--------

The Wellington Athletics struggled out of the gate this season, and although they picked things up in November, they find themselves in danger of becoming an afterthought in the highly competitive East. Going 0-6 to start the season certainly didn’t help.
The offense has taken a tumble this season (.258/.331/.383 – 7th/7th/4th), and their pitching has only been middle of the road (3.93/3.85/4.56 –4th/4th/5th). They also have not helped themselves defensively either (.677 – 6th).

Top Position Player: 30-year old 3B Ryley McLarnon (.301/.351/.427, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 29 R, 17 BB, 9 SB) has been the most consistent Athletics to open the season.

Top Pitcher: It’s been an uneven start for the pitching staff, but 37-year old SP Frank Leadbeater (5-4, 2.84 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) has been the most consistent.

Key Injury: 39-year old RF Quentin Stubber (.238/.442/.413, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 10 R, 23 BB) strained a groin muscle back on November 8; he is out for another two weeks.

--------

Like the Wellington Athletics, the Queensland Eagles find themselves in a tough spot, as an off month has seen them tumble in the standings. They started off 6-0 in October, but haven’t been able to maintain it. They swept 3 games from Kingston in November, but in turn, were swept in 3 games by the Pulberry Trolleys, Wolseley Unions and Balmoral Giants in interleague action. The Eagles need to regroup and find what’s ailing them.
They are a middle of the team on both offense (.267/.343/.365 – 6th/5th/7th) and pitching (3.97/3.99/3.86 – 5th/5th/4th), but their defense can use some help (.676 – 7th).

Top Position Player: 26-year old SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.310/.383/.399, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 30 R, 25 BB) has been the most consistent player on offense thus far.

Top Pitcher: 24-year old Taiwanese SP Pi-ao Quian (4-5, 2.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) is enjoying his best season thus far. Quian was a 9th overall pick back in 1939-40.

Key Injuries: None currently. However, SP Bradley Paris (1-4, 5.61 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) missed 3 weeks due to hamstring teninitis back in October.
44-year old Toby Reakes (.213/.356/.262, 5-2B, 7 RBI, 22 R, 32 BB, 8 SB) missed 2 weeks in October/November with shoulder tendinitis.

--------

The Braeland City Monarchs are experiencing a rude awakening this season, as they find themselves trailing the top clubs by a good distance. The Monarchs have usually been one of the top contending teams in the past few seasons. Tellingly, the Monarchs changed their team focus from ‘win now’ to ‘neutral’ on December 1.
Their offense has been fairly competitive (.280/.359/.380 – 3rd/2nd/5th). But the pitching is really struggling (4.49/4.33/5.70 – 6th/6th/8th) and their defense is atrocious (.673 – 8th).

Top Position Player: 31-year old CF Jay Atwood (.319/.428/.512, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 36 R, 31 BB) has had a strong start to the season.

Top Pitcher: The Monarchs have only two productive pitchers thus far: Lenny Freke (6-5, 2.97 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) and David Cooling (7-4, 3.03 ERA, 1.26 WHIP).

Key Injuries: Not helping things have been multiple injuries to both 3B Louie Hetherington (.290/.371/.387, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 22 R, 20 BB) and C Kane Broom (.264/.355/.368, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 15 R, 15 BB). Hetherington missed all of ‘spring’ training and the first two weeks of the season due to a fractured finger. He is currently out with hamstring tendinitis. He should be back in 1-2 weeks.
Kane has missed most of November with a strained groin muscle. He is expected to return in 2 weeks.

--------

With six victories in October, it appeared that the Cobourg Red Stockings were picking up where they left off last season, where seven or fewer wins per month were the norm. The ‘Bled’ Stockings even endured a 1-15 stretch over October/November. But they did pick things up for the rest of November, finishing up 10-11. One could hope that speaks of things looking up for Cobourg, but the jury is still out on that. Way out.
On the bright side, Cobourg now features 5 rookies in the starting lineup and rotation: CF Cliff Jorden (.258), C Neil Voigt (.210), 2B George Simpson (just called up), SS Júlio Gonzáles (.291) and SP Ramón Ramírez (1-0, 3.00 ERA). So perhaps they can help Cobourg become more competitive.
Heaven knows, they need it. The offense stinks (.255/.317/.357 – 8th/8th/8th), as does the starting rotation (5.37/.6.09/.2.83 – 8th/.8th/1st). Their defense, however, has not been terrible (.678 – 4th).

Top Position Player: I was tempted to go with no one, but 22-year old SS Júlio Gonzáles (.291/.319/.447, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 22 R, 7 BB) has been getting better with each passing week. He won Rookie of the Month honours in November.

Top Pitcher: This is a sorry sight. But 41-year old RP Keith Kearney (0-0, 0.87 ERA, 1.11 WHIP in 20.2 IP) is the only pitcher that bears some resemblance to an actual pitcher so far on this team.

Key Injuries: None.

--------

Move over Cobourg. The Downie Chiefs have taken up the mantle of being the most inept team in the East, winning only 6 and 9 games in October/November. A seven game losing streak to start the season set the tone. Injuries have not helped things, but this is a team in real need of a talent infusion. That said, while the offense (.274/.337/.379 – 5th/6th/6th) and pitching (5.16/.5.48/.368 – 7th/7th/3rd) have not been great, but have not been the worst around either. Defensively, they rank 5th (.677).

Top Position Player: 30-year old 1B William Tozer (.360/.457/.549, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 33 BB) has been simply outstanding at the plate for the Chiefs.

Top Pitcher: No one has distinguished themselves on the pitching staff thus far. Perhaps things will pick up in the ensuing months.

Key Injuries: 3B Andy Johnson (.255/.366/.327, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 15 R, 18 BB) suffered a knee contusion (2 weeks) in October and now a hamstring strain since November 25. He is out for two more weeks.

RF Harrison Brooks (.286/.394/.446, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 10 R, 10 BB) suffered a broken kneecap back on October 25. He is out for 3 more months.

LF Patrick Vick (.297/.364/.514, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 3 R, 5 BB) fractured his thumb back on November 19. He is out for 4 weeks.

--------

11-16-2015, 02:43 PM	#191
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	December 1, 1941 Eastern League: Suns Blaze the Early Lead -------- The Embro Suns have fallen into the habit of starting off strong and then fading as the season progresses. But this season, they appear to be bucking that trend. The Suns boast the best record in the ULB after two months and give no indication of slowing down. At one point, they went 15-1 during this past stretch. Have things fallen into place for the Suns this season? Their offense is above average (.277/.356/.423 – 4th/3rd/2nd) and their pitching is strong (3.52/3.34/4.86 – 2nd/2nd/6th), with the exception of the bullpen. Defensively, the Suns rate 2nd in the East (.697). *Top Position Player:* He may not have won a Batter of the Month honour in either October or November, but 27-year old CF Terence Durney (.345/.423/.570, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 57 R, 29 BB) has been the most consistent, playing at a high level through two months. Paul Hooks (.311/.422/.601, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 29 R, 33 BB), who won Batter of the Month in October, slumped in November (.241). *Top Pitcher:* Tough call between SP Edward Hill (9-2, 2.48 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) and SP Pete Allison (8-3, 2.56 ERA, 1.20 WAR), but I’ll go with Hill, who has come on strong of late, whereas Allison has begun to struggle at the same time. But both have been fairly impressive to start the season. *Key Injuries:* None currently. However, SS Gary Watkinson (.325/.447/.450, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 23 R, 26 BB) missed three weeks due to a strained posterior cruciate ligament. -------- The Brunswick Legends lived up to their advanced billing, starting off the season strong. Only the Embro Suns have been stronger in October/November. Like the Suns, the Legends enjoyed a hot stretch; in November they went 12-1 at one point. The offense is a real strength (.294/.373/.420 – 1st/1st/3rd), and the pitching staff leads in a number of categories (3.19/2.88/5.14 – 1st/1st/7th). Only the bullpen could see some major improvement. The defense however, is tops in the East (.713). *Top Position Player:* Like Terence Durney of the Suns, RF Mark Elston (.395/.524/.605 5 HR, 27 RBI, 37 R, 34 BB) has performed at a high level thus far into the season, richly deserving Batter of the Month honours in November. CF Harry Chatwin (.288/.371/.460, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 38 R, 25 BB, 14 SB), who won Rookie of the Month honours in October, is tied with Elston for WAR thus far (2.5). However, Chatwin did slump a tad in November (.232). Chatwin was a 4th round pick by the Legends back in 1938-39. *Top Pitcher:* SP Anastasio Rodríguez (5-1, 2.05 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) has picked up where he left off last season, where he practically carried the pitching staff with the season-long loss of Matthew Monroe (5-3, 4.02 ERA, 1.34 WHIP). After a slow start, Hirotada Fukushima (8-2, 2.51 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) came alive in November, winning Pitcher of the Month Honours. Interestingly, the entire starting rotation is left-handed, while the bullpen is entirely right-handed. [As a side note, I noticed that the pitching staffs in the ULB are now comprised of five starters and three relievers. Up until now, it was just two relievers.] *Noteworthy:* The lineup has really been firing on all cylinders. One highlight was 3B Derek Sakurai (.288/.396/.497, 6 HR, 39 RBI, 42 R, 35 BB) who hit three triples in a game against the Wellington Athletics back on October 31, setting an EL regular season game record. Brunswick prevailed 13-3. *Key Injuries:* None currently. However, Mark Elston missed two weeks in October with a sprained ankle and Anastasio Rodríguez missed three weeks due to an oblique strain. -------- The Stratford Barons started the season off strong, but then faltered in November to fall 4.5 games behind Brunswick for the wild card. In fact, if not for their current 6 game winning streak to end the month, November would have been a complete disaster. It would seem though that their recent struggles are more of a blip, as the Barons are a well-balanced club. The offense has been strong (.286/.355/.435 – 2nd/4th/1st) as has their pitching (3.65/3.73/3.10– 3rd/ 3rd/2nd). Stratford is ranked 3rd in defense (.692). *Top Position Player:* The offense has seen some strong performances thus far. I’ll go with 2B Rhett Curnow (.352/.389/.513, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 30 R, 13 BB) who started off strong in October and has only gotten stronger in November. *Top Pitcher:* SP Joel Fearn (9-2, 2.27 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) has led the way for Barons in the first two months. His efforts earned him a Pitcher of the Month award in October. *Noteworthy:* 1B Don Adkins (.339/.412/.545, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 23 R, 30 BB) enjoyed a 23-game hitting streak that ended on November 2 against the Braeland City Monarchs. *Key Injuries:* None currently. However, RF Steven Winstanley (.273/.369/.402, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 22 R, 22 BB, 3 SB) missed 3 weeks in October due to a sprained finger. -------- The Wellington Athletics struggled out of the gate this season, and although they picked things up in November, they find themselves in danger of becoming an afterthought in the highly competitive East. Going 0-6 to start the season certainly didn’t help. The offense has taken a tumble this season (.258/.331/.383 – 7th/7th/4th), and their pitching has only been middle of the road (3.93/3.85/4.56 –4th/4th/5th). They also have not helped themselves defensively either (.677 – 6th). *Top Position Player:* 30-year old 3B Ryley McLarnon (.301/.351/.427, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 29 R, 17 BB, 9 SB) has been the most consistent Athletics to open the season. *Top Pitcher:* It’s been an uneven start for the pitching staff, but 37-year old SP Frank Leadbeater (5-4, 2.84 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) has been the most consistent. *Key Injury:* 39-year old RF Quentin Stubber (.238/.442/.413, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 10 R, 23 BB) strained a groin muscle back on November 8; he is out for another two weeks. -------- Like the Wellington Athletics, the Queensland Eagles find themselves in a tough spot, as an off month has seen them tumble in the standings. They started off 6-0 in October, but haven’t been able to maintain it. They swept 3 games from Kingston in November, but in turn, were swept in 3 games by the Pulberry Trolleys, Wolseley Unions and Balmoral Giants in interleague action. The Eagles need to regroup and find what’s ailing them. They are a middle of the team on both offense (.267/.343/.365 – 6th/5th/7th) and pitching (3.97/3.99/3.86 – 5th/5th/4th), but their defense can use some help (.676 – 7th). *Top Position Player:* 26-year old SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.310/.383/.399, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 30 R, 25 BB) has been the most consistent player on offense thus far. *Top Pitcher:* 24-year old Taiwanese SP Pi-ao Quian (4-5, 2.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) is enjoying his best season thus far. Quian was a 9th overall pick back in 1939-40. *Key Injuries:* None currently. However, SP Bradley Paris (1-4, 5.61 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) missed 3 weeks due to hamstring teninitis back in October. 44-year old Toby Reakes (.213/.356/.262, 5-2B, 7 RBI, 22 R, 32 BB, 8 SB) missed 2 weeks in October/November with shoulder tendinitis. -------- The Braeland City Monarchs are experiencing a rude awakening this season, as they find themselves trailing the top clubs by a good distance. The Monarchs have usually been one of the top contending teams in the past few seasons. Tellingly, the Monarchs changed their team focus from ‘win now’ to ‘neutral’ on December 1. Their offense has been fairly competitive (.280/.359/.380 – 3rd/2nd/5th). But the pitching is really struggling (4.49/4.33/5.70 – 6th/6th/8th) and their defense is atrocious (.673 – 8th). *Top Position Player:* 31-year old CF Jay Atwood (.319/.428/.512, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 36 R, 31 BB) has had a strong start to the season. *Top Pitcher:* The Monarchs have only two productive pitchers thus far: Lenny Freke (6-5, 2.97 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) and David Cooling (7-4, 3.03 ERA, 1.26 WHIP). *Key Injuries:* Not helping things have been multiple injuries to both 3B Louie Hetherington (.290/.371/.387, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 22 R, 20 BB) and C Kane Broom (.264/.355/.368, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 15 R, 15 BB). Hetherington missed all of ‘spring’ training and the first two weeks of the season due to a fractured finger. He is currently out with hamstring tendinitis. He should be back in 1-2 weeks. Kane has missed most of November with a strained groin muscle. He is expected to return in 2 weeks. -------- With six victories in October, it appeared that the Cobourg Red Stockings were picking up where they left off last season, where seven or fewer wins per month were the norm. The ‘Bled’ Stockings even endured a 1-15 stretch over October/November. But they did pick things up for the rest of November, finishing up 10-11. One could hope that speaks of things looking up for Cobourg, but the jury is still out on that. Way out. On the bright side, Cobourg now features 5 rookies in the starting lineup and rotation: CF Cliff Jorden (.258), C Neil Voigt (.210), 2B George Simpson (just called up), SS Júlio Gonzáles (.291) and SP Ramón Ramírez (1-0, 3.00 ERA). So perhaps they can help Cobourg become more competitive. Heaven knows, they need it. The offense stinks (.255/.317/.357 – 8th/8th/8th), as does the starting rotation (5.37/.6.09/.2.83 – 8th/.8th/1st). Their defense, however, has not been terrible (.678 – 4th). *Top Position Player:* I was tempted to go with no one, but 22-year old SS Júlio Gonzáles (.291/.319/.447, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 22 R, 7 BB) has been getting better with each passing week. He won Rookie of the Month honours in November. *Top Pitcher:* This is a sorry sight. But 41-year old RP Keith Kearney (0-0, 0.87 ERA, 1.11 WHIP in 20.2 IP) is the only pitcher that bears some resemblance to an actual pitcher so far on this team. *Key Injuries:* None. -------- Move over Cobourg. The Downie Chiefs have taken up the mantle of being the most inept team in the East, winning only 6 and 9 games in October/November. A seven game losing streak to start the season set the tone. Injuries have not helped things, but this is a team in real need of a talent infusion. That said, while the offense (.274/.337/.379 – 5th/6th/6th) and pitching (5.16/.5.48/.368 – 7th/7th/3rd) have not been great, but have not been the worst around either. Defensively, they rank 5th (.677). *Top Position Player:* 30-year old 1B William Tozer (.360/.457/.549, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 33 BB) has been simply outstanding at the plate for the Chiefs. *Top Pitcher:* No one has distinguished themselves on the pitching staff thus far. Perhaps things will pick up in the ensuing months. *Key Injuries:* 3B Andy Johnson (.255/.366/.327, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 15 R, 18 BB) suffered a knee contusion (2 weeks) in October and now a hamstring strain since November 25. He is out for two more weeks. RF Harrison Brooks (.286/.394/.446, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 10 R, 10 BB) suffered a broken kneecap back on October 25. He is out for 3 more months. LF Patrick Vick (.297/.364/.514, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 3 R, 5 BB) fractured his thumb back on November 19. He is out for 4 weeks. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-04-2017 at 01:41 AM.