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reds1 · 12-21-2016, 06:59 PM

February 1, 1946

Eastern League: Fantastic Four Frantically Fighting for First

Strained alliteration aside, there’s no denying the excitement over seeing four teams fighting over the two Eastern League playoff spots as the United Leagues head into the final two months of the season. With Brunswick’s playoff window appearing all but over, at least for this season, there is no truly dominant team in the East. Unless one of the top teams suddenly goes on a tear, 88 games will look to be sufficient to grab top spot. The four contenders: Embro Suns, Queensland Eagles, Braeland City Monarchs and Stratford Barons all have their strengths, but also some weaknesses that they will need to shore up if they are to prevail and reach the post-season.

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The Embro Suns hang on to first place in the East – just barely mind you – thanks to a bounce-back effort in January. The Suns were playing just above .500 baseball in November and December that allowed the likes of Queensland and Braeland City to take turns at the top of the standings. Embro has regressed a bit, particularly in pitching and defense, and reaching the playoffs is far from a sure thing with so many other teams nipping at their heels. They have no shortage of all-stars though, so now is the time for them to step up their game and seal the deal.

A whopping nine Suns headed to the All-Star game: RHP Oscar Burress (8th appearance), RHP Myung-gu Son (4th), RHP John Palm (7th), RHP Colm Soper (8th), 1B Jim Friend (6th), SS Gary Watkinson (7th) LF Yoshino Ito (3rd), CF Terence Durney (9th) and RF Yoshifumi Tamura (3rd).

Offense: .272/.359/.397 (4th/1st/3rd)
Pitching: 3.93/3.79/4.70 (5th/4th/6th)
Defense: .677 (8th)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 10 – CF Terence Durney (.519, 14 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI)
January 14 – SS Gary Watkinson (.600, 9 H, 4 RBI, 4 R)

Top Position Player:

He may have missed a year to the war, and most of 'spring' training, but 31-year old 1B Jim Friend (.339/.433/.557, 18 HR, 88 RBI, 69 BB, 4.2 WAR) has not missed a beat, leading the Suns in a slew of offensive categories. He won Batter of the Month honours in January, the 6th of his career.

Top Pitcher:

Also 31-years old, RHP Oscar Burress (14-7, 2.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, .234 Opp AVG) has been unquestionably Embro’s top starter, as he has been since he arrived from Fort Richmond in a trade back in 1943. He is on pace for 19 wins this season.

Trade Follow-ups:

26-year old RHP Jim Hogue (12-8, 3.41 ERA, 1.43 WHIP) arrived in a trade from the Kingston Pelicans back on July 31, 1945, in exchange for 28-year old 3B Britt Wing (.400/.440/.510, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 0.9 WAR).
Hogue is enjoying one of his finest seasons and has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the rotation, just behind Oscar Burress and ahead of a faltering Myung-gu Son. He might have even made his first All-Star game, if not for a rough October (2-2, 6.05 ERA). Since then, he has gone 10-6, 2.59 ERA. That included two 5-hit complete game shut-outs in December. He has been everything the Suns hoped he would be.
Wing meanwhile, has also played well in a limited role, and it is intriguing to think how he would fare this year in a full-time role. As it is, he is providing Kingston with yet another solid depth player that will keep them in good stead come playoff time.

26-year old C Scott Weller (.270/.348/.412, 9 HR, 47 RBI, 2.3 WAR) was acquired from the Cambria Cannons for 34-year old RHP Pete Allison (9-8, 4.51 ERA, 1.51 WHIP) back on September 18, 1945.
Weller was installed as Embro's every day starter this season, after 35-year old 6-time all-star Dylan Watkins regressed last year and was claimed off of waivers. Weller has fitted in quite nicely, as he is off to his best start offensively. His defense is down from last season, but still respectable. Meanwhile, Allison started off fine for Cambria with a combined 3.37 ERA in October and November. However, his ERA ballooned to 5.71 for December and January. The Western League average is 4.33.

Key Injury: 31-year old LHP Edward Hill (3-5, 5.70 ERA, 1.84 WHIP) suffered a fractured hand in a game back on December 18. He is gone for the season (3 more months).

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The Queensland Eagles are the steady 'eddies' as they win 15 games for the third consecutive month. That sees them move into second place, just a half game back of the Suns. Their success is quite remarkable considering the loss of one of their top offensive players, RF Jilenko Vergara (.342/.390/.540, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 2.9 WAR). The offense has softened a little, but others, including his back-up, 24-year old RF Héctor García (.323/.403/.418, 3 HR, 37 RBI, 0.7 WAR) are helping to fill the breech.

Five Eagles were selected to the All-Star game: RHP Pi-ao Quian (2nd), C Elijah Sheppard (3rd), SS Dermott Akers (1st), CF Jon Moreau (4th) and RF Jilenko Vergara (1st).

Offense: .275/.346/.406 (2nd/4th/1st)
Pitching: 3.67/3.82/2.87 (3rd/5th/1st)
Defense: .684 (5th)

Top Position Player:

27-year old C Elijah Sheppard (.284/.385/.477, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 53 BB, 4.0 WAR) is enjoying the best season of his career thus far. After a bit of a down year in 1944-45, where he earned 3.7 WAR, he is on pace for 5.7 with 21 HR, 94 RBI.

Top Pitcher:

The Queensland pitching has picked up over the past few months, and 28-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (14-6, 2.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, .243 Opp AVG) is a large reason why. He won back-to-back Pitcher of the Month honours and his 2.79 ERA is second overall in the East (behind Stratford's Joel Fearn's 2.77). On January 2, he threw a complete game one-hitter against the Braeland City Monarchs, defeating them 3-0. He whiffed 5 and walked 3.

Key Trade: January 17 with the Cobourg Red Stockings

To Queensland – 26-year old 2B Noah Wellings (57/59)
To Cobourg – 29-year old 1B Merlin Teeters (27/46)

Knee-jerk reaction: The Eagles decided to go in another direction at 2B and so acquired Wellings, the former 1938-39 2nd-round pick (.264/.307/.364, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 0.1 WAR). Wellings replaces Jung-choon Pak (.244/.314/.295, 6-2B, 9 RBI, 0.0 WAR), who was given his outright release 6 days later. Riding the bench in Cobourg, Wellings was promptly installed as Queensland's lead-off hitter. Rated as the #28 prospect in 1942-43, Wellings now has a real chance to improve his plate discipline and shorten his swing. His speed and defense are top-notch.
As for Teeters (.326/.385/.522, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 0.8 WAR) who missed two seasons serving in the military, he will continue to serve as a utility infielder at 1B. He will be back-up to Cobourg's top offensive player Dennis Borton, who moves from 2B to 1B. Cobourg's primary motivation appears to be to get 25-year old 2B George Simpson, Cobourg's second overall-rated player, into the everyday lineup. Simpson also missed two seasons serving in the Braeland Armed Forces.

Key Injuries: 25-year old LHP Roman Davis (3-4, 14 SV, 1.88 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) suffered a torn elbow tendon back on January 14. He is of commission for another 5 months.

26-year old RF Jilenko Vergara broke his hand in a game on December 9. He will miss a further 4-5 weeks.

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The Braeland City Monarchs enjoyed first place and a two-game lead over their nearest competitor as the calendar turned to 1946, but an 11-15 January was enough for them to fall back into third place, 2.5 games back. Still, the Monarchs are in great shape for a playoff run, with a surging offense and solid pitching to back it up.

Three Monarchs were selected to the All-Star game: LHP David Cooling (6th), 1B Kyle Pryor (1st) and 3B Adam Ashley (7th).

Offense: .279/.350/.401 (1st/2nd/2nd)
Pitching: 3.84/3.76/4.28 (4th/3rd/4th)
Defense: .701 (3rd)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 31 – 3B Adam Ashley (.583, 14 H, 11 RBI, 5 R)

Top Position Player:

32-year old 3B Adam Ashley (.361/.432/.468, 2 HR, 51 RBI, 53 BB, 18 SB, 4.7 WAR) is having a whale of a season, which must bring the Monarchs much relief. The first Eastern League Rookie of the Year winner back in 1938-39, Ashley's first four seasons were unqualified successes. In 1942 though, it appeared injuries were starting to sap his strength. But he rebounded big time last season and his pre-eminence continues.

Top Pitcher:

36-year old LHP David Cooling (10-10, 3.07 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .243 Opp AVG) remains Braeland City's top starter, but it appears the Monarchs have a sensational young pitcher in 25-year old rookie LHP Nicholas Grimes (12-3, 3.37 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .280 Opp AVG) as well. If he can develop his stuff a bit (35/45), he could become a top-tier pitcher. Interestingly, the Monarchs top three starters are all lefties, with 34-year old LHP Max MacColl (9-8, 3.78 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, .246 Opp AVG) serving as the No. 2 pitcher.

Noteworthy:

January 3 – 3B Adam Ashley enjoyed a 5-for-5 day against the Embro Suns, with 4 singles and a triple. Ashley also collected a walk with 3 RBI and 3 R. However, Embro still won the game, 15-12.

Key Injuries: 36-year old RHP Lenny Freke (6-4, 4.73 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) suffered a fractured finger back on December 17. He is will out of action for 6-7 weeks.

24-year old RF Jesús Ortega (.329/.401/.407, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 0.9 WAR) strained a thigh muscle in a game on January 16. He will be out another 2 weeks.

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The Stratford Barons bounced back nicely from a rough November, to pull within 3.5 games of first place. Despite a rash of injuries to key players, they are still very much in the thick of things, thanks to a resilient offense and the No. 1 ranked pitching staff in the East. That pitching staff also includes the new all-time wins king in the ULB.

Five Barons were selected to the All-Star game: RHP Bill Blair (1st), LHP Ryan Borden (5th), LHP Joel Fearn (6th), C Aaron Skidmore (5th) and SS Jake Walker (7th).

Offense: .264/.349/.389 (5th/3rd/5th)
Pitching: 3.49/3.43/3.94 (1st/1st/2nd)
Defense: .700 (4th)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 24 – LHP Joel Fearn (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 18.0 IP, 8 K, .203 Opponents AVG)
January 21 – CF Ricardo Castellanos (.536, 15 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R)

Top Position Player:

A couple of quality players to choose from, but I'll go with 26-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.294/.436/.436, 9 HR, 49 RBI, 75 BB, 3.9 WAR) who has not missed a beat since he was acquired from the Hespeler Stars in the off-season. The Stars, who acquired a decent relief pitcher as well as a scrub starter (who was subsequently released in December) in return, got fleeced in that deal in my opinion.

Top Pitcher:

Hands down, it’s 35-year old LHP Joel Fearn (16-6, 2.77 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .256 Opp AVG). Not only does he currently lead the Eastern League in wins and ERA, but back on January 18, Fearn became the all-time wins leader when he surpassed Wellington's 36-year old Clyde Boney with his 150th win. Fearn picked up the milestone with a 12-2 victory over the Athletics in Wellington.

Key Injuries: 26-year old 2B Maurice Keyworth (.300/.348/.421, 4 HR, 46 RBI, 2.3 WAR) strained his groin back on on January 18. He should be back within a week.

29-year old RF Steven Winstanley (.304/.388/.471, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.9 WAR) broke an elbow bone back on December 1. He is gone for the season (3-4 months).

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The Brunswick Legends are showing no signs of shaking off the doldrums, at least for this season. Their pitching staff remains a formidable unit, but a number of the offensive players they have relied on in the past are starting to sputter. Particularly 37-year old RF Mark Elston (.202/.363/.332, 6 HR, 29 RBI, -0.5 WAR), who is on the disabled list, as well as 27-year old CF Harry Chatwin (.275/.323/.382, 5 HR, 53 RBI, 0.6 WAR) whose performance has dropped alarmingly. From this vantage point, the Legends don't have to blow everything apart, as their pitching is still of championship calibre. But with one of the weakest minor league systems (15th overall), it will not be easy to reload as their tradable assets continue to get older – and decline.

The Legends sent three representatives to the All-Star game: LHP Mathew Monroe (7th), LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (6th) and 1B Stuart Bentham (5th).

Offense: .260/.338/.381 (8th/6th/6th)
Pitching: 3.55/3.44/4.06 (2nd/2nd/3rd)
Defense: .682 (Tied for 6th)

Top Position Player:

29-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.299/.413/.533, 22 HR, 60 RBI, 80 BB, 3.6 WAR) continues his stellar play, winning Batter of the Month honours in December as well as leading the League in homeruns.

Top Pitcher:

29-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (11-8, 3.12 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .262 Opp AVG) is the top-rated pitcher in the United Leagues, but the Legends are blessed with an extremely strong rotation. If the offense was able to hold it together, the Legends could easily be on top of the standings once again.

Key Injury: 37-year old RF Mark Elston is suffering from recurring back spasms that have plagued him since mid-January. He is out for at least another 3 weeks.

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At the end of December, it appeared that the Wellington Athletics were toying with the idea of crashing the top division, but they have since faltered and fallen 6 games below .500. It’s readily apparent though that any success this season would have been short-lived: they just do not have the horses to seriously compete. They have a few nice pieces on offense but little else. Their farm system is largely depleted as well, something the Athletics will need to address pronto if they want to get relevant anytime soon.

Two Athletics headed to the All-Star game: C Mick Gunnis (1st) and SS Mac Medley (1st).

Offense: .264/.326/.367 (7th/7th/8th)
Pitching: 4.39/4.30/4.78 (6th/6th/7th)
Defense: .711 (1st)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 17 – 3B Ryley McLarnon (.545, 12 H, 4 RBI, 5 R)
January 7 – C Mick Gunnis (.538, 7 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI)

Top Position Player:

I’m calling it a tie, with Wellington’s two all-stars. 23-year old SS Mac Medley (.324/.397/.485, 6 HR, 59 RBI, 52 BB, 4.5 WAR) showed promise last year in his second full season, but has really stepped it up this season. The former 13th overall pick from 1941-42 is rated as the No. 5 shortstop in the ULB and is close to joining the League’s elite players if he continues his progress.
25-year old C Mick Gunnis (.332/.392/.482, 11 HR, 64 RBI, 38 BB, 4.2 WAR) has seemingly come out of nowhere to entrench himself as Wellington’s everyday starting catcher. He is rated 5th among catchers and 18th overall among position players.
But with the exception of 21-year old RF Edgardo Barrón (.298/.337/.462, 2 HR, 34 RBI, 16 BB, 1.6WAR), who won his second consecutive Rookie of the Month honour in December, the Athletics players are all rated 14th to 16th overall at their respective positions – with most of them on the wrong side of 30. Ouch.

Top Pitcher:

This is not pretty, but I’ll go with 35-year old LHP Max Littler (10-11, 3.78 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .271 Opp AVG) who pitched a 4-hit shutout against the Downie Chiefs on December 26. So there’s that.

Key Injuries: 34-year old 3B Ryley McLarnon (.304/.339/.421, 2 HR, 50 RBI, 2.9 WAR) suffered a torn knee joint back on January 22. He is out for 3-4 weeks.

32-year old RHP Darren Whiteley (12-9, 4.25 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) also tore his knee joint, back on January 26. He is expected to miss 3 months.

43-year old CF Quentin Stubber (.262/.446/.476, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0.6 WAR) suffered a torn knee ligament back on December 15. He is out for 5 months.

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With 8 first-round draft picks and another 4 second-round draft picks currently on the 25-man roster, you would think the Cobourg Red Stockings would be a force to be reckoned with in the East simply by the sheer force of their top-tier talent. And that still may happen, as the Red Stockings are steadily improving on offense, where the majority of their first-rounders are found. They currently have the top-ranked prospect in their lineup, 22-year old C Jason Lymer (.282/.322/.409, 3 HR, 35 RBI, 14 BB, 1.1 WAR) who won Rookie of the Month honours in January. Their farm system is still one of the strongest as well, so if they can parlay some of that talent onto the pitching staff, it may finally all come together for Cobourg. But we’ll have to wait and see, as we’re always doing with this unit.

Five Red Stockings appeared in the All-Star Game: RHP Brent Nix (2nd), 3B Alexander Tolmie (2nd), SS Dennis Borton (1st), SS Simon Flatt (1st) and RF Salvador Hernández (1st).

Offense: .274/.339/.397 (3rd/5th/4th)
Pitching: 4.57/4.62/4.34 (7th/7th/5th)
Defense: .682 (Tied for 6th)

Player of the Week Awards:

January 28 – C Jason Lymer (.500, 10 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI)

Top Position Player:

A difficult choice, as two players are leading the way for Cobourg with strong campaigns. 27-year old 1B Dennis Borton (.358/.388/.513, 4 HR, 59 RBI, 16 BB, 2.7 WAR) is perhaps off to the best start of his 6-year career, while 24-year old 3B Alexander Tolmie (.314/.375/.463, 8 HR, 54 RBI, 43 BB, 2.9 WAR) continues to build on his rookie season.

Top Pitcher:

Not as attractive selections to choose from but 29-year old RHP Luke Mason (6-9, 3.73 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .247 Opp AVG) is enjoying his best season of his 4-year career.

Noteworthy:

January 26 – 22-year old LF Steve Barnes (.215/.307/.306, 1 HR, 8 RBI, -0.1 WAR) is yet another promising young prospect (#35th overall) who was selected 17th overall (1st pick in Round 2) in 1942-43. He is currently playing with Cobourg’s AAA farm team, the Oakville Oaks. But while he was up with the big club on January 26, Barnes set the Eastern League extra-inning game record for triples with 3 against the Balmoral Giants. He tripled in the 4th, 6th and 10th innings, where he scored the winning run on a Júlio Gonzáles single. He scored 3 runs in total in a 10-9 Red Stockings victory.

Key Injury: 28-year old RHP Pedro Gómez (2-5, 5.35 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) tore an elbow ligament in a game against the Sherburn Tigers back on November 21. He will be out of commission for another 3 months.

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Like the Cobourg Red Stockings, the Downie Chiefs have a bevy of first-round draft picks on the 25-man roster (7 to be exact) and 3 more second-round picks, but have yet to see that talent improve the team’s fortunes in the standings. Perhaps that’s a good thing. The Chiefs are still in rebuild mode and will be guaranteed of another high draft pick next season, if not the first overall selection. Downie has one of the stronger farm systems (6th overall) and three of their prospects are rated #1 at their respective positions in the organization rankings, but it wouldn’t hurt to have some further injection of talent to give their seemingly endless rebuilding some traction.

The Chiefs' sent two players to the All-Star Game: CF Robin Duerden (1st) and RF Nathan Ashman (1st).

Offense: .264/.321/.375 (6th/8th/7th)
Pitching: 4.71/4.63/5.05 (8th/8th/8th)
Defense: .703 (2nd)

Top Position Player:

He may not have made the All-Star game this year, but 22-year old 3B Max Westgate (.308/.355/.429, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 21 BB, 2.3 WAR) has been Downie’s most consistent player at the plate to go along with outstanding defense at the hot corner. The former 2nd round pick from 1941-42 is in his second season in the ULB.

Top Pitcher:

The pickings are quite slim on the pitching side of things, so I’ll give a nod RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (10-14, 4.14 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, .274 Opp AVG). The 23-year old Fijian is in his third season in ULB and is currently Downie’s No. 1 starter, but he has actually been regressing in each successive season. Here’s hoping he settles in with more maturity and seasoning.

Noteworthy:

December 18 – RF Nathan Ashman (.266/.312/.391, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 1.7 WAR) went 5-for-6, helping the Chiefs knock off the Queensland Eagles 8-6. Ashman hit four singles (including a 2-run single) and a triple.

Key Injuries: 22-year old LHP Jeff Routh (2-0, 4.30 ERA, 1.73 WHIP) tore a finger tendon back on January 21. He is expected to miss 4 months.

21-year old LF Connor Buswell (.295/.377/.403, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 0.7 WAR) strained his ribcage back on January 26. He is out for 3 more weeks.

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12-21-2016, 06:59 PM	#309
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,985	February 1, 1946 Eastern League: Fantastic Four Frantically Fighting for First Strained alliteration aside, there’s no denying the excitement over seeing four teams fighting over the two Eastern League playoff spots as the United Leagues head into the final two months of the season. With Brunswick’s playoff window appearing all but over, at least for this season, there is no truly dominant team in the East. Unless one of the top teams suddenly goes on a tear, 88 games will look to be sufficient to grab top spot. The four contenders: Embro Suns, Queensland Eagles, Braeland City Monarchs and Stratford Barons all have their strengths, but also some weaknesses that they will need to shore up if they are to prevail and reach the post-season. -------- The Embro Suns hang on to first place in the East – just barely mind you – thanks to a bounce-back effort in January. The Suns were playing just above .500 baseball in November and December that allowed the likes of Queensland and Braeland City to take turns at the top of the standings. Embro has regressed a bit, particularly in pitching and defense, and reaching the playoffs is far from a sure thing with so many other teams nipping at their heels. They have no shortage of all-stars though, so now is the time for them to step up their game and seal the deal. A whopping nine Suns headed to the All-Star game: RHP Oscar Burress (8th appearance), RHP Myung-gu Son (4th), RHP John Palm (7th), RHP Colm Soper (8th), 1B Jim Friend (6th), SS Gary Watkinson (7th) LF Yoshino Ito (3rd), CF Terence Durney (9th) and RF Yoshifumi Tamura (3rd). Offense: .272/.359/.397 (4th/1st/3rd) Pitching: 3.93/3.79/4.70 (5th/4th/6th) Defense: .677 (8th) *Player of the Week Awards:* December 10 – CF Terence Durney (.519, 14 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI) January 14 – SS Gary Watkinson (.600, 9 H, 4 RBI, 4 R) Top Position Player: He may have missed a year to the war, and most of 'spring' training, but 31-year old 1B Jim Friend (.339/.433/.557, 18 HR, 88 RBI, 69 BB, 4.2 WAR) has not missed a beat, leading the Suns in a slew of offensive categories. He won Batter of the Month honours in January, the 6th of his career. *Top Pitcher:* Also 31-years old, RHP Oscar Burress (14-7, 2.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, .234 Opp AVG) has been unquestionably Embro’s top starter, as he has been since he arrived from Fort Richmond in a trade back in 1943. He is on pace for 19 wins this season. *Trade Follow-ups:* 26-year old RHP Jim Hogue (12-8, 3.41 ERA, 1.43 WHIP) arrived in a trade from the Kingston Pelicans back on July 31, 1945, in exchange for 28-year old 3B Britt Wing (.400/.440/.510, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 0.9 WAR). Hogue is enjoying one of his finest seasons and has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the rotation, just behind Oscar Burress and ahead of a faltering Myung-gu Son. He might have even made his first All-Star game, if not for a rough October (2-2, 6.05 ERA). Since then, he has gone 10-6, 2.59 ERA. That included two 5-hit complete game shut-outs in December. He has been everything the Suns hoped he would be. Wing meanwhile, has also played well in a limited role, and it is intriguing to think how he would fare this year in a full-time role. As it is, he is providing Kingston with yet another solid depth player that will keep them in good stead come playoff time. 26-year old C Scott Weller (.270/.348/.412, 9 HR, 47 RBI, 2.3 WAR) was acquired from the Cambria Cannons for 34-year old RHP Pete Allison (9-8, 4.51 ERA, 1.51 WHIP) back on September 18, 1945. Weller was installed as Embro's every day starter this season, after 35-year old 6-time all-star Dylan Watkins regressed last year and was claimed off of waivers. Weller has fitted in quite nicely, as he is off to his best start offensively. His defense is down from last season, but still respectable. Meanwhile, Allison started off fine for Cambria with a combined 3.37 ERA in October and November. However, his ERA ballooned to 5.71 for December and January. The Western League average is 4.33. *Key Injury:* 31-year old LHP Edward Hill (3-5, 5.70 ERA, 1.84 WHIP) suffered a fractured hand in a game back on December 18. He is gone for the season (3 more months). -------- The Queensland Eagles are the steady 'eddies' as they win 15 games for the third consecutive month. That sees them move into second place, just a half game back of the Suns. Their success is quite remarkable considering the loss of one of their top offensive players, RF Jilenko Vergara (.342/.390/.540, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 2.9 WAR). The offense has softened a little, but others, including his back-up, 24-year old RF Héctor García (.323/.403/.418, 3 HR, 37 RBI, 0.7 WAR) are helping to fill the breech. Five Eagles were selected to the All-Star game: RHP Pi-ao Quian (2nd), C Elijah Sheppard (3rd), SS Dermott Akers (1st), CF Jon Moreau (4th) and RF Jilenko Vergara (1st). Offense: .275/.346/.406 (2nd/4th/1st) Pitching: 3.67/3.82/2.87 (3rd/5th/1st) Defense: .684 (5th) *Top Position Player:* 27-year old C Elijah Sheppard (.284/.385/.477, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 53 BB, 4.0 WAR) is enjoying the best season of his career thus far. After a bit of a down year in 1944-45, where he earned 3.7 WAR, he is on pace for 5.7 with 21 HR, 94 RBI. *Top Pitcher:* The Queensland pitching has picked up over the past few months, and 28-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (14-6, 2.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, .243 Opp AVG) is a large reason why. He won back-to-back Pitcher of the Month honours and his 2.79 ERA is second overall in the East (behind Stratford's Joel Fearn's 2.77). On January 2, he threw a complete game one-hitter against the Braeland City Monarchs, defeating them 3-0. He whiffed 5 and walked 3. *Key Trade:* January 17 with the Cobourg Red Stockings To Queensland – 26-year old 2B Noah Wellings (57/59) To Cobourg – 29-year old 1B Merlin Teeters (27/46) *Knee-jerk reaction:* The Eagles decided to go in another direction at 2B and so acquired Wellings, the former 1938-39 2nd-round pick (.264/.307/.364, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 0.1 WAR). Wellings replaces Jung-choon Pak (.244/.314/.295, 6-2B, 9 RBI, 0.0 WAR), who was given his outright release 6 days later. Riding the bench in Cobourg, Wellings was promptly installed as Queensland's lead-off hitter. Rated as the #28 prospect in 1942-43, Wellings now has a real chance to improve his plate discipline and shorten his swing. His speed and defense are top-notch. As for Teeters (.326/.385/.522, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 0.8 WAR) who missed two seasons serving in the military, he will continue to serve as a utility infielder at 1B. He will be back-up to Cobourg's top offensive player Dennis Borton, who moves from 2B to 1B. Cobourg's primary motivation appears to be to get 25-year old 2B George Simpson, Cobourg's second overall-rated player, into the everyday lineup. Simpson also missed two seasons serving in the Braeland Armed Forces. *Key Injuries:* 25-year old LHP Roman Davis (3-4, 14 SV, 1.88 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) suffered a torn elbow tendon back on January 14. He is of commission for another 5 months. 26-year old RF Jilenko Vergara broke his hand in a game on December 9. He will miss a further 4-5 weeks. -------- The Braeland City Monarchs enjoyed first place and a two-game lead over their nearest competitor as the calendar turned to 1946, but an 11-15 January was enough for them to fall back into third place, 2.5 games back. Still, the Monarchs are in great shape for a playoff run, with a surging offense and solid pitching to back it up. Three Monarchs were selected to the All-Star game: LHP David Cooling (6th), 1B Kyle Pryor (1st) and 3B Adam Ashley (7th). Offense: .279/.350/.401 (1st/2nd/2nd) Pitching: 3.84/3.76/4.28 (4th/3rd/4th) Defense: .701 (3rd) *Player of the Week Awards:* December 31 – 3B Adam Ashley (.583, 14 H, 11 RBI, 5 R) *Top Position Player:* 32-year old 3B Adam Ashley (.361/.432/.468, 2 HR, 51 RBI, 53 BB, 18 SB, 4.7 WAR) is having a whale of a season, which must bring the Monarchs much relief. The first Eastern League Rookie of the Year winner back in 1938-39, Ashley's first four seasons were unqualified successes. In 1942 though, it appeared injuries were starting to sap his strength. But he rebounded big time last season and his pre-eminence continues. *Top Pitcher:* 36-year old LHP David Cooling (10-10, 3.07 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .243 Opp AVG) remains Braeland City's top starter, but it appears the Monarchs have a sensational young pitcher in 25-year old rookie LHP Nicholas Grimes (12-3, 3.37 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .280 Opp AVG) as well. If he can develop his stuff a bit (35/45), he could become a top-tier pitcher. Interestingly, the Monarchs top three starters are all lefties, with 34-year old LHP Max MacColl (9-8, 3.78 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, .246 Opp AVG) serving as the No. 2 pitcher. *Noteworthy:* January 3 – 3B Adam Ashley enjoyed a 5-for-5 day against the Embro Suns, with 4 singles and a triple. Ashley also collected a walk with 3 RBI and 3 R. However, Embro still won the game, 15-12. *Key Injuries:* 36-year old RHP Lenny Freke (6-4, 4.73 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) suffered a fractured finger back on December 17. He is will out of action for 6-7 weeks. 24-year old RF Jesús Ortega (.329/.401/.407, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 0.9 WAR) strained a thigh muscle in a game on January 16. He will be out another 2 weeks. -------- The Stratford Barons bounced back nicely from a rough November, to pull within 3.5 games of first place. Despite a rash of injuries to key players, they are still very much in the thick of things, thanks to a resilient offense and the No. 1 ranked pitching staff in the East. That pitching staff also includes the new all-time wins king in the ULB. Five Barons were selected to the All-Star game: RHP Bill Blair (1st), LHP Ryan Borden (5th), LHP Joel Fearn (6th), C Aaron Skidmore (5th) and SS Jake Walker (7th). Offense: .264/.349/.389 (5th/3rd/5th) Pitching: 3.49/3.43/3.94 (1st/1st/2nd) Defense: .700 (4th) *Player of the Week Awards:* December 24 – LHP Joel Fearn (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 18.0 IP, 8 K, .203 Opponents AVG) January 21 – CF Ricardo Castellanos (.536, 15 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R) *Top Position Player:* A couple of quality players to choose from, but I'll go with 26-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.294/.436/.436, 9 HR, 49 RBI, 75 BB, 3.9 WAR) who has not missed a beat since he was acquired from the Hespeler Stars in the off-season. The Stars, who acquired a decent relief pitcher as well as a scrub starter (who was subsequently released in December) in return, got fleeced in that deal in my opinion. *Top Pitcher:* Hands down, it’s 35-year old LHP Joel Fearn (16-6, 2.77 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .256 Opp AVG). Not only does he currently lead the Eastern League in wins and ERA, but back on January 18, Fearn became the all-time wins leader when he surpassed Wellington's 36-year old Clyde Boney with his 150th win. Fearn picked up the milestone with a 12-2 victory over the Athletics in Wellington. *Key Injuries:* 26-year old 2B Maurice Keyworth (.300/.348/.421, 4 HR, 46 RBI, 2.3 WAR) strained his groin back on on January 18. He should be back within a week. 29-year old RF Steven Winstanley (.304/.388/.471, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.9 WAR) broke an elbow bone back on December 1. He is gone for the season (3-4 months). -------- The Brunswick Legends are showing no signs of shaking off the doldrums, at least for this season. Their pitching staff remains a formidable unit, but a number of the offensive players they have relied on in the past are starting to sputter. Particularly 37-year old RF Mark Elston (.202/.363/.332, 6 HR, 29 RBI, -0.5 WAR), who is on the disabled list, as well as 27-year old CF Harry Chatwin (.275/.323/.382, 5 HR, 53 RBI, 0.6 WAR) whose performance has dropped alarmingly. From this vantage point, the Legends don't have to blow everything apart, as their pitching is still of championship calibre. But with one of the weakest minor league systems (15th overall), it will not be easy to reload as their tradable assets continue to get older – and decline. The Legends sent three representatives to the All-Star game: LHP Mathew Monroe (7th), LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (6th) and 1B Stuart Bentham (5th). Offense: .260/.338/.381 (8th/6th/6th) Pitching: 3.55/3.44/4.06 (2nd/2nd/3rd) Defense: .682 (Tied for 6th) *Top Position Player:* 29-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.299/.413/.533, 22 HR, 60 RBI, 80 BB, 3.6 WAR) continues his stellar play, winning Batter of the Month honours in December as well as leading the League in homeruns. *Top Pitcher:* 29-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (11-8, 3.12 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .262 Opp AVG) is the top-rated pitcher in the United Leagues, but the Legends are blessed with an extremely strong rotation. If the offense was able to hold it together, the Legends could easily be on top of the standings once again. *Key Injury:* 37-year old RF Mark Elston is suffering from recurring back spasms that have plagued him since mid-January. He is out for at least another 3 weeks. -------- At the end of December, it appeared that the Wellington Athletics were toying with the idea of crashing the top division, but they have since faltered and fallen 6 games below .500. It’s readily apparent though that any success this season would have been short-lived: they just do not have the horses to seriously compete. They have a few nice pieces on offense but little else. Their farm system is largely depleted as well, something the Athletics will need to address pronto if they want to get relevant anytime soon. Two Athletics headed to the All-Star game: C Mick Gunnis (1st) and SS Mac Medley (1st). Offense: .264/.326/.367 (7th/7th/8th) Pitching: 4.39/4.30/4.78 (6th/6th/7th) Defense: .711 (1st) *Player of the Week Awards:* December 17 – 3B Ryley McLarnon (.545, 12 H, 4 RBI, 5 R) January 7 – C Mick Gunnis (.538, 7 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI) *Top Position Player:* I’m calling it a tie, with Wellington’s two all-stars. 23-year old SS Mac Medley (.324/.397/.485, 6 HR, 59 RBI, 52 BB, 4.5 WAR) showed promise last year in his second full season, but has really stepped it up this season. The former 13th overall pick from 1941-42 is rated as the No. 5 shortstop in the ULB and is close to joining the League’s elite players if he continues his progress. 25-year old C Mick Gunnis (.332/.392/.482, 11 HR, 64 RBI, 38 BB, 4.2 WAR) has seemingly come out of nowhere to entrench himself as Wellington’s everyday starting catcher. He is rated 5th among catchers and 18th overall among position players. But with the exception of 21-year old RF Edgardo Barrón (.298/.337/.462, 2 HR, 34 RBI, 16 BB, 1.6WAR), who won his second consecutive Rookie of the Month honour in December, the Athletics players are all rated 14th to 16th overall at their respective positions – with most of them on the wrong side of 30. Ouch. *Top Pitcher:* This is not pretty, but I’ll go with 35-year old LHP Max Littler (10-11, 3.78 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .271 Opp AVG) who pitched a 4-hit shutout against the Downie Chiefs on December 26. So there’s that. *Key Injuries:* 34-year old 3B Ryley McLarnon (.304/.339/.421, 2 HR, 50 RBI, 2.9 WAR) suffered a torn knee joint back on January 22. He is out for 3-4 weeks. 32-year old RHP Darren Whiteley (12-9, 4.25 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) also tore his knee joint, back on January 26. He is expected to miss 3 months. 43-year old CF Quentin Stubber (.262/.446/.476, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0.6 WAR) suffered a torn knee ligament back on December 15. He is out for 5 months. -------- With 8 first-round draft picks and another 4 second-round draft picks currently on the 25-man roster, you would think the Cobourg Red Stockings would be a force to be reckoned with in the East simply by the sheer force of their top-tier talent. And that still may happen, as the Red Stockings are steadily improving on offense, where the majority of their first-rounders are found. They currently have the top-ranked prospect in their lineup, 22-year old C Jason Lymer (.282/.322/.409, 3 HR, 35 RBI, 14 BB, 1.1 WAR) who won Rookie of the Month honours in January. Their farm system is still one of the strongest as well, so if they can parlay some of that talent onto the pitching staff, it may finally all come together for Cobourg. But we’ll have to wait and see, as we’re always doing with this unit. Five Red Stockings appeared in the All-Star Game: RHP Brent Nix (2nd), 3B Alexander Tolmie (2nd), SS Dennis Borton (1st), SS Simon Flatt (1st) and RF Salvador Hernández (1st). Offense: .274/.339/.397 (3rd/5th/4th) Pitching: 4.57/4.62/4.34 (7th/7th/5th) Defense: .682 (Tied for 6th) *Player of the Week Awards:* January 28 – C Jason Lymer (.500, 10 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI) *Top Position Player:* A difficult choice, as two players are leading the way for Cobourg with strong campaigns. 27-year old 1B Dennis Borton (.358/.388/.513, 4 HR, 59 RBI, 16 BB, 2.7 WAR) is perhaps off to the best start of his 6-year career, while 24-year old 3B Alexander Tolmie (.314/.375/.463, 8 HR, 54 RBI, 43 BB, 2.9 WAR) continues to build on his rookie season. *Top Pitcher:* Not as attractive selections to choose from but 29-year old RHP Luke Mason (6-9, 3.73 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .247 Opp AVG) is enjoying his best season of his 4-year career. *Noteworthy:* January 26 – 22-year old LF Steve Barnes (.215/.307/.306, 1 HR, 8 RBI, -0.1 WAR) is yet another promising young prospect (#35th overall) who was selected 17th overall (1st pick in Round 2) in 1942-43. He is currently playing with Cobourg’s AAA farm team, the Oakville Oaks. But while he was up with the big club on January 26, Barnes set the Eastern League extra-inning game record for triples with 3 against the Balmoral Giants. He tripled in the 4th, 6th and 10th innings, where he scored the winning run on a Júlio Gonzáles single. He scored 3 runs in total in a 10-9 Red Stockings victory. *Key Injury:* 28-year old RHP Pedro Gómez (2-5, 5.35 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) tore an elbow ligament in a game against the Sherburn Tigers back on November 21. He will be out of commission for another 3 months. -------- Like the Cobourg Red Stockings, the Downie Chiefs have a bevy of first-round draft picks on the 25-man roster (7 to be exact) and 3 more second-round picks, but have yet to see that talent improve the team’s fortunes in the standings. Perhaps that’s a good thing. The Chiefs are still in rebuild mode and will be guaranteed of another high draft pick next season, if not the first overall selection. Downie has one of the stronger farm systems (6th overall) and three of their prospects are rated #1 at their respective positions in the organization rankings, but it wouldn’t hurt to have some further injection of talent to give their seemingly endless rebuilding some traction. The Chiefs' sent two players to the All-Star Game: CF Robin Duerden (1st) and RF Nathan Ashman (1st). Offense: .264/.321/.375 (6th/8th/7th) Pitching: 4.71/4.63/5.05 (8th/8th/8th) Defense: .703 (2nd) *Top Position Player:* He may not have made the All-Star game this year, but 22-year old 3B Max Westgate (.308/.355/.429, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 21 BB, 2.3 WAR) has been Downie’s most consistent player at the plate to go along with outstanding defense at the hot corner. The former 2nd round pick from 1941-42 is in his second season in the ULB. *Top Pitcher:* The pickings are quite slim on the pitching side of things, so I’ll give a nod RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (10-14, 4.14 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, .274 Opp AVG). The 23-year old Fijian is in his third season in ULB and is currently Downie’s No. 1 starter, but he has actually been regressing in each successive season. Here’s hoping he settles in with more maturity and seasoning. *Noteworthy:* December 18 – RF Nathan Ashman (.266/.312/.391, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 1.7 WAR) went 5-for-6, helping the Chiefs knock off the Queensland Eagles 8-6. Ashman hit four singles (including a 2-run single) and a triple. *Key Injuries:* 22-year old LHP Jeff Routh (2-0, 4.30 ERA, 1.73 WHIP) tore a finger tendon back on January 21. He is expected to miss 4 months. 21-year old LF Connor Buswell (.295/.377/.403, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 0.7 WAR) strained his ribcage back on January 26. He is out for 3 more weeks. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 04:20 PM.