[BirdWatcher]

Denver Brewers April 1967 Team Report:

The Brewers get off to a decent start in 1967 largely due to a much improved bullpen, some fine starting pitching, great team defense, and some very timely hitting. The team is first in the MGL in runs allowed, stolen bases, and defensive efficiency. They are second in bullpen ERA and third in starting staff ERA. Offensively they are third in the MGL in batting average and fourth in on-base percentage, but sixth in team homeruns and 8th in runs scored. Eight of the ten Brewers victories were by two runs or less, with two being walk-off wins and several wins where the Brewers came from behind late in the game. There is much question about how sustainable that method is but at the least with a stronger bullpen they are in a better position to steal these kinds of games.

Who's Hoppy? Rookie outfielder Pat Rondeau is off to a great start. Rondeau (.365/.377/.423, 0.8 WAR) scored 7 runs during the month and drove in another 5, while hitting 3 doubles. While he only walked once and was struck out 8 times, when on base he was highly successful, including stealing 7 bases and not yet being thrown out on the basepaths.
Shortstop Chad Brown looks to be developing into a first-rate player, with his defense improving to the point of possible gold glove award level and his bat also coming along nicely. Brown (.319/.365/.391, 0.8 WAR) banged out 5 doubles in April, driving in 7 runs while scoring 6, walking 5 times while striking out 6. Unfortunately, his stolen base success rate was not good- he collected 2 stolen bases and was caught trying 4 times.
Erik Shelton (.325/.386/.375, 0.4 WAR), who provides the team with really great defense at firstbase and also provides solid outfield backup, is off to another good start. Shelton scored 7 runs in April with 2 RBI, 4 walks and 6 K's, and hit 1 triple.
A pair of starting pitchers are off to solid starts also:
Steve Alonso- 3-1, 2.48, 1.03 WHIP, 11 BB, 25 K, 1 HRA, 0.7 WAR
Jason Lawson, 1-0, 1.74, 1.21 WHIP, 4 BB, 7 K, 2 HRA, 0.1 WAR

Who's Hungover? Captain, and catcher, Sam Rogers is off to a slow start at the plate. Rogers (.204/.254/.296, 0.0 WAR) has collected 3 doubles and 1 triple and driven in 7 runs while scoring 4 so at the least when he has come through it has often been in significant moments.
Antonio Puente, the team's biggest star, is also off to a bit of a slow start, though he remains a very gifted leftfielder. Puente (.200/.302/.356, 0.4 WAR) did drive in 10 runs in April (he is the cleanup hitter, after all), while scoring just 3, walking 7 times and striking out 12, with 2 HR's, 1 SB and 1 CS.
Fifth outfielder Tom O'Donnell is displaying diminished skills this season after a solid rookie campaign in 1966. O'Donnell (.156/.182/.156, -0.5 WAR), who is a mediocre defensive outfielder with a weak arm, is on the team for his bat. Right now, he has no bat. It is likely he may be returning to AAA soon for some more seasoning.
Young starting pitcher Abel Pennington, who will likely be called on more with the recent injury loss of Alex Burley, is struggling in the early going. Pennington is 1-1 but with a 6.35 ERA and 1.85 WHIP. He has allowed 3 HR's in the early going while walking 4 and striking out 9. He has a WAR of -0.2.

What's Brewing Around the League? Jacksonville once again is top of the pack in the Shoeless Joe League. They are off to a 13-4 start. Philadelphia is next at 11-6 and Milwaukee in third with an 11-9 record. In the Moonlight Graham League, as predicted Portland has risen to the top thus far. Portland is 15-4 at this point. Phoenix is second at 11-6 while the reigning MGL champs (two-time) Los Angeles is tied with our Denver Brewers for third at 10-8.

Brewers' Power Ranking: #6 (#1POR #2JAC, #3PHI, #4PHO, #5L.A.)
Brewers' Record: 10-8, .556, tied for 3rd place in MGL, 4 1/2 gb POR.