[BirdWatcher]

April 1968 Denver Brewers Team Report:
The Brewers get the season started with a 13-6 month. They are predictably once again 1st in stolen bases in the MGL, they are 3rd in runs allowed, starters ERA, and defensive efficiency, as well as in team batting average and OBP. They are 4th in runs scored and in bullpen ERA, and they are tied for 8th (again, predictably enough near the bottom) in team HR's.

Who's Hoppy? Top 5 in WAR
1- Ryan "Boxy" Rodgers, 1.5 WAR. Rodgers (.355/.446/.484) has hit 6 doubles and 1 triple, has scored 9 runs and has walked 10 times and stolen 1 base. In addition, he provides gold glove defense in centerfield.
2- Ruben "Streak" Souffront, 1.1 WAR. Souffront (.309/.329/.500) continues to develop into one of the most valuable members of the team. He has 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 3 HR's, and has driven in 10 runs while scoring 8. He also has 7 stolen bases while being caught twice.
3- Pat Rondeau, 1.1 WAR. In a non-starting role young Mr. Rondeau continues to impress. Pat (.333/.341/.429) has collected a pair of doubles and 1 triple, has driven in 6 runs and stolen a base in his only attempt and continues to provide sterling defense at all three outfield positions.
4- Chad Brown, 0.7 WAR. Although Brown's offensive production is off a bit so far this season (.254/.303/.296), he has scored 7 runs, hit 1 double and 1 triple, and stolen 3 bases without being caught trying yet. In addition, he is a superlative defender at shortstop.
5- Daniel Torres and Antonio Puente, 0.6 WAR each. Torres continues to be the ace of the pitching staff, having gone 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA and 0.76 WHIP, while striking out 24 batters and walking 10. Puente (.208/.309/.333) has struggled thus far at the plate and has not produced a single HR, but does have 4 doubles, 1 triple, 8 RBI and continues to be a gifted defensive leftfielder.

Who's Hungover? Bottom of 5 in WAR
1- Jamel McNeil, -0.4 WAR. The dominant reliever we signed as a free agent, the one who is so bad in the clubhouse, well, he hasn't been so good on the field thus far either. McNeil (2-1, 3 svs, 2.53) has struggled with his control thus far, walking 6 while striking out 9 and has a very poor (particularly in this year of anemic ERA's and WHIP's) 1.41 WHIP. He has at times looked like his dominant self and I assume this will all even out over time, but a bit disappointing so far.
2- Sam Rogers, Hector Uribe, Steve Alonso, Chris Healy, and Jason Lawson, all tied at -0.2 WAR. Captain and catcher, Rogers (.118/.224/.176) hasn't really hit a lick this season, though he did hit one big HR and has walked 7 times. Problem is, he's not that great behind the plate so when he isn't hitting he is mostly just good for his leadership skills. Uribe (.152/.220/.196), a fine fielding thirdbaseman, has had a few key hits but overall he has done little at the plate. Alonso's numbers (3-0, 2.02) look pretty darn good but his WHIP is 1.31 as he has allowed 9 walks while striking out 18 batters and his FIP is pretty poor too so in this current pitching rich context he doesn't fare well in terms of WAR. Healy has had a few rough outings and has a 4.91 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. But he hasn't pitched much and this will likely get better over time. Ancient starter Jason Lawson has only been used once and was just horrible. Lawson (0-1, 7.94) was once the ace of the staff but he is a shell of his former self and likely will see little action this season.

What's Brewing Around the League? The Columbus Whalers are off to the best start in the WPK with a 13-5 mark. They lead the SJL by 1 1/2 games over Jacksonville (10-5), by 2 over reigning champs Washington (12-8) and by 3 over Seattle (11-9). Our Brewers lead the MGL by 1 1/2 games over both San Francisco and surprising Charlotte (11-7) and have a 3 game lead over also surprising Detroit (10-9.)

The Streak Souffront Saga: as you can see above in Who's Hoppy, all is well on the Souffront front.

Brewers' Power Ranking: #2 (#1 COL, #3 S.F., #4 JAC, #5 WAS.)
Brewers' Record: 13-6,.684, 1st place, MGL.