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reds1 · 08-02-2019, 05:27 PM

December 1, 1951

Eastern League: One Jumbled Mess

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Offense: .274/.343/.409 (AVG/OBP/SLG – 3rd/7th/4th)
Pitching: 4.45/4.16/6.05 (Team ERA/Starters’ ERA/Bullpen ERA – 6th/2nd/8th)
Defense: .700 (3rd)

After a pair of last-place finishes, the Queensland Eagles find themselves in top spot in the East after the first two months – but just barely. The Eastern League is a model of mediocrity in the early going. Only five games separate the penthouse from the basement, and the Eagles as the top club are only three games above .500. In fact, if the Eagles were competing in the Western League, they would find themselves merely in fourth place. But there have been some outstanding individual performances throughout the East, and that certainly includes Queensland.

25-year old Rod Dennis (.369/.427/.611, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 21 BB, 2.2 WAR), who finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting last season is enjoying a tremendous start offensively, either leading or tied for the lead in eight offensive categories. 25-year old 1B Ryan Conisford (.296/.370/.458, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 24 BB, 1.5 WAR) is also enjoying a fine sophomore season, one year after finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting.

The pitching staff has for the most part been up and down in the early going. 26-year old RHP Logan Belsey (6-3, 4.15 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 2.80 FIP) started off strong, winning Pitcher of the Month honors in October, but struggled a bit in November (2-3, 5.52 ERA, 1.43 WHIP). But his potential to be a dominant ace remains enormous and continues to dominate as a strikeout artist. Belsely leads the League in strikeouts, K/9IP and K/BB by comfortable margins. He is currently rated as the No. 1 pitcher in the ULB. Queensland’s most consistent pitcher in the first two months has been No. 3 starter 27-year old RHP Tyler Gissing (4-5, 2.77 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.37 FIP). The former 2nd-round pick from 1946-47 is off to his best start in four seasons and leads the East in ERA.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 22 – LF Rod Dennis (.478, 11 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R)
November 12 – LF Rod Dennis (.600, 15 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI)

Current Injuries:

RHP Bartolo Sánchez – October 10 – dislocated shoulder. Out for: 3 more months.
RHP Quentin Goldsmith – October 30 – ulnar nerve entrapment. Out for: 3 more months.
RHP Gael Yule – November 10 – sprained elbow. Out for: DtD, unknown.
RHP Tyler Gissing – November 30 – sore back. Out for: DtD, 2 days.

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Offense: .262/.361/.378 (7th/1st/8th)
Pitching: 4.22/4.19/4.45 (2nd/3rd/6th)
Defense: .697 (Tied at 6th)

The Stratford Barons are the only Eastern League team that has avoided enduring a sub-.500 month thus far, but just barely. Like Queensland, they have not been terrible, but overall the team has been rather lackluster.

That cannot be said for 21-year old sophomore CF Sherwin Carasig (.344/.410/.566, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 24 BB, 2.7 WAR). He is one of the hottest players in the Eastern League this year. 32-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.296/.459/.454, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 46 BB, 2.5 WAR) is also off to a fast start after enduring a bit of down year last season.

The pitching staff got off to a rocky start in October but picked things up a bit in November to help the club remain near the top of the standings. 25-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (6-6, 3.25 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 3.50 FIP) has been the most consistent and in fact enjoying strong start. He leads the East with four shutouts, including a 6-hit shut-out one on Opening Day against the Downie Chiefs. He also leads the League in games started (tied with Embro’s Carl McBroom) and innings pitched.

Noteworthy:

October 15 – CF Sherwin Carasig entered the new season with a 6-game hitting streak. He extended that to 20 games before Braeland City’s RHP Freddie Trerise stopped him in a game at Stratford’s Bosworth Field. Carasig went 0-4 in the Barons’ 3-0 loss to the Monarchs.

Current Injuries: None.

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Offense: .276/.351/.421 (2nd/2nd/2nd)
Pitching: 4.62/4.28/5.47 (7th/4th/7th)
Defense: .701 (2nd)

The Braeland City Monarchs enjoyed a strong October, leading the East by a full game on November 2 but then stumbled, going on a 9-game losing streak before recovering somewhat and finishing the rest of November 7-6. But that has left them scuffling along with the rest of the East.

The starting lineup has been doing its part, however, as it has been one of the top offenses in the East in the early going. 26-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.297/.409/.538, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 35 BB, 2.3 WAR) and 27-year old 1B Dean Witherden (.324/.365/.437, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 16 BB, 1.6 WAR) continue to lead the club, but they have been joined by a couple of unexpected players.

21-year old RF Aidan Trembath (.379/.455/.638, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 8 BB, 1.1 WAR – 46/68) and 27-year old SS Kai Klein (.270/.356/.473, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 11 BB, 1.1 WAR – 48/50), both rookies, got into the starting lineup in November and are impressing the top brass. Trembath, a 15th overall pick from 1948-49 and Braeland City’s top offensive prospect, began getting more regular starts in rightfield at the expense of 30-year old Luca Bewick (.286/.363/.448, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 15 BB, 0.7 WAR) in early November and is now regularly batting 5th against RHP. Kai Klein, a free-agent signing from Germany back in June, was invited to Spring Training as a non-roster player and made the team. With the loss of SS Simon Flatt for the rest of the season, Klein has taken over the position and is more than holding his own.

The pitching has been a mixed bag to say the least, particularly the bullpen. No. 1 starter 30-year old RHP Okura Suzuki (6-4, 3.78 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 3.43 FIP) and No. 2 starter 30-year old RHP Robin Medellin (6-4, 3.44 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 4.62 FIP) are the only pitchers pitching with any consistency in the first couple of months.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 8 – LF Jesús Rodríguez (.476, 10 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI)
November 5 – RF Aidan Trembath (.667, 10 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R)

Noteworthy:

October 22 – The top pitching performance thus far in the East was handed in by RHP Robin Medellin, who 1-hit the Stratford Barons, leading the Monarchs to a convincing 6-0 victory at Kings Park in Braeland City. Medellin went 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. He threw 105 pitches on the day, 62 for strikes and finished with a score of 89. The Monarchs’ back-up catcher, Jorge Valentín (.262/.415/.571, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 10 BB, 0.6 WAR), did the most damage on offense, hitting a 3-run homer in the 3rd inning against Stratford’s RHP Bill Wolf.

Current Injuries:

SS Simon Flatt – November 21 – broken bone in elbow. Out for: 4 more months.
RHP Danilo Narvaez – November 25 – tender shoulder. Out for: DtD, 1 more day.

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Offense: .261/.337/.410 (8th/8th/3rd)
Pitching: 4.00/4.05/3.77 (1st/1st/3rd)
Defense: .697 (Tied at 6th)

The Embro Suns are just a game back of the wild card based largely on their pitching staff. However, the offense is not as bad as it appears on the surface. They lead in extra-base hits and home runs, but more significantly, the Suns are easing in a couple of promising rookies that should give the offense a boost as the season progresses.

23-year old rookie Moromao Nakagawa (.282/.386/.407, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 36 BB, 1.1 WAR) has taken over third base from 26-year old Keon-chae Cho (.281/.335/.433, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 16, 1.5 WAR), who now covers second base. That shifted 24-year old Napana Mamo (.210/.289/.383, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 24 BB, 0.3 WAR) to first base at the expense of Suns’ icon 37-year old Jim Friend (.125/.417/.292, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 12 BB, 0.0 WAR), who has been reduced to facing only LHP. That is a shame, as Friend is still rated highly by the scouts (60/60), although he did miss most of the spring training due to a hamstring strain.

An injury to long-time shortstop 28-year old Rafael De La Cruz (.384/.432/.507, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 7 BB, 0.9 WAR) has given 21-year old rookie Kieron Bradridge (.278/.313/.473, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 9 BB, 1.7 WAR) a chance to start full-time. Bradridge and Nakagawa have taken advantage of their regular starts, as both earned Rookie of the Month honors to start the season.

Embro’s rotation remains the same as last season. However, 25-year old LHP Carl McBroom (3-5, 3.97 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 3.43 FIP) has now taken over the No. 1 spot from 32-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (4-5, 4.27 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 4.84 FIP), who now pitches from the No. 3 spot. That said, No. 2 starter, 32-year old LHP Arthur Bence (7-3, 3.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.10 FIP) has been the most effective Suns pitcher thus far.

Current Injuries:

SS Rafael De La Cruz – November 11 – fractured hand. Out for: 2 more weeks.
RF José Maldonado – November 30 – back stiffness. Out for: DtD, 1 more week.

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Offense: .272/.344/.380 (4th/6th/7th)
Pitching: 4.23/4.45/3.52 (3rd/6th/2nd)
Defense: .698 (Tied at 4th)

Last season, the Wellington Athletics were decidedly ‘unlucky’, as they finished the year with a Pyt. Record of 86-68, a difference of -12. If they had finished anywhere close to that record, they would have seriously challenged for a playoff spot. However, while they are still very much in the hunt as is the rest of the League, the team does not carry quite the same vibe as they did last year. A lot of that has to do with a pitching staff that appears to have come back down to earth. One of the top units in the East last year, the rotation has been largely lackluster this year.

26-year old RHP Troy Conlin (4-4, 3.59 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 4.17 FIP) has been the most consistent over the first two months, although 31-year old journeyman RHP Ian Peter (5-3, 4.24 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.97 FIP) did pick up his game in November (3-2, 3.48 ERA).

24-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.290/.378/.495, 5 HR, 42 RBI, 30 BB, 1.8 WAR) continues to lead the Wellington offense, winning Batter of the Month honors in November. But he has been joined by 24-year old RF Harvey Thornber (.346/.350/.447, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 0 BB, 1.2 WAR). Thornber, a former 5th overall pick from 1946-47, has not lived up to his high draft selection. But he is off to best start in his uneven 4-year career.

Other starters meanwhile have struggled. Case in point is 25-year old 2B Vaiga Bultarro (.233/.295/.316, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 18 BB, -0.1 WAR), who enjoyed a break-out season last year (.300/.354/.434, 3.7 WAR). Alas, it appears last season was an outlier, as he has regressed to his former mediocre play.

Current Injuries: None.

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Offense: .266/.350/.389 (5th/3rd/6th)
Pitching: 4.41/4.71/3.48 (5th/7th/1st)
Defense: .698 (Tied at 4th)

The Brunswick Legends’ fortunes are essentially the same as it was last season: under-performing rotation, great bullpen and not enough support for their offensive stalwart, Stuart Bentham.

The rotation was never expected to be great, but the loss of frequently injured ace 34-year old RHP Kelvin Hutchinson (4-0, 3.72 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 4.37 FIP) doesn’t help. Hutchinson only started one game for Brunswick last season due to a torn UCL after being traded from the Stratford Barons in January. Now he is out for over 6 weeks due to back injury. On the plus side, 26-year old rookie RHP Rob Backhouse (2-1, 2.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 3.63 FIP), an 8th-round pick from 1947-48, has performed well in his three starts so far in Hutchinson’s stead. In the bullpen, 29-year old RHP Lao Chen (2-3, 8 SV, 3.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 3.06 FIP) continues to be the top stopper in the United Leagues. But the staff received another boost when 23-year old rookie RHP Eddie Stannard (1-1, 2 SV, 1.62 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 4.05 FIP – 50/63) joined its ranks this season. The former 2nd-round pick from 1949-50 has the potential to be starter in the future.

The offense continues to be led by 35-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.368/.449/.536, 6 HR, 40 RBI, 29 BB, 1.6 WAR – 80/80) but the rest of the lineup has struggled to support him. That may be changing, as 23-year old rookie C Robert Kersey (.296/.364/.513, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 17 BB, 1.7 WAR – 57/75) is off to an impressive start. The 3rd overall pick from 1949-50 currently bats in the No. 3 spot against RHP – ahead of Bentham.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 15 – 1B Stuart Bentham (.500, 14 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI)

Current Injuries:

RHP Kelvin Hutchinson – November 2 – herniated disc. Out for: 5 more days.
CF Cameron Osmotherley – November 17 – strained posterior cruciate ligament. Out for: 3 more days.

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Offense: .266/.347/.390 (6th/4th/5th)
Pitching: 4.77/5.12/3.91 (8th/8th/4th)
Defense: .702 (1st)

The bottom appears to have fallen out for the Downie Chiefs, as the rotation is now a shell of its former self and the lineup is not as formidable as it was a couple of seasons ago when they won the United Cup. Still, no one is running away with the East. So if the Chiefs can shore things up, they can be right back in the thick of it.

Things look more promising on offense. 25-year old Dominic Dudding (.346/.418/.576, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 25 BB, 2.8 WAR) is off to another phenomenal start, while 25-year old CF Alfonso León (.286/.360/.452, 8 HR, 40 HR, 24 BB, 2.3 WAR) is on pace to match his award-winning season last year. He got off to relatively slow start last year before erupting in December. But a couple of sophomores could join them as offensive powerhouses. 24-year old RF Connor Bing (.314/.395/.590, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 14 BB, 1.7 WAR – 70/75) really picked things up in November (.352/.435/.741, 1.176 OPS). 23-year old 3B Louis Revill (.265/.318/.348, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 12 BB, -0.0 – 47/80) continues to be an enigma. The 4th overall pick from 1947-48 got off to an extremely slow start in October but awoke in November. Downie has been patient with him though, and that no doubt is the correct approach.

The pitching is much more of a concern, as 29-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (3-6, 5.75 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 5.28 FIP) and 32-year old RHP Joong Ling (3-6, 6.36 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 5.55 FIP) have been downright awful. That is alarming, as both were excellent the previous two seasons, although both were ineffective in last season’s Eastern League Pennant Series. Right now, only No. 3 starter, 35-year old LHP Gavin Hewat (4-3, 3.15 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 3.49 FIP), is pitching effectively. And their closer, 34-year old RHP Carl Luscombe (7-1, 5 SV, 2.90 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 4.83 FIP) currently leads the team in wins.

Player of the Week Awards:

November 26 – RF Connor Bing (.500, 9 H, 3 HR, 16 RBI)

Current Injuries: None.

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Offense: .283/.347/.422 (1st/5th/1st)
Pitching: 4.37/4.42/4.17 (4th/5th/5th)
Defense: .684 (8th)

It’s a familiar story with the Cobourg Red Stockings, as the club is still seeking a consistent pitching staff to support their steady starting lineup. Things were looking promising at the end of last where the team just missed out on the wild card. But except for newly installed ace, 23-year old LHP Bill Budd (4-5, 3.52 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 4.35 FIP), the rotation took a serious step back in November. One bright spot is 33-year old RHP Max Dunston (4-3, 2.13 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 2.97 FIP). After struggling the past four seasons, the former starter finally seems comfortable pitching out of the bullpen.

The offense continues to rival all other teams in the United Leagues for its consistency. That is no doubt due to 29-year old 3B Alexander Tolmie (.341/.424/.571, 12 HR, 36 RBI, 30 BB, 2.8 WAR) and 25-year old CF Raymond Williams (.332/.422/.544, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 33 BB, 2.6 WAR) enjoying incredible starts to the season once again. 30-year old SS John Medley (.361/.419/.493, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 20 BB, 8 SB, 1.6 WAR) is off to a fast start once again. However, Cobourg’s lead-off hitter fell into a slump last December, so we’ll just have to see what happens this time around.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 29 – CF Raymond Williams (.407, 11 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R)
November 19 – SS John Medley (.519, 14 H, 9 RBI, 6 R)

Noteworthy:

October 26 –3B Alexander Tolmie is on fire to start the season and that was no more apparent than in Cobourg’s 9-0 thrashing over the Queensland Eagles. He went 5 for 5, driving in 2 runs and scoring 4 times.
Tolmie singled in the 1st, 4th and 6th innings, then hit two solo home runs off Bruno Skinner – in the 7th and 9th innings – to cap off his scorching day.

Current Injuries: None.

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08-02-2019, 05:27 PM	#516
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,915	December 1, 1951 Eastern League: One Jumbled Mess -------- Offense: .274/.343/.409 (AVG/OBP/SLG – 3rd/7th/4th) Pitching: 4.45/4.16/6.05 (Team ERA/Starters’ ERA/Bullpen ERA – 6th/2nd/8th) Defense: .700 (3rd) After a pair of last-place finishes, the Queensland Eagles find themselves in top spot in the East after the first two months – but just barely. The Eastern League is a model of mediocrity in the early going. Only five games separate the penthouse from the basement, and the Eagles as the top club are only three games above .500. In fact, if the Eagles were competing in the Western League, they would find themselves merely in fourth place. But there have been some outstanding individual performances throughout the East, and that certainly includes Queensland. 25-year old Rod Dennis (.369/.427/.611, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 21 BB, 2.2 WAR), who finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting last season is enjoying a tremendous start offensively, either leading or tied for the lead in eight offensive categories. 25-year old 1B Ryan Conisford (.296/.370/.458, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 24 BB, 1.5 WAR) is also enjoying a fine sophomore season, one year after finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting. The pitching staff has for the most part been up and down in the early going. 26-year old RHP Logan Belsey (6-3, 4.15 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 2.80 FIP) started off strong, winning Pitcher of the Month honors in October, but struggled a bit in November (2-3, 5.52 ERA, 1.43 WHIP). But his potential to be a dominant ace remains enormous and continues to dominate as a strikeout artist. Belsely leads the League in strikeouts, K/9IP and K/BB by comfortable margins. He is currently rated as the No. 1 pitcher in the ULB. Queensland’s most consistent pitcher in the first two months has been No. 3 starter 27-year old RHP Tyler Gissing (4-5, 2.77 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.37 FIP). The former 2nd-round pick from 1946-47 is off to his best start in four seasons and leads the East in ERA. Player of the Week Awards: October 22 – LF Rod Dennis (.478, 11 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R) November 12 – LF Rod Dennis (.600, 15 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI) Current Injuries: RHP Bartolo Sánchez – October 10 – dislocated shoulder. Out for: 3 more months. RHP Quentin Goldsmith – October 30 – ulnar nerve entrapment. Out for: 3 more months. RHP Gael Yule – November 10 – sprained elbow. Out for: DtD, unknown. RHP Tyler Gissing – November 30 – sore back. Out for: DtD, 2 days. -------- Offense: .262/.361/.378 (7th/1st/8th) Pitching: 4.22/4.19/4.45 (2nd/3rd/6th) Defense: .697 (Tied at 6th) The Stratford Barons are the only Eastern League team that has avoided enduring a sub-.500 month thus far, but just barely. Like Queensland, they have not been terrible, but overall the team has been rather lackluster. That cannot be said for 21-year old sophomore CF Sherwin Carasig (.344/.410/.566, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 24 BB, 2.7 WAR). He is one of the hottest players in the Eastern League this year. 32-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.296/.459/.454, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 46 BB, 2.5 WAR) is also off to a fast start after enduring a bit of down year last season. The pitching staff got off to a rocky start in October but picked things up a bit in November to help the club remain near the top of the standings. 25-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (6-6, 3.25 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 3.50 FIP) has been the most consistent and in fact enjoying strong start. He leads the East with four shutouts, including a 6-hit shut-out one on Opening Day against the Downie Chiefs. He also leads the League in games started (tied with Embro’s Carl McBroom) and innings pitched. Noteworthy: October 15 – CF Sherwin Carasig entered the new season with a 6-game hitting streak. He extended that to 20 games before Braeland City’s RHP Freddie Trerise stopped him in a game at Stratford’s Bosworth Field. Carasig went 0-4 in the Barons’ 3-0 loss to the Monarchs. Current Injuries: None. -------- Offense: .276/.351/.421 (2nd/2nd/2nd) Pitching: 4.62/4.28/5.47 (7th/4th/7th) Defense: .701 (2nd) The Braeland City Monarchs enjoyed a strong October, leading the East by a full game on November 2 but then stumbled, going on a 9-game losing streak before recovering somewhat and finishing the rest of November 7-6. But that has left them scuffling along with the rest of the East. The starting lineup has been doing its part, however, as it has been one of the top offenses in the East in the early going. 26-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.297/.409/.538, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 35 BB, 2.3 WAR) and 27-year old 1B Dean Witherden (.324/.365/.437, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 16 BB, 1.6 WAR) continue to lead the club, but they have been joined by a couple of unexpected players. 21-year old RF Aidan Trembath (.379/.455/.638, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 8 BB, 1.1 WAR – 46/68) and 27-year old SS Kai Klein (.270/.356/.473, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 11 BB, 1.1 WAR – 48/50), both rookies, got into the starting lineup in November and are impressing the top brass. Trembath, a 15th overall pick from 1948-49 and Braeland City’s top offensive prospect, began getting more regular starts in rightfield at the expense of 30-year old Luca Bewick (.286/.363/.448, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 15 BB, 0.7 WAR) in early November and is now regularly batting 5th against RHP. Kai Klein, a free-agent signing from Germany back in June, was invited to Spring Training as a non-roster player and made the team. With the loss of SS Simon Flatt for the rest of the season, Klein has taken over the position and is more than holding his own. The pitching has been a mixed bag to say the least, particularly the bullpen. No. 1 starter 30-year old RHP Okura Suzuki (6-4, 3.78 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 3.43 FIP) and No. 2 starter 30-year old RHP Robin Medellin (6-4, 3.44 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 4.62 FIP) are the only pitchers pitching with any consistency in the first couple of months. Player of the Week Awards: October 8 – LF Jesús Rodríguez (.476, 10 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI) November 5 – RF Aidan Trembath (.667, 10 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R) Noteworthy: October 22 – The top pitching performance thus far in the East was handed in by RHP Robin Medellin, who 1-hit the Stratford Barons, leading the Monarchs to a convincing 6-0 victory at Kings Park in Braeland City. Medellin went 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. He threw 105 pitches on the day, 62 for strikes and finished with a score of 89. The Monarchs’ back-up catcher, Jorge Valentín (.262/.415/.571, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 10 BB, 0.6 WAR), did the most damage on offense, hitting a 3-run homer in the 3rd inning against Stratford’s RHP Bill Wolf. Current Injuries: SS Simon Flatt – November 21 – broken bone in elbow. Out for: 4 more months. RHP Danilo Narvaez – November 25 – tender shoulder. Out for: DtD, 1 more day. -------- Offense: .261/.337/.410 (8th/8th/3rd) Pitching: 4.00/4.05/3.77 (1st/1st/3rd) Defense: .697 (Tied at 6th) The Embro Suns are just a game back of the wild card based largely on their pitching staff. However, the offense is not as bad as it appears on the surface. They lead in extra-base hits and home runs, but more significantly, the Suns are easing in a couple of promising rookies that should give the offense a boost as the season progresses. 23-year old rookie Moromao Nakagawa (.282/.386/.407, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 36 BB, 1.1 WAR) has taken over third base from 26-year old Keon-chae Cho (.281/.335/.433, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 16, 1.5 WAR), who now covers second base. That shifted 24-year old Napana Mamo (.210/.289/.383, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 24 BB, 0.3 WAR) to first base at the expense of Suns’ icon 37-year old Jim Friend (.125/.417/.292, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 12 BB, 0.0 WAR), who has been reduced to facing only LHP. That is a shame, as Friend is still rated highly by the scouts (60/60), although he did miss most of the spring training due to a hamstring strain. An injury to long-time shortstop 28-year old Rafael De La Cruz (.384/.432/.507, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 7 BB, 0.9 WAR) has given 21-year old rookie Kieron Bradridge (.278/.313/.473, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 9 BB, 1.7 WAR) a chance to start full-time. Bradridge and Nakagawa have taken advantage of their regular starts, as both earned Rookie of the Month honors to start the season. Embro’s rotation remains the same as last season. However, 25-year old LHP Carl McBroom (3-5, 3.97 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 3.43 FIP) has now taken over the No. 1 spot from 32-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (4-5, 4.27 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 4.84 FIP), who now pitches from the No. 3 spot. That said, No. 2 starter, 32-year old LHP Arthur Bence (7-3, 3.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.10 FIP) has been the most effective Suns pitcher thus far. Current Injuries: SS Rafael De La Cruz – November 11 – fractured hand. Out for: 2 more weeks. RF José Maldonado – November 30 – back stiffness. Out for: DtD, 1 more week. -------- Offense: .272/.344/.380 (4th/6th/7th) Pitching: 4.23/4.45/3.52 (3rd/6th/2nd) Defense: .698 (Tied at 4th) Last season, the Wellington Athletics were decidedly ‘unlucky’, as they finished the year with a Pyt. Record of 86-68, a difference of -12. If they had finished anywhere close to that record, they would have seriously challenged for a playoff spot. However, while they are still very much in the hunt as is the rest of the League, the team does not carry quite the same vibe as they did last year. A lot of that has to do with a pitching staff that appears to have come back down to earth. One of the top units in the East last year, the rotation has been largely lackluster this year. 26-year old RHP Troy Conlin (4-4, 3.59 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 4.17 FIP) has been the most consistent over the first two months, although 31-year old journeyman RHP Ian Peter (5-3, 4.24 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.97 FIP) did pick up his game in November (3-2, 3.48 ERA). 24-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.290/.378/.495, 5 HR, 42 RBI, 30 BB, 1.8 WAR) continues to lead the Wellington offense, winning Batter of the Month honors in November. But he has been joined by 24-year old RF Harvey Thornber (.346/.350/.447, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 0 BB, 1.2 WAR). Thornber, a former 5th overall pick from 1946-47, has not lived up to his high draft selection. But he is off to best start in his uneven 4-year career. Other starters meanwhile have struggled. Case in point is 25-year old 2B Vaiga Bultarro (.233/.295/.316, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 18 BB, -0.1 WAR), who enjoyed a break-out season last year (.300/.354/.434, 3.7 WAR). Alas, it appears last season was an outlier, as he has regressed to his former mediocre play. Current Injuries: None. -------- Offense: .266/.350/.389 (5th/3rd/6th) Pitching: 4.41/4.71/3.48 (5th/7th/1st) Defense: .698 (Tied at 4th) The Brunswick Legends’ fortunes are essentially the same as it was last season: under-performing rotation, great bullpen and not enough support for their offensive stalwart, Stuart Bentham. The rotation was never expected to be great, but the loss of frequently injured ace 34-year old RHP Kelvin Hutchinson (4-0, 3.72 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 4.37 FIP) doesn’t help. Hutchinson only started one game for Brunswick last season due to a torn UCL after being traded from the Stratford Barons in January. Now he is out for over 6 weeks due to back injury. On the plus side, 26-year old rookie RHP Rob Backhouse (2-1, 2.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 3.63 FIP), an 8th-round pick from 1947-48, has performed well in his three starts so far in Hutchinson’s stead. In the bullpen, 29-year old RHP Lao Chen (2-3, 8 SV, 3.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 3.06 FIP) continues to be the top stopper in the United Leagues. But the staff received another boost when 23-year old rookie RHP Eddie Stannard (1-1, 2 SV, 1.62 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 4.05 FIP – 50/63) joined its ranks this season. The former 2nd-round pick from 1949-50 has the potential to be starter in the future. The offense continues to be led by 35-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.368/.449/.536, 6 HR, 40 RBI, 29 BB, 1.6 WAR – 80/80) but the rest of the lineup has struggled to support him. That may be changing, as 23-year old rookie C Robert Kersey (.296/.364/.513, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 17 BB, 1.7 WAR – 57/75) is off to an impressive start. The 3rd overall pick from 1949-50 currently bats in the No. 3 spot against RHP – ahead of Bentham. Player of the Week Awards: October 15 – 1B Stuart Bentham (.500, 14 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI) Current Injuries: RHP Kelvin Hutchinson – November 2 – herniated disc. Out for: 5 more days. CF Cameron Osmotherley – November 17 – strained posterior cruciate ligament. Out for: 3 more days. -------- Offense: .266/.347/.390 (6th/4th/5th) Pitching: 4.77/5.12/3.91 (8th/8th/4th) Defense: .702 (1st) The bottom appears to have fallen out for the Downie Chiefs, as the rotation is now a shell of its former self and the lineup is not as formidable as it was a couple of seasons ago when they won the United Cup. Still, no one is running away with the East. So if the Chiefs can shore things up, they can be right back in the thick of it. Things look more promising on offense. 25-year old Dominic Dudding (.346/.418/.576, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 25 BB, 2.8 WAR) is off to another phenomenal start, while 25-year old CF Alfonso León (.286/.360/.452, 8 HR, 40 HR, 24 BB, 2.3 WAR) is on pace to match his award-winning season last year. He got off to relatively slow start last year before erupting in December. But a couple of sophomores could join them as offensive powerhouses. 24-year old RF Connor Bing (.314/.395/.590, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 14 BB, 1.7 WAR – 70/75) really picked things up in November (.352/.435/.741, 1.176 OPS). 23-year old 3B Louis Revill (.265/.318/.348, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 12 BB, -0.0 – 47/80) continues to be an enigma. The 4th overall pick from 1947-48 got off to an extremely slow start in October but awoke in November. Downie has been patient with him though, and that no doubt is the correct approach. The pitching is much more of a concern, as 29-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (3-6, 5.75 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 5.28 FIP) and 32-year old RHP Joong Ling (3-6, 6.36 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 5.55 FIP) have been downright awful. That is alarming, as both were excellent the previous two seasons, although both were ineffective in last season’s Eastern League Pennant Series. Right now, only No. 3 starter, 35-year old LHP Gavin Hewat (4-3, 3.15 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 3.49 FIP), is pitching effectively. And their closer, 34-year old RHP Carl Luscombe (7-1, 5 SV, 2.90 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 4.83 FIP) currently leads the team in wins. Player of the Week Awards: November 26 – RF Connor Bing (.500, 9 H, 3 HR, 16 RBI) Current Injuries: None. -------- Offense: .283/.347/.422 (1st/5th/1st) Pitching: 4.37/4.42/4.17 (4th/5th/5th) Defense: .684 (8th) It’s a familiar story with the Cobourg Red Stockings, as the club is still seeking a consistent pitching staff to support their steady starting lineup. Things were looking promising at the end of last where the team just missed out on the wild card. But except for newly installed ace, 23-year old LHP Bill Budd (4-5, 3.52 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 4.35 FIP), the rotation took a serious step back in November. One bright spot is 33-year old RHP Max Dunston (4-3, 2.13 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 2.97 FIP). After struggling the past four seasons, the former starter finally seems comfortable pitching out of the bullpen. The offense continues to rival all other teams in the United Leagues for its consistency. That is no doubt due to 29-year old 3B Alexander Tolmie (.341/.424/.571, 12 HR, 36 RBI, 30 BB, 2.8 WAR) and 25-year old CF Raymond Williams (.332/.422/.544, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 33 BB, 2.6 WAR) enjoying incredible starts to the season once again. 30-year old SS John Medley (.361/.419/.493, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 20 BB, 8 SB, 1.6 WAR) is off to a fast start once again. However, Cobourg’s lead-off hitter fell into a slump last December, so we’ll just have to see what happens this time around. Player of the Week Awards: October 29 – CF Raymond Williams (.407, 11 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R) November 19 – SS John Medley (.519, 14 H, 9 RBI, 6 R) Noteworthy: October 26 –3B Alexander Tolmie is on fire to start the season and that was no more apparent than in Cobourg’s 9-0 thrashing over the Queensland Eagles. He went 5 for 5, driving in 2 runs and scoring 4 times. Tolmie singled in the 1st, 4th and 6th innings, then hit two solo home runs off Bruno Skinner – in the 7th and 9th innings – to cap off his scorching day. Current Injuries: None. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland