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luckymann · 02-16-2022, 05:33 AM

Here's a quick look at how each of the teams in the EL are faring so far in season 1969.

Atlantic City Bacharach Giants

While I didn't expect the BGs to go as bad as they did last year, nor did I even remotely suspect their vast improvement, one which has them tied with the A's for the best record in the league. Their big three bats - Chito Martinez, Adolfo Phillips and Ralph Bryant - have their offence purring along nicely, but it has been their pitching that has been the biggest difference. Ruben Quevedo (17-3 / 1.90 / 68 FIP- / 5.6 WAR) has been nothing short of a revelation, but the entire staff can share the credit the same way as they have shared the load (EL-best 2.96 team ERA). While not yet the lock he was IRL, Mariano Rivera's steady hand in the closer role (11-from-14 saves / 3.19 ERA) has been another telling factor.

Newark Eagles

Started the year strongly and it has been more the BGs' dominance than any great regression that sees them 8 GB and with a lot of work to do. Buck Leonard (305/406/472; 12 HR / 58 RBI) has been great, ably supported by Cliff Floyd, and their 253 BA (2nd) and 398 runs scored (3rd) show how potent this lineup is. But they are perhaps one starter and a couple solid middle relievers (bullpen ERA of 4.06) shy of where they need to be. Still, this side has plenty of upside on offence and seems headed in the right direction.

Pittsburgh Crawfords

Despite a fairly decent effort from their pitching staff, the Crawfs' ugly -41 run diff and 19-26 home record are emblematic of why they are where they are in the standings. While they are doing anything particularly poorly, neither are they doing anything particularly well, and one would think 500 would be around the mark for where they finish this year. As with the Eagles, however, this squad projects strongly (Oms, Whitaker, Rijo, Matlock and Jhan Marinez are all excellent prospects), and I'm expecting them to start being more competitive over the next few seasons.

New York Black Yankees

Another underwhelming season from a side whose sum seems destined to be less than its parts, in fact you'd have to say this group has re- rather than progressed. Sabathia has toiled hard and their pitching in general has been acceptable (12.2 pitching WAR). But, despite Hank Thompson's improvement, there's not much pop coming from the BY bats, with most of their offensive metrics well short of where they need to be. Although his D has been exemplary (+8.5 ZR), CF Sam Jethroe really needs to pick up his production - 235/309/348 with an OPS+ of 82 just ain't cutting it.

Brooklyn Royal Giants

Was 1968's division title merely a first-year fluke and now we're seeing the real RGs? Or is this just one of those seasons teams have to endure from time to time? Maybe a combination of the two? Whatever the case, Brooklyn would be best to forget 1969 ever happened and use their high Draft pick to acquire a big bat. 42 HR in 87 games (with no player in double figures) won't get you very far in this league.

Cuban Stars West

The West has done everything asked of them this season and are rewarded with a 4-game lead over the Giants at the halfway mark. They have done so with a combination of power (91 HR, 2nd) and pitching (3.36 ERA / 12 WAR) and in spite of a somewhat porous defence (-8.6 ZR). Juan Soto, Ellis Burton and Big Papi Ortiz have kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Bryan Clark has led the rotation admirably and Sixto Sanchez (19 SV, 0.94 ERA) has been almost lights out. The biggest concern as I see it is just how much petrol is left in the tank because this team is operating at close to full capacity, with downside risk more likely than upside. Which, with a team as good as St. Louis breathing down your neck, is not how you'd want it to be. This should be a fascinating race over oncoming months. The switch of Cha-seung Baek into the rotation for Odell Jones bears watching.

St. Louis Giants

With the lineup they have (especially Judge, Scott, Conger and Taylor), you know the Giants are usually going to score enough runs to win games. The difference between this season and last is that the pitching has regressed, meaning the runs they continue to score are now winning them less of those games. Starter ERA over 4 is a big worry, even more so given all 4 of their starters have seen their ERA blow out by a run per nine. But if they can turn this around then I think you'll see them run down the West in a tight finish and keep their title defence alive.

Birmingham Black Barons

Little has changed since last season for the BBs, and I see no reason to expect otherwise. The biggest problem is that they keep finishing with a good enough record to forestall a high Draft pick, and the squad they have at the moment is pretty average, leaving them in some sort of holding pattern of mediocrity. So they'll need to get creative in the trade market or be prepared to finish 3rd or 4th for years to come.

Memphis Red Sox

Started the season really strongly but have gone pretty quiet since and are a horrid 2-11 so far for July. Top pick Eddie Rosario is doing well in his rookie season without setting the league alight, but they'll need a few more like him before they get anywhere because - Billy Sample and Ozzie Virgil jr aside - this is a decidedly ordinary squad with limited upside to boot.

Kansas City Monarchs

Even though as I have pointed out numerous times this is a long-term project, the Mons management would have to be a little miffed at the squad's abject lack of improvement this season. Their 32-55 record is the league's worst and they should use the resultant pick high in next year's Draft on another cornerstone position player, because their offence is sadly lacking in both a current and future context.

Hilldale Athletics

A dream season so far for the A's and, while Stargell's performance has deservedly hogged the headlines, almost to a man this squad has played their part. Chino Smith has benefitted greatly from batting ahead of Pops, and is starting to show why he is earmarked for stardom. The presence of Eric Chavez behind him has been instrumental in Pops getting his share of pitches to hit. Adrian Hernandez (18-3 / 2.59) has blossomed into one of the EL's elite pitchers, while the move of Dave Brown into the spin has been a masterstroke. 10 clear in the div and I don't see that changing.

Baltimore Elite Giants

An improving bunch, the EGs have had the misfortune of running into a dogged foe in Homestead last season and now the rampant Hilldale. Still, their overall record of 125-124 mollifies any feeling of indignation they might want to have, because it simply isn't good enough for division titles. Take Randall Delgado's contribution this season out of the equation and this becomes even more the case, and the EGs need to add a bat or three if they want to keep up with the upwardly mobile Joneses they find themselves competing against.

Homestead Grays

The regression I was expecting all of last year has finally hit the Grays, and coming at the same time as Hilldale's dominance leaves them unlikely to figure in the post-season this time around. These things happen, and the mark of a good squad is how it respond when they do. This has by no means been a crash, and the pitching - led by Tanaka, who has been great again - has been particularly resilient. But nor do I see a hard rebound in this current group, especially the offence, with only Amos Otis having any measurable upside from here. Limbo beckons, for a few seasons at least.

New York Lincoln Giants

Baby steps forward, no doubt, for the LGs. But this remains a pretty middling bunch with a long, long way to go before they can hope to be amongst it at the pointy end. With Henderson and Williams they have the makings of a quality OF. Now they need some pitching first and foremost, then a strong cornerman. Until then, even going 500 might be a bridge too far.

Philadelphia Liberty Stars

Little has changed for the Libs since this time last year. Bake McBride was a step in the right direction and another lofty pick will presumably get them another handy type. That pick must be used on a pitcher, as the position player group looks roughly where it needs to be. Should keep the keys to the cellar for a few more seasons, methinks.

Cuban Stars East

No room for error in the WC National, clearly the toughest div of the four. After a slowish start, the East has come good and this squad's lack of obvious weaknesses should hold it in good stead over the remainder of the season. Ruppert Jones and Rod Allen are proving '68 was no fluke with excellent sophomore campaigns, while Montero, Rivera and Ducey have all been solid contributors. If there is a concern it's the rotation after Big Z, but the bullpen (2.67 ERA) has done a fantastic job of getting them to 27 outs. Still, any further slippage in the SPs may prove the difference between success and failure for los Cubanos el Este.

Cleveland Buckeyes

I mentioned in last year's midterm report that I felt the Buckeyes were only a few astute moves away from being good. Well obviously it has only taken the one. The addition of Ohtani and his twin abilities has been transformative to say the least and the Bucks are in this up to their eyeballs. Cesar Hernandez is living up to the hype while Bobby Abreu is putting together a stellar season. Still a bunch of blue sky for this group, the question is will that take them to the heights this year? If so, they'll certainly have earned it.

Chicago American Giants

On paper the AGs are arguably the best right now of the three competing for this division and it is somewhat surprising that they trail the other two, albeit by a manageable margin. Gregory Polanco is a superstar, Yovani Gallardo looks right at home at this level, and this group can put a hurtin' on with the best of them. But the bottom half of their rotation is struggling and their pen has fairly stunk up the joint (5.43 ERA), which is where I put the blame for their underperformance to this point. They'll give it a shake, but I suspect they might just come up short again.

Detroit Motown Stars

Now this one is a crash. Have done few things well this year and, take Andre Thornton out of the calculations, that can be downgraded to almost none. Another club who needs to use their imminent high Draft pick on a golden arm, although I think Mo'Stars fans will need to be very patient indeed as there is no quick fix to this mess.

Indianapolis ABCs

Nothing to see here, people, please move along. The ABCs are in the midst of the sort of season that will have management questioning and second-guessing themselves on an almost daily basis after another ugly loss. Such are the travails of the long-term approach. So much is banked upon players delivering on their promise, it is akin to walking across a bottomless ravine on the ricketiest bridge imaginable. Thank heavens their pitching has been as robust as it has (3.31 ERA, 3rd in the WC), or there may have been a rush of defenestrations at Riverside Park. As the great Eastern (US) philosopher Gianni bonGiovi wrote from the conveniently futuristic and highly-enlightened vantage point of mid-1980s New Jersey, Oh, you gotta keep the faith. Easier, as is almost invariably the case with both Eastern Philosophy and mid-1980s hair metal, said than done.

02-16-2022, 05:33 AM	#164
luckymann Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 12,611	1969 EL Mid-Season Report Card Here's a quick look at how each of the teams in the EL are faring so far in season 1969. Atlantic City Bacharach Giants While I didn't expect the BGs to go as bad as they did last year, nor did I even remotely suspect their vast improvement, one which has them tied with the A's for the best record in the league. Their big three bats - Chito Martinez, Adolfo Phillips and Ralph Bryant - have their offence purring along nicely, but it has been their pitching that has been the biggest difference. Ruben Quevedo (17-3 / 1.90 / 68 FIP- / 5.6 WAR) has been nothing short of a revelation, but the entire staff can share the credit the same way as they have shared the load (EL-best 2.96 team ERA). While not yet the lock he was IRL, Mariano Rivera's steady hand in the closer role (11-from-14 saves / 3.19 ERA) has been another telling factor. Newark Eagles Started the year strongly and it has been more the BGs' dominance than any great regression that sees them 8 GB and with a lot of work to do. Buck Leonard (305/406/472; 12 HR / 58 RBI) has been great, ably supported by Cliff Floyd, and their 253 BA (2nd) and 398 runs scored (3rd) show how potent this lineup is. But they are perhaps one starter and a couple solid middle relievers (bullpen ERA of 4.06) shy of where they need to be. Still, this side has plenty of upside on offence and seems headed in the right direction. Pittsburgh Crawfords Despite a fairly decent effort from their pitching staff, the Crawfs' ugly -41 run diff and 19-26 home record are emblematic of why they are where they are in the standings. While they are doing anything particularly poorly, neither are they doing anything particularly well, and one would think 500 would be around the mark for where they finish this year. As with the Eagles, however, this squad projects strongly (Oms, Whitaker, Rijo, Matlock and Jhan Marinez are all excellent prospects), and I'm expecting them to start being more competitive over the next few seasons. New York Black Yankees Another underwhelming season from a side whose sum seems destined to be less than its parts, in fact you'd have to say this group has re- rather than progressed. Sabathia has toiled hard and their pitching in general has been acceptable (12.2 pitching WAR). But, despite Hank Thompson's improvement, there's not much pop coming from the BY bats, with most of their offensive metrics well short of where they need to be. Although his D has been exemplary (+8.5 ZR), CF Sam Jethroe really needs to pick up his production - 235/309/348 with an OPS+ of 82 just ain't cutting it. Brooklyn Royal Giants Was 1968's division title merely a first-year fluke and now we're seeing the real RGs? Or is this just one of those seasons teams have to endure from time to time? Maybe a combination of the two? Whatever the case, Brooklyn would be best to forget 1969 ever happened and use their high Draft pick to acquire a big bat. 42 HR in 87 games (with no player in double figures) won't get you very far in this league. Cuban Stars West The West has done everything asked of them this season and are rewarded with a 4-game lead over the Giants at the halfway mark. They have done so with a combination of power (91 HR, 2nd) and pitching (3.36 ERA / 12 WAR) and in spite of a somewhat porous defence (-8.6 ZR). Juan Soto, Ellis Burton and Big Papi Ortiz have kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Bryan Clark has led the rotation admirably and Sixto Sanchez (19 SV, 0.94 ERA) has been almost lights out. The biggest concern as I see it is just how much petrol is left in the tank because this team is operating at close to full capacity, with downside risk more likely than upside. Which, with a team as good as St. Louis breathing down your neck, is not how you'd want it to be. This should be a fascinating race over oncoming months. The switch of Cha-seung Baek into the rotation for Odell Jones bears watching. St. Louis Giants With the lineup they have (especially Judge, Scott, Conger and Taylor), you know the Giants are usually going to score enough runs to win games. The difference between this season and last is that the pitching has regressed, meaning the runs they continue to score are now winning them less of those games. Starter ERA over 4 is a big worry, even more so given all 4 of their starters have seen their ERA blow out by a run per nine. But if they can turn this around then I think you'll see them run down the West in a tight finish and keep their title defence alive. Birmingham Black Barons Little has changed since last season for the BBs, and I see no reason to expect otherwise. The biggest problem is that they keep finishing with a good enough record to forestall a high Draft pick, and the squad they have at the moment is pretty average, leaving them in some sort of holding pattern of mediocrity. So they'll need to get creative in the trade market or be prepared to finish 3rd or 4th for years to come. Memphis Red Sox Started the season really strongly but have gone pretty quiet since and are a horrid 2-11 so far for July. Top pick Eddie Rosario is doing well in his rookie season without setting the league alight, but they'll need a few more like him before they get anywhere because - Billy Sample and Ozzie Virgil jr aside - this is a decidedly ordinary squad with limited upside to boot. Kansas City Monarchs Even though as I have pointed out numerous times this is a long-term project, the Mons management would have to be a little miffed at the squad's abject lack of improvement this season. Their 32-55 record is the league's worst and they should use the resultant pick high in next year's Draft on another cornerstone position player, because their offence is sadly lacking in both a current and future context. Hilldale Athletics A dream season so far for the A's and, while Stargell's performance has deservedly hogged the headlines, almost to a man this squad has played their part. Chino Smith has benefitted greatly from batting ahead of Pops, and is starting to show why he is earmarked for stardom. The presence of Eric Chavez behind him has been instrumental in Pops getting his share of pitches to hit. Adrian Hernandez (18-3 / 2.59) has blossomed into one of the EL's elite pitchers, while the move of Dave Brown into the spin has been a masterstroke. 10 clear in the div and I don't see that changing. Baltimore Elite Giants An improving bunch, the EGs have had the misfortune of running into a dogged foe in Homestead last season and now the rampant Hilldale. Still, their overall record of 125-124 mollifies any feeling of indignation they might want to have, because it simply isn't good enough for division titles. Take Randall Delgado's contribution this season out of the equation and this becomes even more the case, and the EGs need to add a bat or three if they want to keep up with the upwardly mobile Joneses they find themselves competing against. Homestead Grays The regression I was expecting all of last year has finally hit the Grays, and coming at the same time as Hilldale's dominance leaves them unlikely to figure in the post-season this time around. These things happen, and the mark of a good squad is how it respond when they do. This has by no means been a crash, and the pitching - led by Tanaka, who has been great again - has been particularly resilient. But nor do I see a hard rebound in this current group, especially the offence, with only Amos Otis having any measurable upside from here. Limbo beckons, for a few seasons at least. New York Lincoln Giants Baby steps forward, no doubt, for the LGs. But this remains a pretty middling bunch with a long, long way to go before they can hope to be amongst it at the pointy end. With Henderson and Williams they have the makings of a quality OF. Now they need some pitching first and foremost, then a strong cornerman. Until then, even going 500 might be a bridge too far. Philadelphia Liberty Stars Little has changed for the Libs since this time last year. Bake McBride was a step in the right direction and another lofty pick will presumably get them another handy type. That pick must be used on a pitcher, as the position player group looks roughly where it needs to be. Should keep the keys to the cellar for a few more seasons, methinks. Cuban Stars East No room for error in the WC National, clearly the toughest div of the four. After a slowish start, the East has come good and this squad's lack of obvious weaknesses should hold it in good stead over the remainder of the season. Ruppert Jones and Rod Allen are proving '68 was no fluke with excellent sophomore campaigns, while Montero, Rivera and Ducey have all been solid contributors. If there is a concern it's the rotation after Big Z, but the bullpen (2.67 ERA) has done a fantastic job of getting them to 27 outs. Still, any further slippage in the SPs may prove the difference between success and failure for los Cubanos el Este. Cleveland Buckeyes I mentioned in last year's midterm report that I felt the Buckeyes were only a few astute moves away from being good. Well obviously it has only taken the one. The addition of Ohtani and his twin abilities has been transformative to say the least and the Bucks are in this up to their eyeballs. Cesar Hernandez is living up to the hype while Bobby Abreu is putting together a stellar season. Still a bunch of blue sky for this group, the question is will that take them to the heights this year? If so, they'll certainly have earned it. Chicago American Giants On paper the AGs are arguably the best right now of the three competing for this division and it is somewhat surprising that they trail the other two, albeit by a manageable margin. Gregory Polanco is a superstar, Yovani Gallardo looks right at home at this level, and this group can put a hurtin' on with the best of them. But the bottom half of their rotation is struggling and their pen has fairly stunk up the joint (5.43 ERA), which is where I put the blame for their underperformance to this point. They'll give it a shake, but I suspect they might just come up short again. Detroit Motown Stars Now this one is a crash. Have done few things well this year and, take Andre Thornton out of the calculations, that can be downgraded to almost none. Another club who needs to use their imminent high Draft pick on a golden arm, although I think Mo'Stars fans will need to be very patient indeed as there is no quick fix to this mess. Indianapolis ABCs Nothing to see here, people, please move along. The ABCs are in the midst of the sort of season that will have management questioning and second-guessing themselves on an almost daily basis after another ugly loss. Such are the travails of the long-term approach. So much is banked upon players delivering on their promise, it is akin to walking across a bottomless ravine on the ricketiest bridge imaginable. Thank heavens their pitching has been as robust as it has (3.31 ERA, 3rd in the WC), or there may have been a rush of defenestrations at Riverside Park. As the great Eastern (US) philosopher Gianni bonGiovi wrote from the conveniently futuristic and highly-enlightened vantage point of mid-1980s New Jersey, Oh, you gotta keep the faith. Easier, as is almost invariably the case with both Eastern Philosophy and mid-1980s hair metal, said than done. __________________ HISTORICAL DO-OVERS PIRATES A'S RED SOX DODGERS CUSTOM SAVES ECLIPSE LEAGUE MOON SHOT LEAGUE EVERYMAN LEAGUE GULF LEAGUE Last edited by luckymann; 02-16-2022 at 10:11 PM.