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ayaghmour2 · 05-26-2023, 06:25 PM

I'm going to try to do something different with Spring Training weekly reports this time. We'll see if I keep it up or not. This wouldn't change the regular season stuff, but I want to spice the early stuff. And with a long offseason, I've been wanting to write more. I might experiment with a few things before settling on a format. Or maybe note. Let's see how this goes!

Weekly Record: 4-3
Overall Record: 4-3 (1 GB)

Notable Stories
The Veteran Bats: If we're going to be good this year, the old guys are going to have to give vintage performances. I'm not too worried, as Leo Mitchell as reliable as it gets, all Hal Sharp knows what to do is hit, and Dick Walker subscribes to the Dave Trowbridge anti-aging program. Those three got off to great starts, combining to go 16-for-30 with 3 doubles, a homer, 5 runs, 4 RBIs, and 6 walks. The homer came courtesy of Leo Mitchell, who may have a chip on his shoulder going into the season. Not only did the Cougars fall ever so short, but once again, Mitchell finished 2nd in the Whitney voting, this time losing a tight race with Stars slugger Bill Barrett (.247, 30, 98, 10). Just like in 1944, Mitchell led the league in hits (201), slugging (.498), WRC+ (156) and wOBA (.396). No batting title this time for Mitchell, who got beat out by the only Cougar selected before him in 1931, Ed Reyes (.361, 8, 64). And if you're worried about Dick Walker losing a step, you can stop. The 40-year-old picked up two steals, and will look to pickup his fifth consecutive 20+ steal season. He's ready to leadoff what should be the second best offense, which should be good enough for the best staff. Harry Mead (4-9, 2B, 4 RBI, BB) got off to a nice start too, and while he's not at risk of losing his job to Eddie Howard, his presence in camp will lighten Mead's load until the season start.

Middle of the Rotation: Pete Papenfus actually struggled in his two starts, but Joe Brown and the Jones Brothers were in midseason form. Each threw four innings without allowing an earned run, but Rusty Watts (2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB) and Red Hampton (1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, K) blew leads for Donnie Jones. Both Jones brothers struck out five and allowed four base runners, with one of Johnnie's reaching on a walk. Brown wasn't perfect, as he was charged with an unearned run. He walked three and allowed four hits, but didn't strike out a single Forester hitter. I'd like to see more strikeouts from the captain, but it's still a quality first outing. These three are set for big years, and if everyone stays health, we should be able to keep runs off the board.

Joe Dackett: One of the many non-roster invitees in camp, Joe Dackett isn't one of the more notable ones. But Dackett has outshined them all. A 26-year-old former 6th Rounder, Dackett hit for the cycle this week, with the double and homer coming in a 2-for-2 effort against the Saints. He made nine trips to the plate and added a walk, 3 runs, and 3 RBIs in a 5-for-9 week. As good as this week was, don't expect Dackett to be one of the last 24 in camp. He's reached AAA twice, but has hit just .243/.323/.239 (73 OPS+) in 319 trips to the plate. He did put up a 98 WRC+ in 131 PAs last season, so perhaps the bat is coming around, and with his glove any offensive production would be a plus. He's not on the 40, so it may be tough for him to secure one of the last spots on the roster, but there will be plenty of chances to replace a struggling or injured player during the season.

Injuries
Harry Parker: After just three pitches, Harry Parker called over team trainer Billy Gladwin, as he noticed a blister forming on his middle finger. An IL stint isn't expected, but we'll play it safe with the veteran righty and not pitch him until it goes away. This leaves at least one, possibly two starts to be covered. The first will go to George Oddo, who retired four of the five hitters he faced this week. The 24-year-old may be the next man up if we need a starter, as he's ticketed for the Milwaukee rotation. Oddo debuted in the last war season, going 7-7 with a 3.02 ERA (120 ERA+) and 1.17 WHIP while striking out 71 hitters in 131.1 innings pitched. He's stuck behind a lot of good pitchers, but I know the hard working righty is more then capable of filling a big league rotation.

05-26-2023, 06:25 PM	#1108
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,133	Spring Training: Week 1 I'm going to try to do something different with Spring Training weekly reports this time. We'll see if I keep it up or not. This wouldn't change the regular season stuff, but I want to spice the early stuff. And with a long offseason, I've been wanting to write more. I might experiment with a few things before settling on a format. Or maybe note. Let's see how this goes! Weekly Record: 4-3 Overall Record: 4-3 (1 GB) Notable Stories The Veteran Bats: If we're going to be good this year, the old guys are going to have to give vintage performances. I'm not too worried, as Leo Mitchell as reliable as it gets, all Hal Sharp knows what to do is hit, and Dick Walker subscribes to the Dave Trowbridge anti-aging program. Those three got off to great starts, combining to go 16-for-30 with 3 doubles, a homer, 5 runs, 4 RBIs, and 6 walks. The homer came courtesy of Leo Mitchell, who may have a chip on his shoulder going into the season. Not only did the Cougars fall ever so short, but once again, Mitchell finished 2nd in the Whitney voting, this time losing a tight race with Stars slugger Bill Barrett (.247, 30, 98, 10). Just like in 1944, Mitchell led the league in hits (201), slugging (.498), WRC+ (156) and wOBA (.396). No batting title this time for Mitchell, who got beat out by the only Cougar selected before him in 1931, Ed Reyes (.361, 8, 64). And if you're worried about Dick Walker losing a step, you can stop. The 40-year-old picked up two steals, and will look to pickup his fifth consecutive 20+ steal season. He's ready to leadoff what should be the second best offense, which should be good enough for the best staff. Harry Mead (4-9, 2B, 4 RBI, BB) got off to a nice start too, and while he's not at risk of losing his job to Eddie Howard, his presence in camp will lighten Mead's load until the season start. Middle of the Rotation: Pete Papenfus actually struggled in his two starts, but Joe Brown and the Jones Brothers were in midseason form. Each threw four innings without allowing an earned run, but Rusty Watts (2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB) and Red Hampton (1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, K) blew leads for Donnie Jones. Both Jones brothers struck out five and allowed four base runners, with one of Johnnie's reaching on a walk. Brown wasn't perfect, as he was charged with an unearned run. He walked three and allowed four hits, but didn't strike out a single Forester hitter. I'd like to see more strikeouts from the captain, but it's still a quality first outing. These three are set for big years, and if everyone stays health, we should be able to keep runs off the board. Joe Dackett: One of the many non-roster invitees in camp, Joe Dackett isn't one of the more notable ones. But Dackett has outshined them all. A 26-year-old former 6th Rounder, Dackett hit for the cycle this week, with the double and homer coming in a 2-for-2 effort against the Saints. He made nine trips to the plate and added a walk, 3 runs, and 3 RBIs in a 5-for-9 week. As good as this week was, don't expect Dackett to be one of the last 24 in camp. He's reached AAA twice, but has hit just .243/.323/.239 (73 OPS+) in 319 trips to the plate. He did put up a 98 WRC+ in 131 PAs last season, so perhaps the bat is coming around, and with his glove any offensive production would be a plus. He's not on the 40, so it may be tough for him to secure one of the last spots on the roster, but there will be plenty of chances to replace a struggling or injured player during the season. Injuries Harry Parker: After just three pitches, Harry Parker called over team trainer Billy Gladwin, as he noticed a blister forming on his middle finger. An IL stint isn't expected, but we'll play it safe with the veteran righty and not pitch him until it goes away. This leaves at least one, possibly two starts to be covered. The first will go to George Oddo, who retired four of the five hitters he faced this week. The 24-year-old may be the next man up if we need a starter, as he's ticketed for the Milwaukee rotation. Oddo debuted in the last war season, going 7-7 with a 3.02 ERA (120 ERA+) and 1.17 WHIP while striking out 71 hitters in 131.1 innings pitched. He's stuck behind a lot of good pitchers, but I know the hard working righty is more then capable of filling a big league rotation.