Quote:
Originally Posted by StLee
The Cougars are bouncing back this year. I feel it!
|
Fingers crossed!
Weekly Record: 4-3
Overall Record: 14-6 (t-1st, 2 GA)
Notable Stories
Bringing the Heat: I was never really worried about good ol' Peter the Heater, but there was always the slightest slimmer of doubt that maybe he wasn't the guy. That's all gone now. In his first two starts two spring starts, Pap threw nine shutout innings. But somehow his two starts this week were even better. Starting with the reigning CA champs, Papenfus allowed just 1 hit with 6 strikeouts in a 4 run shutout. He then bested the runner up Cannons for his third win of the spring, allowing 3 hits and a walk with 8 strikeouts in 5 innings. Now in the equivalent of back-to-back shutouts, the soon-to-be 30-year-old has allowed just 11 hits and 3 walks with 25 (!!) strikeouts, setting down nearly every batter that comes up. Yeah, it's the spring, but 18 shutout innings is 18 shutout innings, and for a guy coming off an 18 loss season, it's the win he needed as he looks to erase his worst season since he was allowed to drink. It's going to a be a big season for our co-ace, who will be watching reigning Allen Winner Donnie Jones on Opening Day. Last season he posted numbers below his career averages in ERA (3.95), WHIP (1.51), BB% (13.3), K% (13.2), K/BB (1.0), ERA+ (95), and FIP- (104). I'm hoping the failure sets up his best season yet, as we could use a few resurgences from our veteran stars.
Pap wasn't the only one with big strikeout numbers this week, as rookie righty George Oddo struck out 9 in 5 shutout innings against the Saints. Oddo has now allowed just one run in 14 innings, and has struck out 21 with just 6 hits and 3 walks. The former 23rd ranked prospect is in need of a resurgence of his own, as he had a huge home run problem last year. He allowed 32 homers in 172.1 innings split between Milwaukee and Chicago, so seeing none yet this year is huge. In fact, he's approaching the 16 innings he pitched in two starts up in Chicago, but was tagged for 5 homers in that short span. On the bright side, Oddo has always posted strong strikeout and walk numbers, with consistent K/BBs above 1.5. It seems like every season we have a young pitcher who has a breakout season. He's no stranger to that himself, as he had a 3.02 ERA (120 ERA+) and 1.17 WHIP in 17 starts the last year of the war. Oddo's dominance makes me feel better about letting Mel Haynes go, as it would be impossible to option him down after this performance. As long as he stays healthy, he's starting in the rotation, and it'll be his spot to lose the rest of the way.
Tight Race for Bench Spots in the Outfield: We're more or less at the halfway point, which means time is running out for guys to make their case for a roster spot. A lot of players aren't helping their cases, including the out-of-options Ray Struble. Acquired at the 1945 deadline from the Sailors for Ed Neal, he's spent the past two and a half seasons as a fifth outfielder, and hit a below average .228/.309/.352 (90 OPS+) in 183 trips to the plate. That's came in 174 games, as Struble's defense out in center is impressive. With Carlos Montes now on the bench, Struble's glove in center isn't as important, as I would never use Struble to replace him or Sal out in center. He's on the edge of the roster, but he's been aided by the struggles of Don Lee (6-33, 2B, 2 RBI, 4 SB). There's also the alternative of Reginald Westfall, who's hit .375/.423/.583 with a homer and 2 RBIs in 26 trips to the plate. Westfall isn't on the 40, but we have three spots, and one could just as easily be opened with Struble being DFA'd. It's a longshot for Westfall, but he's always been able to hit, and could be a useful bat off the bench.
Life Shown from Leo!: Is he back? I don't know! But 5-for-11 with a triple and home run? Sign me up! After back-to-back rough weeks, "Mitch the Metronome" is having a little fun, and has gone 7-for-33 with 5 walks, 3 runs, and 4 RBIs. While a .212 average seems lackluster, he has a 106 WRC+ due to a .316 on base percentage and one of each extra base hit. As much as we need Mitchell to hit this season, he also has a big responsibility in the clubhouse. While always one of the captains, Joe Brown was always seen as the one in charge. He'll get support from youngsters Duke Bybee and Don Lee, but Mitchell is now the team's undisputed captain. With Max Wilder replacing the well liked Clyde Meyer, I'm hoping Mitchell can help ease the transition. If his struggles leak into his morale, that could be the difference between a pennant and another failure.