BNN Report
News from the CBO, MML, BMU, GBRL, and Youth Leagues
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
3 March 2307
What Do the T-51s Have Cooking?
In our evaluation of teams and their ranking heading into the 2307 season, we had Oberland as the 6th-ranked team in the entire CBO, trailing frequent powerhouses County Crossing, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, University Point, and Nordhagen Beach. So what have the T-51s done to build themselves from a team that has missed the playoffs eight-straight seasons to be there this season? Let us take a look.
First of all, the 2306 season marked the first time the T-51s had a winning season since 2296-2298 when they won the Railroad League all three seasons. At the end of the season, Oberland finished just three games back of Jamaica Plain for the 5th-seed in the playoffs. They made moves during the 2306 season to try to make a playoff run, so we want to see what they have that could lead to more success in 2307.
Looking at their position groups, they have several where they rank in the Top 5. One of those is the top left fielder in offseason acquisition LF Orcin Cardinal from the Nahant Celtics for pitchers Zack Million and Ryan Downing and 1B Steve Mirv, the #21 prospect. Cardinal is a three-time All Star with Finch Farm (now Nahant). The #1 overall pick in 2300, Cardinal offers average and power to a lineup that was not so bad before.
The other #1 rank at his position is C Racky Westheim. Entering his 8th season with the T-51s and 6th as the starter, Westheim has been consistent in both offense and defense. Though he is not a power hitter, Westheim has a .318 career average with the past three seasons being .334 or above.
Oberland will have two great pitchers by OSA standards, beginnings with ace SP Mesquite Williams. Previously a 1st-round pick (#8 overall) by Easy Town, Williams came to the T-51s in 2305 for an offseason trade for CF Sharkey Lurkfodder. Entering his second season as a full-time starter, Williams is looking to improve on his 12-13, 4.98 season in 2307. Scouts expect that he will. He is also the 2306 BosCom Positional Hitter Award winner at pitcher. Closer William Butcherman is another up-and-coming pitcher after three seasons with Oberland. In his career, Butcherman has 138 saves, a record of 22-26, and a 3.29 ERA.
The middle of the infield is also a star's alley. It all starts with SS Stormin Normin MacDonald, the #1 overall pick in the 2302 draft. In his first full season with the T-51s, MacDonald batted .324 with 10 home runs and 55 RBI. While he did not earn any accolades in 2306, he is expected to make a jump forward in 2307. The 2B is Da Game. Originally a 1st-round pick (#11 overall) by Quincy in the 2300 draft, Game came to Oberland through a trade for SP Matt Udder. In his four seasons with Oberland, Game has been a consistently good gap hitter, batting .296 in his career with 28 career triples (T-51st all time), including a CBO-high 11 in 2305.
Two other major contributors include players acquired in recent year. 1B Chase Doctorman, who was acquired from Cherry of the NWL after being dumped by Vault 81, hit .303 with 31 home runs and 88 RBI in 2306 with Oberland. SP Trolley Dodge, traded to the T-51s in 2306 from Finch Farm before the trade deadline, went 8-13 with a 4.18 ERA, but went 3-3 with a 3.53 in 11 starts with the T-51s.
There are some gaps. For instance, RP Dan Beantown (28 SV, 2.85 ERA with Concord in 2306) is the only quality bullpen pitcher. There is some talent in the organization at 3B and CF, but no player is considered ready for the big time just yet. For now, Joe Malone (.286/3/46) will man 3B and Voodoo Cerrano (.240/6/51) will start in CF.
In the end, Oberland seems to be a team built to win more than they lose. Whether or not they can overcome top teams like Roxbury, University Point, and Jamaica Plain, though, is yet to be seen.