Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeP47
Hmmm, been busy so missed a bit. Looks like we may have an interesting season coming our way. Always liked the Witch Hats, but must admit, surprising to see them doing so well. Even in our talks I don't think we speculated them as one to rise to the top. Will definitely keep my eye on them.
|
PAM picked them to have the CBO's second-best record behind Nahant, so there is something to them. Looking at the Hats talent-wise compared to the rest of the league, they are not a team seeming to have it all together. However, they are winning, including the close games (7-1 in one-run games as I am about to write the next update and 3-1 in extra-inning games). They are also better away from home (18-6) than they are at home (10-4).
The only positions that are near the top are 2B Peter Pan Calvillo (1st) and 1B Brian DeLong (2nd) with the rest around the middle-of-the-pack for talent. Their offense has been dominant, though where they are 1st or 2nd in the NCA in every offensive category. Calvillo (.403/14/31), DeLong (.346/12/35), and LF Dan Erb (.287/12/30) are driving a lot of those numbers. RF Jaheim Harper (.383/6/36) had averages of .167 and .154 in his first two seasons with the Hats. In his first year as a regular starter last season, he batted .296/21/67. SS Hopper Hayes is already one of the best defensive SSs in the CBO, but he is also batting .291/3/17, on pace to have his highest batting average (.293 in 2305), home runs (9 in 2307 and 2308), and RBI (53 in 2306) in 13-year career.
On the mound, ace SP Jaa Thirtysix (5-1, 2.85) is the 14th-best starter in the league, but he has been great. The rest of the starters have also been successful: Pokey Chatman (4-3, 3.97), Ben Huber (3-0, 3.09), and Bry McBourbon (6-1, 4.80). CL Four Davies (11 SV, 8.56) is supposedly the 10th-best closer and best reliever, but he has been awful. In fact, the Bullpen (4.63, 5th in NCA) is the only down part to Salem's team.