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ayaghmour2 · 11-26-2024, 11:05 PM

Weekly Record: 3-3
Overall Record: 6-6 (6th, 4 GB)

Ellis Emerging as Ace: Andy Logue may be the choice for the Opening Day start, but the intimidating 6'4'' Roy Ellis is doing his best to make manager Buck Cuppett consider him instead. 27 in May, 1962 will be Ellis second full season as a starter, coming off a season where he was 11-13 with a 4.45 ERA (101 ERA+), 1.21 WHIP, and 139 strikeouts in 198.1 innings pitched. Solid numbers for a first year starter, what sets Ellis apart is his command, as his 2.6 K/BB was best in the Continental. An overpowering pitcher with six plus pitches, he's got some of the best command in the league, walking just 6.4% of the hitters he faced last season. With so many quality pitches, its tough to get a feel for his stuff, though he is somewhat susceptible to the longball. Part of it is our park, part of it is his mid-90s velocity, but above all it's his relative weakness against left handed hitters. They can really cause him problems, and just over half (15) his 29 homers came in the at bats from opposite handed hitters. This spring, however, Ellis hasn't had trouble with anyone, as he's spun back-to-back 4-inning, 2-hit, 0-walk, shutout starts, striking out 2 Wranglers and 4 Saints. Our only pitcher with 6 or more innings yet to allow a run, Ellis also has the lowest WHIP, in large part due to that stellar command. Obviously spring starts don't matter too much, but he's been stellar and he's a dependable pitcher who may have some untapped potential left in him.

Strong Pen Work Leading to Tough Roster Decisions: Since our 40 doesn't have many pitchers, there's a good chance one of our non-roster guys can sneak their way on. So far, Phil Means is making the best case, as the former 17th Round selection has showcased his stuff early on. He's retired all but one of the 17 batters he's faced, allowing a single hit with 4 strikeouts and no walks or runs. Re-acquired in 1959 from the Miners, our former draftee has moved around a ton, but has been lights out in the Milwaukee pen. Last season he functioned as the primary stopper, going 8-4 with 21 saves in 123.2 innings. Means worked to an outstanding 2.62 ERA (150 ERA+) and 1.02 WHIP, walking just 28 to 80 strikeouts. His 3.15 FIP (79 FIP-) supported the overall body of work, and the groundballer has great stuff for the pen. A fastball only guy, he's got a great sinker that erases baserunners, and his fastball is pretty decent too. The cutter is an after thought, part of why he doesn't start anymore, but in the pen it's not really needed. The only worry I have is the homers, as despite being a sinkerballer he gives up a lot of homers. That's a worry in our park, especially for a guy who may want to pitch high leverage innings, and the only reason I'm not penciling in his name next to Pug White and Arch Wilson.

No Shortage of Power: While only Chappy Sanders has multiple homers, the Cougars have been hitting a lot of longballs despite the larger spring parks, as 14 individuals have gone deep for us. This ranges from everyday guys like Jim Barton and Gene Case to bench guys like Jim Chaplin and Milt Payne. Even Buddy Byrd, who has just 1 homer in his last 242 FABL games. It's a nice little surprise, as aside from Watson and Case, we don't really have any true home run hitters. Sure, Jerry McMillan (who doesn't have one yet) hit 28 last season, but that's partly due to our park and partly due to his amazing hit tool. If we can make it so all the guys in the lineup are at least a threat to go deep, we'll have a chance to get more and more guys on base, letting the big boppers and top hitters really shine when their opportunity comes. I am going to start targeting more power to bring into the organization, but perhaps we have more home run hitters then I initially thought.

11-26-2024, 11:05 PM	#1536
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Spring Training: Week 2 Weekly Record: 3-3 Overall Record: 6-6 (6th, 4 GB) Ellis Emerging as Ace: Andy Logue may be the choice for the Opening Day start, but the intimidating 6'4'' Roy Ellis is doing his best to make manager Buck Cuppett consider him instead. 27 in May, 1962 will be Ellis second full season as a starter, coming off a season where he was 11-13 with a 4.45 ERA (101 ERA+), 1.21 WHIP, and 139 strikeouts in 198.1 innings pitched. Solid numbers for a first year starter, what sets Ellis apart is his command, as his 2.6 K/BB was best in the Continental. An overpowering pitcher with six plus pitches, he's got some of the best command in the league, walking just 6.4% of the hitters he faced last season. With so many quality pitches, its tough to get a feel for his stuff, though he is somewhat susceptible to the longball. Part of it is our park, part of it is his mid-90s velocity, but above all it's his relative weakness against left handed hitters. They can really cause him problems, and just over half (15) his 29 homers came in the at bats from opposite handed hitters. This spring, however, Ellis hasn't had trouble with anyone, as he's spun back-to-back 4-inning, 2-hit, 0-walk, shutout starts, striking out 2 Wranglers and 4 Saints. Our only pitcher with 6 or more innings yet to allow a run, Ellis also has the lowest WHIP, in large part due to that stellar command. Obviously spring starts don't matter too much, but he's been stellar and he's a dependable pitcher who may have some untapped potential left in him. Strong Pen Work Leading to Tough Roster Decisions: Since our 40 doesn't have many pitchers, there's a good chance one of our non-roster guys can sneak their way on. So far, Phil Means is making the best case, as the former 17th Round selection has showcased his stuff early on. He's retired all but one of the 17 batters he's faced, allowing a single hit with 4 strikeouts and no walks or runs. Re-acquired in 1959 from the Miners, our former draftee has moved around a ton, but has been lights out in the Milwaukee pen. Last season he functioned as the primary stopper, going 8-4 with 21 saves in 123.2 innings. Means worked to an outstanding 2.62 ERA (150 ERA+) and 1.02 WHIP, walking just 28 to 80 strikeouts. His 3.15 FIP (79 FIP-) supported the overall body of work, and the groundballer has great stuff for the pen. A fastball only guy, he's got a great sinker that erases baserunners, and his fastball is pretty decent too. The cutter is an after thought, part of why he doesn't start anymore, but in the pen it's not really needed. The only worry I have is the homers, as despite being a sinkerballer he gives up a lot of homers. That's a worry in our park, especially for a guy who may want to pitch high leverage innings, and the only reason I'm not penciling in his name next to Pug White and Arch Wilson. No Shortage of Power: While only Chappy Sanders has multiple homers, the Cougars have been hitting a lot of longballs despite the larger spring parks, as 14 individuals have gone deep for us. This ranges from everyday guys like Jim Barton and Gene Case to bench guys like Jim Chaplin and Milt Payne. Even Buddy Byrd, who has just 1 homer in his last 242 FABL games. It's a nice little surprise, as aside from Watson and Case, we don't really have any true home run hitters. Sure, Jerry McMillan (who doesn't have one yet) hit 28 last season, but that's partly due to our park and partly due to his amazing hit tool. If we can make it so all the guys in the lineup are at least a threat to go deep, we'll have a chance to get more and more guys on base, letting the big boppers and top hitters really shine when their opportunity comes. I am going to start targeting more power to bring into the organization, but perhaps we have more home run hitters then I initially thought.