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reds1 · 01-01-2025, 08:19 PM

March 31, 1958

Western League: Trolleys, Tigers to Tangle for Third Straight Year

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In contrast with the East, first place was never in doubt in the Western League, as the Pulberry Trolleys staked out to a commanding lead and became the first team to lock up a playoff spot on March 6th, with 22 games left to play. Five days later they clinched first place for the 5th-straight season, boasting a 19-game lead over the second-place Sherburn Tigers.

To make matters worse for the rest of the League, a number of Trolley players enjoyed bounce-back seasons from last year (where Pulberry won 94 games and their second-straight United Cup). In addition to Bart Ohara’s historic season, two rookies eventually entrenched themselves into the everyday lineup: 22-year old RF Joe Riding (.225/.317/.394, 16 HR, 64 RBI, 62 BB, 8 SB, 98 OPS+, 107 wRC+, 2.1 WAR – 54/59) and 29-year old 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa (.263/.355/.391, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 45 BB, 109 OPS+, 119 wRC+, 2.8 WAR – 63/63).

Pulberry’s playoff rotation was revealed by 52-year old manager Ryo Ichikawa:

22-year old LHP Bart Ohara (24-5, 2.35 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 2.45 FIP, 160 ERA+)
30-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (19-8, 3.12 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.81 FIP, 120 ERA+)
37-year old RHP Robin Medellin (20-10, 2.80 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 3.47 FIP, 134 ERA+)
28-year old LHP Dermott Rathbone (14-9, 3.81 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.17 FIP, 99 ERA+)

Bullpen standout:

33-year old stopper RHP Bonnie Bandong (8-5, 14 SV, 3.22 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 3.37 FIP, 117 ERA+)

Position Player standouts:

29-year old LF Aidan Thirkettle (.310/.424/.667, 47 HR, 130 RBI, 93 BB, 9 SB, 200 OPS+, 207 wRC+, 9.9 WAR)
27-year old C Paul England (.292/.350/.492, 21 HR, 75 RBI, 39 BB, 133 OPS+, 142 wRC+, 5.0 WAR)
33-year old 1B Ellis Dibble (.298/.346/.474, 20 HR, 76 RBI, 43 BB, 6 SB, 127 OPS+, 135 wRC+, 3.7 WAR)
31-year old CF Cooper Tyson (.308/.373/.444, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 43 BB, 18 SB, 128 OPS+, 137 wRC+, 5.3 WAR)

Player of the Week Awards:

February 3 – LF Aidan Thirkettle (.526, 10 H, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R)
March 3 – LF Aidan Thirkettle (.474, 9 H, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 6 R)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

14th overall – 2B Lester Margerison (37/48). The 23-year old Pulberry native enjoyed a respectable season in Double-A. In 60 games and 226 AB, he batted .252/.308/.442, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 17 BB, 49 SO, 10 SB, 0.8 WAR, helping the Hopetown Islanders clinch the wild card and a berth in the Heritage Leagues’ Governors Cup finals against the Balmoral Giants’ Georgetown Goldbugs.

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The Sherburn Tigers clinched the wild card in the West with six games remaining the season, just as they did last year. Although they led the Cambria Cannons by just a single game in early February, the gap quickly widened and by March 24th, they had punched their ticket to the playoffs for the third straight season. They remain an impressively balanced team that finished the season strong, going 17-10 in March. They will need every last ounce of that momentum as they face the daunting task of taking on the juggernaut that is the Pulberry Trolleys in the Pennant Series.

The acquisition of Robert Kersey back on January 21st paid immediate dividends. The No. 2-ranked catcher solidified a position that had been a weak spot in the lineup since the 1954-55 season when Christopher Dianty enjoyed his last great season (.327/.429/.526, 18 HR, 83 RBI, 82 BB, 149 OPS+, 176 wRC+, 7.1 WAR). In 53 games, Kersey went .322/.393/.525, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 21 BB, 147 OPS+, 147 wRC+, 2.5 WAR while hitting out of the No. 5 spot.

44-year old manager Jamie Blair announced the following rotation for the playoffs:

34-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (20-10, 3.01 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 3.00 FIP, 128 ERA+)
31-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (19-10, 3.57 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.39 FIP, 108 ERA+)
33-year old RHP Keiran Bunce (14-13, 3.51 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 3.38 FIP, 110 ERA+)
33-year old RHP Paul Woodruff (15-12, 3.96 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 3.96 FIP, 98 ERA+)

Bullpen standout:

30-year old stopper RHP Roy Hay (4-6, 9 SV, 3.51 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 4.26 FIP, 110 ERA+)

Position Player standouts:

26-year old CF Leon Albrecht (.309/.413/.538, 25 HR, 96 RBI, 99 BB, 7 SB, 156 OPS+, 171 wRC+, 7.8 WAR)
28-year old 3B Adrian Flynn (.280/.331/.467, 21 HR, 99 RBI, 32 BB, 114 OPS+, 127 wRC+, 4.3 WAR)
27-year old LF Ross Shewman (.251/.354/.451, 21 HR, 88 RBI, 83 BB, 117 OPS+, 130 wRC+, 3.9 WAR)
29-year old C Robert Kersey (.300/375/.483, 22 HR, 69 RBI, 59 BB, 132 OPS+, 147 wRC+, 5.8 WAR – for both the Brunswick Legends and Sherburn Tigers)

Player of the Week Awards:

March 17 – C Robert Kersey (.600, 12 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

11th overall – OF Garrick Walcott (44/53). The Sherburn-native enjoyed a strong first season in the minors and could be ready for the major leagues next season. In 42 G, 146 AB in Double-A, the 23-year old batted .370/.460/.568, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 24 BB, 16 K, 13 SB, 167 OPS+, 181 wRC+, 2.3 WAR before being promoted to Triple-A. With the St. Thomas Flamingos, he hit .276/.382/.487, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 11 BB, 16 K, 5 SB, 139 OPS+, 150 wRC+, 1.3 WAR in 21 G, 76 AB before the season was over.

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The season started so promising for the Cambria Cannons, who jumped out to a 19-6 start in October, only to squander it and fall out of a playoff spot for good the following month. It was a story of one of the best offenses in the ULB undone by one of the worst pitching performances. Still, the Cannons won 10 more games than they did last season, a testament to their lineup. It was led by the incredible season of 28-year old RF Sam Tite, who set a new home run record this past season and finished 1st in the United Leagues in an impressive 11 offensive categories. It’s a pretty safe bet that Tite will end Pulberry’s Aiden Thirkettle’s three-year reign as the Western Leagues’ top offensive player, at least for one season. But the positives cannot outweigh the bad entirely. If the Cannons had even a serviceable pitching staff, they might have caught the Tigers and be playing in their first playoffs since the 1954-55 season where they captured their 4th Western League Pennant.

Rotation standouts:

28-year old LHP Bill Southon (16-15, 3.37 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 3.33 FIP, 112 ERA+)

Bullpen standouts:

29-year old MR RHP Scott Dooley (1-0, 1 SV, 2.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 4.07 FIP, 129 ERA+)
25-year old stopper LHP John Witheycombe (5-3, 8 SV, 3.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 2.86 FIP, 108 ERA+ - for both the Fort Richmond Generals and Cambria Cannons)

Position Player standouts:

RF Sam Tite (.327/.423/.704, 59 HR, 144 RBI, 87 BB, 7 SB, 208 OPS+, 219 wRC+, 10.3 WAR)
27-year old 1B Calvin Hanbridge (.282/.382/.471, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 83 BB, 9 SB, 136 OPS+, 145 wRC+, 4.7 WAR)
33-year old 3B Louis Torres (.257/.317/.433, 23 HR, 79 RBI, 42 BB, 106 OPS+, 114 wRC+, 3.2 WAR)

New Season Records Set:

SLG Pct: .7045, Sam Tite (Previous: .6860, Aidan Thirkettle, 1956-57)
Home Runs: 59, Sam Tite (Previous: 49, Sam Tite and Matthew Floyd, 1956-57)

Noteworthy:

February 24 – It was a rough four-game series against the Fort Richmond Generals, as the Cannons dropped 3 games of 4. The lone win came in game one where Cambria held on to win, 10-7. The game was highlighted by five home runs, including three by the Cannons. Calvin Hanbridge and Louis Torres both hit their 20th home runs of the season in the 1st and 4th innings respectively. But the highlight was in the 5th inning, when Sam Tite smashed a solo shot down the leftfield line that just cleared the wall off RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li with one out to make the score 5-1 in favor of the Cannons. The home run represented his 50th of the season and broke the record of 49 he set last year along with Wellington Athletics’ Matthew Floyd. The Canadian-born Tite would continue his hot streak, cranking out 9 more home runs over the next 21-games, including his 59th of the season, a 2-run shot off Pulberry’s LHP Dermot Rathbone in the top of the 1st inning for a 4-1 Cambria win on March 21st. But Tite promptly went cold, going homerless over the final nine games of the season to finish at 59.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

4th overall – LHP Derek Willday (53/76). The 23-year old southpaw did not stay long in the minors after he was drafted. After going 4-4, 2.00 ERA, 76.1 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 1.60 FIP, 189 ERA+ in 11 starts in Triple-A, the No. 2-rated prospect was promoted to the major league roster in early February. With the Cannons he went 6-6, 4.04 ERA, 93.2 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 3.41 FIP, 94 ERA+ in 12 starts. He finished the season as their No. 2 starter, but it shouldn’t be long before he settles in as the Cannons’ ace.

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The Kingston Pelicans enjoyed their best season in four years, but it was nowhere near enough to end their 6-year playoff drought, being eliminated from contention with nine games left in the season. For a team that was an absolute juggernaut in their first 10 seasons, the last 11 have been one of a slow, seemingly directionless decline. But the Pelicans have patiently built their farm system, which is now ranked 4th overall. Some of that talent has recently joined the major league roster with more on the way. But most of that promising talent is on offense. Kingston will need to shore up its thin pitching depth if it wants to avoid the fate of the likes of the Cambria Cannons and squander a potentially playoff-caliber lineup over the next few seasons.

Rotation standouts:

32-year old RHP Brian Marsland (14-15, 3.52 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 3.77 FIP, 110 ERA+)
23-yea old rookie LHP Logan Hoadley (7-7, 3.70 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 3.93 FIP, 104 ERA+)

Bullpen standouts:

28-year old stopper RHP Lester Beddoes (5-3, 20 SV, 2.25 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 2.76 FIP, 171 ERA+)
24-year old MR RHP Jacob Jones (7-2, 2 SV, 2.11 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 3.17 FIP, 183 ERA+)
28-year old rookie LR RHP Vinnie Arnott (5-4, 2 SV, 3.15 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 4.55 FIP, 122 ERA+)

Position Player standouts:

27-year old C Ronald Armstrong (.273/.335/.503, 25 HR, 69 RBI, 46 BB, 125 OPS+, 137 wRC+, 4.8 WAR)
24-year old CF Dan Hesketh (.276/.337/.460, 19 HR, 74 RBI, 50 BB, 9 SB, 115 ERA+, 124 wRC+, 4.3 WAR)
27-year old RF Chris Ramsbottom (.296/.347/.425, 12 HR, 46 RBI, 42 BB, 18 SB, 109 OPS+, 119 wRC+, 4.7 WAR)
25-year old 1B Ira Bannatyne (.251/.309/.444, 28 HR, 115 RBI, 47 BB, 102 OPS+, 113 wRC+, 1.6 WAR)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

3rd overall – IF Ivar Nuyten (52/73). The 22-year old from Sint Maarten was simply sensational in his first year in the minors. The No. 4-ranked prospect batted .310/.388/.482, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 31 BB, 40 K, 131 OPS+, 138 wRC+, 3.9 WAR in 74 G in Double-A. He was then promoted to the AAA Douro Redbirds, where he batted .370/.407/.667, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 3 BB, 18 K, 191 OPS+, 209 wRC+, 1.7 WAR in 21 G. All the while playing terrific defense, primarily at shortstop. Scouts feel that he is on the cusp of making the major league roster.

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It’s now 21 seasons and counting for the Hespeler Stars who have yet to get a whiff of the playoffs and 20 seasons since their lone winning season (79-75 in 1937-38) in their inaugural season. They won 71 games for the second straight season under sophomore GM Steward Pruitt, who still has his work cut out for him despite inheriting a team that should be overflowing with young talent from all the high draft picks from previous years. Alas, Hespeler’s picks have produced more misses than hits.

But hope may be on the horizon. The Stars have a genuine franchise position player to build around in 25-year old C Aidan Bennie, who is rated as the top catcher in the United Leagues and won Hespeler’s first Western League batting title in 17 years (since OF Steven Winstanley batted .347 in 1940-41). They also have the makings of an enviable young rotation. 21-year old LHP Nico van der Ham enjoyed a promising rookie season and is projected as a future ace. They also have 24-year old sophomore RHP Eduardo Rodríguez (13-17, 4.24 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 3.52 FIP, 92 ERA+ - 51/60) who fronted the rotation by season’s end. Currently in the bullpen are a couple of future starters: 26-year old RHP Pedro Pena (4-7, 11 SV, 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 4.55 FIP, 96 ERA+ - 53/56) and 23-year old RHP Zachariah Horton (4-2, 2.58 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 3.89 FIP, 150 ERA+ - 55/59). Now it’s just a question if any or all will deliver on their promise. That seemingly has been the eternal conundrum for this middling franchise.

Rotation standouts:

30-year old RHP Battista Carotta (15-15, 3.36 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 3.52 FIP, 116 ERA+)
LHP Nico van der Ham (10-7, 3.28 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 3.53 FIP, 118 ERA+)

Bullpen standout:

MR RHP Zachariah Horton (4-2, 2.58 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 3.89 FIP, 150 ERA+)

Position Player standouts:

C Aidan Bennie (.335/.382/.537, 19 HR, 84 RBI, 34 BB, 146 OPS+, 162 wRC+, 6.3 WAR)
30-year old RF John Anthony (.272/.335/.424, 17 HR, 64 RBI, 48 BB, 5 SB, 104 OPS+, 116 wRC+, 2.2 WAR)
26-year old 3B Clive Yarwood (.266/.340/.413, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 48 BB, 103 OPS+, 117 wRC+, 2.9 WAR)

Player of the Week Awards:

February 17 – SS Logan Rowntree (.611, 11 H, 6 RBI)
February 24 – RF John Anthony (.471, 8 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI)
March 24 – C Aidan Bennie (.632, 12 H, 2 RBI, 4 R)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

7th overall – IF/OF Arthur Clack (20/57). The 19-year old Hespeler-native got off to a slow start in Double-A, batting .230/.292/.349, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 18 BB, 69 K, 67 OPS+, 71 wRC+, -0.5 WAR in 73 G, 235 AB almost exclusively at third base.

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The Balmoral Giants were on course for their second consecutive .500 finish, but a disastrous February (6-17) derailed even that modest goal. The Giants are not necessarily an awful team, but they have no real standouts on the major league roster nor in the minor leagues, contributing to their missing the playoffs for the 14th-straight season (and counting). That surely falls on the shoulders on long-time GM Victor Lynch who has been at the helm of the club since their inaugural season, with just two playoff appearances to show for it. They do have a promising prospect in 22-year old IF Dave Sherwood (43/66), who moved up to AAA this season (.303/.366/.525, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 11 BB in 33 games). He was an 8th overall pick back in 1954-55. But the Giants need a lot more of him to get out of their doldrums.

Rotation standouts:

32-year old RHP Wayne Nesling (17-12, 3.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.40 FIP, 118 ERA+)
33-year old RHP Trevor Canfield (9-7, 3.56 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 3.97 FIP, 107 ERA+)
32-year old LHP Carl McBroom (8-5, 3 SV, 3.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.49 FIP, 121 ERA+)

Bullpen standouts:

None

Position Player standouts:

30-year old sophomore LF Juan Gonzáles (.285/.355/.540, 32 HR, 81 RBI, 48 BB, 4 SB, 144 OPS+, 154 wRC+, 3.4 WAR)
24-year old CF Quido De Jesús (.297/.357/.421, 11 HR, 63 RBI, 55 BB, 8 SB, 114 OPS+, 125 wRC+, 4.2 WAR)
28-year old CF Danny Jevons (.255/.347/.468, 18 HR, 46 RBI, 43 BB, 8 SB, 123 OPS+, 133 wRC+, 2.7 WAR)

Player of the Week Awards:

March 10 – 1B Juan Gonzáles (.455, 10 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

9th overall – IF Sam Sato (37/48). The 22-year old shortstop enjoyed a promising start to his professional career in Double-A this season. In 63 G, 189 AB, he went .280/.357/.397, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 20 BB, 48 K, 11 SB, 102 OPS+, 110 wRC+, 1.5 WAR.

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The Wolseley Unions were eliminated from playoff contention with 15 games remaining and won fewer than 69 games for the fourth straight season. The rebuilding process is proceeding in fits and starts. While the Unions have long had a bona fide ace in 32-year old RHP Roberto Garza (61/61), they are hoping both 22-year old RHP Theo Morse (12-19, 3.92 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 3.90 FIP, 98 ERA+ - 56/80) and 25-year old RHP Yasuo Yamauchi (11-12, 4.12 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 4.34 FIP, 94 ERA+ - 47/55) can develop their full potential and become stalwarts in the rotation.

Wolseley’s top two prospects in the lineup have been plagued with injuries. Last year, 23-year old CF and lead-off hitter Jonathan Higgins (.268/.344/.357, 4 HR, 44 RBI, 66 BB, 18 SB, 91 OPS+, 103 wRC+, 2.7 WAR – 58/64) saw his season cut short due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and was still feeling the affects this season, especially on defense. The Unions hope their 2nd overall pick from 1955-56 will continue to get back on track next year. Meanwhile, 23-year old 2B Jack Jarrom (.219/.282/.320, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 33 BB, 64 OPS+, 72 wRC+, 0.5 WAR – 47/72) got his first taste of the majors this season before suffering shoulder tendinitis with 11 games left to play. Wolseley obviously hopes their 1st overall pick from 1956-57 will be ready for the start of next season.

Rotation standout:

RHP Robert Garza (19-9, 2.74 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 3.23 FIP, 141 ERA+)

Bullpen standout:

29-year old MR LHP Euan MacKenzie (5-3, 1 SV, 3.22 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 4.46 FIP, 120 ERA+)

Position Player standouts:

28-year old C Mike Hutchison (.282/.366/.418, 11 HR, 63 RBI, 60 BB, 113 OPS+, 125 wRC+, 3.7 WAR)
28-year old 1B Carlos Ortíz (.273/.343/.438, 20 HR, 79 RBI, 52 BB, 111 OPS+, 123 wRC+, 2.9 WAR)
36-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.269/.388/.416, 13 HR, 60 RBI, 88 BB, 119 OPS+, 135 wRC+, 1.6 WAR)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

5th overall – OF Carlton Monroe (35/63). The Wolseley-native made a fine first impression in the minor leagues, reaching Triple-A before the season was over. In Double-A, he batted .244/.350/.422, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 34 BB, 46 K, 4 SB, 106 OPS+, 114 wRC+, 0.9 WAR in 63 G, 225 AB before getting the call-up. After joining the AAA Caledonia Jets, the 23-year old went .273/.341/.494, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 9 BB, 33 K, 116 OPS+, 129 wRC+, 0.7 WAR in 21 G, 77 AB.

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The Fort Richmond Generals narrowly avoided losing 100 games for the second year in a row as they managed to go 5-2 in the final week, after going 4-17 to start the month of March. Oddly, 3 of those 4 wins game against the Pulberry Trolleys (who went 11-5 overall this season against the lowly Generals). But Fort Richmond’s 55 wins represent the fewest in team history and they set a new mark of finishing the most games behind first place with 48. That beats out the 1949-50 Pulberry Trolleys and the Cobourg Red Stockings of 1940-41 & 1941-42 by one.

The reason for their ineptitude is simple: their offense is historically bad, and the pitching is not much better. The only glimmer of hope is the improving farm system. It is currently ranked 3rd overall. After selecting 2nd overall in 1956-57 as well as this past season, the Generals ‘earned’ the first overall pick for next season. It appears they picked wisely in 1956-57, as 24-year old RHP Kenete Yuri (54/73) enjoyed a promising rookie campaign and is considered a ‘sparkplug’. On offense, the only impact player is 26-year old C Scott Sheelah (66/66). A two-time all-star, Sheelah is currently ranked No. 3 among all catchers in the ULB.

Rotation standouts:

RHP Kenete Yuri (13-12, 2.72 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.14 FIP, 138 ERA+)
33-year old LHP Axel MacKay (8-11, 3.47 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 3.46 FIP, 111 ERA+ for both the Stratford Barons and Fort Richmond Generals)

Bullpen standouts:

None

Position Player standouts:

C Scott Sheelah (.262/.368/.460, 21 HR, 68 RBI, 71 BB, 131 OPS+, 141 wRC+, 6.4 WAR)
25-year old rookie 1B Takuji Kanno (.270/.328/.408, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 43 BB, 105 OPS+, 111 wRC+, 1.9 WAR)

Player of the Week Awards:

February 10 – C Scott Sheelah (.500, 10 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

2nd overall – OF Sami Michel (39/80). The 21-year old Canadian had a respectable first year in Double-A, playing in 90 G and getting 357 AB while playing impressive defense, mostly in centerfield. He hit .235/.285/.387, 10 HR, 37 RBI, 24 BB, 86 K, 77 OPS+, 83 wRC+, 1.1 WAR.

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01-01-2025, 08:19 PM	#833
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,932	March 31, 1958 Western League: Trolleys, Tigers to Tangle for Third Straight Year -------- In contrast with the East, first place was never in doubt in the Western League, as the Pulberry Trolleys staked out to a commanding lead and became the first team to lock up a playoff spot on March 6th, with 22 games left to play. Five days later they clinched first place for the 5th-straight season, boasting a 19-game lead over the second-place Sherburn Tigers. To make matters worse for the rest of the League, a number of Trolley players enjoyed bounce-back seasons from last year (where Pulberry won 94 games and their second-straight United Cup). In addition to Bart Ohara’s historic season, two rookies eventually entrenched themselves into the everyday lineup: 22-year old RF Joe Riding (.225/.317/.394, 16 HR, 64 RBI, 62 BB, 8 SB, 98 OPS+, 107 wRC+, 2.1 WAR – 54/59) and 29-year old 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa (.263/.355/.391, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 45 BB, 109 OPS+, 119 wRC+, 2.8 WAR – 63/63). Pulberry’s playoff rotation was revealed by 52-year old manager Ryo Ichikawa: 22-year old LHP Bart Ohara (24-5, 2.35 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 2.45 FIP, 160 ERA+) 30-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (19-8, 3.12 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.81 FIP, 120 ERA+) 37-year old RHP Robin Medellin (20-10, 2.80 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 3.47 FIP, 134 ERA+) 28-year old LHP Dermott Rathbone (14-9, 3.81 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.17 FIP, 99 ERA+) Bullpen standout: 33-year old stopper RHP Bonnie Bandong (8-5, 14 SV, 3.22 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 3.37 FIP, 117 ERA+) Position Player standouts: 29-year old LF Aidan Thirkettle (.310/.424/.667, 47 HR, 130 RBI, 93 BB, 9 SB, 200 OPS+, 207 wRC+, 9.9 WAR) 27-year old C Paul England (.292/.350/.492, 21 HR, 75 RBI, 39 BB, 133 OPS+, 142 wRC+, 5.0 WAR) 33-year old 1B Ellis Dibble (.298/.346/.474, 20 HR, 76 RBI, 43 BB, 6 SB, 127 OPS+, 135 wRC+, 3.7 WAR) 31-year old CF Cooper Tyson (.308/.373/.444, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 43 BB, 18 SB, 128 OPS+, 137 wRC+, 5.3 WAR) Player of the Week Awards: February 3 – LF Aidan Thirkettle (.526, 10 H, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R) March 3 – LF Aidan Thirkettle (.474, 9 H, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 6 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 14th overall – 2B Lester Margerison (37/48). The 23-year old Pulberry native enjoyed a respectable season in Double-A. In 60 games and 226 AB, he batted .252/.308/.442, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 17 BB, 49 SO, 10 SB, 0.8 WAR, helping the Hopetown Islanders clinch the wild card and a berth in the Heritage Leagues’ Governors Cup finals against the Balmoral Giants’ Georgetown Goldbugs. -------- The Sherburn Tigers clinched the wild card in the West with six games remaining the season, just as they did last year. Although they led the Cambria Cannons by just a single game in early February, the gap quickly widened and by March 24th, they had punched their ticket to the playoffs for the third straight season. They remain an impressively balanced team that finished the season strong, going 17-10 in March. They will need every last ounce of that momentum as they face the daunting task of taking on the juggernaut that is the Pulberry Trolleys in the Pennant Series. The acquisition of Robert Kersey back on January 21st paid immediate dividends. The No. 2-ranked catcher solidified a position that had been a weak spot in the lineup since the 1954-55 season when Christopher Dianty enjoyed his last great season (.327/.429/.526, 18 HR, 83 RBI, 82 BB, 149 OPS+, 176 wRC+, 7.1 WAR). In 53 games, Kersey went .322/.393/.525, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 21 BB, 147 OPS+, 147 wRC+, 2.5 WAR while hitting out of the No. 5 spot. 44-year old manager Jamie Blair announced the following rotation for the playoffs: 34-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (20-10, 3.01 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 3.00 FIP, 128 ERA+) 31-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (19-10, 3.57 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.39 FIP, 108 ERA+) 33-year old RHP Keiran Bunce (14-13, 3.51 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 3.38 FIP, 110 ERA+) 33-year old RHP Paul Woodruff (15-12, 3.96 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 3.96 FIP, 98 ERA+) Bullpen standout: 30-year old stopper RHP Roy Hay (4-6, 9 SV, 3.51 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 4.26 FIP, 110 ERA+) Position Player standouts: 26-year old CF Leon Albrecht (.309/.413/.538, 25 HR, 96 RBI, 99 BB, 7 SB, 156 OPS+, 171 wRC+, 7.8 WAR) 28-year old 3B Adrian Flynn (.280/.331/.467, 21 HR, 99 RBI, 32 BB, 114 OPS+, 127 wRC+, 4.3 WAR) 27-year old LF Ross Shewman (.251/.354/.451, 21 HR, 88 RBI, 83 BB, 117 OPS+, 130 wRC+, 3.9 WAR) 29-year old C Robert Kersey (.300/375/.483, 22 HR, 69 RBI, 59 BB, 132 OPS+, 147 wRC+, 5.8 WAR – for both the Brunswick Legends and Sherburn Tigers) Player of the Week Awards: March 17 – C Robert Kersey (.600, 12 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 11th overall – OF Garrick Walcott (44/53). The Sherburn-native enjoyed a strong first season in the minors and could be ready for the major leagues next season. In 42 G, 146 AB in Double-A, the 23-year old batted .370/.460/.568, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 24 BB, 16 K, 13 SB, 167 OPS+, 181 wRC+, 2.3 WAR before being promoted to Triple-A. With the St. Thomas Flamingos, he hit .276/.382/.487, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 11 BB, 16 K, 5 SB, 139 OPS+, 150 wRC+, 1.3 WAR in 21 G, 76 AB before the season was over. -------- The season started so promising for the Cambria Cannons, who jumped out to a 19-6 start in October, only to squander it and fall out of a playoff spot for good the following month. It was a story of one of the best offenses in the ULB undone by one of the worst pitching performances. Still, the Cannons won 10 more games than they did last season, a testament to their lineup. It was led by the incredible season of 28-year old RF Sam Tite, who set a new home run record this past season and finished 1st in the United Leagues in an impressive 11 offensive categories. It’s a pretty safe bet that Tite will end Pulberry’s Aiden Thirkettle’s three-year reign as the Western Leagues’ top offensive player, at least for one season. But the positives cannot outweigh the bad entirely. If the Cannons had even a serviceable pitching staff, they might have caught the Tigers and be playing in their first playoffs since the 1954-55 season where they captured their 4th Western League Pennant. Rotation standouts: 28-year old LHP Bill Southon (16-15, 3.37 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 3.33 FIP, 112 ERA+) Bullpen standouts: 29-year old MR RHP Scott Dooley (1-0, 1 SV, 2.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 4.07 FIP, 129 ERA+) 25-year old stopper LHP John Witheycombe (5-3, 8 SV, 3.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 2.86 FIP, 108 ERA+ - for both the Fort Richmond Generals and Cambria Cannons) Position Player standouts: RF Sam Tite (.327/.423/.704, 59 HR, 144 RBI, 87 BB, 7 SB, 208 OPS+, 219 wRC+, 10.3 WAR) 27-year old 1B Calvin Hanbridge (.282/.382/.471, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 83 BB, 9 SB, 136 OPS+, 145 wRC+, 4.7 WAR) 33-year old 3B Louis Torres (.257/.317/.433, 23 HR, 79 RBI, 42 BB, 106 OPS+, 114 wRC+, 3.2 WAR) New Season Records Set: SLG Pct: .7045, Sam Tite (Previous: .6860, Aidan Thirkettle, 1956-57) Home Runs: 59, Sam Tite (Previous: 49, Sam Tite and Matthew Floyd, 1956-57) Noteworthy: February 24 – It was a rough four-game series against the Fort Richmond Generals, as the Cannons dropped 3 games of 4. The lone win came in game one where Cambria held on to win, 10-7. The game was highlighted by five home runs, including three by the Cannons. Calvin Hanbridge and Louis Torres both hit their 20th home runs of the season in the 1st and 4th innings respectively. But the highlight was in the 5th inning, when Sam Tite smashed a solo shot down the leftfield line that just cleared the wall off RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li with one out to make the score 5-1 in favor of the Cannons. The home run represented his 50th of the season and broke the record of 49 he set last year along with Wellington Athletics’ Matthew Floyd. The Canadian-born Tite would continue his hot streak, cranking out 9 more home runs over the next 21-games, including his 59th of the season, a 2-run shot off Pulberry’s LHP Dermot Rathbone in the top of the 1st inning for a 4-1 Cambria win on March 21st. But Tite promptly went cold, going homerless over the final nine games of the season to finish at 59. First Round Draft Pick Update: 4th overall – LHP Derek Willday (53/76). The 23-year old southpaw did not stay long in the minors after he was drafted. After going 4-4, 2.00 ERA, 76.1 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 1.60 FIP, 189 ERA+ in 11 starts in Triple-A, the No. 2-rated prospect was promoted to the major league roster in early February. With the Cannons he went 6-6, 4.04 ERA, 93.2 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 3.41 FIP, 94 ERA+ in 12 starts. He finished the season as their No. 2 starter, but it shouldn’t be long before he settles in as the Cannons’ ace. -------- The Kingston Pelicans enjoyed their best season in four years, but it was nowhere near enough to end their 6-year playoff drought, being eliminated from contention with nine games left in the season. For a team that was an absolute juggernaut in their first 10 seasons, the last 11 have been one of a slow, seemingly directionless decline. But the Pelicans have patiently built their farm system, which is now ranked 4th overall. Some of that talent has recently joined the major league roster with more on the way. But most of that promising talent is on offense. Kingston will need to shore up its thin pitching depth if it wants to avoid the fate of the likes of the Cambria Cannons and squander a potentially playoff-caliber lineup over the next few seasons. Rotation standouts: 32-year old RHP Brian Marsland (14-15, 3.52 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 3.77 FIP, 110 ERA+) 23-yea old rookie LHP Logan Hoadley (7-7, 3.70 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 3.93 FIP, 104 ERA+) Bullpen standouts: 28-year old stopper RHP Lester Beddoes (5-3, 20 SV, 2.25 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 2.76 FIP, 171 ERA+) 24-year old MR RHP Jacob Jones (7-2, 2 SV, 2.11 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 3.17 FIP, 183 ERA+) 28-year old rookie LR RHP Vinnie Arnott (5-4, 2 SV, 3.15 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 4.55 FIP, 122 ERA+) Position Player standouts: 27-year old C Ronald Armstrong (.273/.335/.503, 25 HR, 69 RBI, 46 BB, 125 OPS+, 137 wRC+, 4.8 WAR) 24-year old CF Dan Hesketh (.276/.337/.460, 19 HR, 74 RBI, 50 BB, 9 SB, 115 ERA+, 124 wRC+, 4.3 WAR) 27-year old RF Chris Ramsbottom (.296/.347/.425, 12 HR, 46 RBI, 42 BB, 18 SB, 109 OPS+, 119 wRC+, 4.7 WAR) 25-year old 1B Ira Bannatyne (.251/.309/.444, 28 HR, 115 RBI, 47 BB, 102 OPS+, 113 wRC+, 1.6 WAR) First Round Draft Pick Update: 3rd overall – IF Ivar Nuyten (52/73). The 22-year old from Sint Maarten was simply sensational in his first year in the minors. The No. 4-ranked prospect batted .310/.388/.482, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 31 BB, 40 K, 131 OPS+, 138 wRC+, 3.9 WAR in 74 G in Double-A. He was then promoted to the AAA Douro Redbirds, where he batted .370/.407/.667, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 3 BB, 18 K, 191 OPS+, 209 wRC+, 1.7 WAR in 21 G. All the while playing terrific defense, primarily at shortstop. Scouts feel that he is on the cusp of making the major league roster. -------- It’s now 21 seasons and counting for the Hespeler Stars who have yet to get a whiff of the playoffs and 20 seasons since their lone winning season (79-75 in 1937-38) in their inaugural season. They won 71 games for the second straight season under sophomore GM Steward Pruitt, who still has his work cut out for him despite inheriting a team that should be overflowing with young talent from all the high draft picks from previous years. Alas, Hespeler’s picks have produced more misses than hits. But hope may be on the horizon. The Stars have a genuine franchise position player to build around in 25-year old C Aidan Bennie, who is rated as the top catcher in the United Leagues and won Hespeler’s first Western League batting title in 17 years (since OF Steven Winstanley batted .347 in 1940-41). They also have the makings of an enviable young rotation. 21-year old LHP Nico van der Ham enjoyed a promising rookie season and is projected as a future ace. They also have 24-year old sophomore RHP Eduardo Rodríguez (13-17, 4.24 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 3.52 FIP, 92 ERA+ - 51/60) who fronted the rotation by season’s end. Currently in the bullpen are a couple of future starters: 26-year old RHP Pedro Pena (4-7, 11 SV, 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 4.55 FIP, 96 ERA+ - 53/56) and 23-year old RHP Zachariah Horton (4-2, 2.58 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 3.89 FIP, 150 ERA+ - 55/59). Now it’s just a question if any or all will deliver on their promise. That seemingly has been the eternal conundrum for this middling franchise. Rotation standouts: 30-year old RHP Battista Carotta (15-15, 3.36 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 3.52 FIP, 116 ERA+) LHP Nico van der Ham (10-7, 3.28 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 3.53 FIP, 118 ERA+) Bullpen standout: MR RHP Zachariah Horton (4-2, 2.58 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 3.89 FIP, 150 ERA+) Position Player standouts: C Aidan Bennie (.335/.382/.537, 19 HR, 84 RBI, 34 BB, 146 OPS+, 162 wRC+, 6.3 WAR) 30-year old RF John Anthony (.272/.335/.424, 17 HR, 64 RBI, 48 BB, 5 SB, 104 OPS+, 116 wRC+, 2.2 WAR) 26-year old 3B Clive Yarwood (.266/.340/.413, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 48 BB, 103 OPS+, 117 wRC+, 2.9 WAR) Player of the Week Awards: February 17 – SS Logan Rowntree (.611, 11 H, 6 RBI) February 24 – RF John Anthony (.471, 8 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI) March 24 – C Aidan Bennie (.632, 12 H, 2 RBI, 4 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 7th overall – IF/OF Arthur Clack (20/57). The 19-year old Hespeler-native got off to a slow start in Double-A, batting .230/.292/.349, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 18 BB, 69 K, 67 OPS+, 71 wRC+, -0.5 WAR in 73 G, 235 AB almost exclusively at third base. -------- The Balmoral Giants were on course for their second consecutive .500 finish, but a disastrous February (6-17) derailed even that modest goal. The Giants are not necessarily an awful team, but they have no real standouts on the major league roster nor in the minor leagues, contributing to their missing the playoffs for the 14th-straight season (and counting). That surely falls on the shoulders on long-time GM Victor Lynch who has been at the helm of the club since their inaugural season, with just two playoff appearances to show for it. They do have a promising prospect in 22-year old IF Dave Sherwood (43/66), who moved up to AAA this season (.303/.366/.525, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 11 BB in 33 games). He was an 8th overall pick back in 1954-55. But the Giants need a lot more of him to get out of their doldrums. Rotation standouts: 32-year old RHP Wayne Nesling (17-12, 3.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.40 FIP, 118 ERA+) 33-year old RHP Trevor Canfield (9-7, 3.56 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 3.97 FIP, 107 ERA+) 32-year old LHP Carl McBroom (8-5, 3 SV, 3.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.49 FIP, 121 ERA+) Bullpen standouts: None Position Player standouts: 30-year old sophomore LF Juan Gonzáles (.285/.355/.540, 32 HR, 81 RBI, 48 BB, 4 SB, 144 OPS+, 154 wRC+, 3.4 WAR) 24-year old CF Quido De Jesús (.297/.357/.421, 11 HR, 63 RBI, 55 BB, 8 SB, 114 OPS+, 125 wRC+, 4.2 WAR) 28-year old CF Danny Jevons (.255/.347/.468, 18 HR, 46 RBI, 43 BB, 8 SB, 123 OPS+, 133 wRC+, 2.7 WAR) Player of the Week Awards: March 10 – 1B Juan Gonzáles (.455, 10 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 9th overall – IF Sam Sato (37/48). The 22-year old shortstop enjoyed a promising start to his professional career in Double-A this season. In 63 G, 189 AB, he went .280/.357/.397, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 20 BB, 48 K, 11 SB, 102 OPS+, 110 wRC+, 1.5 WAR. -------- The Wolseley Unions were eliminated from playoff contention with 15 games remaining and won fewer than 69 games for the fourth straight season. The rebuilding process is proceeding in fits and starts. While the Unions have long had a bona fide ace in 32-year old RHP Roberto Garza (61/61), they are hoping both 22-year old RHP Theo Morse (12-19, 3.92 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 3.90 FIP, 98 ERA+ - 56/80) and 25-year old RHP Yasuo Yamauchi (11-12, 4.12 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 4.34 FIP, 94 ERA+ - 47/55) can develop their full potential and become stalwarts in the rotation. Wolseley’s top two prospects in the lineup have been plagued with injuries. Last year, 23-year old CF and lead-off hitter Jonathan Higgins (.268/.344/.357, 4 HR, 44 RBI, 66 BB, 18 SB, 91 OPS+, 103 wRC+, 2.7 WAR – 58/64) saw his season cut short due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and was still feeling the affects this season, especially on defense. The Unions hope their 2nd overall pick from 1955-56 will continue to get back on track next year. Meanwhile, 23-year old 2B Jack Jarrom (.219/.282/.320, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 33 BB, 64 OPS+, 72 wRC+, 0.5 WAR – 47/72) got his first taste of the majors this season before suffering shoulder tendinitis with 11 games left to play. Wolseley obviously hopes their 1st overall pick from 1956-57 will be ready for the start of next season. Rotation standout: RHP Robert Garza (19-9, 2.74 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 3.23 FIP, 141 ERA+) Bullpen standout: 29-year old MR LHP Euan MacKenzie (5-3, 1 SV, 3.22 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 4.46 FIP, 120 ERA+) Position Player standouts: 28-year old C Mike Hutchison (.282/.366/.418, 11 HR, 63 RBI, 60 BB, 113 OPS+, 125 wRC+, 3.7 WAR) 28-year old 1B Carlos Ortíz (.273/.343/.438, 20 HR, 79 RBI, 52 BB, 111 OPS+, 123 wRC+, 2.9 WAR) 36-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.269/.388/.416, 13 HR, 60 RBI, 88 BB, 119 OPS+, 135 wRC+, 1.6 WAR) First Round Draft Pick Update: 5th overall – OF Carlton Monroe (35/63). The Wolseley-native made a fine first impression in the minor leagues, reaching Triple-A before the season was over. In Double-A, he batted .244/.350/.422, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 34 BB, 46 K, 4 SB, 106 OPS+, 114 wRC+, 0.9 WAR in 63 G, 225 AB before getting the call-up. After joining the AAA Caledonia Jets, the 23-year old went .273/.341/.494, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 9 BB, 33 K, 116 OPS+, 129 wRC+, 0.7 WAR in 21 G, 77 AB. -------- The Fort Richmond Generals narrowly avoided losing 100 games for the second year in a row as they managed to go 5-2 in the final week, after going 4-17 to start the month of March. Oddly, 3 of those 4 wins game against the Pulberry Trolleys (who went 11-5 overall this season against the lowly Generals). But Fort Richmond’s 55 wins represent the fewest in team history and they set a new mark of finishing the most games behind first place with 48. That beats out the 1949-50 Pulberry Trolleys and the Cobourg Red Stockings of 1940-41 & 1941-42 by one. The reason for their ineptitude is simple: their offense is historically bad, and the pitching is not much better. The only glimmer of hope is the improving farm system. It is currently ranked 3rd overall. After selecting 2nd overall in 1956-57 as well as this past season, the Generals ‘earned’ the first overall pick for next season. It appears they picked wisely in 1956-57, as 24-year old RHP Kenete Yuri (54/73) enjoyed a promising rookie campaign and is considered a ‘sparkplug’. On offense, the only impact player is 26-year old C Scott Sheelah (66/66). A two-time all-star, Sheelah is currently ranked No. 3 among all catchers in the ULB. Rotation standouts: RHP Kenete Yuri (13-12, 2.72 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.14 FIP, 138 ERA+) 33-year old LHP Axel MacKay (8-11, 3.47 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 3.46 FIP, 111 ERA+ for both the Stratford Barons and Fort Richmond Generals) Bullpen standouts: None Position Player standouts: C Scott Sheelah (.262/.368/.460, 21 HR, 68 RBI, 71 BB, 131 OPS+, 141 wRC+, 6.4 WAR) 25-year old rookie 1B Takuji Kanno (.270/.328/.408, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 43 BB, 105 OPS+, 111 wRC+, 1.9 WAR) Player of the Week Awards: February 10 – C Scott Sheelah (.500, 10 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 2nd overall – OF Sami Michel (39/80). The 21-year old Canadian had a respectable first year in Double-A, playing in 90 G and getting 357 AB while playing impressive defense, mostly in centerfield. He hit .235/.285/.387, 10 HR, 37 RBI, 24 BB, 86 K, 77 OPS+, 83 wRC+, 1.1 WAR. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland