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FuzzyRussianHat · 01-12-2025, 10:17 AM

DH/3B Zakari Emmanuel was the lone inductee for West African Baseball’s 2023 Hall of Fame class, getting in firmly with an 85.7% debut. Three returners were above 60% but just shy of the 66% requirement. CL Francis Koomson saw 64.6% on his third ballot, RP Emma Markson got 61.5% for his sixth go, and 1B Ikechukwu Onyia finished at 60.5% for his third attempt. No one else was above 50% and no players were dropped after ten failed ballots.

Zakari “Butterball” Emmanuel – Designated Hitter/Third Base – Port Harcourt Hillcats – 85.7% First Ballot

Zakari Emmanuel was a 6’3’’, 190 pound left-handed hitting third baseman from Eruwa, a city of 118,000 in southwestern Nigeria. Emmanuel was nicknamed “Butterball” for his love of eating turkey. He was a very strong power hitter with 43 home runs and 37 doubles per his 162 game average. On the whole, Emmanuel graded as having above average to good contract and eye skills.

Against right-handed pitching, Emmanuel was especially strong with a career 1.001 OPS and 162 wRC+. Emmanuel was merely above average to good against lefties with a 119 wRC+ and .811 OPS. Against either side, he did have some strikeout woes. Unlike many sluggers, Emmanuel was a very slick baserunner and base stealer, although he was still limited by subpar speed. He wasn’t going to win many foot races, but Emmanuel picked his spots well.

Around 55% of Emmanuel’s career starts were as a designated hitter. Most of the rest came at third base, but he was an abysmal defender. Emmanuel played a small bit of first base late in his career and was merely poor there. Regardless, his bat and power meant you’d find a spot for him. Emmanuel was considered loyal and adaptable. He also was quite durable in the front end of his career.

Some scouts had Emmanuel as the best hitting prospect in some time ahead of the 2003 WAB Draft. Dakar was enamored and picked Emmanuel with the #1 overall pick. It was a rough start though as he didn’t adjust well to big league hitting. Emmanuel started 11 games and played only 107 in his first two years with subpar results. He became a full-time starter in 2006, but was terrible with -1.5 WAR and .644 OPS in his debut season.

Emmanuel figured things out in 2007 to bring positive value, although he did still lead the Western League in strikeouts. He earned Silver Sluggers in 2007 and 2009 as a DH and led the league with 50 home runs in 2009. Still, Emmanuel never quite lived up to the expectations of the #1 overall pick. Dakar remained bad at the start of his run, although they had gotten just above .500 by the end. The Dukes would be a playoff regular in the 2010s, but Emmanuel wasn’t re-signed after the 2010 season.

With Dakar, Emmanuel had 789 hits, 425 runs, 165 doubles, 184 home runs, 475 RBI, .264/.332/.512 slash, 133 wRC+, and 16.6 WAR. A free agent heading towards only age 27, Emmanuel returned to Nigeria and signed a seven-year, $34,440,000 deal with Port Harcourt. The Hillcats hoped he could still live up to some of that past potential. Ultimately, their investment paid off.

In all six seasons with PH, Emmanuel hit 40+ homers with 100+ RBI, and 5+ WAR. Now playing more third base, he won Silver Sluggers in 2012, 2013, and 2014. As he entered his 30s, Emmanuel became a legit MVP candidate. He led the Eastern League with a career-best 7.8 WAR in 2013, taking second in voting. From 2014-16, he led each year in OPS and hit 50+ homers.

In 2014, Emmanuel was second in MVP voting again despite league bests in home runs (54), RBI (162), and OPS (1.085). He was only the third WAB slugger with a 160+ RBI season. Emmanuel was third in 2015’s MVP voting and second in 2016. He ultimately never claimed the top honor, but did help Port Harcourt find their first sustained success since the mid 1990s.

The Hillcats were a wild card four times from 2011-15. In 2011, 2013, and 2014, they suffered second round defeats. They finished #2 by one game in 2015 and went on a playoff run, ultimately winning the WAB Championship against over Bamako. In that playoff run, Emmanuel had 12 hits, 8 runs, 2 doubles, 5 homers, 6 RBI, and 11 walks over 11 starts with 1.306 OPS. This earned him a fond spot in the hearts of many PH fans despite only a six-year run.

Emmanuel hit well in the 2015 Baseball Grand Championship as well, although Port Harcourt finished in the bottom half at 8-11. In 19 starts, he had 16 hits, 13 runs, 3 doubles, 10 home runs, 14 RBI, 1.077 OPS, and 1.1 WAR. Emmanuel did have limited play in the World Baseball Championship as well for his native Nigeria. From 2009-20, he appeared in 53 games and started 36 with 35 hits, 26 runs, 12 doubles, 12 homers, 29 RBI, .267/.389/.634 slash, and 2.4 WAR.

Port Harcourt fell back to 81-81 in 2016, Emmanuel’s last season. The year had a rough ending as he suffered a fractured knee in September, knocking him out six months. He surprised many by opting out of his seventh year of the deal despite the injury, betting on himself to get a big deal elsewhere. Emmanuel was going to still be only 33-years old and had just taken second in MVP voting. This marked the end of WAB career.

With the Hillcats, Emmanuel had 1103 hits, 702 runs, 235 doubles, 300 home runs, 766 RBI, .323/.391/.665 slash, 167 wRC+, and 39.5 WAR. His gamble paid off with the payday coming in Mexico, signing a five-year, $60,500,000 deal with Ecatepec. The deal got off to a sluggish start with a torn hamstring in the spring. The Explosion opted to use him after that in a platoon role, although Emmanuel did was an efficient hitter in the limited sample size. Gone were the day of MVP contention, however. Ecatepec would be stuck in the mid-tier during Emmanuel’s time in Mexico.

In four seasons with the Explosion, Emmanuel had 342 hits, 193 runs, 63 doubles, 79 home runs, 223 RBI, .304/388/.578 slash, 156 wRC+, and 11.2 WAR. He didn’t meet the vesting criteria for the fifth year, becoming a free agent again. The soon-to-be 37-year old still had options and ended up in MLB on a two-year, $18,600,000 deal with New York.

Despite the paycheck, Emmanuel saw limited use with the Yankees, playing only 65 games and starting 39 with .678 OPS, 97 wRC+, and 0.2 WAR. He was let go after one year and couldn’t find a 2022 home despite searching. Emmanuel retired that winter at age 38. For his combined pro career, he had 2271 hits, 1340 runs, 466 doubles, 567 home runs, 1479 RBI, 706 walks, 166 stolen bases, .296/.367/.586 slash, 151 wRC+, and 67.4 WAR.

Just in WAB, Emmanuel had 1892 hits, 1127 runs, 400 doubles, 484 home runs, 1241 RBI, 558 walks, 1811 strikeouts, 139 steals, .295/.364/.593 slash, 151 wRC+, and 56.1 WAR. His accumulations were limited by leaving WAB at age 32 and by a sluggish start with Dakar. As of 2037, Emmanuel ranks 35^th in homers, 72^nd in RBI, 82^nd in runs, 87^th in walks, 93^rd in strikeouts, and 70^th in WAR among position players.

Among WAB batters with 3000+ plate appearances, Emmanuel’s .958 OPS ranks 42^nd and he ranks 41^st in slugging. Hitting lots of homers will make you memorable with Emmanuel cramming a bunch into a small timeframe. That and his role in Port Harcourt’s 2015 title made him a popular player viewed favorably by most voters despite his deficiencies. Emmanuel received 85.7% to earn first ballot induction firmly as the lone member of West African Baseball’s 2023 Hall of Fame class.

01-12-2025, 10:17 AM	#1970
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,414	2023 WAB Hall of Fame DH/3B Zakari Emmanuel was the lone inductee for West African Baseball’s 2023 Hall of Fame class, getting in firmly with an 85.7% debut. Three returners were above 60% but just shy of the 66% requirement. CL Francis Koomson saw 64.6% on his third ballot, RP Emma Markson got 61.5% for his sixth go, and 1B Ikechukwu Onyia finished at 60.5% for his third attempt. No one else was above 50% and no players were dropped after ten failed ballots. Zakari “Butterball” Emmanuel – Designated Hitter/Third Base – Port Harcourt Hillcats – 85.7% First Ballot Zakari Emmanuel was a 6’3’’, 190 pound left-handed hitting third baseman from Eruwa, a city of 118,000 in southwestern Nigeria. Emmanuel was nicknamed “Butterball” for his love of eating turkey. He was a very strong power hitter with 43 home runs and 37 doubles per his 162 game average. On the whole, Emmanuel graded as having above average to good contract and eye skills. Against right-handed pitching, Emmanuel was especially strong with a career 1.001 OPS and 162 wRC+. Emmanuel was merely above average to good against lefties with a 119 wRC+ and .811 OPS. Against either side, he did have some strikeout woes. Unlike many sluggers, Emmanuel was a very slick baserunner and base stealer, although he was still limited by subpar speed. He wasn’t going to win many foot races, but Emmanuel picked his spots well. Around 55% of Emmanuel’s career starts were as a designated hitter. Most of the rest came at third base, but he was an abysmal defender. Emmanuel played a small bit of first base late in his career and was merely poor there. Regardless, his bat and power meant you’d find a spot for him. Emmanuel was considered loyal and adaptable. He also was quite durable in the front end of his career. Some scouts had Emmanuel as the best hitting prospect in some time ahead of the 2003 WAB Draft. Dakar was enamored and picked Emmanuel with the #1 overall pick. It was a rough start though as he didn’t adjust well to big league hitting. Emmanuel started 11 games and played only 107 in his first two years with subpar results. He became a full-time starter in 2006, but was terrible with -1.5 WAR and .644 OPS in his debut season. Emmanuel figured things out in 2007 to bring positive value, although he did still lead the Western League in strikeouts. He earned Silver Sluggers in 2007 and 2009 as a DH and led the league with 50 home runs in 2009. Still, Emmanuel never quite lived up to the expectations of the #1 overall pick. Dakar remained bad at the start of his run, although they had gotten just above .500 by the end. The Dukes would be a playoff regular in the 2010s, but Emmanuel wasn’t re-signed after the 2010 season. With Dakar, Emmanuel had 789 hits, 425 runs, 165 doubles, 184 home runs, 475 RBI, .264/.332/.512 slash, 133 wRC+, and 16.6 WAR. A free agent heading towards only age 27, Emmanuel returned to Nigeria and signed a seven-year, $34,440,000 deal with Port Harcourt. The Hillcats hoped he could still live up to some of that past potential. Ultimately, their investment paid off. In all six seasons with PH, Emmanuel hit 40+ homers with 100+ RBI, and 5+ WAR. Now playing more third base, he won Silver Sluggers in 2012, 2013, and 2014. As he entered his 30s, Emmanuel became a legit MVP candidate. He led the Eastern League with a career-best 7.8 WAR in 2013, taking second in voting. From 2014-16, he led each year in OPS and hit 50+ homers. In 2014, Emmanuel was second in MVP voting again despite league bests in home runs (54), RBI (162), and OPS (1.085). He was only the third WAB slugger with a 160+ RBI season. Emmanuel was third in 2015’s MVP voting and second in 2016. He ultimately never claimed the top honor, but did help Port Harcourt find their first sustained success since the mid 1990s. The Hillcats were a wild card four times from 2011-15. In 2011, 2013, and 2014, they suffered second round defeats. They finished #2 by one game in 2015 and went on a playoff run, ultimately winning the WAB Championship against over Bamako. In that playoff run, Emmanuel had 12 hits, 8 runs, 2 doubles, 5 homers, 6 RBI, and 11 walks over 11 starts with 1.306 OPS. This earned him a fond spot in the hearts of many PH fans despite only a six-year run. Emmanuel hit well in the 2015 Baseball Grand Championship as well, although Port Harcourt finished in the bottom half at 8-11. In 19 starts, he had 16 hits, 13 runs, 3 doubles, 10 home runs, 14 RBI, 1.077 OPS, and 1.1 WAR. Emmanuel did have limited play in the World Baseball Championship as well for his native Nigeria. From 2009-20, he appeared in 53 games and started 36 with 35 hits, 26 runs, 12 doubles, 12 homers, 29 RBI, .267/.389/.634 slash, and 2.4 WAR. Port Harcourt fell back to 81-81 in 2016, Emmanuel’s last season. The year had a rough ending as he suffered a fractured knee in September, knocking him out six months. He surprised many by opting out of his seventh year of the deal despite the injury, betting on himself to get a big deal elsewhere. Emmanuel was going to still be only 33-years old and had just taken second in MVP voting. This marked the end of WAB career. With the Hillcats, Emmanuel had 1103 hits, 702 runs, 235 doubles, 300 home runs, 766 RBI, .323/.391/.665 slash, 167 wRC+, and 39.5 WAR. His gamble paid off with the payday coming in Mexico, signing a five-year, $60,500,000 deal with Ecatepec. The deal got off to a sluggish start with a torn hamstring in the spring. The Explosion opted to use him after that in a platoon role, although Emmanuel did was an efficient hitter in the limited sample size. Gone were the day of MVP contention, however. Ecatepec would be stuck in the mid-tier during Emmanuel’s time in Mexico. In four seasons with the Explosion, Emmanuel had 342 hits, 193 runs, 63 doubles, 79 home runs, 223 RBI, .304/388/.578 slash, 156 wRC+, and 11.2 WAR. He didn’t meet the vesting criteria for the fifth year, becoming a free agent again. The soon-to-be 37-year old still had options and ended up in MLB on a two-year, $18,600,000 deal with New York. Despite the paycheck, Emmanuel saw limited use with the Yankees, playing only 65 games and starting 39 with .678 OPS, 97 wRC+, and 0.2 WAR. He was let go after one year and couldn’t find a 2022 home despite searching. Emmanuel retired that winter at age 38. For his combined pro career, he had 2271 hits, 1340 runs, 466 doubles, 567 home runs, 1479 RBI, 706 walks, 166 stolen bases, .296/.367/.586 slash, 151 wRC+, and 67.4 WAR. Just in WAB, Emmanuel had 1892 hits, 1127 runs, 400 doubles, 484 home runs, 1241 RBI, 558 walks, 1811 strikeouts, 139 steals, .295/.364/.593 slash, 151 wRC+, and 56.1 WAR. His accumulations were limited by leaving WAB at age 32 and by a sluggish start with Dakar. As of 2037, Emmanuel ranks 35^th in homers, 72^nd in RBI, 82^nd in runs, 87^th in walks, 93^rd in strikeouts, and 70^th in WAR among position players. Among WAB batters with 3000+ plate appearances, Emmanuel’s .958 OPS ranks 42^nd and he ranks 41^st in slugging. Hitting lots of homers will make you memorable with Emmanuel cramming a bunch into a small timeframe. That and his role in Port Harcourt’s 2015 title made him a popular player viewed favorably by most voters despite his deficiencies. Emmanuel received 85.7% to earn first ballot induction firmly as the lone member of West African Baseball’s 2023 Hall of Fame class. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)