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DICKERSON TO SHAMROCK; KESSLER TO ORANGE
PAIR OF STAR CORNER INFIELDERS RELOCATE OVER THE WEEKEND

NORTHEAST USA (Nov. 2-3, 1872) – Two of the most talented infielders in the sport found new homes over the weekend, one an NBBO star and one a veteran legend. Their names: William Dickerson & Samuel Kessler.

On Saturday, Dickerson signed an eight-year services contract to join Shamrock BC. The 1870 NEL Batsman of the Year told Quaker State he wanted to ply his trade at the highest level after five years with their senior team in the NBBO (seven years total), and given Quaker St. knew how lucky they were to have the most talented 3B in the sport playing for them in 1872 they weren’t going to stand in his way.

The signing is bad news for Franklin Spaur, the 26-year old that Shamrock took in from the NBBO this past season with the hopes that he’d be a quality replacement for just-retired veteran 3B Ralph Weber. Unfortunately, Spaur’s play was slightly above replacement level (0.4 WAR) and he lost his place in the lineup after 60-65 games.

Even though Shamrock’s South End Grounds is the toughest park for right-handed hitters in existence, Dickerson still projects as a .330 hitter in the APBL, with the speed to steal 40+ bases and the arm to play above average defense. Given the offensive issues all over the league at the position in 1872, Dickerson could immediately step in and earn a Team of the Year nomination in 1873.

A look at the scouting report on him makes it obvious why he’s seen as such a likely bet to take the APBL by storm:

On Sunday, Orange BBC surprised everybody by announcing they’d signed Samuel Kessler after eight years with Alleghany.

Kessler spent his first seven seasons in Pittsburgh as their 3B before moving to 1B last year, and therein lies the confusion: Orange has a Golden Glove winner and 3x All-Star at 3B in Will Chaffin who recently turned 28, and 1B Walter Dudley was an All-Star for Orange in his first season in the APBL. Is Kessler going to be a backup? Is he going to learn a new position? Is Chaffin or Dudley going to the bench?

Nobody really knows what Orange’s plans are for the trio of Chaffin, Dudley, & Kessler. Surely the 14x All-Star didn’t move to New York City so he could start occasionally when he would have been guaranteed a place in the lineup had he stayed in Pittsburgh with Alleghany next year.

It’s conceivable Kessler could learn to play in the outfield. He would be slow afoot compared to their regular corner outfielders from this past season, but his bat would more than make up for the weak production of Bernard Lambert & Bill Lewis (combined -0.2 WAR).