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November 1, 1958

Western League: Tight Race Led by Cambria, Pulberry





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The Cambria Cannons started off strong, going 7-2 and holding down top spot in the West for most of the month. They stumbled a bit (2-5) to end the month, allowing Pulberry to catch up with them. Their early success is attributable to their potent offense and that is even without their defending Babe Ruth Award winner, RF Sam Tite (80/80) playing up to the stratospheric level he reached last season. If he catches fire though, watch out.

Their pitching staff has been merely serviceable, but that alone amounts to an improvement from previous seasons. RHP Leo Lukies (54/58 – 2nd-round pick, 1957-58) won Rookie of the Month honors in October. The England native, currently ranked No. 7 among prospects, has been installed as the Cannons No. 2 starter and is a most welcome addition to the rotation.

Cambria is hoping that No. 1 starter, 23-year old sophomore LHP Derek Willday (2-2, 4.31 ERA, 31.1 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 3.50 FIP, 82 ERA+ - 51/59), will grow into his role. In a game against Sherburn on October 22, he was knocked out of the game after surrendering 7 runs in the first two innings. The Cannons fell to the Tigers, 11-4. But just five days later, Willday pitched 7.2 innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run while striking out 7, leading the Cannons to an 8-1 win over the Pulberry Trolleys.

Notable Performers

• 32-year old 1B Carlos Corea (.425/.451/.563, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 3 BB, 184 OPS+, 1.1 WAR)
• 26-year old SS Doug Martin (.389/.433/.516, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 8 BB, 4 SB, 166 OPS+, 1.1 WAR)
• 34-year old 3B Louis Torres (.291/.347/.570, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 8 BB, 154 OPS+, 1.0 WAR)
• 25-year old C Mick Clark (.320/.369/.440, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 7 BB, 127 OPS+, 1.0 WAR)
• 28-year old RF Sam Tite (.278/.350/.467, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 10 BB, 128 OPS+, 0.7 WAR)

Rotation

• 23-year old rookie RHP Leo Lukies (3-0, 2.34 ERA, 34.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 2.77 FIP, 151 ERA+)
• 28-year old LHP Bill Southon (3-2, 2.50 ERA, 36.0 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 2.26 FIP, 141 ERA+)

Bullpen

• 30-year old RHP Ray Lambright (2-1, 2 SV, 2.86 ERA, 22.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 2.94 FIP, 123 ERA+)

Player of the Week Awards:

October 20 – 1B Carlos Corea (.522, 12 H, 4 RBI, 2 R)
October 27 – 3B Louis Torres (.435, 10 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R)

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For the past several seasons, the defending United Cup champions Pulberry Trolleys, have bolted out of the gate to start the season to either take control of the West in the early going or keep pace with an upstart. This year, they experienced some adversity in the early going. Although going a pedestrian 6-7 to start the month however, they bounced back with a 6-game winning streak and finished the month on an 8-3 tear to pull into a tie with the Cambrian Cannons for first place as the calendar turns to November.

While the pitching staff remains strong, the lineup has not been as impressive. 30-year old LF Aidan Thirkettle (.216/.324/.443, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 12 BB, 117 ERA+, 0.7 WAR) has gotten off to a particularly slow start by his lofty standards.

Notable Performers

• 31-year old CF Cooper Tyson (.291/.365/.477, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 10 BB, 139 OPS+, 1.5 WAR)
• 29-year old 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa (.302/.365/.442, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 9 BB, 130 OPS+, 1.0 WAR)
• 23-year old RF Joe Riding (.289/.366/.456, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 10 BB, 134 OPS+, 0.9 WAR)
• 33year old 1B Ellis Dibble (.292/.336/.462, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 BB, 126 OPS+, 0.7 WAR)

Rotation

• 30-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (5-0, 0.88 ERA, 41.0 IP, 0.85 WHIP, 2.19 FIP, 371 ERA+)
• 37-year old RHP Robin Medellin (3-1, 1.67 ERA, 43.0 IP, 0.81 WHIP, 2.60 FIP, 194 ERA+)
• 23-year old LHP Bart Ohara (1-2, 2.45 ERA, 36.2 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 3.14 FIP, 133 ERA+)

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The Wolseley Unions were mired in last place after the first week of the season but then went 12-6 the rest of the way to get to within a half-game of first place. Their lineup and rotation have been fairly steady with some young players growing into their roles. But there is still much improvement being looked for if the Unions hope to escape the second division for the first time in five years. In addition to the young talent they have on the roster right now, they are also anticipating the addition of 23-year old CF Carlton Monroe (38/62 – 5th overall pick, 1957-58) who is still developing in Triple-A.

Notable Performers

• 24-year old RF Jonathan Higgins (.326/.394/.483, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 10 BB, 139 OPS+, 1.3 WAR)
• 37-year old 1B Carlton Hawking (.323/.353/.479, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 5 BB, 136 OPS+, 0.1 WAR)
• 24-year old LF Steven Burkill (.268/.341/.476, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 8 BB, 121 OPS+, 0.6 WAR)
• 37-year old SS George Kimpton (.289/.340/.489, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 7 BB, 124 OPS+, 0.2 WAR)

Rotation

• 23-year old RHP Theo Morse (2-1, 2.13 ERA, 38.0 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 2.59 FIP, 177 ERA+)
• 33-year old RHP Roberto Garza (2-0, 2.53 ERA, 42.2 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 2.58 FIP, 149 ERA+)

Bullpen

• 27-year old RHP Robert Metcalfe (3-2, 5 SV, 0.42 ERA, 21.2 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 3.41 FIP, 906 ERA+)

Milestone Watch

October 31 – 39-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (2-1, 3.42 ERA, 39.1 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 2.79 FIP, 110 ERA+) pitched a fine game against the visiting Cambria Cannons, going all 9 nines while surrendering 3 earned runs off 7 hits for a 5-3 victory. Cambria tied the game up a 3-apiece in the top of 6th thanks to a 2-run triple by CF Kilipeka Maleko. But a misplayed ball in centerfield on a 2B Kane Viccars single plated two in the bottom of the 6th to put the Unions up for good. With that win, Saunderson pulled back into a two-way tie with Brunswick’s Pi-ao Quian for most career wins with 253.

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It appears the Balmoral Giants will be a streaky bunch this season. After losing their first four games, they then went on a seven game winning streak. Then they lost six of their next seven games before winning five of their next seven to finish the month. Which means that its still too early to predict just how they’ll fare this season. Nevertheless, for a team that hasn’t finished with a winning record in four years, simply getting to .500 over the course of a season would be an accomplishment. The Giants simply do not have any standout franchise players to build around as yet, making this a rather nondescript outfit at the moment.

Notable Performers

• 28-year old 2B Morgan Tyreman (.333/.432/.533, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 13 BB, 171 OPS+, 1.6 WAR)
• 38-year old 1B Ángel Costa (.284/.364/.448, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 8 BB, 128 OPS+, 0.5 WAR)
• 24-year old C Ellis Ford (.270/.337/.527, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 8 BB, 140 OPS+, 0.9 WAR)

Rotation

• 32-year old LHP Carl McBroom (3-0, 2.15 ERA, 37.2 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 3.04 FIP, 158 ERA+)
• 24-year old RHP Clive Kerwin (2-1, 3.38 ERA, 34.2 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 4.13 FIP, 101 ERA+)

Bullpen

• 33-year old LHP Dana Listman (2-3, 3 SV, 2.92 ERA, 24.2 IP, 1.38 WHIP, 4.06 FIP, 116 ERA+)

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Like the Giants, the Hespeler Stars are a largely nondescript bunch that are still searching for their first winning season in 20 years. They are the last remaining team in the ULB who have yet to qualify for the postseason. But they might have just gained a couple of players who will develop some name recognition if not name confusion.

26-year old C Aidan Bennie (.277/.330/.398, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 5 BB, 95 OPS+, 0.5 WAR), who won the Western League Batting Crown last season, has been joined in the lineup by rookie and #6-rated prospect 21-year old SS Alistair Benney (46/71 – 3rd overall pick, 1955-56). Similar last names and same initials on the same team at the same time. Yikes! But if they both develop into the premier players they are projected to become, no one will be complaining. It’s been a long time since the Stars had any players that had the potential to generate any kind of excitement. But these two may be worthwhile following.

Notable Performers

• 27-year old 3B Clive Yarwood (.267/.402/.480, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 16 BB, 137 OPS+, 1.1 WAR)
• 21-year old rookie SS Alistair Benney (.308/.351/.473, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 6 BB, 120 OPS+, 0.0 WAR)

Rotation

• 39-year old LHP Amoka Kalea (2-1, 3.24 ERA, 25.0 IP, 1.36 WHIP, 3.68 FIP, 120 ERA+)

Bullpen

• 26-year old RHP Pedro Peña (2-1, 2 SV, 2.66 ERA, 20.1 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 3.07 FIP, 147 ERA+)

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The Sherburn Tigers are in trouble. They have an impressive lineup in the early going but both their pitching staff and defence have tanked. That has seen them struggle out of the gate. Granted, the race in the West is still very tight, but the dearth of quality pitching is alarming, and they have no up-and-coming arms in the farm system to help them. It will be interesting to see if they can right the ship or whether their playoff window has closed.

Notable Performers

• 28-year old LF Ross Shewman (.297/.402/.608, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 13 BB, 172 OPS+, 1.2 WAR)
• 30-year old C Robert Kersey (.271/.414/.471, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 16 BB, 141 OPS+, 0.9 WAR)
• 26-year old CF Leon Albrecht (.242/.349/.516, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 16 BB, 133 OPS+, 0.8 WAR)
• 28-year old RF Albert Sulley (.299/.409/.519, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 15 BB, 152 OPS+, 0.7 WAR)
• 29-year old 3B Adrian Flynn (.270/.353/.472, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 11 BB, 123 OPS+, 0.6 WAR)

Rotation

• 34-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (2-3, 3.72 ERA, 36.1 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 3.20FIP, 101 ERA+)

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The Fort Richmond Generals find themselves near the bottom of the standings after one month, which is not unexpected since the projections have them finishing in last place. The offense or lack thereof, is the main culprit. They have a couple of nice pieces in the minors that one day should provide a boost. 21-year old IF/OF Kinnard Patching (36/58 – 2nd-round pick, 1956-57) was promoted to Triple-A this season and is off to a promising start. He is projected to be an above average power hitter. Their top prospect, 22-year old OF Sami Michel (45/79 – 2nd-overall pick, 1957-58) is still in Double-A and ruptured his Achillies tendon 10 games into the season. Unfortunately, the No. 2 ranked prospect is gone for the season.

Notable Performers

• 30-year old CF Greg Cusack (.341/.408/.466, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 10 BB, 153 OPS+, 0.9 WAR)
• 26-year old 1B Takuji Kanno (.308/.392/.431, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 BB, 139 OPS+, 0.7 WAR)

Rotation

• 24-year old RHP Kenete Yuri (1-2, 2.72 ERA, 43.0 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 3.46 FIP, 122 ERA+)
• 29-year old RHP Damon Pinney (1-2, 1.55 ERA, 40.2 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 2.51 FIP, 215 ERA+)

Bullpen

• 23-year old RHP Shotaro Tsuji (3-0, 1 SV, 2.70 ERA, 20.0 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 4.78 FIP, 123 ERA+)

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The Kingston Pelicans were projected to compete this season but a 3-13 stretch in the middle of October, which also included a 7-game losing streak, has put them behind in the early going. Still, there’s lots of season left and the Pelicans are developing an exciting young core that has the potential to make their lineup a powerhouse one day. They have more on the way as well. The closest is 24-year old 3B Ron Higson (47/51 – 2nd-round pick, 1956-57) who is currently in Triple-A. He is forecasted to become a power hitter with few weaknesses at the plate. Kingston’s top prospect, 19-year old OF Puck Zwager (20/72 – 4th-overall pick, 1956-57, #9-rated prospect) remains in Double-A trying to figure things out.

Notable Performers

• 25-year old CF Dan Hesketh (.404/.449/.586, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 7 BB, 3 SB, 181 OPS+, 1.6 WAR)
• 23-year old rookie SS Ivar Nuyten (.397/.427/.513, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 2 BB, 156 OPS+, 1.5 WAR)
• 27-year old RF Chris Ramsbottom (.326/.373/.474, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 7 BB, 3 SB, 130 OPS+, 0.7 WAR)
• 26-year old 1B Ira Bannatyne (.263/.333/.475, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 9 BB, 119 OPS+, 0.4 WAR)

Rotation

• 24-year old rookie LHP Logan Hoadley (2-2, 2.76 ERA, 32.2 IP, 1.38 WHIP, 3.65 FIP, 136 ERA+)
• 31-year old LHP Diarmid Rowet (0-3, 2.64 ERA, 30.2 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 2.45 FIP, 142 ERA+)

Bullpen

• 26-year old LHP Senzo Hiroyuki (1-1, 1 SV, 2.55 ERA, 24.2 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 3.05 FIP, 147 ERA+)
• 29-year old RHP Lester Beddoes (2-1, 1 SV, 2.86 ERA, 22.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 3.53 FIP, 131 ERA+)

Player of the Week Awards:

October 13 – CF Dan Hesketh (.515, 17 H, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R)

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