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reds1 · 05-05-2025, 12:55 AM

December 1, 1958

Eastern League: Monarchs Lead Close Race for First

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The Braeland City Monarchs continue to cling to first place in the East despite a mediocre November. They remain pretty solid on both sides of the ball but are still looking for key players like 2B Patrick Lidgate (73/73 – 1st overall pick, 1947-48) to pick up their game. He appears to have begun doing that in the last few games.

RHP Jonathan Brookins (49/52 – 15th overall pick, 1952-53) caught fire in November to win his first Pitcher of the Month honor. Since being drafted by the Downie Chiefs, he has been traded twice and finally saw regular playing time with Braeland City two seasons ago where he picked up 22 saves and 14 wins. This season he has moved into the rotation as the Monarchs’ ace and has been impressive thus far.

Notable Performers

28-year old RF Aidan Trembath (.302/.363/.511, 11 HR, 40 RBI, 18 BB, 133 OPS+, 1.4 WAR)
34-year old 1B Dean Witherden (.285/.355/.510, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 17 BB, 131 OPS+, 1.2 WAR)
33-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.218/.324/.460, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 27 BB, 9 SB, 190 OPS+, 1.4 WAR)

Rotation

24-year old RHP Jonathan Brookins (8-2, 2.68 ERA, 84.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 2.48 FIP, 145 ERA+)
22-year old LHP Charlie Honeysett (4-5, 3.06 ERA, 64.21 IP, 1.34 WHIP, 3.78 FIP, 127 ERA+)
26-year old RHP Dara Eaddy (6-4, 3.28 ERA, 74.0 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 3.64 FIP, 118 ERA+)

Bullpen

23-year old RHP Ramón González (2-2, 11 SV, 1.82 ERA, 39.2 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 2.90 FIP, 214 ERA+)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 1 – 2B Patrick Lidgate (.545, 12 H, 4 HR, 6 RBI)

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Like the Monarchs, the Downie Chiefs cooled off in November and failed to gain any ground and remain a half back of first place, just as they were a month ago. After years of being a weak spot, the pitching continues to be a pleasant surprise.

This is exemplified by RHP Eddie Stannard (45/45- 2nd round pick, 1949/50). Acquired in a trade from the Brunswick Legends in January 1952, the 8-year veteran has pitched mostly out of the bullpen during his career but has begun pitching exclusively out of the rotation for the first time this season. In fact, it’s been three seasons since he last started a game. But he has already matched his personal high of six wins in a season after just eight starts. In 1955-56, he started 11 games and went 6-3, 2.25 ERA, 104.0 IP. Although he is currently the Chiefs’ No. 4 starter, he has been their best pitcher to start the season.

Notable Performers

23-year old rookie LF Jon Berose (.328/.381/.505, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 15 BB, 149 OPS+, 2.2 WAR)
28-year old 2B José Olivarez (.293/.333/.497, 9 HR, 18 RBI, 10 BB, 132 OPS+, 2.0 WAR)
27-year old 3B Freddie Ogburn (.317/.359/.585, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 8 BB, 163 OPS+, 1.6 WAR)
30-year old 1B Louie Revill (.258/.311/.500, 11 HR, 28 RBI, 13 BB, 126 OPS+, 0.9 WAR)
26-year old CF Ewan Komaki (.250/.317/.436, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 17 BB, 111 OPS+, 0.8 WAR)

Rotation

30-year old RHP Eddie Stannard (6-0, 2.08 ERA, 52.0 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 3.44 FIP, 171 ERA+)
27-year old RHP Stefan Rankin (5-2, 2.83 ERA, 70.0 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 3.54 FIP, 125 ERA+)
27-year old LHP Lucas Franklin (3-6, 2.89 ERA, 84.0 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 4.29 FIP, 123 ERA+)

Bullpen

24-year old stopper RHP Frank Greggs (3-0, 7 SV, 2.91 ERA, 43.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 3.53 FIP, 122 ERA+)

Player of the Week Awards:

November 17 – LF Jon Berose (.455, 15 H, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 11 R)
November 24 – CF Ewan Komaki (.412, 7 H, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R)

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The Wellington Athletics continue to remain within striking distance of first place despite an uneven month. After starting November with an 8-game winning streak that began in late October, the Athletics immediately embarked on a 6-game losing streak that saw them fall out of a first-place tie with Braeland City. Still, they remain a remarkably balanced squad that is remaining competitive despite the loss of their centerfielder, 26-year old Greg Yates (.297/.352/.468, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 9 BB, 133 OPS+, 1.4 WAR), to injury.

The May 1956 trade with the Fort Richmond Generals is starting to pay dividends this season. In that trade, the Athletics acquired RF Wan-hua Gu (75/79, 2nd-round pick, 1953-54) and RHP Kazunori Fujimoto (47/47, 15th-overall pick, 1949-50). Gu has developed into the 6th-best position player in the United Leagues and is thriving as Wellington’s clean-up hitter.

Fujimoto’s career has been more circuitous. After Wellington acquired him from Fort Richmond, they released him in March 1957. He then signed a minor league deal with the Kingston Pelicans five days later. Three months later, he was traded back to the Athletics. Since then, he has returned to the Athletics’ rotation and is currently their ace.

Notable Performers

23-year old RF Wan-hua Gu (.337/.369/.526, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 11 BB, 4 SB, 153 OPS+, 2.4 WAR)
31-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.307/.382/.479, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 21 BB, 9 SB, 145 ERA+, 1.7 WAR)
32-year old 1B Carlos Camasura (.317/.412/.413, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 27 BB, 137 OPS+, 1.2 WAR)

Rotation

32-year old RHP Kazunori Fujimoto (5-4, 2.91 ERA, 74.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 2.99 FIP, 111 ERA+)
27-yearold RHP Mike Murray (4-4, 2.92 ERA, 83.1 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 3.85 FIP, 111 ERA+)

Bullpen

25-year old stopper RHP Christian Wiley (4-1, 9 SV, 1.60 ERA, 39.1 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 2.82 FIP, 202 ERA+)
39-year old RHP Rizal Doctolero (1-1, 1 SV, 1.71 ERA, 21.0 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 3.30 FIP, 189 ERA+)

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The Cobourg Redlegs remain a wildly inconsistent bunch. They started off November with a 7-game winning streak only to follow it with a 1-6 stretch and then ended the month 2-6 following a 4-game winning streak. The offense and bullpen are not where they need to be, although there may be some positive signs if one looks hard enough.

30-year old 1B Juan Gonzáles (.195/.268/.437, 13 HR, 30 RBI, 15 BB, 90 OPS+, 0.5 WAR) made modest improvements in November, batting .232/.323/.500 and leads the United Leagues in home runs.

29-year old stopper RHP Brian McDaniel (2-6, 10 SV, 4.13 ERA, 32.2 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 4.45 FIP, 89 ERA+ - 60/60) was outstanding in November (0-1, 8 SV, 1.02 ERA, 17.2 IP, 1 HR, 1 BB) after a rough October (2-5, 1 SV, 7.80 ERA, 15.0 IP, 7 HR, 6 BB). He is currently rated the No. 1 reliever in the United Leagues.

Notable Performers

27-year old SS Douglas Jones (.278/.355/.455, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 19 BB, 120 OPS+, 1.9 WAR)
32-year old LF Raymond Williams (.236/.328/.414, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 22 BB, 102 OPS+, 0.5 WAR)

Rotation

30-year old LHP Bill Budd (6-3, 1.88 ERA, 96.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 2.70 FIP, 197 ERA+)
24-year old LHP Lachlan Lloyd (5-2, 2.54 ERA, 71.0 IP, 1.31 WHIP, 4.09 FIP, 145 ERA+)
33-year old LHP Axel Mackay (2-2, 2.61 ERA, 38.0 IP, 1.37 WHIP, 3.34 FIP, 142 ERA+)
22-year old RHP Lester Bell (5-4, 3.07 ERA, 76.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 3.29 FIP, 120 ERA+)

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The Queensland Eagles continued their mediocre ways, with the pitching and defense being the main culprits, while the offense is largely unremarkable.

There were some signs of improvement in the rotation. RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (70/70 – 9th overall pick, 1946-47) seemed to return to form in November, going 3-2, 1.88 ERA, 48.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP. No. 3 starter, 34-year old RHP Tyler Gissing (5-2, 1 SV, 3.90 ERA, 62.1 IP, 1.52 WHIP, 3.86 FIP, 90 ERA+) also picked up his game last month (2-1, 2.50 ERA, 36.0 IP, 1.28 WHIP).

Notable Performers

32-year old 1B Rod Dennis (.308/.405/.519, 9 HR, 32 HR, 29 BB, 159 OPS+, 1.4 WAR)
25-year old 2B Dennis Purcell (.257/.381/.485, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 33 BB, 143 OPS+, 1.9 WAR)
28-year old CF Matsuo Oyama (.248/.304/.496, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 8 BB, 122 OPS+, 0.8 WAR)

Rotation

31-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (4-6, 3.09 ERA, 84.1 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 3.41 FIP, 120 ERA+)

Player of the Week Awards:

November 3 – 1B Rod Dennis (.500, 13 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R)

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After an 8-game losing streak in early November that saw them fall to the basement, the Stratford Barons salvaged the month by going 12-5 the rest of the way. Their most pressing need it seems is to revitalize a struggling offense.

Future Hall of Famers, 32-year old CF Alfonso León (.213/.277/.330, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 17 BB, 68 OPS+, -0.1 WAR) and 39-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.206/.320/.262, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 19 BB, 64 OPS+, 0.0 WAR), are showing their age it would seem. The Barons have LF Don North (54/54 – 13th overall pick, 1949-50) in the starting lineup on a regular basis for the first time in six seasons and it appears that he is taking advantage of it. Down in Triple-A, both 25-year old 1B David Livesley (50/51 – 3rd-round pick, 1951-52 by Cambria) and 23-year old RF Conor Foulsham (39/55 – 2nd-round pick, 1957-58) are thriving and could give the major league lineup a boost in the not-too-distant future.

Notable Performers

29-year old 3B Walter Beauvais (.327/.379/.481, 1 HR, 13 HR, 12 BB, 137 OPS+, 1.8 WAR)
27-year old LF Don North (.277/.368/.416, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 23 BB, 117 OPS+, 1.0 WAR)

Rotation

30-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (5-6, 2.59 ERA, 83.1 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 3.23 FIP, 135 ERA+)
34-year old RHP Stephan Tindall (5-3, 2.77 ERA, 65.0 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 3.85 FIP, 126 ERA+)
32-year old RHP Bill Wolf (3-3, 3.00 ERA, 72.0 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 3.99 FIP, 116 ERA+)

Bullpen

28-year old RHP Glen Limon (2-1, 1 SV, 2.95 ERA, 21.1 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 3.62 FIP, 118 ERA+)

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The Brunswick Legends slipped further down the standings in the East during November and it’s clear that they are at a crossroads. Despite winning 97 games and the Pennant two seasons ago and their focus remaining on ‘win now’, they are primed for a rebuild. They have a number of prospects developing in Triple-A that could soon give them a boost in the rotation and lineup.

Florida-born 19-year old RHP Martín López (28/64 – 16th overall pick, 1957-58) was just promoted to Triple-A after going 6-2, 1.43 ERA, 88.0 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 2.37 FIP, 244 ERA+ in Double-A this season. Scouts feel the 11th-rated overall prospect has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation starter one day. The Legends top-rated position player, 23-year old OF Christie Eldred (46/63 – 13th overall pick, 1956-57 by Sherburn), was promoted to Triple-A late last season and is showing promise. The 12th-rated overall prospect was acquired in January 1958 when the Legends shipped 7-time all-star C Robert Kersey (77/77) to the Sherburn Tigers.

Notable Performers

30-year old 2B Harley Truman (.317/.377/.633, 11 HR, 38 RBI, 17 BB, 4 SB, 169 OPS+, 3.2 WAR)
28-year old 1B Jay Mitchell (.293/.373/.527, 9 RBI, 27 RBI, 22 BB, 4 SB, 142 OPS+, 0.8 WAR)
24-year old CF Yae-hyang Lee (.329/.374/.517, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 9 BB, 140 OPS+, 1.6 WAR)

Rotation

26-year old RHP Dave Ball (3-5, 3.50 ERA, 82.1 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 3.42 FIP, 109 ERA+)

Bullpen

33-year old RHP Byron Ollson (2-4, 2 SV, 2.54 ERA, 28.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 3.06 FIP, 151 ERA+)
28-year old rookie LHP Won-suk Ko (2-2, 2.52 ERA, 25.0 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 2.65 FIP, 152 ERA+)

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The Embro Suns bounced back in November, winning twice as many games as they did in October. But they still find themselves in the basement. They are being undermined by a rotation that is in shambles and a porous defense. And they do not have any promising young pitchers in their farm system that can help. That is something they are going to have to try and address in the upcoming Amateur Draft.

The lineup has been a pleasant surprise, however. RF Bill Spaeth (54/56 – 2nd overall pick, 1950-51 by Hespeler) was sensational in November, going .371/.418/.645, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 5 BB. The 6-year veteran was acquired from the Hespeler Stars in January 1955 and has been largely a disappointment, apart from his rookie season when he won a trip to the All-Star Game. He has just been moved into the three-hole for the Suns.

Notable Performers

28-year old RF Bill Spaeth (.306/.364/.488, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 11 BB, 133 OPS+, 0.5 WAR)
31-year old 2B Napana Mamo (.301/.350/.475, 7 HR, 28 HR, 14 BB, 126 OPS+, 1.3 WAR)
25-year old 1B Damien Whetter (.264/.367/.395, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 20 BB, 111 OPS+, 0.7 WAR)

Rotation

None.

Bullpen

27-year old stopper RHP Rob Gladstone (3-2, 3 SV, 1.78 ERA, 35.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 2.75 FIP, 198 ERA+)

Player of the Week Awards:

November 10 – 2B Napana Mamo (.435, 10 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI)

Highlights

November 28 – The Suns went into Hespeler for a three-game set to cap off the month and put on an offensive clinic, sweeping the three games by scores of 16-1, 12-9 and 13-6. In the first game, CF Bill Spaeth collected five of Embro’s 19 hits, going 5 for 6, 1 R, 7 RBI. On the afternoon, he singled in the 1st, hit an RBI triple in the 3rd, a 3-run double in the 4th, grounded out in the 6th, hit a 2-run single in the 7th and an RBI double in the 9th.

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05-05-2025, 12:55 AM	#854
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	December 1, 1958 Eastern League: Monarchs Lead Close Race for First -------- The Braeland City Monarchs continue to cling to first place in the East despite a mediocre November. They remain pretty solid on both sides of the ball but are still looking for key players like 2B Patrick Lidgate (73/73 – 1st overall pick, 1947-48) to pick up their game. He appears to have begun doing that in the last few games. RHP Jonathan Brookins (49/52 – 15th overall pick, 1952-53) caught fire in November to win his first Pitcher of the Month honor. Since being drafted by the Downie Chiefs, he has been traded twice and finally saw regular playing time with Braeland City two seasons ago where he picked up 22 saves and 14 wins. This season he has moved into the rotation as the Monarchs’ ace and has been impressive thus far. Notable Performers 28-year old RF Aidan Trembath (.302/.363/.511, 11 HR, 40 RBI, 18 BB, 133 OPS+, 1.4 WAR) 34-year old 1B Dean Witherden (.285/.355/.510, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 17 BB, 131 OPS+, 1.2 WAR) 33-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.218/.324/.460, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 27 BB, 9 SB, 190 OPS+, 1.4 WAR) Rotation 24-year old RHP Jonathan Brookins (8-2, 2.68 ERA, 84.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 2.48 FIP, 145 ERA+) 22-year old LHP Charlie Honeysett (4-5, 3.06 ERA, 64.21 IP, 1.34 WHIP, 3.78 FIP, 127 ERA+) 26-year old RHP Dara Eaddy (6-4, 3.28 ERA, 74.0 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 3.64 FIP, 118 ERA+) Bullpen 23-year old RHP Ramón González (2-2, 11 SV, 1.82 ERA, 39.2 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 2.90 FIP, 214 ERA+) Player of the Week Awards: December 1 – 2B Patrick Lidgate (.545, 12 H, 4 HR, 6 RBI) -------- Like the Monarchs, the Downie Chiefs cooled off in November and failed to gain any ground and remain a half back of first place, just as they were a month ago. After years of being a weak spot, the pitching continues to be a pleasant surprise. This is exemplified by RHP Eddie Stannard (45/45- 2nd round pick, 1949/50). Acquired in a trade from the Brunswick Legends in January 1952, the 8-year veteran has pitched mostly out of the bullpen during his career but has begun pitching exclusively out of the rotation for the first time this season. In fact, it’s been three seasons since he last started a game. But he has already matched his personal high of six wins in a season after just eight starts. In 1955-56, he started 11 games and went 6-3, 2.25 ERA, 104.0 IP. Although he is currently the Chiefs’ No. 4 starter, he has been their best pitcher to start the season. Notable Performers 23-year old rookie LF Jon Berose (.328/.381/.505, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 15 BB, 149 OPS+, 2.2 WAR) 28-year old 2B José Olivarez (.293/.333/.497, 9 HR, 18 RBI, 10 BB, 132 OPS+, 2.0 WAR) 27-year old 3B Freddie Ogburn (.317/.359/.585, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 8 BB, 163 OPS+, 1.6 WAR) 30-year old 1B Louie Revill (.258/.311/.500, 11 HR, 28 RBI, 13 BB, 126 OPS+, 0.9 WAR) 26-year old CF Ewan Komaki (.250/.317/.436, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 17 BB, 111 OPS+, 0.8 WAR) Rotation 30-year old RHP Eddie Stannard (6-0, 2.08 ERA, 52.0 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 3.44 FIP, 171 ERA+) 27-year old RHP Stefan Rankin (5-2, 2.83 ERA, 70.0 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 3.54 FIP, 125 ERA+) 27-year old LHP Lucas Franklin (3-6, 2.89 ERA, 84.0 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 4.29 FIP, 123 ERA+) Bullpen 24-year old stopper RHP Frank Greggs (3-0, 7 SV, 2.91 ERA, 43.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 3.53 FIP, 122 ERA+) Player of the Week Awards: November 17 – LF Jon Berose (.455, 15 H, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 11 R) November 24 – CF Ewan Komaki (.412, 7 H, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R) -------- The Wellington Athletics continue to remain within striking distance of first place despite an uneven month. After starting November with an 8-game winning streak that began in late October, the Athletics immediately embarked on a 6-game losing streak that saw them fall out of a first-place tie with Braeland City. Still, they remain a remarkably balanced squad that is remaining competitive despite the loss of their centerfielder, 26-year old Greg Yates (.297/.352/.468, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 9 BB, 133 OPS+, 1.4 WAR), to injury. The May 1956 trade with the Fort Richmond Generals is starting to pay dividends this season. In that trade, the Athletics acquired RF Wan-hua Gu (75/79, 2nd-round pick, 1953-54) and RHP Kazunori Fujimoto (47/47, 15th-overall pick, 1949-50). Gu has developed into the 6th-best position player in the United Leagues and is thriving as Wellington’s clean-up hitter. Fujimoto’s career has been more circuitous. After Wellington acquired him from Fort Richmond, they released him in March 1957. He then signed a minor league deal with the Kingston Pelicans five days later. Three months later, he was traded back to the Athletics. Since then, he has returned to the Athletics’ rotation and is currently their ace. Notable Performers 23-year old RF Wan-hua Gu (.337/.369/.526, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 11 BB, 4 SB, 153 OPS+, 2.4 WAR) 31-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.307/.382/.479, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 21 BB, 9 SB, 145 ERA+, 1.7 WAR) 32-year old 1B Carlos Camasura (.317/.412/.413, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 27 BB, 137 OPS+, 1.2 WAR) Rotation 32-year old RHP Kazunori Fujimoto (5-4, 2.91 ERA, 74.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 2.99 FIP, 111 ERA+) 27-yearold RHP Mike Murray (4-4, 2.92 ERA, 83.1 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 3.85 FIP, 111 ERA+) Bullpen 25-year old stopper RHP Christian Wiley (4-1, 9 SV, 1.60 ERA, 39.1 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 2.82 FIP, 202 ERA+) 39-year old RHP Rizal Doctolero (1-1, 1 SV, 1.71 ERA, 21.0 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 3.30 FIP, 189 ERA+) -------- The Cobourg Redlegs remain a wildly inconsistent bunch. They started off November with a 7-game winning streak only to follow it with a 1-6 stretch and then ended the month 2-6 following a 4-game winning streak. The offense and bullpen are not where they need to be, although there may be some positive signs if one looks hard enough. 30-year old 1B Juan Gonzáles (.195/.268/.437, 13 HR, 30 RBI, 15 BB, 90 OPS+, 0.5 WAR) made modest improvements in November, batting .232/.323/.500 and leads the United Leagues in home runs. 29-year old stopper RHP Brian McDaniel (2-6, 10 SV, 4.13 ERA, 32.2 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 4.45 FIP, 89 ERA+ - 60/60) was outstanding in November (0-1, 8 SV, 1.02 ERA, 17.2 IP, 1 HR, 1 BB) after a rough October (2-5, 1 SV, 7.80 ERA, 15.0 IP, 7 HR, 6 BB). He is currently rated the No. 1 reliever in the United Leagues. Notable Performers 27-year old SS Douglas Jones (.278/.355/.455, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 19 BB, 120 OPS+, 1.9 WAR) 32-year old LF Raymond Williams (.236/.328/.414, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 22 BB, 102 OPS+, 0.5 WAR) Rotation 30-year old LHP Bill Budd (6-3, 1.88 ERA, 96.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 2.70 FIP, 197 ERA+) 24-year old LHP Lachlan Lloyd (5-2, 2.54 ERA, 71.0 IP, 1.31 WHIP, 4.09 FIP, 145 ERA+) 33-year old LHP Axel Mackay (2-2, 2.61 ERA, 38.0 IP, 1.37 WHIP, 3.34 FIP, 142 ERA+) 22-year old RHP Lester Bell (5-4, 3.07 ERA, 76.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 3.29 FIP, 120 ERA+) -------- The Queensland Eagles continued their mediocre ways, with the pitching and defense being the main culprits, while the offense is largely unremarkable. There were some signs of improvement in the rotation. RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (70/70 – 9th overall pick, 1946-47) seemed to return to form in November, going 3-2, 1.88 ERA, 48.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP. No. 3 starter, 34-year old RHP Tyler Gissing (5-2, 1 SV, 3.90 ERA, 62.1 IP, 1.52 WHIP, 3.86 FIP, 90 ERA+) also picked up his game last month (2-1, 2.50 ERA, 36.0 IP, 1.28 WHIP). Notable Performers 32-year old 1B Rod Dennis (.308/.405/.519, 9 HR, 32 HR, 29 BB, 159 OPS+, 1.4 WAR) 25-year old 2B Dennis Purcell (.257/.381/.485, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 33 BB, 143 OPS+, 1.9 WAR) 28-year old CF Matsuo Oyama (.248/.304/.496, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 8 BB, 122 OPS+, 0.8 WAR) Rotation 31-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (4-6, 3.09 ERA, 84.1 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 3.41 FIP, 120 ERA+) Player of the Week Awards: November 3 – 1B Rod Dennis (.500, 13 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R) -------- After an 8-game losing streak in early November that saw them fall to the basement, the Stratford Barons salvaged the month by going 12-5 the rest of the way. Their most pressing need it seems is to revitalize a struggling offense. Future Hall of Famers, 32-year old CF Alfonso León (.213/.277/.330, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 17 BB, 68 OPS+, -0.1 WAR) and 39-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.206/.320/.262, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 19 BB, 64 OPS+, 0.0 WAR), are showing their age it would seem. The Barons have LF Don North (54/54 – 13th overall pick, 1949-50) in the starting lineup on a regular basis for the first time in six seasons and it appears that he is taking advantage of it. Down in Triple-A, both 25-year old 1B David Livesley (50/51 – 3rd-round pick, 1951-52 by Cambria) and 23-year old RF Conor Foulsham (39/55 – 2nd-round pick, 1957-58) are thriving and could give the major league lineup a boost in the not-too-distant future. Notable Performers 29-year old 3B Walter Beauvais (.327/.379/.481, 1 HR, 13 HR, 12 BB, 137 OPS+, 1.8 WAR) 27-year old LF Don North (.277/.368/.416, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 23 BB, 117 OPS+, 1.0 WAR) Rotation 30-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (5-6, 2.59 ERA, 83.1 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 3.23 FIP, 135 ERA+) 34-year old RHP Stephan Tindall (5-3, 2.77 ERA, 65.0 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 3.85 FIP, 126 ERA+) 32-year old RHP Bill Wolf (3-3, 3.00 ERA, 72.0 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 3.99 FIP, 116 ERA+) Bullpen 28-year old RHP Glen Limon (2-1, 1 SV, 2.95 ERA, 21.1 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 3.62 FIP, 118 ERA+) -------- The Brunswick Legends slipped further down the standings in the East during November and it’s clear that they are at a crossroads. Despite winning 97 games and the Pennant two seasons ago and their focus remaining on ‘win now’, they are primed for a rebuild. They have a number of prospects developing in Triple-A that could soon give them a boost in the rotation and lineup. Florida-born 19-year old RHP Martín López (28/64 – 16th overall pick, 1957-58) was just promoted to Triple-A after going 6-2, 1.43 ERA, 88.0 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 2.37 FIP, 244 ERA+ in Double-A this season. Scouts feel the 11th-rated overall prospect has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation starter one day. The Legends top-rated position player, 23-year old OF Christie Eldred (46/63 – 13th overall pick, 1956-57 by Sherburn), was promoted to Triple-A late last season and is showing promise. The 12th-rated overall prospect was acquired in January 1958 when the Legends shipped 7-time all-star C Robert Kersey (77/77) to the Sherburn Tigers. Notable Performers 30-year old 2B Harley Truman (.317/.377/.633, 11 HR, 38 RBI, 17 BB, 4 SB, 169 OPS+, 3.2 WAR) 28-year old 1B Jay Mitchell (.293/.373/.527, 9 RBI, 27 RBI, 22 BB, 4 SB, 142 OPS+, 0.8 WAR) 24-year old CF Yae-hyang Lee (.329/.374/.517, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 9 BB, 140 OPS+, 1.6 WAR) Rotation 26-year old RHP Dave Ball (3-5, 3.50 ERA, 82.1 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 3.42 FIP, 109 ERA+) Bullpen 33-year old RHP Byron Ollson (2-4, 2 SV, 2.54 ERA, 28.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 3.06 FIP, 151 ERA+) 28-year old rookie LHP Won-suk Ko (2-2, 2.52 ERA, 25.0 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 2.65 FIP, 152 ERA+) -------- The Embro Suns bounced back in November, winning twice as many games as they did in October. But they still find themselves in the basement. They are being undermined by a rotation that is in shambles and a porous defense. And they do not have any promising young pitchers in their farm system that can help. That is something they are going to have to try and address in the upcoming Amateur Draft. The lineup has been a pleasant surprise, however. RF Bill Spaeth (54/56 – 2nd overall pick, 1950-51 by Hespeler) was sensational in November, going .371/.418/.645, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 5 BB. The 6-year veteran was acquired from the Hespeler Stars in January 1955 and has been largely a disappointment, apart from his rookie season when he won a trip to the All-Star Game. He has just been moved into the three-hole for the Suns. Notable Performers 28-year old RF Bill Spaeth (.306/.364/.488, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 11 BB, 133 OPS+, 0.5 WAR) 31-year old 2B Napana Mamo (.301/.350/.475, 7 HR, 28 HR, 14 BB, 126 OPS+, 1.3 WAR) 25-year old 1B Damien Whetter (.264/.367/.395, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 20 BB, 111 OPS+, 0.7 WAR) Rotation None. Bullpen 27-year old stopper RHP Rob Gladstone (3-2, 3 SV, 1.78 ERA, 35.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 2.75 FIP, 198 ERA+) Player of the Week Awards: November 10 – 2B Napana Mamo (.435, 10 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI) Highlights November 28 – The Suns went into Hespeler for a three-game set to cap off the month and put on an offensive clinic, sweeping the three games by scores of 16-1, 12-9 and 13-6. In the first game, CF Bill Spaeth collected five of Embro’s 19 hits, going 5 for 6, 1 R, 7 RBI. On the afternoon, he singled in the 1st, hit an RBI triple in the 3rd, a 3-run double in the 4th, grounded out in the 6th, hit a 2-run single in the 7th and an RBI double in the 9th. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 05-23-2025 at 07:33 PM.