(Stating the obvious: colds are not fun! 
)
December 1, 1958
Western League: Tigers, Unions, Cannons, Trolleys All Vying for First
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Last month I said the
Sherburn Tigers were in trouble. This month they’re in first place. So much I know. After finishing October two games below .500, the Tigers then went 10-1 to start November and traded places with the Cambria Cannons, Wolseley Unions and Pulberry Trolleys at the top of the standings throughout the month. At two points in the month, three teams were briefly tied for top spot and the race remains extremely tight.
The offense has been sensational, led by lead-off hitter CF
Leon Albrecht (67/73) who was on fire in November, batting .429/.500/.615, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 14 BB. Curiously, despite his tremendous speed and baserunning skills, he has yet to steal a base and has made only two attempts.
The concern for the Tigers is the pitching as they are unduly relying on their top two starters. Ace RHP
Jesús Chapa (62/62) was stout in November (3-1, 2.44 ERA, 44.1 IP, 1.04 WHIP) while RHP
Ben Buschlen (56/56) won his third career Pitcher of the Month honour.
Notable Performers
26-year old CF
Leon Albrecht (.335/.423/.566, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 30 BB, 165 OPS+, 2.5 WAR)
28-year old LF
Ross Shewman (.303/.388/.587, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 20 BB, 160 OPS+, 2.2 WAR)
29-year old 3B
Adrian Flynn (.297/.359/.527, 9 HR, 34 RBI, 18 BB, 137 OPS+, 1.9 WAR)
29-year old 1B
Jay Durham (.283/.358/.514, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 18 BB, 133 OPS+, 1.3 WAR)
28-year old RF
Albert Sulley (.285/.403/.431, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 30 BB, 126 OPS+, 1.1 WAR)
30-year old C
Robert Kersey (.253/.371/.433, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 27 BB, 117 OPS+, 1.5 WAR)
Rotation
34-year old RHP
Jesús Chapa (5-4, 3.01 ERA, 80.2 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 2.98 FIP, 124 ERA+)
31-year old RHP
Ben Buschlen (7-3, 4.76 ERA, 75.2 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 3.58 FIP, 79 ERA+)
Bullpen
32-year old RHP
Shusaku Sasaki (4-2, 2 SV, 2.48 ERA, 29.0 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 3.91 FIP, 151 ERA+)
Player of the Week Awards:
November 10 – 3B
Adrian Flynn (.529, 9 H, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R)
November 17 – CF
Leon Albrecht (.640, 16 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 10 R)
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The
Wolseley Unions seem to be overachieving to start the season. Despite overall stats that place them in the middle of the pack in the West, they have been one of the more consistent clubs, remaining just a half game back of first place, thanks to a 6-game winning streak in the final week of the month. Based on their Pythagorean expectation, they are a +6, the most in the United Leagues.
The Unions must be breathing a sigh of relief over the early performance of RF
Jonathan Higgins (52/62 – 2nd-overall pick, 1955-56). The Milwaukee-native ruptured an Achilles tendon in his right knee halfway through his rookie season and was gone for the rest of the year. Although he came back last season, it wasn’t until this year that he finally regained his form. He is on pace to rack up 8.9 WAR.
Rookie RHP
Tommy Robertson (40/40 – 4th-round pick, 1954-55) currently exemplifies Wolseley’s overachieving ways. In October, the Tennessee-born Robertson went 2-1, 1 SV, 6.16 ERA, 19.0 IP, 2.32 WHIP. But this past month, the otherwise unremarkable reliever went 2-1, 1 SV, 0.92 ERA, 19.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP.
Notable Performers
24-year old RF
Jonathan Higgins (.344/.396/.575, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 14 BB, 4 SB, 161 OPS+, 3.0 WAR)
37-year old 1B
Carlton Hawking (.316/.404/.475, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 27 BB, 139 OPS+, 0.7 WAR)
24-year old LF
Steven Burkill (.256/.335/.470, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 19 BB, 117 OPS+, 1.1 WAR)
37-year old SS
George Kimpton (.270/.342/.421, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 19 BB, 107 OPS+, 0.5 WAR)
Rotation
23-year old RHP
Theo Morse (5-1, 2.60 ERA, 79.2 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 2.71 FIP, 144 ERA+)
25-year old RHP
Yasuo Yamauchi (3-5, 3.15 ERA, 65.2 IP, 1.48 WHIP, 3.48 FIP, 119 ERA+)
33-year old RHP
Roberto Garza (6-2, 3.43 ERA, 86.2 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 2.89 FIP, 110 ERA+)
Bullpen
27-year old stopper RHP
Robert Metcalfe (5-3, 10 SV, 2.85 ERA, 41.0 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 4.27 FIP, 132 ERA+)
26-year old RHP
Tommy Robertson (4-2, 2 SV, 3.49 ERA, 38.2 IP, 1.68 WHIP, 4.90 FIP, 107 ERA+)
Player of the Week Awards:
December 1 – RF
Jonathan Higgins (.500, 13 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI)
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In contrast with the Unions, the
Cambria Cannons appear to be underachieving. With an impressive lineup and steady pitching staff and defense, the Cannons should have a better record, although they are only a -1 based on their Pythagorean expectation. So perhaps they are not underachieving. Still, they remain very much in the mix for first place in the West.
Sophomore C
Mick Clark (62/64 – 2nd-round pick, 1954-55) appears to be settling in nicely as the Cannons’ regular catcher. The position has been a weak spot since the early 1950s when the 5-time All-Star C Heung-Su Park was in his prime. The Australian Clark is on track to collect 5.2 WAR and is rated as the No. 4 catcher in the ULB at the moment.
Notable Performers
26-year old SS
Doug Martin (.343/.396/.490, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 17 BB, 9 SB, 146 OPS+, 2.0 WAR)
32-year old 1B
Carlos Corea (.355/.387/.500, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 8 BB, 146 OPS+, 1.4 WAR)
29-year old RF
Sam Tite (.269/.353/.489, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 24 BB, 132 OPS+, 1.8 WAR)
25-year old C
Mick Clark (.307/.361/.438, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 13 BB, 122 OPS+, 1.7 WAR)
34-year old 3B
Louis Torres (.263/.317/.456, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 14 BB, 113 OPS+, 1.0 WAR)
Rotation
23-year old rookie RHP
Leo Lukies (5-2, 2.82 ERA, 79.2 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 3.30 FIP, 125 ERA+)
31-year old RHP
Fergus Hirst (4-3, 3.04ERA, 68.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 3.67 FIP, 116 ERA+)
Bullpen
30-year old RHP
Ray Lambright (5-2, 3 SV, 2.23 ERA, 44.1 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 3.46 FIP, 158 ERA+)
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The
Pulberry Trolleys are experiencing a bit of adversity for the first time in 6 seasons. Over the past several seasons, who was going to finish first in the West was a forgone conclusion. It was just a question of who would capture the wildcard. This year they are battling with four other clubs in the early going and find themselves in 4th place, although just 2 games back of first. A 3-6 finish to November saw them lose their grip of first place.
Their pitching staff remains one of the most dominant in the United Leagues, but their offense has been strangely sluggish. That cannot be said of C
Paul England (69/69 – 2nd-overall pick, 1951-52) who was on fire in November, going .350/.404/.637, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 6 BB and winning his second career Player of the Week Award.
The Trolleys have a nice prospect who appears close to making the majors. 23-year old IF/OF
Marvin Livingston (48/55 – 3rd-round pick, 1954-55 by Kingston) is excelling this season, his first at Triple-A, batting .306/.414/.481, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 28 BB, 141 OPS+, 2.5 WAR. He has speed to burn and can play anywhere in the outfield and at first base.
Notable Performers
28-year old C
Paul England (.287/.358/.487, 8 HR, 37 RBI, 16 BB, 138 OPS+, 1.9 WAR)
30-year old LF
Aidan Thirkettle (.246/.345/.485, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 22 BB, 134 ERA+, 1.9 WAR)
33-year old 1B
Ellis Dibble (.298/.362/.449, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 20 BB, 130 OPS+, 1.6 WAR)
31-year old CF
Cooper Tyson (.280/.340/.446, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 17 BB, 122 OPS+, 2.3 WAR)
23-year old RF
Joe Riding (.262/.344/.399, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 19 BB, 111 OPS+, 1.2 WAR)
Rotation
30-year old RHP
Taylor Folkard (7-3, 2.47 ERA, 83.2 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 3.00 FIP, 131 ERA+)
37-year old RHP
Robin Medellin (6-2, 2.42 ERA, 81.2 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 2.90 FIP, 133 ERA+)
37-year old RHP
Alexander Ellacott (3-1, 3 SV, 1.85 ERA, 39.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 3.80 FIP, 175 ERA+)
Bullpen
28-year old RHP
Eddie Roach (2-0, 2.40 ERA, 15.0 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 3.69 FIP, 135 ERA+)
Player of the Week Awards:
November 24 – C
Paul England (.556, 10 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R)
Highlights
November 18 – The Trolleys swept a 3-game series against the visiting Downie Chiefs. In the second game, 23-year old LHP
Bart Ohara (4-4, 3.42 ERA, 81.2 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 2.52 FIP, 95 ERA+) was brilliant, pitching a complete game
1-hit shut-out for a 3-0 victory. The two-time Satchel Paige Award winner went 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 116 PI, GS: 88. Pulberry scored all their runs in the 8th inning. Paul England provided the winning run when he smashed a solo home run off LHP Lucas Franklin to start the bottom frame.
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The
Hespeler Stars are the tease of the United Leagues right now. After starting November 2-6, they then caught fire, going 9-3. But they finished the month with a whimper with a 2-7 record and a 6-game losing streak. The offense has been respectable and there is a tantalizing group of prospects developing in the minors, but they also have a dearth of quality pitchers in the system and the once promising ones on the major league roster all appear to be fizzling.
Notable Performers
27-year old 3B
Clive Yarwood (.269/.359/.480, 9 HR, 19 RBI, 23 BB, 132 OPS+, 1.6 WAR)
26-year old C
Aidan Bennie (.311/.367/.476, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 13 BB, 125 OPS+, 1.6 WAR)
Rotation
29-year old LHP
Amoka Kalea (4-4, 3.11 ERA, 63.2 IP, 1.38 WHIP, 3.92 FIP, 125 ERA+)
Bullpen
27-year old RHP
Pedro Peña (3-1, 5 SV, 2.50 ERA, 39.2 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 3.55 FIP, 156 ERA+)
29-year old RHP
Curt McKnight (3-0, 3.79 ERA, 40.1 IP, 1.66 WHIP, 4.23 FIP, 103 ERA+)
Highlights
November 18 – The Stars swept a 3-game home series against the Brunswick Legends with Hespeler pulling out a thrilling 7-6 victory in 13 innings in game one. The Bennie and Benney boys were front and center. C
Aidan Bennie went
5 for 6 with 2 HR, 3 R and 3 RBI. After striking out in the 1st, Bennie hit a 2-run home run off RHP Dave Ball in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, doubled in the 7th and hit a game-tying one-out, solo home run off RHP Lao Chen in the bottom of the 9th that sent the game into extras. He also collected a single in the 11th. Meanwhile, 21-year old rookie SS
Alistair Benney (.267/.307/.398, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 11 BB, 88 OPS+, -0.8 WAR) went
5 for 7 with 2 R and 1 RBI. Benney singled in the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th innings, flied out in the 9th before Bennie hit his game-tying home run, grounded out in the 11th and lastly, hit a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the 13th off RHP Byron Ollson to win the game.
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The
Balmoral Giants have been bitten bad by the injury bug. The Giants have lost two key cogs for an extended period. 1B
Ángel Costa (58/58) who was off to best start in three seasons is gone for several more weeks and No. 1 starter, LHP
Carl McBroom (45/45), who was enjoying a career year, is gone for the season. That is a bad blow to the Giants’ fortunes going forward. That is reflected in the 3-12 record they put up to finish the month of November. This is not a team with a lot of depth so this may be only the start of their struggles the rest of the way. Six of their seven top prospects are in Triple-A and doing well, but none of them are projected to be better than an average major leaguer.
Notable Performers
28-year old 2B
Morgan Tyreman (.266/.363/.435, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 23 BB, 123 OPS+, 1.8 WAR)
38-year old 1B
Ángel Costa (.294/.381/.440, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 15 BB, 130 OPS+, 0.7 WAR)
Rotation
32-year old LHP
Carl McBroom (5-1, 2.40 ERA, 60.0 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 3.69 FIP, 141 ERA+)
24-year old RHP
Clive Kerwin (3-3, 3.23 ERA, 69.2 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 3.17 FIP, 105 ERA+)
Bullpen
35-year old RHP
Gavin Duckering (1-1, 1 SV, 1.19 ERA, 30.1 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 2.69 FIP, 285 ERA+)
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An anemic offense has the
Fort Richmond Generals firmly in the second division and competing with the Kingston Pelicans for last place. In the middle of November, the Generals went 4-12 which included an 8-game losing streak. Fort Richmond is squandering a top notch pitching rotation, which is currently one of top units in the West.
Notable Performers
26-year old 1B
Takuji Kanno (.384/.441/.630, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 13 BB, 204 OPS+, 2.5 WAR)
30-year old CF
Greg Cusack (.306/.359/.393, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 15 BB, 116 OPS+, 1.3 WAR)
Rotation
24-year old RHP
Kenete Yuri (3-2, 2.48 ERA, 83.1 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 3.08 FIP, 133 ERA+)
29-year old RHP
Damon Pinney (3-6, 2.19 ERA, 82.1 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 3.19 FIP, 152 ERA+)
30-year old RHP
Vinnie Snell (4-4, 2.99 ERA, 81.1 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 3.53 FIP, 111 ERA+)
29-year old RHP
Harvey Heseltine (3-1, 3.15 ERA, 45.2 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 3.26 FIP, 105 ERA+)
Player of the Week Awards:
November 3 – 1B
Takuji Kanno (.450, 9 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
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Like the Generals, the
Kingston Pelicans struggled in November, going 2-11 at one point, including a 7-game losing skid. But in the Pelicans’ case it’s a struggling pitching staff that is undermining them. The young lineup has been holding its own thus far. Unfortunately, Kingston does not have any highly rated pitching prospects in their system; only a couple of projected back-end starters toiling in Triple-A.
Notable Performers
25-year old CF
Dan Hesketh (.359/.420/.571, 8 HR, 34 RBI, 19 BB, 3 SB, 168 OPS+, 3.1 WAR)
29-year old LF
George Nipper (.302/.341/.478, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 13 BB, 122 OPS+, 1.4 WAR)
28-year old C
Ronald Armstrong (.285/.370/.468, 7 HR, 30 RBI, 21 BB, 128 OPS+, 1.6 WAR)
26-year old 1B
Ira Bannatyne (.284/.362/.484, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 19 BB, 129 OPS+, 1.1 WAR)
23-year old rookie SS
Ivar Nuyten (.321/.369/.429, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 10 BB, 118 OPS+, 1.8 WAR)
28-year old RF
Chris Ramsbottom (.292/.341/.451, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 14 BB, 4 SB, 115 OPS+, 1.0 WAR)
Rotation
None.
Bullpen
27-year old LHP
Senzo Hiroyuki (2-3, 1 SV, 3.15 ERA, 54.1 IP, 1.49 WHIP, 3.87 FIP, 118 ERA+)
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