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Sheffield Mountain Hares - July 2060 Monthly Report

Overview

July felt like June’s more volatile sibling. Where June was about steady accumulation and survival, July swung between dominance and damage. The offence showed clearer identity and punch, but the pitching staff lost some of its early-summer balance. Individual excellence kept Sheffield afloat, yet cracks widened.

Hot Bats

N. Ngunda (CF) was the offensive engine of the month, finishing July with a .281 AVG / .363 OBP / .506 SLG, 5 HR, 16 RBI, and 1.3 WAR across 23 games. Compared to June, his power output ticked up noticeably, turning solid contact into genuine run production and anchoring the lineup on most nights.

R. Graham (2B) continued his steady upward curve, posting a .283 / .371 / .533 slash with 4 HR and strong situational hitting. While his overall line closely mirrored June, July reinforced his value as a stabiliser rather than a streak bat.

E. Ali (SP) was in great form at the plate as well as on the mound (we'll get to that later). In July, he produced a staggering 9 HR, 1.017 OPS, and slugged .617.

Underperforming Bats

J. Morales (RF) endured a difficult July, hitting just .185 with a .553 OPS, a clear regression from his already muted June output. Contact issues persisted, and his struggles frequently stalled rallies.

E. Aas (1B, NOR) also slipped backwards month-to-month, finishing July at .192 AVG with 23 strikeouts, the highest total on the team. His power failed to surface consistently, limiting his impact in run-producing spots.

Bench production remained thin, offering little relief when regulars faltered - a continuation, and slight worsening, of June’s trend.

Rotation & Bullpen

June leaned on rotation depth. July leaned on one arm.

E. Ali (SP, ETH) was Sheffield’s clear ace in July, posting a 3.57 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and holding opponents to a .183 batting average across 22.2 innings. All three marks represented improvements over June, and he was the only starter to consistently halt losing streaks.

Behind him, June’s warning signs hardened into July problems:

I. Saville (SP, NZL) struggled with command, finishing the month with an elevated ERA and frequent early exits.
R. Ochoa (SP, VEN) faced similar issues, running high pitch counts and exposing the bullpen more often than in June.

Out of the bullpen, S. Burhan (RP) emerged as a major positive, recording a 1.04 ERA over 9 appearances, with excellent strike efficiency and minimal traffic. Conversely, N. Barrios (CL, DOM) battled command, allowing inherited runners to score and turning multiple save chances into high-stress situations.

Defence & Fundamentals

Defence remained broadly steady compared to June, but July’s pitching volatility magnified every minor lapse. Where June’s staff could absorb an error, July’s often could not. Aggressive baserunning stayed central to Sheffield’s identity, though success rates dipped slightly under increased pressure.

July Awards

Pitcher of the Month: Eskinder Ali (SP, ETH)
3.57 ERA, 22.2 IP, 0.93 WHIP, .183 OPP AVG
Ali was already strong in June, but July marked a clear leap. Improved command, run suppression, and workload stability made him indispensable.

Batter of the Month: Nsen Ngunda (CF)
.281 / .363 / .506, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 1.3 WAR
A tangible month-to-month improvement, combining patience, power, and consistency to become Sheffield’s most reliable bat.