NABO48 w/ MLBPA ... Updated for '26

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This team has been rather fortunate in avoiding serious and/or long term injuries.

Looks like there might be some promotions in the near future.

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Logan Webb missed one week, one start, with a dead arm.

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Endy is on pace for his established talent/production level of 3 WAR, an above average batter and average defensive catcher. When Ohtani pitches, Endy serves as DH while Romo gets some time behing the plate.

After looking like he figured out his batting weakness last year, Romo is back to struggling at the plate, while being excellent behind it.

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STARTING INFIELDERS ...

Not many in NABO had confidence in Tommy Tanks, but his reputation as a solid NABO 1B is growing. White has reached 560 AB in NABO and hit 30 HR with 97 RBI. After an incredible rookie half season last year, Tommy's 2028 production is more in line with expectations, leading to a league average quality 1B, all for the league minimum salary.

Nicky G is on pace to have his best season as a Shire, while still produces under league average value. This is a position where the team could achieve an upgrade for lower money, and/or retain Nick as their IF sub, or platoon role.

Joey has been a league average batter with great defensive value, leading to nearly All-Star quality play at SS. In '28 he has taken a step back at the plate, leading to a pace of half his previous value.

Moore has met expectations by producing similar to departed Arenado for much less money. While he is still producing below league average for a 3B, he's producing enough to likely keep being the starter if the team decides to address possible upgrades at other positions. Regardless, Moore would still be a quality platoon/utility player given his salary.

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STARTING OUTFIELDERS AND DH ...

Anthony has taken a huge step backwards in his 3rd season, namely in the reduction of doubles and triples, leading to a much lower AVG and SLG. Throw in a lower walk rate and his production is essentially down across the board, except for SB. The Shires will need Anthony to have a much better rest of season if they expect to contend for the postseason.

Chase was an above average CF during his rookie season, but like a few others has taken a step back this season. His numbers are down in essentially every aspect, and the team is looking for him to produce somewhere between how he played last year and where he is producing now.

Garcia is one of the few position players producing at or above expectations, and it's almost all batting average and BABIP. Ig he can continue to produce 15% above league average, he will provide adequate production in RF, while still being below average.

Preseason predictions had Shohei as a top 10 batter, but his production has decreased each of the last 2 seasons, perhaps indicating that he is in full on decline. While still being an above average batter, his ~20% decrease over each of the last couple of season limits his value as a DH. At this point, the team is resolved to expecting 2 WAR at DH and 2 WAR as a SP to make his 40M salary worthwhile.

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SUBSTITUTES - POSITION PLAYERS ...

Barrosa emerged as a league average CF in '26, but has regressed to being replacement level. In order to be more useful, Barrosa needs to be hitting better and/or stealing bases. As of now, he appears to be a player that can easily be replaced.

Signed only to complete an owner goal, Altuve's value has dropped along with his batting production. In order to be useful, Altuve needs to bat at league average levels, and not the 56 OPS+ level he's currently hitting.

Gonzalez, once part of a very productive RF platoon has seen his production and playing time significantly reduced. If the production continues, Gonzalez likely finds himself outside of the team's future plans.

Tawa, the team's Swiss Army Knife, provides value in his ability to play essentially every position except catcher. When batting near league average levels, he is useful. However, his present batting production wipes out all of the value he has in his defensive versatility.

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PLAYER PROFILES --- STARTING PITCHERS ...

For some reason, I did not get Logan Webb's profile, but he's producing as expected, around his usual all-star level quality. He's on pace for a 4 fWAR season, down from his usual 5 fWAR production, but regression to the mean will likely do its thing in the second half.

Aldegheri had an amazing start to his rookie season last year, something like 13-2 by the All-Star break, but regressed heavily in the 2nd half ... yet still productive. With great ratings and FIP value, he shows promise with being a staple at the top of the rotation, but sequencing and BABIP have his ERA higher than it likely should be.

The expectations were that Bello would be an above average pitcher as the 3rd starter, following the loss of Scherzer and Nola to FA ... and he has produced as expected, if not better. The team is currently in contract negotiations with the 29yo hurler.

Ohtani is on pace to be a league average SP, which is acceptable for the team. His ERA is higher than it should be given his peripherals, and that will likely improve as the season goes on.

With Cory Lewis struggling early, and Ellwanger collapsing as a prospect, Ty Johnson slipped into the 5th spot and has performed well enough. TJ is on pace for league average production as the 5th starter.

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LONG AND MIDDLE RELIEVERS ...

Ellwanger has struggled, to say the least. With a 2:1 walk-k rate, he has, most times, been unpitchable. Still a high potential pitcher, he'll get his chances and hopefully return to the rotation, even if it's next season.

Lewis, still likely a league average SP, has been releagted to the MR role due to the arrival of LR Ellwanger and the production of SP Johnson. While Lewis does have value for the team in the rotation, his greatest value may be in the trade market if StL decides they need an upgrade at 2B or CF more than they need a league average SP in the bullpen.

Morejon has been reasonably productive, and is likely affected by the .357 BABIP against, meaning his production will likely improve as the season goes on ... leading to him having a greater role in the BP.

Kerkering has been disappointing in '28, as the team continues to work with him to reach his potential as a late game anchor. He's another player that is probably experiencing an inflated ERA due to a high BABIP.

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LATE GAME RELIEVERS ...

Enright has been a quality stopper for the Shires over the past 2 seasons, but increases in walks and hits are reducing his production. The team would love it if Kerkering could put everything together and replace Enright as a late game arm.

Evan "Seven" Phillips is a 7th inning staple for StL. He has been high value the past 2 seasons, but in '28 he is struggling (comparatively) and it's due to the walks and the longball, despite an incredible .190 BABIP.

Kelley has emerged in his 1st season and pitched himself into a dominant late game role, featuring a very low walk rate and ,237 BABIP ... 2 stats that will likely regress to league average rates. Until then, he will continue to serve in the late game role.

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The Shires start the month of June with a home sweep over struggling Salt Lake.

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Facing last place Nebraska, StL gets 4 very well pitched games leading to another sweep ... putting StL 7-0 to start June.

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In game 1 of the series, the bullpen blows the lead, following a great start by Webb and the winning streak is snapped at 7.

in G62, StL gets 3 early runs and a good start from Aldegheri, StL's 6th consecutive good outing by the SP's.

G63 - Bello gives up the lead to Ohio in the 4th, but the Shires get an unlikely go ahead HR from Barossa and the bullpen shut it down ... StL takes the series, 9-1 so far in the month.

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G64 - Trailing the whole game, StL ties it up in the 9th and Adolis Garcia walks it off in the 10th with a 3-R HR.

G65 - Once gain, trailing for all of the game, the Shires score 3 runs late, but fall 1 run short against talented Montreal.

G66 - Leading 8-4 going into the 7th, Evan Phillips and the Shires BP had an absolute meltdown, allowing 6 runs, and preventing Webb from getting another win, as StL drops a wild series against Montreal. StL is now 10-3 in the month.

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St Louis travels to Las Vegas and splits a 4-game series with the Sharks, moving to 11-5 in June.

Windy City is also 11-5 for the month, meaning our Shires have not gained a single game in the standings.

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St Louis loses 2 of 3 hosting Pennsylvania, in 3 well played 1-Run games.

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In a series of close games, the Shires take 2 of 3 from the Toronto Towers.

StL will finish up the month of June hosting a 3-game set with 1st place San Diego before heading to Chicago to take on another 1st place team, the division rival Windy City Whitetails.

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StL sweeps 1st place San Diego at home, including a wild one in game 2 of the series and beating former Shire player Jordan Montgomery in the final game of the series.

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StL takes 3 of 4 from 1st place Windy City, pulling to 4 GB at the All-Star Break.

Rookie Ty Johnson was outstanding in G1 of the series, while Tommy Tanks knocked in the only run of the game.

Evan Phillips had a meltdown in G2 of the series, contributing to 5 runs allowed in the inning, tied 2-2 at the start.

In G3, Adolis El Bombi Garcia, a key part of the "Lefty Destroyers" lineup, led the Shires to a 6-4 win.

G4 of the series was a great game, tied 2-2 for much of it. Things got a little wild in extra innings with both teams refusing to budge. The Shires eventually got Treinen out of the game (3 IP, 0 R, 6 K) and took the lead 4-3 as Ortiz was walked with the bases loaded. Rookie RP, just called up, entered the game with a runner on 1B with 1-out and induced a game ending DP.