1902 MEXICAN WINTER LEAGUE LEAGUE MID-SEASON REPORT
(Report Date - 11/17/02)
LEAGUE REPORT
Code:
1902 STANDINGS
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Obregon Orangemen 22 11 .667 - 19-14
Mazatlan Black Hawks 20 13 .606 2.0 20-13
Guasave Hippies 17 16 .515 5.0 18-15
Mochis Wranglers 17 16 .515 5.0 19-14
Culiacan Moths 16 17 .485 6.0 17-16
Hermosillo Victorians 16 17 .485 6.0 16-17
Navojoa Chameleons 14 19 .424 8.0 14-19
Mexicali Leopards 10 23 .303 12.0 9-24
Team Spotlight: Obregon Orangemen
- The defending MWL Champs look to be at it again as the defend their crown with the best 1st half record. They are doing it on the mound this year, as their offense just hasn't been good, ranking 6th in Avg and 5th in runs scored. But the pitching of the Orangemen has been stellar. The only team with an ERA under 3.00, they also lead the league in Opp Avg, HR allowed and strikeouts and have been led by the 1-2 punch of Joe Furnaguerra & Severo Cruz both with 5 wins, ranking them 2nd in the league.
Pitcher Spotlight: SP Vic Willis (CUL)
- Willis has been fantastic the 1st half of the season. He is the only pitcher with 6 wins in the league, and has won 37.5% of the Moths total wins this year. Along with the 6-1 record, he has a 2.17 era (6th), 1.05 whip (6th) and leads the MWL in both IP and HR allowed, the only pitcher in the league not to give one up yet this season. He needs help from the other starters on Culican, as no teammate has more than 2 wins. But if he keeps this up, Willis is on pace to break the wins record while winning his 1st Cy Young.
Hitter Spotlight: RF Koto Inokuma (MOC)
- Acquired via trade with Seibu in Japan, Inokuma has made an immediate impact for the Mochis and is a power hitter the Mexican League has never seen before. The record for HR in a season in the MWL is 17, with 42 games left, Koto already has 10...in 23 games, and is on pace to shatter the previous record. If he didn't suffer an injury which he is due back from any day, he might already be at 17. He is the only player in the league with double digits in HR and also leads the league in Vorp. He would lead the league with his .400 avg, but doesn't have enough AB to qualify. As long as he can stay healthy, he should easily walk away with MVP honors and the Wranglers could easily make a run at the playoffs with him anchoring their lineup.
Rookie Spotlight: CL John Deringer (CUL)
- Deringer spent the past 2 seasons in Cincinnati's organization as a RP for their minor league team Everett. Released in the off-season, he signed a 1 yr deal with Culican and has found a home as their closer. With 9 saves in 10 chances and a 2.35 era, Deringer is the front runner for ROY, leading all Rookie pitchers in saves and Vorp and ranking tied for 4th in saves in all of the MWL. At 23yo, he is looking to sign an extension and remain in Mexico as one of the top closers.
LEAGUE LEADERS
Code:
STATISTIC LEADER
Batting Avg G. Davis (OBR) - .379
OPS D. Huincho (MAZ) - .920
Home Runs K. Inokuma (MOC) - 10
RBI 2 tied w/ 23
Runs Scored V. Herrera (MAZ) - 20
SB K. Nishida (GUA) - 14
ERA S. Cortez (OBR) - 1.31
Wins V. Willis (CUL) - 6-1
Saves S. Gazzard (HER) - 12
Strikeouts J. Nealy (GUA) - 50