[BirdWatcher]

As I alluded to earlier, I decided to pause momentarily and take a deeper dive as the WPK calendar turns to September 1st of 1980.

So going division by division I will check in on each team and provide a bit of a preview of what the upcoming pennant races might look like and some of the players that could affect the outcomes.

Most of this should be self-explanatory, but so that I can simplify things a bit below, I'll lay out a few basics first. As I go team by team I will list (though you can also find this in the post above) their current record and place in the standings, how their record compares to their pythagorean expected wins total, their ratings in the league for runs scored (RS) and runs against (RA).

I will then list the best position player and best pitcher for each team, based mostly upon their WAR this season, though when those numbers are very close I will use my best judgement. I will also indicate a player who is on the rise as well as one who is looking to be in the decline phase of their career (occasionally these categories might feature comeback players or players having disappointing seasons instead, but that will be noted.) And looking at the stretch run I will isolate one or more players who are roster expansion additions who might have some impact and also will identify which significant players are currently on the IL and will be for part or all of the rest of the season.
Finally, I'll give a little summary overview for each team as we head into the final full month of the regular season.



Shoeless Joe League, West Division

the El Paso Dawgs: , 79-51, 1st place, +3 (over pythag expected wins), RS: 6th, RA: 1st.

Best position player: Pete Wierderkehr, CF, 28 years old- .321/.389/.498, 6.2 WAR.

Best pitcher: Phil Satterfield, RHP, 30- 12-7, 2.66, 1.16 WHIP, 4.1 WAR (started season with Seattle.)

On the Rise: Rich Davis, CL, 24- 6-3, 27 svs, 3.47, 1.28 WHIP, 1.0 WAR.

In Decline: Jeremy Nickerson, RF, 29- .225/.273/.318, -0.8 WAR.

Key September call-up: Arturo Uscanga, SS, 22- 6.2 WAR at AA this season. Great defense and speed!

Out of commission: Malachi Person, SS, 26- .284/.305/.387, 3.1 WAR- has fractured hip and is out 7 to 8 months.

Pennant Race Summary: The Dawgs, having finally completed their rise from being the weakest team in the WPK for the first decade of the league's existence, not only won the SJL in 1978 but in fact they also earned their first WPK championship title by defeating the Denver Brewers 4 games to 2 in the Kinsella Classic Series. But 1979 was a reversal of fortunes for the Dawgs as they finished in a distant 7th place. Behind a deep if unheralded starting pitching rotation and with the league's best defense the Dawgs have bounced back in 1980. They are under-powered offensively (10th in HR's) and they are relying on a few starting pitchers (Dan Bottom and Vincent Medina) who are considered wrecked in terms of injury proneness so there are some possible perils ahead but at the moment they are the favorite to win the SJL West, with a bit over a 71% chance of taking the division.


the San Antonio Keys: 76-54, 2nd place, +3, RS: 2nd, RA: 8th

Best position player: John Mussaw, 2b, 26- .292/.368/.499, 6.4 WAR.

Best pitcher: Michael Noland, LHP, 25- 13-9, 3.63, 1.34 WHIP, 4.6 WAR

On the rise: Mike Shervey, RF, 25- .305/.344/.515, 2.6 WAR in 381 plate appearances.

In decline: Erik Sloan, LHP, 37- 7-15, 4.85, 1.45 WHIP (between 2 teams.)

Key September call-up: None (meaning nobody significant.)

Out of commission: Tommy Egli, RP, 25- torn rotator cuff, out 5 weeks. Not a significant contributor to the team when healthy.

Pennant race summary: The reigning SJL pennant winners remain a potent offensive powerhouse with players like center fielder Zach McClelland, shortstop Bud Lindsay (when he's healthy), and left fielder John Freeman, along with the aforementioned Mussaw and Shervey, presenting a scary sight for opposing pitchers. Their starting rotation isn't bad, their bullpen is though. And they have been disappointing defensively this year. Don't count them out yet- they are given a bit less than a 30% chance of winning the division- but they need to keep Lindsay healthy and they need to field their positions better and perhaps try to limit their bullpen usage.

the Seattle Alligators: 61-68, 3rd place, +3, RS: 7th, RA: 10th.

Best position player: Fred Reinhardt, 1B, 29- .325/.377/.469, 4.4 WAR.

Best pitcher: Eduardo Carillo, RHP, 27- 12-8, 3.62, 1.32 WHIP, 3.0 WAR.

On the rise: Justin Pauly, 2B, 25- .290/.358/.452, 4.4 WAR.

In decline: Bubba Houston, RP, 29- 3-4, 2 svs, 3.59, 1.55 WHIP, -0.1 WAR (injury prone and once was very promising pitcher.)

Key September call-up: Chris Pate, LF, 23- 4 WAR between A and AA this season.

Out of commission: Steve Rosales, LHP, 23- 9-8, 4.62, 1.57 WHIP, 1.8 WAR (torn meniscus, 3-4 months)- Rosales is one of the most promising young starting pitchers in the WPK but was probably rushed to the big leagues a bit too soon.

Pennant race summary: This is truly a 2-team race and it is a testament to how significantly the talent level in this division drops off after El Paso and San Antonio that a team this weak has managed to stay in 3rd place nearly the entire season. Nothing to see here folks.

the Chicago Fire: 52-78, 4th place, -1, RS: 11th, RA: 5th

Best position player: Jose Flores, CF, 24- .271/.357/.406, 3.3 WAR.

Best pitcher: Daniel Riha, RHP, 28- 12-8, 3.39, 1.32 WHIP, 3.8 WAR.

On the rise: John Miller, 3B, 24- .255/.310/.378, 2.3 WAR.

In decline: Jalen Cotton, RHP, 34- 9-16, 4.37, 1.51 WHIP, 1.6 WAR. One of the most underrated pitchers in the game due to pitching for poor teams most of his career. He has had WAR's of at least 5 for the past 4 seasons. But time seems to be running out on Cotton as for once he likely deserves his poor win-loss record.

Key September call-up: Pat Corral, SP, 23- a 2-way player who is also a decent left fielder. Not a great talent, but could be useful.

Out of commission: Alfredo Sanchez, CL, 28- shoulder inflammation, out for 3-4 more months.

Pennant race summary: After a 100-loss season in 1979, this actually marks some improvement for this original expansion team in its 6th season. No chance to contend yet, and probably not anytime soon. But their minor league system is ranked 4th best and talent is on the way. Better days should be coming eventually.

the Houston Cavaliers: 52-79, 5th place, +2, RS: 12th, RA: 9th.

Best position player: Carlos Lopez, C, 31- .239/.294/.373, 1.9 WAR.

Best pitcher: Adrian Moreno, RHP, 30- 8-15, 4.38, 1.54, 3.0 WAR.

On the rise: Matt Harris, CL, 24- 9-3, 20 svs, 1.71, 1.31 WHIP, 2.1 WAR.

In decline: Trevor Leach, 3B, 36- .248/.283/.367, 1.2 WAR.

Key September call-up: Eric Huch, RP, 22- possible future starting pitcher, but profiles as fragile.

Out of commission: None

Pennant race summary: See Chicago Fire above, except Houston's farm system is #2 and in 19 year old outfield prospect Alex Raymos they have a guy who looks like a possible generational talent.

the Milwaukee Cadets: 46-84, 6th place, -8, RS: 10th, RA: 6th.

Best position player: Josh Schultz, 1B, 32- .259/.345/.377, 2.3 WAR.

Best pitcher: Rich Serrrano, RHP, 25- 6-11, 3.76, 1.29 WHIP, 3.5 WAR.

On the rise: Bobby Olsen, LF, 24- .305/.429/.450, 1.4 WAR in 163 plate appearances

In decline: Matt Kinney, LF, 29- .265/.297/.418, 0.8 WAR.

Key September call-up: Jon Ehrhardt, RF, 24- .340/.370/.528 at AA, 3.7 WAR between AA and AAA, a Captain and has a plus hit tool.

Out of commission: Curtis Robey, SP, 23- torn labrum- out another 4-5 months- great potential pitcher and fan favorite- profiles as durable.

Pennant race summary: The Cadets have under-achieved this season but even if they hadn't they are a middle-of-the-road team at best. They do have some good young talent but not much coming after the current crop as their farm system is ranked 15th. They were hit with an abnormal number of injuries and at least some improvement next season is likely- but they have already been mathematically eliminated from contention this season.

Next up: the SJL East.