[ayaghmour2]

So close! Yet, so far...

Our crazy turbulent success and failure filled season is over, as secret agent Billy Riley once again struggled against the Stars, blowing our 3-1 first inning lead with 6 hits, 5 runs, a walk, and 2 strikeouts in just 2.2 innings pitched. For some reason, Clyde Meyer decided it was a job for Rusty Watts, giving him 4 innings with 4 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and a strikeout. Harry Parker got the final out of the 7th, before Harry MacRae allowed 2 hits, 2 runs, and 3 walks with a strikeout in 2 innings. In the end, we lost 9-5, despite just one fewer hit. Leo Mitchell didn't homer like Bill Barrett, but his 2-for-5 is better then a 1-for-4 with a walk. Right? Carlos Montes had a big game, 2-for-3 with 2 runs, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, a double, and a homer. Ray Ford, who ended up spraining his ankle, was 2-for-5 with a double, run, and RBI. Don Lee was 1-for-3 with a run, double, and two walks.

So, how do I feel about this? Well, considering I gave up on the season at least three times, forcing a playoff and winning 92 games is pretty impressive. We have a major chip on our shoulder for next season, and with the lottery system, we get three shots at the first pick. It's a minor consolation, but considering that we won 10 more games then last season, brought our expected record differential from -6 to -5, and finished the season 54-29! Yes, it sucks to come up short. Again... But, we have a loaded roster, a farm system with over 200 points, and a bunch of talented AAA guys ready to contribute next season. There will be some roster movement as we look to get better, but its hard, and perhaps selfish, to complain about ten consecutive winning seasons and the second best record in the FABL.

Some questions marks going into next season are the corners of the infield, as we have a bunch of veterans that could fill out the positions, with a few youngsters mixed in, and potentially plenty of options on the trade market. First base was a strength for us, as both Dick Walker and Ray Ford hit really well, but they're both getting up their in age. Walker may not look like someone who just turned 40, as he had his best season since joining the Cougars. Walker slashed .262/.381/.467 (143 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 17 triples, 11 homers, 21 steals, 52 RBIs, and 82 walks in 130 games. Truly remarkable all-around numbers, he posted a 147 WRC+ and 4.8 WAR. While definitely hard to maintain, it's clear Walker still has plenty of talent, and he still hasn't lost a step. We've seen Dave Trowbridge, who granted, profiles as a much different player, play deep into his 40s, and Walker's herniated disc last season was his first injury as a baseball player. Ford, 35, got into 91 games, but he spent about half of those coming off the bench. He overcome a slow start, finishing with a .292/.381/.361 (114 OPS+) line. Ford's power took a steep drop, going from 10 homers in 1942 to just 2 this season, but his plate discipline is superb and he still puts the ball in play a ton. I don't see us adding another first basemen, but we have plenty of internal options, including third basemen Hank Barnett, 24-year-old Lou Thomas, and former 1st Rounder Otto Christian. Christian is an interesting option because he can cover first and third, and the now 24-year-old has game changing power potential. He hit 11 homers in a league where no one else came past 8, and he did it without playing the final month of the season. Christian got a cup of coffee, 0-for-2 with a run scored, but will have a shot in camp to earn the starting job.

At third base he's competing with 7-Time All Star Hank Barnett, who had the first below average offensive season of his career. It came down to the wire, as his 99 WRC+ fell just short, as the 37-year-old hit .236/.313/.357 (92 OPS+), a steep drop off from his .295/.370/.438 (132 OPS+) line two years ago. It was the first time since 1933 (.247) he hit below .250, first time since 1933 (.333) he had an OBP below .350, or slugging below .400 (.386), and '33 was his second season as an every day player. He did hit 14 home runs and drove in 61 with a bit above average defense (5.2, 1.010), so it might be a bit too early to give up on the former star. The issue is we need to make some sort of upgrade, as the Stars are only going to get better, and I have to believe the Wolves and Cannons will return to form, and the Sailors are maybe a piece away from being extremely scary. There are a few third basemen I have my eyes on, but there are plenty of internal options besides Otto.

The most interesting one might be George Sutterfield, a talented shortstop who's just a year younger then 7-year big leaguer Skipper Schneider. Sutterfield is comparable defensively to Skipper, and had an elite 28.4 zone rating and 1.180 efficiency down in Milwaukee. He even had a Skipper-like .283/.340/.373 (93 OPS+) triple slash with 26 doubles, 5 triples, 3 homers, 11 steals, and 66 RBIs. While not quite the line you want from someone at the hot corner, but with his glove, it's going to be next to impossible to get the ball through the left side of our infield. Tom Weinstock loves Sutterfield, thinking he could be better then Skipper, praising his defense and swing. 25 in March, Sutterfield will make the roster regardless, unlike Otto who will only get it if he's playing regularly, and he could easily hit his way into a role. The last option would be Billy Hunter, who quite fittingly decided that instead of spending time on the IL, he would just not hit. Coming into this season, Hunter had posted four consecutive seasons with a WRC+ above 120, but he hit just .224/.286/.315 (73 OPS+) in 262 trips to the plate. He hasn't played much third base in the big leagues, just 16 games with half back in 1942, but he's got a great arm and has played quality defense most of his career. The 31-year-old has plenty of talent and an amazing bat, but it's tough to rely on him. This was his first below average offensive season, but also the first one he didn't miss any time since 1939, which happens to be his previous worst season.

Beyond that, there's not too many areas for improvement. The outfield was superb, as Hal Sharp produced a 151 WRC+ and didn't absolutely kill us in right (-12.4, .959) while Carlos Montes and Leo Mitchell put up 4 WAR seasons. As expected, Mitchell took homer Batter of the Month for September, hitting .414/.417/.541 with 4 homers and 21 RBIs. Was it enough for a Whitney? Not sure, especially with the loss. But he should again finish top two, and I think he'll get more love this season. The thing that may hurt or work in his favor is some people like using old stats to select awards. While that means no 160 WRC+ and .396 wOBA, both bests in baseball, that means a .247 average may not be Whitney worthy. The 33-year-old continues to be one of the best hitters in baseball, and having someone like him in the middle of the lineup makes like for a manager much easier. It was also nice to see Montes healthy, as he hit .239/.319/.363 (96 OPS+) in a career high 148 games and 626 plate appearances. He provided a 103 WRC+ and 14.2 zone rating (.1.035 eff) with 28 doubles, 5 triples, 10 homers, 19 steals, and 61 RBIs. There's also Don Lee and his 113 WRC+ in 199 PAs, and I expect him to see more time in center and right next year. With Hunter's struggles, he took on the right side of the Hal Sharp platoon, and he looked very comfortable in right. After a healthy season, I'm sure Montes will get hurt next year, giving Lee time to man center again. Waiting in the farm is 32nd ranked prospect Johnny Peters, who hit .268/.361/.387 (109 OPS+) in AA this season, and will turn 23 in January. He's set for Milwaukee next season, played improved defense (5.1, 1.011), and could be ready for a taste of the big leagues next year. Catcher looks good too, as Harry Mead hit .258/.346/.386 (110 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 10 homers, and 64 RBIs, while continuing to be one of the best catcher's in the game. He threw out nearly 60% of runners who tried to steal, and earned a plus (0.7) frame rating while continuing to manage the staff well. Add in a .289/.398/.361 (119 OPS+) line for backup Homer Guthrie and Eddie Howard waiting in AAA, and it's hard to find a team with better catching depth.

The pitching was a strength all season, and with Duke Bybee joining a group with six pitchers that started 15 or more games with an ERA+ above 100, and it's quite clear that no new starters need to be added. In fact, one will likely be subtracted, as double agent Billy Riley should be dealt by Opening Day. Not sure for what or when, but a deal will come to fruition. Pap was the best pitcher, and perhaps best player, in either association this season, while Donnie Jones was a win away from 20. If we can avoid the stretch where he decides to suck next season, we'll have easily the best 1-2 in the game, with Joe Brown, Donnie Jones, and Duke Bybee filling out an elite rotation. Harry Parker will get some starts, but with Harry MacRae's late season struggles (5 ER, 9 H, 5 BB in 4 G), Parker seems like the favorite for the stopper role. I may start with a six man rotation again, but it will depend on Bybee's spring and the amount of double headers. Like this season, the most important thing will be getting Pap and Donnie as many starts as possible, while also pairing them with the best teams on the schedule. Having Parker (or Bybee or Brown) to enter the rotation for a week is a huge plus, and there's always the inevitable injury bug that you can't prep for.

While I'm not pleased with the final outcome, it's hard not to be happy about such a successful season. We won a lot of games, even if we dropped some we shouldn't have, and the future looks very bright. The system is loaded, the big league roster is stacked, and we could be picking top three for the second time in three seasons. I can't wait for the draft, as there are some very exciting prospects, and with no military callups or returns, it should move quicker then usual. Sure, a title would have been nice, but the Stars had a lot of things go well for them and plenty of talent to help them keep pace with us. This was another fun and exciting season of Figment baseball, and just being able to watch guys like Peter the Heater play fake baseball again is a joy. Let's just get him the ring he deserves! Cougars fans have suffered enough!