October 3, 1938
The Coconut Leagues are in the books and Opening Day has arrived. In this portion, we’ll look at the results of Spring Training as well as the projections for the teams in each League, starting in the East:
The defending Eastern League champions, the Wellington Athletics, finished on top of the standings, but if the projections mean anything, they will have a fight on their hands, just like last year. Only, instead of the Queensland Eagles being their primary foe, they will be battling the likes of the Stratford Barons and Embro Suns for a playoff berth. Not only that, but the Eagles and Brunswick Legends may also put up a challenge, perhaps hinting at a tight race down the stretch.
The Barons’ strength would appear to be in their pitching, as they are projected to have three pitchers enjoy Top 10 success:
• Ryan Borden (19-7, 2.75)
• Justin Hayhurst (17-12, 2.70)
• Kazuhiko Chikafuji (19-10, 3.07)
Along with a position player:
• Bryan Livesley (.314, 16 HR, 101 RBI)
The Athletics and Suns each had three position players projected to have Top 10 success, as well as one starting pitcher. Perhaps it’s no coincidence then that they are projected to finish within a game of each other in the standings.
For the Suns:
• Anthony Stavely (.356, 22 HR, 114 RBI)
• Paul Hooks (.322, 23 HR, 102 RBI)
• Jake Walker (.331, 4 HR, 86 RBI)
• Colm Soper (20-8, 2.55)
For the Athletics:
• Quentin Stubber (.303, 16 HR, 80 RBI)
• Bob Boynton (.309, 16 HR, 116 RBI)
• Ryley McLarnon (.336, 3 HR, 101 RBI)
• Clyde Boney (18-9, 3.09)
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Now, a look at the Western League:
The Kingston Pelicans finished with the best record in the West, indeed, the best record overall, but they are not projected to be quite as dominate like last season. At least two teams appear ready to challenge them: the Balmoral Giants and Pulberry Trolleys. What makes this all the more interesting is that they are coming off the two worst finishes from the previous season, and neither of them made much of an impression in Spring Training.
If looking at projected Top 10 performances only, the Pelicans would appear to be scary good, having no less than two position players and three pitchers making an appearance:
• Okura Ito (.340, 21 HR, 105 RBI)
• Fergus Chitty (.285, 29 HR, 108 RBI)
• Brady Murdy (20-12, 3.44)
• Hirotada Fukushima (18-10, 3.09)
• Joey Cumberledge (16-15, 2.92)
The fact is, the Pelicans are loaded with talent and have easily the best infield in the United Leagues. Only in centerfield, rightfield and the bullpen, could they be considered below average.
For the Giants, they have one position player and one pitcher in the Top 10:
• Ninfa Puzon (.329, 8 HR, 70 RBI)
• David Cooling (18-12, 2.84)
For the Trolleys, it’s a similar story:
• Finlay Petty (.320, 16 HR, 98 RBI)
• Owen Tautor (19-7, 3.34)
While projections are nice and all, the Kingston Pelicans appear to be just too dominate a team to be seriously challenged for top spot, barring major injuries of course. It looks like the only race in the West will be for the wild card this season.
