OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

reds1 · 12-03-2019, 08:05 PM

March 25, 1952

Western League: Unions, Pelicans Playoff Bound Once Again

--------

Offense: .277/.355/.411 (1st/1st/1st)
Pitching: 3.12/3.19/2.76 (1st/1st/1st)
Defense: .710 (Tied for 5th)

The Wolseley Unions clinched first place in the west on March 17, exactly one week before the last day of the regular season. But like the Wellington Athletics, it feels as though the Unions lurched into the playoffs, winning just two more games than they lost in the final two months. They enter the playoffs missing three front-line players: two pitchers from the rotation and their top third baseman. But after getting swept by the Fort Richmond Generals in three straight games in their penultimate series, the Unions finished strong, sweeping the Cambria Cannons in the final four games and outscoring them, 34-12.

Despite all the injuries however, Wolseley still boasts the most impressive rotation in the United Leagues. The four-man rotation for the Western League Pennant has been set:

26-year old RHP Roberto Garza (17-10, 2.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 2.84 FIP)
35-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (10-9, 3.88 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 3.03 FIP)
32-year old RHP Kai Tosh (14-10, 3.37 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.74 FIP)
32-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (9-18, 3.68 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 3.85 FIP)

There’s little left to say that hasn’t already been said about 30-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.348/.476/.587, 26 HR, 126 RBI, 138 BB, 7.9 WAR): Triple Crown winner and of course, Western League Batting Title winner for the third time in his career. But perhaps what is most impressive is that Hawking did not slow down or tire out down the stretch. His AVG, OBP and SLG actually went up in the final two months. Almost lost in the awesomeness of Hawking is that both 30-year old SS George Kimpton (.303/.376/.453, 14 HR, 96 RBI, 71 BB, 6 SB, 5.9 WAR) and 28-year old 2B Make-Make Kamaka (.307/.402/.420, 8 HR, 53 RBI, 70 BB, 7 SB, 4.4 WAR) enjoyed their best seasons.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 4 – LF Carlton Hawking (.579, 11 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI)
February 18 – SS George Kimpton (.393, 11 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI)
February 25 – LF Carlton Hawking (.545, 12 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

16th overall – 2B Kaituoe Mowan (29/57). The 22-year old Fijian felt right at home in AA, batting .330/.365/.473, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 4 BB, 8 SB, 0.6 WAR in 91 at-bats. On March 1, he was promoted to the AAA Caledonia Jets, where he made 53 at-bats, hitting .208/.276/.226, 1-2B, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 3 SB, -0.2 WAR. In the playoffs, he helped the Jets by hitting .318/.318/.591, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 SB in 22 at-bats from the No. 4 spot. In the Kings Cup, he batted .385/.385/.769, 1 HR, 2 RBI in 13 AB as the Jets swept the Rutledge Red Caps (Pulberry) in three-straight to win the AAA championship.

Current Injuries:

December 10 – RHP Jeremy Albury – ruptured ulnar collateral ligament. Out for: 3 more months.
February 5 – RHP Bill Blair – torn flexor tendon. Out for: 4-5 more months.
February 10 – RHP Roderick Naughton – elbow ligament reconstruction surgery. Out for: 4-5 more months.
February 22 – 3B Carlos Ortíz – fractured knee. Out for: 4-5 more months.
March 4 – 3B Burt Willey – post-concussion syndrome. Out for: 2-3 more months.

--------

Offense: .248/.328/.376 (7th/3rd/4th)
Pitching: 3.49/3.56/3.18 (4th/4th/2nd)
Defense: .710 (Tied for 5th)

A disastrous February nearly derailed the Kingston Pelicans’ push for the playoffs, but a strong recovery enabled them to catch the Pulberry Trolleys and force a tie-breaker for the wild card. The pitching staff got stronger as the season progressed; in fact, the rotation has become sneaky good. It is largely responsible for the return of the Pelicans to the playoffs after a five-year absence. Kingston has determined its four-man rotation:

31-year old LHP Patrick Denman (21-11, 2.98 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 3.73 FIP)
27-year old RHP Kieran Bunce (14-10, 3.26 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 3.63 FIP)
26-year old RHP Brian Marsland (14-14, 3.22 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 3.80 FIP)
25-year old LHP Rob Hutchence (12-5, 2.48 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 3.58 FIP)

27-year old RHP Kaula Mafileo (7-6, 26 SV, 2.43 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.61 FIP) enjoyed his best season yet. The 4th-season stopper was originally drafted in the 2nd-round back in 1943-44.

The biggest concern for the Pelicans going forward is their offense, as their long-time stalwarts are approaching the end of their careers. 36-year old 2B Katsunan Chikafuji (.276/.358/.443, 20 HR, 85 RBI, 67 BB, 4.8 WAR) continues to play at a high level and was Kingston’s best player once again. But 37-year old 1B Dean Bishop’s (.225/.357/.410, 19 HR, 86 RBI, 95 BB, 2.3 WAR) overall play regressed for the second straight season, although the slugger and 9-time Ball Hawk award winner still showed flashes of brilliance at times.

But other than 25-year old C Carlos Camasura (.273/.373/.366, 6 HR, 53 RBI, 81 BB, 4.5 WAR) and 27-year old RF Mo Spenceley (.283/.352/.460, 16 HR, 76 RBI, 62 BB, 2.0 WAR), this is a club that is in need of a talent infusion. The farm system, rated 12th overall, doesn’t inspire confidence. It’s hard to see them going much farther if they don’t address the lack of future impact players soon.

Player of the Week Awards:

March 17 – RHP Brian Marsland (2-0, 17.1 IP, 6 K, 0.52 ERA)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

8th overall – OF Chris Ramsbottom (27/60). The 21-year old enjoyed a promising first year in professional baseball. He batted out of the No. 3 spot in the lineup with the AA Elgin Angels and quickly got comfortable. In 349 AB, he hit .307/.356/.390, 4 HR, 57 RBI, 28 BB, 17 SB, 1.3 WAR. He played mostly in rightfield and was solid defensively (.987 PCT, 2.11 RNG, +4.3 ZR, 1.043 EFF).

Current Injuries: None.

--------

Offense: .268/.338/.400 (2nd/2nd/2nd)
Pitching: 3.83/3.67/4.45 (5th/6th/6th)
Defense: .722 (2nd)

The Pulberry Trolleys finish with a winning record for the first time in their 15-year history and although they fell agonizingly short in reaching the playoffs, their 85 wins represents a 22-game improvement over last season, the third best in ULB history.

Sidebar: The record for greatest one-year improvement goes to the Braeland City Monarchs, who went from 68-86 (8th place) in 1946-47 to 96-58 (2nd) one year later, a 28 wins difference. The Cambria Cannons improved by 25 games, when they went from 74-80 (2nd place) in 1938-39 to 99-55 (1st) one year later, winning the United Cup in the process.

The pitching staff was perhaps the main culprit in preventing the club from tasting the playoffs for the first time, but overall its play improved as the season wore on. Pulberry appears to have an ace in the making in 22-year old LHP Ramón Castro (14-6, 2.59 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 3.05 FIP), but beyond him the staff is comprised of 5little more than journeymen and cast-offs from other teams. But the rotation may get a boost next season if recently acquired 24-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (4-2, 4 SV, 4.27 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 4.75 FIP – 52-65) delivers on his promise, a promise that didn’t pan out with Braeland City, who drafted him 16th overall back in 1949-50. But Folkard’s performance improved once he arrived in Pulberry (3-1, 3 SV, 2.08 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 3.36 FIP). The future starter finished the season as the Trolleys’ stopper. Pulberry also has 22-year old LHP Dermott Rathbone (46/62), who was drafted in the second round back 1949-50 and was promoted from AAA at the end of the season. He won a Pitcher of the Month Award for January in AAA when he went 4-0, 1.97 ERA, 1.08 WHIP in six starts.

Without question, Pulberry’s strength is their offense, but the Trolleys may have to explore a trade or two to resolve its overabundance of talent in the outfield and address some weaknesses elsewhere. 25-year old CF Cooper Tyson (.313/.405/.504, 14 HR, 96 RBI, 89 BB, 10 SB, 8.8 WAR – 67/77) officially joined the ranks of the elite this season and could soon be joined by 23-year old rookie LF Aidan Thirkettle (.275/.376/.450, 10 HR, 71 RBI, 73 BB, 15 SB, 3.5 WAR – 61/80). But 27-year old RF Ellis Dibble’s (.323/.385/.468, 12 HR, 87 RBI, 61 BB, 4.4 WAR) stellar play prevented 23-year old OF John Oldknow (.284/.356/.448, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 30 BB, 2.4 WAR – 51/80) from seeing any regular playing time. Thus, the Trolleys have a decision to make: either trade from their outfield depth to strengthen other areas or shift some players around so that their best players can get regular at-bats. One option would be to simply shift Thirkettle to first base (45) and let Oldknow start in leftfield (70), his best position defensively.

Noteworthy:

February 1 – Playing the Legends in an interleague matchup in Brunswick, the Trolleys soundly defeated the home team 7-2. Of Pulberry’s 14 hits, CF Cooper Tyson collected five of them, going 5 for 5 on the afternoon. All were singles, collected in the 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th innings. He also scored 3 R. LF Aiden Thirkettle was hot as well, going 3 for 5, with a two-run home run, 2 RBI and 3 R.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

2nd overall – C Paul England (25/70). England saw very little action in his first year, getting into a few games as a pinch hitter but didn’t make a start. In 36 AB, he batted .222/.333/.361, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 BB, 0.1 WAR.

Current Injuries: None.

--------

Offense: .261/.321/.374 (4th/6th/5th)
Pitching: 3.38/3.32/3.76 (2nd/2nd/4th)
Defense: .727 (1st)

Their four-year playoff run comes to an end as Fort Richmond Generals were unable to maintain their strong play in November and December, where they went 33-20 and got to within a game of the wild card. Instead, the Generals went just 36-36 the rest of the way and fell back to fourth place.

There is no mystery as to their stumble. While the pitching staff remains one of the top units in the ULB, the lineup has become largely uneven. 27-year old SS Nobuyoshi Yoshida (.312/.367/.439, 8 HR, 78 RBI, 47 BB, 6 SB, 6.8 WAR) and 29-year old CF Dylan Moyne (.297/.364/.435, 19 HR, 66 RBI, 61 BB, 12 SB, 6.1 WAR) carried the offense. After them, there was a noticeable drop-off in production. Further complicating things is that the farm system is not exactly overflowing with impact position players (rated 9th overall). But if 30-year old C Louis Wearne (.231/.317/.362, 16 HR, 77 RBI, 62 BB, 2.4 WAR) can bounce back and 23-year old 3B Mason Geake (.222/.307/.303, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 40 BB, 0.5 WAR – 42/60) takes the next step, the Generals could be right back in the playoff picture next season.

Sensational. That it the word to describe the season 31-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (20-10, 2.02 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.27 FIP, 193 ERA+) enjoyed. Grimes previously won the 1948-49 Satchel Paige Award with the Braeland City Monarchs, but his performances suffered as the Monarchs’ fortunes started to fade. But since his trade to the Generals in January 1951, Grimes has been outstanding (28-12, 2.05 ERA, 1.10 WHIP in 45 starts). Not bad for a pitcher who scouts consider as a ‘borderline’ starter. 29-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (13-15, 3.24 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.44 FIP) finished the season strong and Fort Richmond also has a future starter in 24-year old LHP Diarmid Rowet (48/60), a 2nd-round pick from 1950-51 who was promoted from AAA and pitched 1.1 innings late in the season.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 11 – CF Dylan Moyne (.433, 13 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

15th overall – SS Morgan Tyreman (20/58). The 22-year old Tyreman saw limited action in AA, making just 7 starts and 33 AB. His line was .303/.410/.455, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 0.3 WAR.

Current Injuries:

February 16 – RHP Glen Limon –strained forearm. Out for: 6 more weeks.

--------

Offense: .230/.308/.320 (8th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 3.46/3.45/3.50 (3rd/3rd/3rd)
Defense: .720 (3rd)

Defying all expectations, the Balmoral Giants finished the season strong, winning seven straight games to end the season; nine of their last ten. In March, they were ‘giant’ killers, taking 2 of 3 games from Pulberry, 3 of 4 from Wolseley and 2 of 3 from Fort Richmond. Only Kingston proved to be unconquerable – the Giants fell to the Pelicans in all three games.

But it doesn’t hide the fact that Balmoral is in rough shape, at least offensively. The team averaged just 3.3 R/G, just ahead of the 1943-44 Downie Chiefs (3.2) and sported by far the worst team batting average in United Leagues’ history - .230. Add to that the worst-ranked farm system in the ULB, and you have a team that is in dire need of change – both in management and direction. Perhaps it will happen this off-season. We’ll see.

The Giants have a rotation and bullpen that is of playoff caliber and it leads one to wonder how far Balmoral could go if they had a decent lineup. The top three starter were terrific once again: 27-year old RHP Quintiliano Galeo (18-13, 2.97 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.52 FIP, 134 ERA+), 32-year old LHP Ricardo Cruz (13-8, 3.27 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 3.73 FIP, 121 ERA+) and 26-year old RHP Rodrigo González (13-14, 2.96 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 3.19 FIP, 134 ERA+) are as good as any trio in the United Leagues. Second-year starter 28-year old LHP Ron Albin (10-12, 3.41 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 3.21 FIP, 116 ERA+) looks like a keeper as well.

But there was absolutely nothing to get excited about on offense this year. Perhaps 23-year old rookie 2B Erik Perry (.204/.288/.291, 15-2B, 25 RBI, 33 BB, -0.3 WAR – 40/62) will one day provide a spark, but the Giants are going to need a lot more kindling if they want to ignite a turnaround.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

10th overall – LHP Euan Mackenzie (41/73). Mackenzie pitched the entire season in AAA and showed promise as the Canterbury Seals’ stopper. He went 2-6, 9 SV, 4.78 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 4.16 FIP in 43.1 IP.

Current Injuries:

February 23 – SS Sean Brearton – strained abdominal muscle. Out for: 2-3 more weeks.

--------

Offense: .264/.322/.362 (3rd/4th/7th)
Pitching: 3.97/3.65/5.15 (6th/5th/8th)
Defense: .695 (7th)

The Sherburn Tigers reach 70 wins for the first time in four years. Both the offense and pitching staffs made modest strides over last season but the club still has a way to go if it hopes to compete in the first division again. Like the Giants, the Tigers do not have a strong farm system (13th overall) to immediately draw talent from and while not quite a dire as Balmoral, the lineup is not exactly an imposing bunch. But it appears Sherburn has drafted a star of the future (Archie Eridge – more on him below). If they can keep making picks like that, then they be a force in the not-too-distant future.

28-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (15-11, 2.64 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 3.00 FIP, 153 ERA+) enjoyed one of his most impressive years yet in his nine-year career and is rightly considered a the top starter in the ULB at season’s end. He’s head-and-shoulders above everyone else on the staff. 24-year old RHP Bradley Strawson (9-15, 3.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 3.75 FIP, 108 ERA+ - 51/60) needs to continue improving his control, but the former 4th overall pick has the stuff to be a solid addition to the rotation.

The lineup is devoid of stars, but 25-year old 2B Jack Burt (.321/.368/.461, 2 HR, 43 RBI, 27 BB, 3.6 WAR) enjoyed another fine season and didn’t embarrass himself in the field (.973 PCT, 5.38 RNG, +1.3 ZR, .997 EFF).

Player of the Week Awards:

March 10 – C Quim Cypriano (.550, 11 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

1st overall – 3B Archie Eridge (33/72). The 23-year old Eridge enjoyed an outstanding first season in AA, batting .346/.437/.538, 11 HR, 51 RBI, 42 BB, 8 SB, 3.3 WAR in 266 at-bats from the No. 4 spot in the lineup and quickly became the No. 1-rated player in the Heritage Leagues. His Hannon Greyhounds won the Governors Cup, where he batted .412/.545/.706, 1 HR, 6 RBI in 17 at-bats, helping the Greyhounds defeat the Vandecar Spurs (Cambria) 3 games to 2 for the AA championship.

Current Injuries:

December 23 – RHP Bobby Hogg – torn labrum. Out for: 5-6 more weeks.
March 10 – LHP Lucas Nott – back spasms. Out for: DtD, unknown.

--------

Offense: .253/.322/.380 (5th/5th/3rd)
Pitching: 4.53/4.40/4.91 (8th/8th/7th)
Defense: .690 (8th)

Injuries were the story as the Cambria Cannons endured their worst season, at least in terms of wins. But even if the team enjoyed better health, it’s doubtful they would have seriously competed for a playoff spot. It’s been seven straight seasons now that the Cannons have missed the playoffs and, in that span, finished above .500 only once. Cambria has one of the stronger farm systems (3rd overall) but are devoid of any upcoming impact pitchers. Fix that (and their porous defense), then they may see a return to relevance. But it’s more likely some further lean years are ahead before they turn things around.

It looks as though last season’s strong pitching performance was a blip rather than a trend. Dropping to 3.70, the pitching was a League worst 4.53 this year. At this point, the Cannons are hoping 29-year old LHP Jamie Wigley (8-10, 4.98 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 3.83 FIP, 79 ERA+) can bounce back from a injury-shortened season and 22-year old LHP Bill Southern (12-20, 3.78 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 3.88 FIP, 104 ERA+) is not too shell-shocked from the lack of support he received. Southern finished the season strong and enters the off-season as Cambria’s No. 1 starter.

32-year old SS César Ruíz (.301/.406/.508, 24 HR, 83 RBI, 93 BB, 6.3 WAR) was Cambria best overall player, but like everyone else, struggled defensively (.923 PCT, 4.50 RNG, -9.1 ZR, .965 EFF). 25-year old 1B Carlos Correa (.282/.344/.424, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 47 BB, 0.4 WAR) represents the extreme. While he has found a home in the No. 3 spot, he looks completely lost in the field (.991 PCT, 9.91 RNG, -18.4 ZR, .815 EFF). Here’s hoping 22-year old CF Sam Tite (.199/.259/.318, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 12 BB, 2 SB, 0.3 WAR – 36/80), the top-rated prospect in the ULB who missed most of the season, can enjoy an injury-free season next year.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

7th overall – 1B Jay Durham (32/72). Like Sherburn’s Archie Eridge, the 23-year old Durham was outstanding in his first AA campaign. In 275 at-bats, he went .367/.435/.607, 13 HR, 63 RBI, 27 BB, 3.5 WAR, hitting out of the No. 4 spot for the Vandecar Spurs. He also made an impression in the playoffs, batting .417/.533/.750, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB in 12 at-bats against Eridge’s Hannon Greyhounds. After his season was over, Durham was promoted to Cambria’s AAA club, the Mitchell Quicksteps.

Current Injuries:

December 25 – 3B Wayne Hudson – fractured wrist. Out for: 1-2 more weeks.
January 12 – C Alexander Pyatt – torn posterior cruciate ligament. Out for: 4 more months.
January 13 – RHP Luke Woodward – partially torn UCL. Out for: 4-5 more months.

--------

Offense: .248/.318/.364 (6th/7th/6th)
Pitching: 3.99/3.90/4.45 (7th/7th/5th)
Defense: .717 (4th)

The agony continues for the Hespeler Stars, as the team finishes nowhere near a playoff spot for the 15th straight season. The Stars have finished no closer than 8 games to a wild card, which they ‘achieved’ in their inaugural season, the only time they finished above .500 (79-75). They are now the only team not to have won 80 or more games in a season (Pulberry came off the list this season). Whether its through poor drafting or just bad karma, the Stars have continually seen promising prospects fail to reach their initial potential time and time again.

Perhaps that could change next season. 25-year old LHP Larry Kovnats (12-19, 3.96 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 3.66 FIP, 102 ERA+ - 55/55) finally showed signs of improvement, especially in the months of December, January and February (8-8, 2.85 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) and 23-year old RF Tim Beattie (.265/.336/.344, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 41 BB, 0.4 WAR – 44/75) will be given every chance to build upon his rookie campaign. Although he regressed a bit, the Stars should not give up on their lead-off hitter, 24-year old CF John McMurray (.256/.315/.382, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 46 BB, 8 SB, 1.6 WAR). Finally, Hespeler has a promising outfielder in 21-year old Bill Spaeth (.337/.407/.609, 31 HR, 123 RBI, 57 BB, 5.4 WAR – 23/80) who went on a tear in AA. Spaeth was a 2nd overall pick back in 1950-51.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

3rd overall – 3B Clive Yarwood (20/69). The 20-year old Yarwood enjoyed a promising first season in AA, batting .221/.330/.357, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 25 BB, 0.3 WAR in 199 AB. He batted mainly out of the No. 8 spot in the lineup.

Current Injuries: None.

--------

12-03-2019, 08:05 PM	#546
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	March 25, 1952 Western League: Unions, Pelicans Playoff Bound Once Again -------- Offense: .277/.355/.411 (1st/1st/1st) Pitching: 3.12/3.19/2.76 (1st/1st/1st) Defense: .710 (Tied for 5th) The Wolseley Unions clinched first place in the west on March 17, exactly one week before the last day of the regular season. But like the Wellington Athletics, it feels as though the Unions lurched into the playoffs, winning just two more games than they lost in the final two months. They enter the playoffs missing three front-line players: two pitchers from the rotation and their top third baseman. But after getting swept by the Fort Richmond Generals in three straight games in their penultimate series, the Unions finished strong, sweeping the Cambria Cannons in the final four games and outscoring them, 34-12. Despite all the injuries however, Wolseley still boasts the most impressive rotation in the United Leagues. The four-man rotation for the Western League Pennant has been set: 26-year old RHP Roberto Garza (17-10, 2.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 2.84 FIP) 35-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (10-9, 3.88 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 3.03 FIP) 32-year old RHP Kai Tosh (14-10, 3.37 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.74 FIP) 32-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (9-18, 3.68 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 3.85 FIP) There’s little left to say that hasn’t already been said about 30-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.348/.476/.587, 26 HR, 126 RBI, 138 BB, 7.9 WAR): Triple Crown winner and of course, Western League Batting Title winner for the third time in his career. But perhaps what is most impressive is that Hawking did not slow down or tire out down the stretch. His AVG, OBP and SLG actually went up in the final two months. Almost lost in the awesomeness of Hawking is that both 30-year old SS George Kimpton (.303/.376/.453, 14 HR, 96 RBI, 71 BB, 6 SB, 5.9 WAR) and 28-year old 2B Make-Make Kamaka (.307/.402/.420, 8 HR, 53 RBI, 70 BB, 7 SB, 4.4 WAR) enjoyed their best seasons. Player of the Week Awards: February 4 – LF Carlton Hawking (.579, 11 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI) February 18 – SS George Kimpton (.393, 11 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI) February 25 – LF Carlton Hawking (.545, 12 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI) First Round Draft Pick Update: 16th overall – 2B Kaituoe Mowan (29/57). The 22-year old Fijian felt right at home in AA, batting .330/.365/.473, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 4 BB, 8 SB, 0.6 WAR in 91 at-bats. On March 1, he was promoted to the AAA Caledonia Jets, where he made 53 at-bats, hitting .208/.276/.226, 1-2B, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 3 SB, -0.2 WAR. In the playoffs, he helped the Jets by hitting .318/.318/.591, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 SB in 22 at-bats from the No. 4 spot. In the Kings Cup, he batted .385/.385/.769, 1 HR, 2 RBI in 13 AB as the Jets swept the Rutledge Red Caps (Pulberry) in three-straight to win the AAA championship. Current Injuries: December 10 – RHP Jeremy Albury – ruptured ulnar collateral ligament. Out for: 3 more months. February 5 – RHP Bill Blair – torn flexor tendon. Out for: 4-5 more months. February 10 – RHP Roderick Naughton – elbow ligament reconstruction surgery. Out for: 4-5 more months. February 22 – 3B Carlos Ortíz – fractured knee. Out for: 4-5 more months. March 4 – 3B Burt Willey – post-concussion syndrome. Out for: 2-3 more months. -------- Offense: .248/.328/.376 (7th/3rd/4th) Pitching: 3.49/3.56/3.18 (4th/4th/2nd) Defense: .710 (Tied for 5th) A disastrous February nearly derailed the Kingston Pelicans’ push for the playoffs, but a strong recovery enabled them to catch the Pulberry Trolleys and force a tie-breaker for the wild card. The pitching staff got stronger as the season progressed; in fact, the rotation has become sneaky good. It is largely responsible for the return of the Pelicans to the playoffs after a five-year absence. Kingston has determined its four-man rotation: 31-year old LHP Patrick Denman (21-11, 2.98 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 3.73 FIP) 27-year old RHP Kieran Bunce (14-10, 3.26 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 3.63 FIP) 26-year old RHP Brian Marsland (14-14, 3.22 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 3.80 FIP) 25-year old LHP Rob Hutchence (12-5, 2.48 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 3.58 FIP) 27-year old RHP Kaula Mafileo (7-6, 26 SV, 2.43 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.61 FIP) enjoyed his best season yet. The 4th-season stopper was originally drafted in the 2nd-round back in 1943-44. The biggest concern for the Pelicans going forward is their offense, as their long-time stalwarts are approaching the end of their careers. 36-year old 2B Katsunan Chikafuji (.276/.358/.443, 20 HR, 85 RBI, 67 BB, 4.8 WAR) continues to play at a high level and was Kingston’s best player once again. But 37-year old 1B Dean Bishop’s (.225/.357/.410, 19 HR, 86 RBI, 95 BB, 2.3 WAR) overall play regressed for the second straight season, although the slugger and 9-time Ball Hawk award winner still showed flashes of brilliance at times. But other than 25-year old C Carlos Camasura (.273/.373/.366, 6 HR, 53 RBI, 81 BB, 4.5 WAR) and 27-year old RF Mo Spenceley (.283/.352/.460, 16 HR, 76 RBI, 62 BB, 2.0 WAR), this is a club that is in need of a talent infusion. The farm system, rated 12th overall, doesn’t inspire confidence. It’s hard to see them going much farther if they don’t address the lack of future impact players soon. Player of the Week Awards: March 17 – RHP Brian Marsland (2-0, 17.1 IP, 6 K, 0.52 ERA) First Round Draft Pick Update: 8th overall – OF Chris Ramsbottom (27/60). The 21-year old enjoyed a promising first year in professional baseball. He batted out of the No. 3 spot in the lineup with the AA Elgin Angels and quickly got comfortable. In 349 AB, he hit .307/.356/.390, 4 HR, 57 RBI, 28 BB, 17 SB, 1.3 WAR. He played mostly in rightfield and was solid defensively (.987 PCT, 2.11 RNG, +4.3 ZR, 1.043 EFF). Current Injuries: None. -------- Offense: .268/.338/.400 (2nd/2nd/2nd) Pitching: 3.83/3.67/4.45 (5th/6th/6th) Defense: .722 (2nd) The Pulberry Trolleys finish with a winning record for the first time in their 15-year history and although they fell agonizingly short in reaching the playoffs, their 85 wins represents a 22-game improvement over last season, the third best in ULB history. Sidebar: The record for greatest one-year improvement goes to the Braeland City Monarchs, who went from 68-86 (8th place) in 1946-47 to 96-58 (2nd) one year later, a 28 wins difference. The Cambria Cannons improved by 25 games, when they went from 74-80 (2nd place) in 1938-39 to 99-55 (1st) one year later, winning the United Cup in the process. The pitching staff was perhaps the main culprit in preventing the club from tasting the playoffs for the first time, but overall its play improved as the season wore on. Pulberry appears to have an ace in the making in 22-year old LHP Ramón Castro (14-6, 2.59 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 3.05 FIP), but beyond him the staff is comprised of 5little more than journeymen and cast-offs from other teams. But the rotation may get a boost next season if recently acquired 24-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (4-2, 4 SV, 4.27 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 4.75 FIP – 52-65) delivers on his promise, a promise that didn’t pan out with Braeland City, who drafted him 16th overall back in 1949-50. But Folkard’s performance improved once he arrived in Pulberry (3-1, 3 SV, 2.08 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 3.36 FIP). The future starter finished the season as the Trolleys’ stopper. Pulberry also has 22-year old LHP Dermott Rathbone (46/62), who was drafted in the second round back 1949-50 and was promoted from AAA at the end of the season. He won a Pitcher of the Month Award for January in AAA when he went 4-0, 1.97 ERA, 1.08 WHIP in six starts. Without question, Pulberry’s strength is their offense, but the Trolleys may have to explore a trade or two to resolve its overabundance of talent in the outfield and address some weaknesses elsewhere. 25-year old CF Cooper Tyson (.313/.405/.504, 14 HR, 96 RBI, 89 BB, 10 SB, 8.8 WAR – 67/77) officially joined the ranks of the elite this season and could soon be joined by 23-year old rookie LF Aidan Thirkettle (.275/.376/.450, 10 HR, 71 RBI, 73 BB, 15 SB, 3.5 WAR – 61/80). But 27-year old RF Ellis Dibble’s (.323/.385/.468, 12 HR, 87 RBI, 61 BB, 4.4 WAR) stellar play prevented 23-year old OF John Oldknow (.284/.356/.448, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 30 BB, 2.4 WAR – 51/80) from seeing any regular playing time. Thus, the Trolleys have a decision to make: either trade from their outfield depth to strengthen other areas or shift some players around so that their best players can get regular at-bats. One option would be to simply shift Thirkettle to first base (45) and let Oldknow start in leftfield (70), his best position defensively. Noteworthy: February 1 – Playing the Legends in an interleague matchup in Brunswick, the Trolleys soundly defeated the home team 7-2. Of Pulberry’s 14 hits, CF Cooper Tyson collected five of them, going 5 for 5 on the afternoon. All were singles, collected in the 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th innings. He also scored 3 R. LF Aiden Thirkettle was hot as well, going 3 for 5, with a two-run home run, 2 RBI and 3 R. First Round Draft Pick Update: 2nd overall – C Paul England (25/70). England saw very little action in his first year, getting into a few games as a pinch hitter but didn’t make a start. In 36 AB, he batted .222/.333/.361, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 BB, 0.1 WAR. Current Injuries: None. -------- Offense: .261/.321/.374 (4th/6th/5th) Pitching: 3.38/3.32/3.76 (2nd/2nd/4th) Defense: .727 (1st) Their four-year playoff run comes to an end as Fort Richmond Generals were unable to maintain their strong play in November and December, where they went 33-20 and got to within a game of the wild card. Instead, the Generals went just 36-36 the rest of the way and fell back to fourth place. There is no mystery as to their stumble. While the pitching staff remains one of the top units in the ULB, the lineup has become largely uneven. 27-year old SS Nobuyoshi Yoshida (.312/.367/.439, 8 HR, 78 RBI, 47 BB, 6 SB, 6.8 WAR) and 29-year old CF Dylan Moyne (.297/.364/.435, 19 HR, 66 RBI, 61 BB, 12 SB, 6.1 WAR) carried the offense. After them, there was a noticeable drop-off in production. Further complicating things is that the farm system is not exactly overflowing with impact position players (rated 9th overall). But if 30-year old C Louis Wearne (.231/.317/.362, 16 HR, 77 RBI, 62 BB, 2.4 WAR) can bounce back and 23-year old 3B Mason Geake (.222/.307/.303, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 40 BB, 0.5 WAR – 42/60) takes the next step, the Generals could be right back in the playoff picture next season. Sensational. That it the word to describe the season 31-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (20-10, 2.02 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.27 FIP, 193 ERA+) enjoyed. Grimes previously won the 1948-49 Satchel Paige Award with the Braeland City Monarchs, but his performances suffered as the Monarchs’ fortunes started to fade. But since his trade to the Generals in January 1951, Grimes has been outstanding (28-12, 2.05 ERA, 1.10 WHIP in 45 starts). Not bad for a pitcher who scouts consider as a ‘borderline’ starter. 29-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (13-15, 3.24 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.44 FIP) finished the season strong and Fort Richmond also has a future starter in 24-year old LHP Diarmid Rowet (48/60), a 2nd-round pick from 1950-51 who was promoted from AAA and pitched 1.1 innings late in the season. Player of the Week Awards: February 11 – CF Dylan Moyne (.433, 13 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI) First Round Draft Pick Update: 15th overall – SS Morgan Tyreman (20/58). The 22-year old Tyreman saw limited action in AA, making just 7 starts and 33 AB. His line was .303/.410/.455, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 0.3 WAR. Current Injuries: February 16 – RHP Glen Limon –strained forearm. Out for: 6 more weeks. -------- Offense: .230/.308/.320 (8th/8th/8th) Pitching: 3.46/3.45/3.50 (3rd/3rd/3rd) Defense: .720 (3rd) Defying all expectations, the Balmoral Giants finished the season strong, winning seven straight games to end the season; nine of their last ten. In March, they were ‘giant’ killers, taking 2 of 3 games from Pulberry, 3 of 4 from Wolseley and 2 of 3 from Fort Richmond. Only Kingston proved to be unconquerable – the Giants fell to the Pelicans in all three games. But it doesn’t hide the fact that Balmoral is in rough shape, at least offensively. The team averaged just 3.3 R/G, just ahead of the 1943-44 Downie Chiefs (3.2) and sported by far the worst team batting average in United Leagues’ history - .230. Add to that the worst-ranked farm system in the ULB, and you have a team that is in dire need of change – both in management and direction. Perhaps it will happen this off-season. We’ll see. The Giants have a rotation and bullpen that is of playoff caliber and it leads one to wonder how far Balmoral could go if they had a decent lineup. The top three starter were terrific once again: 27-year old RHP Quintiliano Galeo (18-13, 2.97 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.52 FIP, 134 ERA+), 32-year old LHP Ricardo Cruz (13-8, 3.27 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 3.73 FIP, 121 ERA+) and 26-year old RHP Rodrigo González (13-14, 2.96 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 3.19 FIP, 134 ERA+) are as good as any trio in the United Leagues. Second-year starter 28-year old LHP Ron Albin (10-12, 3.41 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 3.21 FIP, 116 ERA+) looks like a keeper as well. But there was absolutely nothing to get excited about on offense this year. Perhaps 23-year old rookie 2B Erik Perry (.204/.288/.291, 15-2B, 25 RBI, 33 BB, -0.3 WAR – 40/62) will one day provide a spark, but the Giants are going to need a lot more kindling if they want to ignite a turnaround. First Round Draft Pick Update: 10th overall – LHP Euan Mackenzie (41/73). Mackenzie pitched the entire season in AAA and showed promise as the Canterbury Seals’ stopper. He went 2-6, 9 SV, 4.78 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 4.16 FIP in 43.1 IP. Current Injuries: February 23 – SS Sean Brearton – strained abdominal muscle. Out for: 2-3 more weeks. -------- Offense: .264/.322/.362 (3rd/4th/7th) Pitching: 3.97/3.65/5.15 (6th/5th/8th) Defense: .695 (7th) The Sherburn Tigers reach 70 wins for the first time in four years. Both the offense and pitching staffs made modest strides over last season but the club still has a way to go if it hopes to compete in the first division again. Like the Giants, the Tigers do not have a strong farm system (13th overall) to immediately draw talent from and while not quite a dire as Balmoral, the lineup is not exactly an imposing bunch. But it appears Sherburn has drafted a star of the future (Archie Eridge – more on him below). If they can keep making picks like that, then they be a force in the not-too-distant future. 28-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (15-11, 2.64 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 3.00 FIP, 153 ERA+) enjoyed one of his most impressive years yet in his nine-year career and is rightly considered a the top starter in the ULB at season’s end. He’s head-and-shoulders above everyone else on the staff. 24-year old RHP Bradley Strawson (9-15, 3.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 3.75 FIP, 108 ERA+ - 51/60) needs to continue improving his control, but the former 4th overall pick has the stuff to be a solid addition to the rotation. The lineup is devoid of stars, but 25-year old 2B Jack Burt (.321/.368/.461, 2 HR, 43 RBI, 27 BB, 3.6 WAR) enjoyed another fine season and didn’t embarrass himself in the field (.973 PCT, 5.38 RNG, +1.3 ZR, .997 EFF). Player of the Week Awards: March 10 – C Quim Cypriano (.550, 11 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI) First Round Draft Pick Update: 1st overall – 3B Archie Eridge (33/72). The 23-year old Eridge enjoyed an outstanding first season in AA, batting .346/.437/.538, 11 HR, 51 RBI, 42 BB, 8 SB, 3.3 WAR in 266 at-bats from the No. 4 spot in the lineup and quickly became the No. 1-rated player in the Heritage Leagues. His Hannon Greyhounds won the Governors Cup, where he batted .412/.545/.706, 1 HR, 6 RBI in 17 at-bats, helping the Greyhounds defeat the Vandecar Spurs (Cambria) 3 games to 2 for the AA championship. Current Injuries: December 23 – RHP Bobby Hogg – torn labrum. Out for: 5-6 more weeks. March 10 – LHP Lucas Nott – back spasms. Out for: DtD, unknown. -------- Offense: .253/.322/.380 (5th/5th/3rd) Pitching: 4.53/4.40/4.91 (8th/8th/7th) Defense: .690 (8th) Injuries were the story as the Cambria Cannons endured their worst season, at least in terms of wins. But even if the team enjoyed better health, it’s doubtful they would have seriously competed for a playoff spot. It’s been seven straight seasons now that the Cannons have missed the playoffs and, in that span, finished above .500 only once. Cambria has one of the stronger farm systems (3rd overall) but are devoid of any upcoming impact pitchers. Fix that (and their porous defense), then they may see a return to relevance. But it’s more likely some further lean years are ahead before they turn things around. It looks as though last season’s strong pitching performance was a blip rather than a trend. Dropping to 3.70, the pitching was a League worst 4.53 this year. At this point, the Cannons are hoping 29-year old LHP Jamie Wigley (8-10, 4.98 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 3.83 FIP, 79 ERA+) can bounce back from a injury-shortened season and 22-year old LHP Bill Southern (12-20, 3.78 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 3.88 FIP, 104 ERA+) is not too shell-shocked from the lack of support he received. Southern finished the season strong and enters the off-season as Cambria’s No. 1 starter. 32-year old SS César Ruíz (.301/.406/.508, 24 HR, 83 RBI, 93 BB, 6.3 WAR) was Cambria best overall player, but like everyone else, struggled defensively (.923 PCT, 4.50 RNG, -9.1 ZR, .965 EFF). 25-year old 1B Carlos Correa (.282/.344/.424, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 47 BB, 0.4 WAR) represents the extreme. While he has found a home in the No. 3 spot, he looks completely lost in the field (.991 PCT, 9.91 RNG, -18.4 ZR, .815 EFF). Here’s hoping 22-year old CF Sam Tite (.199/.259/.318, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 12 BB, 2 SB, 0.3 WAR – 36/80), the top-rated prospect in the ULB who missed most of the season, can enjoy an injury-free season next year. First Round Draft Pick Update: 7th overall – 1B Jay Durham (32/72). Like Sherburn’s Archie Eridge, the 23-year old Durham was outstanding in his first AA campaign. In 275 at-bats, he went .367/.435/.607, 13 HR, 63 RBI, 27 BB, 3.5 WAR, hitting out of the No. 4 spot for the Vandecar Spurs. He also made an impression in the playoffs, batting .417/.533/.750, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB in 12 at-bats against Eridge’s Hannon Greyhounds. After his season was over, Durham was promoted to Cambria’s AAA club, the Mitchell Quicksteps. Current Injuries: December 25 – 3B Wayne Hudson – fractured wrist. Out for: 1-2 more weeks. January 12 – C Alexander Pyatt – torn posterior cruciate ligament. Out for: 4 more months. January 13 – RHP Luke Woodward – partially torn UCL. Out for: 4-5 more months. -------- Offense: .248/.318/.364 (6th/7th/6th) Pitching: 3.99/3.90/4.45 (7th/7th/5th) Defense: .717 (4th) The agony continues for the Hespeler Stars, as the team finishes nowhere near a playoff spot for the 15th straight season. The Stars have finished no closer than 8 games to a wild card, which they ‘achieved’ in their inaugural season, the only time they finished above .500 (79-75). They are now the only team not to have won 80 or more games in a season (Pulberry came off the list this season). Whether its through poor drafting or just bad karma, the Stars have continually seen promising prospects fail to reach their initial potential time and time again. Perhaps that could change next season. 25-year old LHP Larry Kovnats (12-19, 3.96 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 3.66 FIP, 102 ERA+ - 55/55) finally showed signs of improvement, especially in the months of December, January and February (8-8, 2.85 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) and 23-year old RF Tim Beattie (.265/.336/.344, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 41 BB, 0.4 WAR – 44/75) will be given every chance to build upon his rookie campaign. Although he regressed a bit, the Stars should not give up on their lead-off hitter, 24-year old CF John McMurray (.256/.315/.382, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 46 BB, 8 SB, 1.6 WAR). Finally, Hespeler has a promising outfielder in 21-year old Bill Spaeth (.337/.407/.609, 31 HR, 123 RBI, 57 BB, 5.4 WAR – 23/80) who went on a tear in AA. Spaeth was a 2nd overall pick back in 1950-51. First Round Draft Pick Update: 3rd overall – 3B Clive Yarwood (20/69). The 20-year old Yarwood enjoyed a promising first season in AA, batting .221/.330/.357, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 25 BB, 0.3 WAR in 199 AB. He batted mainly out of the No. 8 spot in the lineup. Current Injuries: None. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland