Minnesota Season Review

Been a busy month. here is how the loons fared in season 2.

The season is almost over and I sit in second place in the division, unfortunately 24.5 games out of 1st. The ML squad won't make the playoffs (67-77), but I hope the minors are a showing of things to come. All 5 levels have made their post-season (4 Division champs and 1 Wild card).

An update of the Pitching;

Doc Gentry was traded to Portland for prospects. This should be a move for the better, but Doc has gone wild for the Firs and is now a Cy Young canidate.

Howard Lidle .283 / 1.39 / 4.63 / 7-10
Darrell Robertson .263 / 1.74 / 5.10 / 9-8
Billy Ray Sanders .288 / 1.50 / 4.83 / 2-9
Douglas Ducey .283 / 1.59 / 6.32 / 7-10
Pablo Manazillo .259 / 1.41 / 3.43 / 8-5

This group will go through some changes next year, but there is a good core of players to build from.

The bullpen has been better this year (.269 / 1.55 / 5.37 / 27-29) and I think I am starting to understand how to manage it.

Finished the season 73-89, three games worse than last season, but I can see the rebuild process taking shape. Next seasons' lineup should be the best one yet.

At catcher, newly aquired Billy rivers will work with Brett Benoit platooning season 3

Pascal Guillen (.368-8-29 in 40 games) will take the 1B job.

Yannick Gryboski (.290-4-25) and Thomas Cannon (.257-35-105) will compete for 2B. Thomas was moved from 3B to make room for Tony Soto (.296-25-99 AAA) who appears ready to roll at the ML level

At SS, Phil Gibbons (.250-25-83) will again be patroling the left side. His bat is nothing special, but his fielding (.991) is second league wide.

There will be a change in LF this year. Nick Jordan(.268-0-34 35/43 SB) is being replaced with Robert McGee(323-28-130 12/20 SB @ AAA).

ROY canidate Vic Cummings (.294-20-87 29/33 SB) had a nice 1st season. We are looking forward to bigger things from the stud CF.

Pablo Guzman(.268-16-73) struggled his first season in RF. Fielding was good, but the batting could have used some improvement.

The team is gradually weeding out overpriced old talent for newer improved versions. Hopefully the Power Loons will be more competitive in season 3.

Minnesota In Season Update

At 22-13, this team has surpassed expectations, so far. Pitching has been above average and we are getting major contributions from some who were not expected to be on the team. I’m trying not to get too hyped because it is a long season. Here are some team stats to be proud of;

Team BA is better than last year at .275 and HR’s are up (48). Runs per game is over 6 and that is a direct reflection to my record (22-13). Fielding % is tied for 1^st in the world at .988. this has been the staple of my team for the 1^st season plus. With the team ERA at 4.16, I am in most of the games this year (7-3 in 1 run games). The pitching staff is in the top 5 of the following catagories;

WhiP – 1.35

HR allowed – 37

OBA - .254

Here is a look at how my boys are doing;

Pitching

Starting Pitching

Howard Lidle

Last Season OAV-.233 / Whip-1.29 / ERA-3.43 / 12-6 (33 Starts)

This season OVA-.266 / Whip-1.14 / ERA-3.86 / 3-2 (7 starts)

Although the record doesn’t show it, we have been in each and every game he pitches.

Doc Gentry

Last season OAV-.260 / Whip-1.34 / ERA-4.03 / 9-10 (30 Starts)

This season OVA-.224 / Whip-1.13 / ERA-2.64 / 3-1 (7 starts)

Doc has not been the power pitcher he was last year, but he is steady and sure each outing.

Darrell Robertson

Last season OAV-.238 / Whip-1.52 / ERA-4.21 / 13-4 (29starts in MILB)

This season OVA-.213 / Whip-1.37 / ERA-3.56 / 5-2 (7 starts)

Darrell has been a great surprise this season. At 23 and playing mostly at HiA last year he has really come though. Only worry is the team leading 30 BB in 43 Inn.

Billy Ray Sanders

Last season OVA-.287 / Whip-1.35 / ERA-5.50 / 2-3 (15 starts)

This season OVA-.280 / Whip-1.32 / ERA-2.63 / 0-0 (2 starts)

Billy has come into the starting role as of late to see if he can’t improve on Torey Alcantaras’ rough start (.281-1.59-4.97). So far the reviews are mixed.

Douglas Ducey

Last season OVA-.305 / Whip-1.61 / ERA-7.82 / 1-3 (6 starts)

This season OVA-.319 / Whip-1.84 / ERA-8.63 / 3-4 (7starts)

Doug has got to pick himself up. 5 of his 7 starts have gone over 6 innings, but even though he leads the team with 31 K’s, his .319 OVA is killing him.

Relief Pitching

What can I say but WOW!. This group has greatly improved from the last season. Hopefully this can continue. At 5-2 and 11-15 in save opps, this has been a great improvement. 1.22 Whip and 3.38 ERA is far better than last season.

Position Players

Catcher

Turner and Benoit are driving me crazy. Last year you could count on them to hold up their end of the batting (around .277). This year their combined .228 avg is brutal.

1^st Base

Victor Lira and his .272 BA and team leading 12 HR’s are a pleasant surprise. Thank god I didn’t have to depend on rookies here. Lira has been a good FA pickup for the price ($875K)

2^nd Base

Gryboski was hurt to start the year and hasn’t come back well yet. Wiggington has filled in nicely and hitting .318 in the 2 hole has been pleasant. Both of these players are in the last year of their contract and if this keeps up, will not be back.

3^rd Base

Cannon is hitting less than last season (.256-10-33) for average, but the power numbers have improved.

Shortstop

Gibbons(.259-4-20) has picked up right where he left off last year. Great defense, average hitting. I guess I’ll take it.

Leftfield

Jordan(.282-0-9) has again held his own leading off. Second on the team in SB’s with 9, he has given the team a good start to each game. Would like to see that BA come up, but he is what he is.

Centerfield

Cummings hase been everything I expected. (.362-7-26) and a team leading 11 steals has been quite impressive. I have been hitting him 4^th, but I think I need to move him to 3^rd to maximize his Avg/Pwr/Spd combination.

Rightfield

Guzman(.287-4-28) has fullfilled my needs in right. His bat and range have filled a hole that was really a ? leading into the season.

Observations from the Nest

WEEK 1 Observations from the nest.

7-0. That was the record to start the season. Too bad we have 155 left to play. It's very early, but feels good to have a good start.

Starting pitching has been solid. In 7 starts, the starters have gone 47 innings with an ERA of 2.49 per.

Middle relief has been quite surprising pitching 14 IP @ 1.93 ERA. Closer Benji Sosa earned the job with his ST performance, has had 2 appearances allowing 0 runs with 2 saves.

I'm waiting for the shoe to fall..............

The offense has been above average hitting .315-19-57 in the 7 games. Victor Lira has hit 4HR and Thomas Cannon leads with 5.

I've been happy with Cummings hitting clean-up. he only has 5 RBI's so we need to do a better job of getting on in front of him.

Up next is a 3 game series with the vaunted Rebels who are also 7-0 in week 1.

Observations from the Nest

Wow my hitting has been horrible!!!! I seriously hope that they can pick it up a bit. hey but I"ve learned a lot. I'll have to put up some of my pathetic stats so all can ooooo and ahhhhh.

Observations from the Nest

WHOO HOO!!!! I know, I know, it is early, BUT, Victor Lira homers 3 times in the opener and Cummings goes 4 for 5!!!!

Alright, now that I got that out, I feel better.

Boston Stranglers Review Preview

Season 2: A review and preview of things to come

Taking over for the previous ownership – my first assessment of the Strangler franchise is that it is ready to win now. There is a good mix of youth and experience at the major league level. Pitching seems to be our strength whilst the offense will be no slouch. We expect to improve on last seasons 71-91 record. A playoff berth and potential run for the World Series title is the goal for this season.

The Starters:

Brad Gilbert OAV .258 / WHIP 1.37 / ERA 4.39

This elder statesman of the staff (35 years old) is the current ace and stopper. The lanky right hander carried the load going 18-10 over 239.2 innings. This was good enough to earn him an all star appearance last year. Hopefully he can duplicate that effort this year and next as he is under contract until season 3. Decline isn’t so much of a concern as Gilbert is a known workout warrior (92 makeup).

Esteban Owen OAV .293 / WHIP 1.59 / ERA 5.44

The left handed Owen had a disappointing first season in the eyes of the fans. The 29 year old Dominican was victimized by the long ball last season – giving up 45 jacks to opponents. If he could learn to keep the ball down a little more he should see a drastic improvement in his win totals. Then again – it usually “is what it is” for a player at this stage of his career.

Max Carrara OAV .271 / WHIP 1.44 / ERA 5.25

Another pitcher who seems to have underperformed last season considering the scouts ratings. This lefty came into spring training in great shape hoping to prove that last seasons performance was an anomaly.

Mendy Lee OAV .267 / WHIP 1.60 / ERA 4.52

Mendy Lee is the future staff ace of the Boston franchise. The 22 year old is a ground ball pitcher who fields his position well. Last year was a great learning experience for the young righty. This year should be another step forward in his development.

Thomas Padilla OAV .269 / WHIP 1.33 / ERA 4.18

This vet completes the Stranglers staff. The left handed Padilla posted a better than 2 to 1 K to BB ratio. Management is confident that he will be the kind of consistent 5^th starter that is needed to win at the big league level.

The Pen:

This will be a definite strength for the team as Boston’s bullpen expects to strangle opposing hitters in the late innings. Peter Hammond closed out a respectable 28 of 32 games last year. Rubber arm Charlie Chance held opponents to a .249 OAV last year over 111 innings.

Hitters Review/Preview to follow

Minnesota Season Preview

ST is over and let the new year begin..............

This spring was a little easier than last. I knew what was coming and was able to try new faces in new places in my pen.

I'm toying with using just 4 starters this year, but my gut tells me they won't hold up. So I am stuck looking for that 5th arm.

Lidle, Gentry, Ducey and Robertson have solidified their starting roles, although Robertsons 13 walks in 18 innings is cause for concern.

I think the team of Sosa and Wilkins will close games, but Sosa has definately had the better spring.

I'll have to see some real action to detirmine if the middle relief is as good as advertised.


Most position races finished where I expected, but they got there in Odd ways. Yanick Gryboski is injured and out for 3 weeks. Wiggington can and will fill in, but this is a large defensive loss.

Victor Lira has done well at 1st and has the job, but I hope the bat comes thru.

Cummings is a star in the making. His bat (.392-8-22 plus 6 SB) have done nicely in the cleanup spot. Can't wait to see his total year numbers.