March, 2013
Chapter
One Recap
Players of the Chapter
If there were a clear favorite to win
the Eck League Hitter of the Chapter award in Chapter One, it was the
guy who won it: Chicago's Miguel Cabrera. In his first BDBL
chapter after winning the MLB triple crown, Cabrera led the Eck League
in slugging (.752), runs scored (27), RBI's (28) and home runs (13).
When Robinson Cano finished last season
with a 646 OPS against lefties -- all while hitting in one of MLB's best
hitter's parks for lefties -- many (including myself) figured that he
would be nothing but a very expensive platoon player in 2013.
Instead, the league's highest-paid player followed up his MVP-caliber
2012 season by hitting .385/.492/.692 in Chapter One. He led the
Ozzie League in OBP, slugging and runs scored (30), all while playing Ex
defense at second base. Oh, and he hit a healthy .313/.476/.438
against lefties. In your face, realism.
Speaking of realism, Matt Moore (Cano's
BDBL teammate) had what many considered to be a somewhat pedestrian
rookie season last year. After endless pre-season hype, the
23-year-old rookie posted a 3.81 ERA while pitching half his games in
one of MLB's better pitching parks, and averaging over 4 walks per game.
Given the historical struggles of left-handed pitchers with high walk
rates in the BDBL, it was reasonable to expect Moore to struggle a
bit in his BDBL debut. But once again, the Baseball Gods shined
down upon Anthony Peburn and Moore enjoyed the best chapter of any
pitcher in the OL. He won all six of his starts, posted a 2.05
ERA, and held opponents to a .214/.256/.365 batting line. Every
metric across the board was an improvement over his MLB performance.
Awesome, huh?
In the Eck League, St. Louis' Shawn
Marcum led the league in wins (5), lowest batting average allowed (.184)
and lowest OBP (.252). Marcum, you may recall, was picked up from
Cleveland last December in a six-player deal that also brought Kenley
Jansen and Kyle Seager to St. Louis (in exchange for Curtis Granderson,
Paul Konerko and Drew Storen.) I know for a fact that Mike Stein
recalls that.
Top Ten Stories of the
Chapter
Story #1: Hrbek Logjam
In pre-season polling, the Hrbek
Division was the only division where every team received at least two
votes to win the division. Fittingly enough, then, this division
features the tightest race of the season thus far. As I type, all
four teams are within two games of each other, with the surprising
Cleveland Rocks leading the way with a 14-14 record. Cleveland has
achieved this record despite being outscored by four runs this season.
In fact, of the four teams in the division, only the Akron Ryche (at +3)
own a runs differential in positive territory.
Offensively, the Ryche and Chicago
Black Sox are nearly even in every category across the board, while
Cleveland is a touch above league average and Atlanta sits below average
in almost every category. Underachievers are sprinkled throughout
each team, as Chicago's Evan Longoria is hitting just .182/.222/.212 so
far, Akron's Mark Teixeira is hitting a robust .195/.319/.351,
Cleveland's Paul Konerko sits at just .200/.310/.300, and Atlanta's
Bryce Harper is sporting a meager .174/.253/.279 batting line. I
could have easily chosen several other underperforming hitters from
Atlanta's squad, so you have to think that the Fire Ants will eventually
crawl into the top half of the league in run production if this game has
any credibility left to it.
From a pitching standpoint, Akron's
starting rotation has been horrendous, posting a combined ERA of 4.95.
But their bullpen has been out-freaking-standing, as Erasmo Ramirez, Joe
Smith, David Hernandez, Troy Patton and Joe Nathan have combined for an
ERA of just 2.02 in 62+ innings. Atlanta's rotation has been solid
(with the exception of Max Scherzer), and they've gotten some good
bullpen work out of Sergio Romo (0.00 ERA in 9+ IP), David Phelps (1.29
in 7) and Franklin Morales (1.42 in 6+), but "closer" Casey Janssen
(4.66 ERA in 9+ IP) and Jordan Walden (6.00 ERA in 9 IP) have struggled
mightily.
The entire Black Sox rotation has been
a disaster this season, with the strange exception of Aaron Harang (4-1,
2.53 ERA in 46+ IP.) The biggest disaster has been Joe Saunders,
whose ERA is...gulp...8.73. In his 6 starts, Saunders
allowed 6 or more runs three times! And in Cleveland, both Carlos Zambrano (6.35) and Ben Sheets (6.48) are sporting ERA's over 6.00.
In other words, there is a lot of room
for improvement for each of these teams. Barring any unforeseen
mega-trades, this race for the division title has the potential to be as
tight over the next five chapters as it was in the first.
Story #2: New Milford Continues to Dominate
The 2012 BDBL season was a nightmare
for the Blazer-haters among us, but through it all, the one comforting consolation
was that this New Milford dynasty would be short-lived. Robinson
Cano, the league's most expensive player, was having a horrible season
from a platoon perspective, and would be easy to exploit in 2013.
Adrian Gonzalez was not nearly as scary as he was the year before.
David Ortiz missed a huge chunk of the season due to injury. Alex
Avila went from MVP candidate to second-rate catcher all in one season.
Matt Moore failed to live up to his rookie hype. Brett Anderson
missed almost the entire season. And the league's gift to Peburn
in 2012, C.J. Wilson, struggled a bit in his Cy Young-caliber follow-up.
Well, it turns out that none of that
mattered. Despite their MLB performances last season, the Blazers
picked up right where they left off. Cano (.385/.492/.692) has
been
named Hitter of the Chapter in Chapter One. Gonzalez
(.297/.355/.477) is enjoying another strong season. Ortiz
(.310/.395/.732) -- the team's center fielder -- is having yet another
monster season thanks to Diamond Mind's ludicrous ballpark factors.
As reported above, Moore (6-0, 2.05 ERA) was the OL's Pitcher of the
Chapter, and won all six of his first six BDBL starts. Anderson
(2.53 ERA, 4 saves) has served as the team's temporary closer until
Peburn can find someone foolish enough to trade him another closer for
the stretch run. And Wilson (4-0, 1.67 ERA) hasn't skipped a beat
in the follow-up to his Cy Young caliber season. Of all the
players who were supposed to be disappointments this season, only Avila
(.128/.146/.333) has performed the way he was supposed to.
Despite playing in the league's most
fearsome hitter's park, New Milford owns the lowest ERA in the BDBL at
2.63. They've also scored ten more runs (179) than any other team
in the league, and hit 45 homers in their first 28 games (also a BDBL
high.) Just 28 games into the season, the Blazers own the best
record in the BDBL (22-6) and they have ALREADY outscored their
opponents by 100 RUNS.
Everything is coming up roses for
Anthony Peburn and the Blazers. Doesn't that just make you feel
good inside?
Story #3: Salem Sucks
On the flip side of the story above,
the Salem Cowtippers are off to yet another disappointing start filled
with inexplicable performances. Slow starts are almost a tradition
in Salem. And yet, year after year,
there is optimism among Cowtippers fans that this year will be different
than the rest. Certainly, there was plenty of optimism this year
when I chose this team to win this division in the Pre-Season Preview.
That optimism quickly faded, however, when the Blazers swept the Cowtippers
in the Opening Day Series. The league voted shortly
thereafter, and picked the Blazers to win the division by a margin of 10
to 3 (with Granite State earning one vote, likely from the Granite State owner.)
I've already chronicled how everything
went right for the New Milford Blazers in Chapter One. Now, let's
look at how everything went wrong for the Cowtippers.
Salem finished Chapter One with the
third worst record in the entire BDBL (11-17, .393.) They scored
fewer runs (112) than any team in the division, and allowed the most
runs (135) in the division, for a runs differential of -23.
Of the 13 players who had at least one
at-bat for Salem in Chapter One, 10 of them had a lower OPS in Chapter
One than they had in the MLB 2012 season. Leading the way were
Jose Reyes (-189 OPS points), Ryan Zimmerman (-186), Anthony Rizzo
(-171), Melky Cabrera (-167), Yadier Molina (-144) and Mike McKenry
(-109).
On the pitching side, 12 different
pitchers threw at least one inning for Salem last chapter, and 8 of
those pitchers allowed an OPS greater than their MLB
2012 figure. Six of the twelve allowed an OPS more than 100 points
greater than their MLB OPS, four allowed an OPS greater than 200 points,
and two allowed an OPS more than 400 POINTS GREATER than their MLB OPS!
The two biggest offenders were Salem's
two "best" relievers, Craig Kimbrel and Mitch Boggs. Check out
these numbers:
Kimbrel: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 HR, 5 BB,
13 K, 8.10 ERA, .375/474/.750 vs. RH
Boggs: 9.2 IP, 13 H, 4 HR, 3 BB, 10 K, 6.52 ERA, .533/.533/1.133 vs.
RH
Back in 2010, the Cowtippers fell 15 games behind the division leaders by the second week
of April. Two chapters into that season, Salem sported a record
that was four games below .500, and 7 games behind the second-place team
in the division. Then, as the final chapter began, Salem found
themselves SEVEN game behind in the wild card race, with only a few
weeks remaining in the season. And yet, that Cowtippers team not
only managed to win the wild card, but rode that wave all the way into
the World Series. (Where, of course, they lost to the Ridgebacks,
as per league requirements.) It will take an equally unlikely
turnaround for this team to make up for the ground they've lost.
Story #4: Ravenswood Dominates
Aside from New Milford, only one other
team in the BDBL won 20 or more games in the first chapter, and that was
Ravenswood. The Infidels went 20-8, outscored their opponents by
48 runs (the only team in the division to outscore the opposition), and
now hold a comfortable 7-game lead. For all intents and purposes,
this division race is already over.
The Ravenswood offense ranks #2 in the
entire BDBL in OPS (847), runs scored (169) and home runs (40), and
leads the BDBL in runs created (173.6). Jerry Hairston
(.380/.418/.620), Ryan Doumit (.378/.433/.646), Jason Kipnis
(.342/.390/.592), Coco Crisp (.339/.408/.597) and Chris Davis
(.310/.355/.680) are all hitting the cover off the ball. (Yes,
this is really happening.)
And from a defensive standpoint, Ben
Norris (3-0, 1.80 ERA) and Carlos Villanueva (5-0, 2.94) are practically
Cy Young-caliber on the mound, and Octavio Dotel (0.96 ERA) and Casey
Fien (1.76) have been phenomenal pitching out of the bullpen.
While those names above may not look
like typical players on a dominant, first-place team, they sure are
playing like it. This has been a strange season so far.
Story #5: Break Up the Meatballs?
Speaking of strange, remember that
Mississippi Meatballs team that I predicted would challenge for the
all-time single season losses record this year? Well, they are
currently 2 games below .500 at 13-15, and just one game out of the wild
card race. Yes, this is really happening.
Just to refresh your memories, here is
what I wrote about the Meatballs offense in the Pre-Season Preview:
And the lineup is filled with
players who wouldn't start for most teams in the BDBL -- even as
half of a platoon. Just imagine if Brendan Ryan (637/503 splits)
were a member of your team. With his Ex range, he'd be a defensive
replacement at best. Because I had no choice, I listed Pena
(636/705) as this team's cleanup hitter. I'm guessing he wouldn't
start for any other team in the BDBL. If the Meatballs score more
than the 546 runs the Lightning scored last season, it would be a
major accomplishment.
This team has scored 105 runs this
season. Which is only 7 runs fewer than the Salem Cowtippers.
No, seriously. This is really happening.
Story #6: Sylvesters At It Again
Every year, it seems, the league is
treated to a Sylvester Family Battle Royale in the Person Division, and
this year is no different. The SoCal Slyme were expected to put up
a fight once again this year, and they've gotten off to a 17-11 start --
good enough to lead the division. They've scored tons of runs
(second most in the EL), and own the 5th best ERA in the league.
Newest acquisition Andrew McCutchen (.331/.375/.551) is fitting in with
his new team beautifully, and is leading the team in nearly every
offensive category. The team's big free agent signing, Matt
Holliday, is also off to a tremendous start, hitting .340/.371/.454.
Rookie catcher Wilin Rosario (.386/.453/.649) is having a terrific BDBL
debut. And even little Scotty Podsednik (.465/.477/.558) has
delivered an otherworldly performance.
Meanwhile, the younger Sylvester's team
is leading the Eck League in runs scored, and is hitting .285/.350/.466
overall. They've outscored their opponents by 13 runs, and yet
they own a record of just 14-14, and sit in last place in the division.
Although the Apostles have been very impressive at the plate, they've
struggled a bit on the mound. EL Pitcher of the Chapter Shaun
Marcum (5-1, 3.20 ERA) and Justin Masterson (2-2, 3.64) aside, the rest
of the rotation has been atrocious. Rick Porcello is sporting a
7.92 ERA in 25 innings -- and he's the best of the lot! Mike
Minor's ERA is an ugly 8.41, and in his two starts and three
appearances, Josh Collmenter is sporting an ERA of...wait for it...9.64.
Thankfully for St. Louis, their bullpen
has been phenomenal. Darren Oliver has tossed 15+ scoreless
innings so far this season, and Brad Boxberger, Carlos Marmol and closer
Jose Valverde have allowed just 6 earned runs in 43+ innings combined.
It is still very early in the season,
and the Person Division race promises to be among the league's most
exciting races over the next five chapters (assuming the elder Sylvester
stays in it this time!)
Story #7: The Best Team Nic's Money Can Buy
The Kansas Law Dogs were expected to be
a powerhouse this season after spending over $50 million on free agents
this winter, and they haven't disappointed. The vaunted Kansas
pitching staff, which includes three aces all signed as free agents this
winter, is leading the Eck League with a 2.91 ERA. Zack Greinke
(4-3, 3.09), Jered Weaver (4-0, 3.57) and Hiroki Kuroda (3-2, 4.34) are
all doing what they are paid to do. The rotation's lone holdover
from last year, Doug Fister, somehow managed to win only one game (and
lost one!) despite a microscopic ERA of 1.90. Rounding out the
rotation is rookie Kris Medlen (3-1, 2.10), who is bidding to become the
league's first rookie Cy Young winner.
Kansas' closer, Fernando Rodney,
allowed just 5 earned runs in 74+ innings all of last season, and set an
all-time MLB record by doing so. Yet, oddly enough, he has already
allowed 4 earned runs this season, and is sporting a rather pedestrian
3.00 ERA. Thankfully, Jim Johnson (0.52 ERA in 17+ IP) is picking
up the slack in the bullpen.
Offensively, the Law Dogs rank just 8th
in the EL in runs scored, and their .260/.326/.389 batting line is
almost league average across the board. Off-season acquisition
Salvador Perez (.413/.460/.565) is killing the ball, as are J.J. Hardy
(.321/.364/.594) and Aaron Hill (.321/.364/.594), but the third base
platoon of Marco Scutaro (.252/.296/.336) and Scott Rolen
(.208/.224/.271) is off to a sluggish start.
Kansas won more games (19) than any
other team in the Eck League in Chapter One, and they own a comfortable
4-game lead over the Allentown Ridgebacks after one chapter of play.
Shockingly, Allentown was outscored (by only one run) in the first
chapter, leaving Kansas as the only team in the division that has
outscored their opponents so far. That will likely change soon
enough.
Story #8: Better Luck Next Year, Jim
After 13 straight years of losing
seasons, it appears that Jim Doyle will have to wait until at least
season #15 to finally break that streak. At 8-20, the New York
Giants own the worst record in the BDBL. They've already been
outscored by 39 runs, and are already a dozen games behind in the
division standings.
Doyle quickly moved to rectify this
situation by leaping into action and trading his best trade bait, Josh
Beckett, for...err...Craig Gentry.
Sigh.
Story #9: The Return of the Undertakers?
Of the six division leaders at the
moment, the most shocking may be the Los Altos Undertakers, who are
currently leading the Griffin Division with a 15-13 record. In
pre-season voting, the Flagstaff Outlaws were the overwhelming
favorites, though the Undertakers did receive five votes as well.
To be fair, four of Los Altos' wins
came against the hapless Salem Cowtippers, so their record is a little
misleading. But still, there are plenty of reasons for optimism in
Los Altos. Jonny Gomes (.400/.455/.740) is having a MONSTER
season, Chris Nelson (.364/.447/.515) is hitting the cover off the ball,
and Jamey Carroll (.328/.397/.508) is...wait a minute...Jamey Carroll?
Okay, maybe the Undertakers might have
trouble keeping up this pace. But still, it's fun to see Jeff back
on top of the division, and even more fun to watch Greg Newgard sweat it
out at the back of the pack. Only four games separate all four
teams in this division, and Flagstaff trails by just two. I'm
willing to bet we'll see quite a bit of separation over the next 28
games.
Story #10: Congratulations, HOF'ers
In addition to all the on-field
excitement, the league also welcomed three new members to the
prestigious BDBL Hall of Fame. Two of them were no-brainers,
although curiously only one of them was a unanimous selection.
Randy Johnson won FIVE Cy Young awards in his brief BDBL career,
including four in a row. That is a feat we may never see repeated.
He won 20 games five time, struck out over 3,000 batters in just a dozen
seasons, and won 14 games when it counted most in November.
Pedro Martinez was an Akron mainstay.
The very first player ever to wear the Akron purple, Pedro pitched eight
seasons in Akron, winning 17 or more games in six of those seasons.
He went 23-3 in 2001, winning one his four Cy Young awards, but his
crowning achievement came in 2004, when he set a record for lowest ERA
(1.81) that still stands today. Also still standing are his
records set that season for lowest opponents batting average (.174), OBP
(.234) and slugging percentage (.259).
The final inductee was Carlos Delgado, who
was one of the league's greatest home run hitters during his career.
He hit 30 or more homers EIGHT times in his career, capped by a 55-homer
season in 2001 that may have been the greatest offensive season for any
hitter in league history. Just look at these numbers:
.375/.491/.787 batting line, 58 doubles, 218 hits, 175 RBI's, 128 walks
and 228.7 runs created. And he was only earning $6 million at the
time! |