Troy Haymakers • February 2019 (August 1909)

[I'm using this blog to reignite my writing about fantasy baseball. I am no longer the gm for the San Diego Hops in the ABL, but am the proud owner of the Troy Haymakers in the BAL (Thanks, Bill)]


Dateline: Troy, August 1909

RHP John Thomson, 13-5, 3.34, 141K, 161.2 innings

Troy went into the 1909 season with very high hopes. Fresh off a deep playoff run, the Haymakers added some new shiny free agent pieces to their lineup, signing second-sacker Antonio Perez to a seven-year deal, the same week they signed LF Ralph Garr. Then they went and got RF Curt Rojas on a two-year contract, along with closer Joe Smith. Of those four, Perez is contending for the batting title, but it left up and coming star, Matt Kata, in a position quandary, and he's hitting 150 points lower than 1908 while on the AAA to Troy shuttle. Garr is mired in the high minors, waiting his turn, which might not come until September. Rojas has been underwhelming, though he has added twenty points to his batting average this month. Joe Smith has the highest ERA of the pitchers on the roster all season, though the return of John Rocker might help stabilize the bullpen.

With a current record of 55-57, Troy is languishing in the second division in sixth place, a full season-high ten games behind the division leaders. The pitching has been solid, particularly the starters, led by the indomitable Bill Lee, who despite a 7-10 record, is in the top three in Ks and WAR. John Thomson, the former 1904 first rounder, is off to a great start at 13-5. While Marty Rivera is going to surpass his first Troy season after signing as a free agent, at 10-6, with the third best ERA in the division. Kevin Peterson just got off the DL, and that could be the main reason for Troy's dilemma. Peterson is great when healthy, but two long stints on the disabled list in 1908 and now '09, do not bode well. Randy Thompson rounds out the rotation in the five slot, a position any team would love to have a starter of his caliber. Ad Gumbert got a taste of the bigs while Peterson rehabbed, and looks like a rotation regular in the near future. So why is Troy having trouble? Rocker's injury put Tony Rodriguez into the bullpen as the closer where he has mostly succeeded, but has four blown saves and four losses. He may move back into the rotation, Peterson's health being a question mark.

The every day lineup includes some big bats, most noticeably, Vic Oliver. The former scouting discovery has blossomed into one of the most feared hitters in the BAL, leading the league once again in home runs and RBIs, while playing solid defense at 1b, though still quite capable of manning the outfield. Perez has been a force at 2b, while vet Billy Myers has shifted to the hot corner as Nakada's star is somewhat shaded this season. Jose Gonzalez has stepped in full time at SS and leadoff and leads the league in stolen bases, while making only one error in 88 games, with a ZR of +15.3! In the outfield, a state of flux seems to be the Achilles heel of the Haymakers. Johnstone in CF has steadily improved, while on his flanks, Rojas, O'Day, Carter and Treadway have all been modest at best in their offensive production. Dan O'Day, at 42, remains on a HOF career track as he piles up career numbers that are the envy of players half his age.

San Diego mid-season PR 2035

Hops mid-season review

San Diego needs to go 20-17 to better its 2034 record of 67-95, and that is a tall order. What is clearly a rebuilding effort has been an injury-marred disaster on many counts. Young players brought up too soon, veterans in the tank, pitchers unable to find a strike zone, altogether make for a team that has many fans not even bothering to check box scores.

Positives

The two rule 5 acquisitions, Gohta Yamashiro, 6-9 in 20 starts, 4.56 ERA, and Jimmy Shumaker, 20 appearances and three emergency starts, 0-3, 5.43, have been thrust into prominent roles due to the plethora of arm woes besetting the Hops’ pitching staff (Teves, Pedercini, Givens, Henneberry, Curnew, Uchida, Jurgens, Zuniga, Alejo all with DL time).

Martin Arias, still only 23, is third in the division hitting, at .328. and in the top five in the ABL in hits, doubles and triples. He is a steady fixture atop the Hops’ batting order.

An-Yi Bian, though down from his All-Star ’34 season, still leads the team in HR, and is a great glove at the hot corner. He too is still part of the future at 25.

Akira Kato, the grizzled elder statesman, still has something in the tank, hitting .296 with nearly 300 AB. At 36, he is in the last year of his contract, and will be moving on by all indications.

Jim Phillips, at 31, has finally found the consistency long awaited, and the southpaw leads the staff with a 9-9, 4.41 ERA over his 25 starts.

Negatives

Landon Carmichael is getting his first long look in the big leagues, and is overmatched so far, just shy of the .200 mark. The good news, is his glove is not feeling the effects, as he has only made two errors while showing extraordinary range at SS.

Amad Kuram is fading at catcher, and his .200 hitting means more time for Addy De Zeeuw, who is also showing signs of a career on its backside.

Pitching in general is just plain bad. The rotating cast of assembled arms is simply not getting the job done.

Outlook

Worse than ever, and the cupboard is looking somewhat bare in the minors. Of the eleven top pitching prospects, only Joe Starring has an ERA under four. Hitters are faring not much better, with Sal Marroquin, 1b, having some success in AAA, and Mario Yescas, showing hitting and pop, and may be the RF of the future now in AAA. Reynaldo Canseco is also waiting in the wings in AAA, but he is blocked at the major league level by Bian.

Akira Kato turns two, proving that age isn't always everything

Pre-Season PR, Hops 2035

Hops pre-season PR

March 11, 2018

April 4, 2035

As the 2035 season dawns, the Hops are guardedly optimistic. The 2034 campaign featured a ten game improvement, up to 67 wins, so a similar improvement might mean a brush with .500. A lot of changes are in store for the upcoming season, while some featured stars remain.

First, a fond farewell to Nadir Rivzi and Jorge Moreno, two aging stars who are still awaiting a team to sign them. A spring training trade brings two young Rule 5 pitchers to the roster, Gohta Yamashiro and Jimmy Shumaker, along with their new first baseman, Camden Mansel, a proven ABL slugger. Waived just this week are four pitchers with pro experience, Bob Fleury, Gerardo Vela, Rolando Teves and Roberto Mejia.

Amad Kuram moves into the starting lineup at catcher, also coming over in trade, and in the same deal, Rico Madrigal, the infielder, makes the Opening Day roster.

ROTATION:

Francisco Zuñiga, is the newly christened ace, after eleven starts at the end of a forgettable season. Hopefully his injury woes are behind him. Behind him are veteran, Robinson Pedercini (pictured), then three southpaws, Jim Phillips, Nick Henneberry and Pedro Alejo. Henneberry hasn’t been a regular starter since 2031 in AA. Like Henneberry, Alejo’s repertoire features a devastating changeup.

BULLPEN:

Mitzusuku Koyama had twenty decisions, 10-10, to go with 28 saves, so he’s the closer. Satoshi Yamada makes his big league debut in a setup role along with Kawanari Uchida, also a rookie with three big-league innings. Jeff Hodge is the lone veteran lefty in the pen, though he’s only 28. The aforementioned two Rule 5 kids round out the relievers.

CATCHER:

Amad Kuram is a great backstop, but is perhaps well past his prime as a hitter. Addy de Zeeuw is still going to get a lot of playing time. Ron Marshall waits in the wings.

INFIELD:

Mansel has 172 career dingers, and brings a veteran presence to the team. He’s backed up by the mad Romanian, Alexandru Curticapeanu, who bashed 21 homers in ’34. Ross Bullmore, Madrigal, and veteran, Akira Kato, Manuel Rios and Gerardo Rosa are the choices in the middle infield. An-yi Bian is the All-Star third baseman, and biggest star of this crew. Motoki Hayakawa is out of options as a corner infielder.

OUTFIELD:

The strength of the team is the dynamic duo of Robbie Colwill and Martin Arias. Jejomar Butardo will try to get another decent year in his eleventh big-league campaign. Tobias Zieler made the team out of spring training after two cups of coffee, and may let his bat do some serious talking.

OUTLOOK:

.500 is the goal, while keeping eyes open to continue to make improvements. Names like Landon Carmichael, Salvatore Marraquin, Jimmy Wynn and Mario Yescas could see time as position players, while pitchers, Jon Bender, Ids Haasjes, and Ryuichi Akiyama, a former number one choice, are moving up in the minors.

San Diego Hops 2034 mid-season PR

San Diego Hops mid-season PR

August 21, 2034

 (January 2018)

Pedro Alejo, 6-5, 225

Scan from sketchbook, January 12, 2018

This will be the basis of a more complete digital illustration, and more polished poem

No question in the minds of even the most optimistic Hops’ fans that this would be a rebuilding year, particularly after the first couple of months of the season. However, amidst the gloom engendered by a less than adequate pitching staff, there are some positive stories that wind their vines through the San Diego experience.

10-9 record in August, after an 11-11 July, meaning that the almost 20 under .500 record came in the early months of the season, and it may just be on the verge of righting itself. In that stretch, pitching improved a great deal, while hitting remains the strength of the team.

PITCHING

Jim Phillips, at 9-12, has the best record amongst starters. His ERA has dropped from 5.70 to 5.02 in a three game win streak. He also has a six game win streak this season, so hopefully he might make his way back to .500, and drop below 5.00 on the ERA side. Of course, his 12 losses rank him in the top ten league wide in the negative.

The rest of the rotation has been fairly hideous, or just plain broken or injured. John Curnew, 4-8, 5.17, Robinson Pedercini, out another month with hamstring issues, 6-10, 5.07, Alberto Rivera, 8-9, 5.90, Francisco Zúñiga, torn elbow tendon, on the 60 day DL, 3-5, 4.42, Prince Papenfuss, unclaimed after a waiver wire stint, 1-6, 8.82, Loeck Jurgens, 3-3, 6.13, and a few others, most notably, Ronaldo Teves, also on the 60 day DL, who only lasted 13 innings before tearing an elbow ligament.

In the bullpen, Mitsuzuka Koyama has been a pleasant surprise, going 8-6 with 21 saves, and a 3.03 ERA in his first year in the southland. Jeff Hodge carries a 3.25 ERA in over thirty innings. Rookie, Bruce Berardi has shown some flair in his four debut appearances. Taylor Longbottom has a lot of potential, but his 2-5 record and 6.61 ERA has led to more time in Coronado in AAA, than in San Diego. Naomi Kobayashi has picked up some wins in garbage time, and his inflated ERA of 5 plus is a result of five of his 24 games.

There might be some help in the minors, Fleury, Rodriguez, Akiyama, and Morgan are all in AAA ready for a shot. Ricky Alvarado and Jon Bender, are further away, while in the 22 under league, watch for Antonio Rios.

HITTING

The bats for San Diego continue to be their plus point. Ranking second in the RCL in hitting, OPS, third in runs, show that the stick side of the game is in good hands. Led by CF Martin Arias; .328, 3b An-yi Bian; .320 and Robby Colwill; .311, the trio ranks in the top ten in the league. Arias has 169 hits, Bian leads the team with 19 HRs and 73 RBIs, while Colwill is steady, and has swiped 21 bases.

Other contributors include new 1b Alexandru Curticapeanu, 18 HRs and 68 RBIs, and about to come off the DL, veteran Akira Kato, who at 35 is holding down the DH position with aplomb. Also showing some spunk at the plate is youngster, 2b Ross Bullmore, C Addy de Zeeuw, thriving in a platoon role with vet Ricardo Corte, infielders Manuel Rios and Sean Hayward, and an occasional blow from Motoki Hayakawa.

Disappointing seasons are coming from Lorenzo Atilano, Gerardo Rosa, Nadir Rizvi, Jejomar Butardo, and Jorge Moreno. All are over thirty, but it is hoped they are not quite done yet. If they are, watch for more time in the near future for the likes of Andy Hegarty, Tobias Zeiler, Sweet Spanker, London Carmichael, and Jamie DeWoody.

Names to watch in the future include C Ron Marshall, OF Jason Trude, OF Jeff Dotson, OF Antonio Carranza and potential future star, OF Mario Yescas.

2033 post season review

Original illustration from sketchbook, transformed to final illo below

San Diego Hops

December, 2033

November, 2017

An-Yi Bian, 3b, San Diego Hops

The Hops’ disastrous 57-105 2033 campaign had few bright moments, and even fewer bright prospects, but there was a glimmer of hope embodied by third baseman, An-yi Bian. Bian, a quiet Taiwanese native, has begun to take a leadership role on the field, if not the clubhouse, and his simmering distaste for selfishness is rubbing off on his younger teammates.

Bian hit .259, but his on-base percentage of .367, coupled with a solid .425 slugging percentage is sure to be a major cornerstone of the Hops’ rebuilding effort. His 98 walks led the Clemente League, and was fourth overall in the ABL. His 34 doubles were right behind young centerfielder, Martin Arias’ 36, for 4^th and 3^rd respectively in the ABL. Arias ABL leading 204 hits mark the pair as batting leaders San Diego can rely on for years to come, as Bian is 24 and Arias a mere 22 years of age.

2033 was a year most San Diegans would like to forget, tied for the worst in team history, after a brief uptick in ’32. In order to return to .500 and beyond to playoffs, a lot of work is going to have to be done, but Bian and Arias are the foundation from which Hops’ management is intent on building.

PITCHING

Injuries marred the starting rotation, with Prince Papenfuss limited to just 19 starts, and Gerardo Vela just five. The two regulars who made it unscathed by injury through the season, Jim Phillips and Robinson Pedercini, were both under .500, but still flashed potential as a left-right combo in the middle of the rotation. The need is for an ace at the top of the staff, and that may be Francisco Zuñíga, or maybe dark-horses, Enrique Galván or Ryuichi Akiyama.

The bullpen is a bit shaky, with youngsters like Taylor Longbottom, John Curnew, Nick Henneberry and Kawanari Uchida getting their feet wet in the bigs. Longbottom is slated to start the ’34 campaign in the closer role barring management moves.

CATCHING

Addy de Zeeuw is the lone bright spot at the position, but that is very bright. A solid .280 hitter, with adequate defense, the former rule 5 pickup is guaranteed the starting role. His backups will be a motley mix of career minor-leaguers, but a recent trade will bring Toshio Siriashi from SoCal into the system, and he looks to be the best of a meager bunch. Ron Marshall is the interim backup solution.

INFIELD

The Hops lost Taniguchi to free agency, so look for RF Jejomar Butardo to move into the infield with what is looking like an interesting crowd in the OF. Second base is solid with veteran Akira Kato while Sean Hayward waits in the wings. Bian has been discussed at the hot corner as a once and future star. Shortstop had injury issues, but youngster Manny Rios stepped up big when Rosa succumbed to the broken kneecap. Andy Hegarty and Landon Carmichael will be in the mix soon, so the infield is looking young and fast for years to come.

OUTFIELD

Robbie Colwill, Arias, and a host of middling names like Trude, Zeller, Atilano, Moreno, Rivzi, will all vie for playing time. Colwill and Arias are bonafide stars, so the DH and RF slots are open competitions.

FUTURE

The trade with SoCal could be just the beginning this off-season. Though choosing not to participate in what has historically been a lucrative avenue for the Hops, the Rule V draft, the Hops were not too dismayed at the prospects lost, contrary to the national press. Free agent and waiver wire work is definitely in the cards.

.500 is the goal for ’34, and motto for the campaign, “Sipping Desire”, also a new featured beer at the Brew Stade, will be the phrase going forward.

Hops mid-season review

Hops Mid-Season Review

Trade Trauma and Drama

Just when things were looking bad, and then worse, and then just plain gruesome, the Hops pulled the string on three major trades, completely changing the profile of the team. The effects may not be felt for a few seasons, but management felt it was necessary.

Francisco Zúñiga, RHP (Photoshop):                from this sketch done during today's staff meeting:

First, of course, was the preface trade: Jean Claude Petit going to Maple. That was just the tip of the iceberg. After an absolutely horrific losing clump, San Diego managed to drop 17 of 18 bracketing the All-Star game. Determined to change direction, Hops' brass reached out to their fellow GMs to come up with these deals:

Kenny Allen, a vaunted closer with little to show in a Hops uniform, SP Phil Kettenring, SP Tim Gary, and SP Jose Rios, all in the minors, for 2b Bryce Rice, RP Mai Do, and OFers Jorge Moreno and Ian Riley of Jacksonville. The keys to this deal were Rice, to move, Do and Riley to add depth, and the young pitchers given up were all performing at a marginal level, though admittedly with not a lot of data.

Grade: B- [higher if the players garnered in the Rice deal pan out, and none of the three youngsters, Kettenring, Gary and Rios go on to be superstars]

Then, in quick succession three deals:

 Salah bin-Atif, SP, and the ace of the San Diego staff was dealt to Bloomington for veteran SP Loeck Jurgens, minor league pitchers, Chris Elwell, Cedric Gold, and pictured above, Francisco Zúñiga, as well as OF Jason Colaiainni. This was an economic manuever, as bin Atif, like a number of other players on the Hops roster, was not going to re-sign, nor extend their contracts. The minor league arms more or less correspond to the arms given up in the Rice deal.

Grade: B+ with our scouts very excited about Elwell's electric fastball and hammer curve.

Bryce Rice, lasted less than 24 hours in San Diego, before he was on the move to Dallas; SD picking up outfielders Antonio Carranza and Jeff "Train" Dotson, along with 2b Andy Hegarty, and reliever, Luis Castillo. All four of these young men could see significant major league time if they continue to develop, especially Dotson who is the heir apparent in LF.

Grade: A Dotson and Hegarty are closest to the bigs

Finally, former first round pick, John Watt, once thought to be the catcher of now and forever, was moved to South Carolina, where perhaps a Bomber uniform will bring out the bopper in him. In return, San Diego received Sweet Spanker, who will try to learn 1b in case Taniguchi bolts California for greener pastures, and a bullpen commodity, Ronald Stevens. If Spanker doesn't learn first, he is a fantastic outfielder, so this will be a work in progress, perhaps Jejomar Butardo moving to first sack making way for the plethora of young outfielders, Colwill, Arias and now Spanker and Dotson.

Grade: B+ or higher if Stevens bridges the bullpen into the good years coming.


 San Diego, thanks to the trades and yet more disastrous injuries, will go with a rotation of lefty Jim Phillips, then all righties-Robinson Pedercini, Juan Vasquez, fresh from his former closer role, Zúñiga, and Do. DOH

Alberto Rivera becomes the closer, though look for Alejo or Stevens in that role shortly.

Moreno is the only newcomer to break into the starting lineup, supplanting Rivzi to some degree.

Hops Pre-season 2033

Hops pre-season

and NEW UPDATE with Bonus Poem Fragment and Illustration

and Brimstone

slurvers slop

inside outside

flipside

    slip

inside strike

zone

devil wings

for arms

demon twists

nail corners

sledeption

destruption

then

triple digits

                 written August 19, and September 9, 2017, drawn, on the same days

(Salah Bin Atif, you can look it up, he hits 100 on the gun, has a changeup and splitter, and maybe more given their ridiculous rating)

San Diego made headlines by dealing its best player and a minor league throw in, for a pack of bodies, most of whom will toil in the minors this year. Jean-Claude Petit and Bobby Criss, went to South Carolina, trading coasts for two major league pitchers, Prince Papenfuss and Gerardo Vela, with a handful of minor-leaguers thrown in. This is an early indication that SD will be shedding salaries (Kato? Cassidy?) for very little in return as it earnestly attempts to rebuild.

* News Flash, Dong-soo Bruce, SP has been dealt to Bloomington for a passel of youngsters:

P Ronaldo Teves

P Gabe Loza

OF Pete Bauer

SS Jamie DeWoody

The deal came down the morning after Bruce twirled a dominating KO against Dallas. San Diego management, under pressure, says that this may not be the end of dealing and wheezing, er, wheeling.

Lineup:

Martin Arias leads off playing CF, and in his third big year season is still only 21.

Robbie Colwill, also early in his career will bat second and play LF.

Tokuhei Taniguchi has established himself as a genuine power threat at 1b.

Veteran, Nadir Rizvi hits cleanup and will be the full time DH

Akira Kato, as long as he’s a Hop, will bat fifth and try to take Petit’s place at 2b.

An-yi Bian moves into a full time position at the hot corner.

Addy de Zeeuw catches with John Watt in the wings (deepest decent position on the team)

Manuel Rios is the only real SS on the opening day roster with Rosas on the DL

The bench is a bit thin, with Hayakawa on the IF and Trude in the OF supplying the best options.

Rotation:

Salah bin Atif fronts the rotation

Newcomer, Gerardo Vela will move into the two slot after his tenure in South Carolina

Dong-soo Bruce is the swing man   Jim Phillips

Prince Percival Papenfuss and Robinson Pedercini are solid back of the rotation arms

John Curnew and Jim Phillips are options here

Bullpen:

Juan Vázquez is the closer du jour

Zong Sang and Kenny Allen are a right handed dual setup crew

Phillips (update, now moved to the rotation) and Nick Henneberry are the middle men while Abdul Fattah Arfan and Naomi Kobayashi are going long to start the season

Prospects:

London Carmichael, Jimmy Wynn and Mario Yescas are the big names amongst position players, with former one pick, Carmichael destined to be on the big league roster soon. Jon Bender, Rick Byrnes and Jose Rios are an intriguing trio on the mound in the minor league system.

Overall:

70 wins is asking a lot, but what else is new?