“Yes, Mr. Hunt, we are rolling,” says the assigned ABL Dugout staff member, the man in charge of ensuring this stays (mostly) on point.
“Awesome, bro.”
“Mr. Hunt, you’ve been chosen today to help us in the ABL ‘Team Tag!’ series which has been designed to help promote the teams within the league. You’ve been chose to help us break down Boston—mainly because you were the Bench Coach for the team last year.”
“Right on,” says Matt.
“Right on.”
“Did I mention that the Republic swept Boston earlier in the season?” asks Matt, “Sweep city.”
“When would you have—” asks the staff member before getting cut off
Pointing to his head, “Trade secrets.” Matty indicates, before pushing forward, “Go on, go on. Just wanted to get that out there.” He finishes.
“Trade secrets then. Given Boston’s success last season, and success throughout the early points of this season, what do you think—” asks the staff member before being interrupted.
“Let me tell you something,” says the 45-year-old, handsome bleach-blonde Adonis that is Matt Hunt, “Boston has pitching… and I LOVE PITCHING. ”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The rankings currently:
ERA – 2
Starting Pitchers ERA – 5
Bullpen ERA – 3
Runs Allowed – 4
Hits Allowed – 6
Opponents AVG – 5
BABIP – 8
Home Runs Allowed - 6
Bases-On-Balls – 2
Strikeouts -1
The Basics. As they stand, it’s simple. Boston is 44-33, a game behind Cabo San Lucas (leading the Wild Card by 5 games) and is 25-11 at home while only 19-22 on the road. Talk about some home cookin’!
This just in: Boston is really good.
When you build an elite franchise you must do one thing, and one thing only. NOT MISS on your top few picks, and Boston sure didn’t.
Breaking news: Starters Norm ‘Cheers’ Jackson and Adam ‘Hi I’m Adam’ Thomas have been superstars since day one, and they are household names. The 30-year-old Jackson and 27-year-old Thomas will sit atop the rotation of the Cardinals for years to come and give headaches to teams and their daughters, respectfully. Oh, and they also have in my opinion, the super-underrated Jim Fleming.
Fleming is just 24 and struggling a bit this season, but he posted great numbers for a playoff team last year, going 15-8 with a 3.93 ERA and a WAR of nearly 2. If he ever learns to cut down on his walks, Mr. Fleming is going to be right near Jackson and Thomas as elite starters amongst an already awesome staff—a staff that might also include 23-year-old Alberto Pantoja who dominated Triple-A last year (12-12, 244 IP, 83 ER, 17 HR, 54 BB, 165 K, 1.10 WHIP) and who has translated his stuff quite well to the big team this year (3-4, 3.57, near 1 WAR through 14 games.)
The bullpen, frankly, is ridiculous. The team sits at a team bullpen era of 3, and that was without R.J. Lukies whose just made his return back to the big league squad after a long injury.
Last year’s closer, Javier Solis has been moved into the prime role of set-up man (likely to pitch in the most important situations, whether it’s a closing situation or not), and Brock Maddox has done a fine job closing this season (with R.J. Lukies apparently joining him for duo-duty) posting a 0.61 ERA and saving 19 of 20. His WAR already sits at 1.6. Almost 2.
Oh wait! I think I forgot to mention Nathan Wilson and Joe Nelson (who in 2012 pitched 43 games and posted a 1.73 ERA). Ok, I did that. Now I feel better. Wilson is by far my favorite reliever of his. He was called to the mound in 98 regular season games last year, pitching 113 1/3 innings and allowing just 29 runs (for a 2.30 ERA) while walking 23 and striking out 141. That wasn’t a typo, by the way. So Boston's bullpen is silly awesome.
OH WAIT! He also has this 26 year old Jon James (last year in Triple-A, 2.91 ERA 12 BB, 40 K, 73 G) … so, yeah, he’s in the majors now. Solid as well: 2-1 3.38 ERA with 40 strikeouts to 12 walks. I thought I missed him, apologies. Oops. I almost forgot Dan Morris whose about to come off the DL (in a couple weeks). Last year in 49 games he had a 1.97 ERA with 92 strikeouts and 45 walks. No biggie.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“You knew all those numbers off the top of your head?” asks the ABL Dugout staff member (from here on out, let’s call him little Marty).
“I did Lil’ Marty,” replies Hunt.
“Wow. I can see why you got the So Cal job,” he adds before nodding to himself.
“Just because I look like a sexy piece of man-meat, Marty, doesn’t mean I don’t know baseball. I just enjoy the surf is all, and the ladies, and the drinks, and the free—”
“What about Boston’s offense?” asks Lil’ Marty, eyes all bright and stuff, “What about his bats.”
“Built for the immediate long-to-short term success,” replies Matt, “If that makes any sense.”
“It does, but care to elaborate?”
“For you, Marty, anything.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Boston’s offense is definitely interesting.
The rankings currently:
Batting Average – 5
On-Base Percentage – 4
Slugging Percentage – 5
On-Base + Slugging – 5
Runs Scored – 4
Hits – 5
Extra-Base Hits – 3
Home Runs – 9
Bases-on-Balls – 6
Strikeouts – 2
Stolen Bases - 9
What you’re seeing is a very good offense—a smart offense that features players who walk tons and rarely strike out. That's the best combination you can have.
Let’s copy Gary and take a look at them positionally:
The Two-Headed Monster known as Will Bauer and Javier Ramon are what really gets this team going offensively, most definitely the stars.
George White catches most games for the Cardinals (and will need to catch more, potentially, given the injury to Ramón), but my favorite has to be Matt Sanford (whom I’ll be sending an email tonight about). White .232/.285/.373 and Sanford .169/.221/.225 aren’t great. But let’s be honest, nobody has catchers. Obviously, White is the better catcher, but Sanford is better defensively yet has only thrown out 14.3%. White on the other side has crappy defensive ratings, yet has thrown out near 37% and his slash versus lefties (.303/.346/.526) gets him most starts.
To be honest, the way this lineup is built up and down really makes me laugh, because it totally seems like the GM's personality. Both are 25, White is the keeper (come on, let’s lower Sanford's trade value some more) but neither is fantastic.
One of my favorite players from the inaugural draft, José Gonzáles, is 36, and signed a 2-year, $18 million extension. He’s been okay this season, but I think (even last year) he’s played well below his ratings. He’s a solid defensive first baseman and extremely popular throughout the league. His contract will end as (dun dun dun, mystery prospect – more on this below) is ready for the show.
Mr. Lane is making a bid to make the two-headed monster a tripod as he’s helped carry the offense this year. He strikes out, and doesn’t walk a whole bunch, but the kid has power. He's another 25-year-old. While Boston is top heavy with older elite talent, he has a very sturdy amount of ready-now guys who are being shown the ropes by these same elite vets. .279/.345/.492 is the line for Lane currently, and while Boston doesn’t run much, Lane has the ability to grab a bag or two if the situation calls for it.
Versus righties, the left side of the infield features the ‘White Side’ (Ed White and John White). Both alright, and platoon-worthy. Nothing really to note here, unless I’m missing something, and if I am—well, it was bound to happen!
Will Bauer and Javier Ramón would start in any outfield, and Manolo Palmeiro and Abel Baker are decent enough of a platoon in center. He also has the .300-hitting Alex Austin playing corner outfield, with Jesús Alvarez leading off versus lefties. Platoon city, Gray!
The more I look, the more I think Boston is preparing himself to make a move. Maybe not, I could be wrong, but with Bauer hitting .290 with 14 home runs and 37 RBI and Ramon posting a line of .323 with 5 home runs and 29 RBI, I really think Boston is waiting out a trade for another outfielder. I could be 100% wrong but it’s just a feeling I get. I can’t imagine the Cardinals being happy with that production from their outfielders heading into the playoffs.
MYSTERY PROSPECT – Triple-A first-baseman José Escobar will be more than enough once Gonzáles retires. He’s currently hitting .348/.415/.610 with 18 home runs, 65 RBI, 37 walks, 47 strikeouts, and 25 doubles! He’s the main prospect in Boston (though I could be missing some), but he’s the sure fire hit in the system. To take the position from Gonzales, he’s going to have to be great. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s called up at some point this year if Boston needs the bats, or is on the squad at the break of spring next year.
“I got maybe a third of that,” says Lil’ Marty, looking cute with his full black beard.
“Well,” says Matt Hunt before smiling, “I’m not repeating it. Scroll up.”
Matt looks at phone, “Anything else, I have to go and prepare for San Diego. Those Hops kids down south think their tough shit. San Diego, ha!”
“Uh, ” says Lil’ Marty, “I think we’re good.”
“Awesome.”
“Thanks bro.”
“Right on,” says Matt.
“Right on.”
“Did I mention that the Republic swept Boston earlier in the season?” asks Matt, “Sweep city.”
“When would you have—” asks the staff member before getting cut off
Pointing to his head, “Trade secrets.” Matty indicates, before pushing forward, “Go on, go on. Just wanted to get that out there.” He finishes.
“Trade secrets then. Given Boston’s success last season, and success throughout the early points of this season, what do you think—” asks the staff member before being interrupted.
“Let me tell you something,” says the 45-year-old, handsome bleach-blonde Adonis that is Matt Hunt, “Boston has pitching… and I LOVE PITCHING. ”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The rankings currently:
ERA – 2
Starting Pitchers ERA – 5
Bullpen ERA – 3
Runs Allowed – 4
Hits Allowed – 6
Opponents AVG – 5
BABIP – 8
Home Runs Allowed - 6
Bases-On-Balls – 2
Strikeouts -1
The Basics. As they stand, it’s simple. Boston is 44-33, a game behind Cabo San Lucas (leading the Wild Card by 5 games) and is 25-11 at home while only 19-22 on the road. Talk about some home cookin’!
This just in: Boston is really good.
When you build an elite franchise you must do one thing, and one thing only. NOT MISS on your top few picks, and Boston sure didn’t.
 |
| Norm Jackson |
 |
| Jim Fleming |
The bullpen, frankly, is ridiculous. The team sits at a team bullpen era of 3, and that was without R.J. Lukies whose just made his return back to the big league squad after a long injury.
 |
| Brock Maddox |
 |
| Nathan Wilson |
OH WAIT! He also has this 26 year old Jon James (last year in Triple-A, 2.91 ERA 12 BB, 40 K, 73 G) … so, yeah, he’s in the majors now. Solid as well: 2-1 3.38 ERA with 40 strikeouts to 12 walks. I thought I missed him, apologies. Oops. I almost forgot Dan Morris whose about to come off the DL (in a couple weeks). Last year in 49 games he had a 1.97 ERA with 92 strikeouts and 45 walks. No biggie.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“You knew all those numbers off the top of your head?” asks the ABL Dugout staff member (from here on out, let’s call him little Marty).
“I did Lil’ Marty,” replies Hunt.
“Wow. I can see why you got the So Cal job,” he adds before nodding to himself.
“Just because I look like a sexy piece of man-meat, Marty, doesn’t mean I don’t know baseball. I just enjoy the surf is all, and the ladies, and the drinks, and the free—”
“What about Boston’s offense?” asks Lil’ Marty, eyes all bright and stuff, “What about his bats.”
“Built for the immediate long-to-short term success,” replies Matt, “If that makes any sense.”
“It does, but care to elaborate?”
“For you, Marty, anything.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Boston’s offense is definitely interesting.
The rankings currently:
Batting Average – 5
On-Base Percentage – 4
Slugging Percentage – 5
On-Base + Slugging – 5
Runs Scored – 4
Hits – 5
Extra-Base Hits – 3
Home Runs – 9
Bases-on-Balls – 6
Strikeouts – 2
Stolen Bases - 9
What you’re seeing is a very good offense—a smart offense that features players who walk tons and rarely strike out. That's the best combination you can have.
Let’s copy Gary and take a look at them positionally:
The Two-Headed Monster known as Will Bauer and Javier Ramon are what really gets this team going offensively, most definitely the stars.
Catchers
 |
| George White |
 |
| Matt Sanford |
Infielders
 |
| José Gonzáles |
 |
| Dave Lane |
Versus righties, the left side of the infield features the ‘White Side’ (Ed White and John White). Both alright, and platoon-worthy. Nothing really to note here, unless I’m missing something, and if I am—well, it was bound to happen!
Outfielders
 |
| Will Bauer |
 |
| Javier Ramón |
Prospects
 |
| José Escobar |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“I got maybe a third of that,” says Lil’ Marty, looking cute with his full black beard.
“Well,” says Matt Hunt before smiling, “I’m not repeating it. Scroll up.”
Matt looks at phone, “Anything else, I have to go and prepare for San Diego. Those Hops kids down south think their tough shit. San Diego, ha!”
“Uh, ” says Lil’ Marty, “I think we’re good.”
“Awesome.”
“Thanks bro.”
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