Maple cools down in May after fast start...

Maple took a step backwards in May going 10-17 after posting a quick and surprising 13-11 start in April.  At the time this article was written the Marauders were also struggling at 1-4 in June.

24-32 record places us in 4th place in the close Billy Martin Division in the Thurman Munson League.  A .500 record may win this division!  Outside of slugging and HRs the offense is struggling to score runs (11th in the TML).  However, the perceived weakness in the pitching staff is in fact the teams strong point.  Maple is in the top of each of the pitching categories.  If the defense was a bit better we could only imagine how better the staff stats and the W/L record would be (10th in BABIP and 11th in DEF EFF).

Maple offense has been led by Billy Greer OF who is hitting .289 with 11 HRs and 24 RBI and 12 SBs.

Maple pitching has been led by Jesse George SP who is 5-5, 3.82 ERA, 43 Ks, 75.1 IP

On the farm:
Astoria AAA is 23-33, 7.5 games back
Sandy Springs AA is 28-27, 7.5 games back
Kingwood A is 32-24, 8.5 games back

Tee Wilson CF our highest rated prospect received a brief stint in Maple hitting .255 with 3 HRs and 14 RBI in 24 games.  He was sent back down to AAA Astoria.  We should see him during September Call-Ups.  He also might be a starter next year in Maple in CF.

Jason

Maple off to a surprising start in Season V

Maple finished the opening month of Season V above .500 posting a 13-11 record.  Maple unlike last year is winning the close games and doing well in extra innings (6-1 in 1 run games & 3-1 in Xinnings).  The power game is still in the lineup (ranked #2 in the TML) with 40 HRs.  Every other offensive category Maple sits about average meanwhile, in the pitching category Maple is #1 in strikeouts at 274 for the season.  Despite having the 11th ranked defensive efficiency and BABIP surprisingly the pitching staff ranks in the top half of most of the major categories including ERA, Starter ERA, Bullpen ERA and runs allowed.

Maple dug into their farm system to call up two of the top rated prospects.  Robert Osborne SP and CF Tee Wilson joined the club at the ABL level very early on.  The last remaining of the top prospects may also get a call up before rosters expand in September CL Manny Palma.  Maple's farm system has dropped in rating to #22nd overall.

Maple is also lacking a top 20 batter and pitcher for the first time in five seasons of ABL baseball.

Down on the farm all levels of the organization are in contention to make the playoffs.  Astoria AAA is 3 GB sitting 14-17, Sandy Springs is 18-13, 2 GB and Kingwood is 20-11, 2 GB and for the first time ever is above .500 on the season!

On the health front, the Marauders have lost 3 starting players so far due to injuries.  CF Anthony Lewis is due back in May, SP Aaron Nelson is due back in June and the big blow is CL Johnny Tiller who is out for the season.

Billy Greer continues to be the most consistent batter for Maple, .299 bavg, 6 HRs, and 9 SBs so far this season.  Chandler Fisher surprisingly is our top starter with 4 wins, 3.09 ERA and 32 IP.

Hopefully we can keep this going!

Jason
Maple Marauders