Maple improved their play in June after a poor May going 12-14, and still staying within striking range, 2.5 games back in the TML Billy Martin division. At home Maple is playing .500 ball and on the road struggling at 16-24 for an overall record of 36-44 for the season.
Team Batting statistics are pretty much middle of the pack ranging from a low of 5th overall in the TML to a high of 12th in the TML overall. Power on the batting side is still a strong point with 90 HRs on the season and not getting on base with free passes is hurting the team with only 212 bases on balls.
Team Pitching statistics are a bit stronger for Maple. We rank #1 in Strikeouts meanwhile we are 10th in giving up the long ball. We expected our pitching to be a weakness this year but, so far the youngsters are holding their own.
Maple made some adjustments in June. First move was to place Dan Wilder in the rotation. There was a lot of interest from teams in acquiring him but, we have decided to see what he can do for us on the mound as a starting pitcher. So far in two starts he has been very good, 1-0 with 13.1 IP, 7 HA, 4 ER, 1 HRA, 3 BB, 7Ks. In both games Maple ended up winning (Vs. GEO and vs. SFE). The 2nd big move was the call up of 2B Eric Rice, 3B Dave Guenette and CF Antonio Alvarez. Dave Guenette was a highly rated prospect but has yet to find his stride at the ABL level. This could be his last shot. Eric Rice has been a surprise player ever since being picked in the 7th Round of the draft a couple of years ago. Alvarez was taken in the same draft as Rice but in Round 2. So far Rice is doing the best, batting .368 and a RC/27 of 7.64. Alvarez and Guenette are struggling to bat their weight.
Down on the farm;
Astoria AAA - Kevin McConnel DH has really picked up his game hitting .288 with 11 HRs and 46 RBI. Nobody has really stood out on the mound so far.
Sandy Springs AA - Antonio Paz 1B has been mr. consistent batting .363 with 14 HRs and 60 RBI. On the mound Joshua Goldberg who has struggled at AAA is a solid contributor at the AA level with a 2.16 ERA.
Kingwood A - Brad Thomas OF is leading the way with a .279 bavg, 7 HRs and 36 RBI. Nobody has really stood out on the mound so far.
Playoffs at the minor league level maybe in the sights for Sandy Springs sitting at 44-37 and 2.5 games back. Kingwood who has never reach .500 is playing their best baseball ever sitting at 46-36 but 12.5 games back.
The Maple minor league system has dropped to last in the league according to the experts at OSA, however; keep in mind that most of the solid prospects for Maple are at the ABL level at this time.
The goal for this team is to improve and get younger and keep the financial machine turning out money. We feel we can still move a few aging players such as Jesse George SP to a contender and still compete in the Billy Martin division.
Jason/GM Maple
No comments:
Post a Comment