Not the End That Was Expected
(Jerusalem, Hebrew Hammers Training Complex) The Jerusalem Hebrew Hammers started September with hopes of moving out of the last two spots in the GBC. Even with a mid-month bump, they lost their momentum and ended the season in 7th place with a record of 74-88. Without a solid core to hold the team together, there is a fear that next season could be a repeat of the previous one.
Staff News
Recently hired General Manager, Jesse Stollings, confirmed that all staff members for all levels of the organization are currently under contract. The hope is that allowing the staff to work with the players for the whole season there will be consistent returns on the work.
Minor League Results
The Minor league teams for Jerusalem did not fair much better than the GBC club. AAA Johannesburg Freedom finished in 5th place with a record of 64-80. The AA squad, Buenos Aires Brisas, finished in 4th with a record of 72-68. The Tokyo Magic finished with a record of 56-84 to earn 5th place in the FEBL, the A minor league. While the Rookie team limped into the end of the season to have an abysmal record with only 28 wins and 40 losses. This record was good enough to earn them 6th place in the Chinese Baseball League.
Who is Leaving
This list is just too long. Numerous players were waived as soon as the season ended. The players had made it very clear they have no intention of remaining with the Hebrew Hammers and are ready to join the Free Agent market. While these losses include some of the better players on the team. The negativity they exude in the clubhouse have seeped into the dugout and has had a negative influence on the teams' performance.
Who is Joining and Remaining
At this point, it is tough to tell. The Hammers brought in numerous Free Agents with the hope they will remain on the roster to start to fill out the Hammers starting lineup for next season. There are numerous people who have also agreed to extensions with the club and are excited to be a part of the new and, hopefully, improved Hammers.
How Did the September Call-ups Do?
Let's take a look at how the September Call-ups faired.
First off, 1st baseman Shihei Endo who played in 18 games, starting in 1. He had 18 plate appearances but didnt record any hits. He did get 1 walk, but his offensive contribution was below negligible, if that is even possible. He still has the ability to improve and his leadership will be a huge asset to the team next season.
Aidan Reijnen has had an immediate impact, taking over the starting lineup spot at 2B. He played in 24 games, starting 22 of them. In his 72 plate appearances he was able to get a stat line of .297/.352/.344 and a WAR of 0.4. His ZR at 2B of 1.3 pretty much ensures that he will be the starting second baseman for the 2055 Hebrew Hammers.
Pitcher Paris Zervakos has also earned a spot on the 2055 Hammers rotation/bull-pen with his performance since 1 September. His ERA of 3.27 came from pitching 11 innings and giving up 11 hits, 1 of which was a home-run, walking none and fanning 11. This groundball pitcher who has great leadership, stamina and the ability to keep runners on base still has room to get even better. His repertoire of a smoking fastball, a curveball that looks like it has been pushed by gale-force winds and a changeup that appears to slow-roll to the plate, the future looks bright for this 22 year-old.
Yes, there are many disgruntled players on the roster at the end of the 2054 season, but things are looking up for the Hammers and the expectation is their days in next to last place may be a thing of the past.
Hammer Time - End of 2054
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