It was an eventful 2038 campaign for UMEBA's Bucharest Balauri, from late-season front office changes to a minor league championship. Here is a recap of all the well-earned hardware handed out this past season:
Edgardo Pagán - 2038 UMEBA Bancroft League Great Glove Award (2B), 2038 UMEBA Bancroft League Platinum Stick Award (2B)
Pagán was undeniably Bucharest's best player in 2038 as he claimed two awards for his contributions at the plate and on the field. Offensively, Pagán hit 39 home runs en route to a .275/.331/.514 slashline. Pagán, coming off a 31 homer season in 2037 for the BBA Triple-A Gotham Heroes, credits a swing change to his newfound power. The second baseman known as "Black Jack" flashed a plus-glove as well, all in all resulting in a 4.2 WAR season. Despite his cavalier attitude in the clubhouse and towards the media, Bucharest will again look to Pagán to provide pop in the middle of the lineup come 2039.
Mark Brown - 2038 UMEBA Bancroft League Great Glove Award (RF)
Brown's earning of a Great Glove Award has the potential to set scout-and-stathead relations back fifty years. Brown, never known for his glove, turned in an elite defensive season, leading all players in the Bancroft League with a Zone Rating of 7.9, as well as a 1.041 Defensive Efficiency. Additionally, Brown chipped in with seven outfield assists despite owning an average arm in right field. Rumors are the new analytics-embracing front office expects Brown's defense to regress in 2039, enough so that he's not yet penciled in the starting lineup, but for now, the award will look great on Brown's mantle back home in Montgomery, Alabama.
Miguel Guerra - 2038 UMEBA Bancroft Platinum Stick Award (LF)
Guerra, an off-season signing for Bucharest, took advantage of his fresh start in the UMEBA and put together a career year, batting .334. Known more for his speed than power, Guerra used his wheels to his advantage in beating out infield singles and stretching singles into doubles. While upcoming free agency could mean added competition in the Balauri outfield, Guerra expects to at least hold down a bench role in 2039.
George House - 2038 UMEBA Bancroft Unsung Hero Award
What the "Unsung Hero Award" is is anybody's guess, but it earned House a two-year extension, inked yesterday. House, who announced his retirement in 2036 after pitching two seasons in the BBA, returned to baseball the following spring when he joined up with the upstart UMEBA. This season, House flashed signs of brilliance, ending the year with a league-leading 15 wins. House held batters to a .263 average thanks to a .280 BABIP. Was it luck, a fantastic defense or both? Either way, it was a fine season worthy of acclaim.
