Last Team News: October 2010.
Not a typo, it's been FIVE MONTHS since there had been any public discussion of Long Beach. Two GM's and still no team news, twittering, or winning. Let's take a looksie:
Overview:
51-102, .333, 35.5 games out of first place in the Frick League Pacific. Worst team in the MBBA.
What's Good?
- LF Ted Sale is the best player on the team, showing good OBP and SLG and bouncing back from a disappointing and injury riddled 1998.
- Moonie (GM Jason Russell) does an interesting experiment with the bullpen, where he doesn't assign ANY reliever to ANY role. This has worked out ok, as it's the only thing they aren't worst at.
Oscar Acosta is the clubs best reliever but with the current configuration he's not being used as closer, which is actually smart. His 2-9 record indicates he's blown quite a bit of tight games this year. - The 7th rated Minor League System in the MBBA.
- 1B Jeffrey Rossing has shown over his first two seasons in the bigs an ability to get on base 38% of the time with some gap power, however the Surfers insist on keeping Steve Rossi on the club. Had this team been involved around the deadline, Rossi might have brought back a midrange spec or two.
- David Hulse continues his surprising power development. The Surfers signed him to three more years at $8M a year, which really makes no sense when it comes to a rebuilding plan.
- Ramon Ayala continues his development, in his fourth full season at age 23. He lost 21 games last year but looks are deceiving. For him to be 13-13 on a team this bad is a testament to his talent level.
Minor League System
Santa Fe Young Guns (AAA)
77-53, .592, 8½ GB
Newton Falls Flying Tigers (AA)
75-45, .625, 9½ GB
Tombstone Geckos (A)
92-28, .767, - GB
Cayucos Surf (R)
40-29, .580, 1½ GB
What's Not So Good?
You name it, but here's a few fun stats....
- C Salomon Bolanos- .196, 183 K's (23 HR).
- 3B Rye Kelly- 13 BB/132 K's.
- SP Coleman Starke- 3-19 record.
- SP Lonnie Cardiel- Despite a low .301 BABIP.....5.91 ERA, 36 HRa, 97 BB.
And then there's the pure weight of these numbers:
Team Batting Stats & Rankings
Batting Average .253 - 12th in FL
On-Base Percentage .307 - 12th in FL
Slugging Percentage .397 - 10th in FL
On-Base + Slugging .705 - 11th in FL
Runs Scored 641 - 11th in FL
Hits 1343 - 12th in FL
Extra-Base Hits 434 - 9th in FL
Home Runs 146 - 9th in FL
Bases-On-Balls 375 - 10th in FL
Strikeouts 1299 - 12th in FL
Stolen Bases 105 - 7th in FL
Team Pitching Stats & Rankings
Earned Run Average 5.17 - 12th in FL
Starters' ERA 5.34 - 12th in FL
Bullpen ERA 4.81 - 10th in FL
Runs allowed 875 - 12th in FL
Hits allowed 1625 - 12th in FL
Opponents AVG .298 - 12th in FL
BABIP .339 - 12th in FL
Home Runs allowed 182 - tied for 10th in FL
Bases-On-Balls 483 - 12th in FL
Strikeouts 1012 - 11th in FL
What's Next?
1. Is Moonie in it? Let's find out....
2. Trade off ANY useful veterans, the future is five years from now.
3. Don't rush specs to the bigs, don't overpay veterans to fill spots.
