Perhaps there is just a few shoots of recovery visible? In 2036 after going 0-10 and 6-20 for April it took Louisville until July until they were actually in positive territory for a month (15-11). A 9-18 tally hinted in April 2037 at the same miserable season but Sluggers have picked their feet up slightly and as we approach the final days of May are 10-10 for the month. Louisville lost the first series of May’s opening road trip two games to one at Charm City but pleased the fans by going into the Genius’s Wichita and coming away with two wins out of the three games. Nashville came into the Kentucky Truck Plant Stadium and swept the Sluggers to make the month’s record 3-7 amid fears that the team was spiraling out of control. Louisville rallied though with a series win in New Orleans followed by five wins out of six in a homestand against Atlantic City & Brooklyn. The Team must now try to maintain the revival in the face of a 12-game road trip taking in Mexico City, California, Huntsville and Wichita.
Guzman is making himself a successful Rule 5 pick for Louisville
Kevin Morales had battled against his strained oblique and will be activated off the DL now in time for his start tomorrow in Mexico City. That has resulted in Douglas Wils finishing his cup of coffee and being returned to Missouri, the 22-yr-old had been a bit overmatched in his first BBA look losing all four starts with a 7.15 ERA and a 2.4 HR/9 ratio. He hasn’t been alone in posting such figures though in the Sluggers rotation and at least he struck out more than he walked (11/7). At 27 when he should be coming into his prime Pepe Jaramillo could be done in Louisville, after a 7-14 record in 2036 he is now 1-6 to start 2037 with an ERA north of eight. The main source of his woes has been giving up 22 homers in his 10 starts so far, he just has been unable to adapt to pitching in the new Stadium. Rule 5 pick Carlos Guzman has managed to be the star of the rotation with a 5-1 record, winning two of his three starts and only giving up one homer in 37 innings pitched. Lando Klomp on his return to the BBA has fared no worse than the majority of the bullpen who mostly have an ERA north of six. Rookie Axel Goulding though has taken to the closers role like a duck to water. In 12 BBA outings he has six saves, a 2-0 record, a 1.23 ERA and just a 0.61 WHIP. I think it’s fair to say that he probably won’t be needing his locker down at Triple-A Missouri any time soon.
Jaime Ramirez has taken his move to the hot corner in 2037 in his stride, hitting .327 and stealing 19 out of 23 attempted bases with a ZR defence of 2.5 he hasn’t missed hardly a beat although he has hit into a team-leading six double-plays. His replacement at shortstop, Joey O’Brien, is coming to terms with the role, generally sound in defence with a bat that’s picking up as he gets used to facing big league pitchers every day. Maximo Quezada has proved fast over the base paths, successfully stealing on 13 of 15 attempts but getting him on base has proved problematic as he has 58 strikeouts compared to just 37 hits. Abay Omoruyi will finish the month back in centrefield with Quezada back on the bench as he attempts to suss out how to lay bat on ball. Jose Vazquez in his third year as Sluggers DH is leading the team with 12 homers and 11 doubles as he continues to be productive. Scott Martin has grabbed the opportunity all the injuries has handed him and is hitting a respectable .250, has stolen successfully all three attempts and hit seven homers. His 33 games this year has already surpassed his total for the previous two years so perhaps this could be the year he finally establishes himself as a BBA regular?