A Flock of Bluebirds 2041.16- Grading the Out-Getters

[recte44]

A Flock of Bluebirds 2041.16- Grading the Out-Getters
October 14, 2041

With the Bluebirds season now over at the hands of division rival Louisville, it's time to look back in order to go forward. It's Player Grades Time! We'll start with the "Out-Getters".

Ash Davenport, RHP
4-0, 1 SV, 0.90 ERA, 24 G, 0 GS, 30.0 IP, 24 H, 3 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 31 K, 1.13 WHIP, 1.1 WAR

Davenport was a revelation as a rookie reliever. His season becomes even more impressive when you consider the offensive explosion the league saw this year. No homers allowed! Wowza! GRADE: A

Francisco Barrera, LHP
1-0, 3 SV, 1.53 ERA, 23 G, 0 GS, 29.1 IP, 21 H, 5 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 33 K, 0.82 WHIP, 1.0 WAR

Last year at this time Barrera found himself waived, designated for assignment and ultimately outrighted to the Nashville minor league system. In the offseason the Bluebirds made the decision to convert him to a full-time reliever. It's safe to say that was a wise decision. Nearly unhittable. GRADE: A

Bert Hugill, LHP
3-2, 2 SV, 1.94 ERA, 29 G, 0 GS, 74.1 IP, 63 H, 16 ER, 3 HR, 29 BB, 57 K, 1.24 WHIP, 1.2 WAR

When Matt Rectenwald took over Nashville in 2040 he signed Hugill to join him there. Last year after four miserable starts he was waived and claimed by Brooklyn. Just over a year later, Brooklyn waived Hugill and Nashville claimed him back and told him he would be a long reliever, period. Great call, as Hugill was pretty darn effective in that role. Signed through 2043, Nashville can only hope for more of the 2041 version for the next two seasons. GRADE: B+

Bob Coleman, RHP
2-2, 0 SV, 2.57 ERA, 12 G, 0 GS, 21.0 IP, 17 H, 6 ER, 3 HR, 8 BB, 15 K, 1.19 WHIP, -0.1 WAR

Signed from the scrap heap, the Bluebirds hoped Coleman could help solidify their bullpen down the stretch. Homers and walks were his downfall, cancelling out his otherwise effective stuff. He won't even entertain an extension offer, wishing instead to explore free agency. Good luck, Bob. GRADE: D

Pedro Sanchez, RHP
1-0, 3.24 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 8.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 7 K, 1.44 WHIP, 0.3 WAR

Sanchez was rewarded for a decent AAA campaign with a spot start after the Bluebirds clinched their playoff slot. Better than expected. GRADE: Incomplete

Lorenzo de' Medici, LHP
7-7, 12 SV, 3.26 ERA, 57 G, 0 GS, 88.1 IP, 65 H, 32 ER, 9 HR, 42 BB, 108 K, 1.21 WHIP, 1.9 WAR

You have to take the bad with the good when it comes to the Italian lefty. Hard thrower with lots of swings and misses, but also lots of walks and more than ideal amount of homers allowed. His postseason meltdown won't skew his grade here though Bluebird Nation is not too pleased with him these days. GRADE: B

Ta-heng Hor, RHP
6-5, 2 SV, 4.08 ERA, 39 G, 16 GS, 134.2 IP, 133 H, 61 ER, 15 HR, 40 BB, 101 K, 1.28 WHIP, 2.3 WAR

No one wanted Hor this offseason, so Nashville scooped him up on a split major/minor deal. He never saw the minors. Hor was in the rotation for the first half of the year, then mostly in the pen in the second half of the season. He pitched better as a starter, and it remains to be seen what role is best for him moving forward. Signed a two year extension worth $3,400,000 to stay with the Bluebirds. GRADE: B-

Miroslav Tomanek, RHP
1-0, 1 SV, 4.09 ERA, 8 G, 0 GS, 11.0 IP, 16 H, 5 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 8 K, 1.64 WHIP, 0.0 WAR

Ever make a trade and then realize you made a horrible mistake? GRADE: D

Gerald Abbott, LHP
1-0, 1 SV, 4.32 ERA, 11 G, 0 GS, 25.0 IP, 23 H, 12 ER, 3 HR, 5 BB, 16 K, 1.12 WHIP, 0.3 WAR

Considering Abbott wasn't even supposed to be in the bigs until 2042 realistically, what he contributed at the BBA level was outstanding. Bright future for the finesse lefty. GRADE: C+

Manuel Orozco, RHP
5-3, 14 SV, 4.63 ERA, 46 G, 4 GS, 72.0 IP, 71 H, 37 ER, 11 HR, 28 BB, 84 K, 1.38 WHIP, 1.2 WAR

First and foremost, he made it through an entire season relatively unscathed. After being the only Bluebird to make the All-Star team with a dominant first half, the wheels started to come off in the second half. What finally fixed him was the decision to move him back into a starters role for four September starts, and then back to the bullpen for the postseason. Once again, it was a win just to get him through an entire season, a feat he hasn't accomplished since 2033. Not a typo- 2033. GRADE: B-

Chin Kim, LHP
13-4, 4.92 ERA, 34 G, 34 GS, 206.2 IP, 224 H, 113 ER, 29 HR, 67 BB, 142 K, 1,41 WHIP, 2.9 WAR

Best SP contract in the BBA? Check. Takes his turn every single time. Eats up innings. In the era of offense we currently operate in he's a solid starter. GRADE: B-

Eru Likiliki, RHP
11-12, 5.11 ERA, 32 G, 32 GS, 192.0 IP, 219 H, 109 ER, 27 HR, 58 BB, 166 K, 1.44 WHIP, 3.7 WAR

By WAR, Likiliki was the Bluebirds' top starter. A cursory glance at the numbers makes the casual fan question that statement. He has the best stuff of the Nashville starters but the movement has not been kind to him. It'll be interesting to see how his career progresses. GRADE: C+

Josh Brown, LHP
15-10, 5.19 ERA, 33 G, 32 GS, 183.2 IP, 226 H, 106 ER, 34 HR, 55 BB, 101 K, 1.53 WHIP, 1.2 WAR

Brown has made a career out of being a crafty lefty. It's an up and down ride with Brown, and 2041 was no different. Some great outings, some not so much. If you care about the Win stat, he had the most on the team. Impending free agent who is asking for far too much money to return. GRADE: C

Kidane Ata, RHP
2-3, 6 SV, 5.48 ERA, 30 G, 0 GS, 47.2 IP, 49 H, 29 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 55 K, 1.47 WHIP, 1.1 WAR

Ata the pitcher was extremely unlucky in 2041. His .359 BABIP was way out of whack, therefore the bad ERA and hit totals. With even average luck, these numbers would translate to still borderline elite reliever status. GRADE: C+

Hao Kun, LHP
7-8, 5.91 ERA, 20 G, 20 GS, 128.0 IP, 134 H, 84 ER, 29 HR, 45 BB, 84 K, 1.40 WHIP, 0.3 WAR

When Nashville acquired Kun mid season it looked like a bargain pickup. What the heck happened? No more swing and miss, and holy gopher balls. This didn't work. Nashville did sign Kun to a team-friendly one year extension so he'll get another season to prove that he still has it. GRADE: D-

Hyun-sik Chang, RHP
6-4, 6.37 ERA, 20 G, 11 GS, 76.1 IP, 100 H, 54 ER, 10 HR, 22 BB, 62 K, 1.60 WHIP, 1.3 WAR

How the hell does a guy with a 6.37 ERA and 1.60 WHIP earn 1.3 WAR??? Like Ata, lady luck was not in Chang's favor this year with a .364 BABIP. The big contract means he's likely back next year to try again. GRADE: D

Jose Rangel, RHP
2-3, 13 SV, 7.42 ERA, 29 G, 6 GS, 43.2 IP, 60 H, 36 ER, 4 HR, 22 BB, 31 K, 1.88 WHIP, 0.5 WAR

It started out great in April as Rangel looked the part as closer just like he did late in 2040. Then the wheels came off, and finally he got hurt. He did come back to make the final start of the season for Nashville, pitching well in his return. Maybe next year will be better. GRADE: D-

[RonCo]

I like this. A fun overview with a few insights here and there.

[usnspecialist]

ya the tomanek trade really didnt work for you, especially since colon had a breakout of sorts for me (although i dont plan on the bat lasting).

[GoldenOne]

GM Golden would be happy to take Likiliki, Kim, and Medici and reunite with them back in Charlotte.....

[jiminyhopkins]

"Out-Getter"? What, does the word "pitcher" trigger the snowflakes or something?

[jleddy]

Kidane Ata, RHP
2-3, 6 SV, 5.48 ERA, 30 G, 0 GS, 47.2 IP, 49 H, 29 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 55 K, 1.47 WHIP, 1.1 WAR

Ata the pitcher was extremely unlucky in 2041. His .359 BABIP was way out of whack, therefore the bad ERA and hit totals. With even average luck, these numbers would translate to still borderline elite reliever status. GRADE: C+

How big is that border?

[jleddy]

ya the tomanek trade really didnt work for you, especially since colon had a breakout of sorts for me (although i dont plan on the bat lasting).

A colon breakout is the worst kind.