After three sims of 6-3, 3-6, and then 6-3 again, the Bobwhites stand at 15-12 for the month, only 1.5 games back of the Louisville Flubbers. You read that right. A team run by Nick Spitulski is actually in first place. Three big injuries to start the season involving C Rande Sorbo, 1B Darius Campbell, and recently RF Mike Clarke mean that the club could have been even better if all were healthy.
Starter of the Month
Oscar Funke
The Funke one was 3-1 with a 2.59 ERA in 31.1 innings in April. Looking to bounce back from a 5 ERA in 2005, Oscar the Grouch weathered a 2.2 inning hiccup on April 4th to become the team's most consistent starter over its first 27 games.
Reliever of the Month
Chad Jordan
Get ready for a lot of these, folks. Ever since becoming the Bobs' first round pick in the 2001 draft, Jordan has been groomed to be the closer. In this, his first season in the role full time, the 25 year old is performing to expectations with 5 saves and a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings.
Infielder of the Month
Doug Byrd
How's this for improbable? When Sorbo went down in spring training, Washington fans figured the club was screwed as usual. But then 26 year old Doug Byrd showed up, and in his first taste of full time action in the major leagues lays down an epic .390-6-19 line for the month. His .646 slugging percentage leads the team.
Outfielder of the Month
Jim Wilson
Whew. This category was about to become a joke, as Wilson was hitting under .200 with only 3 home runs after the first two sims of the month. Fortunately, he managed to remember that spring training is over and its actually time to play some real baseball, and ended up with 5 home runs in the final sim of the month to bring his April totals to .257-8-18.
INJURY REPORT
C Rande Sorbo broke his hand the second week of spring training and could be out until the All Star break.
1B Darius Campbell, Jr. also suffered a hand fracture and will miss at least another month of action.
RF Mike Clarke tore ligaments in his ankle on April 22nd and will be out until mid-June.
