Odds and Ends About Your Favorite Franchise ...
The Power of Meh
The Black Sox confounded the experts this week as they notched their 85th win of the year.
With three weeks left in the season, the Sox have surpassed the 83 victories the “seers” at BNN prognosticated for them in their annual Pre-Season Prediction column.
And, they’ve equaled the 85 wins that Rockville GM predicted in the annual BBA Media Guide (Pg. 49).
So, why has Chicago overachieved?
The answer, beyond all logic, lies in their bats. The Sox have transformed themselves from a dregs-of-the-league hitting club (16th in batting average, 16th in OBP, 15th in slugging through April) to a decidedly mediocre hitting club (10th in BA, 12th in OBP and 9th in slugging at the end of August).
Combine that “meh” hitting with the No. 2 pitching staff in the Frick through mid-September and, believe it or not, you’ve got yourselves some wins. A couple of keys to the uptick are all-star catcher Pedro Gomez (.360/.399/.601 since coming over from Portland in May) and new CF Dan Flores (.298/.342/.430 since arriving in Chicago from Mexico City in June).
Pedro Gómez
Dan Flores
And, beyond that, if they do make the post-season, can they win more than one playoff game?
Enough of the third degree here, buddy. We’re just glad the Sox have nailed down a fourth consecutive winning season. You gotta take your victories where you can get ‘em.
Historical Footnote
By going 6-1 last week, the Sox pushed their all-time modern era won-lost record back over .500: 4,123-4,119 since 1995.
Before you break out the champagne, though, they’ve got a ways to go before they can even up their all-time record, which dates back to 1973.
As of Sept. 7, 2045, they stood at 5,832-5,974, .493, or 142 games under .500.
Ramirez Hits Milestone
Shortstop Jaime Ramirez, 34, hit a career milestone during Chicago’s Aug. 18 9-2 win versus Twin Cities, as he picked up his 2,000th career hit.
Jaime Ramirez
Ramirez has struggled this season, slashing .210/.245/.262, posting -1.5 WAR, and losing the starting shortstop job to rookie Larry Barkin.
Chances are slim that Ramirez will return to the Sox next season, given that he’s due to earn $4.5 million and projections put the team over the league salary cap in 2046. His contract does have a player’s option, or the Sox may choose to simply cut him and get some cap breathing room.
All of that won’t be decided until the offseason, though. For now, Ramirez chooses to celebrate his accomplishment.
“It’s been a good run, right?” he said. “And I’m not at the end of the line, yet. If I’m not here next season, I know I can help someone.”
His career slash line over a 14-year BBA career – much of it spent in Louisville – is .278/.309/.368, 18.2 WAR, to go with a reputation as a slick-fielding shortstop.
Barely Got His Feet Wet in the Minors
Well, that didn’t take long.
In June, 22-year-old Larry Barkin was taken by Chicago in the first round of the annual amateur draft. He signed a contract, reported to the AA Beloit Blue Sox … and played there for about a month and a half.
Larry Barkin
On Aug. 3, he was promoted to the Black Sox to take over at short for the struggling Jaime Ramirez.
Even though he hadn’t hit well in Beloit (.186/.267/.309), he was dazzling in the field and the front office decided to bring him up and let him help the Sox pitching staff with his glove.
He’s done that, of course.
But he also hasn’t been half bad at the plate: .250/.325/.368. Compared to the .210/.245/.262 slashline put up by Ramirez this season, Barkin has looked All-World.
“We’ll take it,” said manager Julian Negrete. “Larry’s helped solidify things in the infield and he’s been effective with his bat. We think he’s got a bright future with us!”
At least until top prospect Badr Isam, who put together a nice first season with Rookie League Monclova, is ready to take over …