The Aztecs were average or slightly worse for most of 2043, ranking between 8th and 10th in most offensive categories. The team has never been an offensive juggernaut, but after a torrid start to the season Mexico City management were hoping for something a little better than a C- overall grade for the bats. As the season wore on, it became increasingly obvious that the team was running about half of a major league lineup out there. Only 4 players in the Aztec lineup posted WARs north of 2.5 in 2043, those 4 are the finalists for 2043's Batter of the Year.
The Finalists:
DH Anastasio Lopez
2043 Stat Line: .311/.373/.554, 26 2B, 28 HR, 3.6 WAR
Lopez is proving himself to be a yo-yo type player, with the odd numbered years as his good ones. While not up to the standard or his exceptional 2041, Lopez spent 2043 as one of the few Aztec hitters that opposing pitchers had to work around. One of the few Aztec players that didn't join the team in circling the drain late in the season, his numbers actually improved overall as the season wore on.
RF Fernando Moreno
2043 Stat Line: .319/.357/.489, 43 2B, 14 3B, 15 HR, 3.8 WAR
If you look up 'consistent' in the dictionary, you'll probably find something that pretty aptly describes Moreno. He got a little better in 2043, as he has every season in the bigs, and continues to entrench himself as a favorite within the front office. He fell victim to the team's late season swoon as well, but an exceptional May and June pushed his numbers up to the top of the pile.
3B Manny Collazo
2043 Stat Line: .286/.339/.444, 43 2B, 18 HR, 2.8 WAR
Was 2043 Collazo's coming out party? He had a decent year at the plate, except for June, in which he posted a .548 OPS, and the team is excited about his future. If he can spend the offseason filling out his power, he could be a real threat in 2044.
Hsin Mei
2043 Stat Line: .232/.316/.498, 28 2B, 36 HR, 2.5 WAR
The 33 year old Mei had a pretty decent year in 2043. Perfectly acceptable. Except that he's making $20M. It could be argued that he never quite hit his stride in Mexico City, but he was a very important piece for the Aztecs in 2043. All eyes will be on contract negotiations that, after being frosty at best during the season, are reportedly picking up some steam.
The Winner:
Fernando Moreno
Moreno performed exceptionally well in 2043, batting leadoff every day, playing an acceptable RF, showing up, doing his job. In a lineup with no superstars, Moreno is the guy that shows up and performs. His year over year improvement has the front office excited to see what he can do next year and he may rapidly become the new face of the franchise. Fernando Moreno is your 2043 batter of the year.
