By Valerie Davies, for the Yellow Springs World
Fresh off releasing 8 players, the Yellow Springs Nine parted ways with frustrating fringe prospect Arthur Cole, further plotting a path in 2058 to significant changes for the team.
Cole, as a member of the Indianapolis Downforce
The Nine's second round pick in 2048, Cole was known for having a fairly big stick, with scouts raving about his potential power, rated up to eight, which would have been extremely useful at second base, amazing at short stop, and solid at third. The problem was, as Cole matured as a hitter, getting better at making contact with the bat, he regressed at making contact with the glove, including brutal negative zone rating numbers.
But the bat plays and both former GM Ron Collins and current GM Rob McMonigal kept Cole in the lineup, trying different places to utilize him best. After three straight years of over 20 home runs. McMonigal brought him up in September 2054 for a regular gig that would last until 2057.
The results were predictable. Cole hit well enough to have positive WAR in 2055 and 2056, 1.3 and 1.0 respectively, all while making it very hard for the team's pitchers.
"Arthur's a great guy and he works his butt off," said Dave Lee, "but anytime we saw him anywhere other than at first base, we felt like we had to strike everyone out or hope for a lot of fly balls."
Cole might have hung on as a DH, but his bat went cold in 2057, resulting in a demotion. He batted only .205 with 13 HR in 104 games.
"I hated letting Cole go," said McMonigal, "but he just wasn't cutting it. I can't have a DH who can't hit or field."
Cole may pick up work with another team, given his potential power is still there and he's just 26, but his best bet may be to move overseas to the GBC.
