Santa Clarita Valley Journal | Organizational Awards: Redwood City (55.21)

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Santa Clarita Valley Journal
Vicente Lamb, Stars Reporter
September 22, 2055

VALENCIA – Hoo-boy. The Redwood City Rocketmen. Last place in the PL Western, perhaps first place in time spent on the IL (we don't have hard stats on that one). While not the worst Class A club (that would be Aspen), Redwood City was plenty bad, perhaps owing in part to its status as the youngest Class A club. While the team is based in the parent club's player development and spring training hub, it doesn't seem to derive much benefit from that, and has suffered its seventh consecutive losing season. Pitching on this team was terrible (collective -9.8 WAR). Hitting was a touch above replacement level.

Position Player of the Year: Second Baseman, Carlos Schumann
Acquired: 2054 Draft, 29th Pick in Round 1
Born: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
.306/.368/.416, .784 OPS, 102 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
Signature Moment: Went 3 for 3, including a triple, with 2 walks, and a run scored on August 20, against the Prince George Cougars

While he was a first round pick, expectations for Schumann remain fairly modest. As a seventeen year-old in Class A, he put up competent numbers, and the Stars front office believes that he'll become a doubles hitter when he matures. With very good speed, a good hit tool, and not much of an arm, Schumann will likely be a career second baseman, but has plenty of time to develop. The BBA scouting service gives him a future value of 45.

Pitcher of the Year: Dan McDaniel
Acquired: Minor League Free Agent; October 4, 2054
Born: Upton, Massachusetts
1.09 ERA, 29 K, 5 BB, 32 HA, 0 HRA, 33.0 IP, 52 FIP-, 1.0 WAR
Signature Moment: Struck out 3, walked none, and allowed no hits, retiring six consecutive batters against the Tombstone Geckos on June 17

It's fitting that this award goes to a pitcher who spent less than half the season in Redwood City before getting the heck out of town. McDaniel earned promotion to Class AA Jamestown in July. Like Eklund in Saturn, McDaniel was originally drafted by a different team the 16th round, in McDaniel's case, El Paso in the 2052 draft. The Chilis released Dan a week after drafting him. Also like Eklund, McDaniel was signed by the Stars as minor league filler, however, they waited a solid two full years after he was drafted before signing McDaniel to a minor league deal. McDaniel is a relief pitcher who made 16 appearances in Class A, where he looked very, very good. Even so, we may be seeing the Peter principle in action as his strikeout rate plummeted in AA. McDaniel is not considered to be a pitching prospect. His “fastball” tops out at 87 mph, and his slider is unremarkable. The BBA scouting service gives him a 20 future value.