Vicente Lamb, Stars Reporter
September 2, 2057
VALENCIA – The Saturn Ringers flirted with historical levels of futility in 2057. They finished with an 18-58 (.237) record, sixth worst in team history. The hitting was atrocious, with a team wRC+ of 70. Pitching was little better, with a team ERA of 5.40. With a collective WAR of -3.6, the Ringers often looked completely over matched against legitimate Class SA competition.
Acquired: 2055 Rookie Draft, 20th Pick in Round 4, 127th Overall
Born: Ueno, Japan
.305/.395/.498, .893 OPS, 133 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
Signature Moment: Went 3 for 4, with two doubles, a walk, and five runs batted in on June 29, against the Havana Cigars.
Murayama is a fringe outfield prospect who found himself back in Saturn after early season struggles in Class A. So in a sense, this isn't necessarily a success story, since all Murayama did was prove what the Stars already knew; that he could hit against Class SA pitching. Still, he was without doubt the most valuable player in the Ringers lineup. As mentioned, he was effective at the plate, if a little strikeout prone. In the outfield, where he played chiefly in right, he was slow of foot and unremarkable, except that he did get a few chances to show of a cannon of an arm, collecting 5 assists. The BBA scouting service gives him a future value of 40 as a right fielder.
Acquired: Trade with Mexico City, 08/25/55
Born: Commerce Township, Michigan
3.65 ERA, 54 K, 19 BB, 73 HA, 2 HRA, 69.0 IP, 83 IP-, 1.5 WAR
Signature Moment: Allowed no earned runs in 5.2 IP, struck out 10, walked none, and allowed 4 hits, earning a game score of 69, against the Adirondack Beavers on June 18.
Red showed great improvement in his second season in Saturn. The 19 year old southpaw with a four pitch arsenal has not made significant progress in putting more zip in his fastball however, which still tops out at 90 mph. Expect to see Red in Redwood City next season, and we'll have to see how far his command and guile will take him. Scouts haven't seen much to change their minds about him, and give Red a 40 future value as a starter.