The Buffalo Rag 1998.2

[cramsey51]

Buffalo has started the season in neutral. Sporting a losing record in 1-run games has stalled their season start-up. The Bison are 4-7 in those games with only 18 total games played leading to an overall record of 9-9. The other two losses were by 2 runs each.

The season's downfall is very similar to last year, not enough offense. Buffalo has been a major player on the trade market, looking for a star powered bat. In that stead, players like Jeffery Linquist were supposed to supply the spark. Some early season injuries have not helped the situation, as they claimed key offensive players. Eric Lockett, Oscar Vizcaino and Ryan Savaikie have all suffered 3 or more week injuries, making a thin offense much thinner. In spite of that, a couple of bright spots would be utility man Billy Johanson making the best of limited playing time and Kevin Maas picking up right where he left off last season.

On the pitching side of things, the strength of the team is holding up. Amen Mitrani continues to improve, Jim Cramer has been very effective and Cletus Bullrush, Jr. could be on his way to a spot in the rotation. Overall, the pitching staff ranks 4th in the FL, which has been good enough to carry the team.

[recte44]

Bullrush's movement and one low rated pitch make me wonder....is he going to struggle as a starter but be a great reliever, ala Toothbreaker Jones?

[cramsey51]

What's painful is that he was the #1 overall pick in 1995. If he doesn't succeed as a started I have to rate this pick as a failure if all he becomes is a really good MR. Especially when I compare him to picks like Labrie, Puckett and Empire who look to clearly go on and be more than role players.

[aaronweiner]

What confuses me is that he's just 22 years old and he looks like a potential stud. I'm not sure why all the doom and gloom at this point; one low-rated pitch shouldn't sink a pitcher entirely in a proper simulation.

[lynchy34]

Bullrush's movement and one low rated pitch make me wonder....is he going to struggle as a starter but be a great reliever, ala Toothbreaker Jones?

I agree with Aaron here. If he only had two good pitches, I'd buy this a bit more. But with three oustanding pitches, I think Bullrush will be fine in the rotation.

[BigRed Mosquito]

Rod Smart, has had a nice little start to the season.

[cramsey51]

Rod Smart, has had a nice little start to the season.

True. I forgot to mention him. He is hard to work into the rotation since better players have advanced ahead of him.