Sticking Points 2048.4: Rockville Holding Steady

[aaronweiner]

Rockville made some major changes to the rotation this offseason, and the early verdict is in: one out of two ain't bad. The Pikemen are holding steady at a 91 win pace, in part led by offseason acquisition Jafar Haamid and despite cleanup hitter Bing-de Zhao missing nearly the first two months of the season.

Haamid has been especially outstanding. Signed for a meager $4 million per season, the speedballing righty looks to be one of the outstanding bargains of 2048. In a year where pitching is king, Haamid has posted a sparkling 6-3 record with a 3.16 ERA and is in the top ten in pitcher WAR this season.

"Jafar has really done a good job of keeping his walks down," said pitching coach David Brown. "He's doing the things he's always done, but he's been zoned in and it's making a huge difference for us."

Haamid is on pace for a career high in several categories this season. So is starter Danny Leach, whose 3-7 record hides the fact that he's been one of the top starters in the BBA this season. Leach, who famously was the first reliever to win a JL Steve Nebraska Award, might be able to win it as a starting pitcher this year.

"I don't know that we can properly say just how great Danny Leach is and how much he's meant to this franchise after losing Arthur Dempster, Dan Cannon, and Dave Martin," said RF Julio Barajas, himself a star having an outstanding season. "He's a link to the past and a bridge to the future and he's such a leader for us."

The downsides to the season haven't sunk the Pikemen. Last year's surprise 15 game winner, Guy Shroyer, has crashed out of the rotation. So far he's been replaced by Neil Davies, who hasn't been better. Additionally, Rockville's other big offseason acquisition, former #1 overall pick Gerald Sizemore, has not worked out to this point; Sizemore has been unable to go deep into starts and has been allowing more than two home runs per nine innings pitched.

"We thought there would be some adjustment, and it hasn't helped that Gerald's mostly pitched on the road," said Brown, noting that Sizemore has been much better in his starts at home. "He's frustrated but he's still out there trying hard."

Additionally, cleanup hitter Bing-de Zhao has missed most of the season so far, replaced by veteran backup first baseman Colin Lee yet again. Zhao's balky back might have been enough to sink other offenses, but the Pikemen have been able to keep afloat in his absence. Zhao has been excellent since his return.

"We've learned to employ Zhao insurance," joked Rockville manager Denny Dooley. "Colin Lee has held down the fort admirably in Zhao's absence, and we hope that Bing-de is healthy for the rest of the year. It's been a tough year for him to be sitting on the sidelines and cheering the team on."

Rockville is currently 32-25 on the year, and has been kept afloat by its other stars and one of the better defenses in the BBA in the wave of difficult circumstances. They're currently in a wildcard spot and on pace for the team goal of 90 x 15, representing the fifteenth straight year Rockville would have won 90 games.

"It's such a testament to the guys on the field," said GM Aaron Weiner. "We've been doing our jobs too, but we couldn't do it if we didn't have such a great clubhouse."