63.18 Montreal Leads BBA After First Month

[Bob Breum]

The calendar says April 30. The BBA has logged 26 games, almost one sixth of the 2063 season. Standing alone at 19-7 is Montreal, a game up on their division foe Charm City. Even the mighty Nashville at 18-8 looks up to the Blazers. Is this sustainable?

Montreal looks different than the last few years. They lead the BBA with 8.89 batter WAR -- next best is Portland with 6.23. They are winning with offense. They lead the BBA in wOBA, OPS, and slugging percentage. They lead the Johnson League in batting average and on-base percentage and rank second behind Charm City in home runs and isolated power.

The Blazers still run out a strong defense and possess a robust rotation and a solid bullpen, although their defense (and offense) has been hurt by the absence of shortstop Reynaldo Serrano and their pitching hasn't been as dominant as in years past. Fifth starter Peter Ramsey has struggled.

Rookie catcher Qaseem Kahil has been a revelation. He was expected to be solid behind the plate, with strong framing and blocking skills. What was not expected was for him to hit .311/.364/.525 (162 OPS+) with five doubles, a triple, and a pair of homers. Likely not sustainable but a welcome change from years of glove-first catchers who could barely surpass the Mendoza line.

The trio of right-handed sluggers, third baseman Denes Terovolas, second baseman Jaime Serna, and first baseman / captain Dan Wilkinson, are off to a strong start with 24 doubles and 15 home runs among them, all batting over .300. The lefty duo of left fielder Manny Burgus and right fielder Clancy Lee are holding their own, hitting .309/.396/.506 (168 OPS+) and .364/.387/.580 (185 OPS+), respectively. Centerfielder Ed Rooney has contributed 11 steals and super sub Koray Kapkin is hitting .311/.348/.475 (144 OPS+). Only shortstop and DH have not pulled their weight. Serrano is not slated to return for two more months and the DH position is still a work in progress.

If the Blazers can stay healthy, this may be the year that the Breums realize their dream of a division title. They're off to a fine start.