Trail Droppings 2040- 6 McConnell Shafted in Voting

[indiansfan]

McConnell Shafted in Voting

Outfielder Werner McConnell, Jr. was left off the list of postseason award winners in a surprise to Calgary fans. McConnell led the team in HR and RBI’s this season and was one of the top hitters in the league. He led the FL in SLG and he was 5th in HR. McConnell also was the top hitter for the Pioneers during the playoffs.

“I think it is outrageous that Werner didn’t win anything. What is worse is that he wasn’t even in the top 3 for the Gillstrom or the Silk,” said manager Terry Cochran. “I know, I know, his WAR wasn’t high enough. I am so F’ing sick of people basing their votes on WAR in this league I could puke.”

McConnell recieved Calgary’s 1st place votes for the Sawyer Silk Award, the Gillstrom Award and the Puckett Award. In the playoffs he led all hitters with 10 HR and 18 RBI’s. For reasons unknown the writers did not select him as the MVP of any of the four playoff series that Calgary played.

McConnell lost out to California’s David Simpson for both the Gillstrom Award for rookies and the Puckett Award for right field. Simpson posted a .298 AVG, .595 SLG, 1.004 OPS with 41 HR and 97 RBI’s. McConnell hit .285 AVG, ,637 SLG, .962 OPS with 47 HR and 115 RBI’s. Simpson’s WAR was 5.6 and McConnell’s was 2.5.

With similar hitting statistics the main difference between the two was their fielding. Simpson had a -.2 ZR, 3 errors, 8 assists, 249 put outs and a .988 fielding percentage in right field. McConnell had a -8,8 ZR, 1 error, 8 assists, 176 put outs and a .995 fielding percentage. While making fewer errors McConnell also had significantly fewer put outs. However, should fielding be factored in to the Puckett Award which is a hitting trophy? If voters are using WAR, which includes fielding, are they fairly judging a hitting award or should they focus more on the hitter’s production.

“It is an old story and I am done talking about it,” said Calgary GM Kevin Dickson. “I’ve had these discussions for years and there are just guys that see WAR as the holy grail of statistics. Maybe we should just change all the awards and call them the WAR awards.”

McConnell was the team’s #1 pick in the 2034 draft. It took him several seasons to make it to the BBA. His father, who was a standout for Phoenix (Now Yellow Springs), made it in his second seasons, but only played 5 years in the league. The senior McConnell hit .321 in 2001 with 25 home runs. He hit 21 in 2003 and made the All Star team. Over his 5 year career his Dad hit 70 homers, a number that Junior should pass in his second season.

In 2038 McConnell won the GLSteve Garvey, Jr. Batter Award and the GL Platinum Stick Award for RF while playing in AAA. He then went on to win the FPL Platinum Stick Award for LF and finished third in the MVP vote in the Florida League.

“I wonder if it’s because of his name,” Cochran added. “Who gives their kid a stupid name like Werner in this day and age? I bet his Grandpa was a big fan of Hogan's Heroes or something. Otherwise, where the fuck do you come up with that name?”

[usnspecialist]

I know this is a purposeful biased take, but simpson vs mcconnell isnt even close, even if you just factor in offensive categories.

Simpson: .298/.409/.595 155 OPS+ 152 WRC
McConnell: .285/.325/.637 133 OPS+ 135 WRC

[bcslouck]

I know this is a purposeful biased take, but simpson vs mcconnell isnt even close, even if you just factor in offensive categories.

Simpson: .298/.409/.595 155 OPS+ 152 WRC
McConnell: .285/.325/.637 133 OPS+ 135 WRC

I was going to say, I usually use OPS+ for Puckett's and Simpson was 22% better. But we have to get our TN's in somehow.

[indiansfan]

Cochran is pretty sensitive to WAR and stats impacted by OBA and fielding. Personally I take average and slugging over on base with a home run hitter. Simpson is a great player, I just think they are closer with the stats I focus on which aren't the saber ones.

[RonCo]

McConnell is paying for the sins of his great uncle Mitch.

[indiansfan]

McConnell is paying for the sins of his great uncle Mitch.

If I thought they were related I’d cut him. No relatives of Moscow Mitch in this clubhouse.