2038.08 - The Long Beach Independent - Struggling Daniel Demoted

[Lane]

STRUGGLES CONTINUE FOR DANIEL

July 22, 2038
Long Beach, CA

A slow start poured over into a poor March, and the somehow June and July were even worse for the 23 year old 2B/DH Sloan Daniel. The 2036 Gillstrom award winner had a fine sophomore season, posting 3.2 WAR and a 114 OPS+ in an injury abbreviated 122 games last season. To say that his current performance was unexpected would be the understatement of the season.

His OPS, which was .886 and .827 for '36 and '37 respectively has fallen to .623 through 85 games this season. His BABIP is an unusually low .248 but with an ISO under .100 he's just not hitting the ball with as much authority this year. With just 15 extra base hits in 322 AB's it's no wonder that he's posting an abysmal 64 OPS+ and has provided -1 WAR.

"We don't like that it's come to a demotion to AAA, but Sloan and I have spoken and we're in agreement that this is the best thing for him right now. We're not concerned about his talent or his work ethic. We just want him to get some AB's in Santa Fe, boost his confidence and come back soon to help us return to the playoffs" said GM Stephen Lane.

The Surfers are struggling through another up and down season and have really been lacking on the offensive side. Ranking near the bottom of the Frick in most hitting categories, it's not just Daniel struggling. First baseman Mark Simpson is having the worst season of his career, and left fielder Carlos Gonzales joins him with an OPS under .800 which would be a first for both of them.

[usnspecialist]

Fire up the ole smoke and mirrors machine!!

[Lane]

Fire up the ole smoke and mirrors machine!!

It's been working on the pitching side! Which really has always been the easier one to pull off the smoke an mirrors. For hitting they just gotta effin hit, and they're just not.

[usnspecialist]

For hitting they just gotta effin hit.

I feel like this simple quote sums up baseball in its purest form.

[RonCo]

I haven't pulled out the trusty calculator, but Daniel seems to be suffering from an acute case K-rate fever and BABIP chills.

[Ted]

I think whatever philosophy Daniel has been embracing should be passed on to Michael Best.

[Lane]

I think whatever philosophy Daniel has been embracing should be passed on to Michael Best.

It's already happened. .721 OPS in June and .667 OPS so far in July.