Chasing The Storm 5-1-12

[njherdfan]

Roughly one month into the season, the Seattle Storm are performing at roughly the level that many observers predicted. What has been very surprising, however, is how the Storm have gone about obtaining their current 17-11 record. Last year's team succeeded by bludgeoning opposing teams and hoping that the pitching staff could do enough to win a bunch of high-scoring games. This year, the opposite has been the case.

Seattle's team ERA of 4.46 is 4th in the Frick League, and that success has been evenly spread out between the starters' ERA, which is 4th in the Frick, and the bullpen ERA, which is 3rd. Seattle's bullpen success has been a team effort, as Greg Downing, Tomas Roman and Herbert Coolen have all done a good job thus far.

While the pitching has been terrific, Seattle's offense has struggled out of the gate. Although Trey Williams has picked up right where he left off, Dave May has struggled to start the season. Seattle's GM Nathan Eagan has a positive take on these struggles, however. "The way I look at it, we know what Dave May is going to do; but if the pitching can keep doing what it has been doing, then this team has a chance to be special."

While fans and players are obviously focused on Seattle's play on the field, Eagan also has an eye to the future. Just yesterday, the Storm made its first-round draft pick, and selected catcher Kirk Burkett. Although Burkett is obviously a long way away from contributing to Seattle, Eagan projects Burkett as a quality hitter who should be able to hit for a high average, with ample extra-base power. Only time will tell how good Burkett can be.

[mrbornac]

Burkett is very raw, but I had him on my "think about it list" if he was still available in the second round. Your pitching has been a bit of a surprise, but ride that pony as long as it will take you places!

[recte44]

It's still going to be a year long battle in the FLP. Mark that down.

[njherdfan]

It's still going to be a year long battle in the FLP. Mark that down.

Unfortunately, I completely agree.