In the final game of the Season, Twin Cities had climbed all the way out of the hole it had dug for itself with a disastrous May and had taken a One Game lead over Long Beach. From 10 games below .500 after the All Star Break to 9 games above .500.
However, in that final game of the Season, Long Beach finally woke up... for real. Knocking out Reece Raynor to tie their records back up and then to defeat Chris Kelly in a well played game for the One Game Playoff to see who made the Post Season. Long Beach has rode that success through two rounds of the Playoffs after being just one game from being out completely. So close, yet so far....
Sure it was disappointing to come up so short, but sitting back, it's easier to appreciate the 18 game positive swing. It was certainly frustrating during the losing streak, several extra inning and one run losses. However, it all turned around with the return of this guy.
Chris Kelly
9-3, 17 GS, 2.44 ERA, .97 WHIP
Chris Kelly was nothing short of fantastic after his return after the All Star Break. With a 80+% quality start percentage and sub 1.00 WHIP, he was just what the team needed to light a fire and get them back into the hunt. Kelly finally figured out his Change Up over the season (5 -> 8) and it appears he's ready to be the #1 starter the team desperately needs.
Fans and the Clubhouse are excited to potentially see a full season of a matured Kelly next season.
Other Positives for team
Travis Arnoldl
18-7, 33 GS, 3.91 ERA, 1.28 WHIP
Arnold was the work horse of the Rotation both before and after Kelly return. While not considered an elite pitcher by any stretch of the imagination, Arnold put up a fantastic season. He basically did his job by just keeping the team in most games he started and keeping it close.
Albert Ganoa
.280 BA, .907 OPS, 90 RBI's, 3.7 WAR
Albert Ganoa was the midde of the lineup guy Twin Cities needed him to be when the Front Office traded him for Jayden Harsnett last season. Ganoa struggled mightily at the end of last season, leading many to question the decision of trading the then Red Hot Harsnett. However, with no chance of resigning Jayden, the team acquired a Ganoa and signed him to a reasonable $3.4Mill/year extension... versus the $18+ million Harsnett was asking.
SS Mark Wareham
.392 OBP, .868 OPS, 132 BB, 32 HR, 89 RBI, 5.6 WAR
Mark Wareham was his usual self, taking a crap ton of walks (132 - 5th year 1st BBA), stealing some bases, hitting a few home runs, scoring a few runs... The only true "Elite" position player on the team, the team was ecstatic when he dropped his previous extension demands from $20 Mil+ to around $15mil/yer. Allowing the team to keep Xue-gin Man and Mark Cooper.
Other notable postives
2B Xue-qin Man - .304 BA, 41 SB, 3.2 WAR
LF Ray Cooper - .273 BA, .816 OPS, 2.9 WAR
OF/IF Joey Newhouse - .273 BA, .841 OPS, 1.2 WAR (Rookie - 1/2 season)
The team over-all was very consistent from top to bottom with few holes... However, there was one glaring disappoint from a guy who's been a rock at the middle of the lineup for several season.
3B Chris Limon
.199 BA, .689 OPS, 22 HR, 38 SB, .8 WAR
After 4 previous season of playing 4.0+ WAR ball or better, Chris Limon was just unable to put it together this season. To the point where he has to be moved to the bottom of the lineup versus RHP starting pitchers. He was still able to put up solid numbers against lefty pitchers, but the bottom fell out against righties. The Front Office is keeping up hope this season was a aberration and not the beginning of a trend. Chris Limon's laid back attitude is fine when he's playing great, but may start to rub other players the wrong way when he's struggling. Here's to hoping it's a one year hiccup...
And Finally, the pariah... the infamous... the PED user... Stelio Kontos... has finally reached his Team Option. No longer will he be the most overpaid player in Minor League Baseball. The Team Option in his contract, negating the final two years of his deal were the only things keeping the team from outright releasing him and paying the entire contract off.
I guess you win some and lose some...
Notable Series (W/L)
Des Moines Kernels 3W-9L - Absolutely Killed TWC at a key point in the final stretch
Yellow Springs Nine 8W-4L - Played well against the eventual Division Champ
San Fernando Bears 3W-7L - TWC former Play-Off beat up the River Monsters this season
