Tater Talk: 2044.009 – 2044 Mid-Season Report Cards

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Tater Talk: 2044.009 – 2044 Mid-Season Report Cards

Post by jleddy » Thu Oct 08, 2020 3:38 am

Image 2044 MID-SEASON REPORT CARDS Image
With just a tad more than half of the 2044 season played and with the All-Start Game coming up in a few days, now is as good as any time to start looking at Boise's first half performances, on a player-by-player basis. We'll be handing out grades, old school (or just school) style, for significant players on the 40-man roster who have spent time in the Brewster Baseball Association thus far.


The proverbial valedictorian of the Spuds, Dennis French (A+) is
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on-pace for a career-best WAR (9.5), topping his Sawyer Silk-winning 2040 when the superstar outfielder lead the majors with 8.2 WAR. His performance is one of the key reasons why Boise has climbed back to over .500 and still with hopes for grabbing a Wild Card. Grellan Profit (A) has been the best surprise of the first-half of Boise’s season, although GM Joe Lederer had moderately positive hopes for the starter-turned-stopper when he signed him as a free agent this off-season, but he never dreamed of 17 saves to go with a 3.04 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through June. Félix Román (A) has been picking up what French has been putting down, ranking second in the Johnson League in runs batted in. His projected WAR of 6.8 is a nice bounce-back from last season’s “down” year of 4.8 WAR.

When Juan Guerrero (B) has one of the better
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mid-season grades, it tells you a lot how the first 80 or so games went. His sub-4.00 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and snazzy 8:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio has been one of the few positives out of Boise’s bullpen. As a pending free agent and projected to potentially bring a compensation pick earns Guerrero a solid B. Kent Montoya (B) is probably a C-level pitcher, but his projected 1.9 WAR is a huge turnaround after a -1.2 WAR rookie campaign. After leading the Johnson with 43 home runs allowed last year, the young lefty is on pace for “only” 30. Boise will take the improvement from their young back-end starter and hope he continues to improve in the second-half. Ricardo Ruíz (B) is probably not the .935 OPS slugger he showed as a rookie in 2041, but he’s on-pace for a second-straight season of 2.5 WAR. When you can pencil in a 20/20 season with strong defense and that’s your third best outfielder, you have a nice player. Robin Cooper (B-) has settled into his role as an innings-eating, pitch-to-contact arm who still has plenty of development to go. As a few bright pitching prospects are expected to debut for the Spuds soon, Cooper can be a reliable back-end arm who greatly benefits from Boise’s excellent team defense.

You know the “Hey, look at us. Who whoulda thought? Not me!” meme from 25 years ago of actor Paul Rudd?
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That’s Lloyd Braun (C+) in his age-37 season. While the bat is nowhere near league average (85 OPS+ through 70 games), Braun’s stellar glove keeps him in the lineup on nearly a daily basis. Braun is looking to win his second-straight Zimmer at second base and the sixth overall of his solid, soon-ending career. Mitch Freemann (C+) could have earned an Incomplete grade until being pulled from the rotation after seven so-so emergency starts (4.54 ERA, 1.28 WHIP). Freemann has the looks of a swing-man, as he’s taken to pitching from the pen during his rookie season (3.31 ERA, 1.04 WHIP in 16 relief nnings). Pat Willard (C+) was an early-season waiver claim from Brooklyn and he’s been surprisingly excellent in 23.1 relief innings (1.54 ERA, 0.94). It’s not much, but he earns his grade merely on the fact that some GM with questionable mental capacities actually casted a vote for Willard for this year’s All-Star Game. Dominic Lawrence (C) started the year hot, building off last year’s impressive showing after being pick-up off waivers. Lawrence (4.54 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) has done just enough to keep the rotation from imploding, which says more about the Spuds pitching as a whole than it does about Lawrence. Curt Love (C) had an impressive April, possibly filling the abyss known as Boise Third Base. After a rough May and June, the Spuds were looking at different options at third, however a strong start to July has kept hopes alive. A projected WAR of 0.9 is sadly one of the better seasons out of the hot corner in reason years in Boise. Thirty-seven at-bats does a season not make, but Dani Morse (C) has filled in all over the outfield to rest the stars when needed, putting up a slashline of .297/.381/.622 in the process. This production won’t last but the athletic, defensive-minded Morse is better than most fourth-outfielders around the league. After a great Triple-A campaign in 2041 (.320/.400/.544) and solid rookie season (127 OPS+, 2.7 WAR), Pepe Madrid (C-) struggled last year to get accustom to the new offensive enviroment and this season has been an even tougher row to hoe (.250/.314/.398). Madrid has missed over a dozen games to mulitple injuries this year, so hopefully he can get it going again in the second-half, as the Spuds will need contributions from the big first baseman if they have any chance at the postseason. Miguel Ramos’ (C-) ballyhooed arrival in Boise has been less than fruitful, The veteran starter has had vintage starts here and there but it’s been an up-and-down (mostly down) first year as the defacto ace. Like many others with middling grades, big second-halves will be needed for the chance to play non-Mexico City games in October. The once-reliable Dave Walsh (C-) has been anything but in 2044. The good: sub-4.00 ERA after 4.26 in 2043, lowest HR/9 since 2038, highest K/9 since 2041. The bad: highest WHIP since 2039, abnormally high BABIP. The ugly: June surgery to remove bone chips, likely sidelining the veteran southpaw for the rest of the year. When the bullpen is already weak, you can’t afford one of your more dependable arms to miss more than half a season. Motonobu Yamashita (C-) is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, surrounded by bubblewrap. The usually plus-plus defender has lost a step in the field, it seems, and his .303 average and zero net-steals is a far-cry from his outstanding 2042 in which the shortstop hit .332 and lead the league with 68 steals. Always good for a strained hammy or two each year, Yamashita has already missed fifteen games from three non-hamstring-related injuries. The Boise offense can only go as far as French and Roman take it and missing Yamashita’s bat and defense has certainly cost the team a win or two this year.

Ye-qing Kung (D+) has an electric arm (10.3 K/9 in 27 big league innings) but
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his Achilles’ heel continues to be the long ball, as he’s served up nine (3.0 HR/9) during his brief call-up. He’s been solid in Triple-A (12 saves, 2.48 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 11:2 K/BB ratio) but his reliability (and mid-season grade) are not-so-solid. The Opening Day DH, Ismael Alfonzo (D), currently finds himself in Triple-A working on his swing. After hitting 26 HR last year as a rookie, he was expected to do more of the same his sophomore campaign, if not improve. This has clearly not been the case. He’ll get a call-up again soon but will need to show positive gains to prevent having 2044 considered a lost season. Expected to start in a platoon or at least get plenty of pinch-hit at-bats against lefties, José Hernández (D-) has only made it into 20 games thus far and the returns have been ugly (.162/.273/.514). With no options left and Boise’s timer to make the playoffs racing towards 0:00, Hernández will need to pick-up the pace or else face an ever worse end-of-season grade, if not fate. Bad, bad Leroy Hoffman (D-). The righty-swingman had a 2043 comeback with signs of life (0.7 WAR) after a dismall 2042 (-0.4 WAR). Unfortantely Hoffman has continued to regress, putting up an ERA of nearly 8.00 before a torn labrum in mid-April ended his season. You know the tale so well: a below-average pitching staff cannot afford to lose even their weakest link. A failing grade is warranted, but the injury spared him some embarrassment. Former first-round draft pick Frank Metcalf (D-) is fighting for his big league life. After injuries and major downgrades in his skills, the righty has gone from potential mid-rotation starter to mop-up reliever. Last year’s 3.32 ERA and 1.06 WHIP are a far cry from this year’s output and Metcalf is likely the first name to be pulled from the hat when prospect reinforcements make their way to the bigs in short time. Whenever Mark Simpson (D-) calls the Boise clubhouse, he gets “New phone, who dis?” as a response every time. The plan was set: bring in the aging veteran to boost fan interest and let him play only to his strengths: left-handed pitching. But even Simpson can’t hit (or draw a walk) against southpaws like he’s done for his incredible fourteen-year career. He’s been shuffling up and down the lineup card trying to find a home but it hasn’t worked. If there’s a horrible Simpson in the league, it’s been Mark in 2044.

One time bright catching prospect Pat Alexander (F) is looking
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more and more like a bust after failing to capitalize on his .868 OPS and 5.2 WAR in Double-A in 2042. Last year’s rookie season was a disaster (.164/.260/.312) and his follow-up has been even worse in 2044 (1-for-33…that’s an OPS+ of -51). Demoted to Triple-A to figure things out, he still looks completely lost at the plate (.183/.319/.350 in 60 minor league at-bats). Boise will be scrambling to find their next young starting catcher if the no-longer-great Alexander can’t put it together quickly. To make matters worst, expectations were already low for the Spuds other catching option, Katsumi Kato (F). All that was penciled in was to hit above the Mendoza line, let his game calling skills and glove shine and repeat last year’s 1.3 WAR rookie season. This year the defense has been average, at best, and his offense wouldn’t even play in the UMEBA. Projected for -0.9 WAR, Boise’s backstop production has been abysml to say the very least. Diogo Lindt (F) was signed during the off-season as a cheap stop-gap at closer after Boise lost two bright relieving prospects in 2043 (Jorge Maestra - career-ending injury, Fernando Rangal – retired to play football). Lindt made it all of thirteen pitches on Opening Day before tearing his meniscus, sidelining him thru July. While the team will be greatful to have his services back for the final two months of the season, the fragile veteran isn’t a guarantee and the lost playing time has certainly cost the Spuds in the win column this year. What’s that smell? It’s the rotting carcus on the Boise bench formerly known as Joey O’Brien (F). Acquired last year in a trade with hopes to be a passable savior at third base, Joey O lived up to lowly expectations slashing .270/.336/.303 with strong defense. This year his bat is at a career worst and his defense has started to slide, resulting in being relagated to utility infield duties and -2.3 WAR pace. With another year on his contract at $5M, his ghastly performance and salary cap hinderance has made him likely the least valuable player not just in Boise, but maybe even the entire Brewster.

With Madrid on the IL, Alfonzo demoted down to Triple-A and Simpson not even able to platoon,
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Boise found themselves without a viable lefty DH. Up to the bigs to make his debut was Jude Carter. Carter, a natural corner outfielder, filled in at DH and 1B, an experiment at a new position. His defense was wretched at first, but he did swat four home runs in about two weeks' time. Expectations are low but the results have been passable from the fifth outfielder. Juan De La Cruz has only made seven appearances out of the bullpen but he hasn’t entirely embarrassed himself. The veteran is usually the last man up and the fewer innings he gets, the better the Spuds’ season outlook gets. If calling someone “Joey O’Brien-lite” wasn’t such an insult, we’d pin the label on Rule 5 pick-up Jack Douglas. Brought in as an utility infielder, Douglas has struggled at the plate but he’s held his own defensively at second, short and third this year. Douglas could get a passing grade if he can survive the season without being returned to Calgary, as he’d provide valuable depth in the infield as a likely Quad-A-type player moving forward. The newest face in Boise is Takanori Goto, acquired last month from Wichita in a four-player trade. The addition of Goto was needed with so many pitching injuries and his future with the club will go into 2045 after signing a recent one-year extention for just over $1M. Goto’s most recent start was his best of the season, going seven scoreless innings and allowing just two hits. More of that and Goto will be a go-to arm moving forward. An incomplete grade is unfair but necessary for LOOGY Jean Kattenberg, considering he’s only made 12 appearances this season. Brought in from Yellow Springs via an early April trade, Kattenberg as been good in his role (0.00 ERA, 14.5 K/9 against LHB) despite calls from the front office asking the Spuds coaching staff to give the southpaw more appearances versus lefty bats. The dire situation behind the plate in Boise has been talked about too much in this feature, so the club is willing to try anything to get just replacement level production from the position. Enter Rafael Mendoza, who made his major league debut in June. After a stellar year last season in Single A (.314/.406/.531), Mendoza has risen quickly through the minors this year and in seven BBA games, he’s at least shown some pop with a double and two home runs. Most surprisingly is his 2.83 CERA in 54 innings. Could this be the answer at the catcher position that Boise so desperately needs? Who knows but we’re willing to find out.

MID-SEASON REPORT CARD ASSESSMENT: With more Ds and Fs than a Victoria Secret's plus-size catalog, it's clear to see why the Spuds find themselves just one game above .500 nearing the All-Star break. Having superstars like French and Roman will always keep the waterline from ever going too low, but two stud outfielders does not a playoff contender make. Yes, the roster had plenty of holes to start the year but with so many disappointing first-half performances and unfortunate injuries, the Spuds hope some of their better regulars regress positively during the summer months and prospect call-ups contribute as Boise chases down a Wild Card spot.
"My $#!? doesn't work in the playoffs." - Billy Beane Joe Lederer

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Re: Tater Talk: 2044.009 – 2044 Mid-Season Report Cards

Post by usnspecialist » Thu Oct 08, 2020 4:19 am

holy shit a dani morse sighting. I remember that joker.
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Havana Sugar Kings/San Fernando Bears: 32-50 (1608-1481)
Des Moines Kernels: 52-

League Champion- 34
JL Champion- 34
FL Champion- 36, 37
JL Southern- 34
FL Pacific- 37, 39
Wild Card- 33, 35, 36, 40, 43

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Re: Tater Talk: 2044.009 – 2044 Mid-Season Report Cards

Post by shoeless.db » Thu Oct 08, 2020 10:10 am

Three ex-Popes... I'm surprised the grades aren't lower.
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-- Pacific Champs 2040, 2042, 2043, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2051, 2053, 2054
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Re: Tater Talk: 2044.009 – 2044 Mid-Season Report Cards

Post by 7teen » Thu Oct 08, 2020 11:23 am

jleddy wrote:
Thu Oct 08, 2020 3:38 am

MID-SEASON REPORT CARD ASSESSMENT: With more Ds and Fs than a Victoria Secret's plus-size catalog....
:plus1:
Chris Wilson

LB Surfers 95-96
FL Pac Champs: 95

Madison Wolves 99-2039
JL MW: 99-2009, 17, 20, 21
JL WC: 12
JL: 01, 04, 09, 12
FL Heartland: 32
FL WC: 31, 33
BBA Champs: 04, 09

Portland Lumberjacks 2040-
FL Pacific: 50
FL WC: 49, 51
FL Champs: 49, 51

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Re: Tater Talk: 2044.009 – 2044 Mid-Season Report Cards

Post by Fat Nige » Thu Oct 08, 2020 4:40 pm

With Wichita we save paper, we don’t need to print any Grade boxes above D- lol. It’s like the start of “The Simpson’s” when the teacher grabs up all the report cards and writes over and over again “you stink” like Bart’s lines
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