1st Quarter Season Review

[KCCardinalFan]

We are nearly at the 1/4 mark of the 2000 season, so it's not too late to flip things around...but I figure at this point you are who you are. I'll also throw in some first round draft coverage as well and see how things are shaping up as we enter the middle of May.

Biggest Surprise: Seattle Storm. Based on the experts analysis, most people figured Seattle would view .500 ball as a successful 2000 and they would quietly continue to build for the future. Instead Seattle has rode their league-best offense to a 23-14 record which is good enough for 1st place in the Frick Pacific.

Why this can continue: This offense is scary-young, and starting to live up to their potential. In fact, things can get even better as these guys mature. The starting staff carries the 3rd best ERA in the Frick and if Nepal and Schuster can find some consistency as the 4 and 5 starters it may be enough to stay ahead of Vegas and Calgary.

Why it might not: Bullpen, bullpen, bullpen...The Storm pen carries the 10th ranked ERA in the league, and the back-end features Jeff Matthews and Scott Piippo who are just as likely to walk you than get you out. A move to shore this up may be in order.

Biggest Disappointment: Des Moines. The writing was probably on the wall as the Kernels tumbled from 98 wins in 1998 to 86 wins last season, but it was hard to predict the bottom completely falling out. Des Moines currently sits at 13-22 which is dead last in the Frick Midwest and the 2nd worst record in the MBBA.

Why this can continue: Most of the leaders on this team are in their 30's, or quickly approaching them. It's hard to tell how veteran's will react to tough seasons, but if they decide to pack it in it could be a long year in Iowa.

Why it might not: The strength of this team was supposed to be its starting staff, and they have been atrocious carrying the 2nd worst ERA in the Frick. Harris, Rivera, and Bilbao have been some of the top pitchers in the game very recently, so it is hard to think they will continue this the entire year. Of course, it might not be a bad idea to dump them for the future while they have something left.

Toughest Divisions: Johnson Pacific and Frick Pacific. The defending MBBA champs Vancouver have gotten off to a fast start in defense of their title, but division rival Cali was the favorite last season before injuries derailed them. Both teams are off to 22-13 starts. Valencia has the staff and talent to make a run, but their early 18-19 record has them 5 back.
The previously mentioned Seattle Storm lead the FL Pacific by one game over Vegas and Calgary who are 21-14 and 22-15 respectively, last place Long Beach appears to be much improved and at 17-18 are no longer the easy series win they used to be.

MVP Watch: All world Vancouver 2nd Baseman Doug Newhouse is killing it early on hitting .389 with 8 homeruns and 26 RBIs, but look for Washington 1st Baseman Neil McKinney and the suddenly rejuvenated Sadaharu Oh, Jr. to also play a factor down the stretch. In the Frick Seattle's Armando Santos is blazing, leading the league in hitting, OBP, OPS, and runs. Calgary's Chris Coll and Marquette's Morris Pennebaker are also off to very good starts.

Steve Nebraska Watch: Surprise Cali starter Paul Kimzey is off to a 6-0 start with a 2.09 ERA, but most experts believe it won't continue. I mean this has to go to Jay Lee, right? Also watch Vancouver's Ben Walsh, who also has 6 wins. In the Frick Marquette's Andres Guzman is a similar 6-0 surprise but if he falters pay attention to Montreal's Eugene Miller and Atlantic City's Jim Brochtrup. It's nice to have some new names in the conversation!

Draft Recap: It seems to be a much deeper pool in 2000, with some very nice potential gems taken in the bottom half of the 1st round and the supplemental round.

Best Player: Jim Schmidt looks to be a legit #1 pick, he has all the intangibles that say he should develop and three potentially devastating pitches. At 22, he will be expected to develop quickly but with #2 pick Juan Heredia, he should a fixture in Long Beach later this decade.

Most Curious Pick: Hawaii picking Jorge Estrada at #5 is curious at best, especially with prospect Marc Jutras still on the board. In fact, I think the case can be made that the last two picks in the 1st round (Conway and Hedley) are better prospects than Estrada, whose intangibles scream bust.

[lynchy34]

You really had to go out on a limb there for biggest disappointment.

[aaronweiner]

Hedley was the guy I was hoping would slip to my supplemental spot - he's awesome.

[jcrmoon42]

I'm really excited about being close to .500 at this point. AND we just got our two best hitters off of the DL. Here's hoping we can keep it up. The fans in Long Beach need some wins.

[bschr682]

If i get lucky and Hedly develops a 3rd pitch hed be a pretty good starter. at worst he should be a decent reliever.

[KCCardinalFan]

If i get lucky and Hedly develops a 3rd pitch hed be a pretty good starter. at worst he should be a decent reliever.

I will always take a legit reliever at the end of the 1st round. Maybe I'm just tired of trading for them and would like one of my own!

[jumpmancol]

Excellent write-up! Hoping that the starters can keep it up, but at least the offense has continued to click.