08.13: The Birth of a Star - Toro's Month of May

[agrudez]

It is often said that, psychologically, the subtraction of a star from a team, more often than not, coincides with the emergence of another. Such a case may be occurring now in Omaha as, in the wake of the trade of long time Barnstormer standout Lance Pere, May saw a rookie burst onto the scene in the form of Miguel Toro whom went on to post a staggering 1.03 OPS in the month capturing both PotW (in a week where he hit .480 with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs) and RotM honors in the process.

As the only logical candidate to supplant Kelley as the team’s clean-up hitter (whom himself supplanted Pere in the 3-hole), Toro responded by increasing his average 150 points and slugging 200 points over his April totals (when he was the 5-hole hitter behind the 2 stars) in 119 ABs – generating 31 unique runs (22 RBIs, 15 runs, 6 HRs) over the month’s span in the process. For the season, the lefty 1B sits with a .319/.359/.519 (including a .928 OPS against RHP) batting line giving him a 127 OPS+ and putting him on pace for a 4.2 WAR for the season – and many scouts would have you believe that the month of May was only the beginning of things to come for the 25 year old slugger. For now, Barnstormer nation will hold their breath every time the 6’3 man they call “The Bull” comes to the plate – and enjoy as they watch as a star is born.

[recte44]

He's a flat out stud. Enjoy years of cleanup hitting production from him.

[agrudez]

He's a flat out stud. Enjoy years of cleanup hitting production from him.

I'm hoping so. He certainly has the ratings to be a great clean-up hitter (I'd prefer a better avoid K, but actually enjoy his low eye... who wants a clean-up hitter drawing walks with RISP?) especially since 80% of the league's pitchers are RH'ers. He really needs to up his HR production either this year or in subsequent ones, though... should definitely be on pace for more than just 25ish.