Farm Fresh, 2043: Rookie League Wrapup
The Monclova Aqua Sox sputtered all season long, playing at or just under .500 for most of the year until a modest hot streak in August saw them finish with a winning record.
Just barely: 35-33, 5.15.
That meant Monclova had to make due with prospects fresh from an uninspiring draft class, young players who didn’t perform well enough last season to earn a promotion to Short Season A ball, and prospects from Chicago’s mythical International Complex.
Further hampering the Sox were disappointing seasons from a couple of their better-regarded prospects – especially pitcher David Pratt (3-3, 5.95 ERA) and IC third-base prospect Bruce Tyler (.188/.245/.250).
First-round pick OF Lee Stone (.276/.414/.359) was solid but hardly awe-inspiring, although third-round pick RP Rob Winters was a pleasant surprise at 6-1, 3.17, and a third place finish in the Horizon League’s Leonard Puckett Pitcher of the Year award.
One more bright spot: Monclova’s year-end sprint to finish over .500 was that it meant Chicago fielded winning teams at every level of the organization in 2043, from the major leagues through the minors.
And that ain’t nothing!
Final Accounting
Overall Record: 35-33, .515
Position in Standings: 3rd Place in the HL Mexican-American Division, 18 games behind Ogden.
Best Month: August: 6-2, .750
Worst Month: July: 13-15, .464
Run Differential: -26
Team Batting
BA: .244, 16th in HL
OBP: .408, 12th in HL
Slugging: .341, 16th in HL
Runs Scored: 400, 13th in HL
Team Pitching
Staff ERA: 5.90, 3rd in HL
SP ERA: 5.07, 4th in HL
Bullpen ERA: 7.62, 10th in HL
Runs Allowed: 426, 3rd in HL
Team Batting Leaders
BA: 1B Carlo Sproule, .297
OBP: 2B Jason O’Neill, .468
HR: C Wagaw Mukiri, 7
RBI: 1B Carlo Sproule, 50
Team Pitching Leaders
W: Ryan Griffin and Rob Winters, tied with 6
SV: Keido Heida, 11
ERA: Rob Winters, 3.17
K: Rob Winters, 89