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Pittsburgh Millers:
Record: 50-34 (1st in Lager)
Pace: 96-66
Preview Prediction: 90-72 (2nd in Pilsner)
What's gone right: Lead by 3B Jamie Davis' 19 home runs, this team has a home run threat up and down the lineup. First in the league with 113, they are currently on pace to finish 3rd All-Time in home runs in a single season. Combined with a DL leading 48 stolen bases, lead by Jamie O'Hearn's 14 and Pat Vickers' 11 (in just 31 games), the Millers lineup instills fear in opposing pitchers.
While those power numbers are aided by a very hitter friendly park, the rotation which boasts a 3.34 ERA and bullpen at 3.31 has to pitch on that same field. The additions of SP Johnny "Beast of Burden" Talley and CL Fred "Shoeless" Evers has given this team the pitching depth to match any DL opponent.
What's gone wrong: Despite their success the Millers have struggled to find the same production they had in 2015 at LF and 1B. In the off-season veterans Fred Schubert and David Gamboa left for Free-Agency, while Ricky Murillo was traded to Baltimore. Other players have picked up the slack in their absence but with the bat and the glove, 1B/LF is no longer a strong point.
Grade: B+
On pace to exceed expectations by six games while having the potential to run away with the division. As long as this veteran group stays healthy, they will continue to be a force to deal with.
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Indianapolis Clowns:
Record: 40-43 (2nd in Lager)
Pace: 78-84
Preview Prediction: 99-63 (1st in Pilsner)
What's gone wrong: Almost everything. A year after leading the BLB in runs scored, the Clowns have dipped to 6th in just the Domestic League. The lineup has really missed 3B David Santoyo who is quietly having an MVP type season in California. The revolving door at 2B and SS has struggled to field or hit consistently, often having to choose between one of the two each game. The jury is still out on the trades to bring in SS Enrique Zurita, RF Izzy Briseno and DH Alex Villarroel. The lineup has been a mess all season.
The defensive struggles of the infield have played a large part in the dip of rotation ERA. This same group had the 3rd best DL ERA in 2015 but without the groundball defense behind them, are now 6th in the DL.
What's gone right: The decision to move SP Adan Neubauer (1.85 ERA) to the bullpen has given the back of the bullpen a nice punch. Projected to be their weakest link, the Clown relievers have a solid 3.28 ERA. Considering the defense behind them, this has been a pleasant surprise.
While his fielding won't take home any awards, 3B William Diaz currently leads the BLB in RBI (65) and is third in HRs (20). The natural corner outfielder has been forced to play out of position in the infield but his power has helped fans forget about the loss of Santoyo.
Grade: F
On pace to finish 20 games below the preview prediction will give you a failing grade. Entering Spring Training there were question marks at who would play in the infield and despite recent trades, call ups, and depth chart shuffling, it still is a major question mark. There is still time to turn it around but the Clowns have been a huge disappointment in 2016. And they better, as this team has been built to Win Now, recently trading away future pieces to compete.
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Syracuse Slammers:
Record: 33-49 (3rd in Lager)
Pace: 65-97
Preview Prediction: 75-87(3rd in Pilsner)
What's gone wrong: The loss of SS Xavier Garnett to Los Alamos can be felt throughout the lineup and the diamond. The switch-hitter is currently hitting .304 with an .823 OPS. No Slammers regular is currently hitting above .277 or an OPS above .791. Last year Garnett's glove (+6.6, 1.029) gave the Slammers one of the better defensive infielders in baseball. To fill his absence, last years DWI 3B Rogelio Padilla has moved to short stop. To fill in at 3B, William George moves over from 1B. Padilla has been solid but the drop off at 3B has been drastic. Padilla was arguably the 2015 best defensive 3B while George is arguably the 2016 worst.
On the other side of the ball the Slammers are currently last in the DL in ERA at 4.18.
What's gone right: 2015 was a nightmare year for LF Ethan Stuart...besides his bank account. He only suited up for 46 games and hit at a .623 OPS. Through 79 games this year, he has hit at a .774 OPS, while providing great LF defense to the tune of a 2.4 WAR. For reference, his career high WAR is 5.8, so he has definitely rebounded nicely.
Grade: D
The Slammers were expected to take a step back in 2016 but this drop has left the fans disappointed. The group is currently on pace to finish with their 2nd worst record in franchise history, and could challenge the 2010 61-101 mark for worst Slammers season ever.
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Toronto Canadians:
Record: 23-58 (4th in Lager)
Pace: 46-115
Preview Prediction: 40-122 (4th in Pilsner)
What's gone right: Despite a league worst record, one might actually say the Canadians have exceeded expectations so far. That's the type of season going on in Toronto. The brightest spot has been the pitching from 25-year-old lefty SP C.J. Johnson. The ground ball extraordinaire who has a 3.58 FIP and 1.2 WAR after 16 starts. He won't take home the DL Refreshing New Brew but he is something to keep the (few) fans interested.
SP TJ Dunn has proven to be a servicable lefty and could be traded for future pieces. The 31-year-old has a 75% quality start %.
What's gone wrong: Last years bright spot, closer Ted Hatch has struggled to finish off the few close games they have had. In 2015, he boasted a 2.35 ERA, 33 saves and just two losses. In 2016, 4.03 ERA, just 10 saves and already six losses. A surprise regression from the 22-year-old cornerstone.
Some of the potential trade pieces have struggled as well. 1B Tom Smith, after two back to back 2.7 WAR seasons has struggled at the plate and might not be an attractive option as we approach the deadline.
Grade:D+
The team is a near lock to finish with the worst record in the BLB as projected, making it hard to give them such a low grade. However, even though the talent is bare, even some of 2015's best are struggling.
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2nd Half Outlook: This is currently the worst division in the DL, with three sub .500 clubs and the worst record in baseball. That's great news for Pittsburgh as they might have a better 2nd half than 1st, all things considered. The team to watch is Indy. If they want to reach the playoffs for the 4th time in five seasons, they will have to start playing better baseball. Luckily, they are just 4.5 back of the Wild Card. Expect Syracuse to try and trade a few expiring pieces off to expedite the rebuild. Toronto will continue to scout prospects two-three years down the road.
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