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Seattle Pilots (92-70; ILDS Loss)
WHAT WENT RIGHT:
- First playoff series win in franchise history - In their seven year history, the Pilots have been to the playoffs four times but this was the first group that advanced. The 2017 inaugural team won the division and had a first round bye so this 2023 team didn't make it any further, but still an achievement none the less. 92 wins is 2nd most in franchise history.
- Power/run scoring - Everyone knows about the "Ba$h Brother$" in Ulloa/Nieto, but the Pilots also had a career year from 3B Donnie Benoit. The 25-year-old hit 28 bombs and knocked in 84 runs in 2023. In the playoffs, he added three more bombs in eight games. The Pilots finished 2nd in HRs (just 4 behind Batavia) and 4th in runs.
- Development of the rotation and bullpen - Of the five SPs with 19 or more starts, none had an ERA above 3.54. Standing above the rest was 24-year-old C.J. McVicker who posted a 1.89 ERA and Pilots record 224 innings. The bullpen is mainly lead by a couple of youngsters, finished 4th in the IL in ERA at 3.27.
- Attendance - Despite increases ticket prices the Pilots sold almost 6,000 more season tickets and ended up with $100,000 more revenue per game. 3,029,140 was a record for attendance.
WHAT WENT WRONG:
- 2B - I actually thought this would be a strength to enter the year. 2B Colin Niebauer suffered a sophomore slump the entire season after posting a 2.8 WAR in 85 games as a rookie. This year he managed just a 0.5 WAR in 139 games. A few others were thrown into the mix when it was clear Niebauer wasn't playing at the same level, but none played very well.
- RF - The Pilots traded RF "Magic" Asiku to Baltimore in 2022 and have spent 1.5 seasons trying to find a replacement. While Asiku was arguably the worst position player in baseball this year the performances Seattle got from a handful of others wasn't too much better.
- No Eye, No Speed - Seattle finished 10th in the IL in walks and 11th in stolen bases. Seattle just lost to Phoenix who finished 1st in stolen bases and 4th in walks. Probably an area that needs to be improved to take this lineup to the next level.
-Extra innings and close games - Despite finishing with the IL's 3rd best record, the Pilots were just 5-9 in extra innings and 25-27 in one-run games.
OUTLOOK FOR 2024
For the first time since signing Ulloa/Nieto, the Pilots have some money to play with this off-season. A currently projected $16M is available before a potential budget increase, change to the scouting/player development budgets or trade/release of arbitration eligible players. There could be a few significant additions during the Free-Agency period as the talent pool is expected to be impressive. As for subtractions, 10 players are hitting arbitration this season and not all are expected to be brought back. While there could be some new faces in town, the team will look very similar to the 2023 team with Ulloa, Nieto and Benoit carrying the lineup and McVicker, Bernardi, Lenzini carrying the rotation. The question everyone is asking is when former #1 overall pick 3B Johnny "Big Stick" Swope will be at the BLB level and where is he going to play? The 21-year-old took home the Outstanding Hitter award in Double-A this season and is all but guaranteed a Spring Training invite.
FINAL THOUGHTS
-Last years team lost in the Wild Card round with 87 wins and fired their manager. This years team lost in Divisional Round with 92 wins and is likely to give their manager a raise. Whenever you lose in the playoffs you always second guess your decisions. Should the Pilots have started McVicker on short rest in Game Four? Was taking a more defensive approach with the lineup a better play than going with the best overall hitters? These types of questions will haunt the GM for a few more weeks as either the team they just lost to (Phoenix) or the franchise he used to run (Washington), will represent the IL in the 2024 Brewmaster's Championship. The Pilots were just 23-26 on June 3rd and it wasn't clear what type of team they were going to be. To finish 3rd in the IL in Wins is no small feat. Phoenix is still the class of the division and them+ Washington are head and shoulders above the rest of the Import League. But for how much longer will that be the case? Here's to hoping 2024 is Seattle's year.
WHAT WENT RIGHT:
- First playoff series win in franchise history - In their seven year history, the Pilots have been to the playoffs four times but this was the first group that advanced. The 2017 inaugural team won the division and had a first round bye so this 2023 team didn't make it any further, but still an achievement none the less. 92 wins is 2nd most in franchise history.
- Power/run scoring - Everyone knows about the "Ba$h Brother$" in Ulloa/Nieto, but the Pilots also had a career year from 3B Donnie Benoit. The 25-year-old hit 28 bombs and knocked in 84 runs in 2023. In the playoffs, he added three more bombs in eight games. The Pilots finished 2nd in HRs (just 4 behind Batavia) and 4th in runs.
- Development of the rotation and bullpen - Of the five SPs with 19 or more starts, none had an ERA above 3.54. Standing above the rest was 24-year-old C.J. McVicker who posted a 1.89 ERA and Pilots record 224 innings. The bullpen is mainly lead by a couple of youngsters, finished 4th in the IL in ERA at 3.27.
- Attendance - Despite increases ticket prices the Pilots sold almost 6,000 more season tickets and ended up with $100,000 more revenue per game. 3,029,140 was a record for attendance.
WHAT WENT WRONG:
- 2B - I actually thought this would be a strength to enter the year. 2B Colin Niebauer suffered a sophomore slump the entire season after posting a 2.8 WAR in 85 games as a rookie. This year he managed just a 0.5 WAR in 139 games. A few others were thrown into the mix when it was clear Niebauer wasn't playing at the same level, but none played very well.
- RF - The Pilots traded RF "Magic" Asiku to Baltimore in 2022 and have spent 1.5 seasons trying to find a replacement. While Asiku was arguably the worst position player in baseball this year the performances Seattle got from a handful of others wasn't too much better.
- No Eye, No Speed - Seattle finished 10th in the IL in walks and 11th in stolen bases. Seattle just lost to Phoenix who finished 1st in stolen bases and 4th in walks. Probably an area that needs to be improved to take this lineup to the next level.
-Extra innings and close games - Despite finishing with the IL's 3rd best record, the Pilots were just 5-9 in extra innings and 25-27 in one-run games.
OUTLOOK FOR 2024
For the first time since signing Ulloa/Nieto, the Pilots have some money to play with this off-season. A currently projected $16M is available before a potential budget increase, change to the scouting/player development budgets or trade/release of arbitration eligible players. There could be a few significant additions during the Free-Agency period as the talent pool is expected to be impressive. As for subtractions, 10 players are hitting arbitration this season and not all are expected to be brought back. While there could be some new faces in town, the team will look very similar to the 2023 team with Ulloa, Nieto and Benoit carrying the lineup and McVicker, Bernardi, Lenzini carrying the rotation. The question everyone is asking is when former #1 overall pick 3B Johnny "Big Stick" Swope will be at the BLB level and where is he going to play? The 21-year-old took home the Outstanding Hitter award in Double-A this season and is all but guaranteed a Spring Training invite.
FINAL THOUGHTS
-Last years team lost in the Wild Card round with 87 wins and fired their manager. This years team lost in Divisional Round with 92 wins and is likely to give their manager a raise. Whenever you lose in the playoffs you always second guess your decisions. Should the Pilots have started McVicker on short rest in Game Four? Was taking a more defensive approach with the lineup a better play than going with the best overall hitters? These types of questions will haunt the GM for a few more weeks as either the team they just lost to (Phoenix) or the franchise he used to run (Washington), will represent the IL in the 2024 Brewmaster's Championship. The Pilots were just 23-26 on June 3rd and it wasn't clear what type of team they were going to be. To finish 3rd in the IL in Wins is no small feat. Phoenix is still the class of the division and them+ Washington are head and shoulders above the rest of the Import League. But for how much longer will that be the case? Here's to hoping 2024 is Seattle's year.
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