Baltimore Bulldogs 1988 Midseason Report

[Delandis]

LINK

[Delandis]

Sorry for the format problems I did it in Pages and still kind of new to it. I didn't know it would add all of the paragraph breaks. I'll go back and delete in after dinner.

[Matt]

I edited it for you and added it to the front page.

Great writeup. Hopefully 1B (De) Jesus can give Washington a run for his money down the road.

[Ryan]

I don't get anything when I click the link. Why you guys keepin' stuff from me??

[Delandis]

Thank you sir. With Washington, Shannon, De Jesus and Seagarra, and Takahashi there are a lot of good young 1B in the Porter.

[Matt]

Still broke? Works for me.

[Ryan]

I click the link, it says no article specified.

[Delandis]

Works for me too.

[Ryan]

Weird.

[Matt]

Baltimore Bulldogs 1988 Mid-Season Report

The midseason point in the BLB season is now here and the Bulldogs are in a bitter sweet position in the Porter. Now, Baltimore is just three games behind the division leading Freedom and just three games ahead of fellow Porter member, California, for the Import League wild card. The Bulldogs went 14-12 in June.

The Bulldogs do not deny that they play in the smallest park in the Brewers League. Phillips Field or “The Baby Porch” as it is disaffectionately nicknamed, is made for big bats to belt home runs over Big Blue Behemoth, the 60 foot wall in right and 47 foot wall in right-center. The Bulldogs have hit an IL leading, 87 homers this year (53 in Phillips Field).

Surprisingly, the most impressive stat that is often overlooked in the Baltimore offense is not any of the Import League leading home runs, slugging percentage, runs scored, or extra base hits. The main stat that keeps the Bulldogs offense moving, is on base percentage. The Bulldogs are tied with the Stout Division leader, the Washington Bats, with a .336 OBP. While the Bats OBP is primarily driven by batting average, the Bulldogs are probably a more dynamic offense with both a .260 batting average (2nd in IL) and 308 walks (2nd in IL).

There are a lot of pieces to this offense that has more 14 more walks in away games, despite playing 6 more games in Phillips Field. The three biggest reason for Baltimore’s offensive success are also Baltimore’s three All-Star selections for 1988.

Pat Washington:

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><th>G</th><th>AB</th><th>R</th><th>H</th><th>2B</th><th>3B</th><th>RBI</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>AVG</th><th>OBP</th><th>SLG</th><th>VORP</th></tr><tr><td>82</td><td>336</td><td>59</td><td>104</td><td>18</td><td>1</td><td>63</td><td>33</td><td>74</td><td>.310</td><td>.369</td><td>.530</td><td>20.5</td></tr></tbody></table>

With the injury to Robbie Shannon in California during this year’s spring training, Washington has emerged as the IL’s premier 1st baseman, an IL Stout Slugger candidate, and has earned his first trip to the All-Star Game. Pat can hit for both power and average and has showcased his ability in the first half of the season with a top ten performance in batting average (.310), 18 home runs (T-1st in IL), an IL Batter of the Week and IL Batter of the Month Award.

Wilton Harcourt:

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><th>G</th><th>AB</th><th>R</th><th>H</th><th>2B</th><th>3B</th><th>RBI</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>AVG</th><th>OBP</th><th>SLG</th><th>VORP</th></tr><tr><td>81</td><td>300</td><td>56</td><td>96</td><td>15</td><td>1</td><td>66</td><td>45</td><td>42</td><td>.320</td><td>.407</td><td>.547</td><td>28.4</td></tr></tbody></table>

After a dismal first year in Baltimore, marred by injury and inconsistency, Harcourt has returned anew and obviously refreshed. Harcourt is having one of the best seasons of his career and is also mentioned in the race for IL Stout Slugger.

Amistad Caballero

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><th>G</th><th>AB</th><th>R</th><th>H</th><th>2B</th><th>3B</th><th>RBI</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>AVG</th><th>OBP</th><th>SLG</th><th>VORP</th></tr><tr><td>80</td><td>298</td><td>47</td><td>103</td><td>20</td><td>5</td><td>49</td><td>25</td><td>45</td><td>.346</td><td>.403</td><td>.567</td><td>31.5</td></tr></tbody></table>

Cabellero looked to have something special going in spring training and has not stopped hitting since. Amistad also had a rough start in Baltimore last year, arguably the worst season of his career. This year, however, Amistad leads the IL in batting average, 12 home runs, and is currently on a 12-game hitting streak.


As efficient and consistent as the Bulldog offense is, Baltimore pitching is equally unpredictable and inefficient. Baltimore’s pitching staff is either last or next to last in the IL in nearly every controllable, statistical category. The Bulldogs biggest area to improve in is the bullpen. With only two members with an ERA below 3.50, the Baltimore bullpen has allowed too many games to get out of control. The starters have been average at best, but an improvement within the bullpen can only help the Bulldogs’ chances of making the playoffs.

The Bulldogs made headlines across the sports world with their trade for California’s 20 million dollar man, Alberto Grandon and, starting pitcher, Joe Lopez . To many Bulldog fans, this was a trade was reminicent of retired second baseman, Hank “Big Bank” Stafford big payoff. The move was obviously made to bolster the Bulldog rotation, however, Lopez has been anything but spectacular. Sporting a 5.60 ERA in 3 games with Baltimore, rumor has it that Lopez is still in a mental tailspin after being traded from California.

2nd Half Outlook:

The Bulldogs have the goods offensively. However, they have to find a way to solidify their pitching or else they will likely lose their wild card spot or be bounced in the first round by superior pitching teams like Philadelphia, Washington and Windy City.