Summary
In some ways, being 5 games under .500 is an accomplishment for Birmingham, who had a rough start to the season. Finishing over .500 is the goal.
What’s Gone Right
The Call Ups. First, and most of all, Tommy Herr. While the scrappy second baseman has cooled off a bit, his OPS is still just under .800, and his feel-good story has culminated in an All-Star selection. Tim Hudson–also a surprise all-star–has a similar story. Starting the season at AAA, Hudson is now 5-0 with an ERA under 3.00. At 36 years old, Hudson may be more valuable to Birmingham as trade bait than anything else. If all goes well, Vic Willis may make a similar impact.
CF. Curtis Granderson has emerged as a legitimate WBL starter in CF, and has been, in fact, the best offensive player for the Black Barons for much of the season.
Nieman and Isbell. Not a lot was expected from Frank Isbell or Bob Nieman, but they’ve proving to be useful pieces for Birmingham, maintaining OPS’ in the high .700s.
What’s Gone Wrong
Aaron & Mathews. Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron have been among the bigger disappointments in the league, each hovering in the 240/280/450 range with 11 homeruns each.
Catching. It’s been an absolute travesty, with Gene Tenace hitting for enough power to be barely passable before he got injured, but Del Crandall and Dale Murphy unable to get their OPS’ over .560.
Pitching Potential. There are some good arms here, led by youngsters Greg Maddux and Warren Spahn, but they’ve just struggled to produce on the mound.
Key Storylines
The biggest successes for Birmingham have been minor league callups. There’s Nieman, Herr, Hudson, and Willis, and now 3B Pie Traynor is demanding more playing time. Given how poor others have performed, perhaps Birmingham should just keep doing that.
Moving Juan Ríncón into the closer role has worked well.
The big story here is the gap between performance and potential: Maddux, Spahn, Aaron, and Mathews could form the backbone of a great team.
Trading Outlook
SELLING.
Hudson, Herr, Dick Rudolph, Isbell, Nieman, and Hoyt Wilhelm look to be the most useful bits that could be moved on.
AAA Shuttle
Maddux and Spahn have been up and down, struggling at Birmingham but doing well in Atlanta.
Midseason Changes
Quite a few. Earl Batty was promoted to Birmingham, moving into a platoon with Crandall for the time being. P John Malarkey was sent down, with Maddux coming up, yet again.
Ginger Beaumont was released, and then re-signed after a few trades were made.
Awards
All Stars: Tom Herr (2B); Tim Hudson (P).
Offensive MVP: Tom Herr (2B)
Pitching MVP: Tim Hudson (SP)
Down on the Farm
AAA: Atlanta X Giants
Next to the Show: 1B Nate Colbert, OF Joe Rudi, SP Bruce Chen
Prospects: SP Greg Maddux (22), RP George Murray (23), 1B Nate Colbert (22), OF Joe Rudi (22).
Projects: P Kent Mercker (30), OF Terry Whitfield and Alfonso Soriano (both 31), IF Cupid Childs (22), SS Herman Long (26), C Dale Murphy (22)
Suspects: John Clarkson (27), CF Mickey Rivers (28).
AA: Montgomery Biscuits
Prospects: 3B Candy Jim Taylor (21)
Projects: RPs Ben Johnson (29), Cal McLish (23), Dick Coffman (33), and Eric Gunderson (25); 2B Don Zimmer (23).
Suspects: RP Matt Miller (35), Lucas Sims (23)