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TWIWBL 102.2: Year 3, Week 5 – Spotlight on the Portland Sea Dogs

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On October 14, 2026

In TWIWBL

{Each week, we pick one club at random and give them a bit more depth–how they thought the season would go, how it’s going, and what the future might hold.}

After making the playoffs in 2000, Portland lost 91 games last year. They are 16-15 right now, in second place, and are a little puzzled by it all.

PORWBL rank2001 rank
Batting average.24111th18th
On-base.30414th17th
Slugging.40315th20th
OPS.70814th19th
Runs scored13811th19th
Homeruns3614th18th
ERA3.906th9th
WHIP1.237th16th
Strikeouts per 910.302nd11th
Walks per 93.4014th17th
Homeruns per 91.138th5th
Portland Sea Dogs | 6 May

#How We Thought it Would Go

The season preview was blunt about it: “Nobody in Portland is selling 2002 as a contention year, but getting back on track is the highest priority for the organization.” The club had sold every veteran they could, and had decided 2002 was a year to allow an extraordinary–and extraordinarily young–rotation (a 20-year-old, two 21-year-olds and a 26-year-old) to develop.

#How It’s Going

Second in the Cum Posey, 2.5 games out, 138 runs scored and 123 allowed. Not bad.

The pitching has done more than just arrive ahead of schedule — Portland strikes out more men per nine innings than every club in the WBL except one, after ranking 11th at that last season.

That needs a caveat: the league ERA has fallen from 5.38 to about 4.19, so a staff ERA of 3.90 against last year’s 5.33 is mostly the league coming back to earth. Griffith Stadium is also a harder place to score in than it was a year ago. The rank is the signal — 9th to 6th in ERA, 16th to 7th in WHIP, and 11th to 2nd in strikeouts. That last one is not a park effect.

Can this rotation stay together? So far, yes. All five starters have taken every turn. Walter Johnson is pitching like the best arm in the league: 42.1 innings, a 2.76 ERA, and 64 strikeouts to share the league lead. And his control has come around, with only 13 walks allowed. Joseíto Muñoz is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA, and Bert Blyleven, despite an 0-3 record, is sporting a 2.70 ERA.

Not all is great on the mound (remember, the Sea Dogs are hovering around .500). Walter Ball, Portland’s Pitcher of the Year last year, is struggling with his control and has an ERA over 6.00 and Jake Peavy, given a rotation spot despite a limited resume, isn’t doing much better.

Does Griffey learn the strike zone? The early answer is a cautious yes. Ken Griffey Jr is walking in 8.3% of his trips, up from 4.5% last season, and is hitting (287/342/491) with 4 homeruns. The strikeouts haven’t moved. One month is one month, but it is the first month of his career that the walk rate has looked more acceptable than not.

Who gets the ball in the 9th? Right now, Jack Billingham does. Billingham has 7 saves. There remain calls for Johan Santana to return to his closer role, but Portland seems set on seeing if the young lefty can make the transition to a starter. Santana currently has a 1.06 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 17 innings, clearly showing a full return from last season’s injury.

#The Crystal Ball

The rotation seems to be delivering on its promise.

The more challenging question is the offense. Five men with 50 or more trips to the plate are hitting under .220, and the fixes available are all 26-to-32-year-olds at Seattle having good months — useful, but not what a rebuild is for.

Portland is 11th in average and 14th in on-base, and the lineup is carried by Bobby Murcer (297/351/446) — graded the worst regular on the roster coming in — plus Griffey and Paul Molitor (261/300/479, 6 homeruns).

#Buy or Sell?

Who knows? It’s May. The Sea Dogs did sell last year, so they don’t really have veteran talent to move this year. But by midseason some of their depth questions might have clarified to the point they can be answered.

#Stories

Shortstop

The preview called it “Hughie Jennings and Clayton and hope.” Through a month: Hughie Jennings is at (183/206/233) in 63 plate appearances and Royce Clayton at (149/184/319) in 51. 114 PA between them and 19 hits.

So I guess there’s hope.

The DH Problem

Gil Hodges hit 38 homeruns in 2001 and was worth −1.4 wins doing it; he is now at (185/228/222) in 57 plate appearances. Kent Hrbek is doing a little better than that, but at least Hrbek has some pedigree to fall back on. Still, patience with Hodges may be wearing thin, and there are some intriguing bats in the minors that may get a look sooner rather than later.

Right Field, Three Ways

Chuck Klein has 5 homeruns, but only a .192 average. Bobby Abreu has been … fine … and then there is Murcer, who seems to have recaptured his form. Klein’s power continues to intrigue, but the OF feels like it is still in its exploratory phase.

The Big Train, Both Ways

Walter Johnson is hitting (333/379/778) with 3 homeruns in 29 plate appearances, mostly from hitting when he starts. 29 PAs decide nothing, but it’s easily the most fun line on the roster.

#Down on the Farm

The system is thin, but there are some names worth tracking.

Hugh Duffy (RF, 21, AAA): 373/413/508 in 63 plate appearances at Seattle, with 3 steals. The preview named him the organization’s best raw power in the minors; he is now also its best performer and, given the discussion of the OF above … may be the next man up.

Vladimir Guerrero (RF, 21, AA): 143/200/286 in 55 plate appearances at Vancouver. Stalled, but only 21.

Brant Alyea (LF, 29, AA): 333/390/710 with 8 homeruns in 77 plate appearances. Loud, but he’s 29 and at AA, which muffles quite a bit.

Not much on the mound. Shaun Marcum (P, 25, AAA): 3.70 in 41.1 innings with 32 strikeouts, the closest thing to a sixth starter. Bill Dietrich (P, 26, A): 2.18 in 33 innings. Tom Glavine (P, 20, A-ball) has thrown 13 innings.

Jack Fournier (1B, 16, A-ball): 225/262/375 in 42 plate appearances. He is sixteen, and playing. That by itself is a confirmation of potential.

#One Number

13.6. Walter Johnson’s strikeouts per nine innings, against 7.6 last season and 7.0 the year before. Whatever Portland thought it had in him, this is even better.

Getting to 30: Cum Posey Division

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On August 6, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

#Baltimore Black Sox

John Wetteland and BJ Ryan have been miserable, and are on their way to AAA. That hurts, as Ryan was the predicted closer for the Black Sox. That leaves the team really without a closer, with Don Bessent and Bob Miller most likely to get the initial opportunities. Rafael Betancourt looked like a contender, but he couldn’t stop tossing gopher balls, leading him to AAA to see if he can keep the ball in the park.

Ned Garvin and Rube Foster are still battling for the final rotation slot. It’s not clear if Bill Byrd‘s return from injury will impact the situation or not.

The biggest surprise may be the failure of 21 year old Eddie Murray to make the roster. On the other hand, teenage phenom Bryce Harper has earned a chance to prove his worth over the final week of Spring Training, costing Baby Doll Jacobsen a spot.

Ramon Hernandez and Curt Blefary look set to platoon behind the plate. Final distribution of playing time between Merv Rettenmud, Ken Singleton, and Alex Johnson is yet to be figured out.

3B continues to be a cloudy position, as Harlond Clift and Bill Sweeney have hit the best, but Brooks Robinson continues to show power and the best defense of the trio.

#Chicago American Giants

The front end of the pitching staff is pretty settled, but the back end is a mess. Mark Buehrle has nailed down the #4 starting spot, but the final spot is a toss-up between Ed Walsh, Herb Pennock, and Tricky Nichols. The challenge is only 2 of those make the opening day roster at all. Rube Foster will start the year at AAA, but should be back in the big leagues relatively quickly.

Ultimately, Rickie Weeks‘ bat doesn’t outweigh Nellie Fox‘s glove to backup Eddie Collins at 2B, so Weeks joins Minnie Minoso and Chico Carrasquel in AAA.

Frank Thomas has shown signs of emerging from his struggles, sending Jose Abreu to the minors, but the final cut is quite difficult for the American Giants. Ultimately, Robin Ventura‘s glove gave him the edge over Joe Crede.

#Houston Colt 45s

Billy Wagner has been historically bad, punching his ticket for AAA, where he’ll be joined by Dan Quisenberry. Both of them showed some potential, and may be back up quickly.

Scott Erickson, Bret Saberhagen, and Dock Ellis are battling for the final starting spot, with the other 2 likely to still make the opening day roster.

The rest of the cuts were really quite simple: the gap between Morgan Ensberg, Gorman Thomas, Shawon Dunston, Pete Hill, Felipe Alou, and Lance Blankenship and the rest of the roster was significant, so all 6 of them head to AAA. At 17, Hill should be back, while at 36, Alou may be done.

#Kansas City Monarchs

In one of the biggest surprises of the Spring, Bob Gibson heads to AAA. Walking 15 batters in 17 innings will do that. He’ll be back as soon as his command returns. Connie Johnson takes one long relief role, with Adam Wainwright edging out Jock Menefee for the other.

Jeff Pfeffer and Trevor Rosenthal will split the closing duties, but the middle of the bullpen remains a bit of a mystery.

Ted Simmons and Ducky Medwick were lucky to stay in camp, and have about a week to show they belong. Frankie Frisch, surprisingly, has headed back to AAA, along with Cool Papa Bell and Steve Evans, to try to get something going. All of these moves are related to Gene Freese, Ken Oberkfell, and Salvador Perez absolutely pounding the ball all Spring.

#Ottawa Mounties

Either Old Hoss Radbourn or Randy Johnson will be the 5th starter with Felix Hernandez heading to AAA, but neither have pitched well at all. Nor, honestly, has Ted Bowsfield, yet he retains his position as closer.

The other cuts should have been easy. Jackie Jensen, and Brant Alyea have done virtually nothing all Spring. George Van Haltren and John Olerud belong in that group as well, but are needed for depth at 1B and in the OF, especially with Larry Walker out injured for a couple more weeks.

The real challenge is at 2B, where all 4 contenders have played well, led by Tim Raines. George Cutshaw provides decent defense, so he’s in. Kirt Manwaring–yet to find a single hit–should really be the final cut, but he has to be kept to maintain 3 C’s on the roster. That leaves Bernie Allen and Roberto Alomar. Right now, Allen is the better player, so despite Alomar’s much higher upside, he goes to AAA.

This Week In Whirled Baseball: Spring Training Update II

By

On July 27, 2020

In TWIWBL

{ We’re 2/3 through Spring Training–20 games. Some notes from around the league. }

#Chicago American Giants

The bullpen foursome of Ken Sanders, Akinori Otsuka, Koji Uehara, and A.J. Minter have been lights-out for Chicago … Rube Foster had seemed a lock to make the rotation, but got absolutely rocked in his last start, which may put that in doubt … The American Giants have been absolutely crushing the ball, other than at SS, where the 3 contenders (Julio Gotay, Luke Appling, and Chico Carrasquel) have been equally incompetent.

#Detroit Wolverines

23 year old Charlie Gehringer and 20 year old Al Kaline have been totally overmatched this Spring, and look likely to start the year at AAA … at the other end of the scale, 37 year old Tony Phillips was recalled for roster flexibility, and is forcing himself into the conversation for a roster spot … Whitey Wilshere started the Spring as the closer, he’s ending it as a front-of-rotation starter … nobody has claimed the closer slot in his absence: Roberto Hernandez was the most likely, but he’s struggled, leaving people like Mark Dewey and Tom Hughes in the mix.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Dan Quisenberry and Billy Wagner are in the midst of pitching themselves off the roster entirely … Pete Hill‘s struggles (195/233/268) are likely sending the 17 year old to AAA for some seasoning … It’s really not clear where HR Johnson will play, but if you hit 367/457/600, they’ll find a place for you.

#Kansas City Monarchs

Bob Gibson‘s stuff is undeniable. But 15 BB in 17 IP is unacceptable, and may be enough for the 25 year old to start the year at AAA … It was clear at the start of the Spring that the Monarchs were unlikely to carry both Lou Brock and Cool Papa Bell into opening day. With Brock beginning to hit a bit, it looks like the teenage Bell will head to AAA to work on his swing … Salvador Perez and Lew Brown are hammering the ball, and threatening to move Ted Simmons to AAA to start the year.

#Los Angeles Angels

Joe Nathan has yet to give up a run and has 5 saves in 6 ST games, setting up as one of the elite closers in the league … In a league dominated by youth, 34 year old Elmer Valo has an almost guaranteed roster spot for the Angels, slashing 432/580/541. Having an OBP > SLG is usually a bad thing, but if your OBP is close to .600 … At the other end of the scale, Carlos Beltran is 3rd on the team in RBI with 10, despite a slash line of 150/186/350, and may be forced to AAA.

#Miami Cuban Giants

The surprise of the pitching staff has been Eustaquio Pedroso, who has been Miami’s best starting pitcher, despite a rough start recently. Given the struggles of Jose Mendez, Don Newcombe, and Camilo Pascual (all of whom have ERA’s over 7), Pedroso’s potential to help the rotation is important for the Cuban Giants … the shock of the Spring is Willie Kamm, who has seized the 3B job with a 320/414/600 Spring … Kamm’s success has put Gary Sheffield‘s role in doubt, with Sheff managing only a 188/350/281 Spring … When does a .292 BA with 0 walks and 0 extra-base hits earn you a roster spot? When you’re Martin Dihigo and you can play numerous positions at a very high level. Still, a walk or a double once in a while sure would help.

#Ottawa Mounties

Randy Johnson and Old Hoss Radbourn are both prodigious talents. But they both look like some time at AAA may be needed … Freddy Parent (372/386/651) and Alex Rodriguez (375/447/525) are neck and neck in the race to start at SS … Phil Bradley, Terry Puhl, and Steve Garvey were supposed to be on the fringes of the roster; instead the worst of them is Garvey at 421/439/632. It’s not clear how this impacts the roster, but it’s certainly bad news for Brant Alyea, Jackie Jensen, and George Van Haltren, who are all struggling.

#Philadelphia Stars

The pitching surprise of the Spring has been Larry Jackson forcing himself into the rotation … at the other end, Jack Easton, Pete Alexander, and Steve Carlton have had very poor Springs: if at least 2 of those don’t turn it around, it could be a long Summer in Philadelphia … the story of the Spring has to be Scott Rolen‘s 400/457/633 performance threatening to unseat Mike Schmidt at 3B. Schmidt is showing some signs of life, but is only managing a 132/209/316 line so far … With Mickey Doolin‘s injury, the lack of backup talent at SS has been exposed, as the thought of going for a long period with Roger Peckinpaugh, Larry Bowa, or Pat Meares is quite depressing. Luckily, Doolin should be back around the start of the regular season.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Johan Santana has been virtually unhittable as the closer, and Jerry Koosman and Smokey Joe Wood look like a pair of aces for the rotation … The Sea Dogs offense looks to revolve around the 1B/DH pair of Kent Hrbek and Gil Hodges and the surprising Jim Fregosi … The biggest surprise of the Spring has been Walter Johnson‘s struggles. The 19 year old has massive potential, but may need some time at AAA first.

#Wandering House of David

CC Sabathia has been dominant, and looks to be at the front of the rotation along with Nick Altrock … Cap Anson, Dave Altizer, and Gabby Hartnett all look likely to start the season at AAA … The House of David’s 2 best hitters in the Spring have been Ernie Banks (333/378/810), which is no surprise, and Elrod Hendricks (393/438/893), which is a huge shock (and has contributed to the challenge of keeping Hartnett on the roster).

Spring Training Preview: Ottawa

By

On June 20, 2020

In Team News

  • The starting rotation is set, but the bullpen is still up in the air. Questions abound about Karl Spooner as a closer, and the group of Greg Holland, Ryan Dempster, and Chris Leroux needs to sort itself out.
    • Old Hoss Radbourn and Roy Halladay have struggled, opening some room in the rotation behind Gary Peters, Clark Griffith, and Bob Brown. Randy Johnson looks the most likely to take advantage.
      • Peters, Griffith, and Brown seem set, but the Mounties still need to sort out the final 3 slots. Johnson’s talent is undeniable, but he and Felix Hernandez have been hit quite hard, leaving Halladay, Dempster, and Radbourn in the lead.
    • Spooner, Leroux, and Scott Diamond have struggled mightily, throwing the bullpen into a bit of chaos. Holland and Ted Bowsfield have been excellent.
      • It just got worse, to the point where Diamond, Leroux, and Spooner were all sent down to AAA. Monk Dubiel and Tom Henke were recalled.
      • Bowsfield is the closer, with Gary Lavelle and Steve Howe in front of him.
  • 1B is a bit of a logjam, with John Olerud leading the way, but being pushed by John Mayberry, Carlos Delgado, and Roy Sievers.
    • The best performer at 1B has been Steve Garvey, who is really more of a 3B at this point in his career. Beyond that, the logjam remains even more closely packed as Olerud and Sievers have both had problems.
      • Garvey and Delgado are doing well, with Mayberry and Sievers heading to AAA.
  • Tim Raines may be the best option at 2B, but he’s not long for the infield, and Roberto Alomar, Bernie Allen, and George Cutshaw aren’t far behind Raines.
  • At 3B, Josh Donaldson and Anthony Rendon are clearly both on the roster, but the starer is yet to be determined. Same thing at SS with Freddy Parent and Alex Rodriguez.
    • Parent is ahead of A-Rod at the moment. Henry Easterday has been added to the roster for some flexibility, but has little chance of making the final roster.
  • The OF is totally open: Brant Alyea and Jackie Jensen look solid, but behind them George Van Haltren, Larry Walker, Phil Bradley, Rick Monday, and Terry Puhl haven’t really separated themselves from each other, and Ken Griffey, Jr. has a shot as well.
    • Ah, Spring. Alyea and Jensen have been the worst of the lot, with Puhl, Bradley, and Monday leading the way.
      • Alyea, Van Haltren, and Jensen would all start at AAA if the season started now.
  • Kirt Manwaring is great defensively, but given he has yet to get a single hit, he’s not likely to make the opening day roster.

Near DefiniteLikelyPossibleLong Shot
Starting PitchersClark Griffith
Gary Peters
Bob Brown		Old Hoss Radbourn
Roy Halladay
Ryan Dempster		Randy Johnson
Feliz Hernandez
Middle RelieversGreg Holland
Reggie Cleveland
Tom Henke
Monk Dubiel
SetupGary Lavelle
Steve Howe
CloserTed Bowsfield
CGary CarterEmil GrossKirt Manwaring
1BCarlos Delgado
John Olerud
2BTim Raines
George Cutshaw		Bernie Allen
Roberto Alomar
3BJosh Donaldson
Anthony Rendon		Steve Garvey
SSFreddy Parent
Alex Rodriguez		Henry Easterday
OFPhil Bradley
Terry Puhl		Ken Griffey, Jr.
Larry Walker
Rick Monday		Brant Alyea
Jackie Jensen
George Van Haltren

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