Tag: Iván de Jesus

TWIWBL 82.2 Spotlight on the Memphis Red Sox

On December 13, 2025

There is a ton of offensive talent here, but it falls off drastically, and suffers from a lot of positional overlap. Add in downright poor pitching, and you have the worst team in the Bill James Division.

HOME PAGE | ROSTER | POSITIONAL STRENGTH | LEADERS

It’s not clear where Memphis goes, but it certainly looks like trading some of their positional depth for some pitching should be on the table.

THE OFFENSE

It’s a top heavy team, with some true standout talent.

#What’s Going Right

Ted Williams is an elite talent, and while his 298/412/619 slash line doesn’t move him into the absolute top tier, at 22 there is quite some room for improvement.

Manny Ramírez has stepped up dramatically from last year, leading the team with 42 HRs and 2nd behind Williams in RBI. Ramírez’ OPS has hovered around 1.000 all season, powered by a SLG in the mid .600’s.

David Ortiz has essentially displaced Bill White at 1B, slashing 286/370/680 in just over 300 PAs.

Gabby Hartnett is an excellent offensive C, posting an OPS in the mid 800’s with 37 HRs and his backup, Billy Bryan, has been even better offensively, with 14 HRs in 140 PA’s.

For a 20 year old, Dobie Moore‘s debut has to be considered a success, slashing 291/352/427 while playing across the IF.

#What’s Not Going Right

OF Mookie Betts and 3B Wade Boggs have been fine, but the Red Sox need more if they are going to compete.

Nobody getting a ton of playing time has really been awful offensively, although only Iván De Jesús‘ defensive flexibility has kept him in the league.

The positional distribution remains unsolved: Ortiz, White, and Travis Shaw all seem to be reasonable WBL alternatives at 1B, and the leading young talent (Hack Wilson and Lefty O’Doul) play the same positions as Reggie Smith, Betts, Ramírez, and Williams.

THE PITCHING

When your best pitcher is a middling middle reliever (Tommy de la Cruz, whose 6.20 ERA belies some very good supporting numbers), you’re in trouble.

#What’s Going Right

That is a little unfair to Stubby Overmire, who leads the team with 11 wins and looks like an excellent #2 or #3 rotation starter being asked to be a #1.

Andrew Miller‘s been solid out of the bullpen with a 7-8 record, 3 saves, and 11 holds while leading the WBL in appearances.

#What’s Not Going Right

Everything else.

David Bush, Len Barker, and Jon Lester have all failed to impress, with Bush (8-8, 6.82) being the best of a bad lot.

Some of the other hurlers given opportunities, especially Eddie Cicotte and Nixey Callahan, have been unbelievably bad.

THE FARM SYSTEM

TOP PROSPECTS | MINOR LEAGUE SYSTEM

There is some help, as Memphis has a middle-of-the-road farm system, with some strong talent that is blocked at the WBL level (all the more trade fodder for some pitching).

OFs Dwight Evans, Hack Wilson, Willie Crawford, Roy Thomas, Lefty O’Doul, and Carl Yastrzemski all look to have high ceilings. On the IF, it’s a bit more sparse, with Candy Jim Taylor and Joe Cunningham leading the way.

There is also some potential on the mound. Sadie McMahon remains well regarded despite his struggles, and he, Jim Kaat, Josh Beckett, and Nathan Eovaldi should all be given some long looks in the Spring.

WHAT’S NEEDED

A re-distribution of the talent, using some of the excess to bring some arms to town.

Storylines to Watch

Key Questions from Spring Training

Who is going to fill out the rotation and the bullpen? Remains totally unanswered.
Memphis’ scouts are agog over Dobie Moore, but scouts don’t play the game: is Moore the real thing and, if so, what happens to Vern Stephens? Moore looks to be the real thing, and Stephens was pretty bad, eventually moving on to Brooklyn (where, it must be said, he has flourished) for a 4th round pick.
Sosa was moved out, essentially for Gabby Hartnett, putting more pressure on the OF the step up. Hartnett is doing well, and the last thing the Red Sox need is more OF talent.

FEATURED SERIES

Since the Cuban Giants still have an outside shot at the playoffs, we’ll use the opportunity to focus on the Red Sox’s visit to Miami for a 4 game set at the start of the week.

Projected Starters

Memphis starter listed first, although I would expect at least a few of these to change.

David Bush (8-8, 6.82) @ Cole Hamels (11-10, 5.88)
Stubby Overmire (11-9, 4.81) @ Jim Whitney (8-6, 3.90)
Len Barker (10-12, 5.07) @ Phenomenal Smith (2-0, 1.93)
TBA @ Hugh McQuillan (4-3, 4.82)

Just because it will make the end of the year far more interesting, let’s go with a 3-1 series win for Miami.

Game One

The Red Sox used 2 homeruns from Dustin Pedroia and just enough from their bullpen to take game 1, 8-6.

Memphis took the lead on a 2 run homer from Gabby Hartnett, but 2 wild pitches from David Bush (one in the 2nd, one in the 3rd) tied the game at 2.

Pedroia’s first homer, in the top of the 5th, put Memphis back on top. The Red Sox hit 3 out of the park in the 7th, getting homers from David Ortiz, Pedroia again, and Manny Ramírez. That gave the Red Sox an 8-2 lead, which should have been enough …

Except, Sadie McMahon, in relief of Bush, imploded, giving up 4 runs before being relieved by Andrew Miller. Miller, however, was effective, earning his 12th hold of the year, and Tommy de la Cruz closed the door for his 5th save as Memphis played spoiler to Miami’s Wild Card chase.

MEM 8 (Taylor 11-10) @ MCG 6 (Mathewson 7-15)
HRs: MEM – Hartnett (38), Pedroia 2 (4), Ortiz (32), Ramírez (43); MCG – Oliver (8).
Box Score

Game Two

Dean Chance got the start for Memphis in game 2 and was actually quite good. Unfortunately for Memphis, Miami’s Jim Whitney was better, allowing 3 hits and 1 run over 7 innings–a solo shot from Ted Williams in the top of the 1st–as the Cuban Giants edged the Red Sox, 6-1.

Miami got longballs from Julio Rodríguez, Jim Thome, and Joe Adcock in the victory.

MEM 1 (Chance 0-1) @ MCG 6 (Whitney 4-4, George 1 H)
HRs: MEM- Williams (40); MCG – J. Rodríguez (37), Thome (54), Adcock (2).
Box Score

Game Three

Bucky Walters would get the start for Memphis, with Miami countering with Phenomenal Smith, whose return from injury has come at just the right time for the Cuban Giants.

Memphis jumped on Smith in the top of the 1st with Bill White–whose playing time has declined regularly over the season–hitting a 3 run homerun. Miami tied the game in the 3rd with a 3 run homerun from Julio Rodríguez.

The Red Sox took the lead on a sacrifice fly from Wade Boggs in the top of the 5th, but 4 consecutive hits–doubles from Alejandro Oms, Rodríguez and Yasiel Puig wrapped around a single from José Canseco–chased Walters and gave the Cuban Giants a 6-4 advantage.

The Red Sox would score again, but not enough as Miami edged it, 7-6. Rodríguez continued his hot streak with 3 hits and 4 RBI’s, and the revamped Miami bullpen closed it out, this time with Ricky Nolasco getting the hold and Jonathan Papelbon his 8th save since coming over to the Cuban Giants.

MEM 6 (Walters 0-3) @ MCG 7 (Smith 3-0, Papelbon 8 Sv, Looper 10 H, Nolasco 3 H)
HRs: MEM – White (23); MCG – Rodríguez (38).
Box Score

Game 4

So this one matters as a series win would impact the post-season picture. Memphis would trot out their best starter, last year’s ERA champ, Stubby Overmire while Miami would counter with the impressive, but essentially untried, Hugh McQuillan.

Or, the once impressive, as the Red Sox jumped on him for 6 runs in 5 innings, and then pounded his relief, Don Wilson, for 4 more in an 11-3 rout.

The offensive onslaught was led by Ted Williams‘s 3 hits, but almost everyone got involved, with Williams, Lefty O’Doul, Wade Boggs, Mookie Betts, and Travis Shaw each going deep. Pair that with Overmire’s solid 7 innings, giving up 4 hits and 3 runs and–most surprisingly for Red Sox fans–2 scoreless innings in relief from Nixey Callahan–and you have an easy victory for Memphis and a vital defeat for Miami.

MEM 11 (Overmire 12-9) – MCG 3 (McQuillan 4-4)
HRs: MEM – Williams (41), O’Doul (2), Boggs (10), Betts (25), Shaw (18); MCG: Canseco (65).
Box Score

The series split is a solid result for Memphis as it continues to give some of its young players time; a far more disappointing result for Miami, who look to fall just short of the postseason.

TWIWBL 77.3: The Trade Market

By mknn

On August 29, 2025

In TWIWBL

With the August trade deadline just around the corner, seemed to be a good time to take a look at the likely sellers and buyers, and some players that are likely to find new homes by the end of next week.

Some notes on these:

Needs reflect places where the minor league systems are thin on talent and the general shape of WBL level talent needed.
The second three bullets (Prospects, AAA Help, WBL Help) are possible players that could be available in the right context..

#BUYERS

These are teams looking to solidify their talent or make a push for the post-season. In a perfect world, they have some young talent to spare as well.

#Birmingham Black Barons

Yeah, they’re in 5th place, but they’re also only 4 games back, so there’s hope. The Black Barons have been ingenious at past deadlines, we’ll see if they can continue the trend.

Needs: IF, P, Minor League SS/3B

Prospects: OF Melky Cabrera, Curt Flood, Gary Matthews; IF Nate Colbert, Hal Trosky
AAA Help: P Tommy Bond; IF Pie Traynor
MLB Help: OF Bob Nieman

#Cleveland Spiders

Could use another SP, as well as a help in the middle infield–Chuck Knoblauch is skating along on last year’s performance, and there isn’t any depth to speak of at 2B/SS despite Steve Sax‘s excellent first 50 PA’s.

Needs: Minor League 2B/SS.

Prospects: OF Paul O’Neill, Kenny Lofton; IF Johnny Hodapp
AAA Help: P Chuck Porter, Claude Passeau; IF Bob Elliott, Brook Jacoby
MLB Help: IF Willie McCovey

#Homestead Grays

A Wild Card spot is likely for the Grays, who have a powerhouse offense and a desperate need for pitching. With some young talent blocked, they may be able to make some moves.

Needs: Bullpen is aging

Prospects: OF Max Carey, Paul Waner; IF Freddie Lindstrom
AAA Help: OF Starling Marte; IF Jeff Kent, P Brickyard Kennedy
MLB Help: OF Goose Goslin

#Houston Colt 45’s

Another team caught between a wild card chase and building for the future, the Colt 45’s would love to address their one ongoing need, which is a catcher to take over from the aging Jorge Posada, as some in the organization are not yet sold on Will Smith as the longterm solve behind the plate. There is a crunch at 1B/DH as well, as there really aren’t enough AB’s to go around for both Paul Goldschmidt and the recently demoted Andrés Galaragga.

Needs: Minor League C, SS.

Prospects: IF Bucky Dent, Travis Jackson, Wes Helms; OF César Cedeño, Hunter Pence, Shin-Soo Choo
AAA Help: P Mike Sirotka, Óscar Tuero; IF Carney Lansford, Aramis Ramírez, OF Gorman Thomas, Johnny Damon
MLB Help: Various bullpen pieces may be possible

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Another team riding the wild card roller coaster. The ABC’s are solid offensively, but struggle some behind their top end starters. There are some blocked players–perhaps most notably Jake Stenzel–so there are some pieces available.

Needs: Minor League OF

Prospects: OF Jim Eisenreich, IF Pokey Reese, Sean Casey, Hal Morris
AAA Help: P Johnny Vandeer Meer; OF Jody Gerut, Dave Henderson, Ed Swartwood; IF Dan Driessen
MLB Help: OF Jake Stenzel, Bob Bescher, IF Ed Charles

#Kansas City Monarchs

This Monarchs team will make the playoffs a year or two ahead of schedule so the choice of how much to surrender for immediate success is a bit challenging. At some point, some of the positional logjams need to be sorted out (Albert Pujols, Dale Murphy, and Ducky Medwick; Willie McGee and Cool Papa Bell), but it’s not clear that now is that time.

Needs: Minor League C; WBL Offense

Prospects: OF Wade Johnston, Earl Averill; IF Keston Hiura, Pat Burrell
AAA Help: P Adam Wainwright, Jack Quinn; IF Ken Boyer, Andre Thornton; OF Merv Rettenmund, Jim King
MLB Help: P Matt Morris, Luke Hamlin

#New York Black Yankees

Once again the Black Yankees are trying to find the right piece to extend their postseason run. At some point, they’ll need to solve their post Derek Jeter needs at SS, but this is probably not that time.

Needs: Minor League OF; P; future SS.

Prospects: OF Rob Deer, Clyde Milan
AAA Help: OF Roger Maris; IF Tom Herr, Red Rolfe; P AJ Burnett
MLB Help: P Rheal Cormier, Red Ruffing, Waite Hoyt

#MEH

A mix of teams doing well enough not need anything (San Francisco) and those not willing to give up much because they like their current talent composition moving into Year 3. Never say never, as these teams do have some pieces, but they are far less motivated to get something done at the deadline.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

This team is just beginning to gel, but they could use some offense and they are one of the few franchises with arms to spare.

Needs: SS if unconvinced by Vern Stephens; Minor League 1B

Prospects: OF Matty Alou, Raúl Mondesi, Don Mueller; IF Sonny Jackson, Ken McMullen, Maury Wills; P Doc Newton, Zach Britton
MLB Help: IF Germany Smith, Dick Bertell
AAA Help: IF Jim Gentile, Eric Karros; C Kelly Shoppach; P Ron Perranoski

#Detroit Wolverines

They’re in an odd spot: on the one hand, they are likely to be in the wild card chase; on the other, this is a team well positioned for the future, and eager to cement that status. There are a lot of pieces that are over 30, but none–other than perhaps Oscar Gamble–are key cogs in the Wolverines’ machine.

Needs: Minor League 3B; IF, esp SS; P.

Prospects: IF Wander Franco
MLB Help: OF Oscar Gamble
AAA Help: OF Brady Clark, Wes Covington; IF Jimmy Collins; P Dennis Rasmussen

#Miami Cuban Giants

The Cuban Giants have an outside shot at a wildcard slot, but this is a team building for the future. As such, I would expect them to stand pat, or perhaps move some end of roster pieces for minor league depth.

Needs: Minor League OF, 3B, 1B; WBL P.

Prospects: OF Roy Thomas, Carlos Morán
MLB Help: P Sandy Consuegra, Kenshin Kawakami; OF Andy Pafko
AAA Help: IF Nellie Fox

#Ottawa Mounties

Even though the Mounties have a shot at the playoffs, this is a team trying to position itself for the future, which basically means begging everyone and anyone for pitching.

Needs: Minor League SS, 3B, C. SP.

Prospects: OF Warren Cromartie, Willie Upshaw, Willie Keeler, Leon Roberts
MLB Help: P Bryn Smith; IF Roy Sievers; OF Rick Monday
AAA Help: IF John Olerud; OF Terry Puhl, Bob Allison; C Emil Gross; P Chris Bosio

#Philadelphia Stars

The Stars are on the fringe of the playoffs, but really this is a team aiming at cementing and building around its emerging nucleus. As such, some of its useful veterans may be available; at the same time, Philadelphia would love to add some pitching and address its issues in the middle infield.

Needs: MI, P, WBL Offense.

Prospects: ???
MLB Help: OF Rico Carty; P Bob Howry, Robin Roberts, Pedro Feliciano; IF Art Fletcher, Ted Kluszewski
AAA Help: OF Bobby Abreu; IF Jung Ho Kang, Dolph Camilli, Cecil Cooper; C Sherm Lollar

#San Francisco Sea Lions

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That said, if an easy piece comes available, it’s unlikely the Sea Lions ignore the opportunity.

Needs: Minor League 1B

Prospects: OF Jules Thomas, Matt Holliday; IF Freddie Freeman; P Jair Jurrjens
MLB Help:
AAA Help: IF Dick Green, Denny Walling; OF Josh Reddick; P Rube Walberg

#Wandering House of David

Even the House of David isn’t convinced their playoff chances are real. Still … they might be. So it’s a bit of a quandary in terms of whether they should move some of their young talent or not. The challenge is the roster really doesn’t make a ton of sense: CF is overly crowded, 1B/DH as well, and there is an abundance of talent at 2B.

Needs: P

Prospects: OF Tony Conigliaro; IF Billy Herman
MLB Help: OF Jim Edmonds, George Gore; IF Mark McGwire, Richie Hebner
AAA Help: P Joaquín Andújar; IF Tom Hutton, Mark Grace; OF Tracy Jones

#SELLERS

Teams with either an excess of talent, or who have thrown in the towel on the season and have some veteran pieces that may be attractive.

#Baltimore Black Sox

Last year’s champs, this year’s dunces. Baltimore believes in its young core, a belief that may see them retain FA acquisition Gavvy Cravath, but even he may be had for the right price.

Needs: all P, Minor League OF.

MLB Help: IF Bobby Wallace, Dan McGann; P Buddy Groom, Connie Johnson, Joe Beggs
AAA Help: P Ken Johnson, Kevin Tapani, Christhian Martínez; OF Ken Griffey, Sr; IF Brian Roberts

#Chicago American Giants

The season cannot end soon enough. Chicago has talent to be a contender, but nothing has gone right for them this season. They are willing to blow up their pitching staff, from a how much worse could it be perspective.

Needs: Minor League OF, C; prime P

Prospects: IF Jorge Orta; OF Walter Davis, Lenny Dykstra
MLB Help: P Akinori Otsuka, Joe Lake, Mark Buehrle, Hoyt Wilhelm, David Price; IF Paul Konerko, Freddy Parent; OF Vernon Wells
AAA Help: OF Rocky Colavito, Magglio Ordóñez; C Michael McKenry

#Los Angeles Angels

It hasn’t been a bad year for the Angels, but they are still a player or three away. There is a lot of mound talent in the organization, but they could use some long term solutions at SS, 3B, and C.

Needs: Minor League OF, C, 2B; WBL Offense.

Prospects: OF Norm Miller
MLB Help: IF Eddie Joost
AAA Help: OF Elmer Valo; IF Mark Ellis; P Rich Hill

#Memphis Red Sox

There is hope in Beantown. Just not for this year. There also are some pieces that may hold attraction for contenders, most notably 1B Bill White (with the Red Sox happy to turn 1B over to David Ortiz) and closer Jonathan Papelbon. There is a lot of congestion at various positions that needs to clarify over time.

Needs: Minor League C, SS; SP; 2B/SS

Prospects: IF Dustin Pedroia, OF Joe Rudi, Dwight Evans, Lefty O’Doul, Candy Jim Taylor, P Jim Kaat
MLB Help: P Tommy de la Cruz, Jonathan Papelbon; IF Bill White, DJ LeMahieu, Iván De Jesús, Nomar Garciaparra
AAA Help: IF George Scott, Dustin Pedroia

#New York Gothams

With this season pretty much scrapped, the Gothams are looking to the future. Which puts them in an interesting spot, as they have a fair number of useful parts on the wrong side of 30. But it’s not a total fire sale, as the team isn’t that far away from competing.

Needs: Minor League SS, C, 2B; SS

Prospects: OF Rick Manning
MLB Help: P Mike Norris, Juan Marichal, Troy Percival, Gaylord Perry; IF Joe Adcock, Larry Doyle, Terry Turner
AAA Help: OF Carl Furillo, Steve Kemp, Charlie Hamburg; IF George Kell; P Liván Hernández, Wei-Yin Chen, Tony Mullane, Guy Hecker

#Portland Sea Dogs

In some sense, the Sea Dogs did their selling already, both during the offseason and the all star break. But this year is still a wash for Portland, so anything they can do to help build for the future will be worthwhile.

Needs: 2B/SS, overall WBL Offense.

Prospects: ???
MLB Help: OF Kiki Cuyler, Harry Hooper; IF Gil Hodges; P Mark Melancon
AAA Help: IF Don Baylor, Rafael Palmeiro; OF Walt Bond, Jerald Clark

TWIWBL 72.5: Bill James Division

By mknn

On February 18, 2025

In TWIWBL

Team	W/L	Pct	GB
New York Black Yankees	55-35	.611	—
Cleveland Spiders	49-38	.563	4.5
Memphis Red Sox	43-45	.489	11
Detroit Wolverines	40-47	.460	13.5
Baltimore Black Sox	38-52	.422	17

Bill James Division | 9 July

#Baltimore Black Sox

The Black Sox recalled Buddy Groom and Bobby Wallace from rehab assignments, sending RA Dickey and Dave Anderson to AAA. They also named Johnny Sain and newly-acquired Mike Cuellar to fill out the rotation.

Wallace’s return is complicated–honestly, the Black Sox had hoped to deal the veteran, but found the market wanting, especially given his recent injury. Wallace returns to a backup role behind Cal Ripken, Jr., although he will see some time at 3B as well.

Frank Robinson homered twice and drove in 5 as the Black Sox won a slugfest over Memphis, 12-11.

#Cleveland Spiders

Cleveland’s trades led to some roster shuffling. Joe Smith and Chico Walker were sent to AAA to clear room for Claude Passeau and Ed Bailey. Bob Feller and Pat Malone were named to the rotation for the Spiders with Passeau starting off in Cleveland’s bullpen for the time being.

Evan Longoria won a see-saw game with a walkoff homer in the bottom of the 10th against the Black Yankees. John Ellis, Larry Doby, Ron Blomberg, and Bailey also went deep for the Spiders in the 9-7 victory.

#Detroit Wolverines

Recently acquired Victor Martinez steps into the reserve catching role for Detroit, who have also decided to juggle their middle infield, with Tony Lazzeri being recalled from AAA to take over at SS. JD Martinez was also recalled to add some power from the bench, with Billy Nash heading down to AAA.

George Bechtel was added to the rotation while Felipe Vásquez was sent to AAA in exchange for Mike Griffin.

It’s not quite the wholesale commitment to youth some have been asking for (Lazzeri is 36, replacing George Davis who is 35), but it’s something. I guess.

The Martinez boys came through, with JD hitting a homerun in his first WBL at-bat and Victor adding 3 hits in a 3-2, 10 inning win over Los Angeles. Ty Cobb hit one out in the top of the 10th for the go-ahead run.

#Memphis Red Sox

The Red Sox recalled Iván De Jesús to fill a utility role. One impact of this is allowing Dobie Moore to focus more exclusively on SS.

David Ortiz went deep twice and Manny Ramírez homered a record-tying 3 times (the second time this year he’s done that), driving in 7 … but the Red Sox failed to hold several leads, falling to Baltimore, 12-11.

#New York Black Yankees

Dave Righetti started a rehab assignment. AJ Burnett and Josh Harrison were sent to AAA, with newcomers Pascual Pérez and Rogers Hornsby stepping right into the rotation and the starting lineup, respectively.

Babe Ruth went deep twice in a 12 inning, 8-4 win over Cleveland. Lou Gehrig did the same the next day, but once again Aroldis Chapman couldn’t hold a lead, and the Spiders won in extra innings, 9-7. This latest meltdown may trigger a shakeup in the Black Yankees’ bullpen, with Goose Gossage taking over the closer role.

TWIWBL 56.7: Spring Training Notes – Memphis Red Sox

By mknn

On February 24, 2024

In TWIWBL

Spring Training Questions

Half the staff is unknown, and while the OF is far too crowded, both C and the IF are still to be settled.

First round pick Carl Yastrzemski and fourth round pick Bill Lee have an outside shot at making the squad, although Yastrzemski is thoroughly blocked at both LF and 1B.

First Cuts

Not a lot clarified on the mound. Mike Witt and Turk Farrell were sent down, with Eddie Cicotte‘s struggles moving him close to the edge as well. The rest remains complicated: Len Barker and Sadie McMahon have pitched better than their numbers would indicate, while prize FA acquistion Shane Bieber, Jon Lester, and David Bush are struggling a bit.

C Charlie Bennett was sent down, and only Kurt Suzuki‘s arm prevented him from joining Bennett in the minors. Joe Cunningham and David Ortiz have torn the cover off the ball, maintaining quite a crowd at 1B where only George Scott heads off to minor league camp.

The Red Sox had hoped that DJ LeMahieu or Dustin Pedroia would provide some competition at 2B, instead each were sent down after woeful early performances, along with SS Francisco Lindor.

And that brings us to Carl Yastrzemski, who has simply exploded onto the scene. It’s not clear where the 20 year old could fit in Memphis’ lineup, but if he keeps hitting like this, they’ll find a spot for him. Eddie Rosario, Tom Brown, and Lefty O’Doul were optioned to the minors.

These moves leave Memphis still needing to do a lot of work, primarily on the mound and in the outfield, positions that are crowded enough the Red Sox could be challenged in finding enough opportunities for the talent to be accurately evaluated.

Second Cuts

Some of Memphis’ best performers on the mound from last season (Heath Bell, Len Barker, and Bill Doak and, in a slightly lesser key, Tim Wakefield) have struggled mightily this Spring, but will be given some more time to work out the kinks. Tommy de la Cruz, Eddie Cicotte, Bill Hogg, and Sadie McMahon weren’t so lucky, with all four being sent to the minors.

Kurt Suzuki‘s defense again keeps him in camp, at least temporarily.

The IF remains a mess: Iván De Jesús, Wade Boggs and Bill White are all struggling and players considered long shots coming into camp–David Ortiz and Dobie Moore especially–have been jaw-droppingly good.

The situation is the same in the OF, where Yastrzemski and Alex Johnson are tearing the cover off the ball and Mookie Betts, Ted Williams, and David Justice are all mired in the muck of sub .500 OPS’. Look for both of these logjams to break over the next week.

Third Cuts

P remains a conundrum compounded by Bill Doak and Jon Lester (both stalwarts last season) struggling. For all his versatility, Tim Wakefield just can’t seem to get a feel for his knuckleball, and heads to AAA along with Derek Lowe.

Kurt Suzuki is fantastic defensively behind the plate, but his offense is just too weak for the WBL at this point. He joins Iván De Jesús, Mike Greenwell, Andrew Benintendi, Dwight Evans, and Candy Jim Taylor at AAA.

That sounds like a lot, but there are still a lot of roster questions to figure out. The odds are only one of Joe Cronin, Joe Cunningham, and Travis Shaw can make the roster, and it’s not clear if there is space for all three of Nomar Garciaparra, Dobie Moore, and Vern Stephens. Given that Bill White and Wade Boggs are entrenched as starters on the corners (with David Ortiz pushing White for time), there is a lot of pressure in the middle infield.

Even with the demotions of Joe Kelley and Hack Wilson, the Red Sox have eight OFers in camp, with established contributors Ted Williams (!), David Justice, and Mookie Betts all struggling to put the bat on the ball. This felt crowded even before camp started, with Manny Ramírez, Reggie Smith, Sammy Sosa, Williams, and Betts all but assured of spots. Add to that the stellar debuts from Carl Yastrzemski and Alex Johnson, and it’s all a bit of a mess.

Final Cuts

The acquisition of Gabby Hartnett leaves the C position pretty crowded, especially given Dobie Moore can fill in behind the plate in a pinch. As such, Bob Brenly heads to the minors despite a decent showing last season. He was joined by recent acquisition Rollie Fingers who needs another year of development at least.

The C position was finalized with Dave Engle‘s demotion, as Billy Bryan holds on to his roster spot behind Hartnett.

Moore’s presence also allows the Red Sox to keep only 1 of Claude Ritchey and Wayne Causey. Ritchey performed better both last season and in the Spring, so Causey finds himself on his way to AAA.

Young Jim Kaat impressed during the Spring, but will start the year at AAA, as will veteran IF Nomar Garciaparra, who again showed too little to warrant a WBL roster spot.

Despite showing some promise–certainly more than he showed in a disastrous 2000–Nixey Callahan will start the year at AAA, as will Jameson Taillon. 1B was always going to be crowded, when David Ortiz hit 6 homeruns during the Spring, it got ridiculous. That earned Ortiz a roster spot, with Joe Cronin and Joe Cunningham both heading to AAA, and Travis Shaw sticking with the Red Sox due to his ability to backup Wade Boggs at 3B.

And then there was one cut left to make.

The choices were Bill Doak (excellent last year, horrendous this Spring), Alex Johnson (a total unknown tearing the cover off the ball this Spring), or Carl Yastrzemski (a strong Spring, but no real place to get regular playing time). Memphis decided to get Yaz some regular at bats, making him the final cut of the Spring.

Season Review: Memphis Red Sox

By mknn

On December 14, 2023

In Season Reviews, Team News

71 - 83, .461 pct.
5th in Bill James Division, 18 games behind.

Overall

Memphis had a rough year: the pitching was never very good, and there were a ton of disappointments on the offensive side as well. If they can find some pitching, however, there may be no team in the league better positioned for a bounce back, and they ended the year on a 17-4 record, perhaps indicating better times are coming.

What Went Right

There were some things. OF Reggie Smith and Ted Williams look like elite players, despite Williams’ late season slide. Smith is 23, Williams 21, so that should lock up 2 of the Red Sox’s OF slots for a while.

Billy Bryan hit very well in limited action, and both Bill White and Wade Boggs looked solid as well.

Sammy Sosa did very well after being obtained in a mid-season trade, posting a SLG of .551 with Memphis.

Stubby Overmire was a pleasant surprise after arriving from Houston, finishing 3rd in the WBL in ERA. He, Dean Chance and, when healthy, Bill Doak looked solid as starters and Jonathan Papelbon and Heath Bell were each fantastic in the bullpen.

ALL STARS
RP Craig Kimbrel; OF Reggie Smith; OF Ted Williams

What Went Wrong

Neither Mookie Betts nor Manny Ramírez did enough, both being surpassed by Sosa on the depth chart (and with even more OF talent in the minors, it’s not clear if their futures lie with Memphis).

The MI was a mess all year, although Claude Ritchey did well enough at the end of the season to lay a claim for next year. Francisco Lindor and Dustin Pedroia were especially disappointing, leaving the Red Sox far too reliant on Iván De Jesús throughout the season (a fine utility part, not a starter).

The rest of the starting staff was a mess, either far too inconsistent (Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield) or just plain bad (Nixey Callahan especially).

Trade Evaluations

March

None

June

P Roger Clemens to Houston for OF Hack Wilson, P Jim Kaat, 2B DJ LeMahieu, P Stubby Overmire & 5th Round Pick {Nathan Eovaldi}

Clemens was struggling mightily in Memphis, and this is a nice haul of talent in return.

P Joe Beggs to Baltimore for P Willie Sudhoff, OF Alex Johnson & 4th Round Pick {Bill Lee}

Beggs’ age (33) makes this OK, I guess.

OF Tony Conigliaro, OF Fred Lynn & 2nd Round Pick to House of David for OF Sammy Sosa & 5th Round Pick

Seemed quite questionable at the time, but Sosa’s performance since has made this look like a win for the Red Sox.

July

C Jim Pagliaroni & 4th Round Pick to Birmingham for IF Woody English & 3B Candy Jim Taylor

Taylor is the best player in the deal, which usually would mean Memphis wins this one.

Looking Forward

SP

There is just so little talent here long term. Derek Lowe? I guess. A real weakness.

RP

Not bad. Papelbon and Bell for now, along with help from Joe Kelly and the continued effectiveness of Tim Wakefield as a swingman.

C

An area of need, especially if Billy Bryan stumbles. Jason Varitek has some promise and Kurt Suzuki showed outstanding defensive potential in a short trial (although he couldn’t hit a lick).

1B

Bill White did fine here, but he’s really just warming the spot for prospect David Ortiz.

2B

The Red Sox would love to see either DJ LeMahieu or Dustin Pedroia make this position theirs long term.

3B

Wade Boggs should be good here for a long time, although room will eventually need to be made for Candy Jim Taylor.

SS

Vern Stephens was supposed to be the answer, and if not Stephens, Francisco Lindor. Neither showed much, so there is some concern here.

LF

Ted Williams for at least a decade.

CF

Reggie Smith has this locked down, although Hack Wilson looks intriguing down the road.

RF

OK, this just gets messy. Somehow, between RF and DH, the Red Sox need to find playing time for Sammy Sosa, Mookie Betts, and Manny Ramírez, with Dwight Evans coming right behind them.

The Rookie Draft

Rounds 1-4

The most confounding spot in the draft so far is Memphis at #6. The Red Sox don’t have a 2nd round pick, and Carl Yastrzemski is unlikely to be around by the 3rd round. But the team is so deep at 1B/OF right now … there are two options here: take Yaz and make it tomorrow’s problem, capitalizing on his franchise status or take one of the young pitchers who will help them sooner, likely either Tom Glavine or Zack Greinke.

At the end of the day, the team decided to draft on talent over need, selecting Yastremski.

The Red Sox were thrilled that Dobie Moore was still around in the 3rd round, and hope the 25 year old can step right into the starting role at SS.

They took Bill Lee with the final pick of the 4th round.

Rounds 5-8

While more arms are never a bad thing, the Red Sox system is fairly sparse in 1B and OFers. So their 5th round picks are 1B Joe Cunningham, P Nathan Eovaldi, and P Dick Drago. With Eovaldi and Drago being franchise picks, it’s not clear what will compel Memphis to use its remaining exceptions.

One was spent on OF George Case in the 6th round, but franchise pitcher Mickey McDermott was the best arm available in the 7th round. While it’s not clear where he’ll actually play, it is obvious that Charlie Smith can hit, making him a potential steal in the 8th round with their final franchise exception.

Rounds 9-12

P Allen Russell; OF Troy O’Leary; P Dale Mohorcic; and P Connor Seabold.

Series XXXV Best Games

By mknn

On July 21, 2023

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

A mixture of checking in on series that impact the playoffs, the drive towards statistical milestones, and just good old fashioned close games.

#New York Gothams @ Ottawa Mounties, Game 1

Oh what could have been … Christy Mathewson headed into the bottom of the 8th inning with 16 wins on the year, a 3-hit shutout in the works, and a 7-0 lead. The Gothams had been propelled to that lead via homeruns from Buster Posey and Will Clark and 3 hits from Wes Westrum. Matty walked Bernie Allen and gave up a single to Tim Raines, which brought in Mike Norris from New York’s bullpen.

Norris was less than his stellar self, giving up a double to Jim Stephens that scored 2 runs and allowing a 3rd to score on a wild pitch. Still, that left the Gothams with a 4-run lead, 7-3, with perhaps the most effective closer in the league, Brian Wilson, taking the mound in the bottom of the 9th.

Wilson surrendered 4 consecutive hits including a 2-run triple from Roberto Alomar, closing it to a 1-run game. Robb Nen came on in relief of Wilson and promptly gave up a double to Larry Walker and a game-ending single to Stephens, scoring Walker and Rusty Staub and giving Ottawa a highly improbably 8-7 walk off win.

Mathewson should have come out of this with 17 wins, an outside shot at 20, and a strong argument for being the best starter in the WBL. Instead, the Gothams bullpen collapsed, a clear warning sign for their postseason ambitions.

NYG 7 (Nen 3-5, 3 B Sv) @ OTT 8 (Leroux 1-1)
HRs: NYG – Posey (11), Clark (4); OTT – none.
Box Score

#Baltimore Black Sox @ Wandering House of David, Games 2 and 4

Baltimore’s series against the House of David was perhaps the best matchup of Series XXXV, with both teams seemingly safe in their postseason ambitions.

It opened with a 15 inning classic, with Baltimore’s Johnny Sain twirling a shutout over 7+ innings, allowing only 3 hits. Singles from Ken Singleton and Ramón Hernández, helped by an error by House of David RF Dan Ford, put the only run of the game on the board in the 4th. But Baltimore’s current closer, Buddy Groom, couldn’t shut the door in the 9th, allowing a solo homerun to Jim Edmonds, his 17th of the season, to send the game into extra innings.

Baltimore’s bullpen took over form there, with a dominant outing from John Wetteland, a shaky one from Gregg Olsen, and a solid one from Don Bessent combing for 6 shutout frames. Singleton, who finished the day 3-for-6, launched a 3-run shot in the top of the 15th, giving the Black Sox a 4-1 victory.

BAL 4 (Bessent 2-7) @ HOD 1 (Smith 0-1) [15 Innings]
HRs: BAL – Singleton (17); HOD – Edmonds (17).
Box Score

The House of David would win the next 2 games, setting up a confrontation in the final match between Baltimore’s Connie Johnson and the Hosue of David’s ace Jack Taylor. What looked like a great pitching matchup on paper sizzled out a bit, with each starter allowing 4 runs over the first 6 innings.

Baltimore was able to pull away, scoring in the 7th, 8th, and 9th en route to the 7-4 victory for the series split. Bryce Harper (who had 3 hits), Manny Machado, and Frank Robinson all went deep for the Black Sox. The House of David left 13 runners on base, meaning Edmonds’ 4 hits, Browning’s 3, and Elrod Hendricks‘ 35th homerun of the year were all for naught.

Baltimore’s bullpen was stellar again, as Rafael Betancourt, Lindy McDaniel, Bessent, Joe Beggs, and Groom combining for just over 4 scoreless innings in relief of Johnson.

BAL 7 (McDaniel 1-0; Bessent 2 H; Beggs 10 H) @ HOD 4 (Niedenfuer 0-2)
HRs: BAL – Robinson (35), Machado (8), Harper (12); HOD – Hendricks (35).
Box Score

#New York Black Yankees @ Brooklyn Royal Giants, Game 4

Brooklyn still has a slim chance at the postseason, so every game counts. Which is why wasting a great start from their ace, Don Drysedale, is such a shame. Drysedale had 8 shutout innings allowing only 3 hits, and the Royal Giants were riding a pinch-hit RBI from John Briggs to a 1-0 lead. And then, the 9th …

Babe Ruth singled, but Drysedale induced a horrible bunt from Tommy Herr, caught by a hard-charging Ray Dandridge at 3B. Eric Davis doubled home Ruth to tie the game and bring Brooklyn’s closer, Watty Clark, from the bullpen. Clark gave up RBI singles to Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, and Don Mattingly for a 4-1 lead. Aroldis Chapman had a perfect 9th for his 12th save for the Black Yankees.

Still, Brooklyn took 3 of the 4 games in the series, keeping their postseason hopes alive.

NYY 4 (Lavelle 2-3; Chapman 12 Sv) @ BRK 1 (Drysedale 8-9)
HRs: None.
Box Score

#Memphis Red Sox @ San Francisco Sea Lions, Game 4

Just because teams are out of the playoffs doesn’t mean they can’t play good games …

Each team had their presumptive ace on the mound (Jon Lester for Memphis, Lefty Grove for San Francisco), but neither were terribly impressive. We pick up the action with Memphis leading, 4-3, heading into the bottom of the 6th, where a 2 RBI single from Pedro Guerrero and a 3 run shot from Reggie Jackson put San Francisco up, 8-4.

Bill White would double in 2 to cut the lead in half in the top of the 7th, and then Ron Robinson, usually reliable this year, gave it all back in the top of the 8th on a 3 run homer from Reggie Smith. Tim Wakefield, Heath Bell, and Jonathan Papelbon were excellent in relief, allowing only 1 hit in over 3 innings out of the pen.

Gene Oliver had 3 hits for the Sea Lions and Jackson drove in 4 while Memphis got 2 hits each from Smith, White, Mookie Betts, and Iván de Jesus.

MEM 9 (Wakefield 7-7; Papelbon 14 Sv; Bell 8 H; Cicotte 2 B Sv) @ SFS 8 (Robinson 6-5, 3 B Sv)
HRs: MEM – Smith (20); SFS – Bonds (19), Oliver (3), Jackson (30).
Box Score

Series XXIV Featured Matchup: Memphis Red Sox @ Ottawa Mounties

By mknn

On January 12, 2023

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Series Preview here.

Game 1: Tim Wakefield @ Jim Clancy

Claude Ritchey has been quite a find for Memphis, posting on OPS over .800 since taking over at 2B earlier in the season. He opened the scoring in this game with a long homerun in the top of the 2nd inning. Francisco Lindor singled home a 2nd run, a 3rd scored on a wild pitch from Jim Clancy, and Lindor was plated on a single by Reggie Smith, making it 4-0 and chasing Clancy from the game.

Tim Wakefield was pitching well, allowing only 3 hits through 4 innings until Álex Rodríguez took him deep in the fifth. He would last until Tim Raines singled home Ottawa’s second run in the bottom of the 7th. Eddie Cicotte relieved Wakefield with Memphis up 6-2.

Which is how it ended. The game was more a failure of Ottawa to get the timely hits, as the Mounties finished with 11 hits, leaving 10 runners on base.

Wade Boggs and David Justice had 3 hits each for Memphis while Rains had 3 for Ottawa.

MEM 6 (Wakefield 4-6) @ OTT 3 (Clancy 5-5)
HRs: MEM – Ritchey (6); OTT – Rodríguez (9).
Box Score

Game 2: Jon Lester @ Clark Griffith

With scheduled starter Johnny Podgajny not quite ready, Ottawa turned to Clark Griffith in game 2, facing off against Memphis’ Jon Lester. Griffith has struggled mightily in several stints with Ottawa, sporting an ERA north of 8.00.

It was, however, Ottawa that scored first, with Rusty Staub scoring on a groundout by George Van Haltren. Van Haltren and Carlos Beltrán (who had doubled) came home on a single by Tim Raines. Raines stole second and moved to third on a groundout before scoring on a single from Larry Walker. Then, Walker and Larry Parrish scored on a homerun from Gary Carter, making it 7-0 and chasing Lester from the mound.

Griffith, meanwhile, had a shutout through 6, only faltering in the 7th when a Ted Williams single brought home the Red Sox’s first run. Bill White would plate another on a groundout, but Memphis still trailed, 7-2.

A Mookie Betts triple scored Williams, making it 7-3, but that was it, and the series was even at a win apiece. Griffith lowered his ERA by nearly a full run with the victory.

MEM 3 (Lester 8-9) @ OTT 7 (Griffith 2-5)
HRs: OTT – Carter (11).
Box Score

Game 3: Stubby Overmire @ Johnny Podgajny

Game 3 would pit Memphis’ Stubby Overmire against Ottawa’s Johnny Podgajny (now fully rested), with Overmire still looking to show his new club something after his acquisition from Houston over the all-star break.

Two errors by Memphis (one by Wade Boggs, the other by Billy Bryan) loaded the bases in the bottom of the 2nd, but Overmire induced a double-play from Jim Stephens. It scored a run, but the damage was far less than it could have been.

Boggs would get the Red Sox’s first hit in the top of the 4th, but was left stranded.

Overmire looked good until, with 2 outs in the 4th and 2 runners on base, Carlos Beltrán took a delivery deep into the stands for the first homerun of his career, extending Ottawa’s lead to 4-0. The pitching duel was evidently over, as Podgajny surrendered 3 consecutive hits to start the 5th, including an RBI double from Vern Stephens that drove in Memphis’ first run. Iván de Jesus plated another with a sacrifice fly, and Reggie Smith chased Podgajny from the game with an RBI double.

Boggs greeted Monk Dubiel with an RBI single, and Memphis ended the 5th having come all the way back to tie the game at 4.

Two hits in the bottom of the frame–Álex Rodríguez‘ 3rd of the game, and a single by Roy Sievers–chased Overmire. Eddie Cicotte looked to have gotten out of the inning, but Rusty Staub beat out a slow roller for an infield hit, giving the lead back to the Mounties. Beltrán would extend it to 6-4 with his second homerun of the game.

Bill White would get one back, but Ottawa’s bullpen held on for the 6-5 win. Beltrán finished with 4 RBIs, and Rodríguez with 3 hits.

MEM 5 (Overmire 1-3) @ OTT 6 (Dubiel 3-2; Bowsfield 2 Sv; Leroux 3 H)
HRs: OTT – Beltrán 2 (2).
Box Score

Game 4: Dean Chance @ Old Hoss Radbourn

Ottawa will turn to one of the hottest pitchers in the league, Old Hoss Radbourn, in an attempt to win the series, while Memphis will hope Dean Chance can even it out at 2 games apiece.

Memphis draws first blood as Francisco Lindor delivered a 2-run double with 2 outs in the top of the second, and Reggie Smith added a 2-run single in the 4th. Lindor’s 3rd hit of the game–a single with 1 out in the top of the 6th–chased Radbourn from the game.

Meanwhile, Chance was sailing along, allowing only 1 hit through 5 innings. The 6th was rockier, but Chance preserved the shutout with Memphis ahead 4-0. He lasted until there were 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th, when Heath Bell was brought in with runners on 1st and 3rd. Bell got a groundout to end the inning.

Ottawa has to be encouraged by the recent outings from Randy Johnson: the big lefthander brought his ERA under 6 with 2.2 innings of hitless relief. The story has been less positive for Greg Holland, who gave up 2 runs in the 9th, extending the lead for the Red Sox to 6-0.

This was probably Chance’s best start of the year, combining with Bell on the 3-hit shutout.

MEM 6 (Chance 7-7; Bell 1 Sv) @ OTT 0 (Radbourn 7-8)
HRs: none.
Box Score

#Series Notes

The split has to be a bit of a disappointment to both teams, given how the series played out.

For Memphis, Wade Boggs went 7-13 and, most surprisingly, Francisco Lindor had 5 hits in his 8 at-bats in his 2 starts. Nobody for Ottawa had more than 4 hits over the 4 games … so, yeah.

TWIWBL 19.11: AAA Roundup

By mknn

On February 24, 2022

In TWIWBL, WBL Minor Leagues

{ It’s the first of June, so it’s time to look at the WBL Minor Leagues. Throughout, we identify both the AAA team and their WBL franchise. }

#Featured Team: The New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans, AA affiliate of the Memphis Red Sox, lead their division by 4 games with a 34-20 record.

They are, simply, the best offensive team in AAA. And, as you may guess from that line, they struggle a bit on the mound. But the real challenge for the Pelicans is coping with the talent they’ve lost to Memphis.

Billy Bryan, Wayne Causey, and Fred Lynn had combined for 32 homeruns for the Pelicans, and they’ve all moved on to the Red Sox, along with infielder Iván De Jesus. The players coming back the other way–Nomar Garciaparra, Bob Brenly, and Dustin Pedroia–have done very little to help (although Brenly has shown surprising power). And Larry Hisle, signed after he was let go by Houston, has struggled as well.

But the Pelicans keep scoring runs, with a lineup anchored by OFs David Justice (295/370/625) and Tony Conigliaro (286/331/563) and IF Francisco Lindor (299/352/528). Add in Dwight Evans‘ 12 homeruns and 30 RBIs and the Pelicans still have a fair bit of firepower.

The pitching is … confusing. Norwood Gibson and Ellis Kinder are each 5-2, with ERAs over 6.00. Eddie Cicotte, sent down from Memphis a few weeks ago, has won all 4 of his starts. And their best starter has probably been Joe Kelly, who has a 3.23 ERA, but only a 3-3 record.

Luiz Gohara and Derek Lowe have been solid at the end of games, but it’s pretty clear that unless they get some better performances from Gibson and Kinder (and Jeff Locke, who also has a winning record with an ERA over 6.00), the Pelicans fortunes could change dramatically.

#Checking In On …

The Atlanta X-Giants were the subject of last month’s update. They still have the best record in the league, although like New Orleans, they have clearly lost their best players to promotions to Birmingham.

But in their case, Greg Maddux and Warren Spahn have pitched well since their demotion, joining Kent Mercker and Jim Whitney in a very strong rotation.

We mentioned Joe Rudi last time, and the 22 year-old has impressed in his first taste of AAA, slashing 281/323/537.

AAA Leaders

Of the players profiled last time, only Joey Votto (Cincinnati/Indianapolis) remains at AAA, with Hi Myers (Brooklyn), Gary Sheffield (Miami), Fred Lynn (Memphis), and Robinson Canó (Kansas City) all now holding down a roster spot in the show.

In addition to Votto, who continues to produce, hitting at a 324/459/580 clip, the dominant players at AAA are

Baby Doll Jacobson. Leading AAA with 19 homeruns, Jacobson is slashing 343/389/725 for Washington (Baltimore) and pulling off his best Babe Ruth imitation on the leaderboards. Even with the best record in the league and Paul Blair hitting better in Baltimore, it’s not clear how long the Black Sox can keep Jacobson at AAA.
Louisville (Homestead)’s OF pair of Paul Waner (306/401/591) and Max Carey (357/441/473) are probably the best hitting tandem in the league.
Virgil Trucks has done nothing but impress since his demotion, sitting with a 6-1 record and a 1.59 ERA since being sent to Cincinnati after struggling in Indianapolis in the early going.
San Jose (San Francisco)’s Nick Altrock leads the league in wins at 7-2 with a 2.22 ERA.
In the bullpen, St. Louis (Kansas City)’s Adam Russell (16 saves, 1.71 ERA) and Queens (Brooklyn)’s Darren Dreifort (15 saves, 1.40 ERA) lead the way.

Awards

AAA Player of the Month: Baby Doll Jacobson (Washington/Baltimore)
AAA Pitcher of the Month: Nick Altrock (San Jose/San Francisco)

AAA Players of the Week: Tommie Agee (Orlando/Miami); Robin Ventura (Milwaukee/Chicago); Jackie Jensen (Montreal/Ottawa); Sam Thompson (Newark/New York Black Yankees)

Hottest Prospects (24 years and younger)

SP: Mike Griffin (23, Toronto/Detroit) 6-2, 1 Sv, 4.84 ERA; Jock Menefee (24, St. Louis/Kansas City) 4-3, 3.27 ERA [*]; George Mullin (22, Toronto/Detroit) 4-3, 3.49 ERA.
RP: Luiz Gohara (20, New Orleans/Memphis) 1-1, 8 Sv, 3 H, 3.60 ERA; George Murray (23, Atlanta/Birmingham) 1-1, 1 Sv, 1 H, 2.28 ERA.

C: Cliff W. Lee (22, Seattle/Portland). 329/374/647.
1B: Anthony Rizzo (22, Columbus/House of David). 277/395/576. [*]
2B: Roberto Alomar (23, Montreal/Ottawa). 301/338/436, 5 3B.
3B: Chris Brown (22, Newark/New York Black Yankees). 288/402/477.
SS: Francisco Lindor (24, New Orleans/Memphis). 299/352/528.
OF: Baby Doll Jacobson (24, Washington/Baltimore) 343/389/725, 71 H, 18 2B, 19 HR, 53 RBI, 42 R, 2.7 WAR; Paul Waner (23, Louisville/Homestead) 306/401/591 [*]; Minnie Miñoso (23, Milwaukee/Chicago) 272/370/589, 16 HR.

Bold indicates league leader; * indicates a player selected for April’s list as well.

Ps Hardie Henderson (Cleveland) and Matt Anderson (Detroit); C Mike Scioscia (Brooklyn); IFs Robinson Canó (Kansas City), Gary Sheffield (Miami), and Cal Ripken, Jr. (Baltimore); and OF Yasiel Puig (New York Gothams) were all listed in April and now are in the big leagues.

Series XIII Featured Matchup: Memphis Red Sox @ Houston Colt 45’s

By mknn

On August 30, 2021

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Preview here.

#Game One: Nixey Callahan @ Stubby Overmire

Ah, the Nixey v Stubby matchup we’ve all been waiting for …

The Red Sox got to Stubby Overmire in the top of the first as Jim Pagliaroni singled home Ted Williams for an early 1-0 lead. It was short-lived, as an RBI from Jeff Bagwell tied it up in the bottom of the inning.

But from there the pitchers took over until the bottom of the 4th, when Houston loaded the bases against Callahan. They scored one run on a groundout from Jimmy Wynn to take the lead, 2-1, but that was it.

Stubby gave up his 2nd run in the top of the 6th on a double by Vern Stephens, who then scored on a double by Eddie Rosario. That gave the Red Sox a 3-2 edge, with Nixey Callahan near the end of his tether, having thrown 98 pitches in 5 innings. The Memphis bench may have waited too long: Callahan’s 100th pitch was sent deep into right-center field by Tony Gwynn to tie the game back up at 3.

Stubby walked Claude Ritchey to start the 7th inning, and was relieved by Leon Day, while Turk Farrell took over from Nixey in the bottom of the frame.

The relievers were great for both teams: Andrew Chafin took over from Day, and we were still tied at 3 at the end of 9 innings.

Jonathan Papelbon is struggling a bit right now: he walked two before inducing a double play from Carlos Correa to get out of the 10th, then in the bottom of the 11th, gave up a single to Gwynn before getting Jorge Posada to hit into another double play. But, with two outs, Wynn walked, stole second, a scored on a softly hit single into LF by HR Johnson, sending the home crowd happy with the Houston victory.

Mark Melancon got the win, moving to 4-1 on the year, while Papelbon fell to 0-3. Gwynn went 4-for-5, and has brought his batting average up to over .280.

MEM 3 (Papelbon 0-3) @ HOU 4 (Melancon 4-1)
HRs: HOU – Gwynn (4)
Box Score

#Game Two: Tim Wakefield @ Stephen Strasburg

Ted Williams‘ 11th homerun of the year gave Memphis a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. It lasted until the bottom of the 3rd, when DJ LeMahieu led off with a double against Tim Wakefield, moved to 3rd on a sacrifice fly, and scored on a wild pitch. HR Johnson took Wakefield into the short left field porch for a 2-1 lead for Houston.

Stephen Strasburg looked rough all day, and an RBI single from Vern Stephens tied the game in the top of the 4th. By the end of the inning, Strasburg had given up 5 hits and walked 2 and had thrown 84 pitches, leading to some activity in the Colt 45’s bullpen. After striking out Reggie Smith to start the 5th, Strasburg walked Wade Boggs and Williams, bringing Dock Ellis into the game with runners on 1st and 2nd.

Mookie Betts greeted Ellis with a shot to right field, scoring Boggs and sending Williams to third on the RBI double. But Ellis got a popout from Bill White and fanned Jim Pagliaroni ending the inning with the Red Sox up, 3-2.

Ellis may have punched his ticket back to AAA with another ineffectual outing, allowing 4 hits in 1 inning and seeing the Red Sox lead increase to 5-2. Meanwhile, Wakefield was solid, but allowed Houston a 3rd run in the bottom of the 6th on an RBI single from Jorge Posada.

Wakefield’s final line was 7 innings pitched, 6 hits, and 3 earned runs: a decent enough start from the knuckleballer. He was relieved by Len Barker, with much of the Memphis bullpen fatigued. It didn’t go well: George Brett singled and Carlos Correa took Barker deep to tie the game at 5. Barker got an out, but after back-to-back walks to Jim O’Rourke and Wynn, Memphis turned to Heath Bell.

Making his WBL debut, Carney Lansford hit a hard ground ball to 3B that was misplayed by Boggs for an error, loading the bases with one out. Craig Biggio singled in 2 runs, putting Houston up 7-5 as we moved to the top of the 9th.

Boggs atoned, leading off the inning with a solo homerun against Houston’s new closer, Billy Wagner. But Wagner recovered, and even after an error by Correa put the tying run on second, he was able to fan Pagliaroni to end the ballgame. The win went to Houston’s old closer, Brad Lidge, who threw a scoreless frame in relief of Trevor Hoffman.

MEM 6 (Barker 0-1, 1 BSv) @ HOU 7 (Lidge 1-3; Wagner 2 Sv)
HRs: MEM – Williams (11), Boggs (1); HOU – Johnson (5), Correa (3)
Box Score

#Game Three: Roger Clemens @ Bret Saberhagen

Jimmy Wynn led off the bottom of the first with a homerun to give Houston a 1-0 lead. It went downhill from there, as Wynn committed two errors in centerfield that helped Memphis get out to a big lead.

Fred Lynn started it with the first homerun of his career, a 2-run shot in the top of the second. They added 3 more in the 3rd, the first on Wynn’s first error, the other 2 on a single from Claude Ritchey. Then, in the top of the 5th, another run scored on Wynn’s second miscue, and and a single from Iván de Jesus plated 2 more, extending the lead to 7-1.

Clemens gave up 2 more runs in the bottom of the 5th on a triple from HR Johnson and a single from George Brett. An RBI single from Jeff Bagwell made it 7-4 in the bottom of the 7th, and Carlos Correa took Turk Farrell deep in the bottom of the 8th to close it to a one run game, 8-7.

Memphis would add two more in the top of the 9th, helped by another Houston error, this one by Craig Biggio at C. Lynn sacrificed one run home, and Manny Ramirez plated the other with a pinch-hit single.

With 2 outs and 2 on in the bottom of the 9th, Biggio had a chance to redeem himself against Memphis’ closer, Joe Beggs. He couldn’t: Beggs induced a groundball to shortstop to end the game.

Bagwell had 4 hits for Houston while Lynn and Ritchey combined for 5 RBIs for Memphis.

Clemens finally got his first victory of the year, and Beggs’ work was good for his 8th save while Bret Saberhagen took the loss, although he was let down more by his defense than his arm.

MEM 9 (Clemens 1-4; Papelbon 4 H; Beggs 8 Sv) @ HOU 6 (Saberhagen 3-4)
HRs: MEM – Lynn (1); HOU – Correa (4); Wynn (6)
Box Score

#Game Four: Jon Lester @ Roy Oswalt

Reggie Smith led off the game with his 7th homerun of the year, taking Roy Oswalt deep down the right field line for an early 1-0 lead for Memphis. Jim Pagliaroni doubled the lead with homerun in the 2nd.

That was all for the Red Sox through 5 innings, but Jon Lester was out-pitching Oswalt, allowing no runs and only 2 hits.

The Cole 45’s got on the scoreboard in the 6th, as HR Johnson walked, stole second, took third on a throwing error by Pagliaroni, and scored on an single by Lance Berkman.

Pagliaroni went deep for his 2nd homerun of the game in the top of the 7th with a 2-run shot to extend the Red Sox lead to 4-1. In the 8th, Ted Williams and Bill White went back-to-back against Trevor Hoffman, extending the lead to 7-1.

Given the state of the Red Sox bullpen, those runs were important, as it allowed Memphis to leave Lester in, with only Len Barker warming up in the bullpen. Both teams scored again, and Barker was pulled into action … but it didn’t really matter.

Williams and Smith had 3 hits each for Memphis, and Pagliaroni drove in 3 runs. Tony Gwynn had 3 hits for Houston as his average edges towards .300, sitting at .292.

MEM 8 (Lester 6-3) @ HOU (Oswalt 5-3)
HRs: MEM – Smith (7), Pagliaroni 2 (4), White (7), Williams (12)
Box Score

Series Summary

The series ended an even split, which is a better result for Memphis than for Houston.

Jeff Bagwell went 6-for-16 and Tony Gwynn 8-for-12 for Houston.

Reggie Smith, Jim Pagliaroni, and Eddie Rosario had 5 hits each for Memphis (with Smith and Pagliaroni each hitting 2 homeruns), and Ted Williams went 7-for-17 with 2 homeruns, bringing his average back over .300 for the season.

TWIWBL 15.1: Series XII Notes – Bill James Division

By mknn

On August 23, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Detroit Wolverines

Hal Newhouser allowed 1 hit and 1 run in 6 innings … along with a WLB record-tying 8 walks. But it was enough for a win, improving his record to 2-1 and lowering his ERA to 1.67. Gene Conley, Buddy Napier, John Hiller, and Mike Henneman combined to allow only 1 more hit over the rest of the ballgame, with Henneman picking up his 9th save in a 2-1 victory for Detroit over San Francisco.

Doyle Alexander was moved into the starting rotation, which may last only as long as Si Johnson‘s rehab assignment (by which point, the Wolverines are hoping the mix of Napier, Matt Anderson, and Mickey Lolich have worked themselves out in terms of who belongs at the big league level).

#Los Angeles Angels

Pud Galvin and Harry Howell have been replaced in the Angels’ starting rotation by Nolan Ryan and Chuck Finley; really the only surprise here is that Doc Gooden has retained his starting spot despite continuing to struggle. The Angels also made a shock move, replacing their entire catching corps by sending Jim Stephens and Brian Downing to AAA and promoting Ron Hassey and John Stearns, who are expected to platoon for the big league club. As part of this, the club recalled Rusty Staub to help fill in at RF, and waived Armando Benitez and his 8.00+ ERA. These moves also mean that Elmer Valo and Kal Daniels find spots in the lineup every day (Valo in RF, Daniels as the DH).

#Memphis Red Sox

Nomar Garciaparra‘s demotion to AAA from the disabled list was no surprise, but the choice to also send both Bob Brenly and Dustin Pedroia to New Orleans may have been. Billy Bryan was recalled from AAA, but Brenly’s demotion means Jim Pagliaroni becomes an everyday catcher. Iván de Jesus was recalled as well, mostly due to his defensive versatility.

#New York Gothams

Led by 3 hits apiece from Yasiel Puig and Pinky Higgins, the Gothams destroyed Cleveland 10-3. Juan Marichal improved to 5-1 with the victory.

Buck O’Brien‘s time in the WBL was very brief, as after being left as sacrificial arm in a blowout game, absorbing 11 hits in just over 2 innings pitched, O’Brien was returned to AAA with Carl Hubbell making his long awaited return from injury.

#Wandering House of David

In a see-saw game, the House of David relied on 4 hits from George Stone and Ryne Sandberg and 3 RBIs from Ron Santo in a 15-9 triumph over Kansas City. The Monarchs hit 4 homeruns, but the House of David responded by outhitting them, 22 to 13. After Wade Miley was hit hard, Bob Rush continued his great season with 4 innings, allowing only 1 run and improving his record to 4-1.

Rush has replaced Ferguson Jenkins in the House of David’s rotation and Bruce Sutter has been named the closer, with Tom Niedenfeuer out for several months. Jerry Mumphrey, Jung Ho Kang, and Bunny Downs were all sent down to AAA (essentially giving Sammy Sosa the job in CF for the time being). Dave Altizer was waived to make room for Craig Reynolds on the 40-man roster, and Jim Edmonds and Anthony Rizzo were recalled as well.

All of that results in Dan Ford parlaying his strong showing with the House of David into a starting job in RF.