Mustang 2018 review

The 2018 Mustangs were able to manage 3 more wins than the 2017 group.  Still the season was an important step in the right direction.  However you have to look at different numbers to see the team's real progress.  Terrible financial decisions led to a bleak outlook for 2018.  The multi million dollar deficit led to virtually no scouting and player development budgets and blocked the team from really making any significant moves.  They were able to get out from all but one bad contract.  For 2019 the owner has raised the budget by $18 million to a reasonably competitive $112.  While the Mustangs attendance was still the worse in the league, it did increase by over 30% and we are able to start the season with the full 20 million in cash.  We will be able to invest heavily in scouting and player development and commit fully to rebuilding.

2018 was also the season the Mustangs fully committed to tailoring a line up to fit their park.  The results were certainly mixed at best.  The stolen bases and extra base hits were definitely there.  It unfortunately did not lead to many runs.  The defense was all it was supposed to be and more with an impressive 55.1 zone rating.  22 points higher than the number two team.  Despite all of that help, the pitching staff was still able to finish only in the middle of the pack.  This is obviously a point of major concern that will have to be addressed.

The day may be coming that the grand defense and speed experiment gets thrown out the door in favor of a more standard ball park and roster, but now that the finances are in place to rebuild we are going to give it a couple more seasons before building a new park and starting all over again.