May Report

The Mustangs managed to be even at 14-14 in May.  There better be some vast improvement in June for them to have any shot of overcoming the brutal 0-7 in the division opening week.  Likely it is over for 2015.

I could go on for days about everything that is broken in Denver.  Last years ABL best starter ERA dropping to 7th in the TML.  A grand total of three batters with an OPS over .800.  Zero help from any of the seven AAA call ups that have been made trying to find some spark.  Daniel Rodriguez (prime candidate to replace Eric Black) is has 4 hits in 45 AB.  That is just the tip of the ice berg.  Instead, mostly because I am lazy, let's take a look at what is going well.  That is a much shorter article.

1) SP Scott Wilson - Now 23 years old and in his second year in the bigs.  Wilson has come out of the gates on fire.  In 10 starts he is 6-2 with a 1.69 ERA.  It seems like every year one Mustang pitcher really steps up.  Two years ago it was Durden, last year Berry.  No doubt that Wilson is the man for 2015.  It better continue too.  Previous hurlers were fighting for the number two spot.  It is looking like Wilson may need to step up to be the stopper since Ruiz has mysteriously lost all recognition of his craft since winning the Cy Young last year.

2) The Bullpen.  After a rough April, the Mustang bullpen has had a very effective May to rise back to their accustomed place as the league's top unit.

 3) Middle Infield.  Jeff Wade and Callum Ritchie are following the Bullpens lead.  Both were atrocious out of the gate but have started to hit their stride over the last couple of weeks.  Wade used the month of May to raise his batting average by 81 points.  We are also hoping his April errors stay locked away in that forgettable month.  Ritchie has also started to slowly dig his way out of the cellar with a recent power surge.  Still, his .189 batting average with runners in scoring position simply has to improve.

4) 1B/DH Fernando Garza continues his all star caliber production and remains the best hitter on the squad.  He was sorely missed for the three weeks he was injured.

5) 3B Francisco Morales.  Drafted in the 16th round of the inaugural draft.  Morales was a panic pick because all of the good third basemen were gone.  Every year, including this one, he was part of a spring training competition to see who would win this spot.  Each time he has fought off the contender and proved to be the better choice when put in platoon situations.  The Mustangs liked his defense and his bat enough to bypass arbitration and go ahead and commit to him for 6 years at 1.12 million per.  This has the potential to be a brilliant move if the first two months of 2015 turn out to be trend and not mirage.  Morales is sporting a 300 batting average and a 17.4 VORP.  Even better he has that intangible Mustangs have found so rare.  He is clutch going 14 of 37 with 14 rbi and 7 with runners in scoring position.

That's pretty much all of the good.  Here's to hoping next month finds us in a better spot.

Mustang 2015 preview

2014 was a fun playoff run and left expectations high with ownership and the fans.  I am not quite as sold.  The Mustangs started hot and got to 18 games over by mid June.  That is exactly where they ended up.  Combine that with the 162-162 record compiled over the first two years and it shows the Mustangs have been pretty consistently mediocre.  Like you'd expect to see on any team, there are a few new faces on the ABL roster but most are returning starters.  The biggest loss obviously, is Eric Black.  No one in the organization has the skills to even partially fill his shoes as a catalyst at the top of the lineup.  His combination of power, speed and ability to get on base will be greatly missed.  Crucial defense in center field will suffer as well.  The Mustangs did make some moves and improved in some areas, but likely not enough to make up for the loss of Black.  For that reason it's hard to see how there won't be a drop in wins.

Catcher:
After spending most of 2014 in AAA, Brewski had a good spring training batting .340 and mixing in a few doubles and a home run.  He'll join Randy Gibson and give the Mustangs two stud defensive catchers that love it when teams try to run on them.  Not much offensive production expected here.

Infield:
All stars Jeff Wade and Callum Ritchie continue team up for the fourth year as a premier defensive middle infield duo.  Wade is the likely candidate to bat lead off even though he is much better suited as the number two batter.  I like German Hernandez at first base.  He ripped through spring training with an .934 OPS.  Third base is a bit interesting.  It looks like newly acquired via trade Mashashi Kogawa may get the starting nod despite the organizations intention to let him develop in the minors for one more year. He did manage five home runs in spring during which time last years starter Francisco Morales was putrid.  Fernando Garza is in the final year of his contract.  He will contribute mostly at DH.  Jim Hurst gets the first shot at the utility infielder role.  Hopefully the Mustangs can utilize his defense and hide his bat.

Outfield:
Veterans Tommy Harris and Eduardo Gomez will be every day starters.  Gomez is in the last year of his contract and Harris has a team option waiting for him.  I expect big things as they both play to secure one more big deal before they hang up the cleats.  Who will end up with the most starts in center field is anyone's guess.  Raymundo Gaias has not played in a major league regular season game since 2012 when he was with Nottinghamshire.  He is the odds on favorite and will get to be the man opening day.  I like his bat and his range but he has a very unfortunate tendency to misplay and flat out drop fly balls.  The heir to the position by all rights should be Daniel Rodriguez but he has not been able to capitalize on the numerous opportunities he has been given to claim it.  He will have opportunities again this season.  And finally Danny Hardy will be in the mix.  Great speed and defense.  Too bad he can't hit worth a damn.

Rotation:
The crew that led the TML in all but three pitching categories in 2014 returns intact to pick up where they left off.  I don't see any reason not to expect 35 starts and another fantastic season out of Cy Young winner Manual Ruiz.  Paul Durden and Scott Wilson all return from very good campaigns last year.  Both are only 22 years old and have already established themselves as capable major league starters.  Thomas White was injured most of the season but pitched very well when he wasn't.  Finally stud Tim Berry will return several weeks into the season to step back into the #2 spot.  In the interim, exciting prospect  Chris Phillips will get a chance to show what he can do.

Bullpen:
Like the rotation, they are studs and they are back.  Elite closer David "Slam" Reynolds should continue to inherit save opportunities from the holds racked up by Barry Johnson, Mal Meade, Antonio Rodriguez and Joe Russell.  The last spot goes to Arturo Cruz to handle mop up duties.  I am not sure why but the fans just love him.

All in all my personal expectation is a slightly over .500 record.  Definitely enough to squash the puny Tornadoes but likely not enough to keep up with Eureka or Las Vegas.  There are several exciting prospects moving up through the organization.  Most are still two or three years away.  That should be enough time for the mistakes of a noob owner to fade and then we can find out what the Mustangs are truly about.

Dear Marauders

Dear Maple Marauders,

I know we have not been particularly close in the past and I am probably over stepping my bounds.  I hate to put you in an uncomfortable position but I do have a favor to ask of you.

As you are no doubt aware I will be facing Cabo San Lucas in the first round of the playoffs.  I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Toreros.  You cannot deny the success they have had.  They are obviously a top notch organization.  Still our organization has enjoyed some moderate success against the franchise.  Apparently we match up fairly well as illustrated by our seven wins in the nine games we have faced each other.  My point here is there is a reasonable expectation that the Mustangs could progress to the second round of the playoffs.

I believe I mentioned it before but it merits repeating.  I do not envy you your first round opponent.  If my sources are correct, the Jokers have won a whopping 16 games out of their last 19?  Yes, I am sorry to confess that this includes a four game sweep of yours truly. They are kind of on fire.

I have had the unfortunate experience of playing in the same division as the Jokers.  It has been quite unpleasant.  To be honest with you they are just kind of mean.  With reckless abandon they inflate pitcher ERAs, run willy nilly around the bases, and don't even get me started on how many extra baseballs we have to provide when they come to town.  The stupid things just refuse to stay in the park.  I suppose they all act nice enough and say all the right things.  But their beating and bullying on the field is just hurtful.

This brings me to my point.  On the off chance that things do work out in our series and we slip by Cabo, I would be most appreciative if you could arrange it so that we don't have to play Vegas in the second round.  You can not imagine how much that would mean to us.  We would be forever in your debt.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

All our best.

Mustangs

RIP Eric Black

In a week that should be full of celebration a dark cloud hangs over the Mustangs organization.  It is hard to complain when the Mustangs halted their brutal seven game losing streak and closed the season with four wins.  The last three coming on a sweet sweep of the hated rival Tornados.  The Mustangs happily sent Kansas City into the off season by throwing out a runner at home in the bottom of the ninth of a one run game.  That's just awesome.

Most importantly the Mustangs did just enough to stay out in front of Eureka in the wild card race and enter into the post season for the first time.  It was quite a roller coaster getting swept in a four game series by the Jokers to lose the division, then have to turn around and root for them to beat the Hornets.  Thank you Jokers for the assist by the way.  No envy here for Maple.  Vegas is not the team I would want to face right now.

In spite of all the great news, it is hard to smile right now.  Eric "Flash" Black took a hard shot to the head doing what he does best out in center field.  Making a miraculous play.  Doctors confirmed that he is done with baseball.  Black really was the heart and the soul of the team.  He embodied everything that the Mustangs are.  Speed, defense and work ethic.

Black was a budding star that just entered his peak.  His numbers were trending towards MVP caliber all the way across the board.  Here is how they break out over the last three years:

Batting Average, .224 to .251 to .2270
On base Percentage .296 to .364 to .377
Home Runs 5 to 17 to 25
Zone Rating 20.3 to 22.7 to 28.5

In 2014 he made only one error in 136 games played.  He also stole 43 bases.

Black was due to go to arbitration next year but the Mustangs had read the writing on the wall early in the season and had locked him up with what was looking to be an unbelievably team friendly deal.  He was due to be the every day starting center fielder and lead off hitter for the next 6 years at under $5 million per.

This is a franchise changer.  The cupboard is not bear.  Daniel Rodriguez, Danny Hardy and Raymundo Gaias all look to be reasonable options to contribute solidly in center field.  But it may be a long time before we see another player like Flash.

Mustangs still in the hunt

August was a month of ups and downs that cancelled each other out and resulted in a 14-13 record.  The Mustangs are still right in the hunt.  They gave up the division lead but trail the Jokers by only one game.  While they have their eyes on the division title, at least holding on to their five game lead in the wildcard race would be an acceptable consolation prize.

The offense has been sporadic at best.  A few scattered big innings won some big games but it has just as often plain not showed up.  1B German Hernandez and DH Fernando Garza have been the biggest contributers. 

Hernandez was a nice free agent find in 2012.  He signed on with a minor league contract and over time has played his way into being the every day first baseman.  His .277 BA and .341 OBP fail to represent his greatest stat.  52 of his 105 hits have gone for extra bases.  In August he batted .365 and drove in a team leading 17 runs. 

Garza just keeps steadily hitting his way through an all star season.  In August he racked up 33 more hits, 15 runs and 17 RBIs.  Just par for the course. 

One other offensive player of note is SS Bill Conway.  Bill came up to the bigs in July.  His mediocre defense prevents him from being a consistent starter.  But he is taking full advantages to show off his skills at the plate.  In a mere 37 at bats he has managed 14 hits, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 14 runs batted in.  His biggest game was August 29th in Carolina.  Conway came as a pinch hitter to lead off the 11th inning and popped a solo home run.  That would be enough to win the game as Carolina came up empty in the bottom of the inning.  But the story did not end there.  His solo shot sparked the offense.  They batted around and Conway came up again in the 11th with two on.  He went yard twice.  The Mustangs put up 8 in the 11th to win 12-4.

Another month and same story.  The Mustangs live and die through the strength of their defense and pitching.  Manuel Ruiz was the clear cut number one of the month going 4-2 with a 2.64 ERA and 0.94 WHIP.  27 year old Tim Berry bounced up and down from the minors and generally struggled for the first two years but has emerged as the staff #2.  Barry Johnson continues to be rediculous.  He has allowed a mere 3 earned runs in 50 innings pitched.

Here we go into September and the Mustangs are still in the race.  Can defense and pitching carry them through to the playoffs?  Mustangs fans think so.

New Bat in Town

In a classic case of overpaying and shooting the moon the Mustangs are making a huge move at the all star break to reach for the stars in 2014.  We are pleased to announce the addition of Eduardo Gomez to the club.  Gomez adds a big bat to a lineup that struggles to score runs.  We don't expect a ton of home runs but he has displayed a knack for finding the gap and should hit plenty of doubles.  His history with runners in scoring position is down right impressive.  We expect him to take full advantage of the RBI opportunities he gets.  Additionally his ability to play any position in the infield and outfield should provide some nice flexibility.  Gomez will likely enter the line up as the every day right fielder.  A position that has been a gaping hole ever since Alex Deal was lost to a career ending injury back in 2012.

The Mustangs paid a hefty price.  Even more because it will most certainly make division rivals Eureka better in the years to come.  Three quality young players, all on the cusp of being every day major leaguers were sent to the Hornets.  MR Cal Henry, RF Jack Watson and 3B Manuel Sanchez were the price to add Gomez.  All three players are using their final option years and would possibly have been exposed to waivers.  Still, it is a big hit to the organizations depth and will likely have lingering effects for both teams for years to come.

More than ever the pressure is on for the Mustangs to stay ahead of the Jokers.  Anything short of winning the division makes this trade an utter failure and embarrassment.

"Yeah, but what about the Tornadoes?" you may ask.  Please.  The Jokers are a real team and are definitely forcing our hand.  We didn't need any help squashing the puny Tornadoes.

Further into uncharted waters

18 games over .500 with a 5 game lead in the division and number one in the power rankings??!!  All brand new territory for the organization.  The Mustang Magic just keeps coming.  One week from the all star break they are riding a six game winning streak.  Five of those six games were won by only one or two runs.  One of the biggest questions surrounding the Mustangs is do they know how to deal with this kind of success?  The locker room has been remarkably subdued.  Most players avoid even acknowledging that things are going well.  Part of the reason is trying to put your finger on what has really changed.  There are some new faces that are adding value.  But at it's core this is the same team that it has been since the inaugural draft.  Why the sudden improvement?

LF Tommy Harris was an exception when talking to the media.  He was all smiles when asked about the status of the team.  "In the year and a half I have been with this organization I have been impressed with how it is run.  They knew where they wanted to go and stuck with the guys they thought could get them there.  I know that I personally did little to contribute my first year here.  Management let me work through my struggles.  The coaching staff was key in getting me back into a groove."

That is all well and good, but does just letting guys work through their problems explain why Callum Ritchie and Francisco Garza's batting averages are up by 46 and 37 points from last season?  Where did Eric "Flash" Black find the pop to be on pace for 20 HR all of a sudden?  Pitching has always been a strength for the Mustangs but this level of dominance is just ridiculous.  With a team ERA of 3.13 and an opponent batting average of .235 runs against this club are incredibly hard to come by.  The starting rotation just couldn't find room for 2013 AAA Cy Young winner Chet Carver.  After all, his ML era was over 4.  That is just not good enough for this roster.  Obviously the league's #1 defense by both zone rating and efficiency, deep fences, and elite pitching coach Brian Taylor are factors.  But can that really be the whole story?

Bottom line is that there really are no answers to the question.  It seems that the baseball deities just favor the Mustangs in this magical season.  So Mustang fans, grab some popcorn, kick back, enjoy the ride, and hope for continued success all the way to the post season.