BOW's Block 1 Report

Since the Quad City franchise was absorbed in the dispersal draft, I am the sole GM left with a “computer-drafted” roster. Last season, the Bowlers finished the first block with a 17 – 7 record. At that point, I thought a computer-drafted roster was the best thing in the world! From that point on, it really went down hill, being a struggle just to finish 82 – 80. This year’s first block put the Bowlers at 15 – 10. Due to some scheduling quirk, 18 of my 25 games were at home, including all 8 of my games versus Napa. I’m going to pay for that later in the season…..especially all those trips to Coors Field to play Napa!

The computer picks seem to disregard age, defense, and (especially in my case) BAL & Hold ratings. While several of these guys are no longer around (JC Romero / Brocail / Yabu / Alb. Lopez), several players (Feldman / Arroyo / Floyd / Hoffman) did surprise me by righting themselves for 2010. The only real “prospect” I still have on my roster from last year is Phil Hughes. At one point early last year, when he was stinkin’-up the joint as a starter for the Yankees, I came within a mouse click of dropping him! That would have been a BIG mistake.

This season, I have a decent, but not spectacular, starting core with Sabathia / Arroyo / Floyd / Feldman. In 2009, "6R" Arroyo was on a pace to cough-up almost 60 HRs with a 7+ ERA before I benched him for the last two blocks. This year, he’s performing better than that, but still tends to be a bullpen-taxing starter. Will Sabathia repeat his league-high 19-win season? My guess is no, but I am hoping that he at least makes the mid-teens in wins. So far, that core of four (plus Duensing) seems to be in “break-even” mode after the first block, with a combined 9 – 9 record. Although, at one point this past block, they did manage to allow 3 grand slams in the span of 4 games! In Block 2, Duensing will either be sent to the minors or the bullpen to make way for fellow rookie T. Hunter. The bullpen seems to be my savior, as they are 6 – 1 with mostly sub-2.00 ERAs, but it’s still very early. No. 1 pick N. Feliz has yet to see action, but he should shortly. Based on T. Hoffman’s recent performance for the Brewers, Feliz could be my 2011 closer-in-waiting.

While they seem to be putting-up decent numbers, the offense managed to get shut-out 3 times in the span of 5 games. K. Suzuki had a monster block batting .455 and knocking-in 23 RBI with 16 extra-base hits, 6 of them being dingers. (This was after hitting only 8 HRs and tallying 56 RBIs in 470+ ABs last season.) He started the season batting 9th, but was quickly raised in the batting order. I don’t expect this to continue, but it was a pleasant surprise.

At 3B, I’m still debating playing the glove of Inge vs. the much better bat of Cantu. As many of you (fondly?) remember, Cantu cost me several games with his lack of defense at 3B. Inge will only bat .200 at best (coincidently where he is right now) with some power versus the lefties. But I still bear the scars of my 2009 “20 / 20 / 20” infield….where SS Jeter / 2B K. Johnson / 3B Cantu all managed 20+ errors that led to (too) many unearned runs. So far, this year’s defense appears to be somewhat improved (14 errors so far, with 7 coming from pitchers…Feldman with 4 of them!). Second Round pick K. Blanks was promoted as an injury replacement in one series and responded with a 4-for-9 performance, including 2 HRs. In “real life” for the Padres, he started the season with 2 HRs, but has quickly slumped to below the Mendoza-line with his AVG and is riding the pine occasionally.

It’s been fun getting back into the groove and playing again after the long, cold winter and the agonizingly-slow (but necessarily so) draft. Napa’s Eamonn appears to be a great addition to the EML…..showing a good sense of humor with the Blalock situation! Looking forward to playing the other newbie (Ryan / KC) in the upcoming blocks.