BOW's 2012 Season Wrap-up

When BOW was predicted to finish last in our division for 2012, I was a bit insulted and didn't see this team as being THAT bad.  After completing a block or two, I was thinking that the prognosticators might be correct!  (They were......)  This team really did stink (53 - 109).

 

"Leading" the offense was 9th round draft pick-up Cody Ross.  In 119 games, Cody tied for HRs with Salty (14) and drove-in a team-leading 52 RBIs, but his .214 AVG was nothing to write home about.  Jeter led with a .294 AVG, 161 hits, and 66 runs scored.  Speedster Jarrod Dyson broke the TBA stolen base record he set in 2011 with 80 swipes in 2012.  Big disappointments were seen in C. Maybin (.213 / 9 / 49 / 31 SB), J. Lowrie (.175 / 3 / 16), and K. Suzuki (.167 / 2 / 14).

 

Leading the team in victories was Sabathia with 9 wins.  During his first two seasons, CC had several opportunities to become a 20-game winner during the sixth block, but couldn't do it either time......but he managed to become a 20-game LOSER this season in his final start.  Tommy Hunter was the only starter with a winning record (7 - 6).  First-round pick B. Beachy collected some respectable numbers (158 Ks in 147 IP), but finished with a 4 - 11 record with a 4.46 ERA.

 

In the bullpen, closer N. Feliz was rather porous, picking-up 9 losses with a 3.92 ERA.  Bright spots were E. Frieri (2.25 ERA in 84 G) and rookie A. Chapman, who managed a team low 2.06 ERA.  He collected 54 BBs in 48 IP, but countered that with 58 Ks and only 25 hits allowed.

 

I believe that BOW might have set the TBA record for "Most Letters in the Names of a Pitching - Catching Battery" when Fautino De Los Santos took the mound with Jarrod Saltalamachia behind the dish.  Another TBA record might be what "Mr. Mop-up" Brian Duensing did out of BOW's bullpen:  He pitched 129.2 innings, ALL in relief, and did not have a decision in 58 appearances, finishing with a 0 - 0 record.  Derek Jeter's record of playing in every TBA game to-date was quickly shattered in Block 1.

 

I am issuing a challenge for anyone to prove that they have had worse "luck" with their draft picks.  Going back to the 2010 draft, I selected N. Feliz and K. Blanks in the first 2 rounds.  While Feliz had a great rookie year as a closer, I selected him in-hopes of seeing him in the rotation in a couple of years.  My wish came true in 2012, but hopes were dashed as a trip to the DL soon turned into TJ surgery.  Blanks was starting for SD in April of 2010, but he wasn't hitting.  Next thing I know, TJ surgery was being mentioned.....then it was a done deal!  After recovery from that, it appeared that Blanks might win the LF job in 2012, but then SD obtained C. Quentin.  Next thing I know, rotator cuff surgery is being mentioned for Blanks after slamming into a wall, so ANOTHER season was lost.

 

In 2011, a mid-round pick left me with few established rookies, so I went with the Phillies' highly-touted Domonic Brown.  J. Werth was gone and RF was aching for Brown to take-over.  He got hurt in Spring Training, tried to came-back too soon, never got his timing right, and was back in the minors in a few months.  With the trades of Victorino and Pence, Brown got some playing time late in 2012.  We'll see where that takes him in 2013.

 

In 2012, Braves' B. Beachy was worthy of a 1st round pick and looked to be a great catch.  It wasn't too long before he was leading the NL in ERA.  It wasn't long after that, he's on the DL and (you know what's coming!), Tommy John's name is being mentioned.  When 2nd round pick A. Chapman went down with "tired arm" late this season, I was wondering where that was going.  Luckily, it appeared to be just that.

 

With the 2nd overall pick in 2013, (after Bryce) the field is wide open on whose season that I will ruin!  

 

Todd / BOW