Checking In on the New Guys

With 24 teams, the 79 resims, and a focus on defense we saw a record number of new players drafted this season.  By my count, prior opening day 86 new players were added to our league database.  It’s not even mid-May in sim time, but I thought it would be interesting to take a look at how some of these players have performed.

Batters
Only three new position players have accumulated over 125 at bats and one is clearly off to the best start.  Jacoby Ellsbury, a somewhat surprising 6th round pick by the Leesburg Snow, is batting a robust .301 / .347 / .485 with 5 home runs and 20 RBI.  Jay H couldn’t have asked for more out if Vg/1 defensive rating center fielder.

The Snow also gambled on a new Miguel Cabrera year – 2011 – and that choice hasn’t worked out as well.  The 16th rounder is struggling with a .655 OPS out of the DH spot, but does have 18 RBI to his credit. 

The third batter, Matt Kemp, is just plain bad, batting .230 / .262 / 259 for dogphin29.  The center fielder has struggled each week and is in serious jeopardy of riding the bench, a bad sign for a 9th round selection.

Nine others have played enough to warrant mentioning.  Jimmy Ryan 1888 (Piñata Beaters) is off to a stellar start, batting .348 / .423 / .522 in a platoon. The Banana Bears Ryan Braun (2011) is showing some pop, but his .313 OBP is preventing him from starting every day. 

The rest of the field leaves a lot to be desired
.601 OPS – 2011 Jose Bautista (“Mechanics”)
.574 OPS – 2011 Mike Napoli (Slammers)
.568 OPS – 1932 Dale Alexander (Carnies)
.534 OPS – 2007 Placido Polanco (Fish Biscuits)
.512 OPS – 1956 Yogi Berra (Daffiness Boys)
.504 OPS – Troy Tulowitzki (“Mechanics”)
.443 OPS – 2000 Gary Sheffield (Brews)

Pitchers
13 new pitchers were thrust into full time starting roles and three of them have excelled, surpassing even their owner’s wildest expectations.  The best of them, at least a month and a half into the season, has been the Carnies Jerry Reuss, circa 1980.  A mid 19th round choice, Reuss is 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA in 44 IP.  His whip is easily the best among these new pitchers at 0.92. 

The Fishbiscuits Lefty Stewart has won four of six starts thanks to a 2.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, though of concern is his 0.9 K/BB ratio which is an obvious recipe for mediocrity or worse.  Justin Verlander was a hot topic on draft day, and with a 4th round selection by the Brighton Shadows, plenty has been riding on his right arm.  In 54 innings he’s given up 47 hits and 18 walks, good enough for a 1.21 WHIP and 2.18 ERA.  He’s 3-2 in seven starts

2011 Cole Hamels (Thrill), 2009 Ted Lilly (Thrill), and 2011 Josh Beckett (Orators) have held their own with RCERA’s in the low to mid 4.00s while the rest of the full time starters have struggled:
4.60 – Jeff Fassero (Fanclub)
5.07 – Jeff D’Amico (Fanclub)
5.07 – Eddie Plank (Thrill)
5.37 – Randy Johnson (dogphin29)
7.22 – Tom Seaver (Slammers)
7.83 – Kid Nichols (Brews)

Among relievers and spot starters, the Carnies Arnie Stone (1924) and Slammers Randy Tomlin (1990) have met with success, each with RCERA’s below 3.50 and WHIP’s in the 1.20’s.  2011 Josh Johnson (Black Sox) somehow has a 2.35 ERA despite 19 walks and 13 K’s in 30 innings and the Fanclub need to cut Tim Keefe (1880) outright.  In 33 innings Keefe has a 2.05 WHIP thanks to 47 hits and 20 walks. 

Finally, the draft board was in a tizzy when 2011 Sergio Romo was selected by Gold Country. 
As you may recall, Romo was not listed on the pitcher eligibility file (Comish error!) and the selection was met with a heaping of groans and jealousy.  Results are mixed – saving 6 of 7 Romo has proven he can pitch, but overall his ERA is 5.40 and WHIP 1.50.  He’s pitched fewer then 10 innings so the jury is still out on Romo.