Unsung Hero's of the Contenders

Great's like Oscar Charleston and Pedro Martinez are cornerstones of winning ball clubs but they can only get you so far.  A true contender needs successful role players as well, and here's some recognition to the little known hero's I spotted while perusing the league reports.

The definition of contenders was purposely kept strict to reduce the research (sorry!); the teams below are within 3 games of a Division or Wild Card Race

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Sparta Hoplites
Frank Sullivan, SP

On a staff with Greg Maddux and Kevin Brown, it's easy to forget the 3rd starter Frank Sullivan.  Drafted in the 16th round, Sullivan was hardly a critical player for owner Sean S but at the same time, as 3rd starter to begin the season Sullivan had an important role.  He's been great winning 8 of 13 with a 3.35 ERA.  Opponents have managed just 133 hits against him in 150 innings.

Manetheren Red Eagles
Norman Yokely, SP

Similar to Sullivan, Yokely was a mid round (16th) selection to be inserted into the back end of the rotation as 4th starter.  He's been much better than advertised, going 11-3 with a 3.42 RCERA (3.14 CERA).

John McDonald Fanclub
Ken Sanders, RP extraordinaire

Sanders has been used in multiple roles this season, and has settled in as the team's #1 Long Reliever and #1 setup man versus righties.  The 18th rounder has pitched in 96 innings, winning 8 of 10 with a 2.43 ERA.

Rusty Kuntz Traveling All Stars
Carlos Pena, 1B

It's difficult to maintain a high batting average when playing home games in the Baker Bowl (90 park factor for singles) so Pena has been forced to become a bit more one dimensional than he may have been accustomed too (when in Rome right?).  The 14th rounder is second on the team in RBI (57) and third in home runs (26) holding down the cleanup spot in the All Star lineup.

Carlisle "Mechanics"
Robin Roberts, SP

Nice run by the "Mechanics", after their poor start I was surprised to seem them just 2.5 games out of the playoffs. Roberts is the teams 4th starter, an especially important role when considering their 5th starter, John Smoltz, is really a closer playing out of position.*  Roberts has been great - 8-5, 3.04 ERA - extreme value for a 21st round draft pick.

* Several teams have tried this during the year with mostly poor success.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Brighton Shadows
Darren Daulton, C

Despite being drafted in the 19th Round, Daulton was intended to the Shadows starting catcher - their backup, Johnny Kling, was drafted in the 24th.  Daulton has been one of the best catchers in the league with 21 HR's in 251 at bats, his OBP is respectable at .329 while he slugs almost as much as 2nd rounder Josh Gibson

Spanish Harlem Pinata Beaters
Ed Siever, SP

Who needs role players when you have Oscar Charleston.  In truth, it seems Justin P is getting exactly what he needs out of just about every player on his roster - no major surprises for good or ill.  We'll give credit to 10th rounder and 4th starter Siever, whose 13-6 with a 2.94 ERA.

Shamokin Miners
Tommy Holmes, OF

.301 / .340 / .543 with 21 HR in 322 AB.  That is one heck of a line for an 11th rounder and Holmes has to be wondering what left he has to prove to become a full time player.

North Valley Bears
Ed Reulbach, SP

The Bears are in a bit of a spiral, hopefully not so bad that it leaves them out of the playoffs.  One of the key's to their rebound will be 5th starter Ed Reulbach.  The righty has performed very well this year (6-2, 3.50 ERA, 103 IP, 86 H) and NL West teams should expect owner TJ O to either bump him up in the rotation or at least make him start every 5 days.

Puerto Cabellas Pandas
Phil Cavaretta, 1B

This is my kind of unsung hero.  17th round first basemen who fights his way to the top of the lineup thanks to a .385 on base average.  He's on pace for 90+ runs, 25 doubles, and 15 triples.

There are dozens of other players, some on these same very teams, that all have been drafted late and are performing better than expectations.  Here's to their success, and here's to 1998 Scott Brosius!