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Eric Junge 3-1, 1.89 ERA |
| Joe Gannon 5-6, 4.71 ERA |
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Five questions facing the Barnstormers in the two weeks between now and the start of the second half:
1. Is Antonio Alfonseca the closer? The righthander has the background, but he’s 37 and hasn’t pitched much professionally since the end of the 2007 season. If Alfonseca isn’t the answer to replace Ryan Cullen, who is?
2. Can L.J. Biernbaum come back at full strength? The Barnstormers won’t need another big bat if their left-handed slugger is back to .900 OPS form after a DL stint for a neck injury. The team anxiously awaits his return.
3. Can the Barnstormers keep this rotation together? The top four of Eric Junge, Eric Ackerman, Ben Fritz and Zack Parker is exceptional. Throw in Neal Musser and this should be an elite starting staff for as long as it lasts.
4. Will infield defense be their downfall? The Barnstormers need to cut down on their errors to maximize the strength of their starting five. That might require some changes.
5. Will anyone else be lost to affiliated ball? Parker, Junge and Fritz are obvious candidates. One guy who could really help a Double-A or Triple-A team — but is somehow overlooked — is Lloyd Turner. The Barnstormers have already been hit hard with defections, so they might be safe for the rest of the season.
6. Will the Barnstormers address their catching deficiency? Teams with runners reaching first or second base will continue to run at-will, putting extra pressures on the pitching staff and defense. Neither catcher on the existing roster could throw out a one-legged woman working at I-Hop.
Lots of questions, Jason, that only time will tell.
I do agree with your evaluation of the poor defensive play of our infield.
We are really weak on the left side of the infield. Aaron Herr has 13 and Lloyd Turner is carrying 10. Whereas, Bryan Sabatella, Danny Bravo, and Ryan Mulhern have a combined 13 errors. Some of Bryan’s and Ryan’s may have been from their outfield play (?). The stat sheet we can see on the website doesn’t differentiate b/w the two positions.
That’s 36 errors (55 games) w/o David Housel’s 4 added into the mix. He falls into the same category as a utility IF/OF player. Not sure where all four of his were committed, either. Dan Williams has 1 at 2B. A2Z’s stats no longer show since his departure and we know that he had some.
I would say that we are pretty close to having 1 error committed by our infield per game so far during the first half. This surely needs to improve.
What the players stats don’t show us are the number of actual chances to commit an error by each player. That would give us an even more in-depth analysis of each players fielding abilities.
So, here we have Aaron Herr, who came up through the ranks as a 2nd baseman, playing the hot spot and Lloyd, a utility player, playing each and everyday at shortstop and the leader of the infield.
I’m hoping that now they are settled that we will see more consistent fielding as we moved towards the second half. I’d be smacking balls at both of them each and everyday until they improved. Some may say that they are pros and that’s not needed, but these young men definitely need hard practice. Without such intervention, I have little hope that their fielding and throwing skills at those particular positions will improve.
dadTB
1. NO. Alfonseca is not the answer. I am no expert, but isn’t it a little odd to pick up someone with such a high ERA? Maybe it is just a publicity stunt to get more fans through the gates. However, I hope Alfonseca can make a comeback here and contribute the way we need him too. As for the second part of the question, if Alfonseca isn’t the answer, how about bringing back Paul Thorp aka Thorpedo from last season?
2. Not sure on Biernbaum. Gotta see him first for a few games.
3. Yes. It is a great rotation BUT destined to be upset by by affiliated pick ups.
4. Yes, Yes, Yes! Defense is the downfall. I feel so bad when the pitchers pitch an excellent game and because of the failed defense it doesn’t really matter in the end.
5. Yes. I can definitely see all 4 (Parker, Junge, Turner and Fritz) being picked up in the next couple of weeks.
I wouldn’t put too much stock in Alfonseca’s ERA in Mexico. It was only six games. But it is worrisome that he hasn’t pitched much since 2007 and he is being signed sight unseen. That’s often the nature of indy ball transactions. Sometimes you have to take a chance and hope it pans out.
When are these players expected to join the club?
Agree with you UBF…I just don’t see that rotation staying intact for long enough to make a difference…Junge alone seems to be destined to be out of here with another good start. There’s got to be a team that needs a strikeout pitcher. And unfortunately we are going to pay for that. As mentioned above…defense is alot of the problem right now….pitchers are pitching well enough to win…but having to give the opposition “extra outs” in innings is demoralizing and leads to bigger innings. I can’t figure Aaron Herr out..one play its a “lollypop, lackadaisical” throw to first and Sabatella is trying to dig out because its barely made it there and in the dirt…and the next time its thrown hard and flying over Sabatellas head…..what ever happened to throwing to the first basemans CHEST! ??? We need some serious infield practice every darn day for a week and we might see some results.
And Alfonseca? I’m intrigued by that pickup….like Jason said.. 6 games of era is nothing….just look at some of the Stormers eras early in the year…when you get more innings in it’ll drop. Taking a chance is the name of the game in this league..I dont see a problem with seeing what he still does or doesn’t have.
The other Season, Cabrera was a dominate Closer and he hadn’t Pitched much prior to joining the Club either. If Alphonseca can still hit 90+ on the Radar gun, he will be effective.
Do we keep the SP?? Who knows, that’s a crapshoot.
The Infield defense is the Million Dollar question.
Personally, I prefer Turner on 3rd base. Herr isn’t being “released” obviously but put him at DH or let him sit out a game or two. He’s too risky at 3rd and I agree tooooo many errors by Herr and Turner shows they need to improve.
I agree with Lloyd at third, but then who do you put at short? There’s no one else right now.
RIP Michael Jackson, I loved your music.. but not your personal life.
Enjoying Barnstormer baseball on the bid screen tv. Got to love technology.
Sorry, big, not bid.
Wasn’t Houseal at SS a few times? Too old, I can’t remember. Try him there or maybe this new INF has a good glove.
Nice shot Mulhern.
What new inf?
I wonder who the stormers are looking at to help at the plate. Dave talked about it tonight. I hear PJ is still out there.
Please, not PJ Rose. He is old and has already took his bat and glove and left a team hanging this year. He would do the same to us.
Plus he has too much off the field baggage. We can do better and I hope we do.
And he’s signed with York and will be activated on Saturday.
Reggie Taylor would look nice..maybe he has too much baggage too. I agree about Rose…NOT interested.
Geoff Jenkins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe MMantle can dust off his spikes? Then we can comment on his every move. The way he posts he should be good for at least 20 dingers in the 2nd halk, and of course no errors.
Jason,
Thanks again for the great ‘Stormers coverage during the past 5 years.
Good luck in wherever life may lead you next.
Dean J.
DJ – Wow you’re right, the time is finally here! On Monday night maybe we should start a shrine at Jasons’ perch in front of the press box? Old newspaper clippings, hats, cowbells, “red” socks, etc.
Jason – We also wanted to thank you again for the last 5 years. There is no doubt that you will be a success in whatever you choose. Best of luck!
Charlie & Roxanne
Yes, that sounds like a great idea, Charlie!
I’m not able to be there Monday night (that’s our beach week) so make sure you send me some pictures.
I would join in DJ and Barney but I will be on a mission.
On other news, congrats to Eric Junge. 12 strikeouts. Ties a Barnstormer record and he has done it twice. I was hoping to see him get 13. You won’t be here long.
I enjoyed watching you pitch last night on IBN.
The Phillies could sure use him. Maybe they should give him another try. I agree that IBN was great. The only problem was the delay. If you turned down the sound and listened on the radio Dave was the infamous 7 seconds ahead of the computer. Doesn’t matter, will be watching again tonight! Let’s get above the .500 mark!