London 2108 Report Card

[Claybor]

While the Monarchs fell one game short of a 3 or 4 way tie for a playoff spot, it was their most promising season to date. After 5 strait seasons with a losing record, London finished with a .500 winning % at 78-78, and things should be looking nowhere but up from here. This is a very young team with a lot of potential to challenge for the postseason for the foreseeable future.

Hitting
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C- Ravinder Potla - Potla has not lived up to the expectations they had for him when they traded Kitaba Nzibo to Mumbai in 2104, one of the first and worst trades made by this front office. Potla was relegated to platoon duties with the emergence of Thum, and did pretty well in that role. Potla has made it clear that he wants to start everyday, and has no intention of resigning with London. (.254AVG - 8HR - 29RBI - 1.7WAR) Grade: B

C- Zhi-Jun Thum - Thum emerged as the primary catcher with his power versus righthanders, and did not disappoint in his rookie undertaking. Many predict that he will be fighting for top catcher honors in the league in the near future. (.259VG - 18HR - 57RBI - 3.0WAR) Grade: B+

1B- Ghanaram Tuhin - Tuhin swings a solid stick, when he is in the lineup. After missing half the season last year, Tuhin once again suffered an injury that cost him another half season. Touted as the teams 1B of the future, Tuhin will have to get and stay healthy to get there. With the leagues new arbitration policy, it may be hard to warrant is contract with his propensity for injury. (.298AVG - 17HR - 55RBI - 2.3WAR) Grade: C+

1B- Jose Olivas - Called up to the majors with the injury to Tuhin after being on the trade block in the early goings, Olivas platooned against left handed pitching for the second half of the year. The Monarchs are unsure as to where he fits in to future plans. (.306AVG - 7HR - 31RBI - 1.1WAR) Grade: B+

2B- Min-zhong Au - Au is a solid contributor who had a very good year, and looks to be one of the teams leaders heading into what looks to be a promising near future. He was the only Monarchs player to participate in every game. (.290AVG - 17HR- 89RBI - 2.5WAR) Grade: B+

2B- Ekatan Chandramouleeswaran - Ekatan was not expected to get a lot of playing time coming off the bench, but due to numerous injuries he got a bit more of a chance to showcase his talents. His speed and ability to play quite a few positions was useful, but he did not show a lot with the stick. (.259AVG - 2HR - 29RBI - 26SB - -.7WAR) Grade: C-

SS- Avajaya Kondapaneni - Kondapaneni was in much the same situation as Ekatan above, and also got the chance to play more then expected. He showed good power and versatility, and should be part of the teams future. He is the favorite to start at SS next season. (.259AVG - 15HR - 52RBI - 2.5WAR) Grade: B

SS- Kazuki Yamamoto - Yamamoto was the starter opening day, but his weak bat relegated him to the bench as a defensive substitute, where he will likely remain. (.257AVG - 4HR - 29RBI - .6WAR) Grade: C-

3B- Thurman Jenkins - Jenkins got off to a very hot start, but a torn hamstring shelved him for a few months. he returned to the starting lineup, but struggled in the second half. He looks to be the front runner to play third again next season. (.289AVG - 10HR - 48RBI - 3.0WAR) Grade: B

LF- Aderrig Mainaky - Mainaky had the most plate appearances of any of London's outfielders, and had an adequate season with the bat. With some of the younger players coming up, his role may become more of a platoon against lefthanders in the near future. (.277AVG - 11HR - 65RBI - -1WAR) Grade: C-

LF- Thai Ho-Dac - Originally a pitcher in the minors, Dac's ability with the bat and versatility in the field have made him into a promising outfielder and third baseman.He was inconsistent at the plate in his rookie outing, and really struggled down the stretch. (.235AVG - 9HR - 50RBI - 22SB - 1.7WAR) Grade: C-

LF- Sadiq Sumai - Another rookie outfielder who got quite a bit more playing time then expected, Sumai looks to be the kind of player the Monarchs will want at the top of the lineup in the future. there will be plenty of competition for playing time, but Sumai should get his share. (.299AVG - 4HR - 28RBI - .2WAR) Grade: C

CF- Jatinder Konkar - Konkar has a great eye, and hopes to slot in as a bench outfielder in the future, but competition will be fierce, and his first shot did not go all the well. (.204AVG - 0HR - 17RBI - .3WAR) Grade: F

RF- Kazuki Nakamura - Nakamura struggled at the plate in this his rookie season, but he still got plenty of playing time due to his power potential. He is the favorite to start in right field next year, and much improvement is expected. (.220AVG - 11HR - 50RBI - .4WAR) Grade: D

RF- Ayham bin Nadhir - bin Nadir came out of the gate as an everyday starter, but he was a far cry for the player who hit 21 homeruns in the previous campaign. His struggles had him back in the minors with a September call up. He failed in that bid as well. He will start next year in AAA if he makes the squad at all. (.172AVG - 7HR - 22RBI - -1.1WAR) Grade: F

Pitching to follow...

[Coop]

I agree.  This is a team on the rise with a bright future.

[Huckleberry]

Love the writeup. Because I'm not in your league I will also feel no conflict in rooting for the Monarchs.

[Claybor]

Pitching
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SP- Yu-shu Lung - Emerging as the teams ace, Lung was the only pitcher to eclipse the 200 inning mark. he still has a little maturing to do. but should be at the top of rotation for quite a few years, at least in theory. (15W - 7L - 3.72ERA - 5.5WAR) Grade: B+

SP- Yi-lin Chien - Chien will eat some innings at the bottom of the rotation, but the Monarchs hope to improve in that area, so Chiens days may be numbered in London. (6W - 10L - 4.69ERA - 1.8WAR) Grade: D

SP- Pei Chan - Chan's numbers have been slowly deteriorating over the past 5 seasons, and he struggled in 2108. The Monarchs have decided to part ways with Chan, and have given him his release. (7W - 9L - 4.70ERA - .6WAR) Grade: D

SP- Workneh Mtundu - While Mtundu has not quite turned into the dominant hurler the Moharchs had hoped for, he did just have his best year in the pros. He is a solid #2 option behind Lung, although he does not pitch deep into many games. (8W - 8L - 3.70ERA - 3.2WAR) Grade: B

SP- Moriz Ishemgujin - Once considered the teams ace, Ishemgujin's abilities seem to have degraaded considerably in a short time. He did not have a good season, and the front office decided that he no longer has a future with the team and has been released. (4W - 10L - 4.65ERA - 1.4WAR) Grade: F

MR- Won-il Pak - Pak was the setup man for Lim most of the year, and like the majority of the bullpen he did not have a successful campaign in 2108. He will return next year as the veteran of the staff with Lim likely being let go. (11W - 9L - 5.01ERA - .2WAR) Grade: F

MR- Du-yang Kung - Once the teams top prospect and expected to be part of the starting staff, Kung has not been able to control his wildness and will likely remain in the bullpen if he makes the ML squad at all. (5W - 4L - 4.60ERA - .3WAR) Grade: D

CL- Byung-sik Lim - Lim struggled with his control in what looks like it will be his last year as the Monarchs closer. He ahs had a god run, but his age is starting to catch up with him some. he will likely find a job for 2109, but not in London. (6W - 9L - 38S - 4.64ERA - .3WAR) Grade: D

MR- Alfonso Torres - Torres was one of the sole fairly bright points in the pen in 2108, being the only reliever to post a WHIP under 1.5. Hopefully he can replicate those numbers because the Monarchs are desperate for pen arms. (5W - 1L - 3.41ERA - .6WAR) Grade: B

MR- Ceseareo Carena - Never having lived up to his potential, Carena no longer has a role and London and has been released.(1W - 4L - 5.82ERA - 0WAR) Grade: F

MR Chae-ho Lee - While he put a lot of men on base, he managed to keep the majority from scoring. He was adequate out of the bullpen for London. (6W - 2L - 3.16ERA - 1.0WAR) Grade: C+