Kailua Hanso Finish 4th

[ScottH]

Kailua Hanso (SA) 52-58 4th Place 7 Games Back

Prior to 2032, Don Alexander had managed 6 minor league seasons and had finished first in the division 4 times. Clearly when given the talent to compete, the man can get things done. Starting with a 6-2 record in May it appeared to be another march to the playoffs for Alexander, however the team would not win another month until September (13-7) and would finish in 4th place.

Roberto Madrid moved up from Rookie League early in the season and went on to crush 24 home runs for the Hanso. The 18-year-old Madrid has some skills beyond the obvious power, with enough foot speed to play the outfield and agility around the first base bag. At 6’6” 190, it will be interesting to see if “Royal” can develop into a true prospect, currently sitting just outside the PEBA top-500.

It is time to call out former first rounder Onne Alberts for what appears to be a lack of desire. Some how Alberts was taken 18th overall in the 2030 draft and has shown very little effort to improve his game since pocketing the #1.3 million signing bonus after hitting .206 his senior year in high school. In 2032, he did prove to have the skills to play center field, but the .211 batting average really is an eye sore. At this point there is no reason to think Alberts will ever develop the offensive skills needed to play at a high level, but you just never know. Maybe, maybe one day.

Armed with nothing but a 100 mph fastball, Augusto Costa was able to have a terrific season for Kailua. Saving 28 of 31 opportunities, the 19-year-old Costa was able to overcome a BB/9 of 6.1. There is not a lot of upside to Costa’s game and he may become a life-time minor leaguer. He is, after all, just 70 saves away from the Surf and Snow Amalgamation career record of 98 saves.

Another reliever who had a nice season was Marvin Yates. Beginning at Suwon and finishing with Kailua, Yates went all season without allowing a run over 35 appearances. Making his 36 appearance in the last game of the season, Yates finally gave up a run and finished with combined 41 innings, 46 strikeouts, 5 walks, 0.33 ERA, 0.72 WHIP. He might not ever see the big-league level, but good seasons deserve a mention some where and this was a real good one.

When you win less than half your games in the minors, I guess you deserve a stadium that is less than half full. Drawing an average of 5237 to Blue Birds Park in 2032, hopefully an influx of talent will improve that situation.