Call to the Post. Vol 1

[Thoroughbreds]

Welcome to the first instalment of call to the post, which is the top 3 news items surrounding the Kentucky Thoroughbreds.

It has been a mediocre start (at best) for Kentucky, after their loss to New Jersey yesterday they sit at 13-13, already 6.5 back of Florida and in 3rd place in the Dixie Division. Pipe dreams of staying in touch with Florida early this season quickly evaporated when they lost 7 in a row earlier this month. As with a good portion of the league offence has been a big issue, with the team hitting a measly .226. Manager Paul Connor has tinkered with the lineup over the first month, but he has yet to find the right formula.

1. Is the object to score runs?

After watching the first month of Kentucky baseball, many fans are asking this question. Shortstop Bang-Xao You is the only player hitting over .300 and probably the only player exceeding pre season expectations. Both Pedro Bermudez (CF) and Juan Carlos Cruz (3b) have been great defensively, but lacking on the offensive side of things. Outfielders Rocky Kowalski (.280) and Antonio Canseco (6 home runs) are off to decent starts, but nothing to write home about. Starters Shu-de Mu, Brad Davis and Tony Burston have been poor, combining for a grand total of a 0.2 WHIP. Throw in the struggles and William Sharrock , the teams 4th outfielder and you have a lot of easy outs right now in the Kentucky lineup. In 30 at bats, Sharrock is an -0.5 WHIP and hitting .143. If Kentucky wants to make a wild card run, at least a couple of these guys have to sort it out.

2. Is he a starter...or closer?

At the beginning of the year Rory Soutar looked to be the solution to the Kentucky closer questions. He pitched 5 games, had 4 saves and did on allow a run. When ace Michael Doyle was suspended for 6 games, Connor surprisingly moved Soutar into the rotation. Soutar was great in both games, going almost 8 innings in both appearances and giving up a total of 4 earned runs. It will be very interesting to see if Connor keeps him in the rotation or puts him back in the closer's role. It is tempting to see what he can do as a starter, but it leaves the bullpen very thin.

3. Trouble at first base?

As mentioned veteran Mike Davis has really struggled this season. Davis is 39 years old and father time may be catching up to him. He is also below average defensively. He is on a annual 22.5 million dollar contract that doesn't expire until the end of next year so it is expected that he will be given every chance to turn things around. The team recently brought up Takeo Miyagi, a former 4th round pick who had a great year in AA last season. Miyagi is much better defensively than Davis, but he does not have the offensive upside that one would expect from a 1b. Do the Thoroughbreds really want to use a roster spot on a defensive 1b?
Also in the mix is 39 year old Richard Kelly who was recently placed on waivers but has yet to be snatched up. Kelly is a 3 time all-star but his last appearance was a decade ago! Kelly also can't play a lick of defence, so he would be a long shot to have a sustained role with the team
A pair of 39 year olds and a defensive specialist are not much to hang your hat on at first base, especially for a team that needs offence. Could Kentucky be in the market for an upgrade?

[Borealis]

I like the format concept! I hope to hear more about the T-breds!