Reflections of 2020

So the season ended in quite a fitting manner, shut-out by Miguel Rosa to secure a sweep by the Featherheads. It’s been a fairly disappointing season all round really, a hugely talented pitching corp couldn’t work together effectively and the position players couldn’t provide the runs to make the team competitive to any real degree. Perhaps the most poignant moment of Sunday evening was after the game finished, the players saluted the Statemen fans, those who remained until the end anyway, for their support throughout the season. When Matthews,Hurst and Corona appeared from the dugout it got the loudest cheer of the day, it’s pretty much accepted that all 3 won’t be in Charleston next season. A budget deficit and lacking farm system pretty much ensures someone will have to move on as disappointing as it may be to Statesmen fans.

Speaking of fans however over 29000 turned up at Moultrie Field on Sunday, considering what had happened the previous 2 games this will be seen as a small victory by the front office staff. On average 4500 more fans passed through the gates per home game in 2020 than the previous year. So although there isn’t a winning team on the field, a combination of the pitching stars and exciting younger players emerging for the Statesmen has brought fans back to the park. The hope is moving into the new season these fans will be back regularly and will bring some friends with them.

So for the Statesmen the real work begins now, it will be a tough offseason for David Clark and the rest of the front office staff, but come spring training I’d expect to see a much more balanced approach to the team. The Statesmen aren’t back to their glory days this season and probably won’t be for a couple more at least, but they’ll start making the steps on the long journey back. Who knows what 2021 shall bring to Charleston, either way it’ll be an adventure. PEBA baseball always is.

Brigham Lennox

The “Stating the obvious” player reviews

Pitching

The triple threat of Corona, Hurst and Matthews really needs to description. All 3 are outstanding pitchers but the one who has avoided most of the attention this season is Yujiro Kondo. Perhaps overlooked for any credit or recognition for an extremely inconsistent start to the season, followed by his role being changed constantly pushed his ERA to just under 6. Since August he has pitched at the back of the rotation and lowered his ERA to 4.32 and finished second in strikeouts for the team and with the joint highest wins (11). He was mentioned in the first “Stating the obvious” in a negative way, now it’s all positive. He has fast became a fans favourite and looks set to improve going into his second PEBA season.
Matsumoto has also benefited from a more consistent role in the team, again lowering numbers across the board since July/August. He could well be the man the Statesmen rely on next season, moving up from the number 4 spot assuming other move on.

Angelo Morales has also had his fair share of moves but finished the season as the set-up man, he thrived in his role towards the end of the year and could well be the teams closer in 2021.

Position players

The outfield trio – Chapman, Inifinta and Rivera
These three have put together fine numbers for the 2020 season, Rivera who was recently called up from AAA looks to the best option going forward for the Statesmen. Hector Cruz isn’t a bad player by any means but he could well become a bench player now, purely because of better performances by others.
Holland’s finest export

No, not Heineken or weed. It’s Chaim Reitmulder, what a star he’s been in his brief introduction to the major leagues. Contact and hard graft have turned a not particularly highly rated player into a certainty to be on the Statesmen lineup. His future role is still up the air, he can play at first base, left or right field. Considering the outfield situation he may well DH or may be sent to winter ball to work on his infield skills.

Webgem
Tomas Acevedo, a man blessed with so little power but the speed and defensive skills to more than make up for it. A stick on to be the starting shortstop next season.

The home run champ
Kazuyoshi Higashi also gets a mention, apart from his homers he’s been pretty useless really

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A note from the GM – David Clark

So it’s been a whirlwind first couple of months here in Charleston, not everything has went to plan so far but it’s been great getting involved in the team everyday and been a joy to come into work every morning. I want to say a special thanks to the Statesmen fans who have been nothing but supportive of the team, we know that some tough times may still be ahead but that will only make the victories sweeter.

We generally have a good feeling going into 2021 and although there is going to be a lot of changes around the league, we hope that one of those will be an improved Charleston team out on the field. We can’t guarantee any success but a gradual improvement is what we’re looking to do.

Once again thank you for your support during the season and we hope to see you at Moultrie Field next season!