 | Coffee Time | |
| by Carl Coffee |
I originally said the hitter rankings would be one or two weeks after the pitcher rankings, but as you know, things go much slower in the offseason. I will just blame the delay on this; hitter rankings are obviously much tougher to decide since everyone hits.
This season was all about pitching. We did not have anyone hit over .400, and only five players hit over .300. The pitching was so dominant, it has caused us to make some rule changes next year to help boost up hitting.
Instead of boring everyone with stats, I am going to try to make this article a little bit more personal. I will be mentioning the ten guys’ strengths, and how their offensive abilities helped their respective teams. There will be some stats thrown in here and there, but it won’t be overkill. Congrats to everyone who made the list!
10. Joel Crozier – Whiteford Wicked Aces
Joel Crozier is the ultimate grind it out type of player. I would compare him to Andy Dirks, who does a lot of things well. Even though Joel’s stats aren’t eye poppingly amazing, all of his offensive stats are above average. His stats impressed the league enough to vote him onto the very talented Ringler All-Star team. Joel is the guy any team would love to have, and I expect another big year out of him in 2013.
9. Alex Linebrink – Campus Commandos
I love seeing Alex on this list, and he deservingly earned a spot on it. Alex’s 2012 season earned him both the Most Improved Player award, and a spot on the Garcia All-Star team. He was the glue to the Commandos, and his 24 games played were highest on the team. Alex will not return to the Commandos in 2013 but instead will run his own team. I believe he deserves to have his #7 retired at Lafayette Park.
8. Dennis Pearson – Thunder Ducks
Dennis sure did set the bar high in 2011, so although he had a terrible season for his standards, he still had a decent year for league standards. His batting average and RBI total took a dive, but he is still one of the most feared power hitters in the league. Dennis once again had double digit home runs with 10, which was fourth best in the league. The Ducks will live with Dennis batting ~.250 if he continues to pound the ball next year. However, I expect with the new rules in place, he will see his average once again rise over the .300 mark.
7. Austin Bischoff – Whiteford Wicked Aces
What doesn’t Austin Bischoff do? Well, not much. The Clown Shu winner also is one of the top hitters in the league. His stats are similar to Joel’s, just a tad better in every category. I don’t believe you will ever see Austin win a HR or a batting title, but he brings consistency, which is very valuable.
6. Josh Nagorski – Thunder Ducks
Cue Rodney Dangerfield, “I get no respect”. That should be Josh’s battle cry, because quite frankly, I don’t think the league knows how good he truly is. Josh had a .333 batting average which is good enough for fourth best. He brings occasional power as well, along with nearly a .400 OBP. Josh has now flown under the radar for two seasons, and you have to wonder if he will finally earn some respect in 2013.
5. Sam Hatt – Manchester Punchouts
Sam Hatt was the third best hitter on the Punchouts… let that soak in. No wonder this team went 26-2 and most likely would have won the title if they had more than two players in the end. Even though Sam is more known for his pitching, he is nowhere near a slouch in the batters box. Sam was one of the five players in the league to bat over .300, and also is one of the quickest on the base baths. His power numbers are average, but he served as the perfect table setter for his teammates.
4. Dylan Braden – Thunder Ducks
When I first started thinking about who would make the list, I knew Dylan would find his way on it. I figured Dylan, who has always been looked at - in my eyes - as the sidekick of the DD Boys to Dennis, would be in the 8-10 range. Looking at his stats, though, he is now the leader of the DD Boys and a true power hitting star. Dylan was third in the league in both home runs (13) and OPS (.986). For the second straight season, Dylan’s power numbers earned him a spot on the All-Star team. Dylan is quietly becoming one of the best hitters in the league, and I only see him getting better.
3. Dakota LaDouceur – Manchester Punchouts
Dakota had a huge season hitting 20 home runs and had 64 RBIs. He probably deserves to be ranked second, but a lot of his home runs came against a weak Seamen team, and an Adam Grant pitching Commandos team. I wish I could have seen more of Dakota, and I hope the rumor of him taking over as the captain of the Punchouts is true.
2. Kyle Tomlinson – Belgian Wiffles
Kyle came out of nowhere to have an amazing rookie season, which earned him the Rookie of the Year award. His lightning speed and quick bat equaled a .346 batting average which was second in the entire league. Unlike some of his teammates who have been known to chirp on and off the field, Kyle quietly plays the game, and is well respected for it. I believe you have to put Kyle in the preseason conversation for 2013 MVP talk, he is just that good.
1. Evan Bortmas – Manchester Punchouts
Evan Bortmas had a very similar season as the 2011 MVP, Joey DeLano. Both guys led the league in batting average and home runs in their respective MVP seasons, but finished second in RBIs to just miss a Triple Crown. Like DeLano, Bortmas was an easy and well deserved choice for MVP. Besides RBIs and triples, Bortmas led the league in every single offensive category, even walks. The captain of the Punchouts took the league by storm, but it appears won’t be back next season. If that is the case, Evan Bortmas sure knows how to make a mark.
This season was all about pitching. We did not have anyone hit over .400, and only five players hit over .300. The pitching was so dominant, it has caused us to make some rule changes next year to help boost up hitting.
Instead of boring everyone with stats, I am going to try to make this article a little bit more personal. I will be mentioning the ten guys’ strengths, and how their offensive abilities helped their respective teams. There will be some stats thrown in here and there, but it won’t be overkill. Congrats to everyone who made the list!
10. Joel Crozier – Whiteford Wicked AcesJoel Crozier is the ultimate grind it out type of player. I would compare him to Andy Dirks, who does a lot of things well. Even though Joel’s stats aren’t eye poppingly amazing, all of his offensive stats are above average. His stats impressed the league enough to vote him onto the very talented Ringler All-Star team. Joel is the guy any team would love to have, and I expect another big year out of him in 2013.
9. Alex Linebrink – Campus CommandosI love seeing Alex on this list, and he deservingly earned a spot on it. Alex’s 2012 season earned him both the Most Improved Player award, and a spot on the Garcia All-Star team. He was the glue to the Commandos, and his 24 games played were highest on the team. Alex will not return to the Commandos in 2013 but instead will run his own team. I believe he deserves to have his #7 retired at Lafayette Park.
8. Dennis Pearson – Thunder DucksDennis sure did set the bar high in 2011, so although he had a terrible season for his standards, he still had a decent year for league standards. His batting average and RBI total took a dive, but he is still one of the most feared power hitters in the league. Dennis once again had double digit home runs with 10, which was fourth best in the league. The Ducks will live with Dennis batting ~.250 if he continues to pound the ball next year. However, I expect with the new rules in place, he will see his average once again rise over the .300 mark.
7. Austin Bischoff – Whiteford Wicked AcesWhat doesn’t Austin Bischoff do? Well, not much. The Clown Shu winner also is one of the top hitters in the league. His stats are similar to Joel’s, just a tad better in every category. I don’t believe you will ever see Austin win a HR or a batting title, but he brings consistency, which is very valuable.
6. Josh Nagorski – Thunder DucksCue Rodney Dangerfield, “I get no respect”. That should be Josh’s battle cry, because quite frankly, I don’t think the league knows how good he truly is. Josh had a .333 batting average which is good enough for fourth best. He brings occasional power as well, along with nearly a .400 OBP. Josh has now flown under the radar for two seasons, and you have to wonder if he will finally earn some respect in 2013.
5. Sam Hatt – Manchester PunchoutsSam Hatt was the third best hitter on the Punchouts… let that soak in. No wonder this team went 26-2 and most likely would have won the title if they had more than two players in the end. Even though Sam is more known for his pitching, he is nowhere near a slouch in the batters box. Sam was one of the five players in the league to bat over .300, and also is one of the quickest on the base baths. His power numbers are average, but he served as the perfect table setter for his teammates.
4. Dylan Braden – Thunder DucksWhen I first started thinking about who would make the list, I knew Dylan would find his way on it. I figured Dylan, who has always been looked at - in my eyes - as the sidekick of the DD Boys to Dennis, would be in the 8-10 range. Looking at his stats, though, he is now the leader of the DD Boys and a true power hitting star. Dylan was third in the league in both home runs (13) and OPS (.986). For the second straight season, Dylan’s power numbers earned him a spot on the All-Star team. Dylan is quietly becoming one of the best hitters in the league, and I only see him getting better.
3. Dakota LaDouceur – Manchester PunchoutsDakota had a huge season hitting 20 home runs and had 64 RBIs. He probably deserves to be ranked second, but a lot of his home runs came against a weak Seamen team, and an Adam Grant pitching Commandos team. I wish I could have seen more of Dakota, and I hope the rumor of him taking over as the captain of the Punchouts is true.
2. Kyle Tomlinson – Belgian WifflesKyle came out of nowhere to have an amazing rookie season, which earned him the Rookie of the Year award. His lightning speed and quick bat equaled a .346 batting average which was second in the entire league. Unlike some of his teammates who have been known to chirp on and off the field, Kyle quietly plays the game, and is well respected for it. I believe you have to put Kyle in the preseason conversation for 2013 MVP talk, he is just that good.
1. Evan Bortmas – Manchester PunchoutsEvan Bortmas had a very similar season as the 2011 MVP, Joey DeLano. Both guys led the league in batting average and home runs in their respective MVP seasons, but finished second in RBIs to just miss a Triple Crown. Like DeLano, Bortmas was an easy and well deserved choice for MVP. Besides RBIs and triples, Bortmas led the league in every single offensive category, even walks. The captain of the Punchouts took the league by storm, but it appears won’t be back next season. If that is the case, Evan Bortmas sure knows how to make a mark.
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