 |
Season Summary
- First Half: 29-41 (.414), 4th place tie, 9.0 behind
- Second Half: 32-38 (.457), 5th place, 9.5 behind
- Pitching: 61-79, 4.99, 33 saves, 990 strikeouts
- Hitting: .259, 672 runs, 61 HR, 225 steals (69% success)
- Errors: 203 (1.45 per game)
- April: 11-12 (.478)
- May: 12-16 (.429)
- June: 9-17 (.346)
- July: 9-20 (.310)
- August: 18-10 (.643)
- September: 2-4 (.333)
- Best Player on the Team: Sean Burroughs
- Best Starting Pitcher: Ben Howard (6-10, 4.73, 130 strikeouts)
- Bullpen Stopper: Clay Condrey (2-3, 20 saves, 3.78, 47 strikeouts)
- Strikeout Pitchers: none notable
- Control Pitchers: none notable
- Best Hitter: Sean Burroughs (.359, 5 HR, 80 RBI)
- Home Run Leader: Josh Loggins (14)
- High Batting Average: Sean Burroughs (.359)
- High On Base Percentage: Sean Burroughs (.464)
- High Slugging Percentage: Sean Burroughs (.479), Josh Loggins (.460), Joe Dusan (.451)
- Notable Baserunners: Jeremy Owens, Jon Cook, Sean Campbell, John Scheschuk, Alex Garcia
- Notable Batting Eye: Sean Burroughs, John Scheschuk
July Profile
The Wizards have surrendered 650 runs while scoring only 490; that's the most runs permitted and the least runs scored. It pretty much tells the story: This team isn't playing well. They have some fine baserunners.
Third baseman Sean Burroughs (former AL MVP Jeff's son) found his stroke during July and is now the best player on this team. Outfielder Josh Loggins is still among the league's elite, and Jeremy Owens, also an outfielder, is a fine hitter. No other hitter contributes, but outfielder Jon Cook and shortstop Cristian Berroa run (well and recklessly, respectively) whenever they manage to get on base.
The pitchers are worse. Ben Howard's a fine pitcher, and Brian Berryman is all right, but the other starters are disastrous and the relief staff is inadequate.
June Profile
This franchise has a new owner, but the team has lost its way. The pitching's been dreadful, the offense hasn't been much better, and the defense is about the same. They do run fairly well.
Right fielder Josh Loggins is an exceptional ballplayer, and third baseman Sean Burroughs has been very effective, though he's not yet showing much power. Outfielder Jeremy Owens is a very good baserunner. That's the offense.
Starter Ben Howard's having a good year, and short reliever Antonio Diaz seems to have good tools. Closer Clay Condrey's got 14 saves, but opportunity's been a more important factor than his performance. Beyond these few, it's really very scary.
Notable mid-season loss: First baseman Joe Dusan was traded to the Toronto organization.
Also worth watching: Designated hitter Ron French.
May Profile
This year's Wizards seem pretty unremarkable, so far; one exceptional player, several players with some promise, and a bunch of others who need to prove themselves. The pitching staff is adequate, but bland. The defense is poor. This team runs. A lot. Sometimes foolishly.
Right fielder Josh Loggins is having an exceptional season; he's got power, he runs well, he's hitting very well. First baseman Joe Dusan is also playing very well, but a notch or two below Loggins. Outfielders Jeremy Owens and Jon Cook are very fine baserunners.
While starter Ben Howard's pitched far better than his won/lost record indicates, the rest of the pitching rotation's around the league average. Closer Clay Condrey's been very successful, so far. Other relievers worth keeping an eye on are Mark Dobson and Keith Forbes, both of whom are striking out more than their share of the opposing batters.
Note: Pitcher Brian Berryman's injured, and unlikely to return.
April Profile
Tell me again why they dumped the Twins? This looks like your typical Fort Wayne April: Poor hitting, good basepath speed, unacceptable defense, and mixed pitching results. The hitters are remarkably patient; on base, they're anything but patient. Both patterns are so extreme that they're costly.
Pre-Season Profile
Manager
Although Dan Simonds coached at Clinton the past two seasons, his only managerial experience was the 1995 Lethbridge Mounties in the Pioneer League. If Simonds duplicates the preferences he showed there, expect the Wizards to run a lot, and don't expect many intentional passes from the pitchers.
Where they played last season
These comments and table are based on opening day rosters.
This team played in Idaho Falls last summer, where they won the Pioneer League championship.
Team League W/L Place Hitters Pitchers
(Teams)
Rancho Cucamonga California (A+) 77-63 4T(10) 0 1
Clinton Midwest (A) 65-73 11(14) 1 2
Idaho Falls Pioneer (R+) 47-29 1T(8) 9 10
Padres Arizona (R) 23-31 6(8) 3 4
There was some movement in the Padres system last season, so this table counts some players--mostly pitchers--twice. One of the new Wizards appeared briefly in AAA ball last year. One player on this squad apparently did not play professionally last summer.
First Round Draft Selection
- Sean Burroughs (1998, 9th pick)
Returning to the Midwest League
Members of last summer's Clinton team.
- Tony Lawrence (86 games)
- Tim Perry (P, 9 games)
- Dustin Viator (P, 42 games)
Oldest & Youngest Wizards
On opening day, the average age of the Wizards was 21.3 years. Follow this link for more information about MWL team ages.
- Oldest player on the team: Tony Lawrence (born March 7, 1975)
- Youngest player on the team: Sean Burroughs (born September 12, 1980)
|
![[Search]](/graphics/bsearch.jpg){kind=small}
