So…how did we get here?
Boston GM Michael Carroll has now been given about half a season to evaluate the club, and make moves that were deemed necessary to take Boston to a higher level. Some big moves were made. The biggest of them being the move that brought starting pitchers Pierce Adney and Albert Winnall to Boston from Twin City. Granted, the two pitchers are aging. Winnall is 30 while Adney is 33, but they are a far cry better than having Leroy Burlton (35) and Robert Deadman (36) as your leaders. The trade of Carl Mullinger for Norman Wearmouth scratched some heads. They are essentially the same player. They hit for average and steal bases. It’s basically a leadoff for a leadoff. However, the defensive upgrade team-wide is the reason behind the move. The move allowed Boston the ability to move Walter Dingwall to his natural position of 1B and get a true RF in Wearmouth.
The 1911 Draft also had a knock-on effect to the 1912 team, with 1st overall pick Hipolito Cox starting at 3B and 3rd round selection Verner Pomfret being brought in to close out the games. The 15th overall pick LF Norman Prevost will eventually be a threat to aging outfielder Mickey McCallister, but not early on. Expect Pomfret to make a move mid-season.
The Line Up – Projected Stats
On Paper, the line up looks to be among the best in the league. We Boston should be able to score runs with the best teams out there. It wouldn’t be unexpected to have the team bat .285+ as a unit. Aside from Lovegrove and McCallister, this is an extremely young group…and even Lovegrove and McCallister have young players breathing down their necks in Dunbar and Cokinbred. If Boston stays healthy, no pitcher will be safe.
For the first time, Lovegrove will get a chance to play at his true natural position, and Boston is hoping he thrives there. His bat has never been in question, but having a below average glove at 2B feels like a risk. In 1910, Lovegrove actually put up a 4.5 WAR with his bat, but because he was in the OF, had a -2.1 WAR (-20 ZR) with his glove, giving the look of a 2.4 WAR. He won’t do that at 2B. Does Lovegrove have 1 more year in the sun?
- RF – Norman Wearmouth (25) – .315 / .360 / 50 SB / 4.0 WAR
- CF – Elden Davis (24) – .285 / .350 / 3.0 WAR
- 1B – Walter Dingwall (24) – .370 / .420 / 4.0 WAR
- C – Charles Dixon (25) – .294 / .351 / 3.2 WAR
- 2B – Beryl Lovegrove (32) – .285 / .370 / 2.9 WAR
- 3B – Hipolito Cox (22) – .300 / .330 / 2.5 WAR
- SS – Ashley Trudgeon (24) – .280 / .325 / 1.5 WAR
- LF – Mickey McCallister (31) – .265 / .310 / 2.0 WAR
The Rest of the Depth
The depth is really good here. Boston is full of young players that would likely be starters on a lot of lower tier teams. Dunbar, Elliott, and Cokinbred will be applying the pressure to Lovegrove, Trudgeon, and McCallister. There’s going to be some very interesting storylines this season.
- C Charles Rogers (24)
- 2B / SS Monroe Dunbar (24)
- UIF Peter Elliott (23)
- UIF Vern Chennels (24)
- UOF Clark Cokinbred (24)
- UOF Rod Holden (26)
The Pitching Staff
Winnall and Adney are a great 1-2 punch, and they would be the best starting 2 pitchers for all but 3-4 teams in the league. They are going to get a ton of run support, and solid defending from the Boston line up, something they didn’t have at Twin City. Burlton and Deadman will platoon in that 3rd spot, as Boston will have to manage them. Whoever is in form will be the 3rd starter, the other will be used for long / middle relief. Pomfret saw some growth in the off-season and looks to be ready to take on the 9th inning duties when needed. Expect the young gun to come into his own as the season progresses
The clock is ticking on the staff though, and the window of opportunity for Boston is now. Drafting and developing young pitching will have to be a priority for the future in Boston.
- SP – Albert Winnall (30) – 20 Wins / 2.75 ERA / 2.80 FIP / 6.0 WAR
- SP – Pierce Adney (33) – 20 Wins / 2.80 ERA / 2.85 FIP / 5.5 WAR
- SP/RP – Leroy Burlton (35) – 10 Wins / 3.10 ERA / 3.00 FIP / 2.0 WAR
- SP/RP Robert Deadman (36) – 8 Wins / 3.05 ERA / 3.15 FIP / 1.5 WAR
- CL Verner Pomfret (22) – 5 Wins / 20 Saves / 2.50 ERA / 2.70 FIP / 2.0 WAR