Pastime Baseball League
April Review (cont.)
Southern League Report
It's too early to say, only a month into the season, but Walter Alston's
New Orleans Knights look to be ready for the pennant race everyone sought last year during their great comeback effort. The Knights lead the Southern League East division, up two games on the
Memphis Strummers, who they took 2 of 3 from in Memphis in the season's opening week.
Sam Thompson leads the way for the Knights, as he did last season, batting .337 with 4 homers and 17 RBI so far. And, while
Doc McJames is throwing well, the key right now is the emergence of
Mark Prior. After a horrendous start last season, Prior ended up 10-8 with a respectable 3.81 ERA. That growth has continued this year, as Prior took home the Pitcher of the Month award for April, going 4-0 with a 2.59 ERA.
Close in the rearview mirror are the Strummers, who saw a pair of 20+ game hitting streaks during the month.
Cap Anson carried over a 15-game streak from last season, hitting in his first nine this year before his streak ended at 24 games.
Oscar Charleston carried a 5-game streak into the year and hit in his first 18 before it ended at 23 games.
Charleston has been a machine so far, hitting .430 with 7 homers, his hitting streak, a cycle and a 6-hit game in the season's first month. He's getting support from Anson and
Ryan Braun, who has hit 7 homers as well after knocking 17 out of the park all last season.
In the West,
San Antonio has gotten off to a strong start despite the struggles of ace and reiging Outstanding Pitcher
Noodles Hahn (2-2, 9.47).
Brandon Webb has stepped up to lead the PBL in ERA at 1.60, and at the plate the team is getting top efforts from
Hugh Duffy (.344, 16 RBI) - shaking off the horror of last season - and, in a surprise,
Ryan Spilborghs (.359-5-16), who hit for the cycle against Los Angeles on April 10.
What the
Arizona Sandmen hoped for has happened, as the electric
Jose Reyes has been a vital cog at the top of the order, batting .357 with 4 steals and a surprising 5 homers. Reyes DHing against lefties and playing second against righties has allowed rookie
Willie Wells to jump right in to the shortstop slot, get comfortable and contribute - batting .326.
Nap Lajoie is playing second against lefties and first against righties, hitting all the while (.397, 6, 20).
AWARDS
Player of the Week
4/12 RF Sam Thompson - New Orleans Knights
4/19 CF Oscar Charleston - Memphis Strummers
4/26 CF Oscar Charleston - Memphis Strummers
Batter of the Month
Oscar Charleston - Memphis Strummers
Pitcher of the Month
Mark Prior - New Orleans Knights
Rookie of the Month
Buck Freeman - Orlando Orcas