Midseason Report

The all-star break has come and gone and Minnesota sent just two players, MR Dennis Stanford and 2B Luis "Patches" Rodriguez.

So, while not literally an all-star studded lineup, Minnesota has been getting things done playing team ball and has a few players that may be future all-stars having outstanding seasons.

One of those, and perhaps the biggest all-star snub on the team, is CF Harley Fisher.  Fisher is arguably the best CF in the league this season, at least in the RCL and the actual North.   Whether Fisher's glove would play in CF was questionable to start the season, but he's been above average defensively in center and his bat has been better than that of all-star, now legend, Tim Raines, a former Minnesota draft pick.    Fisher's hitting at a .932 OPS with 21 HR and it seems like he could be motivated by getting passed over.

1B Bob Brown, in his first full season as a Berserker has taken over one of the most demanding hitter positions in the league and has produced as one of the top 5 hitters there in the RCL, hitting both right and left-handed pitching.  Despite decent power (19 HR) and no speed, he's Minnesota's best candidate for the leadoff spot with his .378 OBP, largely the product of a .341 BA.  There is some discussion in Minnesota about moving him out the the OF to improve the overall team defense, despite the fact that he's been an improvement over Blanchard at first base.

Overall, Minnesota's offense has been above average, despite the fact they're a bit low on the runs.  The Berserkers are fifth in BA and SLG, but with a young offense are a bit impatient and their .347 OBP ranks 7th.

However, it's in pitching and defense that the team really shines, though they can't compete with the other worldly Outlaws, Minnesota has allowed just the second most runs in the RCL and they do it by limiting walks (1st) and good defense (3rd).  They've also had two pleasant surprises on the mound this season.

SP James Phillips, who's started 46 games over three seasons has been excellent this season, posting a 3.19 ERA and a 9-2 record.  Whether or not his .253 BABIP is sustainable is another question but he's helped keep the team in the hunt these past few months.

The other anchor of the rotation is not who one might have thought, SP Joe "Put me In Coach" Myers.   Myers has 21 starts this season and a 3.60 ERA.   This has surprised everyone as he's 27 and hasn't produced an ERA lower 5.36 in any season before this.  He's not striking anyone out, but he is limiting HR (12 HR in 131 IP) and BB (2.56/9).

Whether or not this will all hold up, especially with the moves that Montreal made in the last week, is yet to be seen, but the pieces are in place and Minnesota's front office is playing the long game here with a very young team full of good young hitters, and a good all around rotation and pen.