Outlaw 2011 Report Card

How did the Outlaw Josey Wales fare in 2011?

Overall: Not much was expected this year with only one quality starting pitcher (Hudson), several average-challenged batters (Kemp, Napoli, Barajas, Bay), and big injuries to key players (Pedroia, Ramirez, Cruz, Bay, Peavy). But a funny thing happened on the team's trip to mediocracy. Cranking 247 HR (2nd to LCC) and running up a .593 winning percentage on the road, Outlaw won a team record 102 games, beat the 100+ win Isotopes in the playoffs, and came within two outs of winning the Tastes great pennant against the eventual World Series champion Iron Pigs. Grade: A-


HAL: Winning half of your games on the road in NASBL is really tough. Team road manager HAL won 48 games on the NASBL road trail. Managing a .593 winning percentage on the road despite being saddled with injury-depleted starting lineups gets you a Grade: A


Draft & Pre-Season Trades: Matt Kemp (trade for 1st rounder), Jonny Venters (2nd) round), Justin Masterson (6th round), Grade: A

Adrian Gonzalez: .290 BA, 29 HR and 111 RBI playing on a home field that is more than hostile to left-handed batters. Grade: A

Tim Hudson: First the bad news. He didn't hit any homeruns this year. But putting up a 17-13 record with a 3.02 ERA when you are deliberately scheduled to pitch against the cream of the Tastes Great League as often as possible earns you a Grade: A

Omar Vizquel: .298 BA, 39 runs and 17 SB in 255 AB from a 43 year-old with a glove that puts the kids to shame! Grade: A

Jake Peavy: 12-3 with a 3.14 ERA and 126 K in 120 IP. Serious injuries prevented what could have been a great season. Grade: A-

David "Big Papi" Ortiz: 35 HR and 93 RBI in 436 AB, but batted only .261 and limited to platoon duty against righties. Grade: A-

Dustin Pedroia: 18 HR and 71 RBI in only 293 AB plus a world-class glove at second. Too bad he got hurt. Grade: B

Jake Westbrook and Ryan Dempster: 34-14, 442 IP, and a 4.13 ERA between them. Life is tough for starting pitchers on a team with an all-1 infield that hits 247 HR and plays in a cavernous ballpark. Grade: B

Mike Napoli: 22 HR and 60 RBI in only 329 AB. Pedroiaesque stats minus the defense and batting average. Grade: B-

Matt Kemp: 25 HR, 86 runs and 73 RBI from the bottom of the lineup but with a sub-par .253 BA and average defense. We're waiting for next year. Grade: C+

Adrian Beltre: .281, 27 HR and a stellar glove, but 75 RBI from the middle of this lineup is not enough. Grade: C

Manny Ramirez: He hit .302, but age and injuries caught up with Mannywood. Only 10 HR, and 29 RBI in 252 AB, but his high OBA had him leading off later in the season and scoring 40 runs. Is this the end of an era? Grade: C

Jonny Venters: 2.76 ERA amd 14 saves is good for a rookie season, but 10 losses is too many for a short reliever. More was expected. Grade: C

Elvis Andrus: A .246 BA limited our leadoff batter to 95 runs scored from the leadoff spot which isn't really that great on a team with Outlaw's offense. Grade: C

Nellie Cruz: Injuries limited him to 395 AB, 13 HR, 59 runs scored and 58 RBI. Grade: C

Jutin Masterson: 8-5, 3.95. Better than expected in limited duty in his rookie campaign. Grade: C-

Joakim Soria: 31 saves, but a 3.62 ERA and a .795 save % are sub-par for the Mexicutioner and blowing a save in the potentially decisive game 6 of the LCS doesn't help. Grade: C-

Jason Bay: Age, injuries, and a cavernous ballpark are not a good combination for an ex-slugger. Will he be back? Grade:D