Season 18 Awards Recap

Leon Jackson - Cobbfather Post Gazette

The Season 18 Awards were handed out recently, here's a recap of the winners.

AL MVP: Morgan Cerda - ATL - .272 AVG 45 HR 129 RBI
Cerda took home the MVP in a close race edging out Eugene Brantley and Yamid Montanez for the award.  Cerda had a very good year, but it's hard for us to get behind this selection.  Both Brantley and Montanez hit .320+ and had .400+ OBP which dominate Cerda's numbers, plus Cerda's stellar season only amounted to all of 70 wins for the Expos.  Given the team's performance, it probably should have gone to Brantley.  Nonetheless, Cerda also won a Silver Slugger award (so did Brantley and Montanez), his second and also collected the Rookie of the Year Award in Season 16. 

NL MVP: Howard Greer - PIT - .302 AVG 55 HR 135 RBI
Greer was the run away winner of the NL MVP, leading Pittsburgh to 103 wins with his fierce bat.    There really weren't any other legit contenders, so it was pretty much an obvious choice.  He made his second all-star team and won his second silver slugger this season as well.

AL Cy Young:  James Haselman - TB - 21-3 1.46 ERA
There aren't enough superlatives to described another phenomenal season by Haselman.  He won 21 of 28 starts with a microscopic ERA and WHIP.  A stint on the DL did not hinder him at all.  He made his 7th consecutive all-star team, and became the 3rd pitcher in Cobbfather history to win 3 Cy Young Awards.  At only age 30, he certainly could challenge the great Carl Sosa's record of 4 Cy Youngs.  Needless to say, he was a runaway winner.

NL Cy Young: Lewis Peterson - PIT - 21-6 2.80 ERA
Peterson was also a runaway winner, giving Pittsburgh both the MVP and the Cy Young Award winner.  He was a workhorse, taking the mound for 40 starts and 240 innings.  He made his first all-star team this season, and won Player of the Week.

AL Rookie of the Year: Brent Voyles - SAL - 18-9 3.01 ERA
Voyles was clearly the most dominant rookie in the AL this year.  The 21 year old hurler won Player of the Week, made the all-star team and finished 5th in the Cy Young voting.  It was quite the rookie year for Voyles, and it looks like he has many more great seasons to come.

NL Rookie of the Year: Lynn Mortensen - OMA - 20-6 2.91 ERA
Mortensen won Rookie of the Year in the NL by a decisive margin.  On top of getting to 20 wins, the workhorse rookie tossed 240 innings, and made the all-star team.  It's surprising the NL Cy Young race wasn't a bit closer, because Mortensen's numbers are certain comparable to the winner's numbers. 

Fireman of the Year
AL:  Allen Cox - STL - 3.70 ERA 52 SV - 2nd win
NL: Homer Butler - WAS - 1.80 ERA 40 SV - 1st win

Silver Slugger Awards
American League

DH	Jaime Lansing	Canadians	2nd
C	Elston Lloyd	Canadians	3rd
1B	Eugene Brantley	HoundDogs	2nd
2B	Yamid Montanez	Massacre	7th
3B	Juan Mercado	Syndicate	1st
SS	Charlie Borders	Radicals	6th
LF	J.R. Offerman	Redhawks	2nd
CF	Morgan Cerda	Expos	2nd
RF	Shawon Stoops	Radicals	2nd

National League 

P	Norman LaPorta	Large Hats	1st
C	Mark Martin	Lewinskys	3rd
1B	Will Maxwell	Primetimers	1st
2B	Calvin Decker	Lewinskys	1st
3B	Yuniesky Nieves	Lewinskys	1st
SS	George Fultz	Lewinskys	1st
LF	Howard Greer	Fighters	2nd
CF	Vic Gonzales	Diamond Dogs	2nd
RF	Al James	Fighters	5th

Gold Glove Winners 
American League

P	Eddie Allen	Shark Waves	1st
C	Branch Borders	Psychos	7th
1B	Chris Kile	Wahoos	1st
2B	Benjamin Delcarmen	Wahoos	2nd
3B	Roberto Bennett	Canadians	7th
SS	Benito Beltre	Canadians	2nd
LF	Felipe James	HoundDogs	2nd
CF	Aaron Kennedy	Massacre	2nd
RF	Mike Worthington	HoundDogs	1st

National League

P	Lewis Peterson	Fighters	2nd
C	Pedro Neruda	Bisons	1st
1B	Andres Candelaria	Pill-Bugs	2nd
2B	Ken Stammen	Primetimers	1st
3B	Jose Pizzaro	TaTa's	2nd
SS	Esteban James	Fighters	5th
LF	Geronimo Ortiz	Large Hats	1st
CF	Terry James	Primetimers	3rd
RF	Lance Weatherford	Sycophants	1st

Season 18 IFA Gold Mine Recap - Top 10

This season there was a seemingly endless supply of gold in the IFA market!

Leon Jackson – Cobbfather Post Gazette

Season 18 presented an unprecedented wealth of international free agents.   Right when one big star signed it seemed that another would pop up for bid.  All in all there were 18 IFA’s who signed for over $5 million,  11 over $10 million, 7 over $20 million and 2 over $30 million.  With the IFA season winding down, we thought we’d bring you the top 10 IFA’s of Season 18.  Who knows though, there could be more added to the list soon.  But for now, here’s how we rank them. 

10. Erubiel Perez – Charlotte - $8.1 million

97 AB .402 AVG 27 RBI at High A

Perez looks to be a solid, but not great hitter.  His biggest upside lies in his fielding ability.  If he demonstrates shortstop level fielding abilities, he’ll be far more valuable, but he’d still be a solid guy at any other fielding position.  Nice grab for Charlotte compared to what some of the other IFA’s went for.

9. Alving Palmeiro – Honolulu - $13.6 million

12-27, 11 RBI at Low A

Palmeiro doesn’t have quite the bat Perez does, but looks to be a sure-fire major league shortstop, as opposed to Perez who is a bit of a question mark.  He has nice speed as well, and a good batting eye.  His hitting stats won’t be impressive, but they’ll be solid compared to other shortstops.

8. Benito Acosta – Buffalo - $22 million

Did not play

Acosta has plus hitting ratings across the board.  His biggest assets look to be power, batting eye and contact.  On the down side, he isn’t great in the field, but he is more than capable of being a great 1B/LF bat, and he could be a borderline RF.  Durability might be a bit of a concern too, but overall this is a great bat, and it’s hard to believe he was only (arguably) the 8^th best IFA this season!   

7. Tony Benavente – Charlotte - $14.4 million

5 IP 0.00 ERA 4 for 4 saves at High A

Charlotte was the only team to land two players on our list.  Benavente  looks to be a lights out reliever with practically no weaknesses.  He could be a dominant closer or a stellar setup A guy.  The only question mark is his RH split.  If he gets that up into the 70’s, look out. 

6. Yeico Oliva – Boston - $28.8 million

3-1 2.35 ERA 57 K in 46 IP at rookie league

Oliva is going to be a great Major League starter one day, he throws with great velocity, has nice pitches, solid control and should develop 200 IP+ stamina.   His LH split is a major question mark though, he may be vulnerable to lefties.  Still, he projects to a nice #2 starter with #1 upside, depending on how he develops vs. lefties.

5. Vin Gandarillas – Florida - $26.3 million

116 AB .353 AVG 12 HR 38 RBI 1.182 OPS at Low A

At only 19, one could argue that Gandarillas has a major league ready bat now.  You’d like to see contact and batting eye go up a bit, but his splits and power are top notch.  It will be interesting to see how he develops in the field.  He has fringe shortstop upside fielding, but more than likely ends up at 3B or somewhere else, where he’ll still be amongst the top hitters at the position. 

4. Hideo Sakamoto – Omaha - $25.7 million

485 AB .299 AVG 14 HR 73 RBI 20+ plays at AA

Sakamoto got almost a full season in at AA for Omaha, which saw him develop nicely.  He was excellent in the field, and if he develops SS quality fielding levels, he will probably be the best hitting SS in the league for years to come.  His batting splits are a bit low, but should continue to develop.  His contact, power and batting eye could all potentially be elite. 

3. Willie Cerda – Little Rock - $33 million

375 AB .323 AVG 34 HR 86 RBI 1.100 OPS at AA

It’s not a stretch to say Cerda could play at the majors now and possibly be an all- star.   Other than RH split all his hitting ratings are plus to elite.  It was a major buzzkill for Little Rock that he went on the 60 day DL with a bulging disk in his back, but he should be fine, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be injury prone.  If he hadn’t gotten hurt, he might have been #1 on the list.

2. Enrique Garces – Atlanta - $26.8 million

185 AB .319 AVG 1.051 OPS at High A

Garces could be an upper tier 2B/CF in the majors right now.  He owns lefties, is good against righties with a tremendous batting eye and contact.  He should develop into a plus fielder at either 2B or CF and has unbelievable speed that could make him an annual 30 HR/50 SB base guy.  

1. Francisco Aramboles – Dover - $32.2 million

4-3 1.07 ERA 55 K in 59 IP at Rookie/Low A

If you looked at Aramboles’ potential and said strengths: everything weaknesses: nothing, it would be hard to argue.  He looks to be a sure fire #1 starter that could win multiple Cy Youngs.  His only fault is that he doesn’t keep the ball down, but his pitches are so good and his throws so hard that not many will be able to get it up in the air on him. 

What a season of International Free Agents, here’s hoping for many more to come! 

All-Star Appearance Leaders (thru Season 18)

* denotes player made All-Star Team in Season 18

Player	#	Postions (Leaders in Bold)
Bill Everhart	13	LF-3, RF-10
Trey Padgett	11	2B-11
Dennis Gulan*	11	2B-11
Zach Charles	10	2B-1, 3B-9
Anthony Gordon	9	P-9
Rafael Benitez	9	2B-4, LF-1, RF-4
Al Samuel	9	C-9
Carl Sosa	9	P-9
Trenidad Pujols	9	SS-8, 2B-1
Chris Pendleton	8	P-8
Luke Baker	7	2B-2, CF-1, LF-1, RF-4
Rondell Burks	7	3B-3, RF-4
Marvin Mays	7	3B-6, SS-1
Dan Carter	7	3B-7
Al Martinez	7	C-7
Hector Ball	7	C-7
James Haselman*	7	P-7
Benito Guerrero*	7	DH-7
Harry Mieses*	7	P-7
Midre Aguilera	6	P-6
Buddy Poole	6	1B-2, LF-4
Bobby Lockhart	6	CF-6
Wilson Bonds	6	P-6
Johnny Sherman	6	DH-1, LF-3, RF-2
Yamil Alvarez	6	P-6
Hick Millwood	6	2B-1, 3B-4, SS-1
Ed Morris	6	1B-4, LF-2
Mendy Kondou	6	CF-2, RF-4
Andres Candelaria	6	LF-5, 1B-1
Al James	6	LF-1, RF-5
Kaito Park	6	SS-6
Alberto Beltre*	6	P-6
Edgar Cortez*	6	P-6
Yamid Montanez*	6	3B-2, SS-2, 2B-2
Shawn Creek	5	P-5
Dennis Jefferies	5	1B-5
Benny Lima	5	3B-1, SS-4
Don Gaillard	5	CF-5
Arthur Camilli	5	P-5
Barry Carew	5	P-5
Pat Smith	5	P-5
Vic Costilla	5	3B-1, SS-4
Sammy Felix	5	P-5
Emmanuel Hartman	5	SS-5
Clarence Loney	5	2B-1, CF-2, LF-2
Lorenzo Gonzalez	5	P-5
Sammy Pinzon	5	P-5
Roger Hermida*	5	P-5
Elston Lloyd*	5	C-5
Shawon Stoops*	5	1B-2, RF-3
Jung Hasegawa*	5	P-5
Carlos Pena*	5	P-5
Brian Taylor	4	LF-4
Leon Meyer	4	P-4
Nick Valentine	4	CF-4
Charlie Dickinson	4	1B-4, LF-2
Vasco Serra	4	P-4
Raul Sanchez	4	P-4
Enrique Mesa	4	P-4
Pepper Boyer	4	P-4
Luis Gonzales	4	P-4
Terry James	4	CF-3, SS-1
Sting Bailey	4	CF-4
Alex Mathews	4	LF-3,RF-1
Stuart Paulson	4	RF-4
Jamie Summers	4	C-4
Tony Saunders	4	P-4
Travis Lieberthal	4	3B-1, SS-3
Jordan Abernathy	4	C-1, DH-3
Norman LaPorta	4	P-4
Ken Evans	4	P-4
Kevin Kerr	4	P-4
Martin McCarty	4	1B-4
Ron Gross	4	P-4
Tony Lopez	4	P-4
George Fultz	4	2B-4
Charlie Borders*	4	SS-4
Pep Yang*	4	CF-4
Mark Martin*	4	C-4

Season 18 Hall of Fame Picks

Leon Jackson - Cobbfather Post Gazette

Season 18 spring training is in full swing, which means it's time to vote for the Hall of Fame!  We encourage everyone to do so, as there are certainly some deserving candidates.  Here are the Gazette's 5 selections!

Anthony Gordon

Anthony Gordon none none Age: 40 B/T: R/R Born: Newkirk, OK Position(s): P (SuB) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Anthony Gordon is clearly one of the most dominant closers in Cobbfather History.  A 9-time all star and a 3-time Fireman of the year, Gordon was a lights out closer all the while maintaining a stellar ERA and WHIP.  He is the all-time Cobbfather saves leader with 464.

Dan Carter

Dan Carter none none Age: 38 B/T: R/R Born: Richmond, TX Position(s): LF/CIF/RF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Dan Carter is a 2-time former MVP has racked up many other accolades.  7-time all star, 4 silver sluggers, and even a home run derby title.  He collected 2 world series rings as well.  He was an RBI machine, racking up 9 100+ RBI seasons, had 10 straight seasons of 34+ home runs, including 5 with over 40.  It's tough to make a case not to vote for Carter.

Buddy Poole

Buddy Poole none none Age: 38 B/T: R/R Born: Haverhill, MA Position(s): 1B/LF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Buddy Poole received 11 votes for the Hall of Fame in Season 16.  We feel he should definitely be in.  The former MVP and 6-time All Star also won the Home Run Derby twice and took home 4 silver slugger awards.  He had 37 HR+ and 101 RBI+ the first 11 seasons of the World, including an incredible 72 Home Runs in Season 4!  He truly was one of the dominant sluggers in the early seasons of Cobbfather, with a career total of 582 home runs, despite already being in the majors upon world creation.

Luis Martin

Luis Martin none none Age: 37 B/T: L/L Born: Mexicali, MX Position(s): 1B/LF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Luis Martin has been on the ballot for a few seasons now.  He received 10 votes a couple of seasons back.  He should be in the Hall.  He another one of the most dominate sluggers in the early seasons of Cobbfather.  He had 35+ home runs in the first 11 seasons of the world, and from seasons 2-9, put up 41+ HR and 123+ RBI every season.  He also collected 3 World Series Rings.  Despite already being a major leaguer when the world was created he still put up 542 home runs.

Charlie Dickinson

Charlie Dickinson none none Age: 38 B/T: R/R Born: New Providence, NJ Position(s): 1B/LF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Charlie Dickinson is a former MVP, 4-time All Star, All-Star MVP and three time Silver Slugger winner.  He had 4 straight seasons of 1.000 OPS from seasons 7-10.  In seasons 4-10, he put up at least 44 HR and 121 RBI every season.  He finished his career with 508 HR and a stellar .925 OPS.  He received 10 votes last season, and we feel he should be in!

Just Missed Our List:
Moises Terrero - Terrero was a stud in the early seasons of the world, winning 2 MVPs.  Advanced age at time of World Creation hurt his career numbers, if he had played a full career, he would have been a shoe-in.

Martin McCarty - McCarty had a great career, and was another premier slugger in the early seasons, but falls just short of the other sluggers who we had in.

Tony Saunders - Saunders, a former Cy Young winner, was one of the most dominant pitchers of the early seasons of Cobbfather.  He had a career 120-47 record.  He was another hurt by age at World creation, as he got in only 8 seasons.

Get out there and vote everyone!!!