Jersey Shore April 2016 in Review

And we are off!  It seems like we just had opening day and in the blink of an eye and the first month of the season is in the books.  A successful 17-9 month puts Jersey where they left off last season but puts them in 3rd place behind the hottest team in baseball, the Chicago Machine and the arch rivals Greenville.  This month had a little bit of everything like usual, but more positive than negative.

Players of the Month

2B Mikey "The Machine" Bryant:  .404/.487/.677  6  HR  26 RBI.  Why not start with the hottest hitter in baseball right now?  It isn't Bryant's first time being on the POTM and it won't be his last.  Bryant was on fire all month.  He had 12 multi-hit games and 5 3+ hit games including a 5 hit performance against the Sheens.

3B Alberto Perez: .373/.387/.676  7 HR  20 RBI.  We all remember Perez from his playoff run last year and came out with a bang this season.  For a guy not known for power bashing 7 HR was unheard of, but the Bags will take it.  He also added 10 doubles.  Looks like he is here to stay.  We know the power might not hold up, but if he can keep his average up, Perez could be a force in the Jersey lineup this year.



OF Leon Foster .270/.353/.517  5 HR  25 RBI.  Welcome back Mr. Foster.  After using his option to come back to Jersey Foster is showing that power he used to display when he came over from New York.  2nd in the team in RBI in a contract year, Foster trying to prove he can still ball.

CL Jaime Saenz 1-1 8 saves  1.59 ERA  1.15 WHIP.  Saenz took over the closer role and flourished taking over for Daniel Morris. He had more K's than IP and with a lot of blowouts he didn't get into that many games.  He looks like he will be the closer to stay.

Roster Questions, Changes and Answers

A month and we have seen no serious injuries which helps keep the roster in tact.  We did see a new player in the fold this month as 19 year old MR Hyo-Chin Kim was called up to spot start for Rob Goodship as he missed a start with a minor injury.  Kim looked good throwing 7.1 IP, giving up 3 ER and K's 2 for his first ML win.  With his high stamina we might see more of him in the spot starting role in the future.

MR Chris Woodruff was waived and DFA'ed after a terrible start where he seemingly couldn't get anyone out.  MR Takafumi Ogusuku was recalled and pitching 2.1 scoreless innings while striking out 6.

There's a lot of young talent in AAA ready to be called up if needed including SS Schroeder, OF Torres, OF Kino, and OF Dodd who are all hitting AAA very well.

Minor Leaguers of the Month
In a new section this year we will be picking one hitter and pitcher from the entire organization of farm clubs to pick one pitcher and hitter as POTM for the organization.

Pitcher:
MR Angel Lara (AA): 11.1 IP 0.00 ERA  0.71 WHIP 4 Hits 17 K's.  Lara was as close to perfect as you come in April almost striking out 2 batters per innings while only giving up 4 hits.  He earned himself a promotion at the end of the month and will be in Tuscaloosa next month.  




Hitter:
OF Dave Dodd (AAA): .367/.461/.765 8 HR  31 RBI .  The guys is an absolute stud.  Top 3 ranked hitter prospect in the game and is showing why.  He crushed AA for 2 weeks then AAA for 2 weeks.  He even stole 4 bases.  In 24 games he knocked in 31 runs and looks like he really wants to play soon for the D-Bags.