The Jersey Shore D-Bags have loaded up once again and take aim at their try for a first World Series title ever after failing in 3 previous attempts. First off though, they must get make their way through a grueling season, but with a 16-8 April they are off on the right foot, but it didn't begin that way. The month got off to a rough start losing the first 4 games of the season, including a 3 game sweep at the hands of division rival, the St. Louis Browns. That was followed up by a 8-6 loss in Seattle and not a start they had envisioned. Things changed from there as they would only lose one other series all month and that was to John Bosma's Greenville 84's.
Led by ace Jose Ramos, who would win the CL Award for Pitcher of the Month, going 4-1 in 5 starts with a 0.88 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and a 27/4 K/BB ratio. It is Ramos's 6th POTM award. The rest of the staff overall was brilliant outside from the struggles of SP Sergio Martinez who did only finish the month at 0-1, but a 6.33 ERA averaging just over 5 innings per start didn't help.
After a great 2020 season which earned 1B Tadahisa Kisuki the CL Rookie of the Year honors, a 2021 season which Kiuski had a WAR of 6.6 and looked he was a for sure superstar to be was derailed in 2022 when his numbers fell sharply in all categories. He looks out to regain that momentum he had in 2021 with a monster April. Kisuki hit .391/.436/.736 with 8 HR, 13 RBI, 6 2B and scoring 17 runs primarily hitting out of the 2 hole in the lineup.
Not to be outdone was your 2 time MVP Dave Dodd who was right behind Kisuki with 6 HR, 19 RBI, a CL leading 4 intentional walks to go along with 10 stolen bases. Dodd has started the 2023 campaign on pace for 11.6 WAR which would be his 2nd highest total behind his Triple Crown season.
Down on the Farm
Leading the AAA Tuscaloosa charge are two bats you very might well see in Jersey this season. Those two players would be RF Albert Morgan and 2B Ricardo Gonzalez. They combined for 79 hits, 16 doubles, 36 RBI and 36 walks in 26 games for the month. Morgan, who profiles as a DH and possibly a RF in a pinch saw a little use in spring training and as of right now he sits off of the 40 man roster. Gonzalez was seen a lot in Spring Training, starting at both middle infield positions but struggled mightily with the stick. His improving bat and eye to go along with his elite defense are good reasons why he has seen as Jersey's long term solution at 2B to replace the eventual face of the franchise, Mike Bryant.
Even with Jersey's hot start, the Greenville 84's finished the month 15-10, while the St. Louis Browns sit at 13-13. This year should be another tight race as we trudge through the last year of the league containing 28 teams. There is a lot to watch for in Jersey and around the league as a lot of young and upcoming stars are replacing the stars of yesteryear. 2023 is a transition for the BSA and hopefully that means Jersey Shore transitioning into finally getting over the hump and winning that title.
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