American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, Rob Pannier takes a look back at the first half of the 2023 American Association season for the Lincoln Saltdogs including who is their MVP and top pitcher and discusses the prognosis heading forward.

The Lincoln Saltdogs Tale of the Tape

(Ranking in American Association listed in parenthesis)

Overall Record: 29-28 (4^th in West, 5^th overall)

Home Record: 16-15
Away Record: 13-13
Last 10: 5-5

Batting:

Average: .266 (6)
Homeruns: 69 (3)
Runs Scored: 314 (7)
Slugging %: .421 (5)
On-Base %: .369 (T-1)
Stolen Bases: 60 (11)

Pitching:

ERA: 5.06 (7)
Saves: 11 (T-8)
Walks: 248 (10)
Strikeouts: 447 (6)
Opponent Average: .259 (6)

Fielding:

Fielding %:  .980 (T-4)
Errors: 43 (6)

First Half Recap

The biggest surprise team in the American Association this season may be the Lincoln Saltdogs. It was predicted here that this team would be a top three club in the West Division, but it has been the impressive run that the team has put together entering the All-Star break that has them thinking championship series.

The Saltdogs got off to a tough start, going 7-11 in May. It was a terrible performance by the pitching staff, a group that was expected to be the strength of the club, that led to the challenge, as they posted a 6.34 ERA. The offense hit just .253, unable to overcome the challenge supplied by the staff. However, things began to turn in June, as the team posted a 4.23 ERA, going 14-11.

Things began to turn for this team after the club returned home from a tough road trip that saw them go 1-4 combined against Fargo-Moorhead and Kansas City (June 2-7). They won four straight games at home, and took six of eight home contests. Lincoln then went on the road and swept the Goldeyes in Winnipeg for the first time in franchise history. After dropping two of three and Sioux Falls and being swept at home by the Goldeyes, Lincoln went on a run with victories in eight of their next nine contests. They entered the break as losers of five of their last seven.

What Went Right?

The power numbers have been impressive for the Saltdogs, as they rank third in home runs, helping them to seventh in runs scored. It has also been an impressive performance by the team to get on base, as the Saltdogs are first in on-base percentage.

Outfielder Connor Panas has been spectacular, second on the team with 11 home runs and first with a .309 batting average. Shortstop Drew Devine was given his first opportunity to play every day and he has delivered, hitting .305, earning a spot on the All-Star team. Luke Roskam has been great as well, hitting .305 with 10 homers and 45 RBI.

While the offense does not have flshy numbers, they are solid 1-9. Nick Anderson ranks near the top of the league in home runs (15), and Nate Samson is defying Father Time once again, hitting .265 in 65 games.

What Went Wrong?

If there is one Achilles’ heel to this team it has been the performance of their closers. This was expected to be a major strength for the Saltdogs, as Steffon Moore has electric stuff and Matt Cronin looked to be the perfect right-handed complement to Moore. However, both have been terrible. Cronin has a 5.96 ERA, and has blown five saves this year. Moore has a 7.07 mark, and has also blown five opportunities.

If this team can get one, even both on track, they are the most dangerous underdog team entering the postseason.

Top Pitcher: Josh Roeder

Pitching was expected to be a major strength for the team, and that has not been the case. However, Josh Roeder has been quite impressive. The right-hander is 3-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 11 starts.

Roeder did give up eight runs in his second to last start before the break, however, the right-hander has given up two or fewer runs in nine of his 11 starts. Roeder has allowed just 15 walks in 65.2 innings. He has been the most dependable pitcher on the staff.

Top Hitter: Nick Anderson

There are a lot of good candidates on this team, as Roskam, Devine, and Panas are all having seasons that have benefited the Saltdogs lineup immensely. However, no one can deny how important Nick Anderson has been to this club. He leads the team in run scored (44) and is third in RBI (43).

Anderson has stolen 11 bases and has 15 home runs, both of which lead the club. However, the one stat that really stands out is the 52 walks he has earned, tied for first in the league. That has the outfielder third in on-base percentage despite only posting a .276 batting average.

Where Will Lincoln Saltdogs Be on September 4?

How far the Lincoln Saltdogs go is dependent upon the performance of their closers. This could be the scariest team in the American Association, but Cronin and Moore must get their collective acts together. If those two get on track, they could carry Lincoln all the way to the championship series. At the very least, this team will make the playoffs for the second straight season.

By Robert Pannier