Laredo Lemurs Mid-Season Report
Record: 37-32, Second in South Division, Tied for Fifth Overall in American Association
Season Recap:
The Lemurs won just two of their first six games, but then rolled off a stretch where they won 10 of 13. It looked like the defending American Association Champions were going to run away with the division as they were red hot and the Wichita Wingnuts were struggling mightily. However, Matt Sergey and Travis Denker had their contracts purchased and the team has not been as dominant as they once were.
The Lemurs have looked as dominant as it gets at times. They have rattled off win streaks of at least four-games on four different occasions this season, and even had a six-game win streak. This has been a key to their season and shows that, should they get into the playoffs, they are going to be very difficult to face because they can win three straight in a series without issue.
Mid-Season MVP: Ty Morrison
A great case can be made for Drew Martinez, and it would be justified. The center fielder leads the team in hitting and is one of the best defensive outfielders in the league but, overall, Morrison’s numbers are just better. He had scored 44-runs to lead the team and had 33-RBI as well. His .295 average is just slightly below Martinez and he has played solid defense. Morrison is a huge catalyst to this team and has been the best player for the Lemurs leading up to the All-Star break.
Mid-Season Top Pitcher: Ryan Beckman
If Matt Sergey had not had his contract purchased by the Oakland Athletics, he would be the team’s top pitcher, but Ryan Beckman has clearly earned this honor. Beckman earned his place on the All-Star team with an impressive 2.81 ERA and a 5-5 record. The right-hander was the All-Star game starter in fact, and his numbers have been most impressive. That ERA is fourth in the league, and the 92.2 innings pitched is fifth. The right-hander has allowed just 18-walks while striking out 70.
Prognosis:
The Laredo Lemurs have been the Wild Card representative the last two seasons, but they took that all the way to the American Association title last season. It is going to be tough to duplicate that this season, as two teams are directly ahead of them in the Wild Card race right now, however, the schedule really works in their favor. The Laredo Lemurs do not have a game against a winning team until they play Wichita in the last four games of the season. That is 28-games against three of the teams with the worst records in the league. Laredo may not just win the Wild Card but if the Wichita Wingnuts falter at all this team could be the South Division winner.
By Robert Pannier