Milkmen Wrap-Up S14

The Philadelphia Dead Milkmen finished Season 14 at 83-79, right around the upper range of the preseason projections. As would be expected for a team a few games above .500, the Milkmen were slightly above average on offense (.794 OPS–7th, 851 runs–10th) and pitching (1.43 WHIP–8th, 838 RA–6th).

What Went Right: Walker & Co.

Any discussion of the Milkmen in S14 begins with the performance of Walker Wilkins. Wilkins, playing in his 10th season at age 31, posted the best numbers of his career: .357/.430/.623 with 40 HR, 128 RBI, and 113 RS. Wilkins won the AL batting title by 11 points and was fifth in the league in OPS. Only Fargo's Mac Gray (in 32 fewer games) beat out Wilkins' 10.66 RC/27 for the season.

Hughie Phillips, moving from left field to first base, also had an excellent season (.286/.348/.494, 32 HR, 104 RBI, 22 SB, 114 RS), setting career highs in nearly every category. Phillips also played excellent defense, narrowly missing out on a Gold Glove. Philadelphia did enjoy a Gold Glove winner at shortstop in Lariel Domingo, acquired early in the season via trade from Jacksonville. Domingo was adequate at best with the bat (.251/.318/.328, 7 HR, 42 RBI, 53 RS), but showed excellent range in the field.

Two rookies had a significant impact on the Milkmen in S14. Santos Guerrero, acquired by trade from Scranton for ace closer Earl Lincoln, had mixed results in his first season but showed signs of stardom (.252/.307/.503, 35 HR, 28 SB, 83 RBI, 102 RS), leading the team in SB and trailing only Wilkins in HR. Meanwhile, Lincoln's replacement as closer, lefty Victor Canseco, won the AL Fireman of the Year award (43 IP, 38 SV, 1.35 WHIP, 3.77 ERA), giving Philadelphia two consecutive winners.

Finally, while the Milkmen pitching staff was largely undistinguished this season, journeyman pitcher Julio Bonilla pitched the greatest game in franchise history with a perfect game against the Pawtucket Patriots. Bonilla, who went 12-9 in S14 with a 1.41 WHIP and 4.98 ERA, struck out six Patriots and took 87 pitches to put down the opposition in order. The game began as a pitchers' duel, with Philadelphia managing only 2 singles and a HBP through the first 6 innings. In the 7th, however, the Milkmen scored 5 runs on a walk and 6 singles, including an infield single from notoriously slow-footed catcher Raymond McEwing and bases-loaded, 2-out hits from both Jacob Dunn and Walker Wilkins.

What Went Wrong: The Bottom Third

The biggest problem for Philadelphia's offense certainly wasn't power; their 257 home runs were fifth in the league. The issue, rather, was getting on base. The Milkmen's 487 walks were dead last in the AL, and only two players (Wilkins and Phillips) posted OBPs above the league average of .338. A glove-first strategy at the key defensive positions of catcher, shortstop, and center field was perhaps one of the biggest reasons for this. While Pokey Mills (.700 OPS), Raymond McEwing (.659 OPS), and Lariel Domingo (.646 OPS) are certainly capable defenders, their bats are a lot for the rest of the lineup to carry. The trio combined for only 20 HR (fewer than any individual player in the lineup) and 140 RBI and posted a .265/.324/.344 line in 1,398 AB.

While Philadelphia's pitching wasn't awful, for the most part, it certainly didn't help them win any games. Haywood Jodie failed to reach double-digit wins for the first time since S8 (218 IP, 9-13, 1.39 WHIP, 4.95 ERA). Louis Durham, in the second year of his arbitration buy-out, struggled mightily in the majors (112 IP, 6-9, 1.55 WHIP, 6.01 ERA, .848 opponent OPS) and was demoted to AAA, where he went 0-2 in three starts. Robinson Jennings, just a year after being one of the most reliable Milkmen in the pen, lost 11 games in relief (93 IP, 1.62 WHIP, 5.40 ERA).

The Plan for S15: B-E Aggressive

Both of Philadelphia's shortstops will depart for free agency next year, and ownership has shown no interest in bringing them back, making that position the presumptive offseason priority. The remainder of the lineup should be fairly static, with only a few minor leaguers knocking on the door (CF Shane Spivey, C Chipper Cust, LF Rolando Machado).

On the pitching front, Philadelphia will say goodbye to veteran Miguel Polanco, who was a major part of the team's S12 playoff run. This should open up a door for a free agent acquisition, as the Milkmen don't have another frontline starter to take Polanco's place.

Since the Milkmen finished only 6 games out of the wild card despite making no major moves last offseason, ownership is looking to be more aggressive in pursuing a playoff spot in S15.