One Week Down

Week 1 of the 2012 Prospect League schedule is complete. Hannibal is 3-3, that’s good for third place in the Western Division. DuBois County is undefeated, Quincy is in second with their only loss coming on opening night against the Cavemen.

It’s much too soon to tell who the favorites are and if there are any truly weak teams in the league. Danville is playing short handed.  Springfield has also started slow. Both are 1-5. I expect the Dans to get better as more of their team arrives.  Ignore the slow starts. I saw the '05 Quincy Gems stumble out to a 4-11 start before catching fire and rolling to a CICL title.

It does appear that Hannibal is going to have a good offensive club again this season.  After scuffling along in the early at bats, Zach Nichols hammered a two run single in the bottom of the 9th on Friday. He also had monster nights on Saturday and Sunday.  Often a stretch like that gives a hitter momentum that he can ride for much of the season.  Jake Mangler is hitting .500 through his first 28 at abts. A half dozen Cavemen batters are hitting .261 or better.

I’ll reserve judgment on the pitching for a while.  It’s hard for me to form an opinion one way or another on one start—especially in summer league baseball.