The 2015 season was tough for Illinois. A 76-86 record was slightly below the pythagorian record of 81-81. The season started and seemed to continue with a run of injuries. A total of 490 days lost to injury, mostly to 5 regular players. The team scratched and clawed back from a rough start, but could not overcome the impressive seasons of Oregon, Texas and Colorado.
Incredibly, the Piasa posted a horrific 11-26 record in 1 run games and a 2-10 in extra innings.
The Good
Not all went wrong in 2015. Here are some highlights:
Pitching
- Doug Wallace became the ace we all thought he could be, posting a 17-7 record with a 2.86 ERA and 250 strikeouts.
- Bin Zhu returned from injury to make 20 starts, 14 quality starts. He went 9-6 with a 2.62 ERA.
- Doug Teal had a strong rookie campaign, 11-11 with a 3.75 ERA.
- Sam Jacobs saved 39 games and posted an impressive 1.42 ERA, striking out 92 batters in 63 innings.
Hitting
- 3B Jose Gonzalez hit .298 with 38 HR and 122 RBI. He stayed healthy and was a rock for this team.
- SS Ed Jackson, 203 hits, 50+ stolen bases.
- 1B/LF Clarence Thomas hit 42 home runs in only 134 games. If he can stay healthy for 150+ he will challenge for the league title.
- 2B Artie White, 38 years young, hit .299, but missed 40 games due to injury. He can still get it done.
- CF Jim Sackett busted out with 33 HR and 99 RBI.
The Bad
- Injuries. Starting RF Kurtoa missed 130+ games to various injuries. Thomas missed 30 games, Hammond missed 26, White missed 40, Zhu made only 20 starts. Various others missed time.
- 5th starter struggled all season.
- 1B Jeff Krause struggled out of the gate and had his worst year .223/14/48.
- Jose Perez struggled coming over from Colorado posting a 6.06 ERA in mixed duties. Not sure he even makes this roster next season.
The Ugly
- 11-26 in one run games and 2-10 in extras.
2014 Draft Recap
One year is usually too soon to evaluate the past draft but here is an update on the players drafted by Illinois in 2014:
Round 1: 9th overall, Pitcher Tim Kelly.
Kelly worked out of the bullpen as a 1st year player in rookie ball. 2-5, 5 saves and a 4.95 ERA. A left hand arm with a big curve he projects to make an AFBL appearance in 2017.
Round 2: Traded Pick
Round 3: 41st overall: JF Riel and 47th overall Bob Johnson
Riel, a right handed reliever was 6-1 with 1 save in rookie ball. He posted a 5.43 ERA and struck out more than a batter per inning. He needs to continue to improve his control but figures to be a setup type reliever in the future.
Johnson is a defensive center fielder with great bat control. He struggled in rookie ball and hit only .216, but at 19 his future is bright.
Round 4: 54th overall Jeff Montgomery and 57th overall Dan Grant
Montgomery is a SS with the versatility to play 2B, 3B and a little OF. He hit .235 in his first campaign .
Grant, another reliever was 3-1 with a 3.05 ERA. He struck out 50 in 38 innings. Another guy who needs to continue to work on control.
Rounds 5-7:70th overall Jesus Rodriguez, 73rd overall Tim Ray, 89th overall Nelson Arroyo, and finally 105th overall Jeff Parsons
Rodriguez is a big lefty, 6'5 225#. Also struck out more than a batter per inning. He has 6 pitches in his repertoire, but at this time figures to be a career minor leaguer.
Ray was a disaster in his first season and is certainly at risk of being dumped.1-1 with a 10.93, walked way too many and just did not get enough outs.
Arroyo was bad out of the pen, but as a lefty will get a shot as a starter in rookie ball in the 2016 season.
Parsons also struggled, but will be given a shot to start in 2016.
