The 2017 season, the inaugural season for the Idaho in the AFBL, produced some interesting results. The Steelheads roared out of the gate to a 30-23 record and 1st place in our division, but alas reality set in and the team stumbled through the final 109 games sporting a 42-67 record in those contests. Injuries and a general lack of depth were key factors in the decline, but the final tally we a better than expected 72-90, a good first season.
The Good
- Augusto Baca was everything the team hoped he would become when he was selected with the 1st pick in the expansion draft. He has the look of a potential ace, but certainly will be no worse than a solid #2 moving forward.
- Dan Gordon logged 234 innings and posted a 3.30ERA with a 1.16WHIP.
- Dave Hilliard, who was traded several times last season, found a home with the Steelheads and in 12 starts posted a 3.54 ERA with a 1.15WHIP. He should be able to log major innings and be helpful over the next few seasons.
- Closer Phil Jones had an all star season and has a bright future.
- Tim O'Brian and Virgil Roberts were an excellent Left/Right combo as set up men in the pen.
- SS Jim Quirk led the league in SB with 70. He batted over .300 and is a very good #2 place hitter,
- LF Kelvin Peterson posted 25 2B, 11 3B and 14HR while missing 35 games.
- 3B Steve Carr proved he could handle more work than originally expected and batted .290 in 350 at bats. He has an edge for the full time 3B spot in 2018.
- 1B Anastasio Urbina won a best defender award.
The Bad
- Alex Perry was hurt badly and missed over 3 months. He was being counted on as the every day catcher and will need to prove himself in 2018.\
- 3B Kahutea Alohinani was who we thought he was (channel your inner Denny Green). A little pop and not much else.
- 2B Steve Reed started off well, but injuries and a late season swoon leave the team hoping for more in 2018.
- Nobody really took the RF job. Mid season acquisition Gustaf (Gus Freen) Albelin did an ok job in some extended play, but Billy Childress and Dave Riggs struggled.
- P Rhett Miller started off on fire but never found a spot. He is JAG and needs replaced.
The Ugly
- 1B Urbina struck out so much he was eventually removed from the everyday lineup.
- P - Pat MacDonald was flat out no good in either a starter or reliever role.
- Top prospect SP Bob Cahill was horrendous in 4 late season starts. So far in 2 september callups he is 1-8 with an ERA over 8. He has given up 14 bombs in 54 innings.
