2007 Review

The 42's Major League squad had a disappointing season but it was one that had a number of bright spots. While turning in a horrible record and a last place finish the 42's gave it's fans a few things to get excited about.

2B Brady Simpson was a May callup and one of the first bonafide arrivals from the loaded 42's farm system. The 42's GM believes in not bringing up a prospect until they are truly ready and Simpson showed he most certainly was. Simpson posted an .810 OPS, 16 home runs, 66 RBI's , 23 stolen bases all while playing a very solid second base. The 26 year old Simpson, a season 3 4th round draft choice, was acquired in trade from Charleston in season 4 and has a long, bright major league career ahead of him.

CF Carl Johnstone had a horrible year at the plate and had some difficulty switching to his new position in CF. After committing 11 errors, recording 14 plus plays and notching 8 assists Johnstone won a controversial gold glove. Some voters felt 11 errors was far too many for a gold glove candidate.

SS Bobby Nelson was a Rule 5 draftee from the Chicago franchise and seamlessly made the leap from AA to major league shortstop. Nelson won the gold glove and unlike Johnstone's there was no controversy. Playing 161 games at SS Nelson committed only 5 errors (.994 FLD%), had 4 plus plays and a 5.74 RF. For all his brilliance at in the field Nelson was woeful at the plate, bringing to mind memories of Davey Concepcion.

LF Gene Sheldon had a down year at the plate but won the NL LF gold glove. Sheldon committed 2 errors, had 6 plus plays and a 1.68 RF.

The pitching staff as a whole was solid but lacked run support. Rookies Doug Kirk and Billy Lewis along with second year man Hades Gibson all posted sub 1.3 WHIPs and were stalwarts in relief core that kept the 42's in a many low scoring games.

The 42's promise to be more competitive in season 8 with the arrival of more help from the farm system and hope to snag a wild card spot.