Sea Dogs, at the break

The EL all star game is today, and the Sea Dogs currently wallow in 5th place in the EL North with a 42-48 record. That puts them half a game ahead of New Britain, but nine games behind the New Hampshire Fisher Cats for second place (and a playoff spot). With only 51 games to go, it looks like golf in September for the Dogs.

There have been some good performances in the first half. Jeff Bailey (314/429/561-12-52) has led the offense, but there is some question if it makes him a "prospect" or not. He's a little old for the league at age 25, and he's never shown this kind of power before. Is he a late bloomer, or a sample-size fluke?

Also continuing to develop is last year's Red Sox minor league player of the year, John Hattig. Hattig was on the DL for a couple of weeks, but he's been strong with the bat: 293/421/547-12-32. Hattig's a little rough with the leather, reminiscent of Kevin Youkilis last year, and like Bailey, he's never shown this kind of power. Still, the 1.5 years difference in their ages (Hattig vs. Bailey) means that the home run stroke is more likely to be a real development - he's always had decent doubles power. Hattig's progress may actually make Youkilis more expendible in a trade for help down the stretch, as his name comes up in pretty much every rumor.

The other big stick goes to Brett Roneberg (my apologies for consistently spelling his name incorrectly), who has put up a steady 288/375/480-12-56 pace this season. At 25 and in his 4th season in the EL, it is probably time for him to move up to Pawtucket. He'll represent Australia in the Olympics later this summer.

Also having decent seasons are Kenny Perez and Mike O'Keefe. Bailey, Perez and Roneberg were named to the EL all star team.

Some batters have been disappointments, however. Sean McGowan (262/312/342-3-32) has been a massive singles hitter at 1B/DH and I'd be surprised to see him last the season at this pace. Edgar Martinez (163/207/206-1-10) has been a good glove man, but is overmatched by AA pitching at this point.

The pitching has had some bright spots. Joe Nelson was 3-2, 1.78 with 13 saves before being called up to Pawtucket and now Boston. He's a veteran with a couple previous major league innings, and was in under his head at this level.

Juan Perez (4-0, 2.66, 3 saves) is Nelson's heir apparent in the closer's role, and has been solid. He was chosen for the minor league futures game over the All Star break. The bullpen has had its struggles, but those in the mix right now have done a good job overall.

Among the starters, Abe Alvarez (8-6, 3.64) and Chris Smith (5-2, 3.75) have led the way, with Abe going to the EL all star game. Alvarez has shown good control and strong poise after reaching Portland a year ahead of schedule. Alvarez could be in line for a late season callup to Pawtucket, but I think the Sox probably won't rush him this year and let him start there fresh at the beginning of 2005.

Smith is a hard throwing righty who was leading the EL in strikeouts before missing a couple of starts with a sore arm.

The biggest disappointment by far was Charlie Zink, whose return to Portland was highly anticipated but turned into a bust. The knuckleballer struggled with his command all season, and had a 1-8, 5.79 mark with more walks than strikeouts before being sent back to Sarasota to right himself.

Josh Stevens was doing well after being returned from Pawtucket, but he's hit a bit of a rough patch and now stands at 4-6, 5.20, though he has shown excellent control in averaging just over one walk per inning pitched.