By IAN WILSON
And they’re off!
The Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) season is underway, with several teams off to a hot start and others trying to find their footing.
Following Opening Week action, here’s a look at the WCBL Power Rankings:
1. OKOTOKS DAWGS: The Dawgs picked up where they left off following consecutive title-winning seasons. After watching the unveiling of their 2023 championship banner, Okotoks fans were treated to six consecutive victories that saw the offence produce double-digit runs in every game. The Dawgs lead the league in runs batted in (RBI), on-base percentage, slugging percentage and batting average.
2. SYLVAN LAKE GULLS: The Lake Boys jumped out to a 5-2 record, with their only losses coming against the Dawgs. Sylvan Lake batters are tops in the WCBL in runs scored, stolen bases and doubles.
3. REGINA RED SOX: The Red Sox also sport an early record of five wins and two losses, with both setbacks coming against the Lethbridge Bulls in tight and low-scoring affairs. Regina has the best earned run average (ERA) in the league, while also posting the lowest batting average against.
4. FORT McMURRAY GIANTS: After claiming six wins through their first nine games, the hitters on the Giants have proven to be a menace against WCBL pitching. Fort McMurray leads the circuit in hits, walks and total bases, and the team has also received solid pitching to start the season.
5. MEDICINE HAT MAVERICKS: The 2023 East Division champs went 4-3 in their opening seven contests. Catcher Nick Thibodeau is off to a great start for the Mavs. He leads the WCBL in on-base percentage plus slugging (OPS), while sitting near the top of the leaderboard in several other offensive categories.
6. MOOSE JAW MILLER EXPRESS: The Millers have a .500 record in the early going. Moose Jaw hurlers have struck out more batters than any other pitching staff, but they also have recorded more wild pitches and hit batters than any club.
7. LETHBRIDGE BULLS: The horned cattle have outscored opponents 38-33 and are off to a 4-3 start. The margins have been tight for Lethbridge but the Bulls have been competitive in every game. With the best fielding percentage in the league, the Bulls are playing fundamentally sound defense.
8. WEYBURN BEAVERS: With a pair of wins through six games, the Beavers are looking to climb the standings and compete for a playoff spot. Ian Heck is a two-way player worth watching. The Californian has 14 strikeouts in 11 innings and a batting average over .300.
9. BROOKS BOMBERS: They’ve had a challenging schedule to open the season, with games against Okotoks, Sylvan Lake and Moose Jaw, but the Bombers have managed to generate a couple of lopsided wins over the Miller Express and Prospects along the way. Brooks leads the WCBL in home runs.
10. EDMONTON PROSPECTS: The Prospects were gracious guests when they lost 13-3 to the Giants in Fort McMurray’s home opener, but they rebounded with two consecutive wins at Legacy Dodge Field. Since then, Edmonton has dropped four straight games.
11. SWIFT CURRENT 57’s: With just one victory in six games, the 57’s are hoping to right the ship soon. To do so, they’ll need more from their hitters, who sit in last place in the league in hits, walks and total bases. Improvements on the mound are also in order.
12. SASKATOON BERRIES: The Berries will look to go from getting crushed to crushing it in the weeks ahead. During their 2-6 start, they’ve given up far more runs than they’ve scored, but many of the underlying statistics suggest Saskatoon is a more middle-of-the-pack club than a last place team.
The WCBL Power Rankings are a weekly feature that examines how all 12 WCBL squads are playing. You can find the East and West Division standings, as well as team and individual statistics on the league’s website. The WCBL This Week: Red Arrow Report also provides weekly updates, highlights and analysis from around the league.
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