Trenton, NJ - There are two hot tickets in the Eastern League as the 2012 season starts up.
The EL Eastern Divsion is ruled by the Reading Phillies (11-4) and the Western Division has been dominated by the Harrisburg Senators (10-6).
Their hotness is all about the consistency of several key players on the mound and at the plate.
Second baseman Jeff Kobernus leads the league in stolen bases (11), hits (24), and runs scored (12). On Friday against the Trenton Thunder, his success continued as he got his 25th, 26th, and 27th hit, including two doubles, and scored a run. He also reached on an error.
Frist baseman Tim Pahuta leads the league with 7 doubles, as well as in extra base hits (9). In Friday's contest he knocked in two runs.
Pitching has been outstanding from the bullpen and starters, with Jeff Mandel, Danny Rosenbaum, and Mike Ballard making quality starts. They're able to count on a dependable bullpen that includes Hector Nelo, Christian Garcia, and closer Pat Lehman, giving them the ability to play with a lot of confidence.
"I've really been impressed with our guys coming out of the bullpen," Senators manager Matt LeCroy said. "We got some situational guys, we got some guys that can be in there to end, and we got some guys who can go long that can really help us out. I've been pleased with our hitting. And our defense has been really, really good."
The guy 'in there to end' has been Lehman, who leads the league in saves with 4. In five appearances he allowed just one hit. Friday he gave up only his second walk in five games.
The roster is doubly impressive for the overwhelming number of first time Eastern Leaguer's playing. 14 of 15 players on the current roster were in Class-A Potomac for most or all of 2011.
"Younger players have been pretty good. When you come to a higher league sometimes you worry about intimidation. The hitters are obviously better. But we've been mixing a lot of off-speed pitches and throwing fastballs for strikes. If you can do that and trust your infield and outfield to make plays it's easier."
Starter Mandel has a 0.96 ERA with 18 innings under his belt. He's walked just 4 hitters. Overall the starting rotation has been relentless. They lead the lead in innings pitched with 115. The bullpen's 5 saves are also league best.
Rosenbaum has been a star. After splitting time between Potomac and Harrisburg last year, this is the twenty-five-year old's first year starting the season in Double-A. Ranked 23rd in the Nationals system by Baseball America, he's gone 2-0 with a 1.25 ERA in 21 innings pitched. His 0.65 WHIP is the lowest in the league. He's walked no one. And he has the distinction of pitching the only complete game in the league so far this year.
Earlier this week he was named Baseball America's Prospect Pitcher of the Day.
(Look for a story on Rosenbaum for Going Nine (Baseball Digest) with complete quotes from him and LeCroy this weekend.)
Much of the young team the Senators are fielding is showing that they're ready for this higher level of baseball, and, possibly, a chance to go one step higher soon.
The Senators play the Thunder Saturday, a 5:05 start, with Paul Demny (0-1, 5.40) going for Harrisburg. He'll oppose Shaeffer Hall (2-1, 3.94).