Beermen Year End Report Card

by Fergus McGee
Minneapolis Star Tribune
October 30, 2025

In a repeat of last season’s playoff performance, the Beermen beat their wild card opponent in the opening round only to lose to the tough Brooklyn Atlantics in the Banned League Championship Series.  And once again the Atlantics went on to capture the World Series.

2025 Report Card:
Offense:  spotty and unspectacular.  No surprising over-achievers.
Defense:  great in the outfield, steady bur unspectacular in the infield and behind the plate.
Pitching:  solid and reliable six-deep rotation and surprising good bullpen.

Catching:
Rookie Brune hit only .222 and needs work behind the plate but potential is there.
Veteran Walko:  Met usual standard of steady but unremarkable play.
Robinson:  Young acquisition from London awaits in the wings at St. Paul.

First Base:
Royster:  Great defense and solid if unspectacular offense; limited power.  Option year decision forthcoming.
Appleton:  Limited playing time, offensive stats down from excellent 2024.
Downing:  Mid-season call-up excelled at bat in DH role (.292).  Defensive liability and very slow.

Second Base:
Perez:  Failed in debut shot at job, back to minors for most of year.
Funk:  OK in field, had best average ever at .243.  Mostly batted ninth.

Shortstop:
Gutierrez:  All-Star didn’t match Aaron-winning year of 2024.  Still an offensive weapon in every AB.
Messinger:  Low profile backup infielder at 2B, SS, & 3B.  Capable fill-in.

Third Base:
Flores:  Disappointing sophomore season with 50 point drop in average.  Sopjomore jinx?

Left Field:
Morrison:  Rookie had great first half, trailed off down the stretch.
Hoffman:  Acquired mid-year from London, defensive wonder and base runner supreme has not lived up to offensive potential as yet.

Center Field:
Higgins led club in home runs (23) but average dropped to new low.  Former Stockholm star didn’t earn his pay and awaits option year decision.

Right Field:
Wynkoop doesn’t deserve the $15 million he makes but provides solid offensive stats.
Coronas:  Acquired two years back from Fort Collins, he hasn’t produced offensively and spend most of the year at St. Paul.
Garza:  Another offensive under achiever faces uncertain future.
Others:  Schmidt, Jaramillo, Velez, Bullock, Allen, and Stewart all had solid AAA season, provide lots of outfield and trade possibilities.

Starting Rotation:
Morales:  Considered number one man, he seems to have solved his control issues.  Bright future at 26.
De La Cruz:  21-year-old rookie checked in at 16-10, 3.63.  Could be any kind.
Canfield:  Finished second year with 15 wins, still has two years on contract but there are worries about his continued stamina and effectiveness as he reaches age 35 this month.
Egozcue:  Solid 14-9 year with no apparent drop-off in effectiveness at age 32.
Robertson:  Sixth starter most of year, he just finished his third effective year at ERA of 3.25 or under.
Contreras:  Now has 42 wins over last three years with an ERA around 3.80.  Flies under the radar as excellent fourth or fifth starter.

Bullpen:
Lagario had best year yet as closer.  94 saves in two and a half years, still only 22.
Alvarado is rarely noticed or praised, but he was 9-1 and was a very effective set-up man for Lagario.
Ramirez:  Solid unspectacular stats in limited action after recall.
Davis:  OK in middle relief, he didn’t do anything to either distinguish or embarrass himself.
Girouard:  Finished second consecutive full season with Beermen in which he pitched very well in limited action.
Gonzales:  Often the first man out, he almost always kept the team in the game and finished with 5-1 record.