Several West Virginia Black Bears struggle below the Mendoza Line

Mendoza Line: A term used to refer to players who have a batting average under .200. The term was derived from light-hitting shortstop Mario Mendoza though Mendoza's career average was .215 (Source: Baseball Reference).

After 43 games, the West Virginia Black Bears find themselves with the second best record in the New York-Penn League (25-18) and 1 game out of first place in the Pinckney Division behind the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Pitching has been the key to the Black Bears success this season. Collectively, the Black Bears pitching staff is second in earned run average at 2.88 (Staten Island leads the league at 2.74) and the Bears’ staff leads the league in WHIP (walks/hits per inning pitched) at 1.11.

Hitting is another story. Although there are a few bright spots (Deon Stafford, Bligh Madris, Tristan Gray, Raul Siri), six current Black Bears are batting below the Mendoza line.

They are Brett Pope (.197/.279/.230), Sandy Santos (.195/.213/.273), Robbie Glendinning (.190/.358/.238), Chris Sharpe (.189/.291/.284), Julio De La Cruz (.169/.260/.231), and Dylan Busby (.158/.247/.224).

Michael De La Cruz would have made seven, but he was assigned to the Gulf Coast Pirates today (August 4).

It's Fireworks Friday as the Black Bears close out a four game home series tonight against the State College Spikes. They travel to Batavia for three games with the Muckdogs before returning to Monongalia County Ballpark on August 8, for a three game series with the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Photo Credit: The Stedler Report

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