The Edmonton Oil Kings farm team, the Edmonton Oil Kings, are
tied for the best overall record in the PVML with the New Iberia Swamp Rats,
both teams sporting 37-19 records.
The story has been the pitching. Youngsters Ben Harnisch, Jack Beck, Gus Gerken,
and Jeff Shaw have been outstanding. Harnisch is 8-0 with a 1.28 era. Beck is
7-2, 2.72 era. And Gerken 8-1, 1.72 era. And with the Major League Oil Kings
lamenting over their starting pitching, Harnisch and Gerken will be ready to
step in and play next season.
Offensively, the prduction has been spread out evenly. lf Mark Sweeney and ss
Mack Malarkey lead the club with 8 Hr's each. Malrkey leads in Rbi's with 34.
Overall, the Edmonton organization is very excited with 16 year old pitching
phenom-Jack Beck. "Heres a kid who is only 16, and he's 7-2 and a 2.72 era in
AAA. This kid should be playing in A ball. Amazing. He's got 2 great pitches
already- a pretty decent Fastball and a wonderful sinker. This kid will be
playing in the Majors in 2 years." I'm sure with the troubles of the Major
League Oil Kings, GM Sculac wouldn't mind seeing Beck in the Majors right now.
