Just like that, 2 months in the books.
- Halifax continues to have the best record in SLB, but is fighting off a resurgent Philly Fever team (whose 33-19 record is second best in the league). The power still isn't there for the Sailors, as team leader Brezovan (12 HR) hit just two long balls this month.
- Ireland was best in the WL a month ago, but has slumped to a 26-30 mark, trailing London by 4 games.
- Kyoto is now tops in the WL, and might have the best record in SLB if not for their 1-5 record head-to-head with Halifax. Luke Daughtery and Antonio Mule are #1 and #2 in the league in HR, and five players have 30 or more RBI. Jordan Auerbach (7-1, 2.40) is making a bid for Cy Young, and the bullpen has miraculously kept itself together.
- It's a dog fight in the South, where Savannah and Atlanta are neck and neck for the division lead. Both are fighting through injuries (Lemming, Brown for Atlanta, Johnson for Savannah).
- 11 teams have a team ERA under 5.00 right now, which is a positive trend over last season.
- Rookie watch (hitters): Virgil Johnson (BAL) .244, 5, 18, Simon Shelley (BED) .251, 11, 28, Nikco Clevenger (BED) .291, 7, 20, Jesse O'Byrne (KYO) .303, 8, 33, Calver Alkoa (PHI) .346, 12, 28, Robert Jamieson (PHI) .296, 9, 20, Ray Rice (SAV), .336, 4, 25, Mook Jockster (TAI) .276, 8, 27.
- Rookie watch (pitchers): Andy Topps (ATL) 4-4, 3.17, Chuck Johnson (CHNG) 2-1, 2.48, Tomakazu Kaise (KYO) 4-2, 4.26, Michael Casper (OSKA) 6-2, 3.38, Grady Laro (PAR) 2-4, 3.82, Holden Whitley (SAV) 3-4, 3.05.
Showing posts with label News and Notes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News and Notes. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
News & Notes - April 15, 2021
Week 2....
- Parity reigns supreme in the early going, as every team has won and lost at least 5 games (the exception being Halifax, who is 9-4).
- Homer Bailey is off to his usual brilliant start (1.35 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 3 starts), but he's just 1-0 thanks to some shoddy bullpen work. Relief pitching looks to be an issue for just about everyone in the league this season.
- Is Baltimore's Cole DeVries hiding an injury? He has been absolutely destroyed in his first 3 starts, compiling just 14 total innings while giving up 7 HR and 32 total baserunners.
- You can't stop Jock Johnson....you can only hope to contain him. Cleveland's young first baseman isn't exactly having a sophomore slump; how's a .523/.596/.955/1.551 line sound for the first 50ish plate appearances?
- Halifax's Yadel Marti is the latest pitch count victim, throwing 5 innings of perfect ball before being yanked.
- Kyoto (somehow) leads the league both in runs scored and team ERA. Please, please, PLEASE don't remind Charlie Gibson (2-0, 1.00) that he's Charlie Gibson (20-21, 5.46 career).
- Scotland's Neil Walker hit 4 HR in one game (Sunday). He had only hit 1 long ball in his first 13 games.
- Parity reigns supreme in the early going, as every team has won and lost at least 5 games (the exception being Halifax, who is 9-4).
- Homer Bailey is off to his usual brilliant start (1.35 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 3 starts), but he's just 1-0 thanks to some shoddy bullpen work. Relief pitching looks to be an issue for just about everyone in the league this season.
- Is Baltimore's Cole DeVries hiding an injury? He has been absolutely destroyed in his first 3 starts, compiling just 14 total innings while giving up 7 HR and 32 total baserunners.
- You can't stop Jock Johnson....you can only hope to contain him. Cleveland's young first baseman isn't exactly having a sophomore slump; how's a .523/.596/.955/1.551 line sound for the first 50ish plate appearances?
- Halifax's Yadel Marti is the latest pitch count victim, throwing 5 innings of perfect ball before being yanked.
- Kyoto (somehow) leads the league both in runs scored and team ERA. Please, please, PLEASE don't remind Charlie Gibson (2-0, 1.00) that he's Charlie Gibson (20-21, 5.46 career).
- Scotland's Neil Walker hit 4 HR in one game (Sunday). He had only hit 1 long ball in his first 13 games.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
News & Notes - April 8, 2021
Opening Week is behind us in the 2021 season. Let's seen what's shaking...
- Osaka has jumped out to a 5-1 record thanks to a team offense that is hitting .323 and has scored 44 runs (that's just under 7.5 runs/game). The pitching staff has a respectable 4.90 ERA early, but the Ronin's plan is to beat other teams senseless.
- Also 5-1 are the Sailors, though their success has come from the mound. The team has a 2.88 ERA early while the offense is more or less middle-of-the-pack.
- Kyoto has already had it's share of bad luck record-wise. The Bushido are #2 in runs scored and #3 in team ERA, but are just 4-3.
- So, is everyone on a pitch count early? First, Halifax's Bill Carroll is pulled after 6 innings of no-hit ball (the team gave up just 1 hit in the 2-0 victory), and then Cleveland's Mark McCormick was pulled after 7 innings of a PERFECT GAME.
- Osaka rookie SS Chico Corona seems to think he's the new Rickey Henderson, as he's swiped 10 bases in his first 6 games.
- Bad news in the first week for Cleveland; first, they learned that All-Star outfielder Tex Austin (who missed most of last season with a herniated disc) has had a set back and won't be ready until after the All Star Break. Then his replacement (Lum Blomberg) injured himself on Opening Day.
- Taipei starter Rudy Ruettiger not only gave up 3 runs and 6 hits in 5 innings this week, but he also wants to show you how to generate wealth.
- Osaka has jumped out to a 5-1 record thanks to a team offense that is hitting .323 and has scored 44 runs (that's just under 7.5 runs/game). The pitching staff has a respectable 4.90 ERA early, but the Ronin's plan is to beat other teams senseless.
- Also 5-1 are the Sailors, though their success has come from the mound. The team has a 2.88 ERA early while the offense is more or less middle-of-the-pack.
- Kyoto has already had it's share of bad luck record-wise. The Bushido are #2 in runs scored and #3 in team ERA, but are just 4-3.
- So, is everyone on a pitch count early? First, Halifax's Bill Carroll is pulled after 6 innings of no-hit ball (the team gave up just 1 hit in the 2-0 victory), and then Cleveland's Mark McCormick was pulled after 7 innings of a PERFECT GAME.
- Osaka rookie SS Chico Corona seems to think he's the new Rickey Henderson, as he's swiped 10 bases in his first 6 games.
- Bad news in the first week for Cleveland; first, they learned that All-Star outfielder Tex Austin (who missed most of last season with a herniated disc) has had a set back and won't be ready until after the All Star Break. Then his replacement (Lum Blomberg) injured himself on Opening Day.
- Taipei starter Rudy Ruettiger not only gave up 3 runs and 6 hits in 5 innings this week, but he also wants to show you how to generate wealth.
Monday, May 18, 2009
News & Notes - September 28, 2020
Just one week left....
- Four of the six playoff spots have been clinched, with only the South Division champ and AL Wildcard up for grabs. Halifax and Chiang-Mai clinched their division this week, while both Ireland and Scotland clinched playoff spots. Atlanta holds a seemingly safe 4.5 game lead with 6 games to go, while Cleveland is up 2.5 over Savannah for the WC spot.
- Osaka is 17 HR shy of the all time team record with 6 games to go. The Ronin have 5 of the top 7 in HR's this year.
- Of the 5 Osaka batters with 40 or more HR, only 2 have 100+ RBI (though the other 3 should get there by season's end).
- 23 batters have 100 or more RBI right now, 5 of which are rookies.
- RHOY is wide open right now, with literally a dozen good candidates for the award. Probably the best hitting rookie class in SLB history.
- RPOY is another story, with most rookie hurlers having rough years. The decision will likely come between a starter (Taipei's Myers) and a closer (Ireland's Sasaki).
- Cy Young seems like a foregone conclusion, as Atlanta's Homer Bailey is 19-1, 2.21, and most of his stats are off the charts.
- MVP is also wide open. Could be the closest vote in years.
- Four of the six playoff spots have been clinched, with only the South Division champ and AL Wildcard up for grabs. Halifax and Chiang-Mai clinched their division this week, while both Ireland and Scotland clinched playoff spots. Atlanta holds a seemingly safe 4.5 game lead with 6 games to go, while Cleveland is up 2.5 over Savannah for the WC spot.
- Osaka is 17 HR shy of the all time team record with 6 games to go. The Ronin have 5 of the top 7 in HR's this year.
- Of the 5 Osaka batters with 40 or more HR, only 2 have 100+ RBI (though the other 3 should get there by season's end).
- 23 batters have 100 or more RBI right now, 5 of which are rookies.
- RHOY is wide open right now, with literally a dozen good candidates for the award. Probably the best hitting rookie class in SLB history.
- RPOY is another story, with most rookie hurlers having rough years. The decision will likely come between a starter (Taipei's Myers) and a closer (Ireland's Sasaki).
- Cy Young seems like a foregone conclusion, as Atlanta's Homer Bailey is 19-1, 2.21, and most of his stats are off the charts.
- MVP is also wide open. Could be the closest vote in years.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
News & Notes - September 11, 2020
Getting close to the end here....
- Despite a pile of injuries, Halifax continues to hold a double digit lead in the North (and the best overall record in the league).
- After months in the last place, Atlanta has put on a successful surge and has passed everyone into first place in the south (albeit by a slim, 2.5 game lead on Savannah).
- The battle for the Euro rages on between Scotland and Ireland, with Ireland holding the narrow lead at the moment. Both teams are all but guaranteed playoff spots, but the winner of the division will get the all important first round bye.
- Chiang Mai seems to have seized control of the Far East. They've won 5 in a row and hold a 5.5 game lead over Kyoto. If they can play well in their remaining head-to-head games with the Bushido, they should be locked in for the playoffs.
- The Cleveland Dawgs hold a game and a half lead in the American Wildcard race. The Dawg offense has been explosive this past week; they scored 38 runs in a 3 game series with Philly, then averaged 8 runs per game against Baltimore. Despite the rush of offense, Cleveland is still just 6th in the league in runs.
- Taipei has played well the last 3 weeks to pull ahead of the floundering Ronin. The Tai Fong's young pitching looks solid heading into 2021.
- Out of nowhere, CHNG's Thurman Murman has stormed to the league RBI lead with 129. Second year Scotland OF Sakamoto is 2nd, despite starting the year on the bench.
- 2B Cap Jackson has nearly lapped the field in the stolen base department; he has 107, compared to Warren McFadden, who is second with 56.
- SS Diego Clemente may break the 9 year old walks record set by A-Rod in 2011 (83).
- 3B Chest Rockwell joined the 500 HR club.
- Despite a pile of injuries, Halifax continues to hold a double digit lead in the North (and the best overall record in the league).
- After months in the last place, Atlanta has put on a successful surge and has passed everyone into first place in the south (albeit by a slim, 2.5 game lead on Savannah).
- The battle for the Euro rages on between Scotland and Ireland, with Ireland holding the narrow lead at the moment. Both teams are all but guaranteed playoff spots, but the winner of the division will get the all important first round bye.
- Chiang Mai seems to have seized control of the Far East. They've won 5 in a row and hold a 5.5 game lead over Kyoto. If they can play well in their remaining head-to-head games with the Bushido, they should be locked in for the playoffs.
- The Cleveland Dawgs hold a game and a half lead in the American Wildcard race. The Dawg offense has been explosive this past week; they scored 38 runs in a 3 game series with Philly, then averaged 8 runs per game against Baltimore. Despite the rush of offense, Cleveland is still just 6th in the league in runs.
- Taipei has played well the last 3 weeks to pull ahead of the floundering Ronin. The Tai Fong's young pitching looks solid heading into 2021.
- Out of nowhere, CHNG's Thurman Murman has stormed to the league RBI lead with 129. Second year Scotland OF Sakamoto is 2nd, despite starting the year on the bench.
- 2B Cap Jackson has nearly lapped the field in the stolen base department; he has 107, compared to Warren McFadden, who is second with 56.
- SS Diego Clemente may break the 9 year old walks record set by A-Rod in 2011 (83).
- 3B Chest Rockwell joined the 500 HR club.
Monday, May 4, 2009
News & Notes - August 21, 2020
It's been a few weeks.....let's see what's shaking....
- Trade deadline came and went without much fanfare. Halifax made the only move of any significance, snagging SP Yadel Marti from Bedford.
- Despite losing 6 of their last 10, the Atlanta Flyers sit in first place in the South. Every team has a shot at this division, as last place Savannah is just 2 games out (and getting healthy).
- A resurgent Cleveland is back in the wildcard position, holding a 2 game advantage over San Juan. Should the Dawgs have made a move at the deadline to secure their position?
- Across the pond, Scotland and Ireland continue to fight it out in the Euro, though the Rebels have held first place for several weeks. Several of Ireland's hitters are candidates for ROY this year.
- In the Far East, the Kwaan and Bushido have both won 7 of their last 10, and just 1.5 games separate them for the division lead. Neither is above .500 yet.
- Kyoto rookie 2B Luke Daughetry saw an offensive explosion in July and August, and is now 2nd in the league in HR (39) and fourth in RBI (100). Other rookies of note are Ireland's Chmolak (7th in batting average), Paris' Peltz (second in SLG), Ireland's Pointer (first in doubles), and Ireland's Sasaki (first in saves, OpAvg, OpSLG and H/9).
- Prince Fielder (OSKA) now has 50 HR, 11 more than anyone else in the league. Bedford has 137 HR as a team.
- Chiang-Mai has 274 stolen bases, 92 more than London, who has the 2nd most at 182.
- Offense has been the story this year, as 9 of the 16 teams have ERA's over 5.00. Scouts are hoping the talented crop of collegiate pitchers will tip the balance over the next few years.
- Former (or current) Osaka Ronin hitters are the next three in line for 500 career HR. Chest Rockwell is at 498, Dave Peppers at 494, and Tony Montana at 489.
- Trade deadline came and went without much fanfare. Halifax made the only move of any significance, snagging SP Yadel Marti from Bedford.
- Despite losing 6 of their last 10, the Atlanta Flyers sit in first place in the South. Every team has a shot at this division, as last place Savannah is just 2 games out (and getting healthy).
- A resurgent Cleveland is back in the wildcard position, holding a 2 game advantage over San Juan. Should the Dawgs have made a move at the deadline to secure their position?
- Across the pond, Scotland and Ireland continue to fight it out in the Euro, though the Rebels have held first place for several weeks. Several of Ireland's hitters are candidates for ROY this year.
- In the Far East, the Kwaan and Bushido have both won 7 of their last 10, and just 1.5 games separate them for the division lead. Neither is above .500 yet.
- Kyoto rookie 2B Luke Daughetry saw an offensive explosion in July and August, and is now 2nd in the league in HR (39) and fourth in RBI (100). Other rookies of note are Ireland's Chmolak (7th in batting average), Paris' Peltz (second in SLG), Ireland's Pointer (first in doubles), and Ireland's Sasaki (first in saves, OpAvg, OpSLG and H/9).
- Prince Fielder (OSKA) now has 50 HR, 11 more than anyone else in the league. Bedford has 137 HR as a team.
- Chiang-Mai has 274 stolen bases, 92 more than London, who has the 2nd most at 182.
- Offense has been the story this year, as 9 of the 16 teams have ERA's over 5.00. Scouts are hoping the talented crop of collegiate pitchers will tip the balance over the next few years.
- Former (or current) Osaka Ronin hitters are the next three in line for 500 career HR. Chest Rockwell is at 498, Dave Peppers at 494, and Tony Montana at 489.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
News & Notes - July 23, 2020
Just over a week before we reach the trade deadline. Who's in it?
- The first wildcard standings went up today, and the difference between the two leagues is night and day. In the AL, every team in the league is within 6 games of the wildcard leading Dawgs, while in the WL, Ireland has a 9 1/2 game lead on 2nd place Kyoto.
- Likewise, the North Division is the only one where the first place team (Halifax) has a substantial lead (13 games). Every other division leader has just a 1/2 game lead on the 2nd place team.
- After being riddled with major injuries earlier in the year, the Savannah Sabers are just a couple of weeks from being full strength again. The Sabers are just 3 games out of first place, and should be getting Boog Johnson, Dontrelle Willis and Miggy Cabrera back over the next two weeks.
- When was the last time Darren Lemming wasn't in the top 10 in SLG in late July? By any other player's standards, Lemming's .328, 21, 72 line would be outstanding, but the future Hall of Famer is usually more dominant.
- Kyoto is 3rd in the league in home runs (167), but just 11th in total runs scored (476).
- Osaka is still in 1st place in the Far East, despite their starting rotation being a combined 3 games under .500.
- 2020's rookie class has hit 366 HR's so far this year.
- Dennis Dennis Jr. has joined the 700 doubles club. He sits at 701, which is 6th all time.
- Brett Myers (SJ) is 2nd among active pitchers in both K's (2814) and BB's (809).
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- The first wildcard standings went up today, and the difference between the two leagues is night and day. In the AL, every team in the league is within 6 games of the wildcard leading Dawgs, while in the WL, Ireland has a 9 1/2 game lead on 2nd place Kyoto.
- Likewise, the North Division is the only one where the first place team (Halifax) has a substantial lead (13 games). Every other division leader has just a 1/2 game lead on the 2nd place team.
- After being riddled with major injuries earlier in the year, the Savannah Sabers are just a couple of weeks from being full strength again. The Sabers are just 3 games out of first place, and should be getting Boog Johnson, Dontrelle Willis and Miggy Cabrera back over the next two weeks.
- When was the last time Darren Lemming wasn't in the top 10 in SLG in late July? By any other player's standards, Lemming's .328, 21, 72 line would be outstanding, but the future Hall of Famer is usually more dominant.
- Kyoto is 3rd in the league in home runs (167), but just 11th in total runs scored (476).
- Osaka is still in 1st place in the Far East, despite their starting rotation being a combined 3 games under .500.
- 2020's rookie class has hit 366 HR's so far this year.
- Dennis Dennis Jr. has joined the 700 doubles club. He sits at 701, which is 6th all time.
- Brett Myers (SJ) is 2nd among active pitchers in both K's (2814) and BB's (809).
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
News & Notes - July 9, 2020
Nearing the All-Star Break. How are things shaping up?
- Halifax continues to maintain its comfortable lead, but the rest of the American League is separated by just 9 games. Bedford's hot June (16-10) has them just 1.5 games out of the wildcard spot. The entire South Division is within 1.5 games of each other, and it looks like Atlanta could leap from last to first in one weekend.
- Atlanta's Homer Bailey had a no-hitter against San Juan through 8 1/3 innings, but couldn't complete the game due to a strained triceps muscle. Sports radio callers are calling him "soft" for taking himself out of the game, but how quickly they forget his 11-1, 2.48 mark this season.
- Ireland just can't shake Scotland, as their lead in the Euro stays at 1 game for the umpteenth week in a row. The Invader offense is covering for some deficiencies in the pitching (namely a lack of reliable 5th starter and some brutal middle relief). Can they shore up some of these issues on the trade market?
- Osaka's Prince Fielder has had a bit of a power outage recently, and teammate Ben Parker has almost caught up. Fielder leads the league with 35 round trippers, while Parker is at 32. Both have 78 RBI.
- Speaking of Osaka, they're back to .500. Golf clap.
- With Rookie League in full swing, I thought we'd look at how many rookies are in each organization in SLB. The results may surprise you:
- Halifax continues to maintain its comfortable lead, but the rest of the American League is separated by just 9 games. Bedford's hot June (16-10) has them just 1.5 games out of the wildcard spot. The entire South Division is within 1.5 games of each other, and it looks like Atlanta could leap from last to first in one weekend.
- Atlanta's Homer Bailey had a no-hitter against San Juan through 8 1/3 innings, but couldn't complete the game due to a strained triceps muscle. Sports radio callers are calling him "soft" for taking himself out of the game, but how quickly they forget his 11-1, 2.48 mark this season.
- Ireland just can't shake Scotland, as their lead in the Euro stays at 1 game for the umpteenth week in a row. The Invader offense is covering for some deficiencies in the pitching (namely a lack of reliable 5th starter and some brutal middle relief). Can they shore up some of these issues on the trade market?
- Osaka's Prince Fielder has had a bit of a power outage recently, and teammate Ben Parker has almost caught up. Fielder leads the league with 35 round trippers, while Parker is at 32. Both have 78 RBI.
- Speaking of Osaka, they're back to .500. Golf clap.
- With Rookie League in full swing, I thought we'd look at how many rookies are in each organization in SLB. The results may surprise you:
- BED - 24
- IRE - 23
- ATL - 22
- SAV - 21
- TAI - 21
- LON - 19
- BAL - 18
- PAR - 18
- PHI - 17
- SJ - 16
- CLE - 16
- HAL - 15
- OSKA - 12
- CHNG -9
- SCOT - 9
- KYO - 7
Thursday, April 9, 2009
News & Notes - June 29, 2020
Nearly 1/2 way through the season, and the Amateur Draft behind us. Lets' see what's shaking...
- The hottest two teams in the league are Bedford and Ireland. The Crunch have won 7 straight (and 8 of 10) to move to a game under .500 and 4 games behind the wildcard leading Dawgs. Ireland has won 5 straight (including a sweep of Kyoto) and hold a one game lead in the Euro.
- Scotland has kept up with Ireland in the Euro division race, but was dealt a serious blow this weekend when staff ace Felix Hernandez was lost for the season. "King" Felix was having arguably his best season since entering the league via the Supplemental Expansion Draft, going 9-2, 3.19 with 101 K's in 101 IP before bicep issues shut down his season.
Lefty Carlos Hernandez should be available in about a week for the Rebels, but expect them to look for starting pitching help before July's trade deadline.
- Chiang-Mai passed both Osaka and Kyoto this weekend in the "tallest midget" race in the Far East. All four teams in the division are at least 3 games under .500. The Kwaan swept Osaka, who has lost 6 straight, while Kyoto lost 3 in a row to Ireland.
- Atlanta ace Homer Bailey is doing his best Steve Carlton impersonation, racking up wins on a last place team. Bailey is 10-1 for the last place Flyers, accounting for nearly 1/3 of the teams' 36 victories.
- 37 pitchers were taken in this year's Amateur Draft, compared to just 9 position players. San Juan was the only team that did not select a pitcher this year.
- Ft. Wayne's Chris Lambert finished his fairytale season by setting the AAA record with 15 victories.
- The hottest two teams in the league are Bedford and Ireland. The Crunch have won 7 straight (and 8 of 10) to move to a game under .500 and 4 games behind the wildcard leading Dawgs. Ireland has won 5 straight (including a sweep of Kyoto) and hold a one game lead in the Euro.
- Scotland has kept up with Ireland in the Euro division race, but was dealt a serious blow this weekend when staff ace Felix Hernandez was lost for the season. "King" Felix was having arguably his best season since entering the league via the Supplemental Expansion Draft, going 9-2, 3.19 with 101 K's in 101 IP before bicep issues shut down his season.
Lefty Carlos Hernandez should be available in about a week for the Rebels, but expect them to look for starting pitching help before July's trade deadline.
- Chiang-Mai passed both Osaka and Kyoto this weekend in the "tallest midget" race in the Far East. All four teams in the division are at least 3 games under .500. The Kwaan swept Osaka, who has lost 6 straight, while Kyoto lost 3 in a row to Ireland.
- Atlanta ace Homer Bailey is doing his best Steve Carlton impersonation, racking up wins on a last place team. Bailey is 10-1 for the last place Flyers, accounting for nearly 1/3 of the teams' 36 victories.
- 37 pitchers were taken in this year's Amateur Draft, compared to just 9 position players. San Juan was the only team that did not select a pitcher this year.
- Ft. Wayne's Chris Lambert finished his fairytale season by setting the AAA record with 15 victories.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
News & Notes - June 8, 2020
- Amateur Draft should be arriving soon, probably June 17 of the schedule.
- Pythagorean records are amiss again. Bedford, who is nearly even in run differential, is 6 games under, while Kyoto, who is -18 in run diff., is .500.
- Scotland's hot/cold/hot streak is still going strong, as the Rebels have won 6 straight to pass Ireland for first place in the Euro. Ireland has lost 4 straight.
- League pitching continues to improve, as just 3 teams have team ERA's over 5.00. In April, over half of the teams were in the 5.00 range.
- Osaka's Prince Fielder has 30 home runs in 239 At-Bats (1 per 7.9 AB's). That's 30 HR in just 74 hits, meaning just 44 balls have landed safely in fair territory this year. He currently has a 9 HR lead over teammate Ben Parker, and is threatening to lap the field by season's end.
- Someone take the aluminum bat away from Len Thymne.
- 2019's #1 overall draft pick (SP Michael Casper) is just doing okay in his first season in Ft. Wayne. His control has been as good as advertised (just 13 BB's compared to 105 K's in 92 IP), but he's giving up a lot of hits, many of which are leaving the park. He'll be an interesting guy to keep an eye on.
- Quebec's Rick Clay has more triples (25) than doubles (17).
- Pythagorean records are amiss again. Bedford, who is nearly even in run differential, is 6 games under, while Kyoto, who is -18 in run diff., is .500.
- Scotland's hot/cold/hot streak is still going strong, as the Rebels have won 6 straight to pass Ireland for first place in the Euro. Ireland has lost 4 straight.
- League pitching continues to improve, as just 3 teams have team ERA's over 5.00. In April, over half of the teams were in the 5.00 range.
- Osaka's Prince Fielder has 30 home runs in 239 At-Bats (1 per 7.9 AB's). That's 30 HR in just 74 hits, meaning just 44 balls have landed safely in fair territory this year. He currently has a 9 HR lead over teammate Ben Parker, and is threatening to lap the field by season's end.
- Someone take the aluminum bat away from Len Thymne.
- 2019's #1 overall draft pick (SP Michael Casper) is just doing okay in his first season in Ft. Wayne. His control has been as good as advertised (just 13 BB's compared to 105 K's in 92 IP), but he's giving up a lot of hits, many of which are leaving the park. He'll be an interesting guy to keep an eye on.
- Quebec's Rick Clay has more triples (25) than doubles (17).
Thursday, March 26, 2009
News & Notes - June 1, 2020
- Scotland went from the hottest team in the league to the coldest. Not long after their 10 game win streak, the Rebels rattled off an 8 game losing streak. Losing Daniel Callahan for the year (PCL) won't help right the ship.
- Halifax has shaken off its slow start, and has now padded their lead over Cleveland to 4 games. The Sailors have a ton of injuries, but the pitching has really carried them through the past few weeks.
- Bedford has played much better in the past couple of weeks, thanks to a revived offense and some good starting pitching. They're making Atlanta regret releasing Al Krieger, as the former Flyer is 2-0 with the Crunch and has lowered his ERA to 4.26. Unfortunately, staff ace Ted Striker (7-3, 3.62) is out 2-3 months with a tricep tendon injury.
- Also staging a comeback of sorts is Chiang Mai, who has won 7 of their last 10 games and stands just 2.5 games out of first in the Far East. With Kyoto and Osaka treading water, now is the time for the Kwaan to make their move. Though their starting pitching has been spotty, Chiang Mai has sported one of the better bullpens in the league. Joe Belinda hitting over .400 doesn't hurt either.
- Slowest team in the league? Kyoto by a landslide. The entire team has just 2 triples and 18 stolen bases.
- Here's a stat you don't see every year: Osaka has more HR (119) than doubles (102).
- Halifax has shaken off its slow start, and has now padded their lead over Cleveland to 4 games. The Sailors have a ton of injuries, but the pitching has really carried them through the past few weeks.
- Bedford has played much better in the past couple of weeks, thanks to a revived offense and some good starting pitching. They're making Atlanta regret releasing Al Krieger, as the former Flyer is 2-0 with the Crunch and has lowered his ERA to 4.26. Unfortunately, staff ace Ted Striker (7-3, 3.62) is out 2-3 months with a tricep tendon injury.
- Also staging a comeback of sorts is Chiang Mai, who has won 7 of their last 10 games and stands just 2.5 games out of first in the Far East. With Kyoto and Osaka treading water, now is the time for the Kwaan to make their move. Though their starting pitching has been spotty, Chiang Mai has sported one of the better bullpens in the league. Joe Belinda hitting over .400 doesn't hurt either.
- Slowest team in the league? Kyoto by a landslide. The entire team has just 2 triples and 18 stolen bases.
- Here's a stat you don't see every year: Osaka has more HR (119) than doubles (102).
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
News & Notes - May 3, 2020
Around the league....
- Panic in Atlanta? After a 9-15 start, the Flyers front office made an unusually large number of roster moves in hopes of shaking the team out of its funk. Rookie starter Al Krieger (1-3) was released, with Fred Bordick getting the call up to fill his rotation spot. Con Brack, who was lost in the Rule 5 draft a few seasons back, was resigned to Charleston, as were longtime Bedford farmhands Bill Claire and Frank Dean. Bordick won his major league debut, allowing 3 ER in 7 1/3 IP despite walking 5.
- Chiang Mai got some much needed help on offense this week, as Trevor Bayne and Joe Belinda rejoined the lineup. Belinda went 5 for 11 with a HR and Bayne went 2 for 12 with a stolen base in the weekend series against Halifax. The Kwaan won 1 of the 3 contests.
- Cleveland and Scotland completed the first trade of the 2020 regular season, swapping a total of 6 pitchers in the deal. Scotland acquired starter Mike Miller, who is 0-2, 5.23 after signing a 3 year, $18 million deal with the Dawgs this winter, as well as relievers Mark Romanczuk and Brandon Durden. In exchange, Cleveland landed starter Ron Mexico, reliever Rudolph Quinonez, and prospect Hank Cole.
- Taipei holds onto 2nd place in the Far East, despite a lineup that won't hit and three rookies in the starting rotation. The Tai Fong are hitting just .240 as a team, with Hickey and Hildenbrand unable to find their groove. Derek Ballinger, the rookie filling in for the injured Chris Fetter, was blasted in his major league debut, but had a nice outing his 2nd time out.
- What happened to Scott Davis? The Baltimore hurler had a great minor league career, and put up a solid rookie season in 2019. Now he's 0-3 with an 11.72 ERA, giving up 40 hits and 9 walks in 25 IP. EDIT: Apparently the Panthers are fed up with Davis, and he has been moved to long relief. Jacob Voorhees was called up to take his rotation spot.
- The success of rookie Don Erickson (1B, BED) has spelled the end for Basil Elton-John, who was demoted to Detroit on Sunday. Basil never lived up to the hype (or the legacy of his father, Nigel, who hit 497 HR for the now defunct Simulated Baseball Association [SimBA]).
- London's Diego Clemente hasn't shown much power this season, but he has 20 walks (compared to 18 strikeouts), for a .397 OBP.
- Early front runners for ROY awards look to be RF Charlie Proly (SJ), who is hitting .358/.419/.600 with 5 HR and 25 RBI, and SP Mike Wolmers (CLE), who is 4-0, 1.24 with 27 K's and a sub-1.00 WHIP.
- Panic in Atlanta? After a 9-15 start, the Flyers front office made an unusually large number of roster moves in hopes of shaking the team out of its funk. Rookie starter Al Krieger (1-3) was released, with Fred Bordick getting the call up to fill his rotation spot. Con Brack, who was lost in the Rule 5 draft a few seasons back, was resigned to Charleston, as were longtime Bedford farmhands Bill Claire and Frank Dean. Bordick won his major league debut, allowing 3 ER in 7 1/3 IP despite walking 5.
- Chiang Mai got some much needed help on offense this week, as Trevor Bayne and Joe Belinda rejoined the lineup. Belinda went 5 for 11 with a HR and Bayne went 2 for 12 with a stolen base in the weekend series against Halifax. The Kwaan won 1 of the 3 contests.
- Cleveland and Scotland completed the first trade of the 2020 regular season, swapping a total of 6 pitchers in the deal. Scotland acquired starter Mike Miller, who is 0-2, 5.23 after signing a 3 year, $18 million deal with the Dawgs this winter, as well as relievers Mark Romanczuk and Brandon Durden. In exchange, Cleveland landed starter Ron Mexico, reliever Rudolph Quinonez, and prospect Hank Cole.
- Taipei holds onto 2nd place in the Far East, despite a lineup that won't hit and three rookies in the starting rotation. The Tai Fong are hitting just .240 as a team, with Hickey and Hildenbrand unable to find their groove. Derek Ballinger, the rookie filling in for the injured Chris Fetter, was blasted in his major league debut, but had a nice outing his 2nd time out.
- What happened to Scott Davis? The Baltimore hurler had a great minor league career, and put up a solid rookie season in 2019. Now he's 0-3 with an 11.72 ERA, giving up 40 hits and 9 walks in 25 IP. EDIT: Apparently the Panthers are fed up with Davis, and he has been moved to long relief. Jacob Voorhees was called up to take his rotation spot.
- The success of rookie Don Erickson (1B, BED) has spelled the end for Basil Elton-John, who was demoted to Detroit on Sunday. Basil never lived up to the hype (or the legacy of his father, Nigel, who hit 497 HR for the now defunct Simulated Baseball Association [SimBA]).
- London's Diego Clemente hasn't shown much power this season, but he has 20 walks (compared to 18 strikeouts), for a .397 OBP.
- Early front runners for ROY awards look to be RF Charlie Proly (SJ), who is hitting .358/.419/.600 with 5 HR and 25 RBI, and SP Mike Wolmers (CLE), who is 4-0, 1.24 with 27 K's and a sub-1.00 WHIP.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
News & Notes - April 27, 2020
Around the league this week...
- Darren Lemming finally hit a homer this week....
- ...but Atlanta is in last place in the South (and is tied for worst record in the league) due mostly to the failures of the starting rotation. Bailey has been his usually dominant self, but Krieger, Plantier and Delmas have been beaten around early on.
- Baltimore has roared to an 11-8 record despite it's three young starters having rough starts. Cepeda (5.96), Putnam (8.44) and Davis (11.74) are 3-6 combined, but the team has been bailed out by Romero and DeVries (plus some lights out bullpen work).
- The surprise team of the season so far remains Cleveland, who has cut their team ERA nearly in half from a year ago. Rookie Mark Wolmers continues to dazzle, starting his career 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA. Wolmers has a first round pick of Baltimore in 2019, but traded to Cleveland for Ricardo Romero. Free Agent Mark McCormick has also dominated (2-0, 1.13)
- We knew losing Prior, Verlander and Santana would hurt, but who expected Halifax's team ERA to bloom to 5.21? 2019 holdovers Kazmir, Miller and Graves have been rocked.
- Yes, Ireland has had as many as 6 rookies in their starting lineup, and they've taken the good (Chmolak, Cartee) with the bad (Miskik, Izumigawa) so far. Still, the team is over .500, thanks to Verlander picking up the pace and a revived bullpen (lead by rookie starter-turned-closer Yoshi Sasaki).
- Someone test Augustine Ortiz's urine, STAT.
- Osaka continues to be Bizarro World for pitchers; Sabathia's ERA is 6.00, while Greinke's is 1.93.
- Paris' William Bray (0-3, 10.65) is the early favorite for Goat of the Year.
- Ireland isn't the only team with a lot of rookie hitters; Savannah holds first place in the South thanks to the early contributions of guys like Giggie, Szucs and Hudnal.
- It's been a very different start for Taipei's two rookie starters; Mark Myers has hit the ground running, going 2-1, 2.86 early, while Rudy Ruettiger is getting destroyed (1-2, 12.00).
- Can we just give the Hitting Prospect of the Year award to San Juan's Len Thymne now? All he's done so far is hit .432/.563/.919 with 9 doubles, 9 HR, 29 RBI, and 21 walks in his first 85 PA's. That's Barry Bonds type numbers.
-
- Darren Lemming finally hit a homer this week....
- ...but Atlanta is in last place in the South (and is tied for worst record in the league) due mostly to the failures of the starting rotation. Bailey has been his usually dominant self, but Krieger, Plantier and Delmas have been beaten around early on.
- Baltimore has roared to an 11-8 record despite it's three young starters having rough starts. Cepeda (5.96), Putnam (8.44) and Davis (11.74) are 3-6 combined, but the team has been bailed out by Romero and DeVries (plus some lights out bullpen work).
- The surprise team of the season so far remains Cleveland, who has cut their team ERA nearly in half from a year ago. Rookie Mark Wolmers continues to dazzle, starting his career 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA. Wolmers has a first round pick of Baltimore in 2019, but traded to Cleveland for Ricardo Romero. Free Agent Mark McCormick has also dominated (2-0, 1.13)
- We knew losing Prior, Verlander and Santana would hurt, but who expected Halifax's team ERA to bloom to 5.21? 2019 holdovers Kazmir, Miller and Graves have been rocked.
- Yes, Ireland has had as many as 6 rookies in their starting lineup, and they've taken the good (Chmolak, Cartee) with the bad (Miskik, Izumigawa) so far. Still, the team is over .500, thanks to Verlander picking up the pace and a revived bullpen (lead by rookie starter-turned-closer Yoshi Sasaki).
- Someone test Augustine Ortiz's urine, STAT.
- Osaka continues to be Bizarro World for pitchers; Sabathia's ERA is 6.00, while Greinke's is 1.93.
- Paris' William Bray (0-3, 10.65) is the early favorite for Goat of the Year.
- Ireland isn't the only team with a lot of rookie hitters; Savannah holds first place in the South thanks to the early contributions of guys like Giggie, Szucs and Hudnal.
- It's been a very different start for Taipei's two rookie starters; Mark Myers has hit the ground running, going 2-1, 2.86 early, while Rudy Ruettiger is getting destroyed (1-2, 12.00).
- Can we just give the Hitting Prospect of the Year award to San Juan's Len Thymne now? All he's done so far is hit .432/.563/.919 with 9 doubles, 9 HR, 29 RBI, and 21 walks in his first 85 PA's. That's Barry Bonds type numbers.
-
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
News & Notes - April 13, 2020
Let's see what's happening in the first week of the 2020 season:
- Kyoto has brought the bats AND the pitching, scoring 42 runs in the first 7 games while the starting rotation has posted 7 quality starts. Les Beltre is 0-1 despite a 0.00 ERA (think unearned runs).
- The London vs. Chiang-Mai series was an injury fest, with five players knocked out between the two teams.
- Speaking of injuries, Halifax center fielder Gary Hamm fractured a bone in his neck sliding head first into 2nd base and is effectively out for the year.
- Have we ever seen a worse start for a pitching staff than this season's Osaka staff? They've given up 26 long balls in 66 IP, and the staff WHIP is nearly 2.00. Unbelievable.
- Halifax ace Scott Kazmir has been rocked in his first 2 outings, putting up a 9.00 ERA while surrendering 18 hits (3 HR) in 10 IP.
- After a promising September (and Spring Training), Ireland's rookie hitters are off to a slow start. The team is 4-3, but could be the break out team of the year if the hitting gets going.
- Rough week for Taipei newcomer Alex Hildenbrand. The former Dawg is just 2 for 25, both singles, for an 0.80/.148/.080 line in the first week.
- Kyoto has brought the bats AND the pitching, scoring 42 runs in the first 7 games while the starting rotation has posted 7 quality starts. Les Beltre is 0-1 despite a 0.00 ERA (think unearned runs).
- The London vs. Chiang-Mai series was an injury fest, with five players knocked out between the two teams.
- Speaking of injuries, Halifax center fielder Gary Hamm fractured a bone in his neck sliding head first into 2nd base and is effectively out for the year.
- Have we ever seen a worse start for a pitching staff than this season's Osaka staff? They've given up 26 long balls in 66 IP, and the staff WHIP is nearly 2.00. Unbelievable.
- Halifax ace Scott Kazmir has been rocked in his first 2 outings, putting up a 9.00 ERA while surrendering 18 hits (3 HR) in 10 IP.
- After a promising September (and Spring Training), Ireland's rookie hitters are off to a slow start. The team is 4-3, but could be the break out team of the year if the hitting gets going.
- Rough week for Taipei newcomer Alex Hildenbrand. The former Dawg is just 2 for 25, both singles, for an 0.80/.148/.080 line in the first week.
Monday, January 28, 2008
News and Notes: Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Around SLB this week:
- SJ, having stretched their lead in the South to 5 games, got two 1st round picks in the 2017 amateur draft. They grabbed LHP Anthony Rodriguez (AUB) first overall and with the 10th pick took 3B Tyler Diggins (ND). Said a rival GM anonymously, "Rodgriguez was a solid pick. He looks like he could be at worst, a #3 guy. Maybe a solid #1. I'm shocked though, at the Diggins pick. Did they really need a third baseman that badly? We didn't have him in our top 30 - thought he was a good college player, not a great one and we didn't see much there in room for growth."
- TAI, up to #2 with the trade of LF A Mule to KYO, took LHP R Ruettigger (ND). "He throws hard, has good stuff but mentally he just loses focus. If things start badly, be it a game, series or even a season, it gets to him and it all falls apart," said a Tai Fong scout. "I argued against it, I thought we needed a high-ceiling, no risk pick and he seems a little risky to me." The 12th pick had TAI selecting reliever Dave Calvo (UCI). "We really like this guy," said GM Dylan Goforth. "He's going to be part of our 'pen for a long, long time. He just goes out and gets the job done."
- CLE, 1-9 in their last 10, also grabbed a left-handed starter, Dellin Betances (MIA). According to the Tai Fong scout, "Betances can't get right-handed batters out, and he could get by in college but that won't happen at the big league level. Cleveland got a 5th starter with the 3rd pick. He didn't fool us."
- SCO, falling off the pace in the Euro is now in a struggle to maintain wildcard position. With the 4th pick, the Rebels landed RF Pablo Mattisse (UNC). "We're delighted. We can't believe this guy fell to us, we were watching the draft board and when the National Player of the Year lands in your lap ... outstanding. He holds the record for RBI's in the NCAA and we've got a run producer," said the already celebrating SCO GM Carmelo Guarneri.
- IRE, losers are 4 straight and trying to push LON into the Euro basement, selected C J Berry (CONN). Berry, who never hit like scouts expected, are obviously still high on the sweet swinging right-handed hitting catcher. "I don't know why he didn't put up big numbers but he was too good to pass up. A rifle of an arm too," said IRE GM Tony Blake. "We'll find a spot for him, somehow." The Invaders have catchers Al Murphy and Earl Hickey on their roster right now and may be forced to trade one of the three.
- OSA, first place in the Far East, took a CF out of ND with their pick. "Andy Bokelman? Really?", said the Tai Fong scout. "He doesn't really seem like a Ronin type of hitter, in fact, I'm not sure why any team would take this guy with their first rounder. Sometimes, a team has a thing or a bias for a certain school. Certainly seems to be the case here."
- BED, picking 7th, chose yet another left-handed starter, Hunter Johnson (TUL). A World GM noted that they had Johnson ranked 1st on their board. "You really have to get lucky sometimes. This guy should've been number 1 and a couple teams really screwed up to let him go to Bedford."
- HAL, in a North dogfight with CLE and BED, went with LF Sam Archibald (HOU)with the 8th pick. GM Lars Cain said, "He's a real fun player to watch, a guy that gives his all out there and we're happy to get him. He's been an All-American three years running."
- SAV, who has been creeping up on SJ all month, selected 2B Dom Giggie (CMU) 10th. "Well, that's not quite as bad as Bokelman to Osaka," laughed a South GM. "But the Sabers have middle infield issues and he'll probably get a shot by next season."
- PAR, far ahead of the pack in the World League, took RF Shoo Sasaki (LSU) 11th overall. "You knew someone was going to give this guy a shot, right?" said a Euro scout. "They can afford to gamble. You can totally knock a wood bat out of this kids hands but his eye-hand coordination is incredible right now. He's a bit of a project but I like the risky move."
- PHI, picking 13th, had SS Adrian Cardenas (AUB) fall hard and land square on their draft table. "We needed a little boost right now," said a Fever scout. "What a break! We just got our shortstop for the next 10 years and that really helps our rebuilding project. We weren't sure anyone good would be left this late."
- The 15th and 16th picks to end the first round both went to HAL. CF Gary Hamm (MICH) "was an All-American last season and has more of the all-around talent we saw in Archibald. We may have to move him out of centre because of his arm but we think he'll be a heckuva player," said HAL GM Lars Cain. RP Greg Moore (HOU) will be "more of a project. If he can get a second pitch off his fastball, he'll be set," sent the Tai Fong scout.
Friday, January 25, 2008
News and Notes: Friday, June 9, 2017
Around SLB this week:
- The 2017 Amateur Draft should be coming up in the next couple of days. Get your lists ready. Three rounds of 16 - the sooner your lists are in, the quicker games can resume.
- OSA fell a little closer to the pack in the Far East, dropping all 3 games to SJ. The Senadores scored 39 runs and gave up 18. Fourteen HR were hit by SJ and GM Bill Gluvna is now lobbying ownership and the league to consider moving the franchise to Japan.
- Just curious: After having their AAA team in Mexico City in 2004-05, HAL was asked to move their AAA franchise because supposedly, the high average (.324 in 2004) and high HR totals (243 in 2005) skewed stats and damaged the integrity of the league. 1B P Fielder of Mexico still holds the minor league record with 43 bombs. Yet the team record for SLB homeruns has been set by OSA (374 in 2014), the individual record by an OSA player (72 in 2014) and the Ronin have led the league in homeruns by 47 (2016), 61 (2015), 142 (2014), and 77 (2013). They are the only team to hit over 300 HR in a season and have done so 4 seasons in a row. The individual HR leader has been from OSA the past 4 seasons as well. Where is the outrage now?
- There are two teams with remarkably low slugging percentages: TAI is at .380, KYO at .393. The Tai Fong's leader in slugging is LF E Dalton (and former Bushido) at .521. LF A Mule of KYO leads his team with his .533 mark.
- KYO took 2 of 3 from ATL , another blow to the Flyers season. ATL is 3.5 games back of third place BAL in the South. "We really spanked Zambrano in the second game," said Manager Bobby Valentine. "I thought we came out a little flat in game three, the guys knew they had the series won and relaxed against Zito. You just can't do that. Savannah comes here next and even though its only June, every game is important."
- Despite getting shutout in 10 innings in Game 1 v LON, BAL took the next two games and are 7-3 in their last 10. The Knights had RHP J Weaver on the mound for Game 2 and saw his typical performance: 7 innings, 13 hits, 2 walks and 7 ER. Weaver has given up 15 HR in 13 starts (68 IP).
- CHNG took 2 of 3 from PHI, the two wins both taking place in extra innings and decided by one run. The Kwaan lost the fina game 9-7 but are just 4 back of OSA. The Fever's loser in both extra inning games was LHP M Buehrle, totalling 2 IP, 5 hits and 2 ER. Buehrle's corpse is now 0-6, 8.62.
- Despite SCO taking 2 of 3 from HAL, PAR is on the verge of running away and hiding with their 7-game winning streak. The Pimpernels swept BED behind CF R Robinson's 8-12, 4 HR, 2 doubles and a stolen base.
- The 2017 Amateur Draft should be coming up in the next couple of days. Get your lists ready. Three rounds of 16 - the sooner your lists are in, the quicker games can resume.
- OSA fell a little closer to the pack in the Far East, dropping all 3 games to SJ. The Senadores scored 39 runs and gave up 18. Fourteen HR were hit by SJ and GM Bill Gluvna is now lobbying ownership and the league to consider moving the franchise to Japan.
- Just curious: After having their AAA team in Mexico City in 2004-05, HAL was asked to move their AAA franchise because supposedly, the high average (.324 in 2004) and high HR totals (243 in 2005) skewed stats and damaged the integrity of the league. 1B P Fielder of Mexico still holds the minor league record with 43 bombs. Yet the team record for SLB homeruns has been set by OSA (374 in 2014), the individual record by an OSA player (72 in 2014) and the Ronin have led the league in homeruns by 47 (2016), 61 (2015), 142 (2014), and 77 (2013). They are the only team to hit over 300 HR in a season and have done so 4 seasons in a row. The individual HR leader has been from OSA the past 4 seasons as well. Where is the outrage now?
- There are two teams with remarkably low slugging percentages: TAI is at .380, KYO at .393. The Tai Fong's leader in slugging is LF E Dalton (and former Bushido) at .521. LF A Mule of KYO leads his team with his .533 mark.
- KYO took 2 of 3 from ATL , another blow to the Flyers season. ATL is 3.5 games back of third place BAL in the South. "We really spanked Zambrano in the second game," said Manager Bobby Valentine. "I thought we came out a little flat in game three, the guys knew they had the series won and relaxed against Zito. You just can't do that. Savannah comes here next and even though its only June, every game is important."
- Despite getting shutout in 10 innings in Game 1 v LON, BAL took the next two games and are 7-3 in their last 10. The Knights had RHP J Weaver on the mound for Game 2 and saw his typical performance: 7 innings, 13 hits, 2 walks and 7 ER. Weaver has given up 15 HR in 13 starts (68 IP).
- CHNG took 2 of 3 from PHI, the two wins both taking place in extra innings and decided by one run. The Kwaan lost the fina game 9-7 but are just 4 back of OSA. The Fever's loser in both extra inning games was LHP M Buehrle, totalling 2 IP, 5 hits and 2 ER. Buehrle's corpse is now 0-6, 8.62.
- Despite SCO taking 2 of 3 from HAL, PAR is on the verge of running away and hiding with their 7-game winning streak. The Pimpernels swept BED behind CF R Robinson's 8-12, 4 HR, 2 doubles and a stolen base.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
News and Notes: Friday, June 2, 2017
Around SLB this week:
- BED is unstoppable and has the best record in (has that ever been written before? ed.) SLB after 56 games. The Crunch swept SCO, giving up a total of 4 runs in three games, and RF M Bradley went 6-12 with 4 doubles. Game 2 saw Bradley have yet another run in with the firstbase umpire after being called out on the back end of a double play and came very close to ejection.
- KYO's lack of team speed again this season is apparent to most rival scouts. The Bushido have hit into 44 DP's (3rd most) and have just 5 triples (fewest in SLB). Making matters worse is the total lack of respect for C K Thibault's arm - opposing teams have stolen 72 SB off KYO, second most in the league. SS B BooYa has managed to steal 17 bases despite his .270 OBP.
- "Hey, we're slow too!" BAL has managed just 15 steals as a team(!) and has 39 GIDP. There are 11 players in SLB with at least 16 stolen bases.
- Meet the Slowskys: KYO C Kiel Thibault has 10 GIDP, PAR 3B Yuliesky Gourriel has 11 GIDP and SCO 1B Henry Sanchez has 12 GIDP.
- IRE didn't lie down for SJ, taking 2 of 3 from the streaking Senadores in Puerto Rico. Back-to-back gems by right-hander J Beckett and T Kawabata totaled 15K in 12.2 IP. The Invaders are tied with LON for 3rd (or last), 7 back of PAR.
- Last season, PHI LF Andy Hunter hit .318 with 41 HR and a 1.001 OPS. This season, the 28 year-old Fever player is hitting .182 with 11 HR and a .604 OPS. Last seasons World Series finalists are 24-34, 14 games out and in 4th in the North.
- BAL SP D Tankersley is making just 7M for this season and next. Brought back to the Panthers to help guide their young pitchers, Tankersley has done all of that and more. He leads the league in IP (92) and has a sparkling 2.35 ERA.
- BED is unstoppable and has the best record in (has that ever been written before? ed.) SLB after 56 games. The Crunch swept SCO, giving up a total of 4 runs in three games, and RF M Bradley went 6-12 with 4 doubles. Game 2 saw Bradley have yet another run in with the firstbase umpire after being called out on the back end of a double play and came very close to ejection.
- KYO's lack of team speed again this season is apparent to most rival scouts. The Bushido have hit into 44 DP's (3rd most) and have just 5 triples (fewest in SLB). Making matters worse is the total lack of respect for C K Thibault's arm - opposing teams have stolen 72 SB off KYO, second most in the league. SS B BooYa has managed to steal 17 bases despite his .270 OBP.
- "Hey, we're slow too!" BAL has managed just 15 steals as a team(!) and has 39 GIDP. There are 11 players in SLB with at least 16 stolen bases.
- Meet the Slowskys: KYO C Kiel Thibault has 10 GIDP, PAR 3B Yuliesky Gourriel has 11 GIDP and SCO 1B Henry Sanchez has 12 GIDP.
- IRE didn't lie down for SJ, taking 2 of 3 from the streaking Senadores in Puerto Rico. Back-to-back gems by right-hander J Beckett and T Kawabata totaled 15K in 12.2 IP. The Invaders are tied with LON for 3rd (or last), 7 back of PAR.
- Last season, PHI LF Andy Hunter hit .318 with 41 HR and a 1.001 OPS. This season, the 28 year-old Fever player is hitting .182 with 11 HR and a .604 OPS. Last seasons World Series finalists are 24-34, 14 games out and in 4th in the North.
- BAL SP D Tankersley is making just 7M for this season and next. Brought back to the Panthers to help guide their young pitchers, Tankersley has done all of that and more. He leads the league in IP (92) and has a sparkling 2.35 ERA.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
News and Notes: Friday, May 26, 2017
Around SLB this week:
- PAR is the hottest team in SLB right now (8-2 in their last 10) with 5 wins in a row. They moved to 2 games up on SCO in the Euro with 2 wins each over TAI and KYO, allowing just 5 runs in the four games. 3B S Dinkman went 9-18 with 2 doubles and a triple and is now hitting .352 on the season.
- Moving in the opposite direction is the former Far East leading KYO. The Bushido have fallen to third place and are now closer to last than first. The Bushido have the 4th lowest ERA (4.03) but can't hit - .230 is the lowest team batting average in SLB by 16 points.
- OSA has crushed its way to a 10 game lead and gets LF R Brown back in under a month. Brown hit 50 HR last season but had just 3 AB's in 2017. Despite being a hitters mecca, 7 teams have a worse ERA than OSA (4.64).
- CHNG 2B Cap Jackson rehabbed successfully from a broken neck and is playing the best baseball of his career. Jackson is at .281 (career .254) with 27 SB. But the Kwaan continue to struggle with LF J Belinda 58 points under his career average and only 4 HR and the 4th worst ERA in SLB (4.88).
- Is ATL finally making their move? The Flyers have played .500 their past 10 and are now just a half game back of third place BAL. "If you're going to play lousy baseball it's better to do it now then in September," said hitting coach Dennis Dennis Sr. "San Juan hasn't been able to run away and hide yet. We'll be there at the end of the year, mark my words."
- SJ's RP Edwin Jackson is up to his old tricks. He's once again the league leader in saves (12) with a 2.35 ERA. "Our guys think he's back to doctoring the ball," said ATL hitting coach Dennis Dennis Sr. "We just faced him on Tuesday and he's pitching like he was last year - not like he was doing earlier in the year. We'll catch him, don't worry. He'll get his comeuppance, if you will."
- CLE split a 2-game series with PHI and then followed HAL's lead by mistreating BAL. The Dawgs are a surprising 29-20 and just 2.5 out of first in the North. CF D Stubbs has been a total bust in Cleveland and has been sent to work on his game and mindset in AAA. "We knew he was a .300 hitter," said Manager Joe Torre. "We just didn't think it would be in Triple-A."
- PAR is the hottest team in SLB right now (8-2 in their last 10) with 5 wins in a row. They moved to 2 games up on SCO in the Euro with 2 wins each over TAI and KYO, allowing just 5 runs in the four games. 3B S Dinkman went 9-18 with 2 doubles and a triple and is now hitting .352 on the season.
- Moving in the opposite direction is the former Far East leading KYO. The Bushido have fallen to third place and are now closer to last than first. The Bushido have the 4th lowest ERA (4.03) but can't hit - .230 is the lowest team batting average in SLB by 16 points.
- OSA has crushed its way to a 10 game lead and gets LF R Brown back in under a month. Brown hit 50 HR last season but had just 3 AB's in 2017. Despite being a hitters mecca, 7 teams have a worse ERA than OSA (4.64).
- CHNG 2B Cap Jackson rehabbed successfully from a broken neck and is playing the best baseball of his career. Jackson is at .281 (career .254) with 27 SB. But the Kwaan continue to struggle with LF J Belinda 58 points under his career average and only 4 HR and the 4th worst ERA in SLB (4.88).
- Is ATL finally making their move? The Flyers have played .500 their past 10 and are now just a half game back of third place BAL. "If you're going to play lousy baseball it's better to do it now then in September," said hitting coach Dennis Dennis Sr. "San Juan hasn't been able to run away and hide yet. We'll be there at the end of the year, mark my words."
- SJ's RP Edwin Jackson is up to his old tricks. He's once again the league leader in saves (12) with a 2.35 ERA. "Our guys think he's back to doctoring the ball," said ATL hitting coach Dennis Dennis Sr. "We just faced him on Tuesday and he's pitching like he was last year - not like he was doing earlier in the year. We'll catch him, don't worry. He'll get his comeuppance, if you will."
- CLE split a 2-game series with PHI and then followed HAL's lead by mistreating BAL. The Dawgs are a surprising 29-20 and just 2.5 out of first in the North. CF D Stubbs has been a total bust in Cleveland and has been sent to work on his game and mindset in AAA. "We knew he was a .300 hitter," said Manager Joe Torre. "We just didn't think it would be in Triple-A."
Thursday, January 17, 2008
News and Notes: Monday, May 15, 2017
Around SLB this week:
- BAL was 18-7 early this season. That seems so long ago, as the Panthers dropped 15 straight before winning their final game v PAR Sunday night. BAL has scored the 7th most runs but have the 5th worst ERA (4.94), in which most of the embarrassing performances are coming from the bullpen. Among the starters though, LHP Oliver Perez has just 2 QS in 8 opportunities.
- TAI continued their strategy of "Winning? Not interested, thanks" after dealing RP F Rodney (3.27 ERA)to ATL in a multi-player swap. After the trade was announced, SP R Mexico went ballistic in the dressing room. "Let's face it, we're a farm team. We'll draft guys and when they develop, trade them to a real team. I know I'll be out of here too - if they don't trade me I'll walk at the end of the year. We should change our team colors to all-white 'cause from management on down, we just @#*%ing surrender."
- The Nick Swisher experiment has ended in BED. After going 2-7 with a double and HR in three games v CHNG, GM Rich Gin traded their big free-agent signing to SCO for AAA 3B R Zimmerman. Zimmerman was hitting .312 in Stockholm while Swisher was hitting .250 with 5 HR for the Crunch.
- At 15-25, ATL is 12.5 back of red hot SJ. SJ is 17-2 in their last 19 buy GM J Masters of the Flyers isn't backing down. Sources inside the Flyers head office say Masters is going ahead with plans to print tickets for not just the playoffs but the World Series as well. "We think it's premature but he's confident in his team. He's dug himself a hole ... but with Zambrano getting his ERA down (4.11 ed) he thinks we're a lock. If we disagree with him in private or in public, he sacks us."
- In HAL's 2 game sweep of ATL before sweeping doormat TAI, the Sailors lost 2B (and RHOY favourite) for 4-6 months. Reporters couldn't get GM Lars Cain to comment but did hear constant sobbing coming from the GM's office.
- KYO's 2 big free agent signings aren't faring too well. RF J Reed (8M per) is hitting just .234 with a .649 OPS on a team that needs him desperately to provide offense. And 35 year-old SP J Peavy has a 5.80 ERA with 74 baserunners in 50 IP.
- Preseason favourite LON was the latest victim of SJ and has now lost 5 straight. After winning 97 games last year and adding RF D Young, the Knights are now last in the Euro, 6 games back of SCO.
- BAL was 18-7 early this season. That seems so long ago, as the Panthers dropped 15 straight before winning their final game v PAR Sunday night. BAL has scored the 7th most runs but have the 5th worst ERA (4.94), in which most of the embarrassing performances are coming from the bullpen. Among the starters though, LHP Oliver Perez has just 2 QS in 8 opportunities.
- TAI continued their strategy of "Winning? Not interested, thanks" after dealing RP F Rodney (3.27 ERA)to ATL in a multi-player swap. After the trade was announced, SP R Mexico went ballistic in the dressing room. "Let's face it, we're a farm team. We'll draft guys and when they develop, trade them to a real team. I know I'll be out of here too - if they don't trade me I'll walk at the end of the year. We should change our team colors to all-white 'cause from management on down, we just @#*%ing surrender."
- The Nick Swisher experiment has ended in BED. After going 2-7 with a double and HR in three games v CHNG, GM Rich Gin traded their big free-agent signing to SCO for AAA 3B R Zimmerman. Zimmerman was hitting .312 in Stockholm while Swisher was hitting .250 with 5 HR for the Crunch.
- At 15-25, ATL is 12.5 back of red hot SJ. SJ is 17-2 in their last 19 buy GM J Masters of the Flyers isn't backing down. Sources inside the Flyers head office say Masters is going ahead with plans to print tickets for not just the playoffs but the World Series as well. "We think it's premature but he's confident in his team. He's dug himself a hole ... but with Zambrano getting his ERA down (4.11 ed) he thinks we're a lock. If we disagree with him in private or in public, he sacks us."
- In HAL's 2 game sweep of ATL before sweeping doormat TAI, the Sailors lost 2B (and RHOY favourite) for 4-6 months. Reporters couldn't get GM Lars Cain to comment but did hear constant sobbing coming from the GM's office.
- KYO's 2 big free agent signings aren't faring too well. RF J Reed (8M per) is hitting just .234 with a .649 OPS on a team that needs him desperately to provide offense. And 35 year-old SP J Peavy has a 5.80 ERA with 74 baserunners in 50 IP.
- Preseason favourite LON was the latest victim of SJ and has now lost 5 straight. After winning 97 games last year and adding RF D Young, the Knights are now last in the Euro, 6 games back of SCO.
Monday, January 14, 2008
News and Notes: Friday, May 5, 2017
Around SLB this week:
- Although LON's SS J Reyes was struggling to start the season, the Knights certainly didn't want to be without him for any length of time. But in Wednesday's win against PAR, Reyes fractured his hip sliding safely into second base (his 3rd double of the game). Reyes, a career .302 hitter with 496 SB's, is out for 2-3 months. "Not what the team needed right now," said Reyes. "And I'm a free agent after this season and really wanted to put up some numbers to help the team win." Look for Knights GM Sean O'Hallaran to explore the trade market rather than go with 24 year-old T Hernandez, a career .218 hitter with a .267 slugging percentage.
- TAI has the second worst team ERA (5.49) due to horrible, and not entirely unexpected, showings by pitchers T Unger, T Redding, J Palm, P Tsamis, J Davis and T Johnson, all of whom have ERA's 5.40 or greater. "That makes it tough to win ballgames," said Manager Billy Heywood. "But when you get shutout twice in the last four games, that doesn't help either." The Tai Fong scored a total of 6 runs in their past 4 games.
- TAI has hit 25 HR as a team. OSA's C Rockwell and T Montana have hit a combined 24. The Ronin, 6-4 in their last 10, are just a half game back of KYO in the Far East.
- As expected, KYO's LF A Mule is raking for the Bushido (.328, 8 HR) but he can't make up for the miserable performances by SS B BooYa (.234), 3B E See (.225) and RF J Reed (.246). The bench players aren't providing any help either, and KYO is 14th in runs scored.
- BAL's slide (6 straight losses) has coincided with SJ's hot streak (8-2 in their last 10). SJ is now a game up in the South. The Senadores have a huge lead in the SB department, with 69. CHNG and LON are tied for 2nd with 39 apiece.
- Despite a whopping 5.82 ERA, PAR is tied for 1st in the Euro. The Pimpernels have scored the most runs in SLB (188) and are second to OSA in HR with 51.
- Last in runs scored so far is .... ATL (111)? The 9-21 Flyers (last in the South) are getting a monster season out of CF D Lemming (1.137 OPS) who may still be a candidate for MVP even if the Flyers continue to flounder.
- BED continues to mash (46 HR and 4th in RS)and now has a 1.5 game lead in the North. CF T Johnson is the only player to appear on both the HR leader list (T-3rd) and SB leader list (T-7th). In fact, the only categories where Johnson doesn't appear are: doubles, RBI's, walks and strikeouts.
- Although LON's SS J Reyes was struggling to start the season, the Knights certainly didn't want to be without him for any length of time. But in Wednesday's win against PAR, Reyes fractured his hip sliding safely into second base (his 3rd double of the game). Reyes, a career .302 hitter with 496 SB's, is out for 2-3 months. "Not what the team needed right now," said Reyes. "And I'm a free agent after this season and really wanted to put up some numbers to help the team win." Look for Knights GM Sean O'Hallaran to explore the trade market rather than go with 24 year-old T Hernandez, a career .218 hitter with a .267 slugging percentage.
- TAI has the second worst team ERA (5.49) due to horrible, and not entirely unexpected, showings by pitchers T Unger, T Redding, J Palm, P Tsamis, J Davis and T Johnson, all of whom have ERA's 5.40 or greater. "That makes it tough to win ballgames," said Manager Billy Heywood. "But when you get shutout twice in the last four games, that doesn't help either." The Tai Fong scored a total of 6 runs in their past 4 games.
- TAI has hit 25 HR as a team. OSA's C Rockwell and T Montana have hit a combined 24. The Ronin, 6-4 in their last 10, are just a half game back of KYO in the Far East.
- As expected, KYO's LF A Mule is raking for the Bushido (.328, 8 HR) but he can't make up for the miserable performances by SS B BooYa (.234), 3B E See (.225) and RF J Reed (.246). The bench players aren't providing any help either, and KYO is 14th in runs scored.
- BAL's slide (6 straight losses) has coincided with SJ's hot streak (8-2 in their last 10). SJ is now a game up in the South. The Senadores have a huge lead in the SB department, with 69. CHNG and LON are tied for 2nd with 39 apiece.
- Despite a whopping 5.82 ERA, PAR is tied for 1st in the Euro. The Pimpernels have scored the most runs in SLB (188) and are second to OSA in HR with 51.
- Last in runs scored so far is .... ATL (111)? The 9-21 Flyers (last in the South) are getting a monster season out of CF D Lemming (1.137 OPS) who may still be a candidate for MVP even if the Flyers continue to flounder.
- BED continues to mash (46 HR and 4th in RS)and now has a 1.5 game lead in the North. CF T Johnson is the only player to appear on both the HR leader list (T-3rd) and SB leader list (T-7th). In fact, the only categories where Johnson doesn't appear are: doubles, RBI's, walks and strikeouts.
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