Team in Focus: Philadelphia Phanatics

Under new ownership in Season 9, the Philadelphia Phanatics have experienced a solid run of success in the tumultuous NL East. However, four Division titles and two Wild Card victories have yet to put a World Series ring on anyone's finger, and Philly fans are notoriously demanding. New owner austinaaron has chosen to hold the line, largely preserving the same roster that he acquired, while jettisoning a few aging veterans (including home run king Denny Masato).

The Phanatics currently stand at 58-49, only two games behind the surprising New York Mets for the Division lead. Starter Daniel Corsi has followed up his solid Season 8 with an outstanding performance, earning All-Star accolades. His 125 Ks are good for seventh in MLB, and his 14-1 record speaks for itself. The sixth overall pick in Season 1, Corsi has worked his way through the Philadelphia minor league system and now anchors the rotation. "This is a great organization," says Corsi. "When they offered me a long-term contract last season, I was very excited to sign on. I want to be here for a long time, to be a part of what we're building here." When asked about the new ownership, Corsi responded: "The new front office is picking up right where the last group left off. We are here to win."

Fellow starter Trevor Cox has followed a similar path with the club. A Season 4 first-round draft pick, he made his major league debut this season. However, the transition has not been without its bumps. Cox has posted a 3-8 record and a 6.56 ERA, showing only flashes of the potential that the club envisions.  The most recent flash, eight shutout innings against Tampa Bay, was a more of a relief for Cox than anything else: "That's what I can do. That's the kind of performance I expect from myself. This club has battled all season, and I have not done my part. It's time to get my breaking stuff up to par," said the 23-year-old.

The team had been on a hot streak until running into NL powerhouse Monterrey, who cut through them like a chainsaw. The first game of the series was a back-and-forth battle that saw Philadelphia jump out to a 3-0 lead, then surrender that lead, only to surge ahead again.  However, closer Miguel Uribe was unable to protect a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, and he was relieved by Al Little, who surrendered what proved to be the game-winning run. Philadelphia followed that disappointing performance with a solid outing from starter Dick Hoover that was spoiled by two two-run bombs in the fifth. The Cheese rounded out the sweep with an extra innings victory, despite bottom-of-the-ninth heroics from C Don Farrell (grand slam) and CF Willie Perez (game-tying solo shot) to send the ballgame to extra frames. "What else can you do?" asked bench coach Luke Diggins. "At some point you just have to realize that you've done everything you can and tip your cap to the other guys, and admit that they beat you."

Going forward, the Phanatics will need more than just dramatic home runs; they are led by 3B Daryle Benson with only 18 round-trippers, and their team total of 120 places them near the bottom of the league. The power outage has not gone unnoticed: "We have some real talented hitters," said hitting coach Bill Everett. "They're taking solid approaches up there; we're just not producing the way we need to."

The road (literally) does not get any easier for Philadelphia; 20 of their next 23 games are away from Citizens Bank Park.  They currently hold a precarious one-game lead over two other NL clubs for the final Wild Card slot, but if the power outage continues, they will need the rotation to step up and the bullpen to lock it down if they want to continue their tradition of success.  

Owner Profile: TAVoorhees

Owner TAVoorhees has been in charge in America's Finest City since Season 1, guiding the San Diego Land Sharks to a Division Title in the NL West that season and three Wild Card playoff berths since then. The club currently sits at 50-49, in third place and 13 games back in the Division but very much alive in the Wild Card race.  Ace Nash Hyers pitched well enough in the first half to earn an All-Star nod, and fans are buzzing over this team's postseason chances. Amid all the hubbub, TAVoorhees was gracious enough to sit down with this Gehringer P-D correspondent to talk about Southern California rivalries and relaxation.  

Who is your team’s rival and why?
The Los Angeles Blue Knights because they have been dominating the division, leaving us to fight for a wild card spot every year (with the exception of Season 1). Av84aal is a great, active owner and is always willing to help out fellow owners, but I do want to catch up to him one of these years!

What is the best and worst part about living/playing in your team's city?
The weather and the women! SD boasts the best of both.

Who is your organization’s most highly anticipated prospect?
Wilbur Booker (C) and Wayne Barber (1B) are both starting as rookies at the MLB level this year. I think both will contend for ROY and have long, productive careers. The organization also has high hopes for Steve Ward (Triple-A RF), and we had a very good draft last year considering we usually pick in the mid-20s.

What one contract/transaction do you wish you could undo and why?
This year, I’m happy to say, there are none.

Which player do you consider your team’s MVP/indispensable?
My entire starting rotation.

Which player is your team’s emotional/veteran leader?
Steve Choate, my Gold Glove winning 2B, who is now attempting to win the award as a CF.

If you could move your franchise to any other city, which one would it be and why?
I love SD and really wouldn’t consider moving the franchise, but I guess if I had to it would be to New Orleans. Just a wonderful city. Gumbo, excellent food, and of course the 3-for-1 beers!!!

If your franchise wins the World Series, how will you celebrate/reward your players?
We’ll either go to New Orleans and get drunk, or hit Vegas for a Jimmy Buffett concert! If it is a sweep, we’ll do both.

What is your team’s mascot and why is it significant?
It is a Land Shark. During the 7th inning stretch he gets the fans going to Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins.” Fins to the left, fins to the right. It very much resembles a Jimmy Buffet concert.

Tell us one thing we do not know about your home stadium.

PETCO Park is painted to reflect our wonderful beaches and to resemble the 

color of the Torrey Pines cliffs.

Who is the most overpaid player in your organization?

Probably Marty Young – a very talented pitcher who just hasn’t put it together in SD.

Who will win your team’s division? Where will you finish?
LA and 2nd. I feel like the 1950s Brooklyn Dodgers, “Wait ‘til next year.” But, I do think with a year of playing these rookies under my belt, our club can catch him next year.

How do you really feel about Detroit FC Dinamo?
Lfkbibanul is a great owner … However, I’m perplexed at how he stockpiles so many great prospects for trade. I’m glad he is in the A.L.!!!

O's-Vacs Al East Showdown Series Recap

Here is a recap of the 4-game series between Augusta and Baltimore, the battle for AL East Supremacy.



Game 1

Augusta 10 Baltimore 2

Ace Rich May squared up against probably the weakest O’s starter Todd Baxter and the mismatch was quickly revealed as the Vacs scored 4 runs in the 3rd inning and never looked back. Baxter got into trouble in the 3rd by walking Adam O’Malley and John Rolen to start the inning. After a Russ Flanagan strikeout and Flip Hill popout it appeared Baxter was out of trouble. However, Harold Martin found a hole and delivered a big 2-out single that plated O’Malley setting the stage for Felipe Castro who nailed a 3-run bomb to left center. That was enough for May (10-3) who allowed 2 runs in 6 innings. Super reliever Vic Ordonez tossed a solid 3 innings allowing to innocent singles for his 7th save. Flanagan, Hill and reserve Guillermo Mosa all added solo HR’s later in the game to seal the deal and take game 1.

WP- May (10-3)
LP- Baxter (4-8)
SV- Ordonez (7)

HR- Julio (18), Rosa (8), Flanagan (22), Hill (20), Castro (16)

Game 2

Augusta 6 Baltimore 3

Great pitching has been the staple of the Augusta franchise but what goes unnoticed at times is their ability to hit the long ball. With Baltimore’s Willie Rios cruising through 6 innings of 2-hit shutout baseball, he made a mistake and walked the Vacs Harold Martin to open the 7th. Catcher Felipe Castro then strolled to the plate, wasting no time, nailed the 1st pitch he saw over the left field fence to tie the game at 2. It was the second big dinger by Castro in two games. That was enough to chase Rios as O’s skipper jfribush went to Ryan Crosby. Crosby who has been sensational was coming off one of his poorer outings of the season as he gave up 3 runs in just 2/3 of an inning the previous game against the Vacs. This is when the circus suddenly came to town in the form of third basemen Julio Julio. Crosby retired the first batter he faced and then got Jordan Lee to hit a routine ground ball to 3rd that Julio booted. With one down, Ned Corey then hit a double play ball to Julio who wasn’t able to handle the easy 2-hopper and was credited with his 2nd error of the inning. Crosby should have been innocently out of the inning with the game knotted at 2. He wasn’t and John Rolen hit a towering fly to center that just cleared the wall and the leaping efforts of CF Al Melo that gave the Vacs a 5-2 lead. To make matters worse, slugger Russ Flanagan nailed a solo shot to right on the very next pitch to give the Vacs a commanding 6-2 lead. Julio then went for the hat trick successfully booting the routine grounder that Flip Hill. 3 errors in the inning an essentially the game was lost and Augusta was back in a 1st place tie with the O’s. Vacs starter Pablo Mesa (10-3) went 8 strong innings allowing just 6 hits while striking out 3.

WP- Mesa (10-3)
LP- Crosby (10-5)

HR- Cardona (22), Rolen (7), Flanagan (23), Castro (17)

Game 3

Baltimore 9 Augusta 5

The O’s could have hung their heads and thought… “oh well, lets go for the wild-card” after the demoralizing loss of Game 2. Instead, their offense picked up the slack and exploded for 9 runs on 17 hits to take Game 3 and regain sole possession of 1st place. All Star Matty Gibson was on the hill for the O’s and allowed yet another HR to Felipe Castro to fall behind 1-0 in the 2nd inning but then the O’s bats came alive against Vacs veteran starter Cookie Whang. Whang (6-7) allowed 3 runs in the 3rd, 1 in the 4th and 2 more in the 5th before departing. Julio Julio chased Whang in the 5th after crushing his 19th HR of the year, a 2-run shot that gave the O’s a 6-1 lead. 7 O’s players had multi-hit games led by C Esteban Crespo who went 4-5, Julio who went 2-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI and Phil Ludwick who connected for his 10th HR of the year, a solo shot in the 9th. Gibson went 6 innings scattering 5 hits while allowing 2 HR’s, the other to Kenneth Cannon. Ryan Crsoby pitched 3 innings for his 2nd save and allowed 2 unearned runs, thanks again, to the stone hands of 3-bagger Julio who made 2 more errors making it 5 in 2 games.

WP- Gibson (11-4)
LP- Whang (6-7)
SV- Crosby (2)

HR- Julio (19), Ludwick (10), Castro (18), Cannon (3)


Game 4

Augusta 6 Baltimore 4

It had to happen sooner or later, but the timing could not have been worse for O’s closer Felipe Cora. Cora entered the game with 1 out in the 9th inning with the O’s clinging to a 4-3 lead and Vacs slugging catcher Felipe Castro coming to the dish. Castro who has had just a phenomenal series hit a-3 run jack the opposite way to take the game and the series away from the O’s who lost 3 out of 4. 2 of the losses, the O’s have to think they coulda, or shoulda won. O’s starter Jerry Butler pitched into the 9th inning but ran out of gas. He retired Russ Flanagan on an easy pop to center to start the inning but Harold Martin singled to right and Flip Hill walked on 4 pitches setting up the Cora-Castro confrontation. The O’s Douglas Cardona smacked a solo HR off of the left field foul pole in the 8th off Vacs reliever Vic Ordonez that broke a 3-3 tie. Reliever Gordon Howington (6-1) tossed one pitched in the 9th and was the winning pitcher. Butler fell to (8-6) with the loss and Cora blew his 1st save. Both teams are now 60-35 and just have a 3-game series remaining at Baltimore the last week of the season.

WP- Howington (6-1)
LP- Butler (8-6)

HR- Cardona (23), Killebrew (6), O'Malley (14), Castro (19).

All Star Game Final: NL 4, AL 3

The Season 9 MIdsummer Classic lived up to its billing, with the NL riding solid starting pitching performances from two Monterrey Cheese hurlers en route to a 4-3 victory at Zephyr Field, home of the AL South's New Orleans River Crushers.  

Zach Bones and Travis Roosevelt combined to twirl three shutout innings, getting the Senior Circuit off to a nice start. In the top of the fourth inning, Los Angeles SS Miguel James capped an NL rally with a two-run blast that snuck over the wall in right field, giving the NL a 3-0 lead.

The AL battled gamely back, however, pushing a run across in the bottom of the fourth on an Alejandro Cruz double, scoring another in the fifth courtesy of a Rex Rhodes home run, and pulling even on an RBI groundout by Harold Martin in the bottom of the sixth.

The NL answered quickly, with Chicago catcher Heath Leius lining a home run just over the left field wall to lead of the seventh. That home run, which proved to be the decisive shot, came off of Detroit closer Lou Crosby. While he has converted 18 of 19 save chances this season for FC Dinamo, the only batter he faced in the clash between the leagues got the better of him. "What can I say," said Crosby slowly after the game. "You can't make even a single mistake against hitters like these. I made one too many."

Winning pitcher Wally Valentine of Los Angeles went one and two-thirds scoreless innings, and Alejandro Bennett tossed two shutout innings to earn the save, to go along with his perfect 23 saves in 23 opportunities for the Fargo Argonauts.  "This was a lot of fun," said Bennett, "and it's just a little bit easier because you know that everyone is relaxed.  There just isn't as much on the line; there isn't as much pressure."  Augusta ace Rich May, who gave up the first three NL runs, agreed: "This was a fun couple of days, but it's time to get back to the games that matter," he said. For his club, like many others, that will mean a return to the rigors of a pennant race.

AL East All-Star Break Report

1. Baltimore O’s (59-32, 2 game lead, 9-4 since last report)

At the All-Star break, it’s the O’s who are the surprising leaders of the AL East having won 23 of their last 33 games. They have used the same 5-man rotation so far and they are a combined 42-24. Matty Gibson was named to the All-Star team with a 10-4 record and a 3.97 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Willie Rios looked like an All-Star shoe in but in his last 4 starts allowed 24 earned runs in just 20.1 IP’s. The league’s best closer, Felipe Cora was also named to the team and is a perfect 35 for 35 in saves situations at the break with a .210 opponents average.

The 1st place O’s didn’t have any offensive players named to the team but have some players having solid seasons or are currently red-hot. Handle-bar mustached Julio Julio is 15 for 40 during his current 10-game hitting streak raising his average to .270 with 17 HR’s and 47 RBI. Walt Seneca leads the team in AB’s (346), Runs (61), Hits (99), HR’s (21), RBI (84) and OPS (.895). Douglas Cardona leads the team in extra base hits (45) and will need to raise his batting average (.272) to more in the neighborhood of his career .294 average for the O’s to remain on top. It appeared owner jfribush is feverishly working the trade market to acquire help at SS and CF.

1st Half MVP- Walt Seneca, .286-21-84
1st Half Cy Young- Felipe Cora, 35 saves, 2.14 ERA
1st Half LVP- Andre Killebrew, .237-5-21 for $4.72 mil
1st Half Cy Yuck- Harold Sheldon, 6.12 ERA, .314 opponents average

Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (197-196, .501 pct)

AAA MVP- Russ Leach, .345-28-90
AAA Cy- Dean Shields, 8-1, 4.37 ERA

AA MVP- Felipe Guillen, .378-21-103
AA Cy- Jerry Goldberg, 14-3, 2.66 ERA

HA MVP- Phillip Appier, .344-16-86
HA Cy- Ryan Waters, 2-0, 5saves 4.00 ERA

LA MVP- Tim Washburn, .347-7-36
LA Cy- Eugene Grace, 0-9, 4.48 ERA

Rookie MVP- Matt Wilkins, .349-2-24
Rookie Cy- Luis Nunez, 2-0, 1.13 ERA

2. Augusta Vacationers (57-34, 2 games back, 6-7 since last report)

For the first time in a few seasons, the Vacs actually have some competition in the AL East and it will be interesting to see how the handle the pennant race in the 2nd half since they usually are coasting towards the playoffs. Rich May & Louie Nieto will represent the Vacs at the All-Star game. May, who has 2 shutouts under his belt this season is 9-3 overall with a 3.15 ERA. Closer Nieto has saved 17 in 19 chances and has held opponents to a .217 average. Probably no one has been more valuable then rubber-armed reliever Vic Ordonez though who has appeared in 55 games and has 6 wins, 6 saves and a sparkling 2.81 ERA.

The Vacs will also send 2 offensive players to the All-Star game as 2-bagger Adam O’Malley will make his 6th appearance thanks to his .308 average and 71 runs scored. LF Harold Martin will join him making his 2nd All Star team. Martin’s 31 HR’s and 81 RBI leads the team. Newly acquired Kenneth Cannon has provided some punch hitting .371 in 10 games with a 1.029 OPS. The 33-year old slugger once hit 64 bombs in a season and was a nice addition to a team that needs to play better baseball.

1st Half MVP- Harold Martin, .277-31-81
1st Half Cy Young- Rich May, 9-3, 3.15 ERA
1st Half LVP- Virgil Seanez, .234-11-33 for $5.8 mil
1st Half Cy Yuck- Buddy Weiss, 0-0, 8.53 ERA, .360 opponents ave


Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (240-153, .611 pct)

AAA MVP- Sam Ledee, .281-23-79
AAA Cy- Paulie Benson, 5-1, 3.15

AA MVP- Cam Greisinger, .352-35-113
AA Cy- Tom Neal, 13-4, 3.63

HA MVP- Wilt Clifton, .354-14-88
HA Cy- Miguel Flores, 8-3, 4.01

LA MVP- Javy Santana, .372-10-67
LA Cy- Victor Henry, 9-3, 3.56

Rookie MVP- Preston Justice, .337-10-38
Rookie Cy- Ivan Olivares, 2-0, 3.71


3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (37-54, 22 back, 7-6 since last report)

No Diablos in the All-Star game this season as 17 games below .500 just aint gonna do it. While their 23-23 road record is respectable, somehow this team is just 14-31 in the unfriendly confines of Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Ben Walton has been the most consistent starter and is 8-8 with a .279 opponents average in 20 starts. 2 of the 3 big off season signees, Willie Flores 3-2, 3.66 and Tanyon Dunn, 10 saves, 3.41 have pitched really well of late.

Fans and ownership believe rookie Lorenzo Perez was an All-Star snub with his .330-23-77 numbers but there are many more in this 21 year old’s future. Quietly, Fred Eyre is putting a nice season together at .301-23-76. Eyre has also played in every game. Finally, Davey Vazquez was gunned down on the paths. After 54 consecutive steals to begin the season, he was actually nailed his next 2 attempts and stands 54-56 on the year.

1st Half MVP- Lorenzo Perez, .330-23-77
1st Half Cy Young- Tanyon Dunn, 10 saves 3.14 ERA
1st Half LVP- Vic Coronado, .228-6-27 for $5 mil
1st Half Cy Yuck- Seth Brower, 2-3, 7.57 ERA 1.83 WHIP


Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (251-142, .639pct)

AAA MVP- Les Cooper, .348-22-98
AAA Cy- Karim Rivera, 20-22 saves, 3.38 ERA

AA MVP- Dick Cash, .283-37-109
AA Cy- Bucky York, 11-3, 3.63

HA MVP- Philip Forrester, .348-30-132
HA Cy- Jacque Burns, 12-2, 3.28

LA MVP- Fausto Quevedo, .350-21-94
LA Cy- Doc Gilbert, 4-2 5sv 3.21

Rookie MVP- Todd Holloway, .388-6-27
Rookie Cy- Orber Pulido, 1-0, 1.80



4. Florida Beach Bums (24-67, 28 back, 2-11 since last report)

The Bums are also without an All Star rep and after a semi-respectable start have really fallen upon hard times. They are 11-43 in their last 54 games. 9 pitchers total have already started a game for the Bums with Tom Hauser leading the way with 18 starts. Hauser’s 4-9 record and semi respectable 4.61 ERA anchors the staff. Don Lambert has made 17 starts and has a 4.73 ERA but is just 2-9. Marino Lecuona has given up an alarming 17 bombs in just 46 innings.

The team’s .248 overall average has contributed to some of the pitcher’s poor records. Rob Towers and Brad Roosevelt lead the team in HR’s with just 11. Opponenets have hit 150 HR’s against the Bums who have hit just 75 themselves. The team’s OBP of .312 is even more frightening and every day left fielder J.P. Guerrero has played in every game this season and carries a very light .265 OBP.

1st Half MVP- Rob Towers, .274-11-54
1st Half Cy Young- Tom Hauser, 4-9, 4.61
1st Half LVP- JP Guerrero, .199-10-24
1st Half Cy Yuck- Marino Lecuona, 9.00 ERA, 17 HR's in 46 IP's


Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (187-206, .476 pct)

AAA MVP- Ugueth Romero, .277-20-52
AAA Cy- Lariel Rios, 5-5, 4.37

AA MVP- Tim Powell, .330-26-104
AA Cy- Rico Martinez, 9saves, 4.79

HA MVP- Jordan O’Keefe, .307-27-74
HA Cy- Carmen Scarsone, 11-5, 3.77

LA MVP- Tanyon Hendrickson, .331-12-73
LA Cy- Tim Beck, 8-6, 3.86

Rookie MVP- Rob Greisinger, .506-13-43
Rookie Cy- Matt Pose, 4-1, 2.30

Prospect Watch: Carlos Borbon

Twenty-year-old pitcher Carlos Borbon has had a brief but illustrious and well-publicized professional baseball career. A military brat and native of Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Borbon is the son of two talented Mexican-American soccer players. Despite the fact that futbol is in his genes, American hardball has always been in his blood. For years he played with athletes twice his age on the air force base fields, firing that signature high fastball past batter after batter. As he matured, he learned from some of the older players on the base how to throw a sweeping curve ball, sort of a slurve, to compliment that heater. 

When he finally went to pitch for the local high school team, he was simply too much for his opponents. Recording 516 strikeouts and racking up an incredible 56-8 record over the course of his career, Carlos considered heading straight for the major league baseball draft after his senior season. However, concerns about the low level of competition in his tiny Texas home town led him to be projected as a later round draft pick, so he headed for tiny Snow College, with an enrollment of only 2800 students.

The Snow Badgers had never seen anything like young Carlos before.  In his first practice with the club, he struck out every returning starter from the previous year's team; indeed, not a single hitter even made contact!  Over the course of his freshman season, Carlos Borbon made 21 starts and appeared in relief six times, compiling a 17-2 record, a 1.92 ERA, and 161 strikeouts.  That performance led him to be taken with the sixteenth overall pick in the Season 8 Draft by the New York Mets; Carlos was still only 19 years old at the time.  

Part of his development at Snow, and what led the Mets to spend such a high pick on him, was Borbon's development of a cut fastball to go along with his fastball-curve ball-change up repertoire.  Thanks to that cutter, Borbon went 8-0 in sixteen Rookie League starts for New York in Season 8, striking out more than one batter per inning.  After starting somewhat slowly at Low-A ball in Season 9, posting a 5.63 ERA in nine starts, Borbon was dealt to the Chicago Prime Movers straight up for Rule 5 Selection 2B Eric Corbin and cash.  

Owner evilleteache has high hopes for Borbon; the front office immediately assigned the young pitcher to the Double-A squad where he has been solid, if not yet special.  However, a 4.11 ERA at that level at only age 20 gives some indication of what kind of talent fans can expect to see on the mound at Wrigley Field in the not too distant future.  In fact, the fan base is already clamoring to see the young phenom take over the rotation spot of veteran starter Hee Martin, whose 6.20 ERA is about what can be expected from a pitcher whose career ERA is 6.14.

The club has shown admirable restraint and patience with the youngster thus far, however.  Double-A pitching coach Jason Reynolds believes that Borbon still has plenty to work on: "Down here, he can just blow these hitters away with his stuff, but at the major league level, he's gonna have to be able to hit his spots.  He can't do that well enough yet."  

Left-handed hitting Jeff Blank a slugging 1B prospect and teammate of Borbon at Double-A, agrees that the kid has even more potential than has been seen: "the righties already have a tough time with his velocity, but I've seen him flash that curve ball and just bend it right in on my hands," said Blank. "If he can do that consistently against left-handed hitters, the guy could be nasty.  I'm talking unhittable."  

With the major league club floundering just below .500 and 10 games back in the Division, such talk is welcome news everywhere within the organization.  "Great," said staff ace Bill Smith, whose unsightly 1.70 WHIP and gaudy 82/46 K/BB ratio are part of the problem creating the need for Borbon. "We're really hurting for guys who can give us quality innings right now." For a staff whose 5.81 ERA is third worst in the NL, Borbon's 30 Ks in 35 innings look like just the ticket. The question now is only how long the club will wait to move Carlos Borbon into a prime spot in Chicago.

Season 1 Draft Study

I did a study of the top 40 selections of the very 1st Amateur Draft from Season 1. Here are the findings....

*8 of the 40 (20%) have participated in at least 1 All Star Game.
*24 of the 40 (60%) are currently on a ML Roster.
*1 of the 40 (2.5%) has become a league MVP.
*4 of the 40 (10%) has been rewarded as a Silver Slugger.
*2 of the 40 (5%) became Rookie of the Year.
*2 of the 40 (5%) are current Free Agents.
*1 of the 40 (2.5%) has retired.
*12 of the 40 (30%) did not sign and were never heard from again.

Other notes....

**#1 overall selection and current El Paso Sandstorm pitcher Tony Merrick has 86 career wins which leads all of the draftees but has never made an All Star team.

**The #2, #3 & #8 selections, Brendan Spradlin, Randall Matthews and James McGrady are all current Los Angeles Blue Knights.

**The #20, #27 & #30 selections, Keith Driskill, Lou Crosby & Toby Hodges are all current Detroit FC Dinamos.

** #2 overall selection Brendan Spradlin leads the draftees in career average (.320) HR's (239) & RBI (963).

** #29 overall selection Todd Baxter has the most disappointing career numbers at 32-61 with a 6.28 ERA

MVP
Randall Matthews, Season 8- Los Angeles

Silver Sluggers
Brendan Spradlin (2nd overall)
Randall Matthews (3rd overall)
Kevin Gant (P) (7th overall)
Alex Franco (32nd overall)

Rookie Of The Year
Daniel Corsi (6th overall)
Lou Crosby (27th overall)

Gold Glovers
Don Milliard (5th overall)
Giovanni Sanders (16th overall)

All Stars
Brendan Spradlin (2nd overall)
Randall Matthews (3rd overall)
Daniel Corsi (6th overall)
Brad Riggs (9th overall)
Fergie Stargell (14th overall)
Giovanni Sanders (16th overall)
Lou Crosby (27th overall)
Alex Franco (32nd overall)

Current Free Agents
Travis Washington (31st overall)
Octavio Rodriguez (37th overall)

Top 3 Highest Current Rating
1. Brendan Spradlin (2nd overall) 85
2. Randall Matthews (3rd overall) 83
3. Daniel Corsi (6th overall) 80

Top 3 Lowest Current Rating
1. Danny Gil (40th overall) 57
2. Gary Hall (21st overall) 65
2. Toby Hodges (30th overall) 65

AL East Report, 8/19/08

1. Augusta Vacationers (51-27, 1 game lead, 11-9 since last report)

The Vacs actually spent a few days outta 1st place as the race for the division is on with the O’s. The team ERA has climbed to 3.85 which is as high as it has been on season. Key to that stat is veteran Cookie Whang who is winless in his last 9 starts. Whang and is now 4-5 on the season. Reliever Buddy Weiss who carried a stellar 2.39 ERA for the Vacs last season is getting bombed with an 8.78 ERA and a bloated 2.25 WHIP this season in 10 appearances. Rich May continues to anchor the staff at 9-1 with a 2.84 ERA.

Russ Flanagan who got off to such a putrid start is now putting up Flanagan type numbers at .279-16-62. Adam O’Malley continues to lead the team with a .312 average and 23 steals and 60 runs scored. Harold Martin continues to lead the team in the power categories (25 HR & 64 RBI) but his .257 average is well beneath is .286 lifetime average.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Phil Chang (AA) 5saves 19apps 1.54 ERA 0.91 WHIP
Hitter- Raymond Brower (AA) .388-21-70 1.231 OPS

Interesting Fact- The AA Vacs have 4 players on pace to hit 40 HR’s- Cam Greisinger, Darrell Phillips, Santos Wilfredo & Raymond Brower.

2. Baltimore O’s (50-28, 1 game back, 14-6 since last report)

As predicted by yours truly, the O’s aren’t going anywhere. They are a legit contender and should make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They spent a few days atop of the AL East but have now dropped 2 straight while the Vacs have won 5 in a row. All hail closer Felipe Cora who remains perfect at 29 saves in 29 ops. Starter Jerry Butler is 3-0 in his last 6 starts to improve to 6-5 on the season with a 3.39 ERA. Willie Rios is looking to make his 1st All star team with a 9-4 record and a 3.59 ERA.

Walt Seneca has been on fire with 16 RBI in his last 7 games. Overall Seneca is hitting .286-18-76 and is the only O’s player to play in every game. Michael Kingland is playing everyday now and is hitting .324 with 27 steals in 29 chances. Former 1st round pick Al Melo can’t seem to get enough AB’s and is 0 for his last 10 dropping his average to .291 yet still carries a solid .375 OBP.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Jerry Goldberg (AA) 12-3, 2.74 ERA 1.02 WHIP
Hitter- Abraham Jones (AA) .313-30-95, 1.107 OPS

Interesting Fact- The 5 man rotation at LA is a combined 5-41.

3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (30-48, 21 back, 7-13 since last report)

Despite the team’s slide of late, starter Ben Walton is 4-1 in his last 6 starts with a 3.71 ERA. Tanyon Dunn has been an effective closer of late and has the best WHIP on the team at 1.25 but he hasn’t had a lot of opportunities of late with just 6 saves on the season. Reliever Bobby Little was acquired via trade from Charleston on August 1, and has struck out 19 in just 13 innings…in 14 games.

Lorenzo Perez continues to swing a hot bat in his rookie season hitting .347-20-70 and a .405 OBP. 2b Davey Vazquez started the season in a platoon but is now playing everyday and is still perfect on the paths with 45 steals in 45 attempts. Overall he is hitting .314-8-30 and leads the team with 57 runs scored. Vic Coronado, a career .296 hitter with a .920 OPS still is struggling at .245-6-25 and is now playing part time at just 30 years old.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Karim Rivera (AAA) 16-18 saves, 3.13 ERA .213 OAV
Hitter- Alfredo Sanchez (AAA) .338-10-57, 36 SB’s

Interesting Fact- The High A Diablos have a TEAM OBP of .403.

4. Florida Beach Bums (22-56, 28 back, 7-13 since last report)

Former 1st rounder Tom Hauser has been the most consistent starter with a 4.93 ERA. Closer Craig Rivers has only appeared in 13 games this season but has a sparkling 1.07 WHIP and is a perfect 5 for 5 in save ops. Yamid Chavez has been solid as a starter and out of the pen with 59 k’s in 68.2 IP’s.

7 Bums have played in every game this season. Brad Roosevelt has maintained consistency and is the team’s main threat hitting .283-11-43. Phil Carver has stolen 25 bags but is hitting just .229. Rob Towers is just 1 for his last 23 sinking his average down to .282.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Carmen Scarsone (HA) 10-4, 3.61 95k’s in 102.1 IP’s
Hitter- Tim Powell (AA) .341-22-95, 1.158 OPS

Interesting Fact- 2nd overall pick this year, Rob Greisinger is hitting .488-3-16 in his first 12 games.

AL East Wins, ERA & Saves Leaders

Wins
1. Rich May, Augusta 9
1. Willie Rios, Baltimore 9
1. Miguel Estrella, Baltimore 9
4. Pablo Mesa, Augusta 8
4. Ryan Crosby, Baltimore 8

ERA
1. Rich May, Augusta 2.84
2. Vic Ordonez, Augusta 3.01
3. Pablo Mesa, Augusta 3.14
4. Jerry Butler, Baltimore 3.39
5. Chris Wright, Augusta 3.58

SAVES
1. Felipe Cora, Baltimore 29
2. Louie Nieto, Augusta 15
3. Tanyon Dunn, San Juan 6
3. Vic Ordonez, Augusta 6
5. Craig Rivers, Florida 5

Owner Profile: Swindy10

Since Season 1, the San Juan Slugging Diablos have been managed by veteran owner swindy10. He has guided them to three second-place finishes in the AL East, but amazingly, despite winning as many as 94 games in a season, the Diablos have never appeared in the post season. After a frustrating Season 8 that saw the team finish 76-86, swindy10 made a big splash in offseason free agency, signing veteran relievers Seth Brower, Tanyon Dunn, and Willie Flores. Despite those big name additions, the Diablos have struggled out of the gate, going 30-46 while blowing 10 saves and posting a 5.50 team ERA.

Owner swindy10 has also become a major contributor to the coverage of major league baseball, acting as the AL East correspondent for the Gehringer Post-Dispatch. He gave a few moments to this correspondent and discussed the Diablos' prospects for Season 9 and beyond.

Who is your team’s rival and why?

I'd say Augusta, though owner averyk73 may not think so; we're the only two owners who have battled in the AL East since Season 1.

What is the best and worst part about living/playing in your team's city?

I've only been to San Juan once in my life and that was a layover. I wanted a HR hitting ballpark and it has been death to my franchise.

Who is your organization’s most highly anticipated prospect?

SS Lorenzo Perez just reached the bigs and is raking to the tune of a 1.045 OPS and 20 HR already. Next in the pipeline are CF Mike Smith, whom we just called up and who has started strong with a .376 OBP, and Venezuelan international free agent starter Miguel Mercado, who has a blazing fastball and a nasty cutter.

What one contract/transaction do you wish you could undo and why?

Our entire organizational plan of spending big bucks on the bullpen this last offseason; it killed us.

Which player do you consider your team’s MVP/indispensable?

Recent call-up SS Lorenzo Perez. We gave him a $16 million bonus to sign with us. He's only 21; we really expect big things from him.

Which player is your team’s emotional/veteran leader?

Kennie Munoz, who DHs and catches part time, is our all-time leader in basically every category. Where would we be without him?

If you could move your franchise to any other city, which one would it be and why?

Philadelphia. Their fans are crazy.

If your franchise wins the World Series, how will you celebrate/reward your players?

We'll think of something.

What is your team’s mascot and why is it significant?

Slugging Diablos.... we are the Devils of Puerto Rico.

Tell us one thing we do not know about your home stadium.

It sucks for my pitching staff.

Who is the most overpaid player in your organization?

Pitcher Seth Brower, whose $6 million salary is not worth his 7.01 ERA.

Who will win your team’s division? Where will you finish?

Augusta and 3rd.

How do you really feel about Detroit FC Dinamo?

Savy.

Player Spotlight: David Guerrero

The new-look New Orleans River Crushers currently stand at an unspectacular 33-35, but in the AL South, that puts them just two games behind the division leaders. A big part of their competitiveness can be attributed to 6'3" Cuban 3B David Guerrero. In his seventh major league season, Guerrero is once again putting up the power numbers that opponents have come to expect and that the new ownership was counting on. A Season 3 Silver Slugger Award winner, Guerrero has pounded out 26 HR already, good for fourth in the AL, and is on pace for a career high. That hot start has helped the River Crushers score 394 runs, good for seventh in MLB.

Guerrero's power surge out of the gate is a very encouraging sign for the franchise, who was hoping he would be able to bounce back from a slight down year last season, so much so that they locked him up to a four-year, $29 million contract extension early in the year.  New owner badmoon002 clearly knows the importance of having some solid pieces in place to build around, and Guerrero looks as solid as they come right now.  Just entering his prime, Guerrero has a career .543 slugging percentage and 239 career HR.  This season, that SLG has skyrocketed to .637 and he has already driven in 63 runs.  

With Guerrero batting fourth, young 1B Alex Brinson has seen more fastballs, which has helped him swat 22 HR thus far. "Oh I don't think there's any doubt about it," Brinson says. "Pitchers don't want to walk me because they know David is coming up to drive in some runs." Hitting coach Feiipe Nunez agrees: "Knowing that that kind of hitter is coming up is definitely on the mind of the opposing pitcher, and it has a very real trickle-down effect on the rest of the order. All the guys are seeing more stuff to hit just because of David's presence."

The only area where Guerrero has not excelled this season has been in the field.  Sporting a subpar career fielding percentage of .931 at the hot corner, he has already made 13 errors this season.  Fielding instructor Troy Meadows is somewhat perplexed by the big man's struggles: "David is really a very solid player.  He's got a solid arm and has a pretty rangy body; that tall frame gives him a long reach.  It's just a matter of having soft hands over there and getting your confidence up.  Right now, he's definitely fighting off some of the hard-hit balls he's seen over there."  

Regardless of the shaky defense, New Orleans fans can expect to see Guerrero in the lineup everyday; his power is capable of producing games like the one he had last week against the Monterrey Cheese, when he went two for three with a walk, two home runs, and four runs scored. "When this guy is on, you just stand back and watch," marvels teammate Deivi Escobar. "I mean, that day, every time he came up, we were all standing at the fence in the dugout, waiting to see what he would do next."

Gurrero still spends offseasons in his native Cuba, where he enjoys deep sea fishing.  "When you reel in a big catch, it's the same as when you hit a long home run.  It's just a rush; I can't tell it in words."  Fans of the New Orleans River Crushers hope that he boats a few more whoppers here in the States before he heads home this fall.  

Team in Focus: Helena Hitters

The Honolulu Islanders won only 40 games in Season 8, finishing an unheard of 72 games back in their division. New owner gccoach entered the league undaunted, moved the newly named Helena Hitters to Kindrick Field, and overhauled the club in the offseason via aggressive trades, free agent signings, and Rule 5 Draft picks.

The early grade is an A+. A team that surrendered a gaudy 1208 runs last season currently stands at 36-29, already approaching their win total from last season, and sits in second place in the division and first in the NL Wild Card standings. They inserted Rule 5 pick Ralph Scalici directly into the rotation, and that has been a stroke of genius. Scalici has rewarded Helena's confidence in him with a 7-3 record and a 3.67 ERA in 14 starts. The former 13th overall draft pick has been a breath of fresh air, bouncing back from an atrocious Season 8 at Triple-A Louisville where he labored to pitch in 59 games, walked an astonishing 235 batters, and posted a catastrophic 15.78 ERA. "It's a relief, to tell you the truth," says the 26-year-old, who features a blazing 95 mph fastball and a knee-buckling 12-to-6 curve. "Last season, they expected me to pitch all the time. I would start one day and then pitch in two other games the same week. It really drained me."

Scalici also credits pitching coach Greg Lieber with helping him utilize his full repertoire of pitches. Lieber has had a similar effect on starter Harry Torrealba, who similarly struggled with his control last season en route to a 6-17 mark. The former University of Notre Dame star has begun the season 7-1 and has held opposing hitters to a .194 batting average. "No one ever doubted the ability of this guy," says Lieber of the 6'3" lefty. "Somebody just had to put him in the right situation to succeed." Torrealba, more of a finesse pitcher than his rotation mate Scalici, has done more than that; he has thrived.

Offensively, the Hitters have been led by another Rule 5 acquisition: RF Tom House. After being restricted to part-time duty last season in the minor leagues, House has burst onto the major league scene with a 1.010 OPS and 10 HR. Hitting coach Randy Lesher, who was a big proponent of acquiring House, is not surprised at all. "You could tell just from the approach this kid takes from every at-bat that he would have success," says Lesher of the switch-hitting right fielder. "He studies pitchers for tendencies, and he knows what he wants to do whether he's hitting right or lefty." It is that sort of ability to recognize talent that has this team making such a dramatic turnaround.

Young teams such as Helena need veteran leadership, and fortunately for the new regime, that was already readily available in the person of 3B Tony Granados, who in his eighth major league season continues to demonstrate the plate discipline that has allowed him to average over 100 walks during the past six seasons. His 11 HR are also good for second on the team. "What these young guys sometimes don't realize is that it's a grind out here, man," says the Costa Rica native. "You gotta come to the park ready to play 162 times, because if you don't, the other team will be ready to take advantage." No one is taking advantage of this team anymore.

Amazingly, gccoach has been able to assemble a nice blend of young talent and veteran stability while maintaining a payroll of only $40 million, allowing the team to build for its future as well. Already since taking over, the new front office has signed four impact international free agents: RP Philip Post, C Julio Benavente, RP Carlos Santiago, and CF Gregg Ramirez. The team has also stayed active on the waiver wire, and recently selected University of Nebraska senior 1B Steve Lavarnway with the first overall pick in the draft. The Hitters hope that Lavarnway's prodigious power only continues to grow; his colossal blasts during this year's College World Series are already the stuff of legend.

The Helena Hitters are off to as fine a start as could possibly have been expected by the Helena fans; however, things will not get any easier. The NL West has been dominated by the incredible seven straight division titles of the Los Angeles Blue Knights, and the Hitters trail them by seven games. Helena also carries a Pythagorean record of just 33-32, suggesting they have been somewhat fortunate in posting their current record. Torrealba recently hit the DL with shoulder soreness and is expected to miss a full month, and such a young team that is still being pieced together does not have a great deal of depth. They have searched for a closer, and the bullpen has struggled in the meantime, blowing seven saves. Once again, though, the team seems to have found the answer, as veteran Danys Amaral has added some much needed stability. The team has also posted a .352 OBP, good for third in the NL, and they show no signs of slowing down. If they can continue to be road warriors (15-11 away record), the MLB playoffs could be headed to Big Sky country sooner than anyone expected.

Update: Just as we start to discuss the ways that Helena could fall back to the pack, owner gccoach stays one step ahead of the curve, swinging a blockbuster deal to acquire hammering lefty 1B Victor Cordero. While the club did send out some promising prospects in the deal, they brought back a 6'5", 216-pound behemoth from the Dominican Republic who is known in his homeland simply as "El Victor." Perhaps even better from the Hitters fans' standpoint, the club has cut ties with the aging and unproductive platoon of Daryl Snopek and Chance Ramsay, who between them had produced only 13 HR. Cordero brings his 30 HR this season, a career 1.142 OPS (wow!), and a genuine enthusiasm to his new team. "I look around this clubhouse and I see players who want to win," says the big slugger. "That why we play the games, to win. We [Tampa Bay] played in the playoffs last year, and it was very exciting. I think this team can do that too." Obviously, the Helena front office agrees; this move is tantamount to sending a postcard to the rest of the league saying: Look out. Here we come.

Owner Profile: Jazzurb

As noted in the season preview, the Chicago Bruisers have been a "consistently solid franchise [who] won 86 games for the second season in a row [last year], and 80+ games for the fourth consecutive year." Always lurking around and above .500 but never quite able to put it all together, the Bruisers were taken over by new ownership after Season 7. In less than two full seasons in charge, jazzurb has been able to maintain that solid foundation, but has yet to build the winner that Windy City fans expect. This P-D correspondent caught up with jazzurb to talk about the Bruisers, life in the Midwest, and being division rivals with a winning machine.

Who is your team’s rival and why?

Toronto 'cause they're always the team I'm trying to catch in the standings

What is the best and worst part about living/playing in your team's city?

Best: Italian Beef (Ed. note: mmmm....)




















Worst: Playing so many games against Dinamo


Who is your organization’s most highly anticipated prospect?

Season 8 1st-round draft pick, 6'3" power pitcher, and mustache master Alton Costello.

What one contract/transaction do you wish you could undo and why?

Before I took over, this crazy organization traded Chad Fox for Mark Cohen.

Which player do you consider your team’s MVP/indispensable?

2B Pedro Martin for the spark he provides in the top of the lineup.

Which player is your team’s emotional/veteran leader?

Starter Ed Crummack.

If you could move your franchise to any other city, which one would it be and why?

Milwaukee cause the beer and sausages are great and the taxes are too high in Chicago.

If your franchise wins the World Series, how will you celebrate/reward your players?

They'll all get coupons to Chuck E Cheese.

Tell us one thing we do not know about your home stadium.

There is a case of beer hidden under 1st base for Juan Delgado during pitching changes.

Who is the most overpaid player in your organization?

Mark Cohen.

Who will win your team’s division? Where will you finish?

Dinamo will win; we'll be in 3rd place AGAIN.

How do you really feel about Detroit FC Dinamo?

I respect their organization and hope to become the powerhouse they are.

Prospect Watch: Carl Black

At a disappointing 18-40, the Iowa City Hawks are struggling at the major league level in owner neonpeon41's first sesason in charge. The team has hit only 57 homers, fifth-fewest in MLB. The remedy may be just a phone call (or rather call-up) away, in the person of prospect Carl Black. The ninth overall pick in the Season 8 Draft, Black is an unassuming looking 5'9" right fielder currently playing Single-A ball. However, the right hander has prodigious power, especially to the opposite field, and several of the hitting records he set at Waller High School (in Texas) may never be broken.

A rookie-league sensation after being drafted by the then-Madison Mosquitos, Black took the short-season league by storm. Ownership and major league scouts salivated over his 13 HR and .774 slugging percentage in 239 at bats in his first season of professional baseball. That may have led the new front office, after surveying the landscape and finding precious little talent to work with, to accelerate the young man a bit too quickly. Only 19, Black struggled out of the gate this season at Triple-A. His hitting coach there, Dario Rogers, observed: "The kid just hasn't seen pitches like this before. High school baseball in Texas was easy stuff; his natural ability just carried him through. Now he needs at bats; he needs to make adjustments."

The organization agreed, sending Black to Double-A ball for 21 games before demoting him to the High-A team. There his stroke has slowly begun to return; he has lowered his strikeout/at bat ratio and hit three HR. However, there is still work to be done before the highly-touted youngster is ready for the Show. Organizational fielding instructor Greg Wolf says: "The kid has raw ability; there's no denying that. He's here to hit the baseball a country mile, and he can do it. But we've got to find a spot for him to play. He's working hard out in right, but his arm isn't scaring anyone, even in the minors. We're gonna work on it..."

The Hawks need Black to work on it; expectations for his future are integral to the club's outlook down the line. Teammate and fellow prospect SS Dan Randall knows what it is like to have that kind of pressure heaped upon young shoulders. Once an anonymous 6th-round pick, Randall has quite simply raked at every level he has visited thus far, literally forcing himself into prospect status. His 19 HR are currently far and away best on the High-A Hawks. "It's just crazy, because you start reading about yourself in all these magazines and whatnot, and they're talking about you playing in the majors and what position and what kind of player you'll be," Randall observed. "But a lot of the time they're projecting two, three, four years down the line, and even then it's kind of a 'best case scenario' thing. What Carl's gotta figure out - what he's starting to figure out already - is that we're all down here for the same reason. We're trying to work it out, trying to learn somethin' or show somebody somethin', but it's about the work here, the at bats and the chances in the field. Ain't nothin' guaranteed just 'cause they call you a prospect."

At age 19, Black seems to have grasped that already. Perhaps he himself put it best: "Hey man, you know," he said in his slow Texas drawl, "I'll get there when I get there." For Iowa City, that day can't get here fast enough.

AL East Report, 8/12/08.

1. Augusta Vacationers (40-18, 4 game lead, 11-6 since last report)

Reliever Vic Ordonez has appeared in 35 of the 58 games so far and has compiled 3 wins, 6 saves and a 2.57 ERA. He has also only walked 9 hitters in 63 innings. Jeff Prince has been the most inconsistent of the starters with a 4-4 record and a 4.58 ERA. Opponents are hitting .298. Chris Wright is also just 4-4 as a starter making the rest of the staff 32-10 besides those two. Cookie Whang refuses to show his age as he now has an ERA of 2.80 after 11 starts.John Rolen is the only Vacs player with an average above .290 with a .316 average.

Harold Martin has been on a tear of late with 9 HR’s in his last 17 games. He also leads the team with 53 RBI. Flip Hill is headed in the other direction has he is just 5 for his last 32 sinking his average to .269. Rule 5 Draftee Guillermo Mosa had never played above High-A before this season but in a limited role has 7 HR’s in 66 AB’s and a .988 OPS.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Dorian Whitehead (LA) 6-3, 2.75 73k’s in 72 IP’s
Hitter- Cam Greisinger (AA) .356-22-74, 1.231 OPS

Interesting Fact- The AA Vacs started 12-14. They have been on fire winning 28 of their last 31 games and are now 40-17.

2. Baltimore O’s (36-22, 4 games back, 11-6 since last report)

The O’s are keeping up with the Vacs having won 9 of their last 10. Miguel Estrella leads the team in wins with 8 yet has the worst ERA among the starters at 4.91. Willie Rios has dropped 2 out of his last 3 decisions and in that stretch his ERA jumped from 1.98 to 3.20. Closer Felipe Cora is bidding to become Fireman of the Year as he is still perfect in save opportunities (19 for 19) and opponents are hitting just .172 against him.

Walt Seneca is 15 for his last 37 raising his average to .280. He is also on a 10 game hitting streak and for the 2nd time this season has a hitting streak in double digits. His 44 RBI is tied for the team lead with Douglas Cardona. Cardona’s 15 bombs leads the team. Chad Mercker is just 3 for his last 26 dropping his average to .248. Speedy Albert Sosa and Michael Kingland are a combined 42 for 46 on the basepaths while the team as a whole is 67 for 78 (86%).

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- York Schmidt (AA) 11 saves in 12 ops, 21k’s in 22 IP’s
Hitter- Boots Brunette (AAA) .356-16-62, 1.181 OPS

Interesting Fact- AAA, AA & HA are a combined 101-70. LA is a dismal 15-42.

3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (23-35, 17 back, 8-9 since last report)

Rick Douglas is among league leaders with 66 k’s. Closer Tanyon Dunn looks more comfortable in San Juan now allowing just 1 run in his last 8 appearances while opponents are hitting just .213 off of him. Last season’s top draft pick Dwight Thurman allowed 1 run in 6 innings while striking out 6 in his best ML performance in his last start. Monte Stewart was demoted after allowing his embarrassing 12th homer in just 51 innings of work.

Lew Rivera has been on a prolonged tear with 36 hits in his last 75 AB’s raising his overall average to .396. He has also scored runs in 13 of his last 16 games and has a phenomenal .452 OBP. After a mini slump, Fred Eyre has come to life again and overall is hitting .311-16-51. Davey Vazquez is still perfect on the basepaths with 33 steals without being caught.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Jacque Burns (HA) 9-1, 2.47 ERA 1.23 WHIP.
Hitter- Philip Forrester (HA) .357-19-91, 1.130 OPS

Interesting Fact- The High-A Diablos’ 46-11 record is tops in all of baseball.

4. Florida Beach Bums (15-43, 25 back, 2-15 since last report)

While the Bums appeared to have been playing better on the last report, they hit bottom in the last 17 games winning just 2. Reliever Paul Clifton is still the lone pitcher with a sub 4 ERA and his 1.42 WHIP is tops on a team that carries a 1.68 WHIP. Cesar Lecouna has offered up 17 HR’s in 68 innings while his 8 losses leads the staff. Even former All Star closer Craig Rivers is struggling with a 8.10 ERA. Opponents have an astonishing .376 OBP against the Bums staff.

Brad Roosevelt, (FDR’s great grandson) leads the team with 9 HR’s and 16 doubles. The former 2nd round draft pick also has swiped 6 bags while leading the team in runs scored with 29. Scott Bradley is 11 for his last 26 raising his average to .291 during his current 7 game hitting streak.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Ted Valentin (HA) 2-1, 1.85 ERA, 0.92 WHIP.
Hitter- Tim Powell (AA) .326-20-73, 1.132 OPS 50 walks 29 k’s

Interesting Fact- The High A Bums are the only team in the organization that has a Sub-5 ERA at 4.70.

AL East HR, RBI & SB Leaders.

HR
1. Harold Martin, Augusta 19
2. Lorenzo Perez, San Juan 17
3. Fred Eyre, San Juan 16
4. Douglas Cardonas, Baltimore 15
4. Flip Hill, Augusta 15

RBI
1. Lorenzo Perez, San Juan 55
2. Harold Martin, Augusta 53
3. Fred Eyre, San Juan 51
4. Junior Urbina, San Juan 45
5. Walt Seneca, Baltimore 44
5. Douglas Cardonas, Baltimore 44

SB
1. Davey Vazquez, San Juan 33
2. Albert Sosa, Baltimore 24
3. Michael Kingland, Baltimore 18
4. Phil Carver, Florida 16
5. Adam O’Malley, Augusta 14
5. Luis Concepcion, Florida 14

Owner Profile: Pubs

When owner Pubs took over the Monterrey Cheese after Season 4, he took the helm of a franchise languishing in the cellar of the NL South. Three of the previous four seasons saw last place finishes for the Cheese (then known as the Durham Devildogs) without a sniff of the postseason.

What a difference a year makes.  With Pubs's steady hand at the helm, The Cheese won 100 games in Season 5, and have won more than that many in every season since.  Two pennants and a World Series title in Season 6 punctuate the resume of the Cheese's skillful owner, who has also deftly assembled one of the finest farm systems in baseball.  Pubs was kind enough to sit down with this Gehringer P-D correspondent and answer a few questions on his highly successful franchise.  

- Who is your team’s rival and why?

Rivalries are one of the best parts of this game. It makes things much more interesting for me to have rivalries going. I appreciate them, and I appreciate the owners of the franchises for making it interesting for me. There’s nothing like dueling it out in a battle of attrition and then shaking hands and congratulating the other on a job well done. The two teams I have the most rivalry with (and for that matter enjoy playing with the most) are the Richmond Spiders and the Los Angeles Blue Knights.

The Blue Knights have a classy owner in av84aal, who has been around since Season 1. He has made all the right signings, filled every one of his major league holes, drafted well, and has always gotten the type of player in a trade that will help his team each season. That has enabled him to be in the playoffs just about every year. Behind the scenes, av84aal and I have always complemented each other on our moves. We always enjoy playing against each other because the games are so tight. And much of the time we play, there’s something at stake. The one thing I have come to expect year in, is seeing a strong Blue Knights team. He’s a great owner for his franchise and for the league.

The Spiders and Cheese have very similar histories in this league. Both franchises were abandoned and had their talent deteriorating until the new owners stepped in and turned things around. Led by their Shrewd GM croutons, the Spiders have been slowly retooling to a powerhouse all the while sending out a strong competitive team each season. Every year the Spiders are right there battling the Cheese for the division. Their GM has lined them up and restocked the minors just about as well as anyone can. I expect us to have a long thriving rivalry for many years. Looking at the Spiders, I’m confident that their franchise will around for a long time, and that makes it enjoyable for me. To know the guy I’m competing against and to know that they aren’t just going to abandon their team. My hope is that Bigjc and Bigking (owners of the Stunners and Scouts who are the other teams in my division) steer their franchises the right way and someday become rivals as well. Nothing beats an intra-division rivalry. Bigking has started out nicely but lets see if he can keep things going every year. It will take more than just competing in one season to build a healthy rivalry.

- What is the best and worst part about living/playing in your team's city?

The heat. It's great for having balls fly out of the park and bikinis on the beach, but hurts the pitching staff and makes it too hot to bear sometimes.

- Who is your organization’s most highly anticipated prospect?

Osvaldo Franco is the up and coming center fielder and Benito Estalella is the Ace.


- What one contract/transaction do you wish you could undo and why?

None really.


- Which player do you consider your team’s MVP/indispensable?

Tough since they’re all very important. Probably Willie Mendez because he’s the table setter in a rebuilding offense.

- Which player is your team’s emotional/veteran leader?

Same guy. Willie Mendez has been with the squad every year and was one of the first players this franchise brought in to help turn things around.


- If you could move your franchise to any other city, which one would it be and why?

North east to Stanford CT. But the stadium would have to come.


- If your franchise wins the World Series, how will you celebrate/reward your players?

Ice cold case of beer.  

- What is your team’s mascot and why is it significant?

Montgomery the Mouse. Cuz he always knows where to find the Cheese!


- Tell us one thing we do not know about your home stadium.

On days when it gets too hot, we allow our patrons to go topless. Hey its Mexico, anything goes..
(Ed. note: no link provided!)

- Who is the most overpaid player in your organization?

No one.


- Who will win the NL South? Where will you finish?

Although the Spiders started out slowly, they’ll be right there in the race. The Stunners have been playing well all year, they have a solid shot. The Cheese might have a shot as well if the offense starts hitting.


- How do you really feel about Detroit FC Dinamo?

From my first season, looking at their squad I recall thinking they would have a dynasty. They haven’t proven me wrong.

Player Spotlight: Chin-Hui Martin

In Season 5, the Seattle Spartans broke the bank to sign 18-year-old Korean free agent Chin-Hui Martin. The returns on that investment were more immediate than owner bagpipes28 possibly could have hoped; the teenager cracked 27 HR and OPSed .926 in 107 games during his debut season. After a solid Season 6, Martin posted a ridiculous .314/.380/.648 slash line in Season 7, accompanied by 60 HR and 123 RBI, en route to being named the AL MVP. Perhaps due to the high standards that he himself had set, Martin was not recognized for his Season 8 production, which blasted through the roof to 67 HR and an incredible 155 RBI. The Spartans, however, did not overlook what he was doing, locking up the 21-year-old to a five-year deal worth almost $39 million. That continues to look like a wise move, as he currently leads the league in HR, RBI, SLG, and OPS.

While dispute remains over how much a first baseman's defense contributes to a team's success, there can be no debate over Martin's effortless command of the position. Despite playing under the pressure of major league baseball beginning at age 18 in a country where he understood few to no words, Chin-Hui sports a career .996 fielding percentage, and has made only 21 errors in more than 5,600 chances at first. With his prime still stretching out before him, the question is not whether he will be enshrined in Cooperstown one day, but whether they will have to build him his own separate wing.

Stashed away on a perennial cellar-dweller in the Pacific Northwest, Martin has never received the full accolades his performance merits. This season, however, the Spartans are off to a 23-22 start and are in the hunt for the franchise's first ever playoff appearance. Rookie RF Rex Rhodes credits Martin with keeping the club loose: "I've never been around a group of guys who are so professional, but still stay relaxed and seem to be having a good time. It really makes it easy to go out and just focus on baseball."

Veteran closer Vic Riley, an offseason trade acquisition, agrees. "This is my first year with this team," says Riley. "You look around the locker room and you see these kids who are 22, 23 years old, and you figure they must be ready to piss themselves. But they all look at Chin, who was here when he was 18. He's their age, but he's seen all this before, and he never gets rattled. I think it calms 'em down."

Journeyman SS Roberto DeRojas marvels at Martin's ability to overcome the language gap (Martin speaks only broken English; his Korean interpreter helps him communicate to the media, coaches, and even teammates): "I didn't know it was possible to be funny in two languages, but that guy will just open his mouth and fire out a bunch of nonsense," chuckles DeRojas. "I don't know what the hell he's talking about, but everybody busts out laughing. It's easy to be teammates with a guy like that."

Certainly the production he puts up does not hurt his popularity, either among fans or in the clubhouse. "Yeah, it sure helps when you go out to the mound, and you look over and see that big Korean at first," mused recently called-up SP Alexander Smart. "You know that even if you get in some trouble, that big bat can bail you out."

Seattle pitchers can rest, confident in that fact for many seasons to come. Opposing AL pitchers, on the other hand, will continue taking it on the Chin.

Team in Focus: New York Mets

The Mets have jumped out to a 27-16 record, including a sterling 13-3 mark at Shea Stadium. After finishing 82-80 last season and 5 games out in the division, the Mets did not add a big bat to a lineup that had struggled to score runs. Most observers thought that the failure to acquire some pop would lead to another season of .500 level baseball and a seat at home for the playoffs. Instead, the team has smashed 82 HR and scored the second most runs in the NL, led by a balanced attack that has seen seven regulars hit eight or more HR thus far.

Owner urbanwarrior has seen a power surge from several young players; rookie C Nicholas Simms is slugging .613 and just battering opposing pitching. He remains humble, however, saying: "You just go out there and try to make a good swing. These major league guys can throw pitches that haven't even been invented yet down in the minors." Taking over for a veteran like Hector Valenzuela, Simms has demonstrated an even-keeled temperment beyond his years: "Hey, I understand that there will be rough patches. I'm just trying to enjoy playing well right now; it's pretty easy to do with this lineup going the way it is."

Fellow rookie SS Socks Coleman has hit 9 HR and carries a 5.69 range factor at age 24. The bright lights of the Big Apple have failed to rattle this kid and his unflappable confidence. Although the tabloids have linked him to several starlets, he maintains that it is all business when he comes to the ballpark: "Look, I haven't always been known for my defense. I understand that if I'm gonna make it in this league, I have to be out there taking grounders all the time. So that's what I've been doing." It sure seems to be paying off, as his defense this season has been nearly as solid as his offensive production. The scary part? Scouts universally agree that he will only get better.

The old man of the rookie group is 25-year-old 1B Delino Fernandez, whose incredible 79 HR (!) at Double-A last season earned him a starting job in Shea and the confidence of urbanwarrior's front office. He has lived up to the expectations, hammering out 13 HR so far this season, good for second on the team. Once a 7th-round draft pick, Fernandez has found time while racing through the Mets minor league system to finish his degree in finance at the University of Maryland, where he starred for three seasons. With the contract that he will be offered after a season or two like the one he is putting together, that expertise in money management may yet come in handy.

The New York power surge has not been completely a product of the wunderkind, however. Veteran 3B Alex Hodges, who was signed to a massive 5-year, $50-million deal after OPSing .991 in Season 7, has shown no signs of slowing down at age 33. His .641 slugging percentage is tops among the team's regulars, and he has carried all the expectations that were heaped upon his shoulders when he signed that contract with ease. "These fans are sharp," he said. "They know that when a team pays you big-time dollars, you better give 'em their money's worth." He is doing exactly that; the Mets have played him at 3B consistently for the first time in his career, and his 8 errors in 177 games there demonstrate that he has not yet lost the proverbial step.

The pitching has been as solid as it was last season; that was never the concern. However, certainly Kevin Gant's Cy Young-caliber performance has been a pleasant surprise; he is 7-0 with a 1.12 WHIP and a 2.22 ERA. In other words, hitting against this guy has been like going to Shea without getting sick from the smell: damn near impossible. With numbers like those, he is a virtual lock for his first All-Star appearance; if so, it would be well-deserved, and perhaps even a long time coming. Ace Pedro Guzman has continued to live up to the massive amounts of dollars the Mets are paying him, going 6-2 with a 1.13 WHIP and 2.66 ERA. There may not be a hotter one-two punch in baseball right now.

So what does it all mean? The Mets have opened up a 7-game lead against their sub-.500 division rivals, while going 7-3 within the NL East. Those rivals should take note: as well as the Mets have performed thus far, they are still underperforming their Pythagorean record. A team that during the offseason was expected to fight to contend could run away and hide with their division title. There are potential pitfalls: pitchers around the league are bound to figure out these rookies eventually, Gant and Guzman may not be able to maintain their low BABIPs, and Tampa Bay's actual won-lost record could finally start to reflect their pyth. Stick around; this could get interesting. Fans in New York are anxious for a competitor, and urbanwarrior may have assembled the team that can make a run this season and in the future.