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