SIM COMPLETE - 1997 - SIM 5

[liquidcrash]

4-2. We've played pretty well the past three weeks to open up a six game lead in the division, though it is still really early.

Some notes from the first month or so:

Val Aparicio is off to his best start. Is he growing up and becoming the pitcher I've hoped he would? Control is still an issue, but the walks are down so far. If he keeps that up, it could be a huge development for us.

-No one in the lineup is hitting all that well so far. We're scoring runs ok, but there isn't any single player or two carrying us. Hamilton is off to a slow start, Deleon has cooled down. I think some of our guys will pick it up at the plate soon.

-After a rough start, my pitching has been solid. Along with Aparicio, Manny Mendez is off to another good start in the rotation, Vazquez has settled down and we're generally giving ourselves a chance to win every night.

-On the farm, Jonathan Burns is mowing down AA batters. His stuff is just way too good for that level and he'll be moving up. Marlon Huffman threw a no-hitter in AA. I also like what I've seen from Tom Vaccarella and Desmond Wolochow in A. We'll see how Wolochow progresses, I thought he could be a sleeper when I took him a few drafts ago.

Coming up, we've got a really tough week against the Bulldogs and the Colonials. It'll be good to measure ourselves against the league's elite.

[Clay]

Coming up, we've got a really tough week against the Bulldogs and the Colonials. It'll be good to measure ourselves against the league's elite.

You just diminished the word 'elite' a great deal.

[Delandis]

You just diminished the word 'elite' a great deal.

When did you become so modest, Clay?

[liquidcrash]

We're playing the two best teams in the IL so far this coming week. Virginia is a juggernaut and the Bulldogs scored about a million runs the last time we played them. They're responsible for almost 25% of the runs we've given up despite only playing them three times. It'll be interesting to see how my guys respond to the challenge this week. Hopefully being at home will help us a little bit but any time we play #1 and #2 in the power rankings, I'm not sure what to expect.

[tomr1962]

Wow, I am getting killed by injuries Didn't see anyother team with so many

[Delandis]

We're playing the two best teams in the IL so far this coming week. Virginia is a juggernaut and the Bulldogs scored about a million runs the last time we played them. They're responsible for almost 25% of the runs we've given up despite only playing them three times. It'll be interesting to see how my guys respond to the challenge this week. Hopefully being at home will help us a little bit but any time we play #1 and #2 in the power rankings, I'm not sure what to expect.

Well Shitty knocked himself out so we'll probably be downgraded to only 50% of what we scored last time....

[Z]

Wow, I am getting killed by injuries Didn't see anyother team with so many

No, I have you beat.

You have three injuries this year.

I have eight.

[Delandis]

We're playing the two best teams in the IL so far this coming week. Virginia is a juggernaut and the Bulldogs scored about a million runs the last time we played them. They're responsible for almost 25% of the runs we've given up despite only playing them three times. It'll be interesting to see how my guys respond to the challenge this week. Hopefully being at home will help us a little bit but any time we play #1 and #2 in the power rankings, I'm not sure what to expect.

Wait a second? You are trying to pull a fast one. You are undefeated at home.

[Clay]

Wait a second? You are trying to pull a fast one. You are undefeated at home.

Wow. That is pretty impressive.

[Jake]

2-4 sim. Probably more realistic than our early success.

I think it happened last sim, but Chip Snow is now #19 on the top pitchers list. I've always been a fan, nice to see him developing a little this late in his career.

[liquidcrash]

Wait a second? You are trying to pull a fast one. You are undefeated at home.

Honestly I didn't realize that. We've built a solid start off that and by winning close games. I'm not sure either is sustainable, I'm sure we won't be perfect at home after this week. But, if the bats start to do some things maybe we won't need to squeak out one run games.

We're still pretty good, though we're not any better than we were last season and that didn't get us anything. I could use Burns and Brown to become ready sooner than I think they will. I don't mean to sound down on my team, I think we can compete with anyone not named Virginia. I'd just like to see a little more from some guys.

[Jake]

I just checked the BA Top 100 and we have 10 guys in the top 100 - including 3 catchers and two MRs.

So I guess it's a good thing I just drafted a C and two MRs in the first round.

[Clay]

I just checked the BA Top 100 and we have 10 guys in the top 100 - including 3 catchers and two MRs.

So I guess it's a good thing I just drafted a C and two MRs in the first round.

Well... in the BLB.. you can't have too many Catchers and MR's.... oh wait.

[Jake]

Speaking of catchers, making a couple of minor moves this week:

Called up C Ignacia Huerta, a guy I like quite a bit, but not for outstanding talent or anything. Just a solid dude who ideally would be a backup, but we'll see what he can do. Platooning against RHP this week.

Also bringing up Juan Jose Roman, a 27 year old SP who's spent the last 10 years in the minors after being an 8th round pick in 87. He's been... solid enough in AAA the last few years, and Doug Hill wasn't getting it done.

[Spectre]

Wow, how long is the offense going to suck this bad? There's no way Rojas, Woodbury, Mac, Dixon, and St. Laurent all underperform the whole year. Nice to see Woodbury somewhat coming to life. Going to have to make some tough decisions soon. All I need is a nice 7-0 sim to get me optimistic again!

Also, grabbed Jeremiah Wallace off of waivers. We'll see how he does. I remember when he was a big time prospect back in the day.