SIM COMPLETE - 1998 - SIM 3

[Clay]

F'n Pilsner....

Dallas is carrying the division without carrying a Catcher on their roster.

[Jim]

F'n Pilsner....

Dallas is carrying the division without carrying a Catcher on their roster.

Way to go. You post this and 5 minutes later I've got Pat PMing me asking if I need a catcher.

I have a catcher. His name is Pat Gould, but the OOTP Gods have him on the sidelines for a few months. Ashley has stepped in as his replacement several times over the last few seasons and done a very nice job--despite not even having any rating at catcher. I've almost gotten a back-up several times, but Ashley does so well that I haven't...which is nice since it gives me an extra roster spot to play with. But thanks for your concern.

[Carlos]

F'n Pilsner....

Dallas is carrying the division without carrying a Catcher on their roster.

Of course, he is. I'm missing 8 fielders.

[Clay]

Sorry, Jim....

I wouldn't wish Diesel on my worst enemy... mostly because Diesel IS my worst enemy....

[Ryan]

4-3 sim against lowly Denver and Syracuse. Some guys hit, some guys pitched, so winning sim.

[tomr1962]

As far as I can tell Zak Gaston's 30 game hit streak was 3rd longest in BLB history. He ended 5 games short of the record. Thanks Clay for ruining it.

[Clay]

As far as I can tell Zak Gaston's 30 game hit streak was 3rd longest in BLB history. He ended 5 games short of the record. Thanks Clay for ruining it.

I think it might be 2nd. By the HTML, Hiraki's 32 in 78 appears to be the only longer. What's the other one?

Oh... and you're welcome....

[tomr1962]

Adam Nickell 35 Pawtucket

[Pat]

Washington Bats (11-8, 1st Place Stout)
5-2 Sim. 3-0 vs. Wilmington. 2-2 @ Morgantown

The Good
How about Hector Pagan? It's only one start, but the recent waiver claim from Dallas was brilliant. Six IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K in a win over his former team Wilmington. Could be the acquisition of the year for Washington.

I really wish he had a better eye or some pop, but can you really complain about a guy hitting .356? Sammy Knowlton is starting both ways with the trade of Robert Abbott and he is running with it. The 27-year-old still has room to grow, according to my scout and OSA, but he is already proving that he is going to have a very solid campaign. This week, he hit 14/33.

Another player seeing an increase in playing time with Robert Abbott out of town, Jeremiah Kelly has really torn the cover off the ball so far. He's now hitting .308, with a .953 OPS. The 24-year-old, like Knowlton, will also probably win another DWI in the infield. Likely well on his way to his second consecutive All-Star game.

Clarence "Doodle" Ortiz does not get talked about enough. In eight games this season, the Bats closer is 1-0 with seven saves, 1.13 ERA, .88 WHIP, 11 Ks and no walks. One of the few long time veterans on this club, Ortiz is locked up for the next few years to close out games for D.C. and it's going to be fun to watch.

The Bad
I guess Shawn Nolan isn't going to turn the corner. He might just be what he is. The DWI winning SS is 27-years-old and after three years of improving at the plate, he regressed in 1998. This year, he is hitting a career worst .630 OPS. My scout still thinks he should hit well above that, but until he does, he will be cemented at the #8 spot in both lineups.

The Ugly
The Pat Daniels experiment might be over. After two years in the All-Star game, Daniels can't seem to get outs anymore. He will turn 33 this summer and after receiving $3.3 in arbitration, I don't think he is coming back next year. After three starts in 1998, he is now 0-3 with a 20.25 ERA. He expects to be in the bullpen, which is never a good sign for a starter. He will be moved to spot-start and mop-up going forward, and maybe he can regain his form. Don't count on it though.

The Minors
In Triple-A: The Rams had another great week, going 6-0 with very wide margins of victory. Almost everyone is hitting well and pitching well, but Ismael Jorrin is really showing he has some talent left. The 31-year-old used to be a starting OF for the Slammers but was released before the 1997 season. This year he is hitting .474 with a 1.211 OPS thru 13 games. I really don't need another lefty OF at the BLB level, but if he continues to rake, he will return to the show. If I hadn't waiver claimed two BLB SPs (Pagan and Kel Murphy), Cy Pryor would be pitching in the BLB this week. Former top 100 prospect and 1st round pick, Pryor has spent a lot of time in the minors now at 27-years-old. Last Summer he made his BLB and pitched OK, was on the ST roster this year and so far in Triple-A: two starts, 15 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB, 12 K. He is first on the list of starter call-ups.

In Double A: The Venom struggled a bit. A 3-3 week with a couple of injuries. Closer prospect C.J. Yount has been dominant however. In five games, 6.2 innings, he has struck out 10 and only walked one. SP Dave McKenna a borderline top 100 prospect, is spending his first year out of Single-A and so far so good. Two starts, 14.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 BB, 9 K. He's fragile, and soon turns 23 but the guy can throw 97 and has been pretty dominant since being drafted in 1996.

In Single-A: The Sting went 4-2, with two one-run losses. The surprisingly most impressive player, Winton McDougall doesn't even start. The backup OF has mostly been a defensive replacement and the 4th OF. In 18 ABs however, he is hitting .389 with a 1.233 OPS and 11 RBI! To lead the team. Another impressive outfielder B.J. Jobe, last years first-round pick, is hitting right where he left off last year. He is up to .327 now, with a .386 OBP, and after the rookies are entered, will be making the jump to Double-A.

The Injured
Nari Garin makes his Triple-A debut this week after suffering a ST injury.

[umd]

Pagan was a good get Pat. He's a little pricey, but moving those other guys out made it a no brainer claim with the salary space. Being in the IL should help him a bit as well.

[umd]

5-2. Maine won the series, but we swept the Circus. That's always a bonus. Alvarez has gotten off to a nice start and was worth every bit of that second rounder. Sau woke up his bat too and Castor's batting average is back towards his Stout Slugger year. I'm not sure if Raul Carbajal is off to a slow start or beginning a fall off the age cliff. If so, he'll be pissed but Efrain Garcia may be ready for full-time duty and he can go utility.

Starters are a mixed bag with Kayra and Marrero walking way too many and Rangel giving up plenty of early homers. Luckily Lim has come on as a long reliever and his performance has lifted him out of angry. I'd still like to move him though. Sanford has resurrected his career and locked down that bottom of the rotation so far with JJG's departure.

I think Raul Gonzalez and Chuck Lindsey have been pretty underrated in their careers - they've really been the key to our staff the last few years.

Now if I could just get access to the game....

[liquidcrash]

We went 5-2 and made our way into a tie for first in the division. Al Hamilton carried us offensively (what else is new?) with help from Guzman. The rest of the guys need to pick it up. Our pitching continued to do pretty well. We've got lets of depth there, though still not an ace. But, Mendez comes back in a month and I'd like to find a spot for Burns in the BLB soon. Not sure AAA is going to challenge him much anymore.

[Gyrodork]

The Good
For the second week in a row, a Los Lunas outfielder earns DL player of the week. We go 7 - 0 with sweeps of Nawlins and Ol' Miss.

The Bad
We lose two SPs to injury. Davis gets a "Diagnosis Pending".

The Ugly
I'm starting to put middle relievers into starting rotations.

[Carlos]

5-2. Maine won the series, but we swept the Circus. That's always a bonus. Alvarez has gotten off to a nice start and was worth every bit of that second rounder. Sau woke up his bat too and Castor's batting average is back towards his Stout Slugger year. I'm not sure if Raul Carbajal is off to a slow start or beginning a fall off the age cliff. If so, he'll be pissed but Efrain Garcia may be ready for full-time duty and he can go utility.

Starters are a mixed bag with Kayra and Marrero walking way too many and Rangel giving up plenty of early homers. Luckily Lim has come on as a long reliever and his performance has lifted him out of angry. I'd still like to move him though. Sanford has resurrected his career and locked down that bottom of the rotation so far with JJG's departure.

I think Raul Gonzalez and Chuck Lindsey have been pretty underrated in their careers - they've really been the key to our staff the last few years.

Now if I could just get access to the game....

I've never underrated Chuck Lindsey. You know I tried prying him away a few times during your down years. I still look at what he's done and imagine him in my staff.

[Carlos]

My bullpen is pretty rock solid. I love those guys and Juan Jose Gonzalez (the other JJG) has been everything I hoped for when I signed him in the offseason. Saw him in free agency and he fit the mold of the other relievers I have (and the ones I'm waiting on in the minors).

Ivan Olivo went back up to borderline starter and "borderline ace." And because I have nothing else to lose, I'm putting him back in the rotation. What's the worst that can happen? He sucks and we lose games?