SIM COMPLETE - 2001 - SIM 1

[Carlos]

Cy Gray forgot he spent time in Baltimore.

Or was that a wise ass crack? We are gonna hit him next year.


Sent from my mobile device.

[Pat]

After an initial look through, I think this might be one of the deeper drafts we have had in years. I feel there aren't as many "Superstars" but more "1st Round Grade Talent" than normal.

[Jistic]

I agree. It's also the first time in forever I don't see a true #1 starter out there. But depth in buckets. Nobody in the first round should get a bad pick.

I do see a few guys that I think are gonna be stars. I already know who I want and I have a feeling he's gonna be there at 9.

[funclown]

Also, should be able to land a solid starting pitcher with early second round picks.

If your team loves cooking players, there are some serious star high schoolers(Intl included) to be had.

[umd]

If anyone wants BLB talent, I'm interested in moving into the 1st and/or 2nd round of this draft to continue the rebuild.

[Pat]

Washington Bats (4-2; Stout lead by 1 GM)


2-1 @ Los Alamos
2-1 vs. Windy City
Two losses by a combined three runs. Really wanted to bust out the broom to start the year!

Best Game: Bandit's SP Migdonio Manhos was dominant all game and took a 1-1 tie into the 9th. 3B Tyler McLouth lead the inning off with a double. After a balk, OF Yidir Adili swung on a 3-0 count to knock in what would be the winning run.

Worst Game: Opening Day! Down 3-4 entering the 9th inning, the Bats lead-off the inning with a single by OF Miguel Angel Monchez, followed by a double by SS Shawn Nolan. The Bats only manage to score one run in the inning and take a tie 4-4 game into the 9th. CL Clarence Ortiz doesn't record an out. Double, single, single, ball game, 5-4 Bandits.

The Good
-Everything is such a small sample size at this point but I am very excited by the play from OF B.J. Jobe. The second-year man will bat lead-off for as long as he hits like he did in SIM 1. Not a patient hitter, Jobe hit .381 with two runs, two RBI and two SBs. Defensively, I'm still trying to figure it out who will play the best where and Jobe's versatility should be useful.

-Maybe he does have another great year in him? SP Loren Washington emerged on the Top 20 Players list this week after throwing a game similar to what he did week in week out last year. Eight innings, two ER, getting the win in a 3-2 ball game against the Playboys. Joining him this week on the Top 20 Players list was SP Travis DuFour, who in similar fashion gave up one ER in seven innings in a 2-1 win over Los Alamos.

-1B Nari Garin continued his hot streak from the post-season by getting a hit in every game he started this week. 8/16 with two doubles, two walks, three runs and three RBI.

The Bad
-Already a blown save by Ortiz. He has had issues with this in the past but he is still by far my best option to close for this year and probably next year. Hopefully it's just rust and not a sign of things to come. He did bounce back the very next game and got a second save in the WC series.

The Ugly
-I'm nervous about RP Willie Watkins. He was responsible for the Game 6 loss in the Brewmaster's and it looks like his hangover has carried into this season. The CPU barely pitched him in Spring Training and in six games, he wasn't brought in once this week.

The Injured
-2B Jeremiah Kelly is healthy and will rehab in Triple-A starting this week. I've never used the rehab assignment before but I think after missing half of Spring Training and the first week of the season, it's a smart move. Especially for a player who is as streaky as Kelly. IFs Clint Johnston and Chad Melson each have weeks left on the DL and will likely rehab when Kelly is back up in the bigs.

The Farm
-Be aware league! SP Lorenzo Campos might be ready here soon. Two starts. 14.1 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 17 K, 2-0. Granted, he did win each game with a ton of run support, 14-1, 12-1, but it wasn't necessary. He is on a pitch count in the minors so those starts could have been even better had he stayed in. I'm in no rush to get him up but with the #6 Spot in the rotation usually up for grabs to start the year, Campos is on notice.

The Week Ahead
-Three vs. Batavia and three @ Baltimore. Both teams had good weeks, going 4-2 and 5-1, respectively. I think we should be able to take care of business at home against the Muckdogs, I'll say 2-1. Against the Bulldogs, in their park, I'll say 1-2. I'd hope for better but in the early stages of the season we are still working out the kinks.

[Spectre]

I swear, why does this team always start out so slowly? Really subpar performance from the offense the first week against pitching which we should have handled.

Also, noticed that the collars on my AAA team are transparent. Floating heads galore- Clay, no rush, but I emailed you a jersey template with a blue collar. Not sure what happened there but it looks pretty neat for now.

With regards to the draft pool, this is a good draft to have two first round picks.

[Delandis]

The Week Ahead
-Three vs. Batavia and three @ Baltimore. Both teams had good weeks, going 4-2 and 5-1, respectively. I think we should be able to take care of business at home against the Muckdogs, I'll say 2-1. Against the Bulldogs, in their park, I'll say 1-2. I'd hope for better but in the early stages of the season we are still working out the kinks.

Definitely looking forward to seeing how this one goes. Looks like we'll be matching up against the best that the Bats have to offer on the mound, so it should be a good early litmus test. 5/6 games we got over 9+ hits, but I'm sure everyone was rusty just like we were.

We also have an injury pending with Colin Reed who was injured in a collision at that 3rd base trying to stretch a double. He was thrown out.

In other news, one of our 2001 Rule V draftees, Clarence Lyon, looked REALLY good. He came in and closed up shop against the Colonials on Saturday, facing 7 and sending 4 back to the dugout immediately on K's. Now I'm very interested in seeing how he plays in a starting role.

[Delandis]

Cy Gray forgot he spent time in Baltimore.

Or was that a wise ass crack? We are gonna hit him next year.


Sent from my mobile device.

If he hit .091 for WC, sounds like he remembers exactly what it was like in Baltimore.

[Delandis]

Nothing like watching our former 1st round pick, Ishmael Reyes, hit a 468 ft bomb on Pancho that leads to a 3-2 win and sweep of the Colonials.

Sure, we lost last year but that definitely takes off a little bit of the sting.

[mwetts]

My top 3 pitchers 'Chuckwagon', Jaco and Ryan have there work cut out for them again this week. After facing NO's top 3 they take on Dallas' top 3 who by the way gave 1 run over 19.0 IP last week. So even if my guys throw well gonna have tough time getting a win.

However we do play Denver in the back hald of the week so there's that.