SIM COMPLETE - 2001 - SIM 8

[BradZ]

• We are seriously contemplating the future of 37 year old, veteran catcher, Kyoden Kubota (C). Kubota has seen a steep dropoff in performance and has become a huge defensive liability behind the plate, while not showing the ability to make it up offensively on the other end.

You got more out of him than I thought when he first signed that contract. Looks like you timed it out just about perfect. One dead year on a deal like that for a club like Baltimore is just about best case scenario.

[Delandis]

You got more out of him than I thought when he first signed that contract. Looks like you timed it out just about perfect. One dead year on a deal like that for a club like Baltimore is just about best case scenario.

Yea. For a couple years there, I was worried. I wish he could've stayed 100% for a couple more of our playoff runs, but I'm not complaining. He and O'Moore brought their winning ways from Maine, so he earned it.

[Carlos]

This is really clever until you realize we're in first place. With a better record than Clay. For the first time in probably 13 years.

Sorry, I meant my team played like the expected AAA performance they should put up. Syracuse is more like AAAA.


Sent from my mobile device.

[Delandis]

This is really clever until you realize we're in first place. With a better record than Clay. For the first time in probably 13 years.

First place in the Pilsner is like last place in the Porter.




Seriously.

[Carlos]

First place in the Pilsner is like last place in the Porter.




Seriously.

Don't hate on my record.


Sent from my mobile device.

[tomr1962]

Wish all of our games went to x-innings we are 6-0

Aberdeen batting .319 as team best minor league team since I have been manager. Too bad it don't mean squat.

[umd]

We suck, lost our two best hitters and are still 3 games over .500 and in first. Hahahahaha This can't keep up.

[Delandis]

Last year we couldn't buy a 1-run or an extra inning game. This year we're 11-3 and 6-2, respectively.

Dice rolls.....

[Jistic]

4-12
1-5

Shit team.....

[Pat]

Washington Bats - 29-22 - Stout Leaders



2-1 vs. BAL
3-1 @ MOR

• Arguably our best week of the season. Both losses were 1-5 in which the oppositions pitchers dominated us. It happens.

The Good

• CL Clarence "Doddle" Ortiz is on pace for a BLB record 64 saves. Now, I don't see that happening the but soon to be 34-year-old is still getting it done. Likely headed to his fourth All-Star appearance as a Washington Bat.

• In year with likely no "Ironfist" as a shoe-in, SP Troy Hanback is giving his best efforts to bring a Pale Ale Award back to the Washington. So far this season he is 6-1, 2.65 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, leads the IL FIP and WAR. This week he got two starts: vs. Baltimore 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 10 K in a 3-2 W, @ Morgantown 7 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K in a 5-4 win.

• Is it possible the Bats could win three of the four league awards with pitchers? Ortiz and Hanback, you already know them, but what about SP Nick Cortes for IL New Brew? In five starts this season, he is 3-1, with a 2.12 ERA and .94 WHIP. He has easily been the best rookie pitcher in the IL thus far. Now we just need Philadelphia's Travis Connolly to slow down...

The Bad

• Normally my strong suit or even strongest, the bullpen, has struggled. It wasn't so awful this week but 11th in IL bullpen ERA is not what I expect from the group that the Positional Strength ranks as #1. I think it's just sample size but things need to kick into gear here soon.

• Does anyone want to hit? Besides big name Free-Agent LF Yidir Adili no one on the BLB club is hitting at an OPS clip of .800 or better. I play in the pitchers league in a pitchers park but come on guys. Get it together.

The Ugly

• Another week, another infielder hurt. Actually, two infielders hurt this week. 2B Jeremiah Kelly got the infamous "diagnosis pending" after hurting himself throwing the ball. He will immediately be placed on the 15-Day DL and we will hope for the best. This is the second time this season he has been hurt, the first even had a setback. His expected backup this year at 2B is IF Clint Johnston, who hasn't been much healthier. Missed six weeks after getting hurt in ST. Hurt himself while rehabbing in Triple-A, and then suffered a setback this week. This doesn't even include injuries that put 3B Chad Melson and IF Clarence Wetton on the DL earlier this year.

The Farm

• Top pitching prospect SP Lorenzo Campos officially expects to be playing in the majors. After 15 starts last year and nine this year, he is 13-5, 3.10 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 131 Ks in 156 IP. I think he still needs to work on his control and won't be rushed but it's encouraging to see him preparing for the big leagues.

• When the league-wide favorite "Cut Day Sim" comes along, OF Pat Ladd will be making the jump to Triple-A. So far, the Bats top hitting prospect is hitting at a .818 OPS clip and 132 OPS+. He still needs to work on his strikeouts and could use more schooling in defensively, but the soon to be 22-year-old could be make the September call-ups.

The Transaction

• Hopefully bringing in another lefty veteran will solidify the pen. Fresh off the scrap heap formerly of Carolina, the Bats sign MR Manny Mendez who we believe still has something left in the tank. The 36-year-old signed a one-year $1.75M deal. He currently expects to close. How does mop-up sound while you get the rust off?

The Week Ahead

• Stout Week! Two vs. Wilmington, two vs. Virginia and then three vs. Morgantown. All at home. The Stout has been tough this year but the current four game lead is the biggest anyone has had so far. I expect to extend that league after defending the home field. I'll say, 2-0 vs. Blue Wave, 1-1 vs. Colonials and 2-1 vs. Mohawks.