(AP)
The 2033 season and BLB's 55th year overall is off and running. With some teams playing five games, some six, and some seven the standings are all over the place. No team won more than four games though as Toronto, Baltimore, Carolina, Windy City, Syracuse, Indy, and Los Angeles all went 4-2. No teams went win less but Wilmington did go 1-5 and Philadelphia wasn't far behind at 1-4. With 150 or more games to go though we wouldn't too much yet. With that being said there are still some free agents looking for work and the waiver wire is full...so teams still the opportunity to "shuffle the deck chairs" so to speak.
Power Rankings
1) Windy City Blues (126.0, ++)
2) Baltimore Bulldogs (125.0, -)
3) Carolina Tobs (124.0, +)
4) Indianapolis Racers (124.0, ++)
5) Los Angeles Dinos (123.0, ++)
6) Toronto Canadians (123.0, ++)
7) Syracuse Snappers (121.0, ++)
8) Pawtucket Patriots (108.0, ++)
9) Seattle Pilots (105.9, ++)
10) Miami Sharks (104.9, o)
11) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (91.0, ++)
12) Batavia Red Jackets (89.0, --)
13) Denver BC (89.0, --)
14) Maine Guides (89.0, --)
15) Pittsburgh Millers (89.0, +)
16) Phoenix Roadrunners (88.0, o)
17) New Orleans Dukes (78.1, --)
18) Hartford Whalers (69.0, --)
19) Washington Bats (68.0, ++)
20) Montreal Exports (59.0, --)
21) New York Knights (56.0, --)
22) California Kodiaks (44.4, --)
23) Philadelphia Freedom (34.0, --)
24) Wilmington Clowns (24.0, -)
Performance of the Week
1B Dylan Owens - The ageless one won a Brewski last season for being the most under performing overpaid player in the league. His anger knew no bounds this off-season and he let it all loose against Syracuse on April 10th. In four at bats he had four hits, two home runs, and drove in six during a 9-7 Toronto victory. At 36 years old maybe he does still have a little left in the tank. We aren't sure if it's $29m worth but only time will tell.
Injury of the Week
P Dave Theisen - For the second straight season Theisen was lost in early April for at least three to four months. This time it was on April 6th when he lasted all of two outs in his first start of the year. He was diagnosed with forearm inflammation and has been ruled out until after July. At only 26 years old the Washington front office has got to be a little worried after signing him to a large contract this off-season.
Prospect of the Week
3B Alan Gerber - So far in 20 games this year the Cotuit Kettleers third basemen is hitting .280/.381/.598 with 7 HR's and 21 RBI's. Last year he was selected to the Cape Cod League All-Star game and hit .321/.434/.527 with 9 HR's and 40 RBI's.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. The BLB is starting to gain some center fielders who can play defense and hit the ball. Highest on the list has to be 22 year old Seth Blankenship for Syracuse. Picked 1.2 in 2031 this will be his second full season in the BLB. Last year he hit .225 with 20 HR's and 59 RBI's. So far in six games this year he's hitting .440 with 5 HR's and 6 RBI's. Meanwhile 23 year old Dave Marion for Batavia hit .417 with 3 HR's and 8 RBI's.
2. Speaking of center fielders Robby Brooksher is 30 years old going on 35 thank to playing over 1000 games at that position during his career. Now in his 11th season he's amassed nine All-Star appearances, five Designated Driver's, five DWI's and one Stout Slugger but was moved to left field in 2031. The Dino outfielder still has the speed that made him so elite though and leads all players with four stolen bases after only stealing 21, 19, and 10 the last three seasons. Has he finally gotten the green light?
3. Syracuse crushed 15 home runs this week (thanks in part to Blankenship) in six games. Wilmington hit one home run his week in six games. The DK Season Predictions about the Clowns stated "they lack the power hitter they need though and finish last in the league in home runs...". So far so good...well for the DK that is.
4. Freedom fans have to be having flashbacks to last season when at the end of April they were 13 games under .500. So far at 1-4 their bullpen has a 6.52 ERA, two of the losses, and are 12th in the IL. It also doesn't help they are 11th in average, OBP, SLG, OPS, runs scored, hits, and home runs.
5. The Knights signed Manny 'Big Cat' Nieto and starter Mark DeGennaro this last week. Both could contribute right away with Nieto taking up some of the slack of losing Chris Pineda and Josh Wright while DeGennaro could be a solid #3/#4 after going 15-7 in Phoenix last season.
Stat of the Week
.
All Players with 30 HR/30 SB Seasons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Comment