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(AP)
The Bulldogs continue to be the class of the league as they go 5-1 on the week with a sweep of Denver while taking two of three against Carolina. Other big weeks belonged to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia as they both went 5-1 as well. Six teams went 4-2 while Washington went 0-6 and California, Maine, and Wilmington all went 1-5.
Power Rankings
1) Baltimore Bulldogs (134.5, o)
2) Pittsburgh Millers (119.0, ++)
3) Windy City Blues (116.2, o)
4) Philadelphia Freedom (114.0, ++)
5) New Orleans Dukes (113.8, -)
6) Pawtucket Patriots (104.5, ++)
7) Miami Sharks (103.8, ++)
8) Syracuse Snappers (101.8, -)
9) Batavia Red Jackets (98.5, ++)
10) New York Knights (96.6, -)
11) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (96.0, o)
12) Los Angeles Dinos (94.5, --)
13) Phoenix Roadrunners (92.6, --)
14) Hartford Whalers (89.0, ++)
15) California Kodiaks (82.1, --)
16) Maine Guides (82.0, --)
17) Indianapolis Racers (80.4, +)
18) Seattle Pilots (76.2, -)
19) Toronto Canadians (74.2, o)
20) Carolina Tobs (71.0, ++)
21) Montreal Exports (61.8, +)
22) Washington Bats (55.5, --)
23) Wilmington Clowns (51.0, -)
24) Denver BC (49.4, o)
Performance of the Week
P Tom Rakita - The 27 year old was picked in the 1st round by Miami in the 2023 draft and has played in the BLB for seven seasons now but is still an unknown to most. So far this season though he's pitched two gems, one on April 25th and the latest on May 1st against the Dukes. In that game he went all nine innings, allowed three hits, no runs, and struck out eight while walking none. On the season he's 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.
Injury of the Week
LF Zachary Landen - On April 26th against Phoenix Landen cracked a double in the top of the 9th but upon pulling up at second grabbed at his knee. He was removed from the game and an MRI showed he had a strained PCL and will be out for over a month. On the season Landen is hitting .273/.351/.500 with 3 HR's and 12 RBI's.
Prospect of the Week
SS Conor Hill - The 17 year old who plays for Seton Hall Prep has one of the better eyes for the ball of anyone coming out of high school. This year he's hitting .283/.449/.525 with 7 HR's and 17 RBI's in 31 games. He had a 22 game hitting streak last season and scouts say he's very intelligent. In the field he has a long way to go due to his young age but he could end up a first round selection.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. When was the last time Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Baltimore, and Windy City led their respective divisions in May? Well we don't know either but it wasn't anytime recent. So far the surprise team of the season has to be the Bulldogs who lead the BLB with a 17-7 record. Windy City and New Orleans are close behind with 16-9 and 16-10 records respectively. All three teams missed the playoffs last season.
2. The second biggest surprise of the young season has to be 9-15 Washington at the bottom of the Stout and Seattle at 11-14 two from the bottom in the Bock. The Bats have been hurting offensively as they are currently 11th in runs scored and 12th in average while Seattle is 9th in runs scored and 8th in runs against. Let's be honest though in one or two weeks they could be above .500 and back to their 'normal'.
3. Seeing Jarrod Peacock win IL Pitcher of the Month after going 3-0 with 1.93 ERA has to be a huge relief for the Freedom front office. Trading Zachary Bradley for Peacock before last season and then watching Bradley finish 2nd in the Stout Slugger while Peacock went 12-12 with a 4.15 ERA was disappointing to say the least. Peacock's revival goes hand in hand with Philly being 14-10 and three games out of the Stout lead.
4. Currently the DL's league average of .249 is tied for 3rd worst ever while the IL's league average of .268 is 3rd best ever. Mat Barone (SEA) is hitting .413, Dusty Janson (BAL) is hitting .395 and Ricky Pizarro (WC) is hitting .395. In the DL the league leader is Michah Anderson (SDR) who is hitting .391. It's too early to project any .400 batters but it's a nice change after Gil Porter led the DL last season hitting .321 and Colin Bailey led the IL after hitting .326.
5. Poor Li-cong Shi. He just got his bags unpacked and purchased a condo in Denver after being traded there by Philly on April 4th for a 5th round pick. He was then shipped to Miami on April 25th for a 4th round pick. He's not much of a hitter but his +37.9 career ZR at 2nd and +37.2 career ZR at 3rd make him a valuable commodity.
Stat of the Week
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| Farthest Finish Out of First Place (Top 25 Teams) |
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