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05/05/2042
Last season Montreal started out in the gutter, almost caused a shakeup in the organization, got their stuff together, and ended up a game away from the Brewmasters. This season they just decided to skip all the drama and dominate from the beginning. With sweeps of Maine and Santo Domingo this week they go a perfect 6-0 and are now a ridiculous 21-5 on the season. Not to be outdone though how about those Patriots from Pawtucket. They haven't been to the playoffs since 2033 but after a 7-0 week they lead the Ale and now sit at 17-10.
Power Rankings
1) Montreal Exports (161.4, o)
2) Pawtucket Patriots (126.3, ++)
3) Washington Bats (124.7, +)
4) New York Knights (123.2, +)
5) Seattle Pilots (121.7, --)
6) Phoenix Roadrunners (114.3, o)
7) California Kodiaks (113.8, o)
8) Philadelphia Freedom (109.7, o)
9) Pittsburgh Millers (107.8, --)
10) Hartford Whalers (94.6, +)
11) Wilmington Clowns (90.0, +)
12) New Orleans Voodoo (88.4, o)
13) Syracuse Snappers (85.7, ++)
14) Los Angeles Dinos (83.7, ++)
15) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (83.7, --)
16) Baltimore Bulldogs (81.1, -)
17) Carolina Tobs (74.3, ++)
18) Batavia Red Jackets (70.0, -)
19) Dallas Drillers (69.2, ++)
20) Toronto Canadians (63.8, -)
21) Denver Bulls (58.8, o)
22) Windy City Blues (58.0, --)
23) Indianapolis Racers (42.3, --)
24) Maine Guides (11.8, o)
Performance of the Week
LF Grant Hockensmith - The forgotten man out in Carolina is now 27, has averaged 39 home runs over his last four seasons, and has never been to an All-Star game. This past week he tuned up Batavia on April 30th when he hit two home runs, drove in four, walked four times, and scored twice in a 6-5 victory that took 16 innings to get. On the season he's hitting .291 with 14 HR's and 22 RBI's in 25 games.
Injury of the Week
SS Jimmy Brabec - The highly sought after FA, who's making over $30m this season, went down hard in a collision at second during his May 1st game and limped off the field. He was diagnosed with a strained hamstring and will be out at least a month. On the season he's hitting .318 with 5 HR's and 14 RBI's, while putting up a +1.3 ZR at short stop.
Prospect of the Week
3B Julian Irwin - The #1 hitting prospect in the league is...wait for it...an 8th round draft pick? Drafted as the 181st overall player in 2040 Irwin is projected to be an "elite starting third basemen". He's currently only 19 years old and in the rookie league but what a gem in the rough this might turn out to be for Batavia.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. The NCAA and CCBL playoffs start in a few days and High School is already in the Great Eight which can only mean one thing, the 2042 BLB draft is right around the corner. This year the Indianapolis Racers hold the top pick which has been speculated up for trade. Will the Racers pick one of the OSA darling hitters coming out high school, or trade down to acquire some future capital...time will tell.
2. We talked about Montreal going 6-0 this past week but we didn't mention they allowed only six runs in those six games. The next closest was California who allowed 16 in six games. When you have a 0.95 team ERA for the week you are usually pretty successful. On the season their starters are 14-2 with four of the five starers currently listed on the "who's hot" list.
3. We had another brawl this week as Baltimore and Denver squared off on the diamond and inside the diamond. In a scuffle that would have made the WWE proud Bulls pitcher Ethan Beach drilled Bulldogs outfielder Owen Kleindienst after giving up a home run to the previous batter Archie Thorington. Klein charged the mound and the 5'11, 190 lb 26 year old was promptly picked up and body-slammed by the 6'6, 205 lb 36 year old Beach. Teammates quickly broke up the one sided affair and order was restored. Beach got six games off while Kleindiesnt will sit for five thanks to the office of the commissioner. After the game one anonymous club official for Baltimore stated "I guess old-man strength wins again."
4. Agents around the league have been in closed door meetings with clubs as several big name players will be free agents after this season. Leading the list are stars such as JD Rice, Logan Wilcher, Louis Dano Dasmarinas, Elmer Caceres, and Kahron Reyes...all players currently in their mid to late 20's. Talk about a bumper crop of talent shuffling around the league if players and GM's can't find a good compromise to sign on the dotted line.
5. It's early in the year but Wilmington, Montreal, and Philly are 1-2-3 when it comes to team ZR in the league. The Clowns sit at +15.5, the Exports are at +13.9, and the Freedom are +10.6. On the flip side Carolina is already at -10.0 as CJ Harrison has amassed a -8.0 ZR in 24 games in center field. The record of -52.1 is actually held by Hall of Fame outfielder Mel 'Doorbell' Woodury who was sent out at 40 years old to patrol the Mississippi outfield in 1997.
Stat of the Week
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| Most Innings Pitched Without Starting a Game (Top 25 Players) |
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