Tweet
04/18/2044
Those snazzy Snappers stay atop the Power Rankings with another 5-1 week, moving them to 11-2 and tied with Seattle for the best record in the league. The Pilots also managed to go 5-1 with Montreal being the third part of the weekly five win club. On the flip side Baltimore, LA, NY, NO, and Carolina all went 1-5. Some weeks you are the bat, some weeks you are the ball.
Power Rankings
1) Syracuse Snappers (160.3, o)
2) Seattle Pilots (157.3, +)
3) Pawtucket Patriots (144.5, -)
4) Windy City Blues (132.6, o)
5) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (126.0, o)
6) Philadelphia Freedom (116.8, ++)
7) Montreal Exports (113.8, ++)
8) Pittsburgh Millers (112.8, +)
9) Wilmington Clowns (106.0, ++)
10) Batavia Red Jackets (99.9, -)
11) Maine Guides (99.9, --)
12) Dallas Drillers (86.1, ++)
13) Denver Bulls (82.1, -)
14) Toronto Canadians (82.1, ++)
15) Carolina Tobs (68.0, --)
16) California Kodiaks (67.2, ++)
17) Washington Bats (66.2, -)
18) Baltimore Bulldogs (63.2, --)
19) Los Angeles Dinos (62.2, --)
20) Hartford Whalers (54.4, -)
21) Indianapolis Racers (52.4, -)
22) New Orleans Voodoo (47.4, --)
23) Phoenix Roadrunners (40.0, -)
24) New York Knights (17.7, o)
Performance of the Week
RF Kyle 'Salesman' Olmsted - The former 1.3 of 2038 has turned into a star after last years 7.5 WAR season. This past week on April 13th against Hartford he lit up the Whalers with four hits, three home runs, four RBI's, and four runs scored in a 9-2 Philly victory. Two weeks in and he's on pace for an 8.3 WAR this year.
Injury of the Week
3B D.B. Swart - Early reports out of Dallas were that noted prankster Swart was not pulling a joke after getting stung by a bee outside the stadium this morning. When he ran into the trainer room screaming "bees" and swatting in the air a few laughed, but luckily team trainer Raymond Wagner knew Swart's history and was able to render aid. After getting a shot Swart was sent to the local hospital to get monitored and should be released later today. He is expected to miss the next few games against Montreal as he recovers. On the season the 23 year old former third round pick is hitting .263/.300.526 with a home run and two RBI's.
Prospect of the Week
3B Julian Irwin - Last week was the #1 pitching prospect, undrafted Martin Hoffman. This week it's the #1 hitting prospect, 8th round pickup Irwin. He shot from #86 in 2041 to #9 the following season. This year he debuted at #4. All though 21 and still in A ball, he has struggled lately with his contact and scouts are hoping this is the year he finally breaks out.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. Preston Capps is off and running as he stole four more bases this last week to give him a league leading nine on the season. He has stolen 116 bases the last two seasons and all though he's projected to reach 112 this year we don't think he will quite get there. Ninety though isn't out of the realm of possibility considering his ability to get on base with one of the best bats in the game. His only downfall might be that he doesn't hit enough singles, because he's too busy hitting doubles and home runs.
2. We're picking Seattle to be one of two teams to win 100+ games this season. They are ranked #2 overall in starting pitching behind only New Orleans, and the way they re-signed Beehn last season after trading Jimmy Brabec to Syracuse has paid off. Beehn is 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA and already hit his first home run of the year against Phoenix. He's the games only two-way star and at only 29 years old still has a few more years left in his prime.
3. Last season Pittsburgh traded for Marco Taylor in hopes of having the slugger anchor the lineup. He ended up hitting .285 with 33 HR's in 116 games. In a loophole overlooked by the assistant GM he was able to opt out after the season much to the shock of Millers management. They went after him in free agency but he signed with Los Angeles when they offered him $30m this year and $85m over the next four years. So far he's hitting .413/.500/.761 and is on pace for 37 HR's and 125 RBI's. Vince Stapleton better start working on his resume.
4. In the Barton Mejia watch he tossed a complete game shutout against New Orleans on April 16th. He's now 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP and has won eight consecutive games.
5. In the BLB it seems good pitching far outweighs good hitting these days. Some of the best players in the league are young ace hurlers like Christian Vines, Aman Djorovic, Rayburn Michel, or Seth 'Icebox' Cobb. It seems to be showing as the current DL batting average is .256, the lowest it has been since 2032. The current IL batting average is .239, which is tied for the lowest in league history with the 2021 season. Maybe something to think about as teams wheel and deal down the stretch this year.
Stat of the Week
.
Most Innings Pitched without Starting a Game
| Kelile Mshangama . | Team LAD . |
Year 2040 . |
Age 30 . |
Innings 166.2 . |
Games 73 . |
| Kelile Mshangama | LAD | 2038 | 28 | 160.2 | 70 |
| Kelile Mshangama | LAD | 2039 | 29 | 160.1 | 73 |
| Kelile Mshangama | LAD | 2041 | 31 | 158.2 | 72 |
| Jamie Stillwell | PHI | 2027 | 28 | 157.0 | 104 |
| Jalen Duell | DEN | 2026 | 30 | 156.1 | 98 |
| Dave Walker | DVS | 2027 | 33 | 155.1 | 93 |
| Jeff Flynn | SIN | 1979 | 28 | 154.0 | 69 |
| Ted Smith | BAL | 2034 | 26 | 152.0 | 80 |
| Joey Bailey | CHI | 2027 | 26 | 151.0 | 95 |
| Jamie Stillwell | PHI | 2026 | 27 | 149.0 | 96 |
| Marco Rosaro | WAS | 2028 | 34 | 149.0 | 96 |
| Jeff Flynn | SIN | 1980 | 29 | 146.2 | 62 |
| Joey Bailey | CHI | 2026 | 25 | 144.1 | 85 |
| Jaylen Lindsey | PHO | 2034 | 30 | 144.0 | 79 |
| J.J. Plumley | WIL | 2032 | 24 | 143.2 | 75 |
| Marco Rosaro | WAS | 2027 | 33 | 143.1 | 97 |
| Khalil Corey | BAL,MON | 2031 | 33 | 142.2 | 86 |
| Regis Kenny | CAR | 2043 | 26 | 141.1 | 79 |
| Zhi-qiang Ba | HYU | 1982 | 32 | 140.2 | 80 |
Comment