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04/22/2052
Party like it's 2044...well at least for Syracuse fans it is. The Snappers are #1 in the Power Rankings after sweeping Batavia and Carolina with the only perfect 6-0 week. New Orleans also kept up their hot run by going 5-1, while a handful of teams went 4-2. On the other side of life Windy City went 1-5, while California went 2-4. Both those teams are tied for the worst record in the league at 3-10. Is this the year the Kodiaks playoff streak is finally snapped? They haven't missed the postseason since 2035, but we've heard their GM is taking it well and is already planning his winter vacation just in case things don't work out.
Power Rankings
1) Syracuse Snappers (151.0, ++)
2) New Orleans Voodoo (147.5, +)
3) Pittsburgh Millers (127.6, +)
4) Dallas Drillers (115.8, ++)
5) Washington Bats (113.8, o)
6) Phoenix Roadrunners (113.0, ++)
7) Philadelphia Freedom (111.8, --)
8) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (107.0, ++)
9) New York Cyclones (97.9, -)
10) Pawtucket Patriots (97.9, +)
11) Denver Bulls (94.9, --)
12) Batavia Muckdogs (93.9, --)
13) Toronto Canadians (86.1, ++)
14) Montreal Exports (80.1, --)
15) Los Angeles Dinos (78.1, -)
16) Seattle Pilots (76.1, --)
17) Carolina Tobs (76.0, ++)
18) Indianapolis Clowns (75.1, --)
19) Hartford Whalers (70.2, -)
20) Baltimore Bulldogs (68.2, -)
21) Maine Guides (68.2, --)
22) Wilmington Wildcats (50.4, +)
23) California Kodiaks (38.5, +)
24) Windy City Blues (30.5, -)
Performance of the Week
P Troy Hill - The 33 year old was a second round pick by Santo Domingo back in 2039 and had a solid run before being traded to Philly in 2048, right after being named to his first All-Star team no less. The Freedom let him walk a few seasons later and the Voodoo scooped him up with a 2 year/$36m contract. Known for his dominating fastball, he proved on April 21st he still can sling it when he shutout Seattle to the tune of five hits, 7 K's, and no walks during a 6-0 New Orleans victory.
Prospect of the Week
LF Evan Turner - Many scouts believe the 18 year old could be starting in the BLB...and not only starting but playing at a New Brew/All-Star (or better) capability. We have not seen a young player with this much talent since Rory Elia, who debuted for the Tobs when he was 20. Look for Turner to debut sooner than that and completely turn the franchise around. He can hit for contact, he can hit for power, he has good speed, and he can play either corner outfield spot.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. In round two of fight night in the BLB the Denver Bulls and Santo Domingo Rum Runners tangled this week on 4/20, a day known for peace and love. It was the top of the first no less, with two outs, before things even started to get testy. After retiring Cooper Heizer and Al Flanagan, Bulls starter Cody Nemes gave up a 421 foot shot to Ben Clewley. Words were exchanged and both dugouts cleared but the game was quickly resumed. Up stepped James 'Wacky' Vandehey who Nemes hit on the third pitch, and all heck broke loose. 'Wacky' charged, Nemes swung, Clewley ran on and tackled Nemes...and it was on. In the end Nemes and Vandehey were both ejected and given six and four game suspensions respectively.
2. Julian Irwin found a home this week when the Washington Bats signed him to a 2 year/$30m contract that outbid several other teams still in the market. Irwin is still considered by the OSA a top three player in the league and hit over 100 HR over his last three seasons in Batavia. Also on the move was 30 year old Erick Timmons, another former Batavia draft pick. Timmons played 100 games in Pittsburgh last season where he put up a 2.9 WAR and 142 OPS+. He isn't much for the field but as a DH he will be an offensive force for the Guides.
3. Maine, Los Angeles, and Batavia had been deadly on the basepaths so far this season. Combined they have stolen 82 bases, while being only thrown out only 11 times. The Guides are led by Hayden 'Deuce' Cooper (9 SB), the Dinos by Kenny West (12 SB), and the Muckdogs by Jerry 'Snake Hips' Coleman (7 SB). Cooper and West are known base thieves, but this might be Coleman's coming out season. In his second full year in the BLB he looks ready to live up to being the 1.1 pick of the 2045 draft. Scouts agree he could be the next 30/30 or possibly 40/40 man either this year or the next.
4. Seattle rookie outfielder Joseph Brandon turned 20 years old on March 21st, and just hit his first BLB home run on April 17th against Montreal. In the top of the sixth on a 3-2 count he took a Theodore Barkley fastball and drove it 385 feet over the outfield wall. The Pilots mobbed Brandon in the dugout and after the win there were more than a few jokes about buying 'the kid' an orange juice to celebrate. Drafted 13th overall in the 2049 draft he started last season in A ball before going to AA, and finally finishing at AAA. It looks like the Pilots found another star.
5. What's on tap? How about are the Snappers for real? We might get a good idea after they have to travel to play the first place Voodoo for a four-game series. Syracuse has won eight in a row, but New Orleans has won five in a row, and has the best record in the league at 10-3. They are also 5-1 at home, while the Snappers are 3-0 on the road. Something has to give in this one and we think it will be the turtle. Streak wise Toronto's Abel Valley has his 21 game hitting streak still alive, while Wilmington's Max Klein has hit a home run in five straight games. What's the record...nine. Set by Charles Farris (SEA) back in 2040.
Stat of the Week
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| Worst 100 RBI Seasons By OBP (Top 25 Players) |
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