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08/25/2053
Guess who's back on top...everyone's favorite team...the Washington Bats. Even though they only went 4-2, the Bats went 2-1 against both Baltimore and Windy City, and handed Jannero Peter his first loss of the season. For that they deserve to be number one. The best week though belonged to Maine, who went 5-1 and moved within a half game of the Millers for the Ale lead. Other top weeks were Baltimore and Toronto who went 5-2. Both teams are now a frog hair under .500, with Toronto putting together three straight winnings months and Baltimore going 15-7 in August. On the other side of life Phoenix had the dreaded upside down unicorn by going 0-7, while California went 1-5.
Power Ranking
1) Washington Bats (115.8, ++)
2) Dallas Drillers (113.4, ++)
3) New Orleans Voodoo (108.6, -)
4) Maine Guides (107.8, ++)
5) Seattle Pilots (106.6, --)
6) California Kodiaks (105.0, --)
7) Pittsburgh Millers (97.6, +)
8) Baltimore Bulldogs (97.6, ++)
9) Carolina Tobs (96.4, -)
10) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (95.6, --)
11) Toronto Canadians (92.8, +)
12) Indianapolis Clowns (91.5, --)
13) Pawtucket Patriots (86.7, -)
14) Windy City Blues (85.9, +)
15) Los Angeles Dinos (85.4, -)
16) Denver Bulls (84.0, +)
17) Hartford Whalers (82.0, ++)
18) Batavia Muckdogs (81.0, +)
19) Wilmington Wildcats (79.5, ++)
20) Montreal Exports (79.4, --)
21) Philadelphia Freedom (73.4, o)
22) Syracuse Snappers (69.1, +)
23) Phoenix Roadrunners (62.4, --)
24) New York Cyclones (57.6, o)
Performance of the Week
C Andy Hugo - Andy pulled into the 22nd best hitting performance of the season this past week against Carolina when he had two home runs, four RBI, and scored twice in a 9-1 victory. The 28 year old was just called up to the BLB, and so far in 13 games he's hitting .311 with 4 HR and 11 RBI. The Bulls still have a 26% chance of making the playoffs according to our friends at Stats+, and Hugo is only making that number go up.
Prospect of the Week
CF Dulani Cherry - All though he's not a centerfielder, or much of any type of fielder, this kid is what scouts dreams are made up. At only 16 he has a long way to go, but his potential is through the roof. Scouts think he is a tier one hitter who can not only hit .350, but smash 40 home runs to go along with it. He had a rough sophomore year at Seton Hall Prep though, so many are seeing how his junior and senior years play out. As a freshman he hit .351 with 20 HR and 61 RBI in only 40 games, so if he gets back to those numbers he has a solid chance to be a top five pick in a few season.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. The social media accusations against Jett Speer continue to fly after Speer smoked four home runs in two games against New Orleans early last week. On the season the 29 year old now has 34 home runs, or one less than his career total of 35 in 390 previous games. He's also at an amazing 5.5 WAR, when in those previous 390 games he amassed a whopping .70 WAR. Speer was a first round pick by California back in 2044 and credits his career year to "maturity and patience". He's also become one of the captains of a team that has the second best record in the league. Not bad for a guy making $2.7 million.
2. Another hitting streak is over for Aubrey 'Gypsy' Albano after he went 0-5 against Wilmington on August 21st. The 23 game streak ranks sixth best for him as he's compiled 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 22, 21, and 21 streaks previously. When the next closest players have streaks that have gone 20 games or more just four times, and the league is 75 years old, well Albona is in a whole another class by himself.
3. As mentioned earlier Jannero Peter lost his first game of the year on August 19th to Washington. Over eight innings he gave up three runs as the Bulldogs fell 3-2. He is now 17-1 with a 1.64 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 252 ERA+. The former seventh round pick is on pace for a 7.5 WAR and is only in his first year of arbitration. We suggest he brings his future Pale Ale to the bargaining table this fall.
4. Welcome to the BLB to rookie Zach Fleming of Wilmington. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2051 draft he was playing in the Rookie League just two short years ago. This season he went from A ball, to AA, and then right to the BLB last week. The 22 year old got his first start against Syracuse where he went 6.1 innings, gave up four hits, no earned runs, no walks, struck out seven, and picked up a win. Fleming can hit 101 mph on the gun and his fastball and forkball and nearly unhittable. It looks like the turnaround in Wilmington is beginning.
5. What's on tap? Pittsburgh gets the gauntlet this week as they play Pawtucket and then Dallas. After being 18 games over .500 entering June, they are now six games below .500 since. With Maine going 15-6 this month it might be the week for a new division leader in the Ale. We also get a big four game series with California at Washington. They are tied two apiece this season and still have a three game series at the end of September to play. Whenever we get a Bats - Kodiaks match-up it's fun for everyone.
Stat of the Week
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| Largest Single Season Increase In Home Runs (Top 25 Players, Maximum 100% Increase In Games Played) |
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