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04/14/2064
And we're back for season 86 of Brewers League Baseball. When you sit back and think about it, it's hard to believe sometimes. Yet here we are. Last season ended when the Washington Bats took game seven of the Brewmasters over the Wilmington Wildcats, and now after one week Washington and Wilmington are the top two teams in the league. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Both the aforementioned teams went 6-1 during the opening week, with the Bats sweeping the Roadrunners in a four game series, while the Wildcats swept the Voodoo in three. Other seasons which started out on a positive note were Santo Domingo, Cali, and Denver who all went 5-2. Other seasons which started out on a negative note were Phoenix at 1-6, and Seattle, Philly, and New Orleans at 2-5. Good thing we have roughly 155 games to go!
Power Rankings
1) Washington Bats (163.3, ++)
2) Wilmington Wildcats (158.3, ++)
3) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (133.5, ++)
4) Denver Bulls (130.5, +)
5) California Kodiaks (129.5, -)
6) Montreal Exports (125.1, ++)
7) Baltimore Bulldogs (124.1, --)
8) Carolina Tobs (105.8, --)
9) Pittsburgh Millers (102.8, ++)
10) Los Angeles Dinos (88.0, -)
11) Windy City Blues (79.2, ++)
12) Dallas Drillers (78.2, --)
13) New York Cyclones (77.2, o)
14) Syracuse Snappers (77.2, ++)
15) Toronto Canadians (77.2, ++)
16) Batavia Muckdogs (75.2, --)
17) Indianapolis Clowns (75.2, --)
18) Hartford Whalers (74.2, --)
19) Pawtucket Patriots (74.2, --)
20) Maine Guides (54.9, --)
21) New Orleans Voodoo (49.5, --)
22) Seattle Pilots (49.5, --)
23) Philadelphia Freedom (45.5, --)
24) Phoenix Roadrunners (16.7, --)
Performance of the Week
P Chase Vaughan - The 34 year old has been a lifelong Tob since they drafted him in the 5th round of the 2047 draft. The 3x All-Star has won 35 games over the last two seasons, and started this one out right on on April 9th against New York. In a complete game shutout he walked just three while striking out six as the Tobs won easily 7-0.
Prospect of the Week
3B Micah Lumsden - The #1 prospect in all the land won't be much longer, because he's now the starting third basement for the Rum Runners. Drafted 23rd overall in 2059, scouts think he has the ability to hit 30+ out of the park while "being a productive regular on a contending team." Between him and 24 year old first basemen Isaac Rampone it appears Santo Domingo is only going up.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. The first place Bats scraped up enough pocket change to sign Rayshaun 'Awesome' Stuart on a two year/$20m contract this past week, which is a steal considering he played for the Bats for $23m last season. After being drafted fourth overall by Phoenix in 2053, he played for the Roadrunners for eight seasons where he was a 3x All-Star before being traded to Denver in 2062. He then helped the Bulls win the Brewmasters, went to free agency, and was signed by the Bats. After winning another Brewmasters in 2063 he sat unsigned all winter and spring before the Bats said "why not?" During the press conference 'Awesome' said, "Rayshaun has won two straight titles, he figured he might as well go for three."
2. Even with another $10m on Stuart, the Bats payroll only moved to second overall, barely passing Pittsburgh. They still trail the Denver Bulls though by a whopping $18,648,600. Denver has eight players making $10m or more this season, but to be fair four of them are on expiring contracts. Considering the Bulls (then BC) once had a payroll of $241,794,507 back in 2031, this must feel like a bargain bin team to their GM. That season they made it to the Brewmasters as the BC, but lost to the Maine Guides in five. Meanwhile when they won it all in 2062, their payroll was just $113m. Sometimes less is more.
3. Speaking of budgets those same Bulls are projected to lose -$37,747,753 this season. As the new financial model implemented by the league this past offseason works out the kinks, teams have had to make some adjustments. Considering the Roadrunners are at -$83,598,865, Denver should actually feel happy about their financial woes. The good news for Roadrunners fans is that their projected payroll next season is $35m lower, and Rick Anderson and Dwight Bell both have player options. That's another $45m that potentially could come off the books. Phoenix had a run from 2041 to 2048, was down from 2049 to 2055, then had a bigger run from 2056 to 2062. It looks like they will have some down years ahead, but their fans have faith the good times will be back again.
4. Last season Carolina legend Julian 'Skeeter' Ludin moved into the record books as the all-time leader in stolen bases (1,008) and triples (172). The 38 year old already has three stolen bases this season as he tries to hold off 36 year old Rick Anderson, who currently has 1,001 to his name. Drafted in the second round of the 2043 draft by Washington, 'Skeeter' played for Washington from 2047 to 2059. Since then he's played for Wilmington, Windy City, and now Carolina. Over his career he's been a 6x All-Star, 7x Designated Driver, 3x BLB champion, and he took home the 2056 Import League Stout Slugger.
5. What's on tap? This week we get some interleague fun as Montreal travels to Windy City, Los Angeles goes 3000+ miles to Santo Domingo, Pittsburgh hosts Washington, and Dallas flies to Baltimore.
Player Streaks
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| Justin Reaves (HAR) has a 18 game hitting streak |
| Rory Elia Jr. (CAL) has a 16 game hitting streak |
| Hayden Jones (WAS) has an RBI in 7 straight games |
| Shayne Hall (WIL) has an RBI in 6 straight games |
Weekly Milestones
C Jeremy Goodson (PIT), 22 yo, reached 100 hits
LF Isaac Pack (PIT), 30 yo, reached 500 RBIs
LF Isaac Pack (PIT), 30 yo, reached 400 extra base hits
RF Jordy Wovchanoff (DEN), 31 yo, reached 1500 hits
SS Dominick Booth (CAR), 22 yo, reached 500 hits
CF Shayne Hall (WIL), 24 yo, reached 500 hits
CF Spencer DeSimone (SDR), 29 yo, reached 500 hits
LF Reese Bowman (TOR), 29 yo, reached 250 hits
2B Camron Rispoli (MON), 22 yo, reached 100 hits
1B Abdoul Ren (DAL), 23 yo, reached 100 hits
3B Micah Lumsden (SDR), 22 yo, hit his first home run
SS Darien Kerstetter (SYR), 21 yo, hit his first home run
3B Tucker Melichar (IND), 25 yo, hit his first home run
3B Tristen Severson (PHO), 21 yo, hit his first home run
1B Julian Cavey (BAL), 23 yo, hit his first home run
CF Teddy Burch (MON), 25 yo, reached 250 extra base hits
P Cullen Lanzetta (PAW), 30 yo, reached 150 saves
P Cedric Erickson (NO), 31 yo, reached 2000 strikeouts
P Dave Scott (SDR), 27 yo, reached 1000 strikeouts
Stat of the Week
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| More Home Runs Than Strikeouts (Top 25 Players) |
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