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05/05/2064
California suffers a big injury with the loss of Greg Thomas due to a fractured finger, but they managed to go 6-1 on the week thanks to a sweep of Phoenix while taking three of four against Batavia. The Kodiaks outscored their opponents by 17 runs during the week after hitting a league high .298. Cali is now 18-9 and has a two game lead in the Bock. Other big week were Syracuse who went 5-1 while Philly and Wilmington went 5-2. Syracuse is now back to 13-13 as outfielder Asher Kappler hit two more home runs and drove in six. On the other side of life Toronto went 1-6, while Hartford and Phoenix went 1-5. The Whalers are now 2-8 in their last 10, 1-9 on the road, and 0-5 against left handed pitching.
Power Rankings
1) Washington Bats (162.3, o)
2) Wilmington Wildcats (131.7, o)
3) California Kodiaks (126.1, +)
4) Carolina Tobs (117.2, -)
5) New York Cyclones (111.7, -)
6) Los Angeles Dinos (107.0, +)
7) Dallas Drillers (101.8, +)
8) Windy City Blues (95.6, o)
9) Indianapolis Clowns (94.6, ++)
10) Pittsburgh Millers (93.6, o)
11) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (92.0, ++)
12) Syracuse Snappers (91.0, ++)
13) New Orleans Voodoo (86.2, o)
14) Pawtucket Patriots (83.6, --)
15) Montreal Exports (81.4, --)
16) Maine Guides (80.2, ++)
17) Baltimore Bulldogs (79.2, o)
18) Philadelphia Freedom (73.6, ++)
19) Denver Bulls (70.9, --)
20) Batavia Muckdogs (64.6, -)
21) Seattle Pilots (64.3, -)
22) Toronto Canadians (63.3, --)
23) Hartford Whalers (57.3, --)
24) Phoenix Roadrunners (35.6, -)
Performance of the Week
C Corbin Herron - Not often you get to 'Plate 8' but Herron did it on May 1st against Philly. In five at bats he smashed three home runs, drove in eight, and scored three times as the Bulls built a 13-0 lead before winning 15-5. The 28 year old was traded from Windy City to Denver in 2062, where he hit two home runs and drove in five during Denver's playoff championship run. This season he's hitting .312 with 3 HR and 12 RBI in 16 games, which as you can see the majority came from one game.
Prospect of the Week
RF York 'Mungo' Goldschmidt - 'Mungo' see ball, 'Mungo' hit ball far. The 6'6 senior from Carroll HS played in 40 games this season and hit 14 HR while driving in 30, for a slugging percentage of .707 and 153 OPS+. Scouts think if he fulfills his potential, he could make multiple trips to the All-Star game. Looking at those bombs he hits in batting practice we agree.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. The month of April is over, which is great news for anyone who has to play Washington. The Bats were 19-4 on the month, followed by Wilmington who went 16-7, and New York and Cali who went 15-8. On the flip side Phoenix went 5-18 while Philly went 7-16. Some team leaders: Washington scored 135 runs (Den 81), Denver allowed just 70 runs (Pho 143), New York hit 42 home runs (Bal 18), Seattle allowed 53 home runs (SDR 18), Carolina swiped 45 bases (NO 8), and Maine hit .282 (Den .225).
2. Dominick 'Shock' Booth had his early season hit streak end at 20 on May 2nd against Phoenix. The main 'issue' for Booth that day is he's too good at taking walks. In five at bats he walked three times, while in the other two he struck out and flew out. Gotta swing and put that ball in play kid. In 23 games he's now hitting .410/.500/.735 with 6 HR and 19 RBI while stealing 12 bases and putting up a +1.9 ZR at short stop. This just in. He's really good and he's only 22 years old. Whoever wrote the script for Carolina sure loves young superstars. Al Hamilton broke into the league in 1998, Ricky Murillo in 2008, Rory Elia in 2034, Evan Turner in 2052, Booth in 2060, and Evan Olsen in 2061.
3. Where have you gone, Andy 'Turk' Christman, Montreal turns its lonely eyes to you...woo, woo, woo. So far this season the Exports have struggled to a 12-13 record thanks in part to Christman hitting .205/.293/.315 with 2 HR and 7 RBI while throwing out just 25% of runners. Not great for the 3x All-Star who put up a 6.5 WAR last season while gunning down 43.6% of base thieves. Word around the dugout is that the 24 year old Christman has gone through a bad break-up with Canadian model/actress Kaleigh Smulders, whom he dated the last two years. The lovesick 'Turk' has definitely let it go to his head but teammates are saying he's getting better by the day. We sure hope so since Christman is such a big part of this team. Scouts still say he's a "franchise cornerstone at catcher" and the OSA has him ranked as the third best player in the league. We agree. Eventually his superb ability to put the ball in play and hit home runs will come out, as we think .285 with 30+ home runs is not impossible even with his struggles lasting into May.
4. It was a bad week for Toronto fans thanks to the injury to Dez Swanson. The 40 year old sat by the phone all off-season, and finally got a call from Toronto last month. He signed with the Canadians on April 24th to much fanfare on a one year deal worth $4.6m, and made his debut April 28th against Santo Domingo. In his first week he hit .250/.357/.250 but then on May 4th the force was not with him. In the 6th inning, Swanson was on first when Steve bin Hakim hit into a fielders choice. The throw was made to second and during Swanson's slide his head got smacked by Indy second basemen Casey Courtney's knee. Swanson appeared dazed and confused when he got up, and he was quickly removed from the game. Tests later showed he was suffering from post-concussion syndrome and he'll be sidelined 3-4 months at least. Is this the end of the road for the 5x All-Star and 3x DWI winner, only time will tell.
5. What's on tap? This week we get to see first place California take on second place Los Angeles. This is the first time the Bock foes have met this season after the Kodiaks took out LA in the playoffs last season. We also get to see first place Wilmington travel to second place Dallas. The Drillers are 14-11 as they are looking to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2060. After last seasons 61 win team, they are on pace to outdo that by 20 or more wins. Big D is back baby!
Player Streaks
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| SP Evan Browning (LAD) has won 15 consecutive games. |
| MR Tommy Pitz (WAS) has won 9 consecutive games. |
| MR Carl Vertullo (BAL) is on a 11 game losing streak. |
| MR Max Biggers (WAS) has won 7 consecutive games. |
| CL Dawson Hupp (NYC) hasn't blown a save in 32 chances. |
| CL Logan Bunnell (CAR) hasn't blown a save in 28 chances. |
| SP Ron Thomas (WIL) has won 6 consecutive games. |
| SP Maxwell Cullen (CAR) has won 6 consecutive games. |
| SP Graysen Thomas (HAR) has won 6 consecutive games. |
| SP Bryce Garton (PHO) is on a 8 game losing streak. |
Weekly Milestones
SS Jeremy Henn (PIT), 25 yo, reached 250 hits
LF Robert Wenstrom (SYR), 25 yo, reached 500 hits
C Shelton Gallegos (CAL), 25 yo, reached 250 hits
3B Alec Nelson (WIL), 22 yo, reached 100 hits
C Donovan Bergin (TOR), 31 yo, reached 100 hits
LF Dustin Gaspard (TOR), 23 yo, hit his first home run
RF Ty Dempsey (DAL), 21 yo, hit his first home run
CF Weston Borron (WIL), 25 yo, hit his first home run
CF Deontae Dennis (HAR), 21 yo, hit his first home run
SS Bryson Daly (HAR), 22 yo, hit his first home run
2B Mark Decoste (SDR), 25 yo, hit his first home run
1B Sean Hayward (IND), 26 yo, reached 250 extra base hits
SS Logan Kedzie (DAL), 24 yo, reached 100 extra base hits
C Steven Widerman (PHI), 26 yo, reached 100 extra base hits
CF Cody Turner (LAD), 34 yo, reached 100 extra base hits
P Saxby Lucas (LAD), 31 yo, reached 75 wins
P Heath Day (BAT), 30 yo, reached 50 wins
P Brendin Basham (PAW), 31 yo, reached 50 wins
P Logan Bunnell (CAR), 25 yo, reached 100 saves
Who's Hot
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Stat of the Week
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| Most Seasons Appeared In (Top 25 Players) |
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