AL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Layne Cosman (OH) .337-10-20 (.278-18-43)
NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Jonathan Huber (NE) .386-9-27 (.309-20-59)
AL PITCHER OF THE MONTH –
Luis Samvdio (FLA) 4-0 1.36 (9-3 3.43)
NL PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Shamar Scippio (SAN) 4-2 2.20 (6-3 2.92)
AL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – Steve Patrick (STL) .309-11-23 (.258-16-42)
NL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – Chris Golebiowski (KC) .422-3-13 (.323-8-29)
Shaping up to be one of the least climactic Septembers in memory. 2 6, a 7, 9 and 10 game leads. The only division under 6 is the NL East and that's just the Jets and Miners with the next closest being the Minuteman at 10. The NL Wild Card could be interesting as could the AL if someone(s) get hot. Sergio Robles has perched himself atop the league as one of the 2-3 premiere talents and at just 24 is laying the foundations of a hall of fame career. While I am more than pleased with both big FA signings Juan Flores has exceeded my wildest expectations at the plate. He's on pace to steal 97 bases. That would shatter the single-season mark of 81 set just last year by Washington Jet Juan Burruel. While Gabbio certainly has not hit as I had expected, yet, he's done a yeoman's job guiding this young staff through the years first 77 games. Tim Reese set the single-season mark with 53 saves last season but Galindo is on pace to save 59 right now. Seems saves and opportunities come and go in streaks but he's been amazing all year long. His ERA would be sub 1.00 but for one disaster of a game. Joe Vertz appears to be Robles main contender for the MVP as he's slowed a bit but his monster June put him far out in front of the HR race and he's working on a batting title. Triple Crown possibility? Leith McNayr and Doug Schneider are just wrecking NL pitching and if the season ended today I don't see anyone arguing them finishing 1-2 in the MVP race. But in what order?
The two-headed duo from Japan has propelled Las Vegas all year long on the mound. 25-year-old Tousei Sato (10-2 2.26 124 K's) and veteran Jin-Hyun Noh (11-1 3.19 123 K's) sit atop a rotation that is cutting through the AL West. Dominic Loetzsch is off his MVP pace but his .256-17-50 season has been more than good enough.