[NolaSola7]

17-4-2006

Orlando Villains 24-23 3rd in the WIL West North Division

The Villain pitching struggles (10th in ERA) have not been because of the starting crews' performance (3rd in starter ERA). South African southpaw sits atop the rotation with sufficient control and solid movement. His effectiveness is producing grounders, although not at an extraordinary rate, American Dave Henry has a three pitch arsenal and relies on his stuff in his fastball, cutter, and world class change. Below-avergae Aussie James Frost has a below-average arm but a big league slider and Japanese pitcehr Takamasa Kato is a merely a class above the righty Frost.

The Villain offense is impressive in its effectiveness in power and run scoring, and competitive in traditional scales of batting average and stealing.

Americans Charlie Parr and Joe Roundy are solid middle infielders who lead the line-up off with just enough to provide for the big hitters of Mark Wade, Frank Nash, Trent Thomas, Puerto Rican Luis SIlva, and Aruban thridbaseman Isaac Strudwick.

All the listed sluggers have solid patience and pop with Mark Wade, the Masontown, Pa native, being a stud in every capacity at the plate.


Miami Blaze 25-22 2nd in the West North Division

The Blaze pitching staff is rated close to their 2nd place standing implies, but 11th in homeruns given up. Puerto Rican Ruben Martinez is one of th aces of the whole league with top stuff, electric movement, and wonderful control for keeping his sinker and change low in inducing groundballs. Though Aussie Tristan Yabsley usually follows Martinez in the rotation, he does not show as a big league pitcher if it weren't for his exceptional change-up. Dominican southpaw Pancho Aguilar is an all-around average to good option and 27 year-old Korean southpaw Hyun-Seung Ahn has all the tools but not the control in the final spot.

The bullpen is lead by closer Myeong-han Lee who has upper movement and control for closing and Curacaoan Louis Strawson whose movement on his cutter is out of this world.

The Miami Blaze have few standout batters but few easy outs as well. Trent Grieve is a hard-nosed player who lacks big league talent as he is generally a below average bat in the lead off. Dutch Islander Oliver Bojorquez is a high contact guy adequate at the top of the order and American left-fielder Ray Ray is the most balanced bat before Miami brought in two new guys to provide more in the line-up.



SS Will Williams is a 23 year-old contact player with speed. Mike Laton has also been added with hopes to add his bat for producing in the middle of the line-up. Laton seems to be a cut above average in balance but nothing he excels at.


Today's game has Kato going against Aguilar. Williams and Laton should make their debuts and it will be Aguilar to limit the walks ahead of them in order to prevent their intiation a productive one. Two teams not separated by a lot in the standings nor the globe make for a baseball game worth seeing.