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ayaghmour2 · 02-11-2021, 06:15 PM

Weekly Record: 4-3
Seasonal Record: 13-12 (4th, 3.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Lou Kelly : 26 AB, 12 H, 1 HR, 7 RBI, .462 AVG, 1.199 OPS
Doc Love : 31 AB, 10 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI, .323 AVG, .998 OPS
Dave Rankin : 2 Wins, 18.0 IP, 7 BB, 6 K, 2.00 ERA

Weekly Schedule
5-6: Win at Saints (6-4)
5-7: Win at Saints (8-0)
5-8: Loss at Saints (3-5)
5-9: Loss at Cannons (5-6)
5-10: Loss at Cannons (4-5)
5-11: Win at Cannons (12-4)
5-12: Win at Cannons (12-5)

Summary
Over .500! I wanted 5-2, but I guess 4-3 is okay. The Kings just won the CA after adding Al Wheeler and Frank Vance, so we'll be on a quest for second the rest of the season anyways. We sandwiched the losses in the middle, but considering all the games were on the road, we still managed to score a lot of runs. Our road trip ends in Brooklyn, where we'll face the first place Kings for the first time on the season. As I mentioned, the now 17-9 Kings added two big bats Al Wheeler and Frank Vance in a big trade with the Dynamos (they also got pitcher Jack Beach) to an already potent offense. Both John Langille and Harry Barrell are hitting over .385 and just Jake Shadoan (.272) and Bill May (.279) sit below .300. This reminds be a lot of some of our old offenses. Our offense this year was arguably better (or at least comparable) before the trade, but they added a pair of top 10 hitters (including a Decatur kid I really wanted...) to an already strong offense. They also have a really good pitching staff, but the former Cougar first rounders Tom Barrell and Mike Murphy regressed a little to start the season. We won't see Tom, but we're likely to see Mike and Joe Shaffner, who's off to a really hot start to the season. Jack Beach may end up replacing Ken Carpenter, the struggling #4. We'll head home after the finale so we can spend the off day at home. We'll host the last place Stars who are seeing John Lawson start to heat up. Things aren't doing well for them, as they sit last at 9-18 and eight and a half out of first. Ace Lou Martino does own the league's second best ERA at 2.16. We'll likely have to deal with him in one of the four games, but I'm hoping we avoid Gene Stevens, the only other decent arm this year as Chicagoan Les Zoller has really struggled.

Looking back at our week, despite being on the road, Doc Love launched three homers and drove in ten while slashing .323/.353/.645 for the week. All three of the homers were in Baltimore, including a pair in an impressive 3-for-5 performance on the 11th. In the 12-4 win he drove in four and scored three times. It was in defense of Dave Rankin, who picked up his second win of the week. He went all nine and allowed 7 hits, 4 runs, and 3 walks with 2 strikeouts in the complete game win. His first start was better, a 6-hit shutout with 4 walks and strikeouts in an 8-0 win over the Saints. The now 29-year-old Rankin has really started the season off well, going 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA (156 ERA+), 1.23 WHIP, 20 walks, and 25 strikeouts. The workhorse is on pace to make 43 starts and already has seven on the season. I'm gong to dial back the four man rotation a bit, but Rankin will almost certainly pitch every fourth day if possible. Another guy with a really good week was Lou Kelly, who went 12-for-26 with 2 doubles, a homer, and 7 RBI's. After a rough first season in Chicago, Kelly is leading the Continental Association with a .416 batting average. The power isn't there yet, just two homers on the season, but my scout is convinced he has 35 homer potential.

Trade
It's not as big as the Brooklyn trade, but I sent recently claimed Chick Meehan and minor league 2B Homer Ray to the Dynamos for veteran starter Wayne Robinson. Since debuting in 1921, he's started 390 games and thrown 3,132.1 innings pitched. He's 187-162 with a 3.91 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, 733 walks, and 1,075 strikeouts. 37 at the end of the year, he's on a nice four year run and I think I can get a season or two out of him. He's maintained his velocity well and with him as our four until Wilcox gets back, I think we may actually be able to make a late season push. Robinson has had an above average ERA+ the last four seasons including a 131 in 1933. The main piece we gave up was Ray, a 3rd Round Pick from the 1931 draft. He's off to a nice start to the season in Mobile, batting .324/.377/.465 (118 OPS+) with a homer and 17 RBI's. He's sort of blocked in our system, but for Detroit, he's now their #1 second base prospect and #4 in their system. There's not much ahead of Ray in the minors, so he could be the Dynamos stating second basemen at the end of the season.

Pitching
The pitching has still had it's struggles, and Dick Lyons' nightmarish start to the season continues. He allowed 5 in 6.1 and 8 in 2.2 as his ERA has ballooned to 7.40 on the season. His WHIP is now almost double his 1933 value at 2.13. I think I've been working him a little too hard, and will begin to dial it back a bit. Same for Dick Leudtke, who was roughed up in his only start. He allowed 6 on 12 hits in a 5 inning showing. Leudtke had a tough 1934, and things have continued to trend in the wrong direction. It's early, but he's got a 5.53 ERA (85 ERA+) and 1.51 WHIP with again more walks (13) then strikeouts (10). George Johnson and Dick Sexton will both jockey for the five spot in the rotation.

Offense
Most things on offense have been good, but Joe Masters, Mike Taylor, and Pete Asher, all lefties, have had their struggles. Masters is hitting a measly .220/.248/.380 (59 OPS+), Taylor .222/.314/.344 (68 OPS+), and Asher .281/.327/.326 (68 OPS+). Masters hasn't been himself since the trade with the Chiefs and Mike Taylor was in a funk all last season. At least in Asher's case, I knew he would never really hit much, and he's played well defensively. I'm still hoping for a lot more from Masters and Taylor who have both been elite hitters at times. They both boast excellent power, but are limited to just two a piece so far. Tom Taylor has come back down a bit, but he's still hitting a nice .330/.379/.487 (121 OPS+) with 4 homers, 2 steals, and 23 RBI's. What's more impressive is the work out in center, where he's got a +2.5 zone rating and 1.009 efficiency early on. He's still learning the position, but has looked really strong out in center. He's no Cy Bryant, but he's definitely been more then capable of center. John Kincaid saw his 20 game hit streak end, but he still has a nice .342/.383/.468 (117 OPS+) batting line to start the year. The 30-year-old third basemen now ranks 3rd at the position and 17th in the league. He's the first Cougar to join the top batters list this season, joining pitchers Tommy Wilcox and Dave Rankin.

Minor League Report
SS Billy Hunter (A Lincoln Legislators): Currently ranked as the 12th best prospect in the league, Billy Hunter just got the call to Lincoln. After hitting .279/.351/.500 (135 OPS+) with a homer and 8 RBI's in 77 trips to the plate. In parts of three seasons with San Jose, the 20-year-old hit .301/.340/.457 (109 OPS+) with 10 homers and 81 RBI's in approximately a full season. Hunter is looking strong as a defender and profiling as a future top of the line shortstop. I still think he's a few years out, but I can't wait until he's about 22 or 23 and crushing big league pitching.

LF Dave Haight (C La Crosse Lions): It was a huge day for 1932 13th Rounder Dave Haight who managed to go 6-for-6 in an 11-1 La Crosse win over the Waterloo Chiefs. Haigh doubled twice and scored twice and continued his strong start to the season. He's hitting .388/.435/.529 (129 OPS+) with 2 homers, 14 RBI's, and 7 steals. I did start him at center, but I do think left is the position for him. And if he keeps hitting the way he is, he's likely to find himself in San Jose in no time.

02-11-2021, 06:15 PM	#353
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Week 4: May 5th-May 12th Weekly Record: 4-3 Seasonal Record: 13-12 (4th, 3.5 GB) Stars of the Week Lou Kelly : 26 AB, 12 H, 1 HR, 7 RBI, .462 AVG, 1.199 OPS Doc Love : 31 AB, 10 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI, .323 AVG, .998 OPS Dave Rankin : 2 Wins, 18.0 IP, 7 BB, 6 K, 2.00 ERA Weekly Schedule 5-6: Win at Saints (6-4) 5-7: Win at Saints (8-0) 5-8: Loss at Saints (3-5) 5-9: Loss at Cannons (5-6) 5-10: Loss at Cannons (4-5) 5-11: Win at Cannons (12-4) 5-12: Win at Cannons (12-5) Summary Over .500! I wanted 5-2, but I guess 4-3 is okay. The Kings just won the CA after adding Al Wheeler and Frank Vance, so we'll be on a quest for second the rest of the season anyways. We sandwiched the losses in the middle, but considering all the games were on the road, we still managed to score a lot of runs. Our road trip ends in Brooklyn, where we'll face the first place Kings for the first time on the season. As I mentioned, the now 17-9 Kings added two big bats Al Wheeler and Frank Vance in a big trade with the Dynamos (they also got pitcher Jack Beach) to an already potent offense. Both John Langille and Harry Barrell are hitting over .385 and just Jake Shadoan (.272) and Bill May (.279) sit below .300. This reminds be a lot of some of our old offenses. Our offense this year was arguably better (or at least comparable) before the trade, but they added a pair of top 10 hitters (including a Decatur kid I really wanted...) to an already strong offense. They also have a really good pitching staff, but the former Cougar first rounders Tom Barrell and Mike Murphy regressed a little to start the season. We won't see Tom, but we're likely to see Mike and Joe Shaffner, who's off to a really hot start to the season. Jack Beach may end up replacing Ken Carpenter, the struggling #4. We'll head home after the finale so we can spend the off day at home. We'll host the last place Stars who are seeing John Lawson start to heat up. Things aren't doing well for them, as they sit last at 9-18 and eight and a half out of first. Ace Lou Martino does own the league's second best ERA at 2.16. We'll likely have to deal with him in one of the four games, but I'm hoping we avoid Gene Stevens, the only other decent arm this year as Chicagoan Les Zoller has really struggled. Looking back at our week, despite being on the road, Doc Love launched three homers and drove in ten while slashing .323/.353/.645 for the week. All three of the homers were in Baltimore, including a pair in an impressive 3-for-5 performance on the 11th. In the 12-4 win he drove in four and scored three times. It was in defense of Dave Rankin, who picked up his second win of the week. He went all nine and allowed 7 hits, 4 runs, and 3 walks with 2 strikeouts in the complete game win. His first start was better, a 6-hit shutout with 4 walks and strikeouts in an 8-0 win over the Saints. The now 29-year-old Rankin has really started the season off well, going 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA (156 ERA+), 1.23 WHIP, 20 walks, and 25 strikeouts. The workhorse is on pace to make 43 starts and already has seven on the season. I'm gong to dial back the four man rotation a bit, but Rankin will almost certainly pitch every fourth day if possible. Another guy with a really good week was Lou Kelly, who went 12-for-26 with 2 doubles, a homer, and 7 RBI's. After a rough first season in Chicago, Kelly is leading the Continental Association with a .416 batting average. The power isn't there yet, just two homers on the season, but my scout is convinced he has 35 homer potential. Trade It's not as big as the Brooklyn trade, but I sent recently claimed Chick Meehan and minor league 2B Homer Ray to the Dynamos for veteran starter Wayne Robinson. Since debuting in 1921, he's started 390 games and thrown 3,132.1 innings pitched. He's 187-162 with a 3.91 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, 733 walks, and 1,075 strikeouts. 37 at the end of the year, he's on a nice four year run and I think I can get a season or two out of him. He's maintained his velocity well and with him as our four until Wilcox gets back, I think we may actually be able to make a late season push. Robinson has had an above average ERA+ the last four seasons including a 131 in 1933. The main piece we gave up was Ray, a 3rd Round Pick from the 1931 draft. He's off to a nice start to the season in Mobile, batting .324/.377/.465 (118 OPS+) with a homer and 17 RBI's. He's sort of blocked in our system, but for Detroit, he's now their #1 second base prospect and #4 in their system. There's not much ahead of Ray in the minors, so he could be the Dynamos stating second basemen at the end of the season. Pitching The pitching has still had it's struggles, and Dick Lyons' nightmarish start to the season continues. He allowed 5 in 6.1 and 8 in 2.2 as his ERA has ballooned to 7.40 on the season. His WHIP is now almost double his 1933 value at 2.13. I think I've been working him a little too hard, and will begin to dial it back a bit. Same for Dick Leudtke, who was roughed up in his only start. He allowed 6 on 12 hits in a 5 inning showing. Leudtke had a tough 1934, and things have continued to trend in the wrong direction. It's early, but he's got a 5.53 ERA (85 ERA+) and 1.51 WHIP with again more walks (13) then strikeouts (10). George Johnson and Dick Sexton will both jockey for the five spot in the rotation. Offense Most things on offense have been good, but Joe Masters, Mike Taylor, and Pete Asher, all lefties, have had their struggles. Masters is hitting a measly .220/.248/.380 (59 OPS+), Taylor .222/.314/.344 (68 OPS+), and Asher .281/.327/.326 (68 OPS+). Masters hasn't been himself since the trade with the Chiefs and Mike Taylor was in a funk all last season. At least in Asher's case, I knew he would never really hit much, and he's played well defensively. I'm still hoping for a lot more from Masters and Taylor who have both been elite hitters at times. They both boast excellent power, but are limited to just two a piece so far. Tom Taylor has come back down a bit, but he's still hitting a nice .330/.379/.487 (121 OPS+) with 4 homers, 2 steals, and 23 RBI's. What's more impressive is the work out in center, where he's got a +2.5 zone rating and 1.009 efficiency early on. He's still learning the position, but has looked really strong out in center. He's no Cy Bryant, but he's definitely been more then capable of center. John Kincaid saw his 20 game hit streak end, but he still has a nice .342/.383/.468 (117 OPS+) batting line to start the year. The 30-year-old third basemen now ranks 3rd at the position and 17th in the league. He's the first Cougar to join the top batters list this season, joining pitchers Tommy Wilcox and Dave Rankin. Minor League Report SS Billy Hunter (A Lincoln Legislators): Currently ranked as the 12th best prospect in the league, Billy Hunter just got the call to Lincoln. After hitting .279/.351/.500 (135 OPS+) with a homer and 8 RBI's in 77 trips to the plate. In parts of three seasons with San Jose, the 20-year-old hit .301/.340/.457 (109 OPS+) with 10 homers and 81 RBI's in approximately a full season. Hunter is looking strong as a defender and profiling as a future top of the line shortstop. I still think he's a few years out, but I can't wait until he's about 22 or 23 and crushing big league pitching. LF Dave Haight (C La Crosse Lions): It was a huge day for 1932 13th Rounder Dave Haight who managed to go 6-for-6 in an 11-1 La Crosse win over the Waterloo Chiefs. Haigh doubled twice and scored twice and continued his strong start to the season. He's hitting .388/.435/.529 (129 OPS+) with 2 homers, 14 RBI's, and 7 steals. I did start him at center, but I do think left is the position for him. And if he keeps hitting the way he is, he's likely to find himself in San Jose in no time.