[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 4-10
Seasonal Record: 22-31 (7th, 14 GB)
Stars of the Week (2 weeks)
Roy Ford : 61 AB, 26 H, 1 HR, 9 RBI, .426 AVG, 1.027 OPS
Rich Langton : 55 AB, 18 H, 3 HR, 15 RBI, .327 AVG, .963 OPS
Roy Moore : 48 AB, 17 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .354 AVG, .797 OPS

Schedule (2 weeks)
5-25: Loss at Wolves (3-4)
5-26: Loss vs Foresters (10-2)
5-27: Loss vs Foresters (6-4)
5-28: Win vs Foresters (3-10)
5-29: Loss vs Foresters (4-1)
5-30: Win vs Sailors (1-2)
5-31: Win vs Sailors (5-9)
6-2: Win vs Saints (3-2)
6-3: Loss vs Saints (6-1)
6-4: Loss vs Saints (13-2)
6-5: Loss vs Kings (5-2)
6-6: Loss vs Kings (6-1)
6-7: Loss vs Kings (11-9)

Recap
So sort of good news. The sim email gave two weeks, so it actually made it really easy to turn this into a double recap. And this time, the Kings actually swept us! This was a really rough week as we've run up a nice five game losing streak. We also managed to add another Player of the Week awards, so that's really what I'm shooting for. He absolutely raked, 18-for-28 with 2 doubles, a triple, and 3 RBI's. He had a pair of five hit games, one to start and one to the end week, with a three and four hit game in between. He was absolutely on it, and since moving to first base, it's been much nicer for him. Unfortunately, the only other guy to put the ball in play was Rich Langton, who was just 7-for-22 with a double, triple, homer, 4 runs, and 6 RBI's. He hit for the cycle last week and has a healthy .335/.371/.525 (128 OPS+) batting line with 12 doubles, 7 triples, 4 homers, and 37 RBI's. He still isn't trying to steal, just 1-for-2, but in his defense he does hit a lot of extra base hits and has to hit behind Ray Ford and John Lawson, who spend most of their time on base. I think it's time to give Langton some Tom Taylor treatment, and move him up to the leadoff spot. As shocking as it may be, former leadoff hitter Ollie Page leads the team with six longballs.

I made a roster move, claiming a prospect I've had my eye on for a while, Amos LeBlanc. I've had many trade conversations with the former Foresters and current Dynamos GM, and their former 1st Round selection was often a player I inquired about. LeBlanc went 8th in 1929 after hitting .443/.506/.615 (195 OPS+) with 6 homers, 25 steals, and 34 RBI's in 253 PA's with the George Fox Reds. Unfortunately, the Foresters have had an outstanding outfield and LeBlanc was stranded in the minors. He made the team this season, but the 27-year-old is just 1-for-10 with 2 steals and a run scored before he lost his spot. It's sad he never lived up to his potential, but he's a reliable defender who generally hits for a higher average. He's going to fill a depth role for us as I'll be carrying an extra hitter for now. That means Bill Kline is on the move to AAA, as he's had two awful outings after an awful 1936. He's got options and needs to get back on track, but he's likely back in September. He was 2-3 with 3 saves, a 5.75 ERA (80 ERA+), 1.67 WHIP, 7 walks, and 5 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched.

Looking Ahead
The draft pool is finalized tomorrow! This will be a fun weekend! On the game side, we're home for seven before an off day. We start with the Stars who are tied for 5th and a game ahead of us at 23-30. Not only has Lou Martino struggled for them, but now he's hurt again. Chicago born Les Zoller has pitched like the pitcher I thought he was, 6-3 with a 3.32 ERA (140 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, 30 walks, and 44 strikeouts. We'll likely see him, but we may also have to face Harry Carter. He's 3-3 with a 3.69 ERA (126 ERA+), 1.42 WHIP, 24 walks, and 37 strikeouts. I'd love to face two of their other six starters as they've all either struggled or were recently in AAA. The lineup has regressed to the mean Colaianni and Layton regressing and the rest of the lineup improving. Dave Trowbridge has been the rock of the lineup, batting .357/.417/.488 (128 OPS+) with 5 homers, 44 RBI's, and 21 walks in 240 trips to the plate.

After that it's four hosting the Cannons who are leading the race to the #2 pick with a 16-37 record. Abel Man has hit like an able man, an impressive .400/467/.585 (168 OPS+) with 2 homers, 4 steals, and 30 RBI's in 150 trips to the plate. The rest of the lineup hasn't had much success, with just Bunny Stapleton's replacement Jim Alexander boasting an average line. His .328/.366/.455 (109 OPS+) line is okay, but not enough to make up for the slow starts of Joe Welch, Jim Mason, and Whit Williams. Poor Pinky Conlan has struggled after returning from the DL, 1-3 with an 8.44 ERA (54 ERA+), 2.44 WHIP, 17 walks, and 6 strikeouts in his four starts. 25-year-old Joe Newsom has also had a rough start, although his lasts 13 starts. He's 1-11 with a 7.35 ERA (63 ERA+), 2.11 WHIP, 50 walks, and 24 strikeouts in 82 innings.

Minor League Report
SS Billy Hunter (AA Mobile Commodores): It's been a tough season for Billy Hunter, but this week he looked like the future. The 21-year-old went 12-for-25 with 8 RBI's in a Player of the Week showing. Freddie Bennett is in AA with him, so Hunter has been getting reps at third recently, but he had a +2.1 zone rating and 1.049 efficiency at short in his first 26 games. He's now improved his batting line to a respectable .297/.364/.421 (106 OPS+) after hitting below the Mendoza line as recently as May 21st. He's showed excellent plate discipline despite the struggles, 17 walks compared to 6 strikeouts. This makes me think that he ran into a lot of bad luck and it makes sense that he's starting to heat back up. He's doubles 9 times, tripled three times, and homered once while driving in 23. Hunter currently ranks as the 7th best prospect in the FABL and I cannot wait until he's up in Chicago playing every day.

LF Dave Haight (B San Jose Cougars): He's fallen off the prospect ladder a bit, but that hasn't stopped the Juneau native from continuing on his dream to become an FABL player. The 1932 13th Round Pick is experiencing San Jose for the first time and is batting a strong .350/.389/.520 (124 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 5 triples, 3 homers, and 29 RBI's in 190 trips to the plate. Haight has been getting work out in left right field again this year, and is slowly improving as his left field play did. He should be average or better at either corner, and with his proficiency to put the ball in play, he could develop into a Doc Love type player. He's on track for 10 homers this season, but I'm hoping he can turn into a 15-20 homer hitter. Until then, he just looks like a decent bench piece.