[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-4
Seasonal Record: 26-27 (5th, 7.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
John Lawson : 32 AB, 11 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .344 AVG, .979 OPS
Billy Hunter : 29 AB, 10 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .345 AVG, 1.062 OPS
Ray Ford : 25 AB, 10 H, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .400 AVG, 1.060 OPS

Schedule
6-7: Loss at Cannons (1-5)
6-8: Loss at Kings (7-8)
6-9: Loss at Kings (2-6)
6-10: Loss at Kings (11-15): 12 innings
6-11: Win at Stars (8-3)
6-12: Win at Stars (8-5): 11 innings
6-13: Win at Stars (8-3)

Recap
The start of the week was rough, but after the loss to the Cannons and Al Wheeler leading the Kings to a sweep after a 12th inning walk-off grand slam, we took our anger out on the Stars and swept them with 8 runs a piece. It's an off day to start our week as we inch ever closer to the draft. This has been an interesting season, most of the batters have done well, but Ollie Page and Rich Langton have really struggled. While most of the offense was killing it, those two combined to go 9-for-56 with a homer, 4 RBI's, 4 runs, and 5 walks while each struck out 4 times. They have OPS+ of 58 and 82 on the season, no where near their first two season numbers. There is still time for a comeback, but I have no idea what is wrong with either of them.

Luckily, we have guys like Ray Ford and John Lawson, who just know how to hit! Ford had another outstanding week, including a 5-for-5 day as he finished the week 10-for-25 with 2 doubles, a triple, 6 RBI's, 3 walks, and 5 runs scored. Lawson continued to supply the power, 11-for-32 with 2 homers, a double, 4 walks, and 8 runs driven in and scored. Lawson has 10 homers on the season, tied for second in the entire league behind Al Wheeler's 15. Of course, there's also our superstar 22-year-old Billy Hunter, who hit his 5th homer and was 10-for-29 with 3 doubles, a triple, 5 walks, 4 RBI's, and 7 runs scored. This kid has been amazing, slashing .324/.408/.618 (169 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 4 triples, 18 RBI's, and 16 walks with a +1.6 zone rating and 1.034 efficiency at short. Doc Love had a nice week, 10-for-28 with a double, homer, and 6 driven in. Even Leo Mitchell got in on the fun, 7-for-20 with a double, homer, 4 RBI's, and 6 runs scored. Bert Wilson made the most of his three starts, 6-for-16 with 2 doubles, a homer, and 4 RBI's.

We did have some issues on the mound, but that wasn't because of Fritz or Rankin. Fritz's ERA is above 2 now, but he tossed 18 innings with 18 hits, 9 runs (5 earned), 8 walks, and 5 strikeouts. He won his start against the Stars but the lost the finale against the Canons. Rankin left one of his starts early (the win), but also split like Fritz. He went 13.1 with 10 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 5 walks, and 7 strikeouts. No one would mistake them for Tom Barrell and Mike Murphy or Dean Astle and Sergio Gonzales (I guess...), but this is a decent top 2. Very shaky behind them, but Oscar Morse had a nice outing. He went all nine with 9 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), and 3 walks in the first 8-3 win over the Stars.

Looking Ahead
I'll use the off day to make a few roster moves, starting with the return of Pug Bryan. His 6 starts in Milwaukee have been outstanding, 3-2 with a 1.51 ERA (218 ERA+), 0.70 WHIP, 7 walks, and 21 strikeouts in 35.2 innings. This was far better then the garbage he threw in the majors, but obviously he's far too good for AAA. I fully expect him to get beat up back in Chicago, but maybe the stronger middle infield defense will help Pug get back on track. He'll replace Rule-5 pick Jim Baggett, who will head back to the Foresters. He was roughed up in his 21.2 innings, sporting a 8.72 ERA (48 ERA+) and 2.03 WHIP. He was 1-4 with a save, 12 walks, and 8 strikeouts. The other move is a little more exciting, as I'll be purchasing the contract of Carlos Montes from AAA Milwaukee. The 21-year-old was the 12th Overall pick in 1934, and was hitting a nice .217/.297/.434 (121 OPS+) with 12 doubles, a triple, 8 homers, 11 steals, and 21 RBI's in 195 trips to the plate. Yes, the average is a little low, but Billy Hunter barely hit .300 and is slashing over .340 in the majors. Montes has game changing speed, a reliable eye at the plate, and legitimate power. He's an outstanding defender, and if my scout is to believed, he "has the highest ceiling imaginable as an elite center fielder." He'll replace Roy Moore, who's hitting .250/.316/.385 (85 OPS+) with 2 steals and 6 RBI's in 57 PA's. My scout thinks Montes is the best current centerfielder as well as the one with the most upside in our system, so it's time to see what he can do. I'm going to give Moore some time in right, a position he hasn't really played. The whole AAA outfield will now be out of position; Roberts in center, Yates in left, and Moore in right.

Montes' first big league experience will come at home against the fourth place Cannons. Baltimore is a game over .500 at 28-27 and six and a half out of first. They will be without their most effective pitcher this season, Pinky Conlan, who will miss the next two weeks with a herniated disc. My guess is Dutch Leverett returns to the rotation. The 34-year-old is 2-2 with 4 saves, a 4.82 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 11 walks, and 12 strikeouts in 28 innings out of the pen. They've also moved Jim Alexander into the lineup over Bunny Stapleton, as Alexander is hitting a productive .319/.379/.479 (125 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, and 30 RBI's. This will help the struggling Abel Man, who despite a 4-for-6 to end the week, has seen his line deflate to .279/.343/.426 (102 OPS+).

After Baltimore it's three with the Stars before another day off. At 21-34, they have one more win and one more loss then Toronto, so they share last place. Art McMahon may be making his way to the DL after a quadriceps strain. He can play through it, but it has an approximately four week recovery period. The Stars have had a tough time finding productive offensive regulars, with Dave Trowbridge's 102 OPS+ the only one above 90 in the lineup. The top three in the rotation is pretty solid, but the offense doesn't give them enough support. They'll get Larry Colaianni back in a week or so, which should help improve the lineups production. There is something to be hopeful for as a Stars fan, as top prospect Johnny Hopper is up in AAA and could debut sometime this season. The backstop was selected 16th overall in the 1932 draft and looks to be a .350 hitter with an excellent glove behind the plate.

Minor League Report
2B Cal Lofton (B San Jose Cougars): One of our more under the radar farmhands, Lofton was our 15th Round Pick in 1934 and while he appeared in 112 games his first two seasons, just 15 of those were starts. Now up in San Jose, Lofton has received everyday at bats and he's seized the opportunity. In 180 plate appearances (more then the first two seasons), he's hitting .260/.378/.513 (126 OPS+) with 6 homers, 16 steals, and 22 RBI's. The 21-year-older is a speedy second basemen with a nice eye at the plate that should lead to impressive on base percentages. He doesn't usually strike out as much as he is this year, but I think that's more from the level increase. He doesn't have the highest upside, likely just a utility player, so the upcoming draft could take away some of his playing time. We have a lot of young infielders in La Crosse, so chances are any college infielder will head to San Jose first. Right now he's fighting for a starting position, but that's a noticeable improvement from the last two seasons where he was fighting for a roster spot.

LHP Doc Smith (C La Crosse Lions): Taken 21st Overall in the 1935 draft, Smith made it to San Jose last season, but he started the year in La Crosse with the influx of arms. His trip with the Lions lasted 9 starts, as despite going 3-5, he had a 2.53 ERA (137 ERA+), 1.12 WHIP, 13 walks, and 43 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched. The southpaw will head back to San Jose, where he was 5-3 with a 4.98 ERA (105 ERA+), 1.52 WHIP with 7 walks and 18 strikeouts in 9 starts last season. A five pitch pitcher, Smith uses his mid 80s sinker to keep the ball on the ground while he attack hitters with a fastball and cutter. He has a pair of secondary offerings; a change and split, but really only the change is exciting now. It could end up as his best pitch, as he uses it to fool batters with two strikes. It's worked so far, an impressive 6.8 K/9 in C ball, but I doubt he'll be able to maintain that. OSA and my scout aren't his biggest fans, but Smith has almost everything you look for in a starting pitcher. He's a little short, just 5'7'', but his command and movement are effective and he reminds me a bit of Dick Lyons. He's a bit older, 23 in October, but he could have a slow climb up the system.

C Steve Mountain (C La Crosse Lions): Our 9th Round Pick in 1935, I selected Steve Mountain for one reason; his elite defense behind the plate. What I did not expect, however, was the elite plate discipline. Sure, he was almost even with RBI's, walks, and strikeouts last season with 55-54-53, but this year has been a little different. In 142 plate appearances, he has an uneven .200/.401/.324 (112 OPS+) batting line with 3 doubles, 3 triples, and 12 RBI's. His OBP is double his average, walking 35 times with just 9 strikeouts. The soon to be 20-year-old is on pace for a whopping 100 walks in just over 400 PA's. He's walking at nearly a 25% clip and far more then he's getting a hit. He'll never hit for a high average, or any power, but if you can draw 100 walks a season while stealing pitch after pitch for your pitcher, then who cares! He's got a long climb up, but Mountain is the perfect glove first catcher to supplement Harry Mead once he's ready.