BNN Weekly Report
This Week in the BMU
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
21 May 2300
News Around the League
16 May 2300 - Hit Parade: Gunsmith Pops 6 Hits
Today at Wattz Park, Justin Gunsmith put on an impressive display.
The Mystic Pines Raybathers second baseman tagged C.I.T. Ruins pitching for 6 hits in 7 at-bats, but his teammates were unable to capitalize on the spree and lost the game to the C.I.T. Ruins Refractors by the score of 15-12.
"The loss takes some of the joy out of it, but I'll take it," Gunsmith said. "6-for-7 ain't bad in any league."
Despite the terrific performance, the Raybathers manager was unwilling to offer his second baseman much praise, saying he holds his "whole roster" accountable for losses.
"Justin told me 'Coach, I had 6 hits' and I said 'Well that's great, but it looks like we needed one more from you,'" manager Justin Chops said.
Justin Gunsmith singled in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, singled in the 6th, grounded out in the 8th, singled in the 9th and singled in the 11th.
Currently Gunsmith is hitting .514 and has collected 2 home runs, 6 RBIs and scored 8 times, while playing in 7 games.
18 May - Injury Shuts Down Rutherford for Season
Shane Rutherford has to call it a season. The Postal Square Action Boys left fielder learned today that the full extent his injury suffered on 05/14/2300 is worse than hoped. He will not play again this year according to club doctors, who diagnosed the injury as a torn posterior cruciate ligament and stated that he would not be able to play for 6 months. The team will likely place Rutherford on the injured list today.
This season Rutherford is batting .310 with 18 hits, no home runs, 7 RBIs, 5 walks, .365 OBP and has scored 5 runs. He has played in 17 games.
Players of the Week
Raybathers Eiland CA Hitter of the Week: It can be difficult for a young player to step out of the shadows and assert himself in the Commonwealth Association, but last week Nate Eiland of the Mystic Pines Raybathers reminded everyone just why he's here as he threw up numbers that made him an easy selection for Player of the Week. Eiland rocked opposing pitching for a .619 average (13-for-21), no home runs and 6 RBIs to come away with the award.
For the year Eiland is batting .275 with 22 hits and 2 home runs. He has scored 12 times and driven in 17.
MA Awards Player of the Week: Mike Pushard is respected by most Trinity Plaza Snipers fans for his no-frills style of play. The 24-year-old first baseman went about his business with vigor last week to grab the Massachusetts Association Player of the Week honors.
He compiled a .667 average (10-for-15) with 5 home runs, 7 RBIs and 9 runs scored.
Pushard is hitting .403 this season with 10 home runs, 16 RBIs and 21 runs scored. He has 31 hits in 77 at-bats.
Prospect Spotlight
Medford Memorial Hitter Award Watch
CA: SS Jason Giron, C.I.T. Ruins Refractors (Fort Hagen) - 37/83 (.446), 2 2B, 5 HR, 22 R, 15 RBI, 13 BB, 5 SO, 2 SB, CS
Analysis: Undrafted in the 2298 from the Cape Cod League's Truro Babies, Giron has been progressing well as an undrafted free agent signing. Not the most skilled defensive player, Giron has earned time on the field because his bat has surpassed most of the rest of the Refractors. Leads the CA in batting average, OBP (.520), OPS (1.171), hits, runs, OPS+ (206), and WOBA (.529).
MA: 1B Dusty Brownell, Boston Common Baby Bellies (University Point) - 31/71 (.437), 19 HR, 27 R, 41 RBI, 19 BB, 10 SO
Analysis: The unquestioned leader in the Medford Award in the Massachusetts Association, Brownell has pummeled opposing pitching so far this season. He is a Triple Crown threat, tied for batting average and leading in home runs, RBI, OBP (.556), Slugging% (1.239), OPS (1.795), WAR (2.8), runs, total bases (88), XBH (19), ISO (.803), OPS+ (368), WPA (3.02), and WOBA (.719).
Milton General Pitcher Award Watch
CA: SP Jason Bourque, Corvega Flamers (Sunshine Tidings) - 6 GS, 3-0, 1.80, 45.0 IP, 39 HA, 9 ER, 15 BB, 26 K
Analysis: Unlike the hitters, it is tough to find a dominant pitcher. Therefore, we nominate the former 2nd-round pick by The Slog. He leads the Commonwealth Association in only two categories: rWAR (2.4) and quality starts (6). Though he only has three decisions, the Flamers are 5-1 in his starts, with the only loss being a game he left after 8 innings with Corvega leading 3-1.
MA: SP Aldo Sanch, Haymarket Mall Commandos (Jamaica Plain) - 6 GS, 4-0, 1.45, 43.1 IP, 32 HA, 7 ER, 9 BB, 45 K
Analysis: The 3rd-round pick in the 2296 rookie draft, Sanch should get his shot at any point this season with the Red Rockets. Right now, he leads the MA in a few categories: WAR (1.9), IP, K, and rWAR (2.4).
Weekly Team Power Rankings
Weekly Team Power Rankings: Here are the current team power rankings for Boston Minor Union:
Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Fiddler's Green T-60s (145.1, o)
2) Greentop Nursery Night People (128.0, ++)
3) Boston Common Lead Bellies (122.0, -)
4) College Square Nerd Ragers (121.0, -)
5) Haymarket Mall Commandos (119.0, -)
6) Charles View Cannibals (103.9, ++)
7) Union Hope Lifegivers (103.9, ++)
8) Galleria Robotics Experts (101.9, o)
9) Natick Banks Big Leaguers (97.3, ++)
10) Taffington Boathouse Spy Hunters (94.3, +)
11) Cabot House Rayguns (93.3, --)
12) Malden Grognaks (92.3, --)
13) Breakheart Banks Behemoths (91.7, +)
14) Outpost Zimonja Strongbacks (91.3, o)
15) Somerville Place Sentry Bots (91.3, --)
16) Forest Grove Pugilists (82.7, --)
17) Bunker Hill Gun Fu (80.1, +)
18) Corvega Flamers (74.1, -)
19) Vault 95 Robobrains (69.6, o)
20) C.I.T. Ruins Refractors (63.6, o)
21) Postal Square Action Boys (61.0, +)
22) Trinity Plaza Snipers (60.0, -)
23) Mystic Pines Raybathers (37.9, +)
24) Eastlake Aquaboys (34.9, -)
Stats and Standings