[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-3
Seasonal Record: 66-63 (5th, 13 GB)
Stars of the Week
Rich Langton : 24 AB, 8 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI, .333 AVG, 1.282 OPS
John Lawson : 22 AB, 10 H, 0 HR, 7 RBI, .455 AVG, 1.172 OPS
Ray Ford : 23 AB, 7 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .304 AVG, .915 OPS

Schedule
8-28: Loss vs Stars (5-3)
8-29: Loss vs Cannons (5-4)
8-31: Win vs Cannons (2-4)
9-1: Win vs Cannons (3-7)
9-3: Loss at Foresters (4-6)
9-4: Win at Foresters (13-12): 10 innings

Recap
A boring 3-3 week drops us to fifth, as even after we snapped the Foresters seven game win streak, we now find ourselves half a game behind them. I can't believe the Stars swept us, but we kept up the theme of playing close games, with all but one of them separated by two or less runs. The finale against the Foresters was crazy as well, a 10 inning game with 19 Cougar hits (just 13 for Cleveland...) that saved a poor Papenfus outing (more on that later). Rosters are now also expanded, so we can carry up to 35 Cougars the rest of the way. One of those will not be Carlos Montes, who will miss the next two weeks with a strained hamstring. It has been a disappointing second season for the former 12th Overall selection, as he's hit just .243/.317/.412 (94 OPS+) with 14 doubles, 7 triples, 10 homers, 5 steals, and 40 RBIs. Those aren't bad numbers, and paired with his +9.4 zone rating and 1.028 efficiency, it's a decent year, but in 100 games last year (same as this), he hit a much better .292/.365/.453 (129 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 9 triples, 10 homers, 9 steals, and 55 RBIs.

I think Rich Langton can sense my disappointment, as just two sims after I complain about his drop in power, he puts together a three homer week. Langton was 8-for-24 and also doubled, tripled, and stole a base while walking 5 times, scoring 6 times, and driving in 9 runs. Was that good enough for Player of the Week? Of course, not... At least Mel Carroll also hit three homers and hit over .400, so it's not the most annoying thing, but I would have loved for Langton to get some love. August was a terrible month for Langton, as he hit just .257/.341/.376, but he still owns a well above average batting line. The 27-year-old is slashing .312/.378/.451 (121 OPS+) with 24 doubles, 8 triples, 8 homers, 9 steals, and 49 RBIs with a nice 47-to-17 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Langton is on track for his third full season with an above average batting line. We also got to see an excellent week from vet John Lawson, who was 10-for-22 with 4 doubles, 4 walks, and 7 RBIs. Ray Ford looked good too, 7-for-23 with 2 doubles, 5 RBIs, and his now team best 12th homer of the season. Leo Mitchell was 8-for-22 with a double, RBI, and steal as well as five runs scored.

I mentioned the bad Papenfus outing as well, and there were actually two of them. The 20-year-old has had a few rough starts this year, but this was easily his worst week. He went just 11 innings (same as his start last week) with 12 hits, 12 runs, 13 walks, and 13 strikeouts. He dropped to 6-4 with a 3.74 ERA (109 ERA+), 1.63 WHIP, 84 walks, and 81 strikeouts in his first 96.1 FABL innings. Still, pretty strong numbers, but with September I think I'm going with a six man rotation to give Papenfus more rest between starts. He hasn't looked too great on short rest, and since we're just playing for at worst fifth, I'd like to see some young guys like Joe Brown (who's been awful out of the pen, unfortunately) get a few starts and get a head start on roster decisions for next year. In better news, Dick Lyons continues to be the best pitcher on the planet (I kid, of course), 8 innings with 5 hits, an unearned run, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts to pick up win #16. That's third most in the league, and Lyons now has 201 innings pitched. Last year was his first season since 1927 where he failed to reach 200, and he has the chance to reach the 240 mark. Regardless, this will be the 38-year-olds best season, 16-6 with a 2.82 ERA (145 ERA+), 1.16 WHIP, 34 walks, and 39 strikeouts. We also got good outings from Cy Sullivan and Milt Fritz, and Fritz also relieved Papenfus in his second start. Cy tossed another complete game victory, 8 hits, 3 runs, and 2 walks as he improved to 4-5 despite his 2.94 ERA (139 ERA+). Fritz got a loss, but that was due to unearned runs. He went all nine with 11 hits, 5 runs (2 earned), a walk, and a strikeout. He then threw 3 innings five games later (was supposed to start the double header today), allowing 3 hits and 2 runs with 3 strikeouts.

Looking Ahead
With reinforcements in hand, we'll start the week with a double header in Philadelphia. The 67-61 Sailors, are likely to use Doc Newell and Walt Wells, with the generally reliable Newell experiencing a rough patch as of late. He's 17-10, but his ERA rose up to 4.06 ERA (104 ERA+) with a 1.36 WHIP, 60 walks, and 89 strikeouts. Since July he's 6-5 with a 5.16 ERA. Wells is having a bit better of a season, 15-7 with a 3.76 ERA (112 ERA+), 1.45 WHIP, 91 walks, and 81 strikeouts as he recently passed the 200 inning mark. Recently promoted rookie Marion Boismenu is dealing with knee tendinitis, and may head to the DL to start the week. He was off to a blistering start, batting .328/.375/.567 (140 OPS+) with 4 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, and 10 RBIs in his first 72 trips to the plate. Taken 7th Overall in 1931, he debuted in 1936 and got some time last season, but finally showing the promise expected out of him. Dick Walker is in the midst of another good season, batting .284/.405/.467 (125 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 12 triples, 13 homers, 26 steals, and 72 RBIs. He's just 9 walks away from 100, which would be the fourth time he's reached that mark.

We're off after, but we'll use that day to head north of the border. Our host will be the currently first place Toronto Wolves, who's 13 game win streak has propelled them into first, a half game ahead of the Kings, who have been stuck in a six game rut. Joe Hancock may be the ace of the team, but Bob Walls has pitched like once since the deadline. He's a perfect 5-0 in his five starts, working to a 2.79 ERA (151 ERA+) and 1.29 WHIP with 6 walks and 8 strikeouts. Him and Hancock are pitching great, but Chick Wirtz, Jim Morrison, and George Garrison all sport an average or worse ERA+. That makes things really concerning for the future, as Garrison was ranked the 5th best prospect in baseball and Morrison a consistent top 50. The big strength of the team is the best corner infield in baseball; Fred McCormick and Nick Wallace. I'm kicking myself for not meeting the McCormick price, as the soon-to-be 29-year-old is hitting an insane .405/.493/.631 (189 OPS+) with 41 doubles, 6 triples, 14 homers, and 77 RBIs. Wallace doesn't draw nearly as many walks as McCormick, but his .370/.396/.487 (127 OPS+) line is nothing to sneeze at. Weirdly enough, none of the other Wolves starters have an above average batting line, but it doesn't matter too much if their starts keep it up. The Wolves may be a three headed monster right now, but with all the exciting youth (plus Larry Vestal who's having a tough season), Toronto may be our toughest competition for the 1939 Continental Association pennant I want to show off in our new stadium.

We then finish the week back home, hosting the red hot Foresters for two. I just snapped their seven game win streak, but they've looked really good as of late. The rotation has expanded, with Ben Turner and Lyman Weigel getting more starts. Turner is 3-1 with a 3.43 ERA (123 ERA+), 1.32 WHIP, 19 walks, and 20 strikeouts in his 63 innings. Weigel is 3-4 with a 3.59 ERA (118 ERA+), 1.39 WHIP, 33 walks, nd 37 strikeouts in 80.1 of his own. Of course, there's also Dean Astle and his 244.1 innings, but the unlucky southpaw is just 13-13 despite a 3.17 ERA (133 ERA+), 1.29 WHIP, 71 walks, and 80 strikeouts. Dan Fowler is up to 23 homers, a homer behind Al Wheeler for the CA lead, and he's boosted his line up a bit to .257/.376/.441 (110 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 3 triples, and 84 driven in. Eli Harkless is out for this week and last, but replacement Hughie Fitts did not play like a 29-year-old rookie. The 1927 5th Round selection probably won't have another like this, but he's 9-for-27 with a double, triple, seven runs, and 8 RBIs.

Lastly, we've got our September callups, with Bobby Mills, Ducky Jordan, Russ Griffin, Aart MacDonald, Elias Canady, Roy Moore, Homer Ray, Freddie Bennett, Chet Peacock, Cal Knight, and Pug Bryan joining the big league roster. Knight is the only guy who needs a 40-man roster spot, which is now full. We're also up to 33 on the active roster, so that's one spot left for Montes and one for potentially Johnnie Williamson so I could have a third catcher. I don't quite have another option for Milwaukee to have a catcher, so I may just leave him there the rest of the season. Knight came over with a 1st and 5th Rounder from the Miners for his new teammate Lou Kelly, and the 1934 2nd Rounder has spent the last two seasons starting games in Milwaukee. He was just 4-7, but with a 4.19 ERA (106 ERA+), 1.41 WHIP, 38 walks, and 40 strikeouts in 111.2 innings pitched. The lefty will help out in the pen, but I may decide to give him a start. MacDonald and Canady will fill in at center against righties and lefties, with Moore and Yates likely getting a game or so. Pug will be our stopper and Ducky Jordan might get a start at second, but most of the guys will have a limited role.

Minor League Reports
RHP/CF Juan Pomales (AA Mobile Commodores): It was an impressive month for the two-way player, as he finished a perfect 5-0 on the mound with a 0.96 WHIP, 8 walks, and 16 strikeouts. I don't think the award takes into account his batting, but he also hit .323/.366/.548 with 5 doubles, 5 triples, 2 homers, 2 steals, and 18 RBIs. It's hard to judge which part is better, but right now it looks like the pitching. For the season he's 10-8 with a 3.01 ERA (130 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 48 walks, and 50 strikeouts in 158.1 innings pitched. It's not too far from his batting line, where he's slashing .295/.355/.474 (121 OPS+) with 17 doubles, 17 triples, 4 homers, 8 steals, and 52 RBIs in 406 plate appearances. "El Conejo" has been remarkable, and I still feel he should be ranked much higher then 80th on the prospect rankings. He projects to be both a back end of the rotation starter and every day center fielder, with the chance to be an elite defender out in right. He doesn't throw too hard, just 84-86, which does hurt considering he relies on his sinker and fastball to get outs. The more speed he has, the more effective he'll be, but he turns 24 in October and eventually it becomes tougher and tougher to throw harder. I don't have plans on him reaching Chicago next season, but I will consider a September callup if he puts together another season like this one.

RF Chubby Hall (A Lincoln Legislators): He may not be it yet, but once Papenfus and Parker graduate, Chubby Hall will ranks as our best prospect. He was also the best hitter in the Heartland League this week, going 13-for-28 with 2 homers and 18 RBIs. Hall will spend about half of 1938 in Lincoln, and his .326/.383/.450 (129 OPS+) batting line is extremely impressive. Those two homers this week were also the first two of his stint here, but Hall has 21 doubles and 42 RBIs in 241 plate appearances down in Lincoln. Hall has spent most of his time here in left, but he's never been expected to be much of a defender in any of the three outfield spots. The bat is what attracted me to the 5'7'', 195 pound hopefully future slugger, but the power and plate discipline have not made many appearances up in A ball. I think that is what makes Hall so good, as even with his two most important tools not where they should be, he can still be an effective hitter. To be fair, his contact tool is arguably his best, but his power and eye are much more valuable assets. Hall could eventually be one of the best outfielders in the game, and while he may be two or three years away, he'll be well worth the wait.

SS Harry Avery (B San Jose Cougars): It's not every day you have someone hit for the cycle, but that's exactly what Harry Avery managed on the 30th of August. The single was actually the last hit he got, but it was also his fifth hit as well. The 22-year-old was 5-for-7 with 6 runs and 3 RBIs in our 15-11 shootout win over the Spokane Lumberjacks. Avery hasn't had the greatest of seasons, as last year's 6th Rounder is hitting an average .266/.344/.398 (98 OPS+) with 16 doubles, 5 triples, 8 homers, 7 steals, and 51 RBIs in 346 trips to the plate. A natural shortstop, he's held his own there, while also getting some time at both second and third. And while he may not be one of our more highly regarded prospects, he does have a great eye and above average bat speed at the plate. He'll be 23 the day after Christmas, so I imagine he'll be up in Lincoln to start next season. He profiles as a utility infielder at the moment, but if he can hit the ball more consistently, I could see him turning into a suitable Ollie Page type player.

RHP Bob Saltzman (B San Jose Cougars): The day after the 15-11 extravaganza, Bob Saltzman decided he wasn't going to give up his regular five runs, he'd instead keep the Lumberjacks scoreless. He allowed just 6 hits and a walk with 6 strikeouts to improve to 7-5 on the season. It hasn't been a great year for the 21-year-old, as the former 7th Rounder owns a 5.32 ERA (82 ERA+), 1.38 WHIP, 38 walks, and 44 strikeouts in his 15 starts. While the shutout is nice, Saltzman is definitely in danger of being passed over for starts next season, and he'll want to string together a few more outings like this to keep his spot in the organization. I wish "Knuckles" threw a knuckle ball, but his knuckle curve is a very good pitch with a decent forkball as well. He also features a fastball, cutter, splitter, and change, but none of those four are really standout pitches. He has the stuff to start, and he sits in the 89-91 range, but his command prevents the stuff from being average. It is one of those situations where I think throwing less pitches would help him locate them better, but of course, that's not quite an option in OOTP. Saltzman definitely has upside, but he might not have what it takes to reach that.

2B Stu Johnson (B San Jose Cougars): I was a little surprised Harry Avery didn't win Player of the Week, and that was because his own teammate Stu Johnson was just as good. No cycle, but he was 12-for-24 with 2 homers, 5 runs, and 10 RBIs. Johnson actually started the year in Lincoln, but he hit just .217/.331/.288 (71 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, and 33 RBIs before a demotion to San Jose. He's been much better in the 90 at bats here, hitting .322/.429/.489 (145 OPS+) with 2 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, and 20 RBIs with an ice 18-to-4 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Our 7th Rounder in 1935, Johnson has developed into an excellent defensive second basemen (natural shortstop) with an above average eye. The Seattle kid isn't much of a contact hitter, and I don't expect him to ever come close to .300 in the FABL. Johnson's biggest pull is his leadership, already a team leader which makes him perfect for a utility infield role. He's exactly what you want off the bench, and while OSA thinks he may force his way into a lineup, I don't think that lineup would be ours. With roster expansion, I'm moving a lot of guys up, so Johnson will return to Lincoln to finish his season.