[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 6-1
Seasonal Record: 62-60 (5th, 10 GB)
Stars of the Week
Rich Ford : 32 AB, 16 H, 0 HR, 11 RBI, .500 AVG, 1.123 OPS
Leo Mitchell : 27 AB, 13 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .481 AVG, 1.340 OPS
John Lawson : 29 AB, 11 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .379 AVG, 1.055 OPS

Schedule
8-28: Win at Saints (5-3)
8-29: Loss at Saints (2-3)
8-30: Win at Saints (15-3)
8-31: Win at Cannons (13-0)
9-1: Win at Cannons (5-4)
9-2: Win at Cannons (7-3)
9-3: Win at Stars (5-2)

Recap
Well, well, well... Look what we have here! Just when I gave up on the season, we decide to rip off a 6-1 week to jump back above .500! Cue the unnecessary hope for making the playoffs just to be let down in the end! Of course, the only loss this week was of the one run fashion, coming against the Saints who we took two out of three from, capping it off with a commanding 15-3 win. We rode that into a 13-0 shutout and eventual sweep of the Cannons, before winning the first of the Stars series. The offense came alive, the pitching was relatively capable, and we are now much closer to second then they are to first. Cleveland is a win away from 70, but what really sucks is if we just played to our expected record (68-54), we would only be a game and a half out of first. We've scored the third most runs and allowed the second fewest, and now with rosters expanded to 35, we will be able to add a few reinforcements.

The bats came to play, led by the red hot Leo Mitchell. He finished the week 13-for-27 with 2 doubles, 2 homers, 5 walks, 10 runs, and 6 RBIs in a very well rounded week. Ray Ford was arguably better, 16-for-32 with a double, triple, 5 runs, and 11 RBIs. John Lawson was 11-for-29 with 2 doubles, 2 homers, 7 runs, and 9 RBIs. Billy Hunter was solid too, 9-for-26 with a double, triple, 3 RBIs, and 5 runs scored. Orlin Yates looked good in his 11 trips to the plate, 5-for-9 with an RBI and pair of runs scored. Freddie Jones has started to cool down, just 3-for-21 with a double, 3 walks, 4 runs, and an RBI. Aart MacDonald wasn't great, but went 5-for-18 with a double, run, 2 RBIs, and 4 walks.

Our two start starters this week were Harry Parker and Milt Fritz, and they were both outstanding. Parker tossed a pair of complete game victories, 18 hits with 6 runs (3 earned), a walk, and 7 strikeouts to lower his ERA back down to an even 4.00. Fritz was actually charged with one of the losses, allowing 21 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), and 5 walks with 4 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched. Fritz has 11 wins on the season, and is now an even 54-54 as a Cougar. Jim Lonardo, however, had the best start of the week, a 5-hit, 1 walk, 1 strikeout shutout of the Cannons. The 35-year-old vet is 8-4 with a 3.29 ERA (127 ERA+) and 1.34 WHIP in 115 excellent innings with us. Dick Lyons had the one rough start, 11 hits and 4 runs with a walk and 2 strikeouts in 7 innings pitched. Cy Sullivan looked decent in his start, a complete game win with 13 hits, 3 runs, and a walk. We also only needed one pen arm this week, and he was impressive. Peter the Heater has looked outstanding as a stopper, this week just 2 walks and 3 strikeouts in 4 hitless innings. As a reliever, Papenfus is 4-1 with 3 saves, a 1.12 ERA (372 ERA+), 1.12 WHIP, 14 walks, and 24 strikeouts across 24 innings. As a starter, the sailing hasn't been nearly as smooth, 4-8 with a 6.06 ERA (69 ERA+), 1.76 WHIP, 71 walks, and 76 strikeouts in 87.2 innings pitched. Obviously, I want Papenfus to be an ace, not a fireman in the pen, but the 21-year-old will likely finish the season in the pen before working back into a starting role next year.

Looking Ahead
Two more with the Stars in New York, who have dropped down to 62-57 and a full six games out of first. I like our chances here, and I expect us to see Chris Clarke and Vern Hubbard instead of having to deal with Bill Riley and George Philips. Clarke has looked good in 8 starts and 5 relief outings, 3-3 with a 3.82 ERA (112 ERA+), 1.55 WHIP, 32 walks, and 22 strikeouts. Hubbard has started all 27 of his appearances, but the numbers haven't been exactly what the Stars wanted. The high upside 24-year-old is 11-12 with a 4.58 ERA (93 ERA+), 1.59 WHIP, 89 walks, and 81 strikeouts as he approaches his first 200 inning season. Both guys are solid, but I think they'd be even better with a better defense. The bats have started to cool a bit as well, including Chink Stickels, who has had a major sophomore slump. One of the main pieces in the John Lawson trade, Stickels hit .322/.388/.526 (152 OPS+) with 48 doubles, 19 triples, 9 homers, 13 steals, and 73 RBIs in an outstanding rookie season that earned him an All Star bid. This year he's been just an average hitter, slashing .275/.362/.412 (99 OPS+) with 29 doubles, 9 triples, 5 homers, 11 steals, and 54 RBIs. Joe Angevine has also cooled off from his hot start, hitting just .283/.342/.377 (85 OPS+) in 413 trips to the plate. I don't think we'll have nearly as much success this week, but if we can finish off the sweep, the momentum it will build would be huge.

The road trip continues with two more, but we won't have to leave the state of New York. The Kings will host us, but the reigning pennant winners are now 58-63, tied with the Wolves for six. Art White has started to struggle, now 10-9 as his ERA as jumped above 4 to 4.15 (104 ERA+) with a 1.52 WHIP, 53 walks, and 70 strikeouts. Same has gone for Bob Cummings, 12-6 with a similar 3.99 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, 60 walks, and 74 strikeouts in 151 innings pitched. Jack Goff has looked really good, as Danny's brother is 7-4 with a 3.42 ERA (126 ERA+) and 1.53 WHIP, but with a less encouraging 45 walks and 18 strikeouts. The Kings rotation has started to falter a bit, and if our bats stay hot, we may be able to put up a ton of runs. The lineup hasn't been overly productive, but their 1-2 of rookies have done well in limited time. 4th Overall Pick, #2 prospect, and minor league skipper Rats McGonigle has been impressive, hitting .320/.352/.542 (124 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 8 triples, 4 homers, and 30 RBIs in his first 166 FABL PAs. Right behind him is fellow lefty Jim Lightbody, whose 33-to-6 walk-to-strikeout ratio has fueled his .316/.436/.529 (144 OPS+) batting line. The youngest Lightbody has added 12 doubles, 3 triples, 5 homers, 6 steals, and 29 RBIs, most coming above his buddy Frank. A little heating up from Al Wheeler, who is hitting an average .257/.344/.425 (95 OPS+) with 18 doubles, 3 triples, 17 homers, and 68 RBIs in what should end up as his 12th consecutive 600 plate appearance season. You can never underestimate the Kings, there is a lot of talent there, but now that we decided it's cool to win games, we may be able to come into town for the quick sweep.

Off Friday, but we finish our long road trip and the week with two against the first place Foresters. These games are huge with a capital H, as the only way we can really catch the Foresters is by beating them ourselves. Cleveland scores a ton of runs, and Mel Carrol is a big reason for that. His .369/.412/.525 (135 OPS+) batting line is Whitney worthy, and when you add in the 34 doubles, 2 triples, 14 homers, and 82 RBIs, and you have one of the most valuable bats in the league. Behind him is the power bat of Dan Fowler, who has shown you can produce runs even when you hit below .250. His .230/.330/.380 (79 OPS+) batting line leaves a lot to be desired, but his 15 doubles, 2 triples, 17 homers, and team high 85 RBIs can make up for it. And despite not starting every game, Bill Moore has been one of the league's most productive hitters, hitting .341/.421/.547 (143 OPS+) with 32 doubles, 4 triples, 7 homers, and 57 RBIs with 39 walks and just 6 strikeouts. The only real weakness in the lineup has been Brooks Meeks, a once productive second basemen who is hitting just .267/.312/.382 (74 OPS+) in his aged 30 season. The pitching hasn't been great, but ace Dean Astle has really started to turn things around. Now 13-11, he has a slightly above average 4.23 ERA (103 ERA+) with a 1.49 WHIP, 57 walks, and 56 strikeouts while still on a 6.0 WAR pace. Dave Rankin has evened his record to 12-12, but his 4.51 ERA (97 ERA+), 1.53 WHIP, 80 walks, and 57 strikeouts haven't been the best use of his 207.2 innings pitched. I would like to face 23-year-old rookie Johnny Slaney, who is 1-1 with a 3.76 ERA (116 ERA+), 1.71 WHIP, 18 walks, and 10 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched. A former top 100 prospect, Slaney was taken back in 1934 with a pick I traded to the Miners, and he's done a great job recovering from a torn UCL last season. I know this will be a tough series, and when we are inevitably swept by the Foresters, I can finally put the season to rest.

I'm not ready to stack the big league roster with callups yet, as all our affiliates other then Mobile are in first place with a month left in the season. Most have double digit leads, while Lincoln is 4 games up and Mobile is 12 games out, but I always keep extra players on hand and usually have more guys playing then needed. Most levels have four outfielders sharing three spots with an extra infielder keeping the starters fresh, and I run six man rotations at all levels. I do want extra arms on hand, and while I really want to bring Del Burns or Juan Pomales up, I only have one free 40 man spot, and that will be left for Carlos Montes, who will eventually need to be taken off the 60-Day DL. The other will go to gloveman Oscar King, a longtime Cannon shortstop. I've always been enamored with King, a late round selection by the Kings who has spent most of his 794 FABL games with the Cannons. Other then his rookie season in 1933, King has called Baltimore home, and he earned a 60.7 zone rating and 1.050 efficiency at short. Unfortunately for him, he has never had any success with the bat, hitting just .232/.340/.314 (80 OPS+) with 101 doubles, 35 triples, 14 homers, and 281 RBIs. He'll be useful off the bench, and he may try to work for a bench role next season. He's hit just .191/.318/.257 (51 OPS+) in 217 PAs this year, but King has an outstanding eye and his glove is extremely valuable as well.

Joining him will be a pair of lefties in Jim Miller and Rusty Watts. Miller has started all 20 of his games in Milwaukee, and all 110 in his minor league career, but my scout and I agree that Miller's future is likely in the pen. He'll fill a mop up role for us, after finishing 4-5 with a 4.78 ERA (106 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, 21 walks, and 34 strikeouts in 92.1 innings pitched. Watts hasn't had much success this season, but the 24-year-old throws consistently in the upper 90s with a lively fastball. His stuff is outstanding, but the command leaves a lot to desire. He started 16 games in Mobile and relieved 7 in Milwaukee, but his ERAs of 5.42 (86 ERA+) and 5.82 (87 ERA+) were not that impressive. Most was due to command, 36 walks to 37 strikeouts, after 50 and 81 the season before. I'm not sure either arm will get many innings, but it can't hurt to have some mop up arms to keep everyone fresh. I may bring up Chet Peacock soon as well, but I can't see Pug or Joe Brown coming up when they can still get regular starts in Milwaukee.

The bench will get some new faces, including a third catcher in Johnnie Williamson. Weinstock thinks Williamson is an average FABL starter, OSA tends to agree, but the former 8th Rounder is stuck behind Mike Taylor and Harry Mead, and as long as they are both Cougars, he's not likely to see much playing time for us. It was a bit of a down season for him, but the Blues catcher hit .281/.354/.347 (79 OPS+) with 20 doubles, a triple, 2 homers, and 55 RBIs in 478 trips to the plate. Bringing Williamson up also helps unclog our system a bit, giving Steve Mountain a chance to face AAA pitching, and Diego Bernal and Gidge Sumpter to return to an everyday role instead of having to split at bats. I also wanted a few reliable pinch hitters, so that meant the bat only Johnny Waters and Bobby Mills will be on a train to Chicago. Waters has slashed a robust .358/.417/.524 (138 OPS+) with 22 doubles, 4 triples, 12 homers, and 79 RBIs with Mills sporting an astronomical .340/.414/.596 (154 OPS+) with 35 doubles, 2 triples, 19 homers, and 99 RBIs. T

he last piece up is 26-year-old Homer Ray, our 17th best prospect and the league's 235th. He's a decent glove, but Ray hasn't gotten much time in AAA. He's hit a poor .270/.320/.328 (65 OPS+) in 150 trips to the plate. That leaves us with four open roster spots, and I sort of have an idea of what I'm going to do with them. Tip Harrison will likely join the roster in a week or two, as I love the 28-year-olds versatility. Larry Robison may make the trip up because of his wheels, 29 steals in 38 attempts to go with a .330/.404/.478 (123 OPS+) line. There's also likely to be a few interesting pieces on waivers, so an empty spot or two can come in handy, and then once the minor league season ends, I can bring up one of the Blues' starters.

Minor League Report
SS Skipper Schneider (AA Mobile Commodores): He's probably ready for the big leagues, but I'm just not quite ready to give a 40-man spot to an 18-year-old, and I'm not ready to burn options on him yet either. A strained PCL cost him a month in his first pro season, but Skipper has hit a very good .333/.365/.444 (112 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 steals, and 14 RBIs in three PAs shy of 100. His defense, however, has been most impressive, working to a 9.1 zone rating and 1.129 efficiency in just 186 innings at short. Of course, Skipper is also extremely versatile, able to handle second, third, left, right, and probably center too, but other then a lone start at second, he's spent all his time at short. As things look now, he'll push Billy Hunter to third once he's ready, as Schneider projects to be a defensive marvel. Ranked 5th in our system and 47th in the league, the teen also has a quick bat that allows him to catch up to any fastball. He doesn't have the best luck against off-speed stuff yet, but I think that's something he will definitely overcome. He has a really high ceiling, but Weinstock thinks that both Hunter and Hal Wood's are even higher. That doesn't worry me all that much, Hunter and Wood were also first round selections and Hunter was a top 5 prospect at one point, and Skipper is actually further along then the 25-year-old Wood. I think he has a higher chance of reaching his potential then Wood and even Hunter, as Skipper is an extremely hard worker who is already good enough to suit up for an FABL team.

RHP Billy Seawood (A Lincoln Legislators): Before I even knew about his most recent starts, our former 12th Rounder was already on his way up to Mobile. He had a two start week, starting with a 6-hit, 4-walk, 2-strikeout shutout of the Peoria Pastimers. Lincoln put up 13 runs, so Seawood didn't have to be dominant, as those runs would have been better suited for his other start. He went 8 since we were on the road, allowing 5 hits, a run, an earned run, a walk, and 3 strikeouts to drop to 6-4. He made 7 starts in San Jose before 11 in Lincoln with outstanding marks at both spots. He was 5-0 in San Jose with a 2.54 ERA (194 ERA+), 1.23 WHIP, 5 walks, and 33 strikeouts. His record wasn't as strong in Lincoln, but his 3.60 ERA (149 ERA+), 1.29 WHIP, 24 walks, and 32 strikeouts were impressive none the less. Now 22, Seawood has a decent three pitch arsenal, featuring a high 80s fastball, with an off the charts change and strong slider. The change is the go to pitch, and he locates it well, but he does a good job pitching low in the zone and forcing batters to roll over his pitches. His upside is a little limited, but his floor is pretty high as he's very well developed for his age. He profiles more as a long reliever with the pitches to start, but it will take a bit of luck for Seawood to secure a long term rotation spot.