[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 2-6
Seasonal Record: 24-28 (4th, 11.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
John Lawson : 30 AB, 11 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .367 AVG, 1.054 OPS
Orlin Yates : 27 AB, 10 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .370 AVG, .858 OPS
Ollie Page : 21 AB, 7 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .333 AVG, .869 OPS

Schedule
6-3: Win at Cannons (4-0)
6-4: Loss at Wolves (2-11)
6-5: Loss at Wolves (5-8)
6-6: Loss at Wolves (4-5): 10 innings
6-7: Loss at Foresters (1-7)
6-8: Loss at Foresters (1-4)
6-9: Win at Foresters (7-1)
6-9: Loss at Foresters (3-8)

Recap
I'm just at a loss for words right now... What is wrong with this season!?!?!? We completed the sweep of the Cannons, but that didn't build any momentum for us. We then let the Wolves walk right over us, as they swept us out of Toronto, before we managed to completely embarrass ourselves in Cleveland. They somehow took three out of four form us, but that's not even the worst part! Despite being very injury free for the past couple of seasons, everything has come crashing down this season. We had two more casualties this week, starting with Eddie Quinn, as it may be the end of his Cougar career already. The trade seems to have completely backfired, as Quinn first strained his oblique on the 4th before partially tearing his UCL on the 9th. He's now out for the season, which will open the rotation for Pete Papenfus. Quinn's last four starts were pretty terrible, and he finishes his season 2-5 with a 3.98 ERA (94 ERA+), 1.52 WHIP, 18 walks, and 10 strikeouts. Just a few weeks ago he was sporting a nice 2.08 ERA, but now everything fell apart. Even worse, Freddie Jones will spend the next two months out of service with a dislocated shoulder. Jones was in the midst of a terrible season, hitting just .258/.343/.284 (76 OPS+) with 2 doubles, a triple, and 10 RBIs. Sure, we get Carlos Montes and Aart MacDonald back this week, but that doesn't nearly make up for it. I will need a pitcher to replace Quinn, so John Johnson will return to Milwaukee, and Rusty Watts will return to Chicago.

We didn't hit or pitch much at all, but hey! John Lawson continues to be good! The vet went 11-for-30 with 3 doubles, 2 homers, 3 runs, and 5 RBIs. His backup Johnny McDowell looked good too, 5-for-11 with a run and 2 RBIs. Orlin Yates had a nice week, although he'll return to the bench with Montes returning, going 10-for-27 with a triple, steal, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, and 2 walks. Yates has hit well in limited time, batting .289/.386/.421 (124 OPS+) with 2 triples, 2 homers, and 8 RBIs with a nice 11-to-2 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Leon Drake had an okay return, 6-for-23 with 2 doubles, a homer, 2 RBIs, and 3 walks. Ollie Page looked great filling in for Freddie, 7-for-21 with a triple, 3 runs, 3 RBIs, and 4 walks. He'll slide into Jones spot until Billy Hunter is healthy, but his .228/.333/.263 (68 OPS+) batting line leaves a lot to be desired. He's been great defensively at second, which will be an upgrade over Jones' play there, but I doubt he's going to hit much.

Milt Fritz continues to pitch well, but he got himself a win and a loss. Fritz allowed just 4-hits in our 4-0 shutout of the Cannons, walking 5 and striking out 4 in the complete game victory. His second start went just 7 innings, allowing 7 hits and 2 runs with 4 strikeouts. The 30-year-old is now 4-4 with a 2.84 ERA (132 ERA+), 1.41 WHIP, 27 walks, and 24 strikeouts in 69.2 innings pitched. Before the Quinn injury, I was considering moving him if we continued to fall, but now I'm not sure I want to weaken our rotation. We do have both Pug Bryan and Joe Brown who could step in, but both are doing excellent in the pen and I'm sure a move to the rotation will cause them to start pitching poorly. More bad outings for Jim Lonardo, who went 16.2 innings with 21 hits, 9 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Harry Parker was roughed up for the first time in a bit, 12 hits, 7 runs, and 4 walks with 5 strikeouts in 5.1. Papenfus and Brown both struggled out of the pen, 6 hits and 3 runs a piece in a pair of outings. Brown got a loss in 2.1 innings with 2 walks and a strikeout, while our newest rotation member walked and struck out 3. Allen Purvis also struggled, 10 hits, 5 runs, 4 walks, and 2 strikeouts in 6 innings pitched. Dick Lyons at least pitched well, 8 innings with 7 hits, 3 runs, and 3 walks in our extra inning loss. He turns 40 this week, and I think I'm going to maneuver things so he gets an outing on his birthday. The ageless wonder is 6-3 with a 3.11 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.26 WHIP, 20 walks, and 9 strikeouts in 10 impressive starts.

Looking Ahead
Not much to look forward to anymore, but now we get three in Philly before a much, much needed off day. The Sailors are in third at 30-24, and 6.5 games behind the Cannons. They are the only other team besides the Cannons and Wolves above .500, and 5 games ahead of us for fourth. Walt Wells is having a season to remember, 8-2 with a 2.61 ERA (149 ERA+), 1.11 WHIP, 22 walks, and 34 strikeouts in 11 outstanding starts. He's made up for Doc Newell's awful season, as the 32-year-old is 3-5 with a 5.01 ERA (78 ERA+), 1.56 WHIP, 25 walks, and 25 strikeouts. Chuck Murphy has had a good season filling out there rotation, 5-2 with a 3.19 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP, 16 walks, and 12 strikeouts. Dick Walker is having a very surprising down year, hitting just .231/.346/.341 (83 OPS+) with 10 doubles, 5 triples, 10 steals, and 20 RBIs. Lucky for them, Bob Smith has continued to cruise, hitting a strong .341/.370/.474 (123 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, 2 steals, and 16 RBIs. Rip Lee is having a nice bounce back year, hitting .304/.363/.408 (105 OPS+) with 14 doubles, 3 triples, and 40 RBIs. Most of the lineup is struggling, including Joe Watson, but his .288/.335/.449 (107 OPS+) line is at least above average, and he's added 10 doubles, 5 triples, 4 homers, and 33 RBIs. I'm way too pessimistic right now, but I'd be surprised if they don't sweep us out of town.

After the off day, we get another three games in four days with the Foresters, but at least we'll be at home. I'm ready for more disappointment, as we helped the Foresters hop out of the cellar. They are now 21-33, but still 15.5 games out of first. Rube McCormick has started to turn things around for them, now 4-6 with a 4.11 ERA (95 ERA+), 1.32 WHIP, 25 walks, and 17 strikeouts. Dean Astle is on a nice little run, now 6-4 with a 3.30 ERA (118 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 25 walks, and 28 strikeouts. Mel Carrol has started to really heat up, boosting his line to .382/.424/.512 (148 OPS+) with 10 doubles, 6 homers, and 30 RBIs. George Dawson is in the midst of a really tough season, hitting just .271/.304/.336 (70 OPS+) with 5 doubles, a triple, 3 steals, and 6 RBIs. He's also struggling defensively, with a -0.1 zone rating. His lowest in a season was 7.8 last year, but this is the same shortstop who's surpassed 20 five separate times. After we squandered the most recent series with them, I have no faith for this one, but we really should win at least two of the four. We can get right back into things with a 5-2 week, but we'll really have to turns things around quick if we want to pay October baseball in 1940.

Minor League Report
LHP Johnny Ruby (AA Mobile Commodores): It's been a nice season already for the 24-year-old, who was excellent in his most recent start. The 1937 8th Rounder allowed just 3 hits and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts in a complete game shutout over Memphis. Ruby has been a bit unlucky, just 2-3, but he has a great 2.80 ERA (160 ERA+), 1.30 WHIP, 28 walks, and 32 strikeouts in his 54.2 innings pitched. This is his second shutout in five starts, and unfortunately for Ruby, it seems to be the only way he can pick up a win. The sidewinding lefty has shown the ability to pitch deep into games as well, 8 or more innings in each of his last five starts. Ruby has a nice 6 pitch mix, led with an 88-90 fastball, biting curve, and above average slider. His command isn't the best, consistently sporting a BB/9 above 4, but he's done an excellent job striking hitters out. Since starting in La Crosse back in 1937, he's had a K/9 of 5.0 or higher, even sporting a 7.7 in 76.1 innings with La Crosse last year. If he can just iron out his command issues, he could be a real force on the mound, but at 24, there might not be that much time for him to fix his issues. Still, I think he could be a decent enough spot starter, as his strikeout numbers are truly impressive.

RHP Roy Carey (A Lincoln Legislators): An inning eating machine, Roy Carey has completed all 8 of his starts this season, with the most recent a 3-hit, 3-walk, 5 strikeout shutout of the Springfield Hustlers. 5 of his 8 starts have been with Lincoln, and he's 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA (147 ERA+), 1.29 WHIP, 18 walks, and 12 strikeouts in 45 innings pitched. I moved one of my AA pitchers (that post will come later tonight along with another draft update), so it looks like Roy Carey will return to Mobile next week. The 25-year-old doesn't have the greatest stuff, but the righty is a soft tosser with six pitches. He features a fastball, sinker, curve, slider, change, and circle change, and while none of those pitches are all that great, they're good enough, and paired with his stamina, allow him to start games. I'm a little shocked he never got a velocity boost, but perhaps that has helped him stay healthy and pitch deep into games. I think he's more just roster filler as opposed to a future big leaguer, but there is a chance that Carey either earns a desperate callup due to a thousand injuries, or another team takes a risk on him in the Rule-5 Draft.

RHP Lou Eaker (A Lincoln Legislators): A day after Carey's shutout, 22-year-old Lou Eaker tossed a shutout of his own. He allowed 7 hits and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts in Lincoln's 2-0 win over Springfield. Our 5th Rounder last season, Eaker's first three starts came in San Jose, but his last 6 have been with Lincoln. He's looked good despite his 2-3 record, owning a 2.92 ERA (131 ERA+), 1.44 WHIP, 27 walks, and 20 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched. The towering 6'5'' Eaker blossomed into one of our top prospects and one of the better young pitchers in the league, ranked 6th in our system and 62nd overall. He has a polished four pitch repertoire, featuring a nice 86-88 fastball and cutter, an excellent splitter, and a solid change. He has great stuff, but stop me if you've heard this one before, shaky command. His command is starting to come around, but his real strength is his movement. It allows him to roll up a ton of grounders, so even if ends up walking too many, he should be able to turn more then his share of double plays. OSA thinks he'll end up a #4 or #5, Tom thinks he'll be a solid back end starter, and I think he has the chance to be a strong #3. I'm expecting him to rise through the system rather quickly, and really other then the Jones brothers, there aren't too many young arms in his way. He could finish is season in Mobile, but at least for now, he'll continue pitching in the Legislators rotation.

LF Harry Harris (C La Crosse Lions): It was a very strong week for the Lions outfielder Harry Harris, who went 15-for-26 with 3 RBIs and 4 runs scored. The switch hitter is naturally a third basemen, but he's spent most of his time in our organization out in left. The 19-year-old is having a nice season, hitting .338/.388/.457 (108 OPS+) with 16 doubles, a triple, steal, and 28 RBIs. A 7th Rounder last season, Harris is a strong and lean athlete who projects to hit for an average around .310. He's not very fast, but a very good base runner, and he could steal more then his share of bases. He has the potential for an average eye at the plate, but he doesn't have much power and has yet to homer in 72 minor league PAs. He does have nice versatility, also comfortable in right and second as well as third and left, and with the likely influx of outfielders in our new draft class, I wouldn't be too surprised if he moves back to the infield, or at least spending time at a few spots and not just left. Harris is also inside our top 20 prospect list, checking in at 19th and 261st overall. He has a lot of young raw talent, and he's far from a finish product, so even if he profiles more of a bench bat now, he has the tools to develop into a much better player. It will be a slow rise up the ladder for Harris, but he is one of our higher upside corner prospects.