[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-4
Seasonal Record: 11-10 (4th, 3 GB)
Stars of the Week
Carlos Montes : 32 AB, 11 H, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .344 AVG, .832 OPS
Clark Car : 16 AB, 7 H, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .438 AVG, 1.026 OPS
Harry Mead : 24 AB, 8 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .333 AVG, .792 OPS

Schedule
4-28: Loss at Foresters (3-5)
4-29: Win at Foresters (8-1)
4-30: Loss at Foresters (1-3)
5-1: Win at Sailors (14-4)
5-2: Loss at Sailors (1-2)
5-3: Win at Wolves (4-3)
5-3: Loss at Wolves (5-7)

Recap
Rough week for the Cougs, as we slipped in the standings and scuffled against the Foresters. A team we had no trouble with last year, the Foresters took two out of three from us despite being outscored in the series 12 to 9. We then split with the Sailors and Wolves, finishing the week just 3-4 while the Kings and now first place Stars moved ahead of us in the standings. We keep losing close games, with 7 of our 10 losses by two or less runs. To make matters worse, WAR leader and Player of the Month Carlos Montes decided to do what he does best; get injured. This time it's more impressive, as he has a pair of two week day-to-day injuries, suffering a finger blister on the 30th before a strained forearm on the 3rd. Montes was red hot, 11-for-32 on the week with 2 doubles, a triple, 2 steals, 4 runs, and 6 RBIs. The 26-year-old center fielder is off to a blistering start overall, slashing an impressive .329/.389/.459 (147 OPS+) with 4 doubles, 2 triples, a homer, 2 steals, and 13 RBIs. Replacing him on the roster and in the lineup will be Orlin Yates, who has hit .341/.408/.23 (153 OPS+) in 49 PAs for the Blues. Cliff Moss will also get the occasional game in center, as will Aart MacDonald, but we're hoping Montes isn't out for too long.

Still, we hit pretty well, despite another rough week form John Lawson. This time it was bad by any standards, just 6-for-29 with a double, 4 runs, and 3 RBIs. We got big weeks from part time players Rich Langton and Clark Car, both who hit over .400 on the week. Langton was 6-for-11 with a pair of RBIs while Car was 7-for-16 with a double, 3 runs, and 6 RBIs. Harry Mead had a nice week too, 8-for-24 with a homer and 4 RBIs while fellow backstop Mike Taylor was 3-for-9 with a double, run, and RBI. Leo and Skipper helped out as well, with Michell 9-for-28 with a double, steal, 2 RBIs, and 3 runs while Schneider was 9-for-27 with 2 doubles, a steal, 3 RBIs, and 7 runs scored. The offense is starting to heat up a bit, but as Lawson's bat stays cold, Johnny McDowell may take a couple starts against tough lefties to get the vet back on track.

The pitching could have been better, but are losing pitchers were arguably better then our winners. A Ray Ford error cost Dick Lyons a win, as both of his two runs were unearned in our 2-1 loss to the Sailors. He went 8 with 12 hits and 2 walks. Errors didn't cost Harry Parker, but we couldn't score for him yet again. He also went 8 with 10 hits, 3 runs, and 2 strikeouts in our 3-1 loss to the Foresters. Joe Brown picked up a win, but he allowed 9 hits, 4 runs, and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts in 7.2 innings. Hooks Camp finished the game and was much better in big league outing #2, not allowing a run with a hit, walk, and strikeout as he recorded the final four outs of the game.

Jim Lonardo made a pair of starts, while his win was much better then his loss. He allowed just 7 hits, a run, and walk with 2 strikeouts in a complete game win over the Foresters. He then lasted just 7.2 against the Wolves, charged with 14 hits, 7 runs (5 earned), and a walk where former Cougar draftees Reginald Westfall and Hal Wood combined to go 5-for-8 with 4 runs and 2 RBIs. Lonardo was also named Pitcher of the Month, as he was a perfect 4-0 in April with a 0.79 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. Our other two start starter was the young Donnie Jones, who split his two decisions. He lost to the Foresters despite just 3 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts in 7 innings. He allowed 4 in the 5-3 loss. He then beat the team that drafted him, Toronto, going all nine with 8 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. The Minnesota native hasn't looked like a rookie in the early goings, now 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA (117 ERA+), 1.02 WHIP, 12 walks, and 16 strikeouts in 4 starts. Not quite Peter the Heater numbers, but nothing to complain about. I thought Jones deserved Rookie of the Month to sweep the awards, but that went to Dick Lamb, largely due to his 10-hit, 1-run performance against us to finish up the Month. He was 2-2 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 6 walks, and 2 strikeouts while Jones was 1-2 with a 2.84 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 10 walks, and 11 strikeouts. The extra start helped Lamb while the record hurt Jones, but Donnie actually struck hitters out and had a sub 1 WHIP. But if we are betting on a better career, I think you have to side with Donnie.

Looking Ahead
Off again to start the week, before our finale in Toronto. The Wolves also had a tough week, dropping out of first to 3rd. They are now 12-8, a game and a half behind the Stars and a game and a half ahead of us. Not sure who we'll see, as Bob Walls (1-2, 5.59) is fully rested, but they could go to George Garrison (3-1, 1.32, 20) on four days rest. I'd much rather see Walls, who has struggled to start the year, but I'll take anyone over Garrison, who is the best pitcher not at war and arguably the best pitcher in the FABL. Obviously I'm biased in that debate, but Garrison is as good as it gets. Regardless of who starts, the Wolves will put runs on the board, despite the struggles of cleanup hitter Ockie Holliday. He's hitting just .185/.250/.185 (23 OPS+) with 5 walks and RBIs. Him and Walt Pack (.254, 1, 10) were supposed to lead the offense in Fred McCormick's absence, but the lineup has been carried by Westfall (.314, 12, 1) and Mike Rollinson (.352, 1, 9), who hasn't struck out all season. Rollinson doesn't have a direct connection to the Cougars, but the 27-year-old rookie was acquired from the Chiefs back in 1937 for a name familiar to some Cougar fans; Vince York. He's done a great job with the bat early on, and if the Wolves want to compete, they are hoping he can maintain this production as the season continues. This is a must win game for us, and with Harry Parker on the mound, I really like our chances, especially if he's going against Walls and not Garrison.

Our road trip then ends with two in Cincinnati. Everything has gone wrong for the Cannons, who are 7-14 and shockingly last in the Continental Association. The losses of Charley McCullough and Mike Taylor to the war effort have left the Cannons lineup weaker, and All Stars Moxie Pidgeon (.244, 6, 2) and Butch Smith (0-5, 5.94, 18) have been off to dreadful starts. At least Rufus Barrell has shown no signs of permanent damage after last season ended with injury, as the talented young ace is 4-1 with a 2.62 ERA (131 ERA+) and 0.85 WHIP with an absurd 33-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The rest of the rotation will have to pick up the slack to back him up, as Roger Perry (1-0, 3.38, 14) is the only other average arm so far. The offense needs some work too, as behind Fred Galloway (.362, 1, 9) and Adam Mullins (.333, 7), they haven't been able to get much done. Denny Andrews (.267, 2, 13) has shown good pop and he's getting on base at a .364 clip, but other then recent callup Andy Carter (who has just 8 games), their top three are the only hitters with above average OPS+. We need to continue the Cannons slide, but they are far too good to keep playing like this.

We then return home for the first time since the 21st of April, hosting the Saints for three to finish off the week. Montreal is only better then the Cannons, 7-13 and 6.5 games out of first. Their expected two best hitters Red Bond and Bill Greene have been ice cold, which has really held back the young Saints. Bond is hitting a pathetic .183/.230/.256 (36 OPS+) while Greene is about twice as good at .187/.282/.293. Both are worth -0.3 WAR, with Bond at least adding two homers and Greene walking (10) more then he strikes out (7). Greene is coming off a tremendous season where he slashed .334/.424/.534 (158 OPS+) while Bond hit 18 homers and 90 RBIs in a slightly above average (107 OPS+) campaign after he contented for the Whitney in 1940. Both should turn things around, but the Saints don't have much to support them. Charlie Woodbury (.364, 3, 8) is off to a hot start, a homer away from his season total last year in over 350 PAs, but Bert Lass (.287, 1, 12) has seen a drop in production. Vic Crawford (.273, 1, 3) and Jake Hughes (.288, 1, 4) have hit well, but both are awful defenders which nearly neutralizes their bats. The pitching isn't much better, as Wally Doyle (2-3, 4.82, 24) is off to a really rough start. Ed Baker, however, has looked much better post-injury, and has yet to been relieved in any of his 5 starts. Only one wasn't 9 innings, as the Saints dropped a 1-0 game in Brooklyn, and he's 3-2 with a 2.25 ERA (155 ERA+), 1.07 WHIP, 9 walks, and 14 strikeouts. He could be a nice trade chip for them, which would make room for a top prospect like Pat Weakley or Wally Reif, both in the top 25 and hanging out in AAA Minneapolis. Both could front a rotation, and should be excellent long term pieces for a team in need of fresh new young arms. I'm hoping the home cooking is just what the boys need, as we can't afford to drop too far early in the season.

Minor League Report
LF Huck Hanes (AA Mobile Commodores): April 30th was a huge day for last year's 4th Rounder Huck Hanes, who was instrumental in our 6-5 win over the Atlanta Peaches. Huck was 5-for-6 with a run and RBI, which briefly pushed his season average above .500. The 23-year-old has gotten off to an excellent start in his first 11 games with the Commodores, slashing a robust .444/.510/.600 (196 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 7 RBIs, and three times as many walks (6) as strikeouts (2). I'd imagine hitting above Solly Skidmore helps, but Hanes has been tearing the cover off the ball so far. Despite the obvious talent with the bat, Huck is not listed as one of the games top 500 prospects, but I find it hard to believe that he's not a big league quality hitter. Even discounting the fact that he was ranked 2nd in the Mock Draft last season, he hit .304/.389/.480 (142 OPS+) in his first 39 affiliated games with Lincoln last season, and OSA thinks he's going to be a frontrunner for an audition out in left. He projects to have above average contact potential and a nice swing, with the ability to make adjustments based on the pitcher. He has a nice eye and shouldn't strike out too much, and he looks to be very well advanced for someone who's been in our system for less then a year. He doesn't have the greatest power, but Tom Weinstock thinks he's one of our closest prospects to the majors, and he could probably debut this season if needed. Our corner outfield situation is a little less crowded then last season, as Fred Vargas is off to war, but he has Leo Mitchell blocking left field with the platoon of Langton and Moss in right. AAA hosts Chick Browning, who is on the 40-man roster, and talented center fielder Bunny Hufford, who may end up moving to a corner. Still, with all the uncertainty around the league now, we may give Huck a chance to stick in the big leagues, and I think he's got the bat to do it.

LF Bill Rich (A Lincoln Legislators): A big week for Bill Rich, who took home Heartland Player of the Week, and was the first (well, tied) Cougar farmhand (surprised Huck didn't win one) to win one. The Illinois native and former regional selection hit an even .500 with 2 homers, 6 runs, and 9 RBIs in the best week of his young career. As you might expect, his season line is pretty impressive as well, as the recently turned 23-year-old is hitting .413/.460/.761 (240 OPS+) with 4 doubles, 4 homers, and 15 RBIs. Rich has flashed a lot of power this season, and he does this not by hitting the ball far, but by hitting it hard. He has a nice swing that generates a ton of hard contact, leading to a lot of extra base hits. He showed flashes of a strong contact tool as well in his draft year, but last season his average hovered around .250 split between San Jose and Lincoln. Tom thinks he can be a .290 hitter, more then acceptable for a big league player, and if he adds in double digit homers, you have the makings of a nice young talent. Originally a center fielder, I don't think Rich has the range to stick in center, and he hasn't looked good in either corner yet. He's got a lot of time to get comfortable in the field, but his bat alone is not enough to earn him a call to the big leagues. Rich is one of those guys who's cool under pressure and loves the big game, but I'm not sure he has the tools to be used very frequently in meaningful games. He's dropped way down in the prospect rankings, falling out of the top 400, but guys have been bouncing up and down a lot this season, and I care more about the on field performance then his prospect rank.

3B Otto Christian (C La Crosse Lions): The other Player of the Week, the Lions got a huge week from slugging third basemen Otto Christian. The 19-year-old went 11-for-28 with 4 homers and 13 RBIs, which actually lowered his early season triple slash to .420/.516/.800 (237 OPS+). Arguably the player with the most raw power in the entire FABL, Christian is on pace for 58 homers, 280 RBIs, and 140 walks with a 14.8 WAR in 140 games. Very unlikely, I know, and I don't expect the Walla Walla Walloper to even play 140 games in La Crosse this season. I'm on the fence with promoting him, as we have a full infield at each level already, and it's only a matter of time before one of our minor league infielders (or Freddie Jones) gets hurt. Unless one of his teammates goes down, Otto will be the first injury replacement, and I can't wait to see how many longballs he totals this year. In just 45 games last year, he hit 13 homers, which would have been good for 40 in an 140 game season. He obviously has tremendous power, but Weinstock is becoming more fond of his hit tool and defense. He thinks Christian could hit around .300 while fielding his position well, and him and OSA rave about his future potential as an everyday regular. He's young and got way to go, but it's extremely competitive and hates to lose. The prospect pickers are starting to take more notice of him as well, now up to 6th in our system and 28th overall, and if everything goes right, we'll be going from one Hall of Famer to another once Lawson passes him the torch at the hot corner.