[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-3
Seasonal Record: 14-13 (4th, 5.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Leo Mitchell : 21 AB, 8 H, 4 HR, 8 RBI, .381 AVG, 1.348 OPS
Harry Parker : 2 Wins, 18.0 IP, 0 BB, 4 K, 2.50 ERA
Ray Ford : 20 AB, 8 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .400 AVG, .829 OPS

Schedule
5-5: Win at Wolves (6-5)
5-6: Loss at Cannons (0-7)
5-7: Win at Cannons (8-5)
5-8: Loss vs Saints (8-4)
5-9: Loss vs Saints (6-5)
5-10: Win vs Saints (0-3)

Recap
Another not-so-great week for the Cougars, as we were just 3-3 and dropped to five and a half behind the surging Stars, who have reeled off 11 consecutive victories. We did start the week winning the Wolves series, but then we split with the Cannons before we allowed the struggling Saints to take two of three. This should have been a good week for us, but we couldn't take advantage of the two bottom teams in the standings.

With the exception of Dick Walker and John Lawson, our offense was well above average. Lawson's struggles have really taken a toll on our overall record, and I'm hoping moving him down in the lineup should help. Lawson went just 4-for-26 with 6 strikeouts, dropping his season line to a surprisingly poor .248/.277/.295 (67 OPS+) on the season. Of the thirteen Cougars hitters with 20 or more PAs, Lawson's OPS+ is worst on the team, after leading the team in that mark each season he was a Cougar. Lucky for us, Leo Mitchell has really taken charge, and he's the only Continental Association player to rank in the top three for batting average, home runs, and RBIs. This week was one of the bests I have seen in a while, as Mitchell was 8-for-21 with a double, 4 homers, 4 runs, and 8 RBIs. He's now hitting .343/.374/.545 (167 OPS+) with 5 homers and 18 RBIs. His average is third, his homer total tied for first with Lew Seals, and third in RBIs. Mitchell remains one of the most talented and interesting players in game, hitting well over .300 despite 21 strikeouts in 99 at bats, while his .387 BABIP is actually the lowest since 1938. This kid has top tier tools, and I can only imagine how good he'd be if he didn't strike out more then nearly every hitter in the game. I think it's a shame Mitchell wasn't named Player of the Week, but more weeks like this and it's only a matter of time before he picks up his 8th.

Mitchell wasn't the only Cougar to succeed with the bat, as our right field duo of Rich Langton and Cliff Moss were extremely effective. The righty Langton was 5-for-17 with a pair of doubles, a homer, 3 RBIs, 3 walks, and 2 runs scored while the lefty Moss was 4-for-12 with a pair of solo homers. We got a nice week from the new promotion Orlin Yates, going 7-for-20 with 2 doubles, 2 walks, 3 RBIs, and 5 runs scored. Ray Ford went 8-for-20 with a walk, RBI, and pair of runs scored. Freddie Jones looked good too, 5-for-17 with a homer, 2 runs, and 2 RBIs while his counterpart Clark Car was 3-for-4 with a run, RBI, steal, and a pair of doubles. Harry Mead showed discipline and extra base pop, 4-for-16 with a double, homer, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, and 4 walks. The offense has really started to turn things around, as we now sit 2nd in average, OBP, hits, and base running while 1st in slugging, OPS, wOBA, WAR, extra base hits, and homers.

The pitching let us down a bit, but definitely not Harry Parker. Chock up another shutout for the imposing righty, tossing a 7-hit, 3-strikeout shutout of the Saints to avoid the sweep in Chicago. He was our only two start starter, and picked up a win against the Wolves as well. He wasn't as sharp, but he allowed 13 hits and 5 runs with just a single strikeout in another complete game. Parker has really cut down on the free passes, not allowing a single one in his last three starts, with just 5 in 51 innings, slightly less then a 1.0 BB/9. None of the other arms had as much success in their single starts, with 5 or more runs allowed in each outing. Dick Lyons pitched the best, if you can say that, 5 runs (4 earned), 10 hits, and a walk in 8.1 innings. He picked up the win in Cincinnati, his first of the season despite his impressive 2.97 ERA (113 ERA+). Joe Brown had the toughest time, 8 hits, 7 runs, a walk, and strikeout in just 3.1 innings. Brown hasn't had the best time in the rotation, now 2-3 with a 4.71 ERA (71 ERA+), 1.38 WHIP, 10 walks, and 13 strikeouts. He was replaced by Hooks Camp, who tossed 4.2 scoreless with 5 hits, a walk, and a strikeout. I'm not ready to take him out of the rotation, but a few more tough starts and Milt Fritz may replace him. Jones and Lonardo had struggles, 10 hits and 6 runs a piece. Lonardo's came in 8 with 5 walks while Jones lasted just 6 with a pair of walks and strikeouts. We'll need better outings from the rotation, as it seems like we can't hit and pitch well at the same time.

Looking Ahead
Another off day to start the week, before we welcome the Foresters in for two. We struggled last time we faced them, and we can't afford to drop any more games to them. At 12-15, they are just two games behind us and three and a half clear of last. One of the biggest surprise for Cleveland is the resurgence of Dave Rankin. He hasn't been bad for the Foresters, just slightly below average the past two years, but the now 36-year-old veteran has managed an ERA+ of at least 90 in each season since 1932, his first season with 20 or more starts. Rankin always has bad luck, this season just 2-2, but with an elite 1.86 ERA (192 ERA+). Ranking has walked 19 and struck out just 10 with a 1.23 WHIP, but he's off to an excellent start, and could end up a key trade piece for the Foresters if they decide to sell. They don't have much pitching depth, but 22-year-old Dick Lamb (3-3, 2.92, 4) is having an excellent rookie season while Earle Robinson (1-1, 2.70, 6) has looked good, the only issue with him is he never stays healthy. Still, they have a lot of work with the roster, and their offense has really struggled. Dan Fowler (.206, 1, 8) has already started his slump. Leon Blackridge (.259, 1, 6) is healthy and hitting well while Hank Stratton (.327, 10) is the only other hitter with an OPS+ above 105. We really need to capitalize off this series, and I'm hoping we can prove to the home fans who the better team is.

Our next guest is the Sailors, who will be in town for three. They're off to a nice start, sitting at 16-13 and tied for second place with the Kings. They have a game lead above us, but are 4.5 behind the Stars. The Sailors staff got an upgrade in waiver claim and former Cougar prospect Karl Wallace, who has been excellent in his four starts with Philly. Wallace is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA (155 ERA+), 1.08 WHIP, 15 walks, and 10 strikeouts through his first 36 innings. I'm happy to see him doing well, but I'd love to hit him like we did when he was in Montreal. Chuck Murphy (4-1, 2.29, 11) has looked like an ace and Herb Flynn (4-1, 3.15, 6) is a reliable three, but the Sailors staff has allowed more runs then everyone except the Cannons. They've been winning because of their high scoring offense, with a league high 126 runs scored. Marion Boismenu is one of two CA hitters with a better average then Leo Mitchell, slashing an elite .374/.429/.513 (163 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 2 triples, a homer, steal, and 8 RBIs. Just like Mitchell, he likes striking out, already 16 times in 29 games, and he led the CA last year with 128. They did lose Harvey Brown (.337, 14, 2) who was off to a fast start, as he'll miss the next six weeks with a sprained thumb. They still have enough offense without him, as former Cougar Oscar King (.291, 10, 1) decided he knows how to hit now, and star catcher Woody Stone (.292, 2, 21) is off to a nice start, striking out just once in 106 trips to the plate. The Sailors have looked good early on, but I really think we should be winning at least two, if not all three of these games.

Our week ends with a double header against the Cannons. It will be a four game series in Chicago with the struggling 9-19 team from Cincinnati. Rufus Barrell dominated us, tossing a 5-hit, 1-walk, and 5-strikeout shutout against us before a 1-run victory against the Sailors to improve to 6-1. The young star did walk five hitters this week, but he owns a 2.01 ERA (170 ERA+) and 0.88 WHIP with 44 strikeouts. With no Papenfus, Barrell may be the front runner for the Allen this year, and he'll be one of the game's best pitchers for a while. The Cannons have recently brought up one of their top prospects, bringing up their #2 prospect and a top 50 in the league Charlie Griffith, who just recently turned 23. He was a bit shaky in his debut, 6 hits, 3 runs, 9 walks, and 6 strikeouts in a complete game loss, but he's got an elite change and great stuff with the potential to be a #2. Another new face is the Tijuana Cannon Ruben Sanchez, who is trying to secure the spot Mike Taylor vacated. The 26-year-old native of Mexico has a real nice arm, and is hitting a nice .308/.341/.385 (107 OPS+) early on. Production like that should help them win more games, as Chuck Adams (.258, 3, 10) has started to heat up while the three hitters ahead of him Fred Galloway (.333, 1, 13), Denny Andrews (.270, 3, 16), and Adam Mullins (.312, 10) make up a lethal 1-2-3. It's only a matter of time before the Cannons figure things out, but again, I hope they can wait until they are done with us.

Minor League Report
RHP Ken Matson (AA Mobile Commodores): One of our Rule-5 Picks this offseason, I ended up sending Willie Gonzalez Jr. to the Kings to gain the ability to move Ken Matson to the minors. He's off to a great start with the Commodores, tossing a 2-hit, 1-walk, 3-strikeout shutout right after a 3-hitter with a walk and unearned run. Matson has thrown a complete game each time out, working to a 1.00 ERA (445 ERA+) and 0.78 WHIP with 5 walks and 10 strikeouts. It's a great start for the hardworking 24-year-older, and it looks like I made the right decision for his development by allowing him start games in the minors instead of spend time in the pen. Weinstock is a big fan of the hard thrower, who gets a ton of swings and misses with his mid-to-upper 90s cutter. His curve and change are reliable as well, and his stuff would play really well in the bullpen if we don't have room for him in our rotation. When he has command of his pitches, Matson can be unhittable, and OSA thinks he can fill the back end of an FABL rotation in a year or two. I like how advanced Matson's stuff is, and if we need arms in Milwaukee, Matson may be one of the first ones up.

RHP Joe Swank (C La Crosse Lions): With a lot of teams losing depth in their minor league system, I think La Crosse will be able to pick up a lot of wins before the draft rejuvenates the league. Now I'm not saying this will be the norm, but I do expect a few more double digit victories like Joe Swank's shutout. The 19-year-old got a lot of help from his lineup, and with 18 runs behind him he tossed a 3-hit, 1-walk shutout against the Waterloo Chiefs. This improved Swank to 2-0 on the season with a 3.00 ERA (177 ERA+), 1.08 WHIP, 5 walks, and 5 strikeouts in his first 24 innings. A 7th Rounder last season, Swank is coming off a nice 8 start run in La Crosse, a perfect 5-0 with a 2.53 ERA (164 ERA+) despite a 1.48 WHIP and 30-to-5 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Of course, he's already matched his strikeout total in 40 less frames, and his BB/9 has dropped over 2 full points. One of our more exciting prospects, Swank ranks just outside our top 30 and sits at 320th in the league. Not much of a hard thrower, Swank sits in the lower 80s, leaning more on his curve and circle change then his fastball. He's still able to get outs, and if he adds some velocity, he's going to be a much more effective starter. For now his stuff is below average, and if he maintains his command like he has so far this year, he could end up a decent spot starter. He has a lot of upside, and if he can sit in the 90s consistently, he may force his way into our rotation.

SS Steve Rosko (C La Crosse Lions): One of the productive bats in our 18-0 win, Steve Rosko recorded two or more hits in each game this week, and was named UMVA Player of the Week. He went 14-for-26 with a homer, 2 doubles, 4 walks, and 6 RBIs. With a lot of bats ahead of him, Rosko started the season in C ball, but the 23-year-old will likely be on his way up when the new draft class can help restock our roster. I gave him a lot of time in left last year and he even spent a little time in San Jose, but he hit just .161/.198/.184 (5 OPS+) in 91 trips to the plate. This season has gone much different, as back in La Crosse he's hit a robust .389/.464/.500 (139 OPS+) with 3 doubles, a triple, homer, 2 steals, 10 walks, and 10 RBIs. To make things better, he's been great back at short, with a 3.1 zone rating and 1.116 efficiency. Rosko isn't one of the most exciting members on our farm, but his versatility makes him valuable and that could eventually win him a big league roster spot.