[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 4-2
Seasonal Record: 17-8 (1st, 1 GA)
Stars of the Week
Cal Knight : 2 Wins, 4.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K, 0.00 ERA
Hank Barnett : 21 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .429 AVG, .996 OPS
Dick Walker : 28 AB, 8 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .286 AVG, .839 OPS

Schedule
5-12: Loss vs Sailors (7-1)
5-13: Win vs Sailors (2-4)
5-14: Win vs Sailors (1-2): 19 innings
5-15: Win vs Cannons (1-3)
5-16: Loss vs Cannons (9-3)
5-16: Win vs Cannons (8-7): 11 innings

Recap
The Cougars kept on rolling with four wins in six games, but it wasn't as exciting as you might think. Yes, we took two out of three from both the Sailors and the Cannons, but our opponents matched our run totals, and we needed two extra inning walk-offs to secure the series. Both of our losses weren't close, losing by six each time, but we now hold a game lead over the Cannons. We even got to Deuce, scoring 7 runs off 7 hits and 5 walks against the guy who had only one run allowed prior. The injury bug hit us hard this week, as seven Cougars were diagnosed with some sort of ailment. The one that hurt the most was the generally durable Harry Parker, who left his first start with a sore shoulder. He then pitched in the finale against the Cannons, but to avoid further issues he'll head to the IL for hopefully no more then two weeks. Parker allowed 11 runs (9 earned) in 13 innings this week with 17 hits, 6 walks, and 7 strikeouts. It ended a nice three start run, but for the season he is a still strong 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.22 WHIP, 11 walks, and 24 strikeouts.

Replacing Parker in the rotation will be Ken Matson, who now won't have to worry about losing his roster spot until Parker is back and healthy. Matson has pitched most of our innings out of the pen, and made three appearances this week. He went 5.1 innings with just 2 hits, a run, 4 walks, and 6 strikeouts. His numbers on the season are close to average, 2-3 with 2 saves, a 3.54 ERA (98 ERA+), 1.43 WHIP, 16 walks, and 14 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched. 12 of his 13 appearances have came from the pen, but he'll now get a few more chances to start. With nine pitchers now on the staff, we won't need to call anyone up from AAA, and I can instead return Tip Harrison to the big league club a weak early. Injured in the Spring, he played 13 games down in Milwaukee on rehab. The versatile 31-year-old hit a productive .327/.407/.385 (121 OPS+) with 3 doubles, 5 steals, and 5 RBIs. When Parker returns, he'll take the roster spot of either Matson or Bunny Hufford, who went 2-for-12 with a walk and 2 runs scored this week.

With Parker gone, we'll need a lot of production from the remainder of the staff, which had their work cut out for them with his initial injury and 12 extra innings. Jim Lonardo was dominant yet again, but was stuck with a no decision. He pitched 11 in our 19 inning win, allowing just 4 hits, a walk, and strikeout with an unearned run. Yes, if Clark Car had just not botched Oscar King's ground out, we would have saved ourselves a full game, but it really allowed Lonardo to show he's just as good as any 25-year-old pitcher. He was actually the only guy to pitch 9 innings on the week, with Joe Brown coming an out short. He still got the win, giving up 4 hits, 2 runs, and 3 walks with 6 strikeouts. Dick Lyons went just 6 with 7 hits and a run to pick up his 3rd win of the season. Him, Lonardo, and Brown all have 3 wins and Lonardo's 2.25 is the highest of the trio. Johnnie Jones' ERA, however, is now almost higher then the three of them combined (6.17 vs. 6.60), as he allowed 9 hits, 8 runs, and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts in just 4 innings.

Looking at the pen, everyone actually pitched this week, the first time that's happened this season. Last year it took a few months before Pug Bryan got innings, but each arm threw at least three innings, and Pug himself doubled that mark. He wasn't great, 6 innings with 9 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and 4 strikeouts. I had no plans of giving him a start this year, but if we need a 6th man, he's probably our best option. He hasn't started a big league game since 1938, but was a 23 start pitcher as a rookie. The other option would be Angel Lopez, who threw 3 innings with 2 hits, a run, and 2 walks. It was his first run in now 5.2 innings, and Lopez did start 24 games in the minors last season. The double headers make things difficult, but with an off day after a double header on Sunday, I think we can survive this week with just five starters. Cal Knight won't start, but he did pick up two wins, tossing 4 hitless innings with a walk and 2 strikeouts. Ben Curtin picked up a save, going 5 with 2 hits and 2 strikeouts. Curtin will return to the stopper role, but despite it belonging to Matson, he does lead the team with 3 saves and he has yet to allow a run in 9.1 innings pitched.

The bats were ice cold, but most of that can be blamed on the 19 inning game. One guy who didn't slump was Hank Barnett, who went 9-for-21 with a double, 4 runs, 4 walks, and 2 RBIs. The beloved superstar has been on a tear since joining the Cougars, slashing .337/.426/.449 (153 OPS+) with 2 doubles, 3 homers, and 16 RBIs. His .401 wOBA is identical to his Whitney Season last year, and his 162 WRC+ would be a career high. Dick Walker put together another nice week, 8-for-28 with 3 doubles, a triple, 2 RBIs, 4 runs, 4 walks, and his league leading 7th steal. Rich Langton didn't play much, but hit well when he did, 3-for-7 with a double, RBI, 4 runs, and 4 walks. Our only other hitter with a decent week was Leo Mitchell, but he was just 7-for-25 with a homer, 2 runs, and 3 RBIs. (A fun little tidbit on Mitchell, who has developed into arguably the most consistent hitter in baseball. From 1937 to 1942, he has recorded an OPS+ of 130, 132, or 135, and he has not spent a day on the IL). Skipper, Moss, and Car all really struggled, with the trio combining to go just 11-for-63. Car and Skipper both doubled and drove in two, with Car swiping two bases, but we'll need more production from them next week. Orlin Yates came back down to earth, just 4-for-17 with a walk and pair of runs scored. We'll need to hit better next week if we want to stay in first, but we've been so good in May it's really hard to complain.

Looking Ahead
Our homestand continues with four hosting Toronto, who we have yet to face this season. The Wolves have gotten off to a decent start, 13-10 and tied for third with the Kings. Losing George Garrison was killer for the Wolves, but his co-ace Joe Hancock has still been excellent. The 30-year-old is 3-1 with a 2.72 ERA (133 ERA+), 1.07 WHIP, 9 walks, and 20 strikeouts. Hancock is one of the best pitchers in the game, and Bernie Johnson (2-1, 2.10, 4) has pitched well for them too. Beyond that, the pitching situation is rather murky, as Chick Wirtz (1-3, 4.02, 8) looks like his old self and Bob Walls (2-1, 5.40, 10) has been hit hard. Former Cougar prospect Juan Pomales (0-2, 9.69, 2) has looked awful on the mound, but the starting center fielder is hitting a much better .303/.361/.408 (113 OPS+) with a double, 2 triples, a homer, 2 steals, and 11 RBIs. He leads the team in batting average and is one of the few Wolves hitters producing, as Charlie Artuso (.210, 1, 6) has been ice cold, Walt Pack (.243, 1, 7) is looking like the 1940 version of himself, and corner outfielders Reginald Westfall (.187, 1, 8) and Larry Vestal (219, 3) have sub 70 OPS+. At least Mike Rollison (.301, 2, 10) is hitting like he did before an injury ended his rookie season, but the Wolves offense has a lot of holes, and we should be able to keep them off the board. Joe Hancock pitched yesterday, so we might lucky out and miss him, which should make this a very exciting series for Cougar fans.

Our homestand and long run of games ends with the Foresters, who we'll host for four games in three days. Like the Wolves, we have not seen the Foresters, but they are in their familiar home at the cellar of the CA. At 6-17, they are already 10 games behind us, and anything less then a sweep will be utter disappointment. They've scored the fewest amount of runs and are tied for the most given up, which is generally not the recipe for success. It's hard to find a bright spot on the big league club, as all members of the rotation have a sub 100 ERA+, and potential trade pieces in Hank Stratton (.253, 11) and Dan Fowler (.207, 2, 4) both aren't hitting much. That being said, they have a few productive hitters, with leadoff man Cal Howe (.298, 7, 2) and Rule-5 Pick Bill Carr (.305, 1, 7, 1) off to great starts. Beyond that there's not too much going right, and rookie shortstop Chuck Harrington (.180, 6, 1) is the only batter younger then 26, and he's already 25. The Cleveland farm has some pieces, but they only have 2 of their top 10 prospects in AAA, and both of them (Pete Sigmund and Wally Fuller) are out to war. The Foresters are a long way from competing, and probably won't be close until top prospect Hiram Steinberg finishes up in the Navy.

It's also almost draft time, as the pool will be revealed next sim, and my guess is we will complete the draft over the weekend. I am really excited to see how first rounder Tommy Seymour does in his first season, as the 17-year-old righty from Kansas is a pitcher I think will end up ranking very high on the prospect lists. I run a new draft list frequently through the season, and while Al Clement is no longer in Weinstock's top 10, he ranks 16th Overall and 13th for position players, and Seymour is listed as his last option in the first round. On the pitcher list, Seymour ranks 6th and regional draftee Dick Garcia 14th. All three are high schoolers, so their stats won't be the most telling, but I'll cover all three in tomorrow's write up. As always, I'll be looking to pick up picks, but it might be hard to find a match. We don't have many extra picks this year, with just the Miners 10th Rounder to go with the 13th Pick in each round.

Minor League Report
CF Jim Madsen (AA Mobile Commodores): Things haven't quite gone the right for the now 26-year-old Jim Madsen, who despite all the enlistments still finds himself back in AA. He had 19 games in AAA in 1940 and 12 more last year, but he's hit just .179/.246/.188 (25 OPS+) with a double, steal, and 5 RBIs. Still, the former 8th Rounder has just put his nose to the grindstone, and is trying to prove that he deserves a larger sample at our highest level. Madsen is off to a great start this season, slashing .349/.423/.540 (153 OPS+) with 3 doubles, 3 homers, and 16 RBIs. This most recent week was one of his personal bests, as the center fielder took home Player of the Week in the Dixie League. Madsen went 10-for-25 with a homer, 5 runs, and 8 RBIs. A very disciplined hitter, Madsen has never struck out more then he walked in a season, but he also rarely provides above average overall production at the plate. And since his glove isn't much better then average out in center, he will need to hit more as there is no shot of him sticking in a corner. Tom Weinstock has always been a fan, but even he now thinks Madsen is no more then a 4th outfielder. With a lack of depth at the center field position, Madsen may force his way into a cup of coffee, but unless Bunny Hufford stays up in Chicago longer then the Parker injury, the Blues won't have a need for a light hitting center fielder.

2B Bob Griffen (C La Crosse Lions): With all the enlistments and injuries, there are a lot of guys getting playing time that they generally would not have. For most, they perform poorly and don't take advantage of it, but that has not been the case for Bob Griffen. Griffen, our 16th Rounder from 1940, did get some playing time last season before the draft, but it eventually went away. He hit really well in 320 trips to the plate, slashing .335/.412/.502 (137 OPS+) with 26 doubles, 4 triples, 4 homers, 4 steals, and 61 RBIs with an impressive 38-to-5 walk-to-strikeout ratio. It's just 50 PAs this year, but Griffen has taken it to the next level, batting an otherworldly .419/.500/.721 (189 OPS+) with 2 doubles, a triple, 3 homers, 2 steals, and 15 RBIs. A strictly right side of the infield player, Griffen is manning second with Billy Biggar at first, but he doesn't really have the glove to stick at second in the upper levels. The 20-year-old's bat is what excites, as he makes good contact, won't whiff, and hopefully generates power as he fills in. At least one C ball lineup slot will be filled by 2nd Rounder Al Clement, but if Griffen keeps hitting like this, I'll be able to find a spot for him somewhere, perhaps up in San Jose where both first and second are up for grabs.