[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 2-5
Seasonal Record: 81-66 (3rd, 9.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
None Generated

Schedule
9-22: Win at Wolves (4-2)
9-23: Loss at Wolves (3-10)
9-24: Loss at Wolves (2-3)
9-25: Loss at Cannons (0-1)
9-26: Win at Cannons (3-2)
9-26: Loss at Cannons (2-3): 12 innings

Recap
It is now official; the Chicago Cougars have been eliminated from postseason contention. Yet another 2-5 week riddled with one run losses did us in, as we continued our rapid fall from grace. We've dropped eight of our last ten and are now ten games under .500 in one run games. This was supposed to be the year for us, but instead we'll turn our focus the offseason where we have the tough decision of trying to upgrade with our thin system or attempt to run it back with a full season of Art White and a healthy Harry Parker. All five minor league levels are now done, so we'll fill our roster (players in minor league report) with young players for the final week. Tomorrow is the last sim of the season, and since that is when our season ends, I'll do a large scale minor league report on Thursday to recap our affiliates successes.

Joe Brown had a rare rough start, as the Wolves jumped on him for 11 hits and 8 runs with 2 walks and strikeouts in just 4.2 innings pitched. He'll get one more start, which will be his 32nd of the season, and he's on pace for career bests in starts, wins (17), ERA (2.42), FIP (2.85), innings (256.2), strikeouts (110), WHIP (1.04), HR/9 (0.3), ERA+ (139), FIP- (84), and WAR (5.5). Brown has emerged as one of the better starters in baseball, currently ranked 9th in the FABL. His start was really the only bad one, but most of are arms got losses. Two didn't, Art White and Jim Lonardo. White also got a no decision, beating the Wolves and falling to the Cannons. He tossed a complete game in Toronto, allowing 8 hits, 2 runs, and a walk with 2 strikeouts. The Cannons actually had less success, as White went 8 with 6 hits, a run, and 4 strikeouts. He'll also make one more start for us, and I am very excited to see a full season of Art White. He did solid this season, 15-12 with a 2.79 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.22 WHIP, 69 walks, and 64 strikeouts in 271 innings between us and the Kings.

Lonardo won't make another start, ending the season on a high note. He'll finish an even 12-12 after tossing 8 innings in Cincy with 7 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, and a strikeout. The 39-year-old was a bit below average this season, working to a 3.61 ERA (93 ERA+) and 1.19 WHIP with 42 walks and 26 strikeouts in his 16th consecutive 200 inning season. Dick Lyons is trying to crack that 200 inning mark, going 7 with 10 hits, 3 runs, a walk, and 2 strikeouts. He dropped to 10-11 on the season, but Lyons is on pace to crack 4 WAR for the first time since 1939. He'll get one more start as he looks for his 228th career win. Still now word on Lyons calling it quits, so expect the 43-year-old to pitch his 17th season in Chicago. The last start went to Johnnie Jones, who can blame Dan Fowler and the overall lack of offense for the loss. Jones was walked off with one out in the 9th, as Adam Mullins tagged up from second on a Billy Dalton flyout, and since Fowler's throw got away from Barnett, Mullins managed to score and win a frustrating 1-0 game. Johnnie allowed just 3 hits with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. No more starts for the 25-year-old this season, although I'll let him spend the week in the pen while I find innings elsewhere. If he doesn't make another appearance, the potential Rookie of the Year will finish 15-8 with a 2.93 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.30 WHIP, 96 walks, and 97 strikeouts. He's just 3.1 innings away from 200 on the season, and we're hoping the former 4th Overall Pick can take another step forward next season. Our pen had some struggles, as all three of our relievers allowed runs. Frank Crawford went 3.1 innings with 6 hits, 2 runs, and a walk. Ben Curtin picked up a loss, throwing 3 innings in 3 appearances with 3 hits, a run, and 3 walks. Cal Knight was also charged with a loss, 4 hits, a run, and 3 walks in 2 innings pitched. Our staff has been decent all season, but all the close losses really came back to bite us.

Of course, some of those close losses can be blamed on the offense, which doesn't show up every day. Most of the week we struggled, but hey! Our center fielders did well! Discounting the error, Fowler went 4-for-11 with a walk, run, and 2 RBIs. Orlin Yates was even better, an even 6-for-12 with a double, steal, 2 runs, and 4 walks. Rich Langton had a great week, 6-for-12 with a double, steal, 2 runs, and 4 walks. Leo Mitchell was just average, but he managed to stay atop the batting title race. Mitchell went 7-for-23 with a double, walk, RBI, and 4 runs scored. If he can walk less then four times, he'll manage to avoid 80 for the first time since 1938, which was the last time he didn't make more then 600 PAs. Skipper Schneider had an awful return to the lineup, just 1 hit in 19 trips to the plate. He did double, walk, and drive in a run, but it was a really rough week for the young star. With the season already determine, a lot of our every day guys will get days off. The only one immune from that will be Hank Barnett, who has started all 147 of our games this season.

Looking Ahead
Just two more series left, starting with three games in two games with the Sailors. They're just two games behind us, now 80-69, and they will give us a tough couple of games. A lot of the Sailors success has come from Doc Newell, who has been reborn at 35. Newell hasn't had an above average season since his 20 win campaign back in 1937, but the veteran righty put together the best season of his career this year. Newell is 14-8 with a 2.32 ERA (151 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, 39 walks, and 78 strikeouts in 198 innings pitched. The rest of the staff hasn't been great, but Karl Wallace (14-15, 2.95, 84) showed last season wasn't a fluke and second year stopper Hannibal Davis (5-6, 19, 2.88, 38) has been huge for them finishing games off. The offense doesn't score too much, but the Sailors have overtaken us as the team with the highest average in the CA. Marion Boismenu (.315, 6, 56, 5) is the only one with a shot to take the batting title from Leo Mitchell, but he doesn't have nearly as much cushion as Mitchell. They've gotten production from their corner outfield, with a big season from Joseph Mills (.281, 5, 57) and a strong first full season for Harvey Brown (.288, 1, 64, 14). The Sailors are always competitive and continued that this season, and if we're not careful, they'll pass us in the standings.

Our season then ends with four in Cleveland against the last place Foresters. This would have been a perfect series if we were in a pennant race, but instead we'll try to pad our record by ending on a high note. We'll get our first look at Jim Adams Jr., this year's #1 overall selection. He's got into 27 games for the Foresters, and hit a respectable .250/.318/.385 (95 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 steals, and 7 RBIs. Believe it or not, that's one of their best batting lines, and Adams Jr. is one of the most exciting youngsters in the league. His defense isn't great yet, but scouts think he could end up elite, and he should challenge for batting titles as he matures. They don't have many building blocks other then him, Cal Howe (.287, 1, 40, 13), and Leon Blackridge (.280, 1, 25, 3). There are a lot more questions in the rotation, but they've brought up 23-year-olds Jim Zimmerman (0-0, 3.00, 3) and Jimmy Collins (1-2, 3.09, 12). Neither project to be aces, but both have back end potential, and are far better then what they've seen lately. Ben Turner (14-17, 3.28, 80) did turn things around, but it's been his first average or better season as a full time starter since 1935. The Foresters haven't been relevant since the 1939 season, but things are starting to look up for Cleveland, who boast three top 10 prospects and 8 in the top 100.

Minor League Report
LHP Ed Fisler (AA Mobile Commodores): One of the pieces we acquired from the Chiefs in the Freddie Jones deal, almost finished the season off on the highest note. In his second to last start of the season, Fisler tossed a 1-hit shutout in an 11-0 domination over Atlanta. Fisler walked 3 and struck out 5 to even his record at 10-10. His final start wasn't great, raising his ERA in AA to 3.91 (118 ERA+), but he finished with a strong 1.39 WHIP, 86 walks, and 88 strikeouts in 177.1 innings pitched. I debated bringing up the southpaw for the last week, as we'll need to protect him in the Rule-5 draft anyways, but he's got a lot of innings under his belt and there are a lot of other guys I want a quick look at. Fisler will start next season in the minors no matter what, likely tabbed for Milwaukee, but he's got really good stuff and could start in the big league already. He's got a nice three pitch mix, featuring a well above average mid 90s fastball. His slider and change pair well with it, but his command isn't perfect and can cause his pitch counts to skyrocket. He isn't one of the higher ranked prospects, outside the top 300, but Tom Weinstock thinks he can be a back-end starter and we don't have much lefty depth in our system. At 22, he's got a lot of growing left, but he's pretty far along already and has shown a lot of promise in the minors thusfar.

RHP Jack Huston (AA Mobile Commodores): He just keeps on going! Make it back-to-back shutouts for Jack Huston, who allowed just 4 hits and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts in another big win over the Peaches. Huston finished the season with three consecutive victories, an impressive 25-6 while worth 7.6 wins above replacement. Huston was elite for the Commodores, working to a 2.83 ERA (162 ERA+) and 1.20 WHIP with 92 walks and 148 strikeouts. It couldn't have gone much better for the 24-year-old, who has put himself on our rotation radar. I want him to start locating his pitches better, and it could help if he adds a little more velocity. Right now big league hitters should be able to handle his pitches, but Huston's been dominant the past two seasons and he's made vast improvements since we used our 5th Rounder on him back in '41.

RHP Ken Matson: Time for the callups! Just adding one arm for the week, as we'll get one more look at Ken Matson in the rotation. He made 5 starts in Chicago, where he was just 2-2 with a 5.82 ERA (58 ERA+), 1.59 WHIP, 19 walks, and 13 strikeouts. His starts in Milwaukee went far better, 9-3 with a 2.93 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 54 walks, and 109 strikeouts in 147.2 innings pitched. It was a great overall season for the 25-year-old, who worked his way up to 12th in our system and 178th overall. Matson's success comes from a hard biting cutter, which he can use to not only get ahead of pitchers, but also to put batters down. His curve and change are reliable offerings as well, and he's gotten huge strikeout numbers at each stop in the minors. If he can keep his pitch count under control, I imagine a bunch of complete games with 6+ strikeouts, and OSA and Tom Weinstock are both really warming up to him. OSA actually thinks he could be a #2, which is even more then I'm expecting, while Tom thinks he's a mid rotation guy. I think that's more likely, but he's still got room to grow. He may be an inconsistent arm, as he can get himself into trouble, but when he's on he's on and can be truly unhittable. If we have a lot of double headers next season, I may try to sneak him into the rotation, but he'll have to beat out Jim Lonardo or hope that Harry Parker isn't ready for Opening Day. Regardless, I think he's going to make the team, and if he does he'll take the stopper job back from Ben Curtin.

2B Jimmie James: If Skipper wasn't healthy when Billy Hunter returned to the IL, Jimmie James would have jumped right into the lineup and played short. A natural second basemen, James had an elite defensive season, with a 6.9 zone rating and 1.115 efficiency in 42 games with the Commodores and 8.1 and 1.067 in 81 with the Blues. The bat was even better, hitting .325/.443/.490 (147 OPS+) in AA and a still impressive .276/.376/.410 (120 OPS+) in AAA. HIs 134 WRC+ with Milwaukee was far better, and he tallied 16 doubles, 5 triples, 14 homers, and 80 RBIs split between the two spots. He walked (84) more then he struck out (61) and was worth an impressive 5.8 wins above replacement. James is an exciting young hitter, being able to cover six positions (likely seven with first) while hitting from both sides of the plate. He generates a ton of bat speed which should lead to high averages and a lot of extra base hits. He has good speed, but just terrible at stealing bases, something I hope our base coaches can help him work out. Currently ranked 15h in our system and 194th overall, James is projected by both OSA and Tom Weinstock to be an every day player, but he has the games best second basemen Clark Car in front of him. Of course, with his versatility he can make multiple starts a week and a few late inning substitutions, and with Billy Hunter's consistent injury issues, James may be able to replace Hunter in that role. He'll be in camp this spring to try and secure a bench spot, but he could be a dark horse for our center field role either from Opening Day or if we continue to lack production from that spot. I'm a big fan of the Lane State alum and I think he could be a very useful piece for us even if we don't have an easy lineup spot for him to fill. He'll get a few starts this week to make an early mark on the coaching staff as he looks to work his way into a long term role.

3B Steve Jones: A 5th Rounder way back in 1938, Steve Jones finally secured a big league debut. He spent all season in AAA, but he didn't quite hit as well as expected. The 26-year-old slashed .245/.344/.305 (82 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 6 homers, and 50 RBIs. His 70 walks were impressive, but they were toned down a bit by the 98 strikeouts. Jones' value comes from his glove, with well above average production at second, third, and short. He's a perfect defensive replacement, which helped him tally nearly 3.5 WAR despite the subpar offense. He doesn't profile as an every day starter, but we have a few empty 40-man spots and his glove could be a nice plus down the road.

CF Bunny Hufford: It's a return to the big leagues for Bunny Hufford, who was optioned down to Milwaukee after a really rough start to the season. Hufford hit just .188/.291/.229 (53 OPS+) with a triple, RBI, and 7 walks. It's nowhere near as productive as his Milwaukee numbers, where Hufford hit an excellent .308/.402/.438 (135 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 6 triples, 6 homers, 14 steals, and 44 RBIs. I was really hoping Hufford could take the center field job this season, but he just could not hit for us. His defense was decent with us, a bit below average in Milwaukee, but the soon-to-be 26-year-old will need to hit to secure every day playing time. He's got great speed and is an extremely aggressive hitter who still manages to keep strikeouts down. He gets on base a lot, fighting through long counts against tough pitchers, but the best will still be able to get him out. I still have hope he can be an every day center fielder, and he'll get a lot of our starts this week. If all goes well, this will be his last promotion to Chicago, as I'd love to see Hufford taking all the at bats against righties next season.

RF Chick Browning: The last of our callups, filling 34 of our 35 roster spots, Chicagoan Chick Browning will return to the big leagues. He didn't get a start, 0-for-1 with a walk in 4 games, and spent most of his time down in AAA with the Blues. Browning hit an impressive .281/.395/.426 (129 OPS+) with 18 doubles, 8 homers, and 46 RBIs with more walks (63) then strikeouts (40). Browning has a little versatility too, handling all three outfield spots as well as first. I don't really trust him in center, but he's not awful there. I'd say right is his best position, but his glove isn't as good as his bat. He understands the strike zone well and hits the ball hard, and as a lefty he has a lot of value as a pinch hitter. He does have one more option, so he doesn't need to make the roster next season. That being said, his 40-man spot is secure, so he can focus on improving in the offseason and not have to worry about whether he'll have a big league contract.