BNN Weekly Report
This Week in the CBO, BMU, and GBRL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
20 April 2303
Feature Story: How the Bloodbugs Have Swarmed the SCA
When we saw PAM's predictions, the first question we had was, "How will County Crossing possibly surpass Nordhagen Beach in the Brotherhood League?" PAM not only predicted the Bloodbugs to do that but also to win the Sole Survivor Series. Well, today let's look at how the Bugs are sitting atop the CBO standings at 10-2 after pummeling the South Charles Association in the CBO's first-ever interassociation schedule.
The lead: +41
Country Crossing not only has gone 10-2 in their first 12, but they are outscoring their opponents by a CBO-best 5.9 (71 total runs, 1st in NCA and t-2nd in CBO) to 2.5 (30 runs against, 1st in NCA and 2nd in CBO), a 3.4-run difference. The 41-run difference is second in the CBO only to the Roxbury Rad Sox of the Railroad League which have outscored their opponents 66-23 (+43). In the matchup of the Bugs and Sox, County Crossing took that one, 3-1.
Both of the Bloodbugs' losses were by one run. In their first loss versus defending champions University Point, the Deathclaws needed an extra inning to take that one, 3-2. The second loss came in a surprise pitcher's duel, a 2-1 loss at home against Oberland.
A few big wins included beating Atom to start the season, 5-1; Whipping the Red Rockets at Jamaica Plain, 9-2; topping Diamond City, 8-5; and stomping the Vault 81 Dwellers, 9-2.
OSA scouts think County Crossing has three players who are the best in the CBO at their position: C Biter Trout, 3B Taygun Topaloglu, and RF Babs Rooth. Looking at top individual performers, those three have not disappointed. Trout currently leads the team in batting average with a .438/1/4 line batting from the 6-spot in the lineup. Topaloglu is the overall best hitter, going .412/4/14 as the cleanup hitter. Rooth is also having a great start, hitting .372/3/9. Though he is not a qualifier at the moment, LF Delmarva Illeracula is also off to a hot start in six starts, .435/2/5. Not to be overlooked, leadoff hitter 1B Ajani Peacock is hitting .300/1/7 and has four stolen bases.
The starting pitching has been nearly perfect. Ace Gavin Eviritts, currently scouted as the 6th-best ace in the CBO, is 2-0 with a 3.72 ERA, which is a bad ERA for the NCA's best Starting Pitching ERA of 2.35. Whip Lashley (2-0, 1.88) and Urm Rehfeldt (2-1, 0.48) have helped to bring down that ERA. The bullpen is also getting it done with just a 1.95 ERA. It's only that high because closer Jesse Bibeault has a 2.45 ERA but has saved four games, good enough to be tied for second in the NCA. Only Finch Farm's William Butcherman has more (5).
Now that County Crossing is moving into their association games for the rest of the season, we can start to see how they fare against the Institute League with a few surprising struggles there, the most surprising of which is the Starlight Lady Killers (3-9), who were in the playoffs the last two seasons.
News and Notes: We usually like to monitor which teams have the worst injury luck to begin the season. So far this season, it is the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud, who have lost a top pitcher in Mike Cartrette and their starting left fielder, Ginger Rogers for a time. Cartrette has become injury-prone and may not be in Fort Hagen much longer. In 2302, he started just two games before getting injured for the season. This season, he made it to his third start. Cartrette is expected back in June.
Analysis
While PAM seems to be right on track with County Crossing (#1) to start the season, she is equally wrong about the team she predicted to lose to the Bloodbugs in the Sole Survivor Series: Jamaica Plain (#22). The Red Rockets are 4-8 to start the season, only one game ahead of #24 Starlight.
Predictable powerhouse, Nordhagen Beach (#15), has also been a surprising team struggling to begin the season at 5-7. The Party Boys struggled heavily against the Minutemen League, going 2-4, including a 12-inning, 8-4 win over the Rockets. They bounced back some against the Railroad League, but none were quality wins. Vault 81 (#19) is considered to be a playoff contender, but they have struggled, too. They are probably the best team the Boys have beaten.
Looking at the top, Roxbury (#2) may be on a collision path with the Bloodbugs due to their dominant pitching. Allowing under two runs a gam, the Rad Sox may have overtaken the Party Boys for the CBO's best pitching. Roxbury's three losses were 5-1 (#7 Fort Hagen), 3-2 (#8 Abernathy), and 3-1 (County Crossing). The only other time they allowed three runs came in their 5-3 win at Nordhagen Beach.
The #3 team is the Sunshine Tidings Chemists who came close in 2302 to make the playoffs but fell short on a play-in game. This season, they are off to a 9-3 start, tying them for the CBO's 2nd-best record and tops in the Institute League. They have been winning with pitching so far, though they are not considered to be a strong pitching team. Still, SPs Mike Rubric (2-0, 1.71), Brian Bridges (2-0, 2.04), and Bill Sarnacki (3-0, 3.27) are perfect as the 1-2-3 pitchers. Rookie RF Baktu DaWell (.381/5/13) is an early favorite to win the Red Rocket Rookie Award and is in the running in the first 10% of the season for the Nuka-Hitter Award.
Diamond City (#4) and University Point (#5) round out the Top 5. The Swatters lead the CBO in runs scored (80). 3B Allen Bishop (.319/1/13), RF Waze Waiting (.298/3/10), and 1B Oren Gep (.310/2/9) have been their top producers. The Deathclaws are right behind Diamond City offensively. RF Tomas Jones is the easy early-season prediction for the Nuka-Hitter Award in the SCA, batting .400/5/11. SS Austin Engill (.277/4/7) and 1B Barker Cocoa (.378/2/6) have also propelled the offense.
Standings
Team vs Team
Power Rankings
Players of the Week
NCA
RF Baktu DaWell, Sunshine Tidings - 13/26 (.500), 3 HR, 5 RBI
LF Joe Whiskey Hagen, Abernathy - 10/25 (.400), 3 HR, 7 R, 12 RBI
SCA
1B Homestay Lovetap, Warwick - 8/20 (.400), 4 HR, 8 RBI
RF Tomas Jones, University Point - 13/27 (.481), 3 HR, 6 RBI
Transactions
Monday, April 20th , 2303
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released C Vim Welch.
Sunday, April 19th , 2303
Abernathy Adamantium: Placed RP Crazy Cameron Hurley on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/18/2303.
Abernathy Adamantium: Signed RP Joe Osborne.
Oberland T-51s: Signed 2B Pablo Rivera.
Oberland T-51s: Released 2B Pablo Rivera.
Saturday, April 18th , 2303
Diamond City Swatters: Activated LF Chris Van Benschoten from the injured list.
Diamond City Swatters: Released CF Nasty Byrd.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Placed LF Ginger Rogers on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/16/2303.
The Slog Ghouls: Signed 3B John McLaughlin.
The Slog Ghouls: Signed RP Jack Silveira.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RP Zachery Battle.
Friday, April 17th , 2303
Easy Town Assaultrons: Placed RF Curtis Yellallot on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/16/2303.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Placed SP Mike Cartrette on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/16/2303.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Joe Ropeweight.
Oberland T-51s: Signed 2B Blake Eliasen.
Oberland T-51s: Released 2B Josh Both.
The The Slog Ghouls traded 29-year old LHP Bruce Iddings to the Vault 81 Dwellers, getting 16-year old minor league RHP Curt Kracke and 21-year old minor league 1B Rich Verdu in return.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RP Jake Caller.
Thursday, April 16th , 2303
Warwick Mirelurks: Placed SS Shotgun McElveen on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/15/2303.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Russ Firehydrant.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed LF Sean Lantern.
Warwick Mirelurks: Signed SS Verti McCaffrey.
Wednesday, April 15th , 2303
Egret Ninjas: Signed LF Mike D'Aulerio.
Lexington Synths: Signed RP Alex Fonseca.
Tuesday, April 14th , 2303
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Jeremy Crowe.
Oberland T-51s: Signed 2B Josh Both.
Oberland T-51s: Released CF Jon Myers.
Monday, April 13th , 2303
Quincy Gunners: Placed RP Mica Braet on the 60-day injured list.
Diamond City Swatters: Signed free agent RF Ed Dee Sullivan to a minor league contract.
Atom Cats: Signed free agent 2B Cripple Spotts to a minor league contract.
Atom Cats: Released SP Step Chaver.
Atom Cats: Released 1B Ken Shinn.
Sunday, April 12th , 2303
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Placed 3B Cy Thompson on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/09/2303.
FHE Yao Guai: Activated SP Jerry Weisman from the injured list.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Activated 2B Bones Roderick from the injured list.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released 1B Dusty Tangeman.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Gone Long.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Burt Starport.
Saturday, April 11th , 2303
University Point Deathclaws: Placed 3B Ryan Morris on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/10/2303.
Diamond City Swatters: Placed LF Chris Van Benschoten on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/10/2303.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed LF Justin Irwin.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RP Lux Luger.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RP Brian Moore.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RP Kevin Williams.
University Point Deathclaws: Signed 3B Angel Marin.
Oberland T-51s: Signed 2B Jon Myers.
Oberland T-51s: Released 2B Josh Both.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Justin Irwin.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Kevin Williams.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Brian Moore.
Salem Witch Hats: RP Andrew Angelwings died.
Friday, April 10th , 2303
Easy Town Assaultrons: Activated RP Chree Overby from the injured list.
Thursday, April 9th , 2303
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Activated RP Drew Adikpick from the injured list.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed LF Glothos Scigliano.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RP Mike Pratt.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RP Travis Pronk.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RP Jeremy Crowe.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Glothos Scigliano.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released 1B Jugdor Sharp.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Travis Pronk.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Mike Pratt.
Wednesday, April 8th , 2303
Quincy Gunners: Activated RP Adam Bias from the injured list.
The Slog Ghouls: Activated RP Nap McKinley from the injured list.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Josh Fruitsalad.
Oberland T-51s: Signed 2B Josh Both.
Oberland T-51s: Released 2B Blake Eliasen.
Tuesday, April 7th , 2303
Quincy Gunners: Placed RP Dave Arreola on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/06/2303.
Easy Town Assaultrons: Released 2B Cripple Spotts.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Activated RP Charlie Goonie from the injured list.
Oberland T-51s: Released CF Julian Roughneck.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Jack Butcher.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released RP Aaron Achoo.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released RP Steve Milcarek.
Egret Ninjas: Signed LF Aaron Zirkle.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RP Jason Bucky.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RP Luke Driver.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RP Jeremy Crowe.
Oberland T-51s: Signed 2B Bill Gulpeater.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed LF Zackery Paxson.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF Tom Lurker.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released 1B Brotherseven Dadson.
Egret Ninjas: Released RF Ed Dee Sullivan.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Alex Fonseca.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Luke Driver.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Jeremy Crowe.
Monday, April 6th , 2303
FHE Yao Guai: Placed SP Jerry Weisman on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/05/2303.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Released RP Chase Towncenter.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Pass Pewitt.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released RF Jeremy Gillespie.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Glothos Scigliano.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Hairy Goonstone.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Mike Thompson.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released CF Tyler Fowler.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Jason Bucky.
University Point Deathclaws: Released RP Rich Dole.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Released 3B Imperial LeBeau.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Released SS Austin LaFleur.
Easy Town Assaultrons: Released LF Kidney Driscoll.
Oberland T-51s: Released 2B Little Ryan Smokes.
Oberland T-51s: Released 2B Mike Corley.
Oberland T-51s: Released RP Chris Tumbleson.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released C Josh Sisco.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Kanga Roos.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF Kevin Antennae.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released LF John Echolake.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed SS Eric Frost.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed CF Mike Harborman.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed RF Aeternus Oak.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed SP Casey Swanson.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed RP Gregg Endsley.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed RP Chris Eitel.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed RP J.J. Anema.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed RP Kevin Billingsley.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed RP Brian Orlando.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Signed CF Tyler Gruen.
Atom Cats: Signed 1B Nick Bookcase.
Atom Cats: Signed RP Jim Combs.
Concord Radstags: Signed SP Gordie Crowell.
Concord Radstags: Signed RP Justin Lingafelter.
Concord Radstags: Signed RP Joe Pope.
Concord Radstags: Signed RP Cory Brankley.
Concord Radstags: Signed RP Matt Hill.
Concord Radstags: Signed RP Jimmy Ochoa.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed RF Craig Jungle.
Finch Farm Four Leafs: Signed free agent 2B Austin LaFleur to a minor league contract.
Egret Ninjas: Signed CF Bill Kinglurk.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed C Zack Trapper.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed C Jonathon Diebrarian.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed 3B Josh Holler.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed CF Kelvin Demonman.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed SP Lie Castillo.
University Point Deathclaws: Signed free agent 3B Imperial LeBeau to a minor league contract.
Saturday, April 4th , 2303
University Point Deathclaws: Placed RP Ryan Fahrenkrog on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/03/2303.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Placed RP Mike Grille on the 60-day injured list.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Placed RP Ben Soldierman on the 60-day injured list.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed LF Mike Thompson.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed free agent C Cyslin Myr to a minor league contract.
Friday, April 3rd , 2303
Easy Town Assaultrons: Placed RP Chree Overby on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/02/2303.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Placed 2B Bones Roderick on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/02/2303.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed LF Tyler Fowler.
Thursday, April 2nd , 2303
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Placed RP Matt Lambda on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/01/2303.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Placed RP Drew Adikpick on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/01/2303.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed LF Glothos Scigliano.
Wednesday, April 1st , 2303
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Placed RP Charlie Goonie on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 03/31/2303.
Quincy Gunners: Placed RP Adam Bias on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 03/31/2303.
Quincy Gunners: Signed free agent 2B Jamie Bearbower to a minor league contract.