Division 1
Monthly Awards- Batter of the Month: Carson Prince can’t be stopped - Brooklyn’s superstar 1B had the kind of month you dream about as a kid, hitting .367/.470/.776 with 12 homers while leading the Dodgers to the top of the standings.
- Pitcher of the Month: Jayden Jarrett’s career year has been the biggest bright spot for a down-and-out Potros club. Jarrett, 31, surprised everyone in May, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.34 ERA backed by a 3.06 FIP while striking out nearly 30% of batters faced.
- Rookie of the Month: There was little doubt on this one: D1 has a handful of excellent first-year players, but Weisman’s .339/.368/.679, 10 homer month puts him among the best players in D1, rookie or otherwise.
Brooklyn is back on top in a see-saw East this week, going 5-1 with a sweep of Denver to pull two games ahead of New York. While Carson Prince has finally cooled down, 3B Brett Reed homered twice and put up a .971 OPS, and Jason Blanche and Steve Honsey pitched well in front of a bullpen that - aside from one terrible outing from closer Tim Gaspard - didn;t allow a run all week. For New York, though, a 2-4 week meant a slide into second place despite excellent starts from Josue Estrada and Ruben Hernandez, and a much needed strong showing by 2B Andrew Fitts, who has struggled through the season’s first two months. Chicago remains in third, two games under .500, while 24-28 Toronto is a game behind Chicago - after a slow start, though, Toronto CF Benni Phillips has been on fire, which must give Toronto fans some hope. Young SS star and Player of the Week Mike Mitchell helped propel Philadelphia out of last place with a 4-2 week, leaving Tampa behind, at 22-30, seven games out. More eyes are now on TJ Carcone’s quixotic chase for the all-time triples record than the Conference: Carcone has 188 career triples now, three shy of the record.
It’s a dogfight in the West, as LA and Monterrey continue to fight over first with El Paso lurking in the shadows. The Angels and Industriales are tied with 33-19 records, as the Angels split their six games this week. Young LF Jon Segura, another of LA’s stable of up-and-coming bats, had a monster week hitting .368/.381/.684 with two homers, while Ryan Haymes, Brian Weisman, and Frank Mozo all contributed. Instead, it was the pitching that failed the Angels this week, with Doug Kluz and Nick Book both getting knocked around. Monterrey, meanwhile, rode their pitching to a 5-1 week, holding opponents to 19 runs over six games, eight of which came in the club’s only loss (a 15 inning defeat by New York on Thursday). Don’t overlook closer Carlos Mendez, last year’s Reliever of the Year who was a shutdown force this week. Beyond the top two, El Paso remains the only serious contender, now 31-21 and two games back. Joe Rison is finally having his breakout season: he leads D1 in WAR with 3.3, on pace for a monster 10 WAR year with a .337/.424/.617 line and four homers, and 18 steals already. The Potros are the best of the rest behind Jayden Jarrett and a 23-29 record, with Seattle and Denver in last at 12 games back apiece. Lots of things have gone wrong in Seattle, but the biggest is simply a failure to score runs, as Mike Hood, Roger Alvarado, and Greg Allen have all taken steps back this year.
Player of the Week: Mike Mitchell, CF, PHA: .345/.387/.828, 3 HR, 3 2B, 7 R, 10 RBI
Top Hitters:
George Bradner, RF, MRY: .400/.478/1.000, 3 HR, 8 R, 5 RBI
Joe Rison, LF, ELP: .350/.581/.600, 5 2B, 3 R, 1 RBI, 5 SB
Matt Galante, SS, SEA: .294/.478/.706, 2 HR, 4 R, 5 RBI
Top Pitchers:
Raul Orduno, SP, MRY: 15 IP, 2.40 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 21 K, 2 W
Jayden Jarrett, SP, TIJ: 9 IP, 1.00 ERA, 1.64 FIP, 7 K
Jason Blanche, SP, BRO: 8 IP, 1.12 ERA, 1.82 FIP, 7 K
League News- Rumors are floating around Philadelphia that 1B Jon Clawson, who signed a two-year, $17 million contract with year two dependent on a vesting option, isn’t happy with either the team’s record or his own role, and may have requested a trade. Clawson could be a desirable trade chip for a team in need of some power, especially in lower divisions.
- Chicago starting pitcher Brett Cureton and El Paso 1B Brian Castrovinci were each suspended - for six and four games respectively - for their roles in a bench-clearing brawl in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
- Robbie Bond was released by D4 Phoenix in mid-May after seven innings in which he allowed four runs. Bond, who hasn’t played a full season since 2037 with Ottawa, probably wasn’t expecting the D1 Athletics to come calling with a two-year, $7.2 million contract, but that’s exactly what happened, in a move immediately questioned by fans and media alike. Bond has a good reputation in the clubhouse, and Philly is in need of pitching help.
- The first overall pick in the 2039 amateur draft went to the Tijuana Potros, who selected 22 year old CF Rob Wilson out of the University of Virginia. Wilson is an advanced, five-tool prospect who should hit for high average with 30 homer potential. Wilson has excellent speed and baserunning instincts, with good range in the outfield. He should be a good defensive center fielder, but may profile better in right. If signed, the club expects he could make the roster as early as the end of 2040.
Division 2
Monthly Awards- Batter of the Month: Randy Foti, RF, SAC: .351/.472/.608, 5 HR, 10 2B, 17 R, 16 RBI, 4 SB
- Pitcher of the Month: Danny Tanon, SP, VAN: 4-1, 1.51 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 37 K
- Rookie of the Month: Yusuke Kondo, SP, SAC: 2-2, 3.00 ERA, 3.96 FIP, 40 K
The D1 East is shaping up to be an exciting race, as four teams are within two games of first heading into June. The Bees have the top spot after Week 8, with the division’s best run differential and a quietly devastating offense led by CF Adam Andersen, switch-hitting LF Rogelio Ventura, in the middle of a career year, and 27 year old C Rick Wilde, who has taken a huge step forward offensively. Detroit split the week 3-3, but that was enough to keep a game back of Boston behind a strong starting staff and unhittable bullpen. Pat Pipkin has thus far been one of the offseason’s best signings, while converted starter John McAndrew has found lightning in a bottle as a lock-down middle innings option. Detroit is tied with early surprise contender Montreal, which has an expected 25-27 record but is hanging with the big boys regardless. Bubba Fread is back and has a couple of good starts under his belt already, so Montreal is hoping he can help guide the Expos the rest of the way. That means Baltimore, courtesy of a rough 1-5 week, has gone from first to fourth at 27-25; their pitching is increasingly a problem, as the back end of the rotation is a huge drop-off from the top three. And Baltimore’s offense hasn’t approached last year’s levels due to Richard’s injury and the continued struggles of Omar Juarez. Beyond the Terrapins, Ottawa and New Orleans have been far from terrible - in fact, Ottawa has a +31 run differential, second only to Boston in the conference. There’s no one player that stands out for the Champions, but they’ve put together a top 3 offense regardless. New Orleans looks like the most likely relegated at this point, given their current record and recent finishes.
Player of the Week: Randy Foti, RF, SAC: .409/.500/.955, 3 HR, 5 R, 7 RBI
Top Hitters:
Tyler Chapman, LF, OTT: .375/.423/.750, 2 HR, 6 R, 8 RBI
Phil Beresford, 1B, VAN: .316/.458/.579, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI
Jason Turnquist, RF, SDP: .348/.423/.609, 1 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI
Top Pitchers:
Rhett Frew, SP, KCM: 1-0, 16 IP, 0.56 ERA, 1.13 FIP, 19 K
Bryan Murphy, SP, BOS: 2-0, 16.2 IP, 1.62 ERA, 2.11 FIP, 16 K
Jalen Ainsworth, SP, NOL: 1-0, 7.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.39 FIP, 10 K
League News- Houston’s Nate Blomdahl will be out until at least mid-2040 after tearing his UCL last week, the Buffaloes announced today. The 26 year old RP/SP has made one start and appeared in 11 other games out of the pen, with a 4.37 ERA and 3.80 FIP on the season.
Division 3
Monthly Awards- Batter of the Month: Sam Stanton is making a bid for another MVP after a blistering May, which he ended in style on a walk-off homer to beat Austin 8-6, on Tuesday the 31st. Stanton now has 15 homers to go along with a .992 OPS and a top-3 WAR.
- Pitcher of the Month: Edgar Troche wasn’t one of the top names to switch teams this offseason when the Bears dealt him to Salt Lake, but he’s been one of the best. Troche followed an outstanding April with an even better May, going 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA over 47 innings of work.
- Rookie of the Month: 24 year old 3B Adrian Leonetti raised eyebrows this month, blasting nine homers while driving in 22 for the third-place Pioneers. Leonetti, who was Austin’s first round pick two years ago, had a difficult start to his 2038 in AA before taking off in the later months, and early outstanding hitting in AAA Round Rock to start 2039 earned him a callup.
Nashville came into June with an eight game win streak and won one more to make it nine, but ended the week with a 1-3 run. Taken as a whole, they wind up in the same spot they were in last week, five games up on Columbus. Mel Irving had a blisteringly hot week for the Sounds, with a 1.740 OPS; Irving is having his best season in some time, and is currently second in BA, tied for fourth in OBP with teammate Bobby Cook. Columbus leads a traffic jam in the middle of the D3 East standings, hitting the ball well up and down the lineup though they lack standouts; the top of the rotation has also been strong, but with a drop off. That’s why it was encouraging to see Jose Castaneda pitch well this week, bringing his ERA down from above 7 to 5.51. Atlanta and Cleveland are each at 27-25, a game behind Columbus and six back from Nashville. Both saw great individual offensive performances this week, with Sam Stanton knocking in ten runs on four homers while OPSing 1.520, and Cleveland’s Judah Avila getting on base in 64% of his plate appearances with power to win Player of the Month. Memphis continues to sit in the basement at 21-31, suddenly staring at possible relegation with Columbus’ reversal.
Player of the Week: Judah Avila, 3B, CLE: .520/.640/.1.100, 4 HR, 7 R, 9 RBI
Top Hitters:
Mel Irving, CF, NSH: .550/.640/.1.100, 2 HR, 2 3B, 5 R, 4 RBI
Sam Stanton, DH, ATL: .478/.520/1.000, 4 HR, 7 R, 10 RBI
Mike Avison, CLG: .409/.458/.909, 2 HR, 8 R, 5 RBI
Top Pitchers:
Cody Garrett, SP, MEM: 1-0, 8 IP, 1.12 ERA, 0.25 FIP, 11 K
Jose Castaneda, SP, CMB: 2-0, 17 IP, 1.06 ERA, 2.94 FIP, 13 K
Tommy Boles, SP, ATL: 1-0, 9 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.66 FIP, 9 K
League News- Jose Castaneda gave his Red Birds a thrilling 1-0 win with his pitching heroics, holding the first place Saints to just three hits while striking out nine on Tuesday night. The Cuban native has had a rough start to the season, coming into the game with an ERA over 7 in nine starts, but Columbus is hoping this game helps him turn a corner.
- Tyler Smith of Memphis blanked the first place Saints 6-0 on a masterful two-hitter, the second time in a week the Saints have been held scoreless with three or fewer hits. Smith struck out nine and walked one, and has established himself as the ace of a depleted Blues club that lost Ian Weaver in the offseason.
- All in all, it was an impressive week for D3 starters, as five pitchers went the distance in shutouts, while St. Paul’s Jerry Dudek spun a complete game 15 K performance earlier in the week.
Division 4
Monthly Awards- Batter of the Month: Albuquerque’s Sallet has been a solid player for several years, but this month he elevated his game, hitting .317/.345/.683 with 10 homers in May to help keep the Dukes on the fringes of contention.
- Pitcher of the Month: Puerto Rican lefty Mario Caudillo had a stellar month as he helped his Missions take over first in the West. Caudillo was 5-0 with a 1.34 ERA in May, striking out 43 and walking 15 in 47 innings of work.
- Rookie of the Month: The Crawfords made one of the best offseason pickups of any club this year when they grabbed C Ghi-cheng Miao as an international free agent. Miao is a skilled defensive backstop and clubhouse leader, and has been highly productive at the plate, hitting .275/.383/.565 with 11 homers to help power the Crawfords.
The Crawfords continue to dominate D4, with a +72 run differential and a 31-21 record, but this wasn’t an easy week for them at 3-3. Matt Hahn had a great start and Donovan Bryant contributed with the bat, but Pittsburgh remained three up in the standings from last week as a result. Indianapolis was also 3-3, with Aaron Cottrell winning two with a couple of dominant turns and Jason Stanfill dipping his ERA down below 2. The big star for Indy, though, was Player of the Week Kurt Miller, who hit .450 with a 1.700 OPS and four homers. Cincinnati and Charlotte are tied at 26-26, five games back, while Havana and Washington vie for fifth place: Havana has a slight edge right now, two games ahead of Washington despite Matt Haughton’s gem against Albuquerque on Friday.
Player of the Week: Kurt Miller, RF, IND: .450/.600/1.100, 4 HR, 5 R, 6 RBI
Top Hitters:
Steve McNellis, CF, SAM: .476/.560/.905, 2 HR, 3 2B, 5 R, 5 RBI
Matt West, 1B, PHX: .412/.500/.647, 1 HR, 4 R, 1 RBI
Donovan Bryant, 1B, PIT: .353/.450/.706, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI
Top Pitchers:
Aaron Cottrell, SP, IND: 2-0, 16 IP, 1.69 ERA, 1.57 FIP, 17 K
Pete Morin, SP, MIL: 1-0, 15.2 IP, 2.30 ERA, 1.66 FIP, 16 K
Matt Hahn, SP, PIT: 7 IP, 3.86 ERA, 0.89 FIP, 10 K
League News- Havana didn’t need any more bad news, but they got some anyway as 2B Joe Bly - one of the club’s best bats thus far in 2039 - will miss the rest of the season after injuring an achilles on the bases. Bly was hitting .291/.379/.480 with a 132 wRC+ in 145 PA this season.
- Washington SP Matt Haughton has been stellar this season, but this was his best outing so far as he whut out Albuquerque on three hits Friday night. Haughton, who lowered his ERA to 1.97 on the season with the win, struck out six and walked none.