Nuka News Update
Reporting on the NWL, NWLB, and APYL Leagues
by Evan Guy
1 June 2303
Cherry, Quartz Hold Advantages in Playoff Race
The Cherry Ghoulrillas and Quartz Star Force sit atop the Nuka World League standings as we complete the second full month of the season. The Ghoulrillas have a two-game lead in a league where the top half and bottom half are easily distinguished.
Leading the way for Cherry is both the offense and pitching. The Ghoulrillas lead in runs scored (193) and runs allowed (141) for a +52 run differential. 1B Carlos Aguilar appears to be the runaway Nuka King favorite on offense, leading the NWL in multiple hitting categories: home runs (19), RBI (42), SLG (.844), OPS (1.233), WAR (2.3), total bases (108), extra-base hits (27), ISO (.508), OPS+ (206), and wOBA (.499). Cherry doesn't have an equivalent for the Nuka Cannon Award, but ace Mike Coombaya (6-1, 2.40) and SP Joe Penaltybox (5-1, 1.79) are having great seasons.
The Starforce are behind statistically to Cherry but still good, ranking 3rd in runs allowed (177) and tied for 2nd with the Quantum Nukalurks for runs allowed (142), a +35 run differential. The Nukalurks are the top power team in the league with 45 home runs, with LF Matt Neddo leading the team with 9. RF Daniel Rousseaux (.354/3/15) and 1B Thinker Brown (.351/5/16) help to generate a lot of offense. Six players each have at least 5 home runs on the season. Pitching has been led by the performances of ace Chris Yao (5-1, 2.68) and SP Travis Sisler (5-1, 2.77). The bullpen has been solid with closer Charles Widmar (11 SV, 2.51) leading the way.
Standings
Top Players
NWL
Hitter - 1B Carlos Aguilar, Cherry, .333, 16 HR, 36 RBI, 21 R, 4 BB, .369 OBP
Pitcher - SP Mike Coombaya, Cherry, 8 GS, 5-1. 2.09, 51.2 IP, 53 H, 27 K, 11 BB
Rookie - SP Beau Hamilton, Dark, 7 GS, 3-0, 2.75, 41.0 IP, 27 H, 21 K, 15 BB, .191 Opp BA
APL
Hitter - 3B Bro Campbell, Bradberton Disciples (Victory), .417, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 20 R
Pitcher - SP Wee Hughie, Grandchester Flying Ants (Cherry), 5 GS, 4-1, 1.47, 43.0 IP, 26 K
BBL
Hitter - 1B Robber Jannah, Soph, South Bradberton Tycoons, .301, 23 HR, 40 RBI, 26 R
Pitcher - SP Ziggy Sobotka, Fr, Ol' Sugartop Buckaroos, 8 GS, 3-0, 2.05, 44.0 IP, 47 K
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Vim! View
Veracious, Vivacious, Vainglorious Vision of the Vim! Leagues
by Vikky Vail
Rayburn Point, Dalton Farm Eye Titles
The Fog Division's Rayburn Point Patcheyes and the Harbor Division's Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers have used the month of June to break away from the jumbled pack that we saw a month ago.
The Patcheyes currently hold a six-game lead on the Brooke's Head Behemoths in a winner-plays-on, loser-done division race. Rayburn Point's manager, Three O'Clock Johnson, has emphasized the need to pitch well out of the gate. That could not be more evident with the absolutely brilliant performances of fourth starter John Kutner (11-0, 2.33). Ace pitcher Nick Glawe (7-3, 2.62) and third starter Vrabe Swenson (4-2, 2.70) have also shown some ability to win key games, while closer Luke Harpoonman (12 SV, 0.32) has been dominant.
Offensively, the Patcheyes could use some improvement, with them being middle of the pack in almost every offensive category. RF Greg De Groot has emerged as the team leader with a .247/12/34 line. SS Jayden Neo is hitting .269/4/18 to help out.
For the Fog Crawlers, they are looking to repeat as division champions. Currently, they hold a three-game led over the Acadia Acadians at the All-Star Break and with 38 left to play. Dalton Farm is also the best overall team, leading the Vim! League in both runs scored (280) and runs allowed (158).
On offense, the Crawlers are led by two heavy hitting players in the middle of the lineup. C C.J. Abney (.335/11/42) is the team leader at the cleanup spot, with third hitter, LF James Darling (.352/9/34) also helping to pack the runs in each game. Four other players on the team have at least seven home runs for the VL's best in RF Mitchel Moore (.245/9/28), 3B Brad McCormick (.276/8/25), SS Chris Huffsettler (.277/7/27), and CF Ramon Delgado (.240/7/27).
For pitching, Dalton Farm just got a big time trade player in SP Phil Cecil, who is expected to be the ace for the second half of the season. In 12 appearances with the CBO's Concord Radstags, Cecil was 0-0 with a 4.79 ERA as a reliever. However, he has had one start with Dalton Farm, a no-decision where he threw 8.0 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Cecil takes the spot of an already dominant pitcher in Chris Gallogly (10-1, 2.45) who slips to the second spot. Cry Baby Uribe (7-3, 2.16) also helps to give the Crawlers a formidable starting rotation. Not to be outdone, the bullpen also leads the Vim! League in ERA with CL Jumbo Cleveland (8 SV, 2.81) considered to be a key part. Sometimes starter Ryan Means (3-2, 1.75) is a bullpen force. Currently injured SP Kyle Hooch (3-2, 4.66) should return to the rotation at some point to move Rick Hat (3-4, 5.28) into the bullpen or down to Huntress Island.
Standings
Players of the Month
VL Hitter - LF James Darling, Dalton Farm - .368, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 15 R, .482 OBP
VL Pitcher + Rookie - SP John Kutner, Rayburn Point - 7 GS, 6-0, 2.48, 58.0 IP, 41 K, 27 BB
MDIL Hitter - LF Jaime Boozer, Eagle's Cove Harpooners (Acadia) - .304, 9 HR, 28 RBI, 20 R
MDIL Pitcher - CL Wheelcap Scrapperman, Glowing Grove (BHL) - 17 G, 12 SV, 1-1, 0.89, 20.1 IP, 17 H, 20 K, 10 BB
MYL MDIL Hitter - 2B Antonio Farmer, Far Harbor Dockdwellers, 22/88 (.250), 6 HR, 10 RBI, 12 R, .365 OBP
MYL GDIL Hitter - 1B Mercurial Swift, Pleasant Cove Raiders, .302, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 15 R, 16 BB, .412 OBP
MYL MDIL Pitcher - SP Enfys Nest, Beaver Creek Bowlers, 4-1, 2.36, 49.2 IP, 32 H, 49 K, 10 BB
MYL GDIL Pitcher - SP Tyler Coker, Pleasant Cove Raiders, 7 GS, 6-0, 1.11, 48.2 IP, 43 K