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ayaghmour2 · 08-21-2023, 02:36 PM

Weekly Record: 7-0
Overall Record: 26-7 (1st, 5 GA)

Notable Stories
Save Some for the Regular Season!: Hey now! The Cougars look really good! The annual disappointment isn't looking so disappointing, as we ran off a second perfect week and now have won thirteen of our last fourteen games. With just three games left in the spring, we have guaranteed a "title" and will finish with no more then 10 losses in 36 games. If we can keep that up, it'll be an easy season for the Cougs, who could use a few things going their way.

There's plenty to like about a perfect week, but the best part is those suckers Leo Mitchell and Sal Pestilli have started to catch fire as they prepare for another season in their long careers. Mitchell started hitting last week, but was an impressive 8-for-16 with a double, 2 homers, 10 RBIs, 6 runs, and 3 walks. He's now hitting .286/.394/.518 -- good for a 161 WRC+ -- with 2 doubles, a triple, 3 homers, 10 runs, and 14 RBIs. Even better, he's walked (10) almost as often as he struck out (11), something he's never really came close to in 12 big league seasons. Sal played a bit less, but his 6-for-13 with a steal, 2 homers, 3 walks, 7 runs, and 7 RBIs is impressive as well. His spring line isn't as good, just .262/.328/.410, but that's still light years better then the pitiful .232/.288/.360 (80 OPS+) he posted in 139 games last season. I've said it a thousand times, but for the Cougars to succeed, we need these two superstar to produce. And this week gave us a glimpse in what could be a very promising future for the 1948 Chicago Cougars.

A Collection of Golden Arms: The pitching has always been a strength of ours, and this spring has been no different. We've had six pitchers start games, and the results have been remarkable. The group of Donnie Jones, Pete Papenfus, Duke Bybee, Johnnie Jones, Harry Parker, and George Oddo have combined to go 18-1 with a 2.00 ERA in 148.2 innings pitched. Only Harry Parker (3.15) has an ERA above 2.50, and he's expected to start the season in the pen. The six starters have struck out 122 hitters with just 23 walks, good for an elite 5.3 K/BB. The command has been great, the stuff has been great, and aside from the 4 longballs Parker's conceded and just 10 Ks in 25.2 innings from Duke Bybee, it's hard to find a weakness in the staff's performance. The top three are done, with Donnie and Pap sporting similar 1.61 and 1.67 ERAs with Duke's a point higher at 2.45. Johnnie, Parker, and Oddo will finish things off, and barring a horrible combination of miscues, it should be an excellent end to an excellent spring.

Final Cuts Await: More trimming today, as we bring the roster down to 31 as the season approaches. Some casualties were actually doing quite well, with Roscoe Brown (11 IP, 8 H, ER, 7 BB, 5 K, 2 HLD, 2 SV), Chet Williams (2-0, 11 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, SV), Bill Ballantine (10 IP, 8 H, R, 8 BB, 6 K, 2 HLD, 2 SV), Jimmy Ballard (10.1 IP, 9 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K, SV, 2 HLD), Bob Schmelz (5-12, 2B, RBI, 2 R, 3 BB), Ducky Cole (5-12, 2B, RBI, R, 2 BB), and Al Clement (3-9, RBI, R, 2 BB, 2 SB) all heading down to the farm. There are a still interesting battles left, with Charlie Kelsey (12 IP, 12 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HLD), Frank Sartori (0-1, 10 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, 4 SV, 3 HLD), Jim Kenny (8 IP, 6 H, ER, 7 K, SV, 2 HLD), Harry MacRae (7.1 IP, 6 H, ER, 4 K, SB, 2 HLD), Ken Matson (7 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 6 K), and Paul Richardson (7 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 2 K, SV, 2 HLD) all competing for the final two pen spots. The hardest part is the guy I want on the roster the most, Ken Matson, is the only one struggling. Half of these six won't break camp, and Sartori, MacRae, and Matson are the three that can be optioned. That might be how it shakes up, but it feels weird sending Matson to Milwaukee after how useful he's been the past few seasons.

The bench isn't as exciting, but Reginald Westfall is someone to watch. He's hit .368/.419/.632 with 4 doubles, 2 homers, and 5 RBIs through 43 plate appearances. He's not on the 40, but the Foresters took him (and later returned) in the Rule-5 draft last offseason, and he was a pretty solid hitter for the Wolves. He doesn't have the easiest path to the majors, but he's seemed to have surpassed veterans Ray Struble (12-54, 2 2B, 6 RBI, 4 R, 5 BB, SB) and Leon Blackridge (1-20), who have both struggled despite the team's success. The only guy in camp without a shot is Bob Mundy (12-47, HR, 2 RBI, 4 R, 5 BB), our 13th Round pick last season, who's in camp as the third catcher. He's looked good and is ready for the show, but he's not passing Eddie Howard or Harry Mead. As always, a late injury could derail everything, but we've been pretty good at staying healthy so far, and should enter the season at full strength.

08-21-2023, 02:36 PM	#1186
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,013	Spring Training: Week 5 Weekly Record: 7-0 Overall Record: 26-7 (1st, 5 GA) Notable Stories Save Some for the Regular Season!: Hey now! The Cougars look really good! The annual disappointment isn't looking so disappointing, as we ran off a second perfect week and now have won thirteen of our last fourteen games. With just three games left in the spring, we have guaranteed a "title" and will finish with no more then 10 losses in 36 games. If we can keep that up, it'll be an easy season for the Cougs, who could use a few things going their way. There's plenty to like about a perfect week, but the best part is those suckers Leo Mitchell and Sal Pestilli have started to catch fire as they prepare for another season in their long careers. Mitchell started hitting last week, but was an impressive 8-for-16 with a double, 2 homers, 10 RBIs, 6 runs, and 3 walks. He's now hitting .286/.394/.518 -- good for a 161 WRC+ -- with 2 doubles, a triple, 3 homers, 10 runs, and 14 RBIs. Even better, he's walked (10) almost as often as he struck out (11), something he's never really came close to in 12 big league seasons. Sal played a bit less, but his 6-for-13 with a steal, 2 homers, 3 walks, 7 runs, and 7 RBIs is impressive as well. His spring line isn't as good, just .262/.328/.410, but that's still light years better then the pitiful .232/.288/.360 (80 OPS+) he posted in 139 games last season. I've said it a thousand times, but for the Cougars to succeed, we need these two superstar to produce. And this week gave us a glimpse in what could be a very promising future for the 1948 Chicago Cougars. A Collection of Golden Arms: The pitching has always been a strength of ours, and this spring has been no different. We've had six pitchers start games, and the results have been remarkable. The group of Donnie Jones, Pete Papenfus, Duke Bybee, Johnnie Jones, Harry Parker, and George Oddo have combined to go 18-1 with a 2.00 ERA in 148.2 innings pitched. Only Harry Parker (3.15) has an ERA above 2.50, and he's expected to start the season in the pen. The six starters have struck out 122 hitters with just 23 walks, good for an elite 5.3 K/BB. The command has been great, the stuff has been great, and aside from the 4 longballs Parker's conceded and just 10 Ks in 25.2 innings from Duke Bybee, it's hard to find a weakness in the staff's performance. The top three are done, with Donnie and Pap sporting similar 1.61 and 1.67 ERAs with Duke's a point higher at 2.45. Johnnie, Parker, and Oddo will finish things off, and barring a horrible combination of miscues, it should be an excellent end to an excellent spring. Final Cuts Await: More trimming today, as we bring the roster down to 31 as the season approaches. Some casualties were actually doing quite well, with Roscoe Brown (11 IP, 8 H, ER, 7 BB, 5 K, 2 HLD, 2 SV), Chet Williams (2-0, 11 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, SV), Bill Ballantine (10 IP, 8 H, R, 8 BB, 6 K, 2 HLD, 2 SV), Jimmy Ballard (10.1 IP, 9 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K, SV, 2 HLD), Bob Schmelz (5-12, 2B, RBI, 2 R, 3 BB), Ducky Cole (5-12, 2B, RBI, R, 2 BB), and Al Clement (3-9, RBI, R, 2 BB, 2 SB) all heading down to the farm. There are a still interesting battles left, with Charlie Kelsey (12 IP, 12 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HLD), Frank Sartori (0-1, 10 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, 4 SV, 3 HLD), Jim Kenny (8 IP, 6 H, ER, 7 K, SV, 2 HLD), Harry MacRae (7.1 IP, 6 H, ER, 4 K, SB, 2 HLD), Ken Matson (7 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 6 K), and Paul Richardson (7 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 2 K, SV, 2 HLD) all competing for the final two pen spots. The hardest part is the guy I want on the roster the most, Ken Matson, is the only one struggling. Half of these six won't break camp, and Sartori, MacRae, and Matson are the three that can be optioned. That might be how it shakes up, but it feels weird sending Matson to Milwaukee after how useful he's been the past few seasons. The bench isn't as exciting, but Reginald Westfall is someone to watch. He's hit .368/.419/.632 with 4 doubles, 2 homers, and 5 RBIs through 43 plate appearances. He's not on the 40, but the Foresters took him (and later returned) in the Rule-5 draft last offseason, and he was a pretty solid hitter for the Wolves. He doesn't have the easiest path to the majors, but he's seemed to have surpassed veterans Ray Struble (12-54, 2 2B, 6 RBI, 4 R, 5 BB, SB) and Leon Blackridge (1-20), who have both struggled despite the team's success. The only guy in camp without a shot is Bob Mundy (12-47, HR, 2 RBI, 4 R, 5 BB), our 13th Round pick last season, who's in camp as the third catcher. He's looked good and is ready for the show, but he's not passing Eddie Howard or Harry Mead. As always, a late injury could derail everything, but we've been pretty good at staying healthy so far, and should enter the season at full strength.