[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-4
Seasonal Record: 53-47 (3rd, 5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Sal Pestilli : 27 AB, 8 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .296 AVG, .974 OPS
Skipper Schneider : 25 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .360 AVG, .785 OPS
Hal Sharp : 14 AB, 5 H, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .357 AVG, .899 OPS

Schedule
7-26: Win vs Saints (3-4)
7-27: Loss vs Wolves (5-3)
7-28: Loss vs Wolves (3-0)
7-29: Win vs Wolves (4-6)
7-30: Loss vs Sailors (4-2)
7-31: Loss vs Sailors (3-1)
8-1: Win vs Sailors (2-7)

Recap
We went backwards this week (yay!), as after beating the Saints in the one game series, we lost home series to both the Wolves and Sailors. We scored two or fewer runs in three of the four losses. Guess how many we got in the fourth? Three! This is not a good strategy for winning games, as even though we are the only team left to allow fewer then 400 runs (three teams even have more then 500!), it's hard to win when you don't put runs on the board. Part of this can be attributed to Red Bond's abdominal strain, which hasn't healed as planed, with his injury length now unknown. I really don't want to IL him, but he was just 3-for-13. He did hit his 20th homer, but with his IL placement now retroactive to 8/1 instead of the original 7/21, we will ride it out one more week. Ray Ford wasn't much better, just 4-for-14 with a double, but he'll pick up an extra start or two. We clearly don't need more first basemen, with all the one's at literally every level, but 14th Rounder Charlie Everitt checks inside the top 500 at 382, giving us five overall.. I can't believe this is what things have come too, as I usually had one or none, but now we have so many good first basemen. I'm -- not sure what's going on here, but a surplus is a surplus! Right???

George Oddo was royally screwed in his start, and after eight shutout innings he should have been in line for a shutout. Instead, we got no runs off Jim Morrison (7-5, 3.06, 43), so he went out for the ninth in a scoreless game. Even worse, a George Sutterfield error made things interesting, eventually leading to three unearned runs. Oddo had to exit with just one out, but allowed just 4 hits and a walk with 7 strikeouts. The 25-year-old is now an unlucky 5-8 despite an impressive 3.32 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.24 WHIP, and 1.8 K/BB ratio. Oddo gets overshadowed in our sterling rotation, but the young righty ranks 4th in the CA in strikeouts (80), second in K/9 (5.5), 7th in WHIP (1.24), and 3rd in K/BB. The season has gone about as well as I could have hoped for the hard working former 8th Rounder, who is quietly developing into one of the league's best starting pitchers, but even if we were to make the playoffs he wouldn't be ticketed for a single start. On the other 15 FABL teams, Oddo would rank 3rd or better (5th for us mind you) in ERA on all but other team, the Wolves, and there are only seven qualified players (two Cougars!) with a WHIP lower then him and just four qualified pitchers have a higher K/BB. He's been as good as it gets, and joins the long list of successful pitchers drafted by the Cougars.

We had two two-start pitchers this week, with both Duke Bybee and Johnnie Jones splitting their decisions. Bybee deserved wins in both, but he wasn't really his sharpest. He walked and struck out 4 in what was almost a complete game win over the Saints, getting all but the 27th out. He allowed 6 hits and 3 runs, which improved him to 13-4 on the season. He then did go all nine against the Sailors, but with just one run of support, he picked up loss #5. Bybee again walked four and struck out just one, finishing with 6 hits and 3 runs. He's survived the lack of strikeouts so far, but his beautiful 2.58 ERA (153 ERA+) is supported by a shaky 3.73 FIP (94 FIP-), and his walk, strikeout, ground ball, and home run rates are all worse then last season. Johnnie followed up his rough start with another poor one, going just 7.2 innings with 8 hits, 5 runs, 3 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Luckily a bounce back was in the cards, and he improved to 8-9 with a complete game win over the Sailors. Johnnie snapped his three game losing streak, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. Donnie was an out away from a complete game win, as like Bybee, he left with two outs in the ninth. He found himself in trouble, but beat the Wolves after they got to him in Toronto, leaving with 10 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts. The last start went to Peter the Heater, who allowed 6 hits, 4 runs, 5 walks, and 4 strikeouts in 8 innings. While not great, a loss seems a bit tough for the vet, as with any semblance of an offense, we'd likely come out on top!

Looking Ahead
Off to start the week before the second leg of our homestand. We'll welcome the Cannons to town, who could use Monday as a travel day as they don't have any games scheduled. They may be 51-54 and closest to last (8 GA) then first (11.5 GB), but don't let the record fool you. They have scored (424) one more run then they've allowed (434), and are a Denny Andrews (.222, 8, 28) resurgence away from being a serious pennant contender. Rufus Barrell seems to be the shoe-in for the Allen this year, as the Cannons ace is 13-6 with a 1.90 ERA (213) and 1.00 WHIP with just 39 walks and 81 strikeouts. Luck finally gets us to skip him, as he pitched in their double header sweep of the Saints (48-53). They do have to make an adjustment to their rotation, as Normal native Jack G. Thompson (2-4, 5.12, 28) will miss the rest of the season with shoulder inflammation. I'd love to see Butch Smith (3-4, 6, 2.82, 19) make a return to the rotation, but they have plenty of options in AAA, including 10th ranked prospect Tony Britten, who was recently surpassed by Bob Allen (7th) as the highest ranked pitching prospect. Whoever takes the empty rotation spots first challenge will be us, with the other two games scheduled for Les Bradshaw (8-11, 5.48, 61) and Jim Anderson (9-7, 2.88, 61). Now that we've won our last three one-run games, I'm worried we'll drop a few of those in this one.

Lucky for us, our best friends in Cleveland will visit for a three game set. At 39-62, things haven't gone too well, and they've accounted for just over 20% of our wins this season. The pitching staff has really struggled, and they recently demoted 24-year-old Kirby Brewer (1-6, 9.84, 9) from the pen to rotation. Control has been an issue for the former 10th Rounder, who has walked 13.3% of the batters he faced and has 13 fewer strikeouts then walks. Returning to the rotation now is John Jackson (5-6, 4.62, 40), who made nine relief appearances after starting his first twelve appearances. Regardless of who takes the mound, we'll have the definite pitching advantage, so it's all about scoring more runs then them. We haven't on the season, and they've now started to give Sherry Doyal (.295, 1, 5) more time in center. With him, Ivey Henley (.331, 9, 55), and Tom Holmes Jr. (.311, 3, 20) they have a very exciting young outfield. Henley is better suited for first, but fellow 24-year-old Chuck McHenry (.291, 3, 17) has excelled since his debut in New York on the 21st of June. Furthering the logjam are "veterans" Bill Sikorski (.342, 6, 34) and Paul Porter (.271, 2, 37), and they optioned Orie Martinez (.269, 7, 31) a while back to make room for some of the youngsters. There's no shortage in the minors, and when the Foresters are ready to make a run at it I could see them moving an outfielder or two to upgrade the roster. That could be as early as next year, as the CA is wide open, and a busy offseason could really shake things up.

Minor League Report
2B Tom Brownleaf (AA Mobile Commodores): Tom Brownleaf has come up a few times already, and now he's back with his second Player of the Week in the past two months. Brownleaf went 11-for-20 with a double, 2 triples, 5 walks, and 6 RBIs. The 23-year-old finished his July with a .347/.434/.463 (130 OPS+) line and now has a 120 WRC+ in 91 games for the Commodores. Brownleaf has hit 19 doubles, 8 triples, 2 homers, and 55 RBIs to go with his .322/.386/.441 (111 OPS+) batting line. It's strong production from the 23-year-old, who has played a lot of second and third this season, with above average marks (1.036 at 2B; 1.047 at 3B) at both spots. Add all that with a stellar work ethic and the ability to hit from both sides and there's the foundation of a very useful regular. With Otto Christian hitting the IL with a concussion, there's a spot open in the Milwaukee lineup. He definitely deserves it, but since Al Clement is already on the 40, I'd like to see what he can do at the highest level. I don't expect him to get much time in the big leagues, if any, but he can help the Blues (52-41, 3 GB) in their quest for another pennant.

C Mike Bordes (AA Mobile Commodores): Hit-streaks have been common place for Cougar farmhands, but for once they didn't come from a first basemen. Backstop Mike Bordes hit safely in twenty straight, but right after reaching that OOTP milestone proceeded to go 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. That didn't do much to spoil his July, as the 22-year-older hit .341/.429/.477 (132 OPS+) in 24 games, tallying 3 doubles, 3 homers, 13 walks, 13 runs, and 18 RBIs with a 140 WRC+. Acquired in the Billy Riley trade, Mike Bordes no longer ranks in the top 500 prospects list, but that seems to be more about the change from 24 which doesn't like catchers nearly as much as it once did. For his part, Bordes looks like a good young hitter, and he's hitting .331/.426/.468 (129 OPS+) in 378 trips to the plate. That's a really strong number for someone his age, even in the offensive paradise that is the Dixie League. I wish he could hustle more, but he's a big dude who's not very tall, and takes a beating behind the plate. If he can continue to walk (51) more then he strikes out (32) and hit around .280 it'll more then make up for it, but don't expect many homers from him. He does have 7 this year, but even as a flyball hitter he doesn't quite have double digit pop. Think more Harry Mead, but what makes the lefty catcher so great is his defense. Bordes does not have that to fall back on, and will need to continue to hit to play everyday. Bob Mundy (.247, 8, 48) isn't doing great in AAA this year, and with Bordes Rule-5 eligible I'm toying with the idea of promotion Bordes to Milwaukee or even Chicago for the last month of the season. I love having a third catcher and there's no one in the minors on the 40. We have plenty of open spots, and it may go down between an early look at Bordes or a final good bye for his backup Steve Mountain (.324, 1, 5).

LHP Ben Clough (B San Jose Cougars): All season long, skipper Red Lang wanted Ben Clough in the rotation. But I just wasn't interested in using last year's 14th Rounder as anything more then a stopper. But after a 1.99 ERA (3.23 ERA+) and 1.15 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and just 19 walks in an out shy of 50 innings, I finally caved and gave "Preacher Man" a late birthday give and gave him his first pro start the day after his 23rd birthday. After never throwing more then 46 pitches all season, Clough threw 104, an out away from a 6-hit shutout. He struck out four and walked just one, a truly remarkable first professional start. The encore was somehow better, as the southpaw threw a 4-hit shutout with six strikeouts and just one walk. These are absurd performances, as even with the two starts Clough is striking out 20.8% of the batters he faces. Hal Hackney (14-6, 3.31, 122), who is what Pete Papenfus (11-8, 2.86, 89) should be, is striking out over five percentage points lower (15.6%) then Clough. That's enough to convince me that I should be giving Clough another look, and he'll pitch the rest of the season in the Legislators rotation. This give him the chance to show off and make a case to start next season in AA. I still see him as a reliever long term, but he's definitely well along in his development, and the stuff is legit. He mixes four pitches, with a wicked circle change the clear headliner. The other three pitches are various mid 80s fastballs, with none really standing out. For a guy who tops out at 87, that's not very exciting, but if he can sit in the 90s like John Stallings (8-7, 2.89, 91) who knows what's possible. Clough has the advantage of a circle change, but one recently turned 23-year-old (Stallings' birthday was seven days earlier).is an ace, and the other I'll be happy with making AAA.

Oh shoot I gave it away...

1B Dudley Sapp (C La Crosse Lions): Somebody isn't happy about John Kerr signing. After a huge week last week, Dudley Sapp's encore was even better, going 9-for-18 with a homer and 7 RBIs. It's just 53 PAs, but Sapp is hitting .468/.510/.553 (153 OPS+) with a double, homer, and 10 RBIs. With Christian going down, I finally decided to move up Cal Rice, so instead of a timeshare with Kerr, Sapp will play every day up in San Jose. Our 3rd Round selection last season, Sapp took a hit in the power rankings this offseason, but still shows a lot of the tools I liked when scouting him out of high school. A strong 6'4'' righty, Sapp has legit power, perhaps at the levels of even Walt Pack (.264, 12, 37) and Red Bond (.292, 20, 55). He has an above average hit tool, and even though defense at first isn't the most important, he's one of those lefty throwers who could have played elsewhere in the infield if he was a righty. Dixie Marsh is a big fan, labeling Sapp as "an above average, everyday big league player," and I think there's a chance for him to reach that. At 19 he has a long time to go, but you can't teach raw power, and Sapp certainly has that.

Cougars in the GWL
RHP Preacher Pietsch (Houston Bulls): No FABL team made a trade after we picked up Luke Berry from the Miners, but a former Cougar first rounder was on the move in the GWL. The last place Conquistadores picked up two pitching prospects from the Houston Bulls for the 32-year-old veteran. A longtime Pioneer, Pietsch spent two and a half seasons in the San Diego pen, going 19-14 with 26 save in 150.1 innings spread across 115 appearances. He worked to an average 3.29 ERA (99 ERA+), but his 3.13 FIP (95 FIP-) was a bit above average. He has struck out 56 and walked 42, and should be a useful supplement to Hank Mittan (4-3, 20, 2.19, 48) at the back of the Bulls pen. This season he's 7-4 with 7 saves, a 2.95 ERA (108 ERA+), and a 1.41 WHIP. His 9.5 K% would be a career best and he's allowed just one homer in 58 innings. He's not a game changer by any means, but the Bulls are just 4.5 games behind the San Francisco Hawks for second place. There's plenty of time to make up ground, and he's a guy who can pitch multiple innings when needed.

RHP Ira Hawker (Dallas Centurions): One of the starts of the of the GWL, Ira Hawker led the GWL with 19 wins last season and his 2.94 career ERA is best among qualifying players all time, which includes the time the GWL was a minor league with FABL affiliates. Hawker is doing more of the same this year, and he capped off a stellar July with a 4-hit shutout as the Centurions outlasted the Conquistadores 1-0 in ten. That made him 5-1 for the month with a 1.83 ERA (177 ERA+) and 1.22 WHIP. As those numbers would lead you to believe, Hawker was named Pitcher of the Month in the GWL, and is now 11-6 with a 2.42 ERA (134 ERA+) in 174.2 innings pitched. He leads his team of all three triple crown categories, but on a non-contender may not get any award consideration. Hawker is one of many players with Cougar connections, as former 11th Rounder Rube Finegan (3-6, 4.55, 46) is in the rotation. Ken Mayhugh (.307, 11, 48) mans the hot corner and is on pace for nearly 7 WAR in 154 games, former 2nd Rounder Charlie Reed (.229, 1, 26, 4) plays everyday at short, and a piece of the Rabbit Day trade, Cougar draftee Billy Marshall (.340, 1, 9), has played sporadically off the bench. Mayhugh should be back with Hawker in 1949, but at 37 and 36 Marshall or Reed may decide to hang it up. There will be plenty of FABL quality players lost from rosters in the offseason, so the Centurions could try to build around Hawker, Mayhugh, Cy Braden (.332, 3, 18), Heinie Billings (.303, 7, 49, 11), and Al Gross (.302, 7, 43). Add another member to the rotation, and they could be deadly.