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ayaghmour2 · 09-19-2023, 12:08 AM

Weekly Record: 4-1
Seasonal Record: 65-53 (3rd, 4 GB)
Stars of the Week
Skipper Schneider : 20 AB, 8 H, 0 HR, 5 RBI, .400 AVG, .979 OPS
Clark Car : 18 AB, 7 H, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .389 AVG, 1.061 OPS
Red Bond : 14 AB, 6 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .429 AVG, 1.143 OPS

Schedule
8-17: Win at Stars (9-8)
8-18: Los at Stars (4-10)
8-20: Win vs Kings (12-13)
8-21: Win vs Kings (3-4)
8-22: Win vs Kings (0-1): 10 innings

Recap
I have some bad news, but for once, it's not about the on field performance! Our all-knowing commissioner is going on vacation, so instead of waiting until tomorrow (which is already hard enough) for our next sim, we will be off until next Tuesday. That means a full seven days without Cougar baseball, which for me, will feel like a millennium. Luckily the on-field performance was pretty solid, as we won not one, not two, and not even three one-run games, but four (!!) consecutive one-run games. This comes right after losing three against the same teams from this week, and we're now a far more respectable 18-21 in those pesky one-run outings and only a -3 on our expected record. We were outscored this week by two runs, but we won all but one of our five games and we are now within four games of the first place starts. It still feels like an insurmountable climb, and with four games against the Stars in our last seven, we have a chance to control our own destiny.

Although I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing yet...

Can you really trust these Cougars?

I know I can't!!!

One guy I know I can always trust is Duke Bybee, as he continues to find ways to win games. The 26-year-old southpaw survived no run support through nine innings, tossing a 10-inning, 4-hit shutout with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts in our tight 1-0 win over the Kings. Bybee improved to an impressive 16-6 on the season and lowered his ERA and WHIP to 2.49 ERA (157 ERA+) and 1.13. Unless Rufus Barrell (17-6, 1.82, 96) forgets how to dominant, Bybee isn't winning anything this year, but the talented sophomore ranks top five in the association in ERA (3rd), wins (2nd), shutouts (t-1st, 4), WHIP (3rd), ERA+ (3rd), rWAR (2nd, 7.1), opponent average (3rd, .225), win percentage (3rd, .727), and quality starts (2nd, 20). I still don't love the 3.75 FIP (95 FIP-) and the 1.2 K/BB, but his actual performance has been stellar and the team is an impressive 17-7 in games he starts, which is easily the best on the staff as the other four starters have nine or ten losses themselves.

We got a little injury scare in our 9-8 win over the Stars, as George Oddo left after just two innings with back stiffness. Thankfully he's fine, and will be able to make his next start, and as much as I love his hustle, I'd prefer he not slide head first into second base, even if it drove in a run during our massive 7-run third. Max Wilder made the worst substitution choice, letting pitcher Charlie Kelsey pinch-run just to not let him pitch. Ken Matson came in after, and he was not very good, allowing 5 hits, 5 runs, and a walk in 2.1 innings pitched. He still got the win, but Jim Kenny was far more effective, with just 3 hits, an unearned run, and a strikeout in 3 solid relief innings. Eddie Howard then picked up his first big league save, allowing just a single hit in 1.2 scoreless frames. We're lucky this didn't go into extras, as blowing a 9-2 lead against the Stars would have been detrimental to our playoff hopes, and we were down a reliever with Kelsey's surprising pinch-running appearance, and I have zero faith in Harry Parker throwing meaningful innings.

The lone loss of the week was charged to Johnnie Jones, but both of the Jones brothers pitched really poorly. Depending on how you look at it, Johnnie was slightly better, as he allowed 8 hits, 8 runs (6 earned), and 7 walks with 3 strikeouts in 5.2 innings. In an inning less, Donnie was tagged for 9 hits and 7 runs, but with a walk and four strikeouts you could make the case that he had the better outing. Of course, both were terrible, but we won Donnie's start despite both relievers allowing runs. Charlie Kelsey went 3.1 innings, but was tagged for 8 hits, 4 runs, and 4 walk without getting a strikeout. Ken Matson got the win, but only after blowing the save, allowing 2 hits, a run, and a walk with a strikeout in an inning of work. His scoreless streak was already over in the previously mentioned game when Oddo got hurt, but after allowing zero runs in 15.1 innings, he allowed 6 runs in just 3.1 innings this week, inflating his ERA and WHIP to 3.49 (112 ERA+) and 1.39. Those are still very respectable, but not quite the dominant numbers you want from your stopper. Our last start went to Peter the Heater, who picked up a complete game win with 7 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. His 14 wins trail just Rufus and Duke, he's on pace for 18 victories, which would be twice as many as last year.

Believe it or not, the offense continues to be good, even if it was more of a team effort then anything. Red Bond led the way, 6-for-14 with a homer, 4 RBIs, 3 runs, and get this -- a steal! It's his first as a Cougar, ninth in 1,323 FABL games, and just his second steal in since 1941! Sure, he missed three seasons with the war (1943-1945), but steals from the renowned slugger? That's a collector's item! Clark Car swiped two bags, and that's not unexpected at all, but a 7-for-18 with 2 doubles, a triple, 4 runs, and 4 RBIs is a welcomed surprise. Same goes for Skipper's 8-for-20 with 3 doubles, 4 runs, and 5 RBIs. It's been an up-and-down season for the 27-year-old, who's on pace for his lowest WAR (4.5) since he was a teenager (2.3 in 1940), while still elite, a 16.5 zone rating (1.111 eff) isn't too exciting. I don't think anything is wrong with his glove, him and Gordie Perkins (18.6, 1.116) are the only two shortstops with an efficiency above 1.100, and is likely more telling of how many excellent defenders there are at the position now. The days of 7.5+ WAR seasons may be over, but that won't stop Skipper from being one of the top players in the game. Sal Pestilli is another, and he slugged 2 homers and 2 triples, showing that even 4-for-21 can be useful when it comes with extra base hits, 3 RBIs, 5 runs, and 3 walks. Sal has a similar 13.8 zone rating (1.030 eff) in center, and despite a middling .257 average has a .509 slugging and 129 WRC+. He's 0.2 WAR away from sixth 5 WAR season, and just his second since 1941. It took some time for him to enjoy himself in Chicago, but he's been loving himself lately, and has posted a 125 WRC+ or higher in each of the last four months. If he wants to play baseball on his birthday (October 5th), we're going to need some magic from him, but it is so nice to see legitimate offensive production from a lineup that didn't get going until the weather started getting nicer.

Looking Ahead
Off to start the week, before we begin a road trip that takes us into September. The start is two with the Sailors, who are off as well and 2.5 games behind the Stars at 67-52. Marion Boismenu (.352, 24, 6) is healthy and back in the lineup, and Ed Reyes (.343, 5, 57) may be hoping he fails to reach the qualifying number of PAs this season. Reyes has an 18 point lead over Hal Wood (.325, 3, 53) in the batting race, but if qualified Boismenu would be the CA's leader. Harvey Brown (.287, 2, 40, 25) is healthy again too, so now all eight members of the Sailors lineup have a WRC+ above 90. Solly Skidmore (.270, 2, 32) is almost back to average at 99 while Les Cunha (.270, 5, 62) isn't too far back at 94. The Sailors score plenty of runs and do a solid job preventing them, so it's no surprise they are in the thick of things again. Their entire rotation has an ERA+ above 100, although I'm not sold on John Henry Johnson (8-6, 3.90, 46) or Art Hull (11-8, 1, 3.61, 76). I don't expect to see either, with the likeliest matchup Al Duster (9-9, 3.44, 66) in game one and ace Win Lewis (10-8, 2.83, 81) in game two. These will be two hard fought games, and I'm really hoping we still have a little one-run magic left when we return next week.

Our next three games come against our favorite foe, the Cleveland Foresters, who at 45-74 have helped inflate the Continental Association's records all season long. It's our last trip to Cleveland, where we'll face a team that has lost 14 of their last 20 in a brutal month of August. The offense stopped scoring, as they're now tied with the Saints for the fewest (477) runs scored in the association. Some of the youngsters have started to cool off, but first basemen Chuck McHenry (.292, 5, 24) boasts a 122 WRC+ in 58 games and the "veterans" Ivey Henley (.316, 9, 57) and Jim Adams Jr. (.281, 3, 29, 10) are always tough outs. One guy definitely keeping an eye on though is the exciting Sherry Doyal (.265, 3, 10), who has drawn comparisons to our own Sal Pestilli, as Doyal is quick, racks up extra base hits (10 XBH in 108 PAs), and plays a strong center field. Sherry has shown signs of plate discipline in the past, and while he's striking out (40, 15.9%) a lot more then he's walking (6, 5.6%), both OSA and Dixie Marsh are excited for his eventual eye. He has a very high ceiling and could be a star, so we're lucky he's far from a finished product now.

If you care a bout bullpen ERA (2.79) the Foresters are the best, but the rotation has contributed to allowing the most runs (600) of any Continental Association staff. Even with a rough week, we've allowed 158 fewer runs (442) in one fewer game. If all goes to plan, Pete Papenfus (14-9, 3.23, 106), Duke Bybee (16-6, 2.49, 74), and Johnnie Jones (9-103, 3.30, 85) will have no problem with whoever they face. Their best has been Ducky Davis (4-11, 3.61, 52), who seems likely to start the opener. Ollie White (5-9, 3.63, 90) is probably the most talented arm on the team, as despite his occasional control lapses he's been almost unhittable as a reliever (2-1, 7, 1.36, 29). The same goes for Walt Hill (1-3, 6, 1.53, 33), which makes me nervous in a close game. We're going to need to score early and often to win these games, as even with the recent luck I do not trust us in close games.

The week ends with one in Toronto, who enters the week tied for fifth with an identical record (58-62) as the recently swept Brooklyn Kings. 2-Time Whitney Winner Fred McCormick is having about as good of an August as you can, slashing .370/.477/.753 (213 OPS+) in 88 trips to the plate. McCormick has walked (15) much more frequently then he struck out (6), and he's tallied 9 doubles, 2 triples, 5 homers, 13 runs, and 15 RBIs. That's reminiscent of the dominant star before the war, where he led his association in WRC+ four times from 1935 to 1939. His .297/.406/.516 (137 OPS+) season line is remarkable for a 38-year-old, and his 15.3 walk rate is actually better then his career norm (13.9). The Reticent Reaper has added 28 doubles, 8 triples, 15 homers, 71 runs, 74 walks, and 66 RBIs in 115 games and is still one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. We'll definitely have to worry about him, as he's still the type of player who can takeover the game. I'm hoping his former teammate Walt Pack (.286, 17, 50) can counter him in a return to his old stadium. Pack hasn't homer in any of our trips north so I'm hoping he can show out in front of the fanbase that watched him for eight years.

I originally thought this would be the last post for a while, but then I realized I totally forgot to continue a series I was planning on doing. I love reviewing draft classes twenty years after the fact, and that's exactly what I started in 1945 with "A Look Back at the 1925 FABL Draft" last year during the 1945 draft. I was supposed to do these each year, but it totally slipped my mind. Now with a little break, I can get started on the 1926 class, which was one of the weakest drafts I can remember. I'm not sure how long this will take, so I might not get to '27 and '28, but the '26 one will definitely come out some time this week. If I remember in the future, the best time for these may be the offseason, so I may save the '28 one for a later lull before the draft. There may be a post tomorrow, or maybe not. but I for one can't wait for this regular season to end, as I'll spend the next week imagining all the creative ways we can come up short.

Should be fun!

Speaking of drafts, the signing deadline was today, and nine players announced their official institution for the 1949 season. Here are where are former draftees will be and when they will be draft eligible again:

2B Bob Benton (12th Round): North Carolina Tech (2051)
RHP Ed Watson (15th Round): Wapasha College (2051)
SS Warren Ross (16th Round): Central Ohio (2051)
RHP Marty Davis (17th Round): College of Waco (2051)
C Ralph Greenlee (18th Round): Mississippi Tech (2051)
SS Dick Senatore (21st Round): Johnstown State (2051)
RHP George Hutchison (22nd Round): Bayou State College (1949)
RHP Joe Van Valkenburg (24th Round): Cowpens State (1949)

Minor League Report
RHP Zane Kelley (AAA Milwaukee Blues): If I could predict the Century League Pitcher of the Month, I'd go for Milwaukee right hander Zane Kelley. His first start came in a 2-1 nailbiter out in Milwaukee against the Tornadoes, where Kelley went 8 and allowed just 7 hits, a run, and 3 walks with just 2 strikeouts. As fate would have it, he again drew the Tornadoes, but this time out in Toledo. The former 7th Rounder's encore impressed, as he twirled a 5-hit shutout with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts. Now in the most recent week, Kelley was back and home, and with 8 runs of support tossed a 9-hit shutout with 5 strikeouts and just 2 walks. The 22-year-old improved to 12-4, winning each of his last six starts. A four-pitch groundballer, Kelley has an excellent 3.75 ERA (122 ERA+) and 1.42 WHIP with 50 strikeouts in his first 19 starts in AAA. Ranked as our 21st best prospect and the 182nd in FABL, he get excellent movement on all his pitches, with the feature a gnarly changeup. He compliments it by pounding the zone with his fastball, getting chases with his cutter, and grounders with the sinker. He won't allow many homers, and his 0.6 HR/9 is actually his highest at any level. As someone who is eligible for the Rule-5 draft, he could get a late audition on the big league roster, but with the Blues (64-49) deep in a pennant race with Kansas City (64-49) and Minneapolis (63-50), he'll stick around in AAA and continue to lead the rotation. If he could every add some speed, he could be special, as he's super effective in the mid-80s. Just imagine if he was comfortably in the 90s like Pap, Bybee, or one of the Jones Brothers! That would be scary!

RHP Jackie Reynolds (C La Crosse Lions): Lions skipper Art Garey hasn't wanted to use Jackie Reynolds all season. But with a needed promotion, we had room in the rotation, and I thought the former 12th Rounder was deserving of a start. He did not disappoint. The 19-year-old allowed just 5 hits and a walk with 2 strikeouts in his fourth professional start. Reynolds threw 20 innings last season for the Lions, allowing 20 hits, 8 runs, and 9 walks with 16 strikeouts. A three pitch pitcher, this performance makes it highly like Reynold finishes the year in the rotation, giving him three weeks to make a case for permanent innings. As a finesse pitcher he'll have to master his command, as he's susceptible to long periods where he can't hit the zone. That will always get in the way of him making the big leagues as he doesn't project to be able to overpower hitters. He has a nice curve and the overall stuff is good, but he lacks a true third pitch. He has the stamina to start, but I'm not sure if he'll ever have success in the rotation without serious improvement.

Cougars in the GWL
RHP Del Burns (Portland Green Sox): And there goes the hat trick! GWL Pitcher of August Del Burns threw his third consecutive shutout, a 6-hit shutout to even his record at 10-10. The Green Sox ace now has a miniscule 1.06 ERA (303) and 0.91 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and just 9 walks in 34 innings. That makes 29 consecutive scoreless innings for Burns, who's ERA has been shrunk to 2.33 (137 ERA+) in 196.2 innings pitched. He's got a two start week ahead of him, so chance are he won't finish the week perfect, but you can bet that if he adds even one more shutout you'll hear all about it. He's been a nice and affordable pickup for a Portland team that is still a few pieces away from making a run at a postseason berth.

RHP Luis Sandoval (Houston Bulls): He also did it again! Mr. Shutout tossed another! It was another excellent tart from Luis Sandoval, who spun a 7-hit shutout with 4 strikeouts and zero walks, giving him his fifth win in six decisions. It's a nice change of pace for Sandoval, who started the season 4-10 before going on this impressive streak. This has helped the Bulls move up in the standings, now 64-56 -- good for second place and a ticket to the Bigsby Cup. The season is far from over, but they have a two game lead over San Francisco (62-58), the third and final team above .500. Sandoval now has a 2.78 ERA (114 ERA+), 1.29 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts in 207 innings pitched. While more then solid, the Bulls have revamped their rotation, so he is now the highest of four pitchers with an ERA below 3. Bill McGraw (8-7, 2.55, 96) has been with the team all season, but they added former Eagle Tommy Shafer (4-3, 2.44, 44) and former Dynamo Jim Bob Jones (4-3, 2.51, 54) on minor league deals in July. Neither of these two pitches in an FABL game, but both threw innings for their respective Fed teams last season. Sandoval is probably the most talented of the bunch, and new additions Art Cascone (.281, 8, 49) and Wally Flowers (.298, 4, 20) have helped lengthen the lineup. They've turned from middle-of-the-pack to title contenders very quickly, and they're well positioned to make a run.

09-19-2023, 12:08 AM	#1212
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Week 18: August 16th-August 22nd Weekly Record: 4-1 Seasonal Record: 65-53 (3rd, 4 GB) Stars of the Week Skipper Schneider : 20 AB, 8 H, 0 HR, 5 RBI, .400 AVG, .979 OPS Clark Car : 18 AB, 7 H, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .389 AVG, 1.061 OPS Red Bond : 14 AB, 6 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .429 AVG, 1.143 OPS Schedule 8-17: Win at Stars (9-8) 8-18: Los at Stars (4-10) 8-20: Win vs Kings (12-13) 8-21: Win vs Kings (3-4) 8-22: Win vs Kings (0-1): 10 innings Recap I have some bad news, but for once, it's not about the on field performance! Our all-knowing commissioner is going on vacation, so instead of waiting until tomorrow (which is already hard enough) for our next sim, we will be off until next Tuesday. That means a full seven days without Cougar baseball, which for me, will feel like a millennium. Luckily the on-field performance was pretty solid, as we won not one, not two, and not even three one-run games, but four (!!) consecutive one-run games. This comes right after losing three against the same teams from this week, and we're now a far more respectable 18-21 in those pesky one-run outings and only a -3 on our expected record. We were outscored this week by two runs, but we won all but one of our five games and we are now within four games of the first place starts. It still feels like an insurmountable climb, and with four games against the Stars in our last seven, we have a chance to control our own destiny. Although I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing yet... Can you really trust these Cougars? I know I can't!!! One guy I know I can always trust is Duke Bybee, as he continues to find ways to win games. The 26-year-old southpaw survived no run support through nine innings, tossing a 10-inning, 4-hit shutout with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts in our tight 1-0 win over the Kings. Bybee improved to an impressive 16-6 on the season and lowered his ERA and WHIP to 2.49 ERA (157 ERA+) and 1.13. Unless Rufus Barrell (17-6, 1.82, 96) forgets how to dominant, Bybee isn't winning anything this year, but the talented sophomore ranks top five in the association in ERA (3rd), wins (2nd), shutouts (t-1st, 4), WHIP (3rd), ERA+ (3rd), rWAR (2nd, 7.1), opponent average (3rd, .225), win percentage (3rd, .727), and quality starts (2nd, 20). I still don't love the 3.75 FIP (95 FIP-) and the 1.2 K/BB, but his actual performance has been stellar and the team is an impressive 17-7 in games he starts, which is easily the best on the staff as the other four starters have nine or ten losses themselves. We got a little injury scare in our 9-8 win over the Stars, as George Oddo left after just two innings with back stiffness. Thankfully he's fine, and will be able to make his next start, and as much as I love his hustle, I'd prefer he not slide head first into second base, even if it drove in a run during our massive 7-run third. Max Wilder made the worst substitution choice, letting pitcher Charlie Kelsey pinch-run just to not let him pitch. Ken Matson came in after, and he was not very good, allowing 5 hits, 5 runs, and a walk in 2.1 innings pitched. He still got the win, but Jim Kenny was far more effective, with just 3 hits, an unearned run, and a strikeout in 3 solid relief innings. Eddie Howard then picked up his first big league save, allowing just a single hit in 1.2 scoreless frames. We're lucky this didn't go into extras, as blowing a 9-2 lead against the Stars would have been detrimental to our playoff hopes, and we were down a reliever with Kelsey's surprising pinch-running appearance, and I have zero faith in Harry Parker throwing meaningful innings. The lone loss of the week was charged to Johnnie Jones, but both of the Jones brothers pitched really poorly. Depending on how you look at it, Johnnie was slightly better, as he allowed 8 hits, 8 runs (6 earned), and 7 walks with 3 strikeouts in 5.2 innings. In an inning less, Donnie was tagged for 9 hits and 7 runs, but with a walk and four strikeouts you could make the case that he had the better outing. Of course, both were terrible, but we won Donnie's start despite both relievers allowing runs. Charlie Kelsey went 3.1 innings, but was tagged for 8 hits, 4 runs, and 4 walk without getting a strikeout. Ken Matson got the win, but only after blowing the save, allowing 2 hits, a run, and a walk with a strikeout in an inning of work. His scoreless streak was already over in the previously mentioned game when Oddo got hurt, but after allowing zero runs in 15.1 innings, he allowed 6 runs in just 3.1 innings this week, inflating his ERA and WHIP to 3.49 (112 ERA+) and 1.39. Those are still very respectable, but not quite the dominant numbers you want from your stopper. Our last start went to Peter the Heater, who picked up a complete game win with 7 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. His 14 wins trail just Rufus and Duke, he's on pace for 18 victories, which would be twice as many as last year. Believe it or not, the offense continues to be good, even if it was more of a team effort then anything. Red Bond led the way, 6-for-14 with a homer, 4 RBIs, 3 runs, and get this -- a steal! It's his first as a Cougar, ninth in 1,323 FABL games, and just his second steal in since 1941! Sure, he missed three seasons with the war (1943-1945), but steals from the renowned slugger? That's a collector's item! Clark Car swiped two bags, and that's not unexpected at all, but a 7-for-18 with 2 doubles, a triple, 4 runs, and 4 RBIs is a welcomed surprise. Same goes for Skipper's 8-for-20 with 3 doubles, 4 runs, and 5 RBIs. It's been an up-and-down season for the 27-year-old, who's on pace for his lowest WAR (4.5) since he was a teenager (2.3 in 1940), while still elite, a 16.5 zone rating (1.111 eff) isn't too exciting. I don't think anything is wrong with his glove, him and Gordie Perkins (18.6, 1.116) are the only two shortstops with an efficiency above 1.100, and is likely more telling of how many excellent defenders there are at the position now. The days of 7.5+ WAR seasons may be over, but that won't stop Skipper from being one of the top players in the game. Sal Pestilli is another, and he slugged 2 homers and 2 triples, showing that even 4-for-21 can be useful when it comes with extra base hits, 3 RBIs, 5 runs, and 3 walks. Sal has a similar 13.8 zone rating (1.030 eff) in center, and despite a middling .257 average has a .509 slugging and 129 WRC+. He's 0.2 WAR away from sixth 5 WAR season, and just his second since 1941. It took some time for him to enjoy himself in Chicago, but he's been loving himself lately, and has posted a 125 WRC+ or higher in each of the last four months. If he wants to play baseball on his birthday (October 5th), we're going to need some magic from him, but it is so nice to see legitimate offensive production from a lineup that didn't get going until the weather started getting nicer. Looking Ahead Off to start the week, before we begin a road trip that takes us into September. The start is two with the Sailors, who are off as well and 2.5 games behind the Stars at 67-52. Marion Boismenu (.352, 24, 6) is healthy and back in the lineup, and Ed Reyes (.343, 5, 57) may be hoping he fails to reach the qualifying number of PAs this season. Reyes has an 18 point lead over Hal Wood (.325, 3, 53) in the batting race, but if qualified Boismenu would be the CA's leader. Harvey Brown (.287, 2, 40, 25) is healthy again too, so now all eight members of the Sailors lineup have a WRC+ above 90. Solly Skidmore (.270, 2, 32) is almost back to average at 99 while Les Cunha (.270, 5, 62) isn't too far back at 94. The Sailors score plenty of runs and do a solid job preventing them, so it's no surprise they are in the thick of things again. Their entire rotation has an ERA+ above 100, although I'm not sold on John Henry Johnson (8-6, 3.90, 46) or Art Hull (11-8, 1, 3.61, 76). I don't expect to see either, with the likeliest matchup Al Duster (9-9, 3.44, 66) in game one and ace Win Lewis (10-8, 2.83, 81) in game two. These will be two hard fought games, and I'm really hoping we still have a little one-run magic left when we return next week. Our next three games come against our favorite foe, the Cleveland Foresters, who at 45-74 have helped inflate the Continental Association's records all season long. It's our last trip to Cleveland, where we'll face a team that has lost 14 of their last 20 in a brutal month of August. The offense stopped scoring, as they're now tied with the Saints for the fewest (477) runs scored in the association. Some of the youngsters have started to cool off, but first basemen Chuck McHenry (.292, 5, 24) boasts a 122 WRC+ in 58 games and the "veterans" Ivey Henley (.316, 9, 57) and Jim Adams Jr. (.281, 3, 29, 10) are always tough outs. One guy definitely keeping an eye on though is the exciting Sherry Doyal (.265, 3, 10), who has drawn comparisons to our own Sal Pestilli, as Doyal is quick, racks up extra base hits (10 XBH in 108 PAs), and plays a strong center field. Sherry has shown signs of plate discipline in the past, and while he's striking out (40, 15.9%) a lot more then he's walking (6, 5.6%), both OSA and Dixie Marsh are excited for his eventual eye. He has a very high ceiling and could be a star, so we're lucky he's far from a finished product now. If you care a bout bullpen ERA (2.79) the Foresters are the best, but the rotation has contributed to allowing the most runs (600) of any Continental Association staff. Even with a rough week, we've allowed 158 fewer runs (442) in one fewer game. If all goes to plan, Pete Papenfus (14-9, 3.23, 106), Duke Bybee (16-6, 2.49, 74), and Johnnie Jones (9-103, 3.30, 85) will have no problem with whoever they face. Their best has been Ducky Davis (4-11, 3.61, 52), who seems likely to start the opener. Ollie White (5-9, 3.63, 90) is probably the most talented arm on the team, as despite his occasional control lapses he's been almost unhittable as a reliever (2-1, 7, 1.36, 29). The same goes for Walt Hill (1-3, 6, 1.53, 33), which makes me nervous in a close game. We're going to need to score early and often to win these games, as even with the recent luck I do not trust us in close games. The week ends with one in Toronto, who enters the week tied for fifth with an identical record (58-62) as the recently swept Brooklyn Kings. 2-Time Whitney Winner Fred McCormick is having about as good of an August as you can, slashing .370/.477/.753 (213 OPS+) in 88 trips to the plate. McCormick has walked (15) much more frequently then he struck out (6), and he's tallied 9 doubles, 2 triples, 5 homers, 13 runs, and 15 RBIs. That's reminiscent of the dominant star before the war, where he led his association in WRC+ four times from 1935 to 1939. His .297/.406/.516 (137 OPS+) season line is remarkable for a 38-year-old, and his 15.3 walk rate is actually better then his career norm (13.9). The Reticent Reaper has added 28 doubles, 8 triples, 15 homers, 71 runs, 74 walks, and 66 RBIs in 115 games and is still one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. We'll definitely have to worry about him, as he's still the type of player who can takeover the game. I'm hoping his former teammate Walt Pack (.286, 17, 50) can counter him in a return to his old stadium. Pack hasn't homer in any of our trips north so I'm hoping he can show out in front of the fanbase that watched him for eight years. I originally thought this would be the last post for a while, but then I realized I totally forgot to continue a series I was planning on doing. I love reviewing draft classes twenty years after the fact, and that's exactly what I started in 1945 with "A Look Back at the 1925 FABL Draft" last year during the 1945 draft. I was supposed to do these each year, but it totally slipped my mind. Now with a little break, I can get started on the 1926 class, which was one of the weakest drafts I can remember. I'm not sure how long this will take, so I might not get to '27 and '28, but the '26 one will definitely come out some time this week. If I remember in the future, the best time for these may be the offseason, so I may save the '28 one for a later lull before the draft. There may be a post tomorrow, or maybe not. but I for one can't wait for this regular season to end, as I'll spend the next week imagining all the creative ways we can come up short. Should be fun! Speaking of drafts, the signing deadline was today, and nine players announced their official institution for the 1949 season. Here are where are former draftees will be and when they will be draft eligible again: 2B Bob Benton (12th Round): North Carolina Tech (2051) RHP Ed Watson (15th Round): Wapasha College (2051) SS Warren Ross (16th Round): Central Ohio (2051) RHP Marty Davis (17th Round): College of Waco (2051) C Ralph Greenlee (18th Round): Mississippi Tech (2051) SS Dick Senatore (21st Round): Johnstown State (2051) RHP George Hutchison (22nd Round): Bayou State College (1949) RHP Joe Van Valkenburg (24th Round): Cowpens State (1949) Minor League Report RHP Zane Kelley (AAA Milwaukee Blues): If I could predict the Century League Pitcher of the Month, I'd go for Milwaukee right hander Zane Kelley. His first start came in a 2-1 nailbiter out in Milwaukee against the Tornadoes, where Kelley went 8 and allowed just 7 hits, a run, and 3 walks with just 2 strikeouts. As fate would have it, he again drew the Tornadoes, but this time out in Toledo. The former 7th Rounder's encore impressed, as he twirled a 5-hit shutout with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts. Now in the most recent week, Kelley was back and home, and with 8 runs of support tossed a 9-hit shutout with 5 strikeouts and just 2 walks. The 22-year-old improved to 12-4, winning each of his last six starts. A four-pitch groundballer, Kelley has an excellent 3.75 ERA (122 ERA+) and 1.42 WHIP with 50 strikeouts in his first 19 starts in AAA. Ranked as our 21st best prospect and the 182nd in FABL, he get excellent movement on all his pitches, with the feature a gnarly changeup. He compliments it by pounding the zone with his fastball, getting chases with his cutter, and grounders with the sinker. He won't allow many homers, and his 0.6 HR/9 is actually his highest at any level. As someone who is eligible for the Rule-5 draft, he could get a late audition on the big league roster, but with the Blues (64-49) deep in a pennant race with Kansas City (64-49) and Minneapolis (63-50), he'll stick around in AAA and continue to lead the rotation. If he could every add some speed, he could be special, as he's super effective in the mid-80s. Just imagine if he was comfortably in the 90s like Pap, Bybee, or one of the Jones Brothers! That would be scary! RHP Jackie Reynolds (C La Crosse Lions): Lions skipper Art Garey hasn't wanted to use Jackie Reynolds all season. But with a needed promotion, we had room in the rotation, and I thought the former 12th Rounder was deserving of a start. He did not disappoint. The 19-year-old allowed just 5 hits and a walk with 2 strikeouts in his fourth professional start. Reynolds threw 20 innings last season for the Lions, allowing 20 hits, 8 runs, and 9 walks with 16 strikeouts. A three pitch pitcher, this performance makes it highly like Reynold finishes the year in the rotation, giving him three weeks to make a case for permanent innings. As a finesse pitcher he'll have to master his command, as he's susceptible to long periods where he can't hit the zone. That will always get in the way of him making the big leagues as he doesn't project to be able to overpower hitters. He has a nice curve and the overall stuff is good, but he lacks a true third pitch. He has the stamina to start, but I'm not sure if he'll ever have success in the rotation without serious improvement. Cougars in the GWL RHP Del Burns (Portland Green Sox): And there goes the hat trick! GWL Pitcher of August Del Burns threw his third consecutive shutout, a 6-hit shutout to even his record at 10-10. The Green Sox ace now has a miniscule 1.06 ERA (303) and 0.91 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and just 9 walks in 34 innings. That makes 29 consecutive scoreless innings for Burns, who's ERA has been shrunk to 2.33 (137 ERA+) in 196.2 innings pitched. He's got a two start week ahead of him, so chance are he won't finish the week perfect, but you can bet that if he adds even one more shutout you'll hear all about it. He's been a nice and affordable pickup for a Portland team that is still a few pieces away from making a run at a postseason berth. RHP Luis Sandoval (Houston Bulls): He also did it again! Mr. Shutout tossed another! It was another excellent tart from Luis Sandoval, who spun a 7-hit shutout with 4 strikeouts and zero walks, giving him his fifth win in six decisions. It's a nice change of pace for Sandoval, who started the season 4-10 before going on this impressive streak. This has helped the Bulls move up in the standings, now 64-56 -- good for second place and a ticket to the Bigsby Cup. The season is far from over, but they have a two game lead over San Francisco (62-58), the third and final team above .500. Sandoval now has a 2.78 ERA (114 ERA+), 1.29 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts in 207 innings pitched. While more then solid, the Bulls have revamped their rotation, so he is now the highest of four pitchers with an ERA below 3. Bill McGraw (8-7, 2.55, 96) has been with the team all season, but they added former Eagle Tommy Shafer (4-3, 2.44, 44) and former Dynamo Jim Bob Jones (4-3, 2.51, 54) on minor league deals in July. Neither of these two pitches in an FABL game, but both threw innings for their respective Fed teams last season. Sandoval is probably the most talented of the bunch, and new additions Art Cascone (.281, 8, 49) and Wally Flowers (.298, 4, 20) have helped lengthen the lineup. They've turned from middle-of-the-pack to title contenders very quickly, and they're well positioned to make a run. Last edited by ayaghmour2; 09-28-2023 at 02:51 PM.