BNN Weekly Report
This Week in the CBO, BMU, and GBRL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
19 September 2304
Analysis
The 2304 season has come to a conclusion, and the best 10 teams are now clinched for the playoffs with Roxbury (91-29) and County Crossing (86-34) possessing their association's top records.
A quick glance at PAM's preseason predictions shows that there are a few surprises but not that significant a number. For example, PAM's association winner picks were County Crossing and Atom. She also had Sunshine Tidings (predicted tiebreaker winner over Concord) and Roxbury winning their leagues.
For playoff teams missed, PAM had the Radstags in and Easy Town out in the North Charles Association and FHE in and Diamond City out in the South Charles Association. Here are the playoff final seeds with PAM's picks in parentheses:
NCA: 1) County Crossing (1), 2) Sunshine Tidings (2), 3) Nordhagen Beach (3), 4) Fort Hagen (5), 5) Easy Town (6)
SCA: 1) Roxbury (2), 2) Jamaica Plain (5), 3) University Point (3), 4) Diamond City (6), 5) Atom (1)
We're not going to break down the Power Rankings in full, but instead take a look at the playoff outlook for the 2304 season. As a reference, the Top 5 are: 1) Roxbury, 2) County Crossing, 3) Jamaica Plain, 4) Nordhagen Beach, 5) Atom
NCA
Of the five playoff teams, no team stood out more than any other over the last two weeks. In fact, four of the five playoff teams were 6-4 in their last 10 games with Sunshine Tidings limping in with a 4-6 week, though they did go 4-1 in their last five.
In the Institute League, Fort Hagen faded away in the end, getting surprisingly swept in their final series at Starlight after battling to a series split with County Crossing earlier in the week. That leaves the Silver Shroud come sin at the #4 seed, which has not historically been a barrier for them in terms of reaching their goals. In fact, last season, the Shroud also came in as the #4 seed and beat out Sunshine Tidings, Nordhagen Beach, and Concord on their way to their third Sole Survivor Series before succumbing to Roxbury in seven games.
Overall, the NCA playoffs look similar to the 2303 version with last season's #2 seed and the NCA runners-up, Concord, being the only team not returning with the Assaultrons taking their place. For Easy Town, they return to the playoffs for the first time since 2300 and make only their third playoff appearance ever. In 2298, the Trons propelled themselves all the way to the first year of the full CBO's NCA champions, eventually falling to Goodneighbor in the Sole Survivor Series. However, that team looked much different than this year's team.
County Crossing stayed at arm's length ahead of Nordhagen Beach all season in the Brotherhood League. Both teams are good at just every position and ideally should be the two teams battling for the NCA crown this season. In a series that had traditionally been in favor of the Beach Boys, that dynamic has shifted to even odds. In fact, each team won six games versus the other in 2304, meaning a matchup in the NCA Championship Series would be an epic battle.
Quick prediction in the playoffs:
Shroud over Assaultrons
Bloodbugs over Shroud
Party Boys over Chemists
Boys over Bugs
SCA
The SCA may be in trouble based on the way the defending champions, the Roxbury Rad Sox, finished the 2304 season. The Sox won their last 11 games of the season, clinching the CBO record for wins (91) and winning percentage (.758) in the process, shattering Nordhagen Beach's 2301 season (79-29, .731).
Other than the Minutemen League's Jamaica Plain's quadruple threat of Digger Vadim (17-2, 2.25), Chris Teddybear (17-7, 2.80), Chris Deathclaw (11-7, 2.47), and Tim Fusion (19-5, 3.16), the Sox sport a dominant starting four in Nuke Laloosh (14-5, 2.49), Eugene Gym (16-6, 2.74), College Luckyman (15-6, 2.70), and Whokill Poole (18-4, 3.20). A clash of these two titan pitching staffs would be epic!
While people were down on Diamond City, thinking their six-season playoff streak would come to an end, the two-time CBO champions return for their seventh-straight playoff appearance. The Swatters will face off as the #4 seed against a suddenly-hot Atom team that swept its last two series to fend off FHE's bid for the #5 seed.
University Point limps into the playoffs, losing its final five games and going 1-9 in its last 10 to blow its ML lead over the Red Rockets. The top hitting team in the SCA, the Deathclaws may not quite have the pitching punch it needs to overcome either Jamaica Plain or Roxbury. However, they do get to face off with their rival Rockets in the semifinals, with the teams going 6-6 against each other in the regular season.
Quick prediction in the playoffs:
Cats over Swatters
Sox over Cats
Rockets over Claws
Rad Sox over Red Rockets
Sole Survivor Series prediction: Roxbury 4, Nordhagen Beach 2
Standings
Playoff Tree
Team vs Team
Power Rankings
Players of the Week
NCA
September 12 - At the age of 27, Zeldolph Violet might have some potential he hasn't realized yet -- if his success at the plate last week is any indication. The County Crossing first baseman put up some exceptional numbers the past seven days with a .579 batting average. For his efforts Violet collected the North Charles Association Player of the Week Award.
He racked up 11 hits in 19 at-bats, 3 home runs and 8 RBIs last week in 5 games.
Violet is currently batting .345 with 22 home runs, 82 RBIs and 74 runs scored. He has 140 hits in 406 at-bats.
September 19 - Ross Merchantman has the tools to stick in this league for many years. The 22-year-old third baseman of the Lexington Synths had a hot bat in the North Charles Association over the past seven days and won the Player of the Week honors.
Merchantman batted .476 with 10 hits in 21 at-bats, 2 home runs and 12 RBIs.
Merchantman is currently batting .281 with 27 home runs and 103 RBIs.
SCA
September 12 - The marquee name in the South Charles Association this week is Donny Kowalski of the FHE Yao Guai.
The hot-hitting 26-year-old first baseman put up a .435 average and .440 on-base percentage, piling up 10 hits in 23 at-bats, 4 home runs, 8 RBIs and 6 runs scored.
That kind of hitting got him the SCA Player of the Week honors.
Kowalski is hitting .301 this season with 29 home runs, 96 RBIs and 80 runs scored. He has 125 hits in 415 at-bats.
September 19 - It's always a thrill for fans of the team and students of the game alike when a superstar in the making shows what he's got. Joe Rathmann, the FHE Yao Guai 25-year-old right fielder, put himself in the spotlight last week making him the clear-cut choice for South Charles Association Player of the Week honors.
He ripped 11 hits in 23 at-bats, compiling a .478 average with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs.
This year Rathmann has socked 139 hits in 456 at-bats for a .305 average with 27 home runs. He is getting on base at a .427 pace and his totals also include 83 RBIs and 90 runs scored.
Statistical Standouts - Final Most Categories Led in Association
NCA - NCA - RF Babs Rooth, County Crossing - 48 HR, .739 SLG, 1.173 OPS, 8.7 WAR, 122 R, 346 TB, 88 XBH, .395 ISO, 193 OPS+, .486 wOBA
SP Beachboy Nut, Norshagen Beach - 2.40 ERA, 5 CG, 2 SHO, 4.6 K/BB, 0.96 WHIP, 2.94 FIP, 185 ERA+, .258 BABIP, .215 AVG
SCA -1B Barker Cocoa, University Point - .485 OBP, .685 SLG, 1.170 OPS, 8.6 WAR, 101 BB, 202 OPS+, 7.49 WPA, .493 wOBA
SP Sheng Kawolski, Diamond City - 7.9 WAR, 196 K, 4.9 K/BB, 8.5 K/9, 2.58 FIP
SP Digger Vadim, Jamaica Plain - 2.25 ERA, 212.1 IP, 198 ERA+, 9.2 rWAR, .895 Win%
Transactions
Monday, September 19th , 2304
Diamond City Swatters: Placed 3B Allen Bishop on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/18/2304.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B John Hurtalot.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 3B Kookie Westmoreland.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RF Tony Raindayz.
University Point Deathclaws: Released SS Chris Fortunato.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Activated CL Chris Salazar from the injured list.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Placed 1B Zeldolph Violet on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/17/2304.
Sunday, September 18th , 2304
Vault 81 Dwellers: Placed 2B Harry Byrd on the restricted list.
Oberland T-51s: Placed SP Ronnie Messenger on the restricted list.
University Point Deathclaws: Signed 3B Kookie Westmoreland.
Saturday, September 17th , 2304
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RF Lateday Stevenson.
Oberland T-51s: Placed 2B Jax Stoneman on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/14/2304.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B John Hurtalot.
University Point Deathclaws: Signed 3B Brad Gossiper.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Signed RF Tony Raindayz.
Friday, September 16th , 2304
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Jake Trashcan.
Finch Farm Four Leafs: Released RP Erik Wipf.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 2B Eric Winner.
Egret Ninjas: Released 2B Kyle Lullaby.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RF Moby Dick Costopoulos.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released 2B Nate Grund.
Easy Town Assaultrons: Released LF Sum Downie.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Signed RF Lateday Stevenson.
Thursday, September 15th , 2304
Abernathy Adamantium: Placed SS Michael Footclaw on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/14/2304.
Salem Witch Hats: Placed RP Dan Beantown on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/14/2304.
Atom Cats: Placed RF Melon Sanderson on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/14/2304.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Signed RF Moby Dick Costopoulos.
Wednesday, September 14th , 2304
Vault 81 Dwellers: Placed CL Chris Salazar on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/13/2304.
Tuesday, September 13th , 2304
Diamond City Swatters: Signed free agent RP Fire Litz to a minor league contract.
Monday, September 12th , 2304
University Point Deathclaws: Activated 3B Bobb County from the restricted list.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Placed C Mike Swift on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/11/2304.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Placed SS Wally Warwick on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/11/2304.
Atom Cats: Signed free agent 3B Honey Harggus to a minor league contract.
Easy Town Assaultrons: Signed free agent RF Sum Downie to a minor league contract.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Jake Trashcan.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed free agent 2B Punkin Mushmouth to a minor league contract.
Sunday, September 11th , 2304
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RP Jaiden Williams.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RF Lowton Roberts.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Activated 3B Knud Bather from the 60-day injured list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Activated RF Deerlord Fugivmee from the injured list.
Saturday, September 10th , 2304
University Point Deathclaws: RP Brian Weaver (AAA Graygarden) retired from professional baseball.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: SP Josh Mustang (AAA Breakheart Banks) retired from professional baseball.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: LF Chris Bullets (AAA Breakheart Banks) retired from professional baseball.
Egret Ninjas: RP Shawn Simms (AAA Trinity Plaza) retired from professional baseball.
Atom Cats: 2B Chris Shleedoodle (AAA Greentop Nursery) retired from professional baseball.
Atom Cats: 1B Steve Hon (AAA Greentop Nursery) retired from professional baseball.
The Slog Ghouls: RP Flotsam DiPasquale (AAA Boston Common) retired from professional baseball.
University Point Deathclaws: SP Curt Redcoats (AAA Graygarden) retired from professional baseball.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: CL Tiny Greene (AAA Cambridge) retired from professional baseball.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: LF Dave Charred (AAA Breakheart Banks) retired from professional baseball.
Starlight Lady Killers: RF Matt Planterman (AAA Warwick) retired from professional baseball.
Finch Farm Four Leafs: 2B Mike Montano (AAA Nahant) retired from professional baseball.
Roxbury Rad Sox: 3B Buck Wheat (AAA Taffington Boathouse) retired from professional baseball.
Concord Radstags: C Tony Edgewater (AAA College Square) retired from professional baseball.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: SP Julian Shed (AAA Cabot House) retired from professional baseball.
Roxbury Rad Sox: 1B Jared Pterror (AAA Taffington Boathouse) retired from professional baseball.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: 1B Max Severance (AAA Breakheart Banks) retired from professional baseball.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: RP Zippy Patterson (AAA Cambridge) retired from professional baseball.
Abernathy Adamantium: C Bryan Trader (AAA Bunker Hill) retired from professional baseball.
Abernathy Adamantium: 3B Matt Graywater (AAA Bunker Hill) retired from professional baseball.
Diamond City Swatters: SP Casey Diehl (AAA Natick) retired from professional baseball.
Abernathy Adamantium: RP Bob Parkman (AAA Bunker Hill) retired from professional baseball.
Lexington Synths: 1B Josh Wanty (AAA Vault 95) retired from professional baseball.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 3B Kookie Westmoreland.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Loop Bikameal.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Teddy Lion.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released 2B Honey Harggus.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RP Fire Litz.
Atom Cats: Signed SP Teewatt Kaa.
Atom Cats: Signed SP Mark Jones.
Atom Cats: Signed 1B Nick Amparo.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Signed RF Lowton Roberts.
Thursday, September 8th , 2304
Starlight Lady Killers: Activated 2B Ray McMillen from the injured list.
Starlight Lady Killers: Activated SP Alex Alexson from the restricted list.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Placed 2B Newscap Woldorf on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/07/2304.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Activated SS Paul Warwick from the injured list.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Sent SS Paul Warwick to Triple A Breakheart Banks for injury rehab.
Oberland T-51s: Signed free agent 2B Ken Pathway to a minor league contract.
Wednesday, September 7th , 2304
Finch Farm Four Leafs: Activated RP Ernie Peacemaker from the 60-day injured list.
Finch Farm Four Leafs: Sent RP Ernie Peacemaker to Triple A Nahant for injury rehab.
Easy Town Assaultrons: Activated CF Jig McGhee from the injured list.
Easy Town Assaultrons: Released RF Sum Downie.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Danny Haircutter.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Corey Statue.
Oberland T-51s: Signed Manager Proper Lighthouse.
Tuesday, September 6th , 2304
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Placed RF Jonathan Angelou on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/05/2304.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Signed free agent 3B Honey Harggus to a minor league contract.
University Point Deathclaws: Signed free agent 1B Quay Tolsite to a minor league contract.
Oberland T-51s: Fired Manager Eric Young.
Egret Ninjas: Signed Manager Butterfly O'Keefe.