[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 5-2
Overall Record: 19-13 (2nd, 1 GB)

Donnie = Him: I don't generally pay too close attention to spring training stats, but oh man! Can you do better then Donnie Jones! Donnie made six starts totaling 27 innings, accumulating 17 hits, 6 walks, and 32 strikeouts. And yes, no earned runs.

I don't know how he did it, but the guy scheduled to beat the New York Stars on April 18th would have thrown 27 shutout innings had Sal Pestilli not been in his 12th game ever in right field, and misplayed Paul Porter's flyball. The rates starts are beautiful, an infinite ERA+, 0.85 WHIP, 1.61 FIP (40 FIP-), and a 5.3 K/BB. But what stands out most is the absurd 70% groundball rate as "Mole Killer" is surely living up to his reputation. Set to enter the season as the second rated pitcher in FABL, ahead of Rufus Barrell and behind Ed Bowman, no Cougar since at least 1929 has gone this many innings with out allowing a run in spring training, and it's hard to not feel anything except excitement when thinking about how he's going to start his aged 30 season. The reigning WHIP leader (1.19) is coming off one of his best seasons yet, setting bests in innings (264.1), ERA+ (135), FIP- (82), and WAR (6.1). He has to be the odds on favorite for the Allen this year, and the team captain should be an obvious selection to his fourth All-Star game if everything goes according to plan.

The craziest part of all of this may be that Pete Papenfus has been almost as good, though unlike his fellow co-ace one of the two runs he allowed was earned. Pap enters his last start with a 0.39 ERA (1012 ERA+) and 0.74 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and just 5 walks. It was a huge improvement from last season, as even though he struck out an association high 150 hitters, he walked 126. He's in need of a big year himself, as he wasn't quite himself last season. Sure, the spring numbers mean very little, but you have to be some kind of talented to perform this exceptionally at any level for any stretch. This could be a preview of what to come, as a full spring is three trips through the rotation, and I envision plenty of three start runs like this from our top two.

Camp Rosters Thin Before Final Week: We are down to 37 players in camp, as I got rid of most of the guys who aren't going to make the team. Some notable cuts include former first rounder Bert Rogers (1-1, 2, 2.81 ERA, 16 IP, 11 H, 15 BB, 11 K), CWL star Elmer Grace (3-10, 2 BB, 3 RBI), and longtime Cougar Clark Car (4-12, 4 R, 3B, BB, SB) who's still willing to hang around and help the youngsters down on the farm. Both Billy Biggar (1-4, 2B, BB) and Barney Gunnels (2.2 IP, 6 H, BB, K) are nursing minor injuries, so they got early exits as well. They'll be good to go far before opening day, which for the minors is April 19th, but there was no need to risk any further setback. We have four non-roster guys left, none expected to make it, but there are some pretty exciting battles left. The pen in particular, as Charlie Kelsey (0-2, 2.13 ERA, 12.2 IP, 11 H, 2 BB, 7 K), Ken Matson (2-1, 2 SV, 1.80 ERA, 15 IP, 9 H, 7 BB, 13 K), and Harry Parker (0-1, 7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 9 K) are competing for two spots behind David Molina (2-0, 0.79 ERA, 11.1 IP, 7 H, BB, 19 K) and Jim Kenny (2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 10 IP, 9 H, 4 BB, 5 K). The bench is even tougher to sort out, but I'll have all weekend for that!

Mitch is the Man!: In one only reminds me of Whitney levels, Leo Mitchell was an impressive 7-for-11 with a triple and 3 RBIs, bringing his spring line up to an impressive .447/.480/.574. He trails just former teammate Hal Sharp, though his .465/.500/.674 is shockingly the best around. Though if you cave me the pick of the two, I'm more then happy with the one I kept. 1950 will be the 15th season for the former 2nd Rounder, and he's going to have to prove that his best seasons are still ahead of him. Not many make it to 37, but the vet has 2,257 hits to his name and I know he's going to want to get to 2,500.