BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, College, and Youth Leagues
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
4 May 2308
CBO Analysis
We are through our first month of CBO play, which means that intraleague games can now begin. The Brotherhood League has been a
force with four teams above .500 after 22 games, while the other three leagues each have two teams above .500. Also, the BL will see the Power Ranking's two top teams face off this week. Let's take a look at the Power Ranking's Top 5 teams, and may the best teams live long and prosper.
Nordhagen Beach comes in at #1 with the CBO's best record and a 7-3 mark in their last 10. The Party Boys swept Lexington (#10), split with Sunshine Tidings (#12), swept Concord (#24), swept Bunker Hill (#14), and then lost both to Starlight (#3).
The Salem Witch Hats are the #2 team, riding a six-game winning streak and a 7-3 mark in their last 10 to hold the second-best record in the CBO. The Hats split at the 75ers, lost both games at the Killers, and then swept the Synths, Radstags, and Chemists.
At #3 and on an eight-game winning streak, along with going 8-2 in their last 10, are the Starlight Killers. Before the streak, the Killers lost both games to The Slog (#5), but then they swept all of the Witch Hats, Easy Town (#9), County Crossing (#18), and the Boys.
Spectacle Island at #4 marks the first SCA team in the Top 5 after going 7-3 in their last 10 and having a three-game winning streak. The Reapers swept Diamond City (#21), split at Roxbury (#11), split with the Swatters, split with Oberland (#13), and then swept Vault 81 (#8), dropping the Dwellers into a first-place tie in the RL.
The Slog, tied with three other teams at 14-8 in the CBO, is the #5 team. The Ghouls went 6-4 in their last 10, including a sweep of Starlight, a split with Fort Hagen (#23), a split with the Chemists, getting swept versus the Synths, and then a sweep of the Stags.
Brotherhood League
With County Crossing currently tied for 5th with Nahant, we can already tell you that the season series in this league are going to be brutal. Nordhagen Beach is currently atop the mountain with the league lead and CBO best record, but any losing streak of two games are more could drop them. Salem and The Slog have been pleasant early surprises, though we would venture to guess that both teams will probably slip up at some point, making room for the usual top trio in some combination of Easy Town, the Boys, and the Bugs.
Salem is a team that feels that they are perpetually close to figuring it out but never getting there. At 15-7, the Witch Hats see themselves in the top half of many statistical categories, including 3rd in runs scored (120) and tied for 5th in runs allowed (97). Veteran LF Dan Erb (.466/5/16), this week's Player of the Week, has started the season on fire, which has helped the middle of the lineup behind him: 1B Needham Tickler (.338/7/21), RF Brian DeLong (.247/4/8), and CF Andy Dogleash (.347/5/18). The top two pitchers, SP Jaa Thirtysix (2-1, 2.55) and SP Bry McBourbon (4-1, 2.68), have been money.
Institute League
We wish we could say that there is a talent issue at the top of the IL, but what we think it is has been consistency since Fort Hagen dropped off as a power team. Starlight is the current leader after the last update's leader, Bunker Hill, went cold at 3-7 in their past 10. Lexington has hovered at or slightly above .500 so far this season, but we could see them dropping off in the next few weeks once intraleague play begins.
The Killers' current winning streak has defied their statistical output, which means they will eventually fall back to the pack. They are 4th in runs scored (115) and tied for 8th in runs allowed (104). Their Starters ERA is 7th (4.58) and their Bullpen ERA is 8th (4.89), which means their .636 winning percentage is not sustainable. SP Digger Vadim (1-3, 5.51) is struggling this season, as is SP Whokill Poole (1-2, 6.06), an offseason addition. The power in the offense is not doing great, currently tied for 7th with 29 home runs, thanks to the middle of the lineup struggling. In fact, the middle--RF Hurr Lee Reyes (.295/2/13), 1B Oren Gep (.278/3/11), and SS Nick Maris (.295/2/9)--has combined for seven home runs, which matches team leader LF Goody Cloyse.
Minutemen League
Quincy and Spectacle Island are atop this league with expected champion, University Point, two games below .500. Jamaica Plain is at .500, too, though it could be expected that both the Claws and Rockets would get hot at some point and start surpassing the Gunners and Reapers. Atom and Goodneighbor may already want to start assessing their lineup for making a run in 2309 or 2310.
The Gunners are a team we just cannot quite figure out. Expected to be a losing team both last season and this season, Quincy is now 75-67 (.528) over that span. It's not a great record--they missed the playoffs in 2307 despite a 61-59 record--but it is much better than we expected. The team is currently 2nd in the SCA in runs scored (131) and tied for 3rd in runs allowed (95). The middle of their lineup--LF Baywatch Fischler (.306/5/17), 3B Ben Pettinato (.362/8/29), and 1B Curt Carpenter (.328/5/12)--has been especially efficient. Two of their SPs are undefeated: second starter Village Idiot Recker (4-0, 2.76) and fourth starter Greg Hudgens (3-0, 2.78). The bullpen still needs to improve to stay competitive, though, with their current ERA of 5.00, 11th in the SCA. CL Ryan Rebman (7 SV, 6.75) has made late games too dramatic.
Railroad League
Roxbury struggled the first month, which plays into looking at the last half of last season where they also struggled. The Rad Sox are also the CBO's most banged up team, losing two pitchers for the season and star LF Young Goodman (.250/6/13) for at least a week. Quest Dawg, who was injured in his first and only appearance of the season in relief, was expected to move into the starting lineup this season.
In the rest of the RL, the other team expected to be among the CBO's most talented, Oberland, is right there with the Sox, while Egret and Vault 81 sit at the top at 13-9 each. FHE and Diamond City already knew they would struggle, and they can join the other four teams in the CBO with winning percentages below .400 in preparing a future roster.
For the Ninjas, it is hard to remember that they made a playoff appearance in 2305 and upset Roxbury before succumbing to University Point in the SCA CS. Egret is not considered to be among the CBO's most talented teams, but they are a team that can surprise here and there. If they want to stay at or near the top, though, they will need to improve on their 20 home runs (10th in the SCA). OF/SP Admiral Kelm (.360/4/14) leads the team in home runs. 1B/OF Long Hall (.258/1/8) is not a cleanup hitter, so the Ninjas will need to find one.
CBO Standings
CBO Power Rankings
CBO Players of the Week
April 27 - It was some kind of week for Grool Manycaps of the Bunker Hill 75ers. First he hits the heck out of the ball, ripping it at a .421 clip and the next thing you know, he is voted the Player of the Week in the North Charles Association. Last week Manycaps went 8-for-19, chalked up 4 home runs and 5 RBIs and scored 5 runs. Not a bad week's work at all.
This year Manycaps is batting .377 with 20 hits, 6 home runs, 11 RBIs, 8 walks, .459 OBP and has scored 10 runs.
One of the league's most exciting young players, Orcin Cardinal of the Oberland T-51s earned himself South Charles Association Player of the Week honors with a standout performance in last week's games.
For the week the 25-year-old right fielder had a lofty .500 average (10-for-20), collecting 5 home runs, 15 RBIs and 8 runs scored.
This year Cardinal is batting .439 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs. In 17 games he has scored 18 times.
May 4 - Dan Erb is respected by most Salem Witch Hats fans for his no-frills style of play. The 31-year-old left fielder went about his business with vigor last week to grab the North Charles Association Player of the Week honors.
He compiled a .524 average (11-for-21) with 3 home runs, 6 RBIs and 7 runs scored.
This year Erb is batting .466 with 5 home runs. He has scored 16 runs and driven in 16.
His hard work and hustle paid off this week. The hard-working and hard-playing Stu Gains was rewarded with the South Charles Association Player of the Week honors.
The scrappy Vault 81 Dwellers center fielder hit .444 while collecting 8 hits in 18 at-bats, 3 home runs and 6 RBIs.
This year Gains is hitting .391, produced 24 RBIs and 7 home runs, scored 25 times and gotten on base at a .462 rate.
CBO Transactions
Monday, May 4th , 2308
Bunker Hill 75ers: Placed SS Aaron Squire on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/03/2308.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Bullet Branch.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed LF Jim Radiant.
Sunday, May 3rd , 2308
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RP Melvin Villalobos.
Quincy Gunners: Placed LF Hondo Ohnaka on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/02/2308.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released RP Golden Boy Molerat.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Paul Refreshment.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Paul Refreshment.
Saturday, May 2nd , 2308
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Rammy Moustache.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Rammy Moustache.
Friday, May 1st , 2308
Bunker Hill 75ers: Released RF Tyler Brookes-Colason.
Concord Radstags: Placed RP Aaron Still on the 60-day injured list.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Everett Knight.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Everett Knight.
Thursday, April 30th , 2308
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Activated 1B Mark Brinetea from the injured list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF Elijah Breezedup.
Wednesday, April 29th , 2308
University Point Deathclaws: Activated RF Tomas Jones from the injured list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Placed LF Young Goodman on the 7-day injured list.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Cowlick Cooper.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Cowlick Cooper.
The University Point Deathclaws traded 19-year old minor league RF Captain Kirk Abalon to the Salem Witch Hats, getting 24-year old RHP Cobra Cobratea in return.
Monday, April 27th , 2308
Quincy Gunners: Placed LF Bob Bloodbug on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/26/2308.
The Slog Ghouls: Activated RP Flirt Perez from the injured list.
Sunday, April 26th , 2308
Salem Witch Hats: Activated 3B Booth Larson from the injured list.
Salem Witch Hats: Sent 3B Booth Larson to Triple A Providence for injury rehab.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF Pree Mireman.
Friday, April 24th , 2308
FHE Yao Guai: Activated SS Hose Wallcrawler from the injured list.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Kooky Strobel.
Thursday, April 23rd , 2308
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Placed 1B Mark Brinetea on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/22/2308.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Yeager Meister.
Wednesday, April 22nd , 2308
University Point Deathclaws: Placed RF Tomas Jones on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/21/2308.
Starlight Killers: Activated RF Hurr Lee Reyes from the injured list.
Lexington Synths: Activated RP Bobby Lidtke from the injured list.
The Nordhagen Beach Party Boys traded 18-year old minor league CF Prince Tripp to the Oberland T-51s, getting 18-year old minor league SS Lackey Lakewalker in return.
Tuesday, April 21st , 2308
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF Justin Krell.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RF Justin Krell.
BYDL Preview
Both the Beantown Sprouts of the North Region and the Hester Mechanists of the South Region look to be the most powerful squads entering the 2308 season of the BYDL. The Sprouts reached the championship series just two seasons ago, falling to now back-to-back champions, the Spectacle Island Specters.
Predicted divisional winners are below:
Franklin - Beantown Sprouts
Emerson - Woburn Diners
Fuller - CIT Academy Yahoos
Revere - Marblehead Mess
Adams - Glowing Sea Prep Venom
Alcott - Hester Mechanists
Morse - South Beach Waves
Attucks - Spectacle Island Specters
The Sprouts bring back some upperclassman leaders in SP Sluggo Pyne, LF Gremlin T. Squearfish, 1B Allee Bobbuh, CF Aaron Wright, and RF Fergus O'Mara. They also return one of the BYDL's top sophomores, C Red Jay Jones, and another talented outfielder, Tyson Punchout. Freshman SP Alex Language is expected to be a top pitcher.
The Mechanists are also a veteran team, returning 10 seniors who helped lead the team to a wildcard appearance in 2307. Players expected to take a step up in 2308 include 3B Yanto Chase, C Andrew Gablodda, RF Bipp Islander, LF Thatch Heard, CH Josh Peerson, and 1B Maz Edo-Khel. Hester also touts one of four great freshman pitchers entering the league, SP Buzzcut McDonald.
The two-time champions, the Specters, are still also going to be a good team in 2308 and could challenge for a third-straight title. Leaders include LF Javen the Raven Coleman, RF Art Decoy, SS King Hippo, RF Innis Sark, and 3B Hey Dentra Venski. Sark, a junior, is the only upperclassman of the group with the rest being sophomores. They also have a talented freshman in 1B Eddie Furnace who could get the starting nod over talented senior Zeke Zombifier.
The top three performers in each region expected to compete for the best hitter awards are Marlborough's freshman LF Riot Darton, 111's sophomore RF Naga Arakaki, and Saugus' senior CF Thrifty Iraheta in the North Region and GSP's senior RF Kasumi Goto, Boston Common's sophomore RF Pie Trainer, and Braintree's senior LF Sack King.
Best pitcher competitors are CIT Academy's senior SP Chase Seashores, Beantown's freshman SP Language, and the Sprouts' senior SP Pyne in the North and the triple freshman threat in the South of Hester's SP McDonald, Diamond City's SP Gobbler Core, and Needham's SP Gauge Jump. Senior SP Mihai Comanita of South Beach is the best-predicted non-freshman in the South Region.
SCYL Preview
In the SCYL, the top two teams are expected to be the Truro Hatchlings of the Cape Cod League and the Woodlawn Gnomes of the Providence League. Woodlawn, known as the Red Clay until this season, was the 2307 champions.
Other divisional winners expected are the Wareham Comets in the CCL Nantucket Sound Division and the New Bedford Whales in the PL's Narragansett Sound Division.
The Hatchlings were a playoff team the last two seasons, including winning the Cape Cod Bay Division last season. They're three most talented players are still young: junior 2B Boogie Cousins and freshmen 3B Tarry Chik and RF Clipper Truro. Senior pitchers Andrew Groom and Ace Striker should also help the squad.
Woodlawn has three seniors looking to help the 2308 squad: SP Don Fortuna, RP Sculloge Muskerry, and LF Donnell Udina. The Gnomes also sport three talented sophomores in C Timelord Marvel, 2B Tome Humphries, and 3B Roo Kid Cunningham.
Freshman litter the predicted award winners as hitters. In the CCL, a trio of freshmen--Wareham's 2B Lee Mayhew and 3B Mike Fountaineau and Eastham's LF Matt Paydirt--are expected to compete for the top individual prize. In the PL, two freshmen--Freeplat's SS Brandon Larsonist and Pawtucket's LF Campy Madrid--are expected to battle the Paw Sox's senior CF Declan Leuvaarden.
At pitcher, there are a mix of classes expected to compete at the top. In the CCL, sophomore Tarzan Rogers of Sandwich, the Hatchlings' freshman Kevin Gauzeman, and Wellfleet's senior Burt Bloodhound are the top three picks. In the PL, the Wicked Good's freshman Jared Porch, the Paw Sox's sophomore Jazz Delgado, and East Providence's sophomore Monte Ward are the top picks.
