BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, College, and Youth Leagues
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
1 June 2308
The June Super Post, Part 1
CBO Analysis
Today marks one of those opportunities where the Monday update coincides with the monthly recap. Entering the third month of the season and 42 games into the 2308 campaign, we have a new and surprising team with the CBO's best record. We will break down their progress in the league breakdowns. Things are indeed interesting, and we really want to know why a few teams that have been good are suddenly struggling this season. First, let's take a look at the Top 5.
Salem is the #1 team with a 7-3 mark in their last 10 and the top record in the CBO. The Witch Hats swept Concord (#24), swept Easy Town (#14), got swept at Sunshine Tidings (#4), and then won two of three over the Assaultrons.
Coming in at #2 is the team with the CBO's second-best record, Spectacle Island after going 7-3 in the past two weeks. The Reapers swept FHE (#21), won two of three over Goodneighbor (#18), swept the Yao Guai again, and then won one at Quincy (#13).
Vault 81 jumps to #3 after going 8-2 in their last 10 and taking a four-game lead in the Railroad League. The Dwellers split with the Hancocks, swept Roxbury (#20) in three one-run games, swept the Gunners, and then won two of three at the Rad Sox.
Atop the Institute League, Sunshine Tidings is #4, thanks to a six-game winning streak and a 7-3 record in their past 10. The Chemists were swept at The Slog (#8), won two of three at Lexington (#17), swept the Hats, and then swept Starlight (#15) to take over the IL.
After a 4-6 mark the past two weeks, Nordhagen Beach drops from the top to #5. The Party Boys got swept at Fort Hagen (#23), won two over the Ghouls, split with the Silver Shroud, and then won one at County Crossing (#16).
Brotherhood League
With Salem getting hot, they now hold a two-game lead over the Party Boys and a five-game lead over third-place The Slog. Five teams remain above .500 with the Bloodbugs being close at 20-22. We are not giving up on the Bugs being in playoff contention with just 1/3 of the season finished, but they may want to start winning at a .667 clip the rest of the way to gain ground in the BL.
County Crossing is not playing terribly, but their offense has struggled some, moreso than they have in recent years. That includes being 8th in runs scored (196) and 10th in batting average (.251). Only two regulars are batting above .300: 1B Zeldolph Violet (.320/13/36) and RF Babs Rooth (.319/8/25). Power number are way down, too, including Rooth on pace to hit just 24 home runs on the season, which would be his lowest output since his first full season in 2301 when he hit 23. He hit 49 and 53 the past two seasons.
Where the Bugs' offense has struggled, the Witch Hats' offense has stepped up. Currently 2nd in runs scored (231), including 1st in OPS (.840) and wOBA (.362), Salem has looked like a juggernaut. LF Dan Erb (.404/10/28) is having a career year, including being on pace to hit a career-high home runs in his 13th season as a regular in both Concord and Salem. Other players having great seasons include 2B Michael Hoopring (.306/12/26), 1B Needham Tickler (.283/10/33), and CF Andy Dogleash (.359/10/33).
Institute League
Sunshine Tidings has been hot as of late and went into the weekend series with both teams tied for 1st. Three wins later, the Chemists now have a one-game lead over Bunker Hill, which has also been solid in their last 10. The top three teams seem to be way ahead of the rest of the league, so we will go ahead and write off Lexington, Fort Hagen, and the Radstags.
The Chemists are now appearing to be edging themselves towards being the favorites in the NCA. On offense, they are 1st in runs scored (241) and home runs (74). Team leaders in power numbers are SS Lernz Tentsleep (.313/16/44) who is tied for the NCA lead with The Slog's Plain Morris, 3B Ross Merchantman (.273/13/33), and RF Baktu DaWell (.369/11/32). In 13 seasons, Tentsleep's career-high in home runs was 35 in 2305. This season, he is on pace to hit 48.
Minutemen League
With Quincy struggling as of late, along with University Point and Jamaica Plain not getting too hot, Spectacle Island is tied with Vault 81 for the largest league lead in the CBO at four games. Goodneighbor and Atom seem to be battling for the bottom of the league, so this is a four-team race for which two or three teams will make the playoffs.
The Reapers are a team worth keeping an eye on because they may have turned the corner toward being true contenders. Spectacle Island is currently 4th in runs scored (227) and 3rd in runs allowed (183) with good overall play throughout their roster. They are also 1st in home runs (71), led by their 2-3-4 hitters RF Matt Basile (.234/13/29), 1B Homestay Lovetap (.306/18/36), and 3B Diamond Ball (.369/16/42). Ace SP Chris Teddybear (6-2, 2.84) is having a good season. Assuming he stays healthy, which he typically does not, he could be in contention for the Vim! Pitcher Award.
Railroad League
We're not sure this season is completely topsy-turvy, but with Roxbury going 2-8 in their past 10 and currently six games under .500 and 9 games back of Vault 81, it may be.
The Rad Sox have struggled everywhere, currently 7th in runs scored (187) and 8th in runs allowed (209). 3B Donn Mattingley (.304/9/27) is currently the leader in home runs and RBI, and he is just six percentage points behind SS Purple Gupta (.310/2/19) for the team lead in average. SP Nuke Laloosh (6-4, 3.32) has struggled to get run support.
CBO Standings
CBO Power Rankings
CBO Players of the Month
NCA Hitter - Baktu DaWell battered North Charles Association pitchers all May and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award.
"I've been around Commonwealth Baseball Organization long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 26-year-old DaWell told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not take the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."
In 22 games, DaWell hit .450 with 8 home runs, 19 RBIs and scored 28 runs.
This year DaWell has collected a .369 batting average to date with 59 hits in 160 at-bats, 32 RBIs, 11 home runs and scored 43 times. He has played in 42 games.
SCA Hitter - When guys like Vault 81's Joe Rathmann win Batter of the Month awards, it just makes you feel good. In a productive May, the longtime South Charles Association veteran toyed with opposing pitchers, collecting 34 hits in 92 at-bats.
The veteran right fielder hit for a .370 batting average and collected 9 home runs, 18 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
To date this year Rathmann is batting .331 with 11 home runs.
NCA Pitcher - There was nobody finer on the mound in May and Max Thunderdome cruised to the North Charles Association Pitcher of the Month award today.
He was 6-0 with a 3.21 ERA while piling up 21 strikeouts in 47.2 innings and holding opposing hitters to a .229 batting average.
This year Thunderdome has a 6-3 mark in 11 starts with a 4.50 ERA. He has given up 73 hits in 78 innings, struck out 49 and issued 36 walks. Opposing clubs have compiled a .246 batting average against him.
SCA Pitcher - Emperry Alizm will be bringing May's South Charles Association Pitcher of the Month trophy home to Oberland. He excelled all month long as he kept opposing hitters guessing, reaching and hoping.
Alizm started 6 games, going 5-1 with 51 strikeouts in 49.2 innings as he compiled his 0.91 ERA.
So far this season Alizm has compiled a 8-3 record with a 1.25 ERA.
NCA Rookie - Family Sam Partridge earned May's Rookie of the Month honors in the North Charles Association for last month's performance. The boyish Lexington left fielder might be wet behind the ears, but he's proving that he has what it takes to play at this level.
Partridge hit .432 with 5 home runs, 12 RBIs and 18 runs scored this past month on his way to winning the award.
This year Partridge has 8 home runs and a .367 batting average.
SCA Rookie - Todd Smithfield is still a bit shy, but then, who could blame the newest South Charles Association Rookie of the Month honoree? He hasn't been around the league long enough to fully know the ropes yet, despite the fact that he's putting up veteran-like numbers.
In May the Diamond City hitter tagged opposing pitching for a .282 average with 24 hits, 3 home runs and 14 RBIs.
In 42 games Smithfield is hitting .275 this season with 44 hits, 10 home runs, 27 RBIs, 20 walks, .363 OBP and has scored 22 runs.
CBO Players of the Week
May 25 - The Player of the Week has been chosen by the North Charles Association. The award went to Lernz Tentsleep, shortstop of the Sunshine Tidings Chemists.
In a sensational hitting performance, he wrecked league pitchers with a .435 average to win the honor. Tentsleep went 10-for-23 for the week, totaled 3 home runs and 11 RBIs and scored 6 times.
So far this year Tentsleep is batting .299 with 14 home runs, 38 RBIs and 24 runs scored.
31-year-old right fielder Tomas Jones of the University Point Deathclaws is the talk of the South Charles Association for putting on a torrid hitting display last week and claiming the Player of the Week Award.
Jones rapped out a sensational .450 batting average with 9 hits in 20 at-bats, 4 home runs and 8 RBIs.
This year Jones is hitting at a .380 pace with 12 home runs and 33 RBIs. He has played in 32 games and scored 28 times.
June 1 - Sunshine Tidings Chemists fans are celebrating Baktu DaWell's selection as North Charles Association Player of the Week.
DaWell put up some serious numbers over the past seven days as he cracked 10 hits in 18 at-bats. The 26-year-old right fielder hit .556, drove in 9 runs, scored 10 times and hit 4 home runs.
DaWell is presently batting .369 with 11 home runs, 43 runs scored and 32 RBIs. His OBP is .469.
Orcin Cardinal punched, poked and pummeled the baseball last week and today he garnered a majority of the votes for the South Charles Association Player of the Week award.
The Oberland T-51s right fielder slashed out a .438 average with 7 hits in 16 at-bats, 4 home runs and 11 RBIs.
This season Cardinal is swinging the bat at a .347 pace. He has hit 18 home runs and scored 32 times, while driving in 56. His on-base percentage is .396 and he has played in 42 games.
CBO Transactions
Monday, June 1st , 2308
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Released 1B Paul Jaggers.
Starlight Killers: Released LF Miller Lite.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Paul Jaggers.
Saturday, May 30th , 2308
The Slog Ghouls: Signed free agent RP Steve Slocums to a minor league contract with a $41,000 signing bonus.
Bunker Hill 75ers: Released CL Jules Burke.
Diamond City Swatters: Activated CF Kevin Phelps from the injured list.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Placed SS Pipe Wallcrawler on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/29/2308.
The Slog Ghouls: Released RP Steve Slocums.
The The Slog Ghouls traded 21-year old minor league RHP Curt Kracke to the Roxbury Rad Sox, getting 27-year old minor league RHP Buggy Rabbit in return.
Friday, May 29th , 2308
The Slog Ghouls: Activated RF Boots Yellowhair from the injured list.
Wednesday, May 27th , 2308
Oberland T-51s: Signed free agent RP Steve Slocums to a minor league contract with a $41,000 signing bonus.
University Point Deathclaws: Activated CF Aesed Hayjen from the injured list.
Quincy Gunners: Activated LF Hondo Ohnaka from the injured list.
Diamond City Swatters: Placed SS Father Franetzki on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/24/2308.
Oberland T-51s: Released RP Steve Slocums.
Diamond City Swatters: Signed SS Matt Santorelli.
Tuesday, May 26th , 2308
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF Matt Haftel.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Bill Charisma.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RF Foolproof Balistreri.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RF Matt Haftel.
Sunday, May 24th , 2308
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed C Justin Rivard.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed C Gil Nathanbishop.
Saturday, May 23rd , 2308
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Placed RP Josh Kish on the 60-day injured list.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed RP Danny Hitless.
Friday, May 22nd , 2308
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF Dwight Workman.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RF Dwight Workman.
Wednesday, May 20th , 2308
Nahant Celtics: Activated SS Love Hanson from the injured list.
Nahant Celtics: Sent SS Love Hanson to Triple A Finch Farm for injury rehab.
University Point Deathclaws: Placed CF Aesed Hayjen on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/19/2308.
The Slog Ghouls: Placed RF Boots Yellowhair on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/19/2308.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RF Caleb Slurry.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF John Heinzerling.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Kage Milkcan.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RF Dave Frickitt.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Kage Milkcan.
Concord Radstags: Signed Manager Pokerface Lawton.
Tuesday, May 19th , 2308
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Released RP Steve Slocums.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF Doogie Greenhill.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Signed C Seemore Mares.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Signed SP Danny Owens.
MML Analysis
We are 40 games into the season, with only one division currently seeming out of reach. With a seven-game lead in the Boggs Division, the Abernathy Adamantium (BH) have the best shot to hold onto the lead for at least the month of June. Other division leaders are Finch Farm (Nah) of the Murtagh Division, Needham (JP) and Providence (Sal) in the Williams Division, and Braintree (NB) in the Yastrzemski Division.
MML Players of the Month
LL Hitter - The vote is in and Devin Ghoul, the 20-year-old right fielder for Everett, is the winner. Today he was honored with the Legends League Batter of the Month award.
In May, Ghoul wowed voters with a .436 average while posting 7 home runs, 22 RBIs, 25 runs scored and a .495 on-base percentage.
For the year Ghoul has hit .412 with 11 home runs, 34 RBIs and scored 43 runs.
SL Hitter - Even though he is a newcomer to Massachusetts Minor League, Mountainside Rockhand put up some good numbers in May and earned the SL Batter of the Month award.
He was one of Braintree's offensive leaders with a .413 average in 23 games. He also racked up 13 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 26 runs scored.
Rockhand is currently hitting at a .384 pace with 17 home runs, 47 RBIs and has scored 35 times.
LL Pitcher - Jimmy Capcollector of Abernathy had an award-winning May as he took home the Legends League Pitcher of the Month award.
"He told me once people used to make fun of the way he pitches," Capcollector's pitching coach told reporters. "There wasn't anybody laughing in May except for Jimmy."
Capcollector was all business when he took the mound though, collecting a 5-1 record in 6 starts. He struck out 30 batters in 46 innings and kept opponents to a .231 batting average.
To date this year in 10 starts, Capcollector has crafted a 7-2 mark with a 1.96 ERA.
SL Pitcher - The top-rated pitcher this past month in the Stars League was Danny Janssen of the Castle Strength. He really dominated league hitters, finishing May with a 3-1 won-lost mark and a 2.30 ERA.
The Strength ace made 4 starts and surrendered 21 hits in 31.1 innings. He struck out 35 and walked 4.
In 8 starts this season, Janssen has picked up 3 wins while suffering 3 losses. He has pitched 51.2 innings, allowed 44 hits, struck out 53 and posted a 3.48 ERA.