News from the CBO, Minors, College, and Youth Leagues
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
22 September 2308
CBO Analysis
The regular season went +1 game to break the Institute League tie between Sunshine Tidings and Bunker Hill with the Chemists coming out on top, 14-8, to earn the home-field advantage in what will be a rematch with the 75ers in the NCA Semifinal Round. Otherwise, 10 teams are in, 14 teams are out and preparing for the draft and how to manage their team heading into the offseason.
The playoffs seedings:
NCA
1. Salem
2. Sunshine Tidings
3. Bunker Hill
4. Nordhagen Beach
5. Starlight
Salem did not have a stellar finish in their first-ever trip to the playoffs, but the Witch Hats held on enough to earn home-field advantage throughout the entire playoffs with the CBO's top record.
Sunshine Tidings and Bunker Hill finished tied for 1st, and the Chemists took the IL with the win in the extra game. Those two teams now face each other again with the home-field advantage going to Sunshine Tidings.
Nordhagen Beach got hot at the end of the season, while Easy Town faded away. The biggest series came at the Assaultrons' home field, where the Party Boys won all three games to take the lead for 2nd place. The Trons were unable to recover, going 2-3 after that series to finish the final week, giving the Boys a Play-in Round matchup with 5th-seed Starlight.
SCA
1. Oberland
2. Jamaica Plain
3. Vault 81
4. Spectacle Island
5. Egret
Oberland was able to hold off Vault 81 for the Railroad League crown, their first since 2298, and the #1 overall seed. That pushed the Dwellers to the #3 seed where they will face the winners of the Minutemen League, Jamaica Plain, which as only topped by Roxbury in the final two weeks for the best run in the CBO.
That means Spectacle Island fell to the 4th seed after going 5-5 in their final 10. They will match up with #5 Egret, a team that shook up the playoffs just three seasons ago as the #4 seed, upsetting #1 Roxbury in the SCA Semifinal Round before succumbing to eventual-champion University Point.
The playoffs will look different in the SCA with neither the Deathclaws nor Rad Sox in the playoffs this season. Those two teams have been the representatives of the SCA in the Sole Survivor Series for the past six seasons with four championships, two each, between them.
Here are the final team power rankings for Commonwealth Baseball Organization:
Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Bunker Hill 75ers (121.5, o)
2) Salem Witch Hats (116.0, ++)
3) Jamaica Plain Red Rockets (112.0, o)
4) Starlight Killers (110.5, ++)
5) Sunshine Tidings Chemists (109.5, --)
6) Vault 81 Dwellers (109.0, -)
7) Roxbury Rad Sox (108.5, ++)
8) Oberland T-51s (108.5, --)
9) Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (106.5, -)
10) Spectacle Island Reapers (102.5, -)
11) Egret Ninjas (99.0, --)
12) The Slog Ghouls (95.5, -)
13) Easy Town Assaultrons (93.0, -)
14) University Point Deathclaws (91.5, +)
15) Nahant Celtics (90.5, +)
16) County Crossing Bloodbugs (89.5, -)
17) Quincy Gunners (89.5, -)
18) Atom Cats (73.0, +)
19) Goodneighbor Hancocks (67.5, -)
20) FHE Yao Guai (65.0, +)
21) Lexington Synths (62.0, -)
22) Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (56.5, o)
23) Diamond City Swatters (51.0, o)
24) Concord Radstags (36.0, o)
CBO Standings
CBO Draft Preview
The 2308 Rookie Draft is set for the November selections. Assuming no trades, here are the final Top 10 picks:
1. Concord
2. Fort Hagen
3. Diamond City
4. FHE
5. Lexington
6. Goodneighbor
7. Atom
8t. Country Crossing
8t. Nahant
8t. Quincy
Note: All of the Bloodbugs, Celtics, and Gunners finished at 59-61. The order will be determined later for picks 8-10.
Here are five more draft picks to preview:
16. 2B David Bloatfly, Marlborough - Bloatfly is a draft-declared junior since he got a late start on his freshman season. He is a heavily-talented kid who has the potential to hit for average and power. However, there are some character concerns that he is hard-headed. He dropped from major productivity in his freshman season where he hit 37 home runs to hitting only 38 combined the past two seasons. While he played at 2B with the Minigunners, he is expected to move to 1B in the pros unless he improves his range.
17. 3B Dell Ware, Taunton - Another draft-declared junior since he will age out, Ware is considered a solid talent. OSA scouts are torn on his abilities, with some having him going in the middle of the 1st round and others dropping him as late as the 3rd round. Ware does not seem to love baseball, but he is an effective hitter and defender. If he finds his love for the game, he could be a gem for a team that takes him.
18. 1B Pockets Wrench, Brockton - A talented hitter but a lousy defender, OSA scouts are also torn on Wrench. He has the build to develop into a power hitter, but he hit only 56 home runs in four seasons with Avon/Brockton. A good hitting coach from a good team in the late 1st is his best landing spot.
19. 3B Lumpy Pumpkinhead, Wellesley - Pumpkinhead is projected to be an elite power hitter in the CBO. He showed that he was growing as a hitter, improving his home run production every season to a career-high 26 in 2308. Pumpkinhead is considered a boom or bust project who needs a good hitting coach to develop to be CBO-ready.
20. SP Spanky Sutherland, Boston Common - Sutherland is a developing pitcher who is long and lanky. He features a 97 top-speed fastball and an effective slider but needs to develop his changeup and sinker more. He seems to tire fast, being much less efficient in the 2nd and 3rd times through lineups, so he needs to work on his stamina in the minors where he may need a few years to develop. He could be similar to a top prospect in the CBO, Pokey Chatman of Salem, who has been in the GBRL for three years, but is considered a top pitcher prospect who will be able to find success in the CBO one day.
CBO Transactions
Tuesday, September 22nd , 2308
Diamond City Swatters: RP Jason Worry (AAA Natick) retired from professional baseball.
Roxbury Rad Sox: RP Michael Thawt (AAA Sandwich) retired from professional baseball.
University Point Deathclaws: RP Danny Sloghill (AAA Graygarden) retired from professional baseball.
Oberland T-51s: SP Edwin Mass (AAA Lynn) retired from professional baseball.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: C John Atomson (AAA Needham) retired from professional baseball.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: RF Travis Alone (AAA Lowell) retired from professional baseball.
University Point Deathclaws: CL Tom Mannequin (AAA Graygarden) retired from professional baseball.
Oberland T-51s: RF Ryan Wegott (AAA Lynn) retired from professional baseball.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: SP Nick Poppa (AAA Worcester) retired from professional baseball.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: C Davie Whacker (AAA Lowell) retired from professional baseball.
The Slog Ghouls: 1B Josh Noggin (AAA Burlington) retired from professional baseball.
Roxbury Rad Sox: SP Gwinnett Southie (AAA Sandwich) retired from professional baseball.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: RP Danny Hitless (AAA Pleasant Lake) retired from professional baseball.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: 1B John Burp (AAA Pleasant Lake) retired from professional baseball.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: CF Frank Corsica (AAA Pleasant Lake) retired from professional baseball.
Roxbury Rad Sox: RP Odysseus Blades (AAA Sandwich) retired from professional baseball.
Vault 81 Dwellers: RP Fillmore Hofmann (AAA Everett) retired from professional baseball.
Salem Witch Hats: 1B Dan Catman (AAA Providence) retired from professional baseball.
Easy Town Assaultrons: 2B Frank Clawdodger (AAA Danvers) retired from professional baseball.
Bunker Hill 75ers: RF Skinny Danner (AAA Abernathy) retired from professional baseball.
Spectacle Island Reapers: SS Tumble Lastman (AAA Clifton) retired from professional baseball.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: RP David Tower (AAA Needham) retired from professional baseball.
Concord Radstags: CL Sheffield Williams (AAA Arlington) retired from professional baseball.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: 2B Justin Gunsmith (AAA Needham) retired from professional baseball.
Vault 81 Dwellers: LF Machete Thompson (AAA Everett) retired from professional baseball.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: 3B Jon Hitman (AAA Braintree) retired from professional baseball.
University Point Deathclaws: LF Mag Barbarian (AAA Graygarden) retired from professional baseball.
Bunker Hill 75ers: CF Flatface Parker (AAA Abernathy) retired from professional baseball.
FHE Yao Guai: RP Daddy-O Sixx (AAA Watertown) retired from professional baseball.
FHE Yao Guai: 2B Richman Harris (AAA Watertown) retired from professional baseball.
Easy Town Assaultrons: SS Tipitino Funny (AAA Danvers) retired from professional baseball.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: 1B Dustin Mart (AAA Worcester) retired from professional baseball.
The Slog Ghouls: SP Massive Harbonne (AAA Burlington) retired from professional baseball.
Starlight Killers: 1B Travis Brothers (AAA Warwick) retired from professional baseball.
Diamond City Swatters: 1B Danny Bloodsworn (AAA Natick) retired from professional baseball.
Lexington Synths: RP Jason Pingleton (AAA Wellesley) retired from professional baseball.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: 2B Elvis Bash (AAA Braintree) retired from professional baseball.
Concord Radstags: 1B Sean Treadway (AAA Arlington) retired from professional baseball.
Roxbury Rad Sox: RF John Heinzerling (AAA Sandwich) retired from professional baseball.
University Point Deathclaws: RP Travis Sisler (AAA Graygarden) retired from professional baseball.
Starlight Killers: LF Scott Wrench (AAA Warwick) retired from professional baseball.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: RP Nick Glawe (AAA Braintree) retired from professional baseball.
FHE Yao Guai: 3B C.J. Hodgdon (AAA Watertown) retired from professional baseball.
University Point Deathclaws: 3B Curtis McIlwain (AAA Graygarden) retired from professional baseball.
Easy Town Assaultrons: Released RP Pumpkin Lumpkin.
Salem Witch Hats: Released RP Stack Moneyman.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Activated SP Corey Ware from the injured list.
Saturday, September 19th , 2308
Easy Town Assaultrons: Placed RF Dan Squirrel on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/16/2308.
Friday, September 18th , 2308
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Armitage Hux.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Paul Gardner.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Dave Wilhelm.
Thursday, September 17th , 2308
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Activated SS Cy Thompson from the injured list.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Sent SS Cy Thompson to Triple A Pleasant Lake for injury rehab.
Wednesday, September 16th , 2308
Concord Radstags: Activated RP Aaron Still from the 60-day injured list.
Concord Radstags: Sent RP Aaron Still to Triple A Arlington for injury rehab.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Placed SP Corey Ware on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/15/2308.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Signed RP John Bayers.
Tuesday, September 15th , 2308
Roxbury Rad Sox: Activated SP Godot Beckett from the injured list.
Monday, September 14th , 2308
University Point Deathclaws: Placed RF Tomas Jones on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/12/2308.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Moon Maid.
Friday, September 11th , 2308
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Placed RF Birdie Burdi on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 09/08/2308.
Thursday, September 10th , 2308
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Hugo Arig.
Wednesday, September 9th , 2308
Quincy Gunners: Activated CF McCrew Gillens from the injured list.
Quincy Gunners: Sent CF McCrew Gillens to Triple A Castle for injury rehab.
Salem Witch Hats: Placed 3B Booth Larson on the 60-day injured list.
Tuesday, September 8th , 2308
Diamond City Swatters: Activated SP Brent Brewer from the injured list.
Diamond City Swatters: Fired Manager Steve Wagner.
Diamond City Swatters: Fired Pitching Coach Jack Mutt.
Diamond City Swatters: Signed Manager Kooky Gold.
MML Playoffs
Braintree Sweeps Everett
With a 4-3 win over the Everett Mutant Hounds at Eagles Park today, the Braintree Robobrains wrapped up their 1st title in team history.
The Robobrains left little doubt who was the better team. Celebrating a banner year, "team" was the word of the day in the victorious clubhouse after the game.
"Hitting, pitching, fielding; those are all things you need to win, but most importantly you need a team, a team that works together toward the same collective goal," said Braintree manager Lance Cournoyer. "Our players felt that way all year, and they played that way. When one guy had an off day, 24 others stepped up their game and filled the void."
A jovial mood filled the air as Braintree celebrated into the night. The city's mayor said parade plans were underway and a "huge celebration" would be in order.
"I hope they have a big celebration," Everett manager Drac Jaskula said. "They deserved to win this series and they deserve to celebrate it."
BMU Playoffs
The Mystic Pines Raybathers ignited a huge celebration as they beat the Forest Grove Pugilists 4-1 to win the Boston Minor Series.
Mystic Pines won the series 3-2, capturing the title for the 2nd time.
"We stepped it up at the right time, and now we're the champs," said Mystic Pines manager Devon Museum. "It's a great feeling."
The champs finished the regular season 57-31 and claimed first place in the Commonwealth Association Cambridge League.
In the jubilant clubhouse after the decisive game, series MVP and second baseman Moby Dick Harborman said the Raybathers have "great fans and they deserve this."
"I am so happy for our city right now," he said.
GBRL Playoffs
It was a hard-fought battle for both teams to make it this far. But as the saying goes, "to the victors go the spoils." For the victorious Lynn Woods Bloatflies, that meant the Greater Boston Rookie League Rookie Series trophy.
The Bloatflies took a 2-1 victory over the Greater Mass Vans at Kauffman Stadium, winning their 1st championship after taking the series 3-2.
"We've got grit," said Bloatflies right fielder Mugsy Bowden, who was named MVP of the series. "We know how to win when we have to."
The new titleholders completed the regular season with a first-place finish in the North League Northeast Division and a 51-37 record.