BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, BCAC, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
27 June 2310
CBO Analysis
Do not look now, but some of the old guard has returned, including the topsy-turvy league that is the Minutemen League. Some of the traditional powers have begun to flex their muscles. Now 50 wins seem to be the elite status, while 40 wins seem to be contender status. Those under 40 wins, well, they may want to start building for 2311. Here are the current team power rankings for the Commonwealth Baseball Organization:
Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Roxbury Rad Sox (145.2, +)
2) Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (132.5, -)
3) Bunker Hill 75ers (130.4, o)
4) Oberland T-51s (114.9, o)
5) Vault 81 Dwellers (114.3, +)
6) Egret Ninjas (113.3, o)
7) Starlight Killers (113.2, ++)
8) Sunshine Tidings Chemists (112.9, +)
9) The Slog Ghouls (112.3, --)
10) Jamaica Plain Red Rockets (111.7, ++)
11) Quincy Gunners (109.8, --)
12) Easy Town Assaultrons (103.1, ++)
13) Salem Witch Hats (100.7, -)
14) Spectacle Island Reapers (92.7, +)
15) University Point Deathclaws (91.1, --)
16) County Crossing Bloodbugs (86.7, -)
17) Nahant Celtics (81.3, -)
18) Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (78.2, +)
19) Goodneighbor Hancocks (72.8, o)
20) Malden Grognaks (72.4, +)
21) FHE Yao Guai (70.1, ++)
22) Diamond City Swatters (67.2, --)
23) Lexington Synths (66.8, +)
24) Atom Cats (63.7, -)
25) Concord Radstags (61.1, o)
26) Southie Brews (49.8, --)
27) Cambridge Coursers (29.0, +)
28) Glowing Sea Radscorpions (27.6, -)
Brotherhood League
Nordhagen Beach was the CBO's hottest team, having won 12 straight before dropping three straight, including two to Malden. Speaking of the Grognaks, at 31-45, they are not only the best expansion franchise so far, but they also have a better record than Atom (29-47), Concord (30-46), and FHE (30-46). The Slog is six back of the Party Boys, and then there is a jumble for 3rd place with Easy Town, County Crossing, and Salem all within a game of one another seeking the 6th playoff seed.
We want to feature the expansion teams now that we are 76 games into their first season and look at who has stood out for them. In the BL, that team is the Grognaks as we mentioned above. Malden is 13th in runs scored (264) and 11th in runs allowed (379). On offense, the player that has stood out the most is 1B Andy Stamey (.319/19/50). Stamey was acquired in a trade with Salem that sent RP Capstone Goofson (in today's transactions for being traded this morning to Vault 81) and LF Nute Gunray, a talented young outfielder. On the mound, SP Dusty Lynne (7-6, 3.46) has been the most successful, along with RP Tyler Whitestag (7-1, 3.00).
Institute League
The top three teams are likely to make the playoffs, while the other four definitely will not. Bunker Hill is 9-1 in their last 10, propelling the 75ers to a four-game lead over Sunshine Tidings and a six-game advantage over Starlight.
At 19-57, Cambridge has the worst record in the NCA by far, 11 games back of the next team in the Radstags. The Coursers are 14th in runs scored (218) and 12th in runs allowed (386), though they amazingly have the 2nd-best Bullpen ERA (3.82). CL Ryan Roberson (8 SV, 3.04) with SP/RP James-Jacob Dowryman (0-2, 3.18, 22 G, 12 GS) helping. Cambridge has used Dowryman as a short-term starter, which means he cannot earn victories. On offense, the Coursers will need to find some hitters with 3B Burtie Cuttooth (.237/7/33) and 2B Jay Stoneman (.237/1/13) tued for the team lead in batting average. As a team, the Coursers are hitting .228 with a .304 OBP.
Minutemen League
There are two red-hot teams in the ML: Quincy (43-33, 8-2 in last 10) and Jamaica Plain (40-36, 9-game winning streak). The Gunners are now two games up on University Point for the league lead, and the Red Rockets are now tied with Spectacle Island for 3rd place, putting them right back in playoff contention and the ML hunt.
Southie (24-52) is in last place but have the 2nd-best record among expansion franchises. The Brews are 13th in runs scored (273) and runs allowed (456). RF Beckett Quantum (.287/13/38) has been the Brews' best overall hitter, while free agent pickup SP Air McNair (3-3, 3.38) has been their best pitcher.
Railroad League
With a current 12-game winning streak, Roxbury has stormed ahead to claim the SCA's best record a t 52-24, only one game back of the Boys. The Rad Sox now also lead both Vault 81 and Egret by five games and Oberland by six. All four teams have a better record than the ML's leader, the Gunners.
Playing in such a strong league, the Glowing Sea Radscorpions (18-58) may have no chance but to sit at the bottom for a while. With the CBO's worst record, the Radscorpions also sport the worst statistics, including being 14th in runs scored (243) and runs allowed (482). Like Cambridge in the NCA, the Scorpions are not getting much statistical help. 1B Casey Roux (.253/16/41) is currently the team's Triple Crown champion, leading the team in all three categories. SP Bobby Denman (4-9, 5.44) has been the best of a bad staff with a Starters ERA of 6.68. CL Taki Undertaker (10 SV, 3.51) has been the best pitcher.
CBO Standings
CBO Players of the Week
June 20 - The North Charles Association has chosen Ross Merchantman of the Sunshine Tidings Chemists as Player of the Week.
What a week Merchantman had. He hit .462 (12-for-26) with 5 home runs, 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Merchantman is hitting .344 this year with 24 home runs and 67 RBIs. He also has an OBP of .428, 37 walks and scored 56 times.
The marquee name in the South Charles Association this week is Donn Mattingley of the Roxbury Rad Sox.
The hot-hitting 29-year-old third baseman put up a .536 average and .581 on-base percentage, piling up 15 hits in 28 at-bats, 4 home runs, 12 RBIs and 14 runs scored.
That kind of hitting got him the SCA Player of the Week honors.
So far this season Mattingley has put up a .407 batting average with 105 hits, 20 home runs and 53 RBIs.
June 27 - Brennan Colt-45 has the tools to stick in this league for many years. The 21-year-old shortstop of the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud had a hot bat in the North Charles Association over the past seven days and won the Player of the Week honors.
Colt-45 batted .500 with 13 hits in 26 at-bats, 3 home runs and 4 RBIs.
A look at his current stats shows Colt-45 with a .331 average, 9 home runs, 37 RBIs and 42 runs scored. He has played in 75 games.
A battle-tested Ben Pawlak declared war on opposing pitchers last week, attacking the ball like the well-schooled veteran he is. Today the 33-year-old Roxbury center fielder collected the South Charles Association Player of the Week Award.
He wrapped up the week with a .667 average, 12 hits in 18 at-bats, 3 home runs, 10 RBIs and 11 runs scored.
Pawlak is hitting .357 in 2310 with 51 RBIs and 15 home runs.
CBO Injuries
CBO Transactions
Monday, June 27th , 2310
Lexington Synths: Activated RP Iz Northwest from the injured list.
Atom Cats: Placed RF Deer Quickwalker on the 60-day injured list.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Activated 2B Bubb Islander from the injured list.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Sent 2B Bubb Islander to Triple A Clifton for injury rehab.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RP Chris Lawrance.
Atom Cats: Signed SS Bubba Shrimp.
Diamond City Swatters: Signed free agent SP Lionel Minelli to a minor league contract.
Atom Cats: Released SS Bubba Shrimp.
Diamond City Swatters: Released SP Lionel Minelli.
The Sunshine Tidings Chemists traded 32-year old RHP Joey Dimes to the University Point Deathclaws, getting 32-year old LF David Seaweed in return.
Sunday, June 26th , 2310
The Slog Ghouls: Activated RF Cypher Raige from the injured list.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Placed 2B Eustace Murial on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/23/2310.
The Cambridge Coursers traded 17-year old minor league RF Stash Musial to the Malden Grognaks, getting 33-year old minor league LHP Jalen Gibbons in return.
Saturday, June 25th , 2310
Bunker Hill 75ers: Activated RF Deerlord Fugivmee from the injured list.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Placed SP Bobby Carvajal on the 60-day injured list.
Southie Brews: Activated CF Clip McWhorter from the injured list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Placed SP Urm Rehfeldt on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/23/2310.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released 1B Alex Oldpond.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released CF Moon Governor.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released RP Cutup Barrera.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RP Ivan Castle.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed RP Quarnie Fisher.
The The Slog Ghouls traded 22-year old C Whearnot Worthy to the Southie Brews, getting 31-year old RHP Taco LaVergne in return.
Friday, June 24th , 2310
Malden Grognaks: Placed SP Nick Hardy on the 60-day injured list.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Placed 2B Jonathan Abern on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/23/2310.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RP Tiger Comfortman.
The The Slog Ghouls traded 21-year old minor league SS Mill Walky to the Quincy Gunners, getting 25-year old minor league 2B Scott Gunderson in return.
The Oberland T-51s traded 19-year old minor league LHP Dallie Boy to the Southie Brews, getting 35-year old LHP Sheep Sanchez in return.
The Vault 81 Dwellers traded 18-year old minor league C Ryan Culp to the Salem Witch Hats, getting 32-year old RHP Capstone Goofson in return.
Thursday, June 23rd , 2310
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: LF Eli Durus returns from his rehab assignment.
Egret Ninjas: Activated CF Pockets Aintfull from the injured list.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released RP Jazz Shears.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released CF Mortimer Mirelurk.
Wednesday, June 22nd , 2310
Lexington Synths: Placed RP Iz Northwest on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/20/2310.
University Point Deathclaws: Activated RF Jarrett Metalbox from the injured list.
University Point Deathclaws: Sent RF Jarrett Metalbox to Triple A Graygarden for injury rehab.
Easy Town Assaultrons: Placed CF Sharkey Lurkfodder on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/20/2310.
The Oberland T-51s traded 21-year old minor league 2B Enjoy Honor and 21-year old minor league 3B Packrat Bowlman to the Glowing Sea Radscorpions, getting 25-year old minor league LF Justin Nearhoof in return.
Tuesday, June 21st , 2310
Diamond City Swatters: Activated LF Todd Smithfield from the injured list.
The Roxbury Rad Sox traded 21-year old minor league 3B Wandering Bare and 21-year old minor league C Atom Johnson to the Glowing Sea Radscorpions, getting 30-year old RHP Thorn McCormick in return.
The Egret Ninjas traded 19-year old minor league 1B Brooksie Net and 23-year old minor league SS Space Ellewin to the Southie Brews, getting 30-year old RHP Chris Salazar in return.
Monday, June 20th , 2310
Spectacle Island Reapers: Placed 2B Bubb Islander on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/19/2310.
Saturday, June 18th , 2310
Bunker Hill 75ers: Placed RF Deerlord Fugivmee on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/17/2310.
Friday, June 17th , 2310
Diamond City Swatters: Activated 3B Allen Bishop from the injured list.
Diamond City Swatters: Sent 3B Allen Bishop to Triple A Natick for injury rehab.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Placed 3B Hazmatt Zuniga on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/16/2310.
Malden Grognaks: Signed CF Commodore Kaestner.
Thursday, June 16th , 2310
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Activated 1B Zeldolph Violet from the restricted list.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Activated SP Ryan Dennislynch from the restricted list.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released SS Jordan Chatfield.
Wednesday, June 15th , 2310
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Activated RF B.J. Perez from the injured list.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Sent RF B.J. Perez to Triple A Lowell for injury rehab.
The Slog Ghouls: Activated LF Boots Yellowhair from the injured list.
The Slog Ghouls: Sent LF Boots Yellowhair to Triple A Burlington for injury rehab.
Tuesday, June 14th , 2310
University Point Deathclaws: Placed RF Tomas Jones on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/12/2310.
University Point Deathclaws: Placed SS Austin Engill on the 60-day injured list.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Placed 1B Zeldolph Violet on the restricted list.
Southie Brews: Placed RP Redd Barron on the 60-day injured list.
Diamond City Swatters: Placed LF Todd Smithfield on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/13/2310.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed CF Card Fuller.
CBO Top Threes
With Nordhagen Beach RF Jonathan Angelou reaching 400 home runs this week, we wanted to highlight a few milestones in the CBO with the top three players in those statistical categories.
Please note: We are using official CBO stats, only. The years 2296-2297 were not a part of that statistical data.
Home Runs
Since we mentioned Angelou, let us start with home runs. Right now, that milestone seems to be 400 with just three players reaching it and the fourth player, RF Babs Rooth, County Crossing, not likely to reach that mark until maybe next year.
1. 441 - 1B Barker Cocoa, University Point
2. 413 - 1B Oren Gep, Starlight
3. 402 - RF Jonathan Angelou, Nordhagen Beach
Stolen Bases
We do not talk about stolen bases much overall, but the magic number has been 300 with just three players in CBO history joining that rank.
1. 394 - 2B Bubb Islander, Spectacle Island
2. 331 - CF Hid Matsumoto, Jamaica Plain
3. 310 - 3B Ajani Peacock, Egret
Saves
Again, 300 is the number to watch in the saves category with just three players in CBO history reaching that mark. Two of the three are still active but have not pitched a CBO game this season.
1. 339 - CL Josh Samm, Diamond City
2. 323 - CL Andy Helium, Goodneighbor (currently with Foxborough of the MML)
3. 312 - CL Doug Dee El, Jamaica Plain (currently with Needham of the MML)
CYL Playoffs
We will have a further breakdown of the CYL playoffs on July 1 when we should know better which teams are playing for the championship. Right now, each region is playing its semifinals.
In the NCA, the #1 seed South Charles Bank Moonies just swept the #4 and defending champions, the Beantown Sprouts, in two games. In the other NCA series, the #2 Woburn Diners and #6 Hester Mechanists are tied, 1-1, in the three-game set. In the SCA, #8 West Quincy, which upset #1 Andrew Station, is tied 1-1 with #5 Brown, which upset #4 Taunton in the previous round. In the other series, the #3 Nauset Beach Lurkhunters swept the #2 Hope Firestarters in two games.
