BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
12 February 2311
CBO Feature: Glowing Sea Radscorpions
The Glowing Sea Radscorpions are currently the lowest-rated of the four expansion teams, having finished 36-94 and 42-88 in their first two seasons. Though the Scorpions finished two games ahead of the Southie Brews as the 2311's bottom of the CBO standings, they are currently ranked 22nd in their farm system.
Of course, that ranking will change when the 2312 scouting reports drop, but the Radscorpions have a long way to go before we expect them to play for titles. In terms of the 2311 team, Glowing Sea finished 14th in runs scored and 12th in runs allowed, leading to a losing combination.
Glowing Sea's current ratings at pitcher are not dire, but the CBO starting staff ranks 28th in the CBO and 27th in overall SP rankings. The relievers, though, are rated 3rd among the CBO's top farm relievers.
Looking at the current pitching staff, there are CBO-capable starters playing some who should not be in the CBO. That is the nature, though, of starting out as an expansion team. SP Taki Undertaker (5-16, 6.27) should be in the CBO, but maybe as a 4th pitcher. 3B/SP Quay Swimmer (5-15, 5.78) is probably the most-talented pitcher, but he is also not ace material. The current 3rd and 4th pitchers, Ryan Dennislynch (3-17, 7.22) and Marion Cobratea (1-5, 6.26) should not be starters in the CBO.
In the bullpen, there is a collection of solid, not great, relievers. It can work for the Scorpions now, but by 2315, we should see much more talent here. ERAs were OK with Q.T. Pai (2-0, 3.16), Keith Bralley (0-3, 3.72), Carlos Crayon (3-3, 4.04), and Thrifty Tony Malacara (20 SV, 4.08) leading the way.
In the lineup, there is some young talent still developing. RF Naga Arakaki (.321/27/66) seamlessly transitioned from the Concord youth team to the Radscorpions after being drafted 2nd overall in 2310. He also won the Red Rocket Rookie Award in 2311. Other youngsters who found their way onto the 2311 roster include CF Enigma Montgomery, LF Shad the Lad Lambisky, and SS Packrat Bowlman. 1B Casey Roux (.262/22/62) offered the best veteran presence for the 2311 team.
Looking at prospects, there are some who will be contributing sooner rather than later. Either Brunwulf Freewinter or Fura Morrard should take over for Roux at 1B when he is done. C Timelord Marvel should start taking starts away from veteran C Garth Invader by the middle of this season.
Some other prospects in lower classifications include SS Ripley Durham who could earn a spot on the CBO roster. 2311 second-overall pick SP Alex Language will need some time to develop, but scouts see him being the staff ace as early as 2313. CL Mar Gotfenning, 1B Johan Honus, LF Tallahassee Vice, RF Big Shot Billups, and RF Pie Trainer are all listed by scouts as future CBO players.
CCBL Freshman to Watch for 2312
The new class of the Commonwealth Collegiate Baseball League has now entered their freshman season. Let's take a look at five freshman who could have an immediate impact on the CCBL.
1. LF Pop Dylan, Commonwealth University - Dylan is the highest-rated freshman entering the 2312 season based on potential. He his lean now, but he shows the ability to put a pop on the ball, which will lead to multiple home runs. Scouts have noticed his aggressiveness at the plate, including seeking early-count swings that will sometimes get him in trouble against better pitchers.
2. C Moon Ducote, Quincy College - Ducote comes in expecting to compete for the starter position with the Masons. Scouts see him as a rare power-hitting catcher for the CBO which will increase his prospects when he declares for the draft. He also is a patient hitter and should have a decent OBP throughout his career.
3. LF Leaky Lou Biert, Harvard University - Biert is a good hitter but rather sluggish on the basepaths and in the outfield, which might land him eventually at 1B. Scouts love his ability to recognize pitches and lay off junk. While he may never lead the league in hitting, he is expected to develop into a solid contributor to his team wherever he ends up in the lineup.
4. 2B Fion Black, Mass Atlantic University - Black can play pretty much any infield position, though he will probably play on the right side of the infield the rest of the way unless he vastly improves his arm strength. In the batter's box, scouts love his slight-angle swing, thinking it gives Black the ability to find gaps in the outfield. They think he could be a high AVG-OBP-OPS player.
5. 3B Halep Gutteridge, Nahant Marine Institute - One thing that stuck out to scouts during the Freshman Showcases for recruiting players was Gutteridge's hustle. He does not seem as natural, but he takes a cerebral approach to the game. Scouts think his intellect will serve him well in understanding situations both as a batter and fielder. He showed great ability to recognize pitches and he has enough drive to knock balls out of the park. He is a big guy already, so added muscle may make him a beast.
CYL Top Incoming Freshmen
With the incoming class of freshmen awaiting the start of the 2312 season, we will now look at those freshmen who could have an immediate impact on the league, according to OSA scouts. Here are the Top 5.
1. SP Mike Searocker, Lowell Frags - Scouts raved about the Showcase measurables that Searocker put up and are eager to see what he does in his freshman season with the Frags. He has five pitches with three that scouts think are already CBO-ready: changeup, curve, and slider. he is expected to be a high-control pitcher who will force a lot of frustrating swings hit at infielders.
2. SP Rick Green, Sandwich Screamers - While not as sure of an ace by OSA as Searocker, Green still looks the part as a future CBO pitcher. He is a finesse pitcher who relies on junk to confuse and frustrate hitters. All of his pitches have good movement, making it hard to pinpoint the sweet spot on his pitches.
3. LF Ice Cream Horton, Wellfleet Tarberries - Horton has two skills he brings into his career: spray hitting and spray fielding. He is projected at LF with the Tarberries, but he has enough range and skills to play all three OF positions. He also has a powerful swing that will become more effective as he grows into his body. Scouts see him as being a middle-of-the-lineup hitter who will eventually hit 30+ homers in the CBO.
4. LF Buzzy Poulakis, Nauset Beach Lurk Hunters - Poulakis can also play anywhere in the OF but will probably settle in a corner OF spot. He is good at putting the bat on the ball, even on junk pitches, so he can be valuable in working the count and tiring a pitcher. Should he develop fully, expect him to be a .333+ hitter in the CBO.
5. 2B Cajun Darri, Saugus Launchers - Darri will star at 2B, but he needs to work on his glove to stay there. Scouts do not think he has a lot of capacity as a fielder, but they like what he can do with the bat. He can be effective at working the count to draw walks, and he can also make pitchers pay for their mistakes.
CBO Transactions
Monday, February 12th , 2312
Egret Ninjas: Signed 3B John Summers.
Saturday, February 10th , 2312
Concord Radstags: Signed RF Chief McGowan.
The Concord Radstags traded 23-year old 2B Seemly Sam Tucker, a 9th round draft pick, and a 14th round draft pick to the Salem Witch Hats, getting 27-year old C Plump Jack Korson and 19-year old minor league 2B Tome Humphries in return.
Friday, February 9th , 2312
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Greg De Groot.
Thursday, February 8th , 2312
Nahant Celtics: Released 1B Lache Treadwell.
Nahant Celtics: Released RP Green Gene Villeplay.
Lexington Synths: Signed SS Julian Roughneck.
Concord Radstags: Signed RF Sam Noob.
Wednesday, February 7th , 2312
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released 3B Tuck Wilson.
Egret Ninjas: Signed 3B Name Olarti.
Concord Radstags: Signed RF Slick Nick Henderson.
Tuesday, February 6th , 2312
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Matt Settler.
Monday, February 5th , 2312
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released RP Grat Iancaer.
Atom Cats: Signed RP Victor Numbclaw.
Cambridge Coursers: Signed SP Josh Reliford.
Diamond City Swatters: Signed free agent SP Veni Vidi Johnson to a minor league contract.
The Bunker Hill 75ers traded 22-year old minor league CF Sardar Agiashvili to the Concord Radstags, getting 24-year old RHP Greez Dritus in return.