BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
19 February 2311
CBO Feature: Spectacle Island Reapers
When people think of the Spectacle Island Reapers and their predecessor in the CBO, the Warwick Mirelurks, they do not think of them being a bad franchise. However, when compared to the rest of the SCA and not counting the expansion franchises, the Reapers have the worst winning percentage (.451) of them all.
The team has been much better in recent years, though they have missed the playoffs the past three seasons, including being the first team out in 2311. Still, this current version should be good. Let's tell you how 2315 is when they can be competitive, though.
The Reapers seem to have a good lineup, but really it was four guys who guided their team to the 9th-most runs scored in the SCA: 1B Homestay Lovetap (.302/41/106), LF Zod Gaycey (.331/29/99), 3B Cave Dweller Bourgeois (.260/21/72), and RF Dan Squirrel (.290/17/67). The rest of the lineup struggled at times, and the Reapers will need to significantly upgrade the lineup to compete. There are two good veteran catchers currently on the roster in Biddy Swenson and Knicker Trout though neither will light up with the bat. SS Poncho Picasso is a great defensive shortstop and can sometimes use the bat. CF Seer Ladybird is a good defensive outfielder but cannot hit. Looking at young players on the roster who could contribute in the batter's box are 2B Cyclone Betancourt and IF Wizard of Oz Smith.
The pitching finished 4th in runs allowed, but the news of SP Jalep Temper being attacked by a deathclaw was devastating news for a team that could use him in 2312. Temper may be ready by 2313. Chris Teddybear (9-2, 2.45) returns as the ace, but he is 36 and susceptible to injury. CL John Irwin at 34 is the only other good pitcher on the roster. There are not really any young arms currently looking to step up on the aging pitching staff. Red Eagle currently with Clifton (MML) is probably the best bet to pitch a young guy in 2312.
As far as the farm system is concerned, there are players that OSA scouts think will help out the currently 19th-ranked farm system. The Reapers' top three prospects are all Top 100 prospects: Smith (25th), SP Red Raider (43rd), and SS Nippy Ben Nippolt (84th). Some other young talent in the minors who could make waves include 1B Rolly Thumbs, LF Sandy Shaw, CF Aaron Annis, RP B.J. Blankenship, 1B Rad Rob Alba, 2B Malt Falcon, 3B Steven Milelamb, and OF 1st-Round pick Esau Babz.
Sunshine Tidings Changes Their Look
The Sunshine Tidings Chemists have changed their look for 2312, dropping the rad green color used by some other teams, including fellow Institute League team Concord, in favor of a darker green color.
Sunshine Tidings outfielders Family Sam Partridge and Hickory Dockery modeled the home and away look. The home jersey features the chemist logo on a white pin-striped jersey. The away jersey is a yellow with the word 'Co-op' on the front. The settlement's full name is the Sunshine Tidings Co-op. The hat is now a green with the settlement initials 'ST' on the front.
CCBL Bullpen Aces
There are three top-rated pitchers in the bullpen entering the 2312 season. These are guys that do not have the stamina or pitch variety to start but will help their teams to victory.
1. CL Toto Yanagi, SO, Revere College Riders - Yanagi is a sidearm pitcher who relies on a combination of fastball and changeup to fool batters. He was relatively effective, striking out 35 batters in 36.1 innings in 2311. He also saved 22 games in 24 attempts. Scouts love his consistency in his pitches and think the only thing that could stop him from being CBO-ready would be a series of injuries. He is rated by scouts as a CBO closer for his ceiling.
2. RP Boozy Bankman, FR, Boston College Eagles - Bankman came to the Eagles from Vermont, where he was recruited from a traveling youth team there. His workouts must have gone well with Boston College because they signed him early in the recruiting process, bypassing a few CYL players trying to break into the bullpen. Scouts think he could work his way into eventually being a starting pitcher but know that he currently utilizes just a fastball and changeup.
3. CL Redmond Brooks, FR, CIT Engineers - Another freshman, Brooks is expected to pitch from the bullpen his freshman year and then work his way into the starting rotation once he can show solid enough stamina. He has a good array of pitches and does a good job of following batters enough to get the whiffing at pitches. Scouts currently project him as a reliever at the next level, but like his chances of finding success.
CYL More Senior Prospects
Here are three more seniors who are due to go decently high in the 2312 CBO Draft:
1. 1B Newt Jordan, Lexington Minuteboys - Jordan finally grew into his body for his junior season, increasing from 14 home runs to 31 home runs for the Minuteboys. Scouts love his eye at the plate and how he punishes bad pitches over the plate. He sometimes watches pitches, though, because he tends to make up his mind on what pitch he guessed before the windup. Scouts like his power and think he is a top prospect if he learns to control the entire at-bat.
2. 3B I.C. Reader, Marblehead Mess - Reader will be trying to change positions in 2312 to make himself more draft-enducing come Bovember. As a hitter, he has been consistent in his hitting, including three seasons of 21, 23, and 25 home runs. That puts him currently at a tie for 59th all-time, but he could see himself climbing the ladder toward the Top 10 in 2312. Scouts believe he could work himself into being a cleanup hitter in the CBO.
3. RF Henry Hampster, South Charles Bank Moonies - Hampster has been slow to get playing time, but once he got chances to start in 2311, he took advantage. In his junior season, he finished with a .308/23/53 batting line. Scouts love his power potential and also see him as a potential cleanup hitter in the lineup.
CBO Transactions
Saturday, February 24th , 2312
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Released 1B Justin Balls.
The Slog Ghouls: Released RP Bobby Rebel.
Lexington Synths: Signed SS Shop Pour.
Concord Radstags: Signed 2B Sweetbean Wimpy.
Concord Radstags: Signed RF Buff Bather.
Friday, February 23rd , 2312
Lexington Synths: Signed SS Fluffy Featherstone.
Concord Radstags: Signed 2B Victor Valverde.
Concord Radstags: Signed RF Alex Hopp.
The Concord Radstags traded 19-year old minor league C Justin Lower and a 11th round draft pick to the Starlight Killers, getting 22-year old minor league RF Betrid Silverblood and a 5th round draft pick in return.
Thursday, February 22nd , 2312
Atom Cats: Signed free agent SP Nash Vil to a minor league contract.
Wednesday, February 21st , 2312
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released SP Nash Vil.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Danny Honeycutt.
Tuesday, February 20th , 2312
Egret Ninjas: Signed 3B Mike Grognak.
Monday, February 19th , 2312
Lexington Synths: Signed SS Rowan Gardener.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Fired Manager Stripes Hughes.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Signed Manager Woody Lumpkin.