BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
16 June 2313
CBO Analysis
At 63 games completed out of 130 games, we are right at the midway point of the 2313 regular season. In this age or grand parity, there are only two teams with 40 or more wins, Vault 81 (43) and County Crossing (40), and there are only two teams with 40 or more losses, Malden (41) and Easy Town (46). Let's take a look at the Power Rankings and the seeds should the playoffs start today.
Here are the current team power rankings for Commonwealth Baseball Organization:
Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (122.7, ++)
2) Vault 81 Dwellers (121.9, +)
3) County Crossing Bloodbugs (117.3, +)
4) The Slog Ghouls (114.4, -)
5) Atom Cats (112.5, o)
6) Bunker Hill 75ers (108.7, o)
7) FHE Yao Guai (108.5, o)
8) Salem Witch Hats (108.4, --)
9) Glowing Sea Radscorpions (107.1, o)
10) University Point Deathclaws (91.4, +)
11) Diamond City Swatters (89.6, ++)
12) Southie Brews (88.7, ++)
13) Jamaica Plain Red Rockets (86.7, +)
14) Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (86.7, ++)
15) Oberland T-51s (86.7, o)
16) Starlight Killers (86.4, --)
17) Lexington Synths (85.7, ++)
18) Quincy Gunners (81.8, +)
19) Spectacle Island Reapers (81.7, --)
20) Nahant Celtics (80.7, --)
21) Goodneighbor Hancocks (79.8, ++)
22) Sunshine Tidings Chemists (78.2, +)
23) Cambridge Coursers (77.2, +)
24) Roxbury Rad Sox (74.2, --)
25) Egret Ninjas (73.3, --)
26) Concord Radstags (70.2, --)
27) Malden Grognaks (61.8, o)
28) Easy Town Assaultrons (43.6, o)
Current Playoffs Seeds
NCA
1. County Crossing
2. Fort Hagen (leads the season series over BH, 2-1)
3t. Salem (tied season series with The Slog, 3-3)
3t. The Slog
5. Bunker Hill
6. Starlight
SCA
1. Vault 81
2. Atom
3. FHE
4. Glowing Sea
5. University Point
6. Diamond City
Brotherhood League
Each of County Crossing, Salem, and The Slog have taken their turn at the top of the BL, with the Bloodbugs currently a game up on the other two. Nordhagen Beach and Nahant are still close in the wildcard race at just two games back. Malden and Easy Town should probably scout the CYL and CCBL harder right now.
The Assaultrons are currently at 17-46 (.270), putting them in a bad position. While there is some talent in Easy Town, the gap between good talent and fringe CBO is more severe for the Trons than most teams. They are a team rebuilding, and they may need to be more efficient with that rebuild sooner than later to see what they already have in their system. The Trons are tied for 8th in runs scored (287) but last in runs allowed (404). Only one player is hitting above .300, and it isn't sensational second-year player CF Eden Babz (.287/8/27/21 SB). Instead, it is rookie SS Albie Cannibal (.319/12/38), acquired from Roxbury in the offseason. 1B Baktu DaWell (.281/13/42) and LF Figgie Legendsport (.278/11/31) have also contributed. The starting pitching is a mess with ace SP Scott Fuhr (5-8, 4.30) having the best record and ERA. SP Tarzan Rogers (1-8, 9.28) should be in the MML right now but has to get shellacked instead. The bullpen is no better with RP Hollywood Joe Horn (2-2, 4.27) leading the bullpen.
Institute League
Fort Hagen has made its move, winning nine in a row and 12 of 13 games in June. That puts the Silver Shroud, the hottest team in the CBO, in a tie for 1st place with Bunker Hill and just three back of the Bugs for the NCA's top record. The defending champions looked as though they were content with a championship but have now turned up the heat on the CBO. Starlight is the only other team above .500, trailed by Lexington by two games. Concord, Sunshine Tidings, and Cambridge are all tied for 5th place.
The Shroud were spinning their wheels early in the season but have seemed to have found their mojo now. Currently, Fort Hagen is 2nd in runs scored (359) and 5th in runs allowed (292). Hitters 3-6 are the best for the Silver Shroud: 2B Nauseous Revere (.363/8/39), RF Orcin Cardinal (.305/14/48), C Sleve McDichael (.332/9/44), and SS Brennan Colt-45 (.305/8/37). On the mound, the Shroud have recently made a trade with Egret for starters-now-relievers Max Grove (2 SV, 4.62) and Machine Man Fortune (0-4, 5.36). They also moved Josh Woods (2-7, 5.86) to the bullpen and put CL Nien Nunb (2-2, 11 SV, 1.46) into the fourth starter role. At the top of the starters list, all three have ERAs below 4.00: Sarthis Idren (8-4, 3.40), Elastic Man Haley (7-5, 3.99), and La'Ray Kalel (5-2, 3.74).
Minutemen League
Atom continues to hold a comfortable lead in the ML while the rest of the league remains jumbled. University Point is the only team above .500 by a game, while all Spectacle Island, Jamaica Plain, Southie, Goodneighbor, and Quincy are just under .500 and very much still alive for the playoff hunt.
For the Hancocks, currently tied with the Gunners for 6th place, the young talent has not been able to put it together just yet, at least, not on a consistent level. ML champions just a season ago, Goodneighbor expected to continue that momentum but has taken a step backwards. Goodneighbor is tied for 9th in runs scored (305) and 5th in runs allowed (294). CF Missile Crews (.310/6/38) is the best hitter, but even his numbers are down. Rookie C Crass Brad Crusty (.325/10/30) has been a pleasant surprise, after being taken in the 4th round of the 2311 Draft and then jumping from the GBRL last season to the CBO this season. LF Ziggy Stardust (.315/4/39), 2B Avrusa Sarethi (.314/7/26), and RF Jay Gabby (.277/10/27) have also contributed. The Hancocks starting rotation is good and is 3rd in Starters ERA (4.05). The top three starters--Heaven Fontenot (7-4, 3.95), Clubhouse Treelover (4-5, 4.15), and Mister Burns (7-4, 2.98)--have contributed to that number. In the bullpen, no one has an ERA below 4.00, showing a problem area that needs to be addressed to compete for a playoff spot this season and a championship in future seasons.
Railroad League
Vault 81 is beginning to distance itself somewhat from FHE, now up by five games in the league. Glowing Sea is the SCA's hottest team, going 7-3 in their last 10, with the rest of the association winning 4, 5, or 6 in that stretch. Diamond City at a game under .500 is currently the SCA's 6th seed, with Oberland a game back of them. Roxbury and Egret are not out of the playoff hunt but need a productive second half of the season from their aging but veteran-heavy teams.
While they cannot quite catch up to the Dwellers yet, the Yao Guai are poised to return to the playoffs after missing out in 2312 thanks to losing the play-in game to University Point. As the current 3rd seed, FHE seems to have a better grasp of getting closer to 2311 when they got in for the first time since 2303. Currently, the Yao Guai seem well-balanced, 5th in runs scored (325) and 3rd in runs allowed (274). Five players are hitting above .300 with another two hitters hitting below .300 but with double-digit home runs. LF Makin Jobear (.332/11/43) is the best all-around hitter. The other three top contributors are RF Cameron Triggs (.340/5/32), SS Dathomirian Zabrak (.359/6/32/27 SB), and 2B Slip Knotty (.278/11/24/5 SB). Starters are not spectacular but are 4th in ERA (4.11). Ace SP Kennett Kentucky (9-3, 3.51) has been the greatest contributor to that number. The bullpen is solid with the 3rd lowest ERA (4.12), led by CL Conrad Verner (13 SV, 3.04).
CBO Standings
CBO Players of the Week
June 9 - One of the league's most exciting young players, Family Sam Partridge of the Sunshine Tidings Chemists earned himself North Charles Association Player of the Week honors with a standout performance in last week's games.
For the week the 24-year-old left fielder had a lofty .538 average (14-for-26), collecting 3 home runs, 7 RBIs and 7 runs scored.
Thus far this season, Partridge has hit .344 with 18 home runs, 43 RBIs and scored 49 times.
The 36-year-old Atom Cats third baseman might not have the spring he had in his step years ago, but the "old man" can still play the game. Shane Stabb has been a reliable ballplayer, one who has worked hard to earn everything he's achieved and today he sits on top of the heap as he was named the South Charles Association Player of the Week.
He went 14-for-27 to rack up a .519 average with 2 home runs and 8 runs batted in this past week. Stabb also scored 5 runs.
So far this year, Stabb is batting .402 with 9 home runs, 35 RBIs and 46 runs scored.
June 16 - A battle-tested Babs Rooth declared war on opposing pitchers last week, attacking the ball like the well-schooled veteran he is. Today the 34-year-old County Crossing right fielder collected the North Charles Association Player of the Week Award.
He wrapped up the week with a .600 average, 15 hits in 25 at-bats, 3 home runs, 10 RBIs and 8 runs scored.
For the season, Rooth is batting .362 with 79 hits and 17 home runs. He has scored 46 times and batted in 55.
It's always a thrill for fans of the team and students of the game alike when a superstar in the making shows what he's got. Brunwulf Freewinter, the Glowing Sea Radscorpions 23-year-old first baseman, put himself in the spotlight last week making him the clear-cut choice for South Charles Association Player of the Week honors.
He ripped 10 hits in 18 at-bats, compiling a .556 average with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs.
This season, Freewinter has posted a batting average of .366 with 48 hits in 131 at-bats, 13 home runs and 42 RBIs. He has also scored 31 runs, walked 17 times and compiled a .436 OBP.
CBO Noteworthy News
June 9 - Which active pitchers are leading the Commonwealth Baseball Organization in career saves?
Wick Prater, CC, 389
Josh Samm, ROX, 363
William Butcherman, OBE, 334
Cush Baker, ST, 309
Justin Wilkerson, STAR, 307
June 9 - Gavin Deux-Gas of the The Slog Ghouls has now hit safely in 30 straight games. He socked 1 hit in today's 10-5 triumph over Salem at Vim! Park of Salem.
"30 games is a big chunk of the year, isn't it?" Deux-Gas said to reporters. "It's hard to wrap your head around."
Gavin Deux-Gas hit a two-run home run off Bry McBourbon in the 1st, grounded out in the 3rd, grounded out in the 4th, struck out in the 6th and was hit by a pitch in the 8th.
This season, Deux-Gas is batting at a .379 clip with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs.
Note: June 16 - As of today, Deux-Gas is on a 32-game hitting streak, six short of the record and currently the seventh-best streak all-time).
CBO Transactions
Monday, June 16th , 2313
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Tyreek Lunsford.
Sunday, June 15th , 2313
Bunker Hill 75ers: Placed RF Deerlord Fugivmee on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/14/2313.
Southie Brews: Signed 1B Tony Walksteady.
Concord Radstags: Signed LF Nikulas Ville.
Saturday, June 14th , 2313
Spectacle Island Reapers: SP Sam Guevenne returns from his rehab assignment.
FHE Yao Guai: Placed SP Baker Dozen on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/13/2313.
FHE Yao Guai: Placed 3B Cyclone Bolt on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/13/2313.
Salem Witch Hats: Activated RP Lott Dod from the restricted list.
Lexington Synths: Released 1B Gunmar Blacksmith.
The Slog Ghouls: Activated SS Gavin Deux-Gas from the restricted list.
The Slog Ghouls: Signed 3B Gustav Empower.
Egret Ninjas: Signed 3B Jonathan Sanders.
Southie Brews: Signed 1B Sanguis Krall.
Cambridge Coursers: Signed C Vurt Stix.
Cambridge Coursers: Signed 3B Mouth Mullard.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Dana Torres.
Egret Ninjas: Released 3B Casey Sturman.
Nahant Celtics: Released LF Dana Torres.
The The Slog Ghouls traded 23-year old minor league RF Spayz Sodetee and 22-year old minor league RF Billy Begg to the FHE Yao Guai, getting 29-year old minor league LHP Vick Green in return.
The Fort Hagen Silver Shroud traded 26-year old RHP Admiral Kelm to the FHE Yao Guai, getting 26-year old CF McCrew Gillens in return.
Friday, June 13th , 2313
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Dave Infante.
Nahant Celtics: Released LF Dave Infante.
The Glowing Sea Radscorpions traded 29-year old C Garth Invader to the The Slog Ghouls, getting 22-year old LHP Cutter Redman in return.
The Egret Ninjas traded 33-year old RHP Max Grove and 32-year old RHP Machine Man Fortune to the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud, getting 24-year old minor league LF Bodie Hughley and 19-year old minor league RHP Sheldon Mayoral in return.
Thursday, June 12th , 2313
Diamond City Swatters: SP Nucky Ostiguin returns from his rehab assignment.
Southie Brews: Activated SP Buzzcut McDonald from the restricted list.
Southie Brews: Sent SP Buzzcut McDonald to Triple A Greenfield for injury rehab.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Kyle Quickfingers.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RF Hat Weaver.
Lexington Synths: Signed LF Many Moons Requena.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Live Oak Taysom.
Concord Radstags: Signed LF Dustin Dean Moriarty.
Concord Radstags: Released LF Karl Hartson.
Malden Grognaks: Released RF Marty Fischer.
Nahant Celtics: Released LF Spitty Northshore.
Lexington Synths: Released CF Danny Honeycutt.
The Nordhagen Beach Party Boys traded 24-year old 3B Jacob Tarberry and a 3rd round draft pick to the Malden Grognaks, getting 18-year old minor league SS Gutty O'Flaherty, 19-year old minor league RHP Pistol Menifee, a 10th round draft pick, and a 8th round draft pick in return.
Wednesday, June 11th , 2313
Atom Cats: Signed C Jack Cracker.
Atom Cats: Signed C Muffin Studwick.
Concord Radstags: Signed LF Karl Hartson.
Concord Radstags: Released LF Lips Lightfoot.
The Sunshine Tidings Chemists traded 24-year old minor league SS Jock Casey and a 6th round draft pick to the Roxbury Rad Sox, getting 24-year old minor league RHP Flex Kinnard, 19-year old minor league SS Pomp Duchee, and a 3rd round draft pick in return.
Tuesday, June 10th , 2313
University Point Deathclaws: Activated 1B Barker Cocoa from the restricted list.
Salem Witch Hats: Placed RP Lott Dod on the restricted list.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Placed CF Aaron Annis on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/09/2313.
The Slog Ghouls: Placed SS Gavin Deux-Gas on the restricted list.
The Slog Ghouls: Released RF Splash Blake.
Lexington Synths: Released RP Inty Legenze.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed 2B Gen Tullius.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RF Nathan Hellelf.
Quincy Gunners: Signed C Matt Whiteside.
Quincy Gunners: Signed C Noodles Hawn.
Quincy Gunners: Signed LF Dopey Benny Fein.
Malden Grognaks: Released RF Gregg Bassett.
The Goodneighbor Hancocks traded 18-year old minor league LHP Kelly William Bill to the Spectacle Island Reapers, getting 22-year old minor league C Pel Learns in return.
The Egret Ninjas traded 22-year old minor league RF Billy Begg to the The Slog Ghouls, getting 25-year old minor league 1B Propellor Perimeter in return.
Monday, June 9th , 2313
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Released LF Kyle Quickfingers.
Atom Cats: Released 1B Sanguis Krall.
Southie Brews: Released SS Beru Whitesun.
The Roxbury Rad Sox traded 34-year old 2B Looter Knol to the County Crossing Bloodbugs, getting 22-year old minor league RHP Lucas Frost, 21-year old minor league LF Van Leuwen, 22-year old minor league 1B Sepol Lopez, and a 2nd round draft pick in return.
Sunday, June 8th , 2313
Malden Grognaks: CL Gracie Geiger returns from his rehab assignment.
Malden Grognaks: Released CF Keith McKinney.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Sadik Cig.
Lexington Synths: Signed LF Soreau Weau.
Southie Brews: Signed 1B D.Z. Fedrick.
Saturday, June 7th , 2313
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Activated 2B Avrusa Sarethi from the injured list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Placed RF Brightsun Ramos on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/04/2313.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Activated RF Dan Squirrel from the injured list.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RF Flowertop Zo.
Malden Grognaks: Released RF Flowertop Zo.
Friday, June 6th , 2313
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF OB Jetman.
Southie Brews: Signed 1B Benny Kinobe.
Egret Ninjas: Signed 3B Casey Sturman.
Egret Ninjas: Released 3B Jonathan Sanders.
Thursday, June 5th , 2313
University Point Deathclaws: Placed 1B Barker Cocoa on the restricted list.
Southie Brews: Placed SP Buzzcut McDonald on the restricted list.
Southie Brews: Signed 1B Boomer Sooner.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Cornelius Humperdink IV.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Released LF Nathan Hellelf.
Wednesday, June 4th , 2313
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released 1B Lawry Wolftooth.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Mat Sutor.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Spitty Northshore.
Lexington Synths: Signed LF Tyler Spronk.
Egret Ninjas: Signed 3B Family Mann.
Nahant Celtics: Released LF Many Moons Requena.
Lexington Synths: Released LF Dustin Dean Moriarty.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Released CF Eric Doll.
Tuesday, June 3rd , 2313
Vault 81 Dwellers: Placed RP Vince McCort on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/02/2313.
Egret Ninjas: Released 1B Spud Wallis.
Egret Ninjas: Signed 3B Verti McCaffrey.
Concord Radstags: Signed LF Hugo Fuego.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Noah Boatman.