[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 5-1
Overall Record: 15-10 (t-2nd, 1 GB)

Cougars Move Within One of First: Sure, the games don't technically matter, but it's great seeing this up-and-coming roster have plenty of success in the spring. A 5-1 week helped us jump up the standings, now tied with the Sailors, who just let the Wolves (16-9) take over the top CA spot int he spring. The only loss was a 13-8 defeat to the Foresters, as Henry Henderson (2 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 3 BB) pretty much booked his ticket down to Milwaukee with a brutal showing. To be fair, he was likely going there anyways, as old pal Bob Allen (14.1 IP, 12 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 K) has been superb, but still a small part of me wanted the former 6th pick to pitch well enough to force a tough decision.

Fear not though, I have plenty of other tough decisions, but at least it's easier when its because of good performance and not poor performance. For example, should George McKee (16-42, 8 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 4 BB) earn a bench spot? Or is the 24-year-old best served adding a little middle infield to his resume while continuing to play everyday? Pug White (2-2, 3 HLD, 15 IP, 16 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 10 K) and Arch Wilson (0-0, 3 HLD, 10.2 IP, 12 H, 2 ER, BB, 2 K) have been excellent, and are locked into pen roles, but what about Bob Burdick (1-0, 3 HLD, 9.2, 8 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K)? Or non-roster invitees Allen Brown (0-0, SV, HLD, 9.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K) and Phil Means (0-0, 3 SV, 2 HLD, 10.2 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K)? Both have been excellent and there is room on the 40, and aside from Burdick no pitcher on the 40 that isn't making the opening day roster is out of options. Then there's the bigger question of what to do with the 25th roster spot, now that FABL has added an extra spot. Do we carry ten pitchers? What about a catching duo like Bill Plunkett (2-6, R, RBI) and Milt Payne (5-11, 3 R, HR, 6 RBI) behind Chappy Sanders (16-53, 9 R, 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 3 BB, SB). Or a yet-to-be-claimed guy on waivers who comes in once the other team's in our league decide on their rosters?

Oh the possibilities!

An Undisclosed First Injury?: It was only a matter of time before a Cougar got hurt this spring, but rather surprisingly, it wasn't a member of the spring training roster. Instead, it was 21-year-old Bill Reinhard, who suffered an undisclosed off-field injury this Sunday that may cause him to miss Opening Day in either the Heartland or C-O-W League. Expected to miss two weeks, the former 7th Rounder may miss the next two weeks, which could impact his ability to regain a lineup spot. The versatile outfielder spent time between three levels last season, with his best and largest performance coming in Class B San Jose. Spending time at five positions (1B, 3B, LF, CF, RF), Reinhard hit an impressive .312/.354/.502 (140 OPS+) in 302 trips to the plate. The righty logged 14 doubles, 3 triples, 11 homers, 29 runs, 33 RBIs, and 19 walks, producing a career best 146 WRC+. Ranked as the 10th prospect in our system and 139th overall, it's an unfortunate setback for a guy who could be a useful FABL player. He's got an excellent baseball IQ, raw strength and quick wrists, and the ability to hit for above average power. His range is good enough to stick in center, he's passable in the corner infield, and has a pretty solid bat for someone his age. While not a star, he's at worst a useful bench player, but there's a much higher ceiling then just that. Right now I like him in center, but we have a lot of good center field prospects, and an injury like this could cause him to start in a corner instead.

Roster Trimmed to 40: With just 5 games left I got a little head start on roster cuts, bring out total to an even 40. Some notable cuts include 22-year-old Ken Stone (1-2, 9 IP, 16 H, 9 ER, BB, 3 K), who for some reason Dixie Marsh thinks is both out current and future best starting pitcher (future might be true but he certainly doesn't look better then most of the staff), top-20 prospect Mario Saucedo (0-1, HLD, 14 IP, 17 H, 13 ER, 11 BB, 12 K), and 23-year-old first basemen Jack Drake (3-7, 2 R). Drake was the only one in this trio that was performing in the spring, as both Stone and Saucedo had inflated ERAs and WHIPs, and weren't doing nearly enough to earn one of the open pen spots. Drake, however, was hitting over .400, but the first basemen only wasn't getting nearly enough at bats, and he wasn't passing Gene Case (11-42, 6 R, 2B, 3B, HR, 7 RBI, 5 BB). He could be optioned, while other first base options couldn't, and he'll get to play every day in Mobile or Milwaukee. I mentioned a few of the non-roster pitchers still in camp earlier, but on the position side, one to watch is Don Berry (4-12, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB). The brother of spring triple-crown hopeful Dallas Berry, Don hasn't had the success of his younger brother, but he's a career .274/.341/.406 (105 OPS+) hitter who would be a perfect veteran bat for the bench. If I go with six outfielders, that sixth seems likely to be him, as he's an excellent right fielder and disciplined hitter who could help situationally late in games. With less guys taking away at bats, he's got a chance to make a mark this final week, and extend his FABL season streak to 13.