[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 2-3
Overall Record: 17-13 (t-1st, 1 GA)

Cougars One of Many Spring Champs: Get this: five teams finished tied for first at 17-13. Since the Kings no longer play in Brooklyn, we're now first alphabetically, giving us the technical crown as the first team listed. Best part is we didn't even enter in first, even losing more then we won, so it's really almost disappointing to come ahead the way we did. Losing to the last place Saints is what did us in, as they were one of two teams with 20 spring losses. Milwaukee bound southpaw Henry Henderson (4 IP, H, BB, 3 K) finished on a high note, and he even had a 1-0 lead when he was officially replaced. Ike Lloyd (IP, 4 H, 4 ER, BB) promptly gave up that lead, and aside from Bobby Martinez's solo homer in the 6th the offense was held in check. He singled in his other at bat, finishing his spring with a nice .302/.375/.442 batting line in 48 trips to the plate. As good as that is, he'll have to wait for his major league debut, as like Henderson he's on his way to Milwaukee. The 51st ranked prospect did a great job improving his outfield defense this offseason, now rivaling Jerry McMillan (.415, 3, 2) for both range and arm. He's just shy in both cases, and could see time in center if Billy Thompson (.250, 1, 7) takes one of the remaining roster spots.

Roster Down to 28: We are now a day away from Opening Day, and with a lot of guys that are on and will be on waivers, I'm keeping my options open. There are ten pitchers in camp, including the non-roster invitees Allen Brown (1-0, 1, 2.38, 10) and Phil Means (1-0, 3, 2.19, 9). Both were awesome this spring, and would be in line for major league debuts. Whether they debut or not is yet to be determined, but we won't run with fewer then nine. There's the chance of an outside acquisition, through either waivers or trade, but a waiver claim wouldn't happen before Opening Day. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Means, who has the perfect mix of stuff and leadership. He's susceptible to the longball, but most times he gets hitters to roll into harmless double plays. Brown's advantage is his ability to spot start, and the hard throwing sinkerballer can keep it in the park. Their different skillsets work in each other's favors, and with a full set of options they can both get a chance.

One of the hardest cuts was George McKee (.365, 2, 9), who will head down to the Blues to be their everyday shortstop. The 24-year-old has played a lot of third base, but he has the range for the middle infield. Skilled at turning double plays and getting the routine ones, McKee is as competent a fielder as it gets, and once he's comfortable at short he'll have a chance to hit his way back up. Aside from the starters, Bob Decker (.127, 3) is the only guy who can play shortstop, and he's one of the most replaceable guys on the roster. I placed a claim on one infielder already, and I'm sure there will be more options available for us later. The outfield has a lot of working pieces too, but I don't expect external options to factor. Then there's the whole three catcher situation, adding to the complex calculus of the final roster. Most seasons I have everything locked down by now, but with a "new" team there's still plenty of things that need trying out.

Notable Stars: Wanted to point out some of the guys who went above and beyond this spring. All of these guys will be on tomorrow's Opening Day roster:

RHP Bob Allen (33): 0-0, 1.96 ERA, 18.1 IP, 15 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 10 K, 1.04 WHIP
RHP Bob Burdick (34): 1-0, 2V, 3 HLD, 1.42 ERA, 12.2 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, 1.11 WHIP
RHP Roy Ellis (26): 3-0, 0.82 ERA, 22 IP, 13 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 13 K, 0.68 WHIP
RHP Arch Wilson (36): 0-0, 4 HLD, 1.32 ERA, 13.2 IP, 16 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1.32 WHIP
C Chappy Sanders (24): 65 PA, 10 R, 17 H, 2B, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 4 BB, SB, .279/.323/.541, 140 WRC+
LF Jim Barton (25): 51 PA, 6 R, 16 H, 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, SB, .314/.314/.529, 133 WRC+
CF Jerry McMillan (24): 62 PA, 11 R, 22 H, 3 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 8 BB, 2 SB, .415/.484/.509, 182 WRC+
RF Henry Watson (23): 61 PA, 7 R, 17 H, 4 2B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 2 BB, 3 SB, .288/.311/.508, 127 WRC+