[ayaghmour2]

Two Week Record: 9-3
Seasonal Record: 82-54 (3rd, 12 GB)
Stars of the Weeks
Henry Watson : 47 AB, 18 H, 5 HR, 18 RBI, .383 AVG, 1.197 OPS
Dode Caudill : 51 AB, 17 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .333 AVG, .939 OPS
Gene Case : 41 AB, 11 H, 5 HR, 9 RBI, .268 AVG, 1.087 OPS

Schedule
8-20: Win vs Imperials (8-9): 11 innings
8-21: Win vs Imperials (6-7)
8-22: Loss vs Imperials (4-3)
8-23: Win vs Stars (4-5)
8-24: Win vs Stars (4-5)
8-25: Loss vs Stars (5-2)
8-27: Loss vs Saints (4-7)
8-28: Win vs Saints (8-11)
8-29: Win vs Saints (2-3)
8-30: Win vs Foresters (2-3)
8-31: Win vs Foresters (3-7)
9-1: Win vs Foresters (1-6)

Recap
It's funny that right after we got behind and I did two weeks, we accidentally had a two week sim, before taking a little time off as our commish is on vacation. This allowed me to catch up without rush, and why the post came so late.

We're basically the hottest team that isn't the Kings right now, ranked 2nd in the Power Rankings and even making up a pair of games since the last report. This is despite playing five consecutive one-run games, as we were able to escape with four wins. Finally, we've won (24) more of those then we lost (22), but just not as often as we win regular games. Playing at home certainly helped, as we're basically unbeatable at Cougars Park, so I really shouldn't be surprised we finished August so well. Despite the slow start, 16-12 is passable, but our worst month since April and we're not nearly close enough to first for it to matter much.

On the bright side, we'll surpass our 86 wins from last year and we have a reasonable chance to win the most games for the franchise since our 92-win 1946 season saw us lose a 1-game playoff. I can't see us getting 97, how much we won in our 1941 pennant season, but 90 is in reach and a nice milestone for a pretty quality club. It's also the first season in team history where we've had three players hit 30 or more home runs, as with just under a month to play, the trio of Jack Gibson, Henry Watson, and Gene Case all have reached 30. Barring an absurd October, that's all we'll have, but with Johnny McMillan and Dode Caudill both at 19, we could easily have a full house of homers with 2 in the 20s and 3 in the 30s.

Case got to 30 in dramatic fashion, homering in each of his first three at bats of our 7-3 win over the Foresters. The first three-homer game of his career, Case was a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk and 5 RBIs, and the dangerous slugger is batting an outstanding .292/.393/.560 (152 OPS+) on the season. On track to appear in all 162 of our games this year, Case has collected 24 doubles, 9 triples, 96 RBIs, 92 runs, 82 walks, and 14 steals, worth an even 5 wins above replacement in 136 games. A disciplined hard worker with an elite eye, booming power, and blazing speed, Case does everything except play defense at a useful position, and the former 8th overall pick should continue to be an important part of our team success.

Same goes for Gibson and Watson, who have both surprised for various reasons. With Gibson it's the availability, not the pop, as he's hammered the over on the 75 games I was expecting to get from him this year. Already at 104, he's slugged when healthy, leading the club with 33 homers to go with elite second base defense (10.8, 1.099). His .285/.316/.566 (130 OPS+) batting line would technically be a career low, but the Mitchell-esque hitter is pretty much always in the 131-141 WRC+ range, and all I truly cared about this year was having him on the field. Yes, disaster could strike in the last month, but he's been worth 4.5 WAR with 69 runs and 93 RBIs, and took home his second All-Star nod. Watson, meanwhile, was expected to play, but a .328/.367/.568 (146 OPS+) batting line and 6.9 WAR exceeded even my highest expectations. Attempting to shine as a star, Watson has clubbed 23 doubles, 31 homers, and 108 RBIs, adding 6 triples, 10 steals, and 90 runs scored. Paired with equally elite defense (14.2, 1.095), the club leader really cemented his place on the roster as one of our most valuable options.

We didn't really pitch well in August, which certainly contributed to our struggles on the road. Just three members of the staff were really all that reliable, with one being swingman John Mitchell. An out shy of 20 innings, he started 2 of his 7 outings, going 2-0 with a save, 3.66 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.02 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts. It was Hank Walker then that led the staff, 4-1 in his 5 starts with a 3.31 ERA (127 ERA+), 3.40 FIP (81 FIP-), and 1.30 WHIP, striking out 27 to just 12 walks. Since June, he's been our best pitcher, and in 24 starts on the season he's 12-4 with a 3.66 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.34 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts. Outperforming Roy Ellis and Doc Griffin, both who have had their issues this summer, he's gone from fighting for a rotation spot to almost unbeatable, and he'll keep pitching meaningful innings for us. Dick Champ's road was different, as he has been wildly inconsistent, but his August was almost as good. His 2-2 record looks worse then the 3.21 ERA (131 ERA+), 3.36 FIP (79 FIP-), and 1.13 WHIP, as Champ set down 19 with 7 walks. His 4.44 ERA (94 ERA+) and 4.48 FIP (106 FIP-) on the season are approaching average, and he was arguably more valuable for us in 14 starts last season. Thing is, when he's on he's on, and he's had a lot of huge wins for us and he should continue to be a mostly reliable veteran arm in the rotation.

Looking Ahead
So what's in the way of our quest to 90? A lot of road games! It starts with our final double header of the season on Monday, kicking off a road-trip with the Sailors (3), Wrangles (3), Foresters (3), and Wolves (4). If we lose to the Wranglers, we really are cursed on the road, but expect losses in the rest of the series. We only have three more home series, hosting the Cannons (3), Kings (3), and Wolves (2) before the season ends. Between the Cannons and Kings is the Imperials, and we finish the season with three in Kansas City against a team that likely has the playoffs locked up.

Or maybe we win all six against them and steal the crown! That's possible, right!?!?!

At least on paper it is!

Minor League Report
Traditionally when rosters expand, I do a cover on each player coming up, but this also coincides with a large time jump so some of this will look a little different then usual. With AAA's season ending in two weeks, there will be more callup slater in the month, but we will add a few reinforcements. What we won't have is a third catcher, as I didn't have time to sign a minor league free agent to replace a would be callup. We might have one by next sim.

LHP Doc Cook: The pen gets an extra arm for the rest of the way, as the Blues aren't likely making up 9 games in the Century League, and won't really miss Doc Cook. For us, it keeps guys rested, as the short-stint lefty could get us out of a jam or two. Nearly all his time came in Milwaukee this year, as Cook was 4-2 with 12 holds in 40 appearances spanning 60.1 innings pitched. Walking 19 and striking out 42, he had a 2.09 ERA (174 ERA+), 2.93 FIP (80 FIP-), and 1.14 WHIP, an extremely effective branch option. A guy who only throws low 90s fastballs, he's the prototypical AAAA pitcher, though in a weaker pen he'd be a useful lefty specialist. He's now out of options, so this year could be his last in our organization. I'd love to keep him as depth if he doesn't make the roster next season, and I don't think he's likely to be claimed if exposed.

1B Jack Drake: The only callup from AA, Jack Drake will get what likely amounts to his final September callup, as the 25-year-old final option was used this season. Recently 25, he was back in Little Rock, where he hit .271/.367/.460 with 18 homers and 68 RBIs. He's now made nearly 1,500 PAs (1,441) with the Governors, hitting a middling .255/.357/.415 (108 OPS+) with 33 homers and 179 RBIs. A first basemen without much power, more then half of his homers came this year, which at least gives him hope for earning a roster spot. We don't really have a natural back up first basemen, and the threat to go deep could be enough for Drake to get an extended look. He's never starting over Gene Case, who's just a month and a half older, but he should get a chance to make his 6th at-bat his first hit.

3B Mooney Vetter: His first go around in Chicago didn't go well, but at least in the second he won't be relied on for anything. With everyone healthy, we can use Mooney Vetter on the bench, as the recently turned 29-year-old is a 2-Time Diamond Defense winner at second. An improved shortstop, he can man their and second too, but we have other guys more suited for the middle infield. Appearing in 8 games for the big league club, his .043/.043/.043 (-77 OPS+) batting line might be the worst among players with 23 or more PAs, which is far from his AAA output. In 102 games he slashed an impressive .302/.330/.476 (126 OPS+), notching 22 doubles, 16 homers, and 63 RBIs. With an option year left, he may get another go in Milwaukee next season, but he could end up stealing Buddy Byrd's spot on the bench. A tough guy to strike out, when he's hitting homers he can be useful, but the .272/.309/.375 (81 OPS+) he hit last year was simply not up to standard.

LF Jim Barton: Not only was Jim Barton a Player of the Week and Batter of the Month, but he now got what he desired far more then any minor league award. Another chance to play in the Cougar outfield.

The unlucky odd man out, Barton saw Dode Caudill take over left field and never look back, and when I realized we needed ten pitchers with all the double headers, Barton was the one who was sent down to the Century League. At first, he struggled as he was demotivated, but he's improved in each month, culminating in a return to Chicago. Barton hit an impressive .350/.385/.610 (178 OPS+) in 109 PAs, upping his season line to .275/.319/.439 (112 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 12 triples, 7 homers, 48 RBIs, and 57 runs. With the rest of his season coming in Chicago, he'll get a chance to improve his 2-for-15 from earlier in the season, where Barton played minimally and added a double, homer, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, and 4 strikeouts. A strong defender who once hit .338/.393/.569 (151 OPS+) with 35 doubles, 17 triples, and 17 homers, I could probably waive him and he'd go unclaimed, but I don't think I'll end up doing that next spring. An overqualified 4th outfielder, part of me believes there's still a useful hitter hiding, but barring injury there just isn't room for him. I hope he gets used to the bench, as he could be a useful roster member for a really good 1964 Cougar team.

SS Bill Grimm (A Rockford Wildcats): Expected to be our top ranked prospect for the foreseeable future, Bill Grim was also the top player in the Heartland League. Despite bouncing all around the diamond, Grimm's bat has remained steady, as last year's first rounder hit .283/.450/.587 (177 OPS+) with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 7 homers, 25 RBIs, 21 runs, 18 walks, and 4 steals. A legitimate five-tool player, the 20th ranked prospect has gotten very comfortable at second and third, and he's hit .300/.423/.505 (148 OPS+) in 62 Class A games. An advanced hitter for his age, Grimm has great speed, an excellent arm, exciting power potential, a great eye, and a solid contact tool. Before August, he was striking out a ton, but he was set down in just 10.8% of PAs to lower his Rockford line to 16.2. Quickly becoming an option for us at third base, I'm leaning towards starting him in Little Rock next season. With star potential, he could be a huge boost for our lineup, and a capable shortstop option if I ever want to move away from Tom Halliday's glove. It's too early to rush him, but if he keeps producing and we need some offense, Grimm could find himself in a Cougar uniform in no time.

RHP George Spencer (C La Crosse): Not only did George Spencer's two weeks have a shutout, but he also took home Pitcher of the Month in the UMVA. A 5th Round Pick in 1961, Spencer put up numbers that aren't usually seen in the hitter friendly league, a perfect 4-0 with a 0.66 ERA (853 ERA+), 1.18 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts. Now in 9 starts he's 5-2, holding an elegant 2.34 ERA (242 ERA+) and 3.68 FIP (65 65 FIP-) in 65.1 innings. The young righty has a tidy 1.33 WHIP with 48 walks and 69 strikeouts, and will now head up to San Jose. Ranked 22nd in our system and 398th overall, he doesn't project to pitch like this often, but he does have the chance to develop into a spot starter role. With solid stuff and movement, his fatal flaw is control, as walks and homers will always be an issue. On the plus side, he has the stamina to survive high pitch counts, and his fastball, curve, and change are all really good pitches. He's at least worth an eventual look in the pen, as his stuff and ability to eat innings could be honed into something of use.

RF Harry Cummings (C La Crosse Lions): We swept the UMVA awards, as Lions superstar Harry Cummings did his best Hank Williams impersonation in August. The 20-year-old outfielder hit an almost unfathomable .505/.612/.952 (249 OPS+) with 13 doubles, 10 homers, 23 walks, 28 runs, and 41 RBIs. A historic mark, he's got a chance to set multiple league and team records, hitting .448/.560/.811 (206 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 15 homers, 67 RBIs, 50 runs, 45 walks, 11 steals, and 4.2 WAR. He has just one week left to add to his totals and maintain his rate stats, before leaving La Crosse until he inevitably returns as a coach to teach future Lions the secret to hitting at this level.