[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-4
Seasonal Record: 60-50 (2nd, 16 GB)

Schedule
7-28: Loss vs Stars (6-4)
7-29: Loss vs Stars (4-2)
7-30: Win vs Stars (5-11)
7-31: Win vs Stars (2-10)
8-1: Win at Sailors (4-0)
8-2: Loss at Sailors (1-4):
8-3: Loss at Sailors (1-2): 14 innings

Recap
Our first real "bad" week in a while, we split a home series and lost one on the road, and since the Kings don't lose we're back to 16 out. Despite all this we'd still be first in the East, and considering how we've played those teams I'd really like our chances of running away with that. Sure, we'd just get crushed by Seattle in the playoffs, but hey! We'd a postseason team!

What we are, is a monthly award winning week, as again Bill Bartlett was named the Rookie of the Month in the Continental. As a pitcher there's a legit chance he could run away with the Kellogg, even though he spent the first two months of the season in AAA. The second two have of course came with awards, though his July was even better then his June. Again with six starts, Bartlett was 4-2 with a 1.66 ERA (237 ERA+), 1.11 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts. He's continued to throw at least seven innings in each start this season, and if his first August start is any indication, he'll continue this trend of improvement. Winning our only game in San Francisco, the 22-year-old threw his first career shutout, a 2-hit, 4-strikeout domination that needed just 87 pitches to complete. That's the fewest he's thrown in a game all season, which is a surprise considering it is a complete game shutout.

Almost effortless, he didn't even need to empty the tank, and I just applaud the command. It seems like when things are going good he doesn't walk anyone. This is now two complete games in his last five starts without a walk, suggesting the command issues were more imagined then real. Now up to #8 on the pitchers list, his 1.94 ERA (203 ERA+) would be best in the Continental, and I think there's enough starts left in the season for him to end up qualifying. I don't think he'll lead in ERA, but he's already at 97.1 innings and with just shy of two full months maybe he can pitch seventy or so innings? Him and Alford could end up quite the duo, and once the offseason opens up we'll be able to add some more pieces. Nothing may be more valuable then a healthy and rejuvenated Tom Lorang, but we could really use some more bats to support what seems always be an excellent Cougar rotation.

Jim Norris got #355, but he continues to mull the extension offer that was sent out. It wasn't pretty, 5 runs off 14 hits and 2 walks in just five and a third, but the lead was preserved and we rallied for 4 key insurance runs that made protecting the once slim lead easy. That was not a key theme of the week, which is unfortunate considering Lorang looked good. Our star went 11-for-26 with 4 walks, 8 runs, a double, and an RBI. I still don't understand the lack of power, as he's never done nearly anything like this before. Somehow even 10 homers seems unreachable, and this is a guy who's career low is 18 and that's the only time he slugged less then 20. No triples is annoying too, but he always walks, plays great defense, and should finally be unlocked if I can make this offense work.

We have some transactional news to deal with, as I was able to grab an overperforming reliever on waivers. Of course, there's the rehab guys too, but Bob McKinney was just too interesting to pass up. At 36 he'll fit right in, and he was really good in a swingman role for the Clippers. In 11 starts and 12 relief outings, he was 4-5, picking up a hold and two saves. He had a strong 2.80 ERA (140 ERA+) and 1.26 WHIP, and even his 3.85 FIP (97 FIP-) is a lot better then what we have. He strikes out a lot of guys, 60 in 80.1 innings, and would have actually been the perfect spot starter when Pug was dealing with his little back issue. Going straight to the big league club, he'll replace Harl Thompson, who I guess did what he was supposed to. Pug wants him in middle relief, and he'll have a shot to finish the season with us.

Looking Ahead
Our road trip finishes in LA, where we'll get three with the Stars. At 56-54, they're tied with the Wranglers for third, four behind us and 11 out of the cellar. We now join them closer to last (15 GA) then first (16 GB), but I'd like to change that with a good series here. We're likely to see Charlie Walker (3-4, 4.04, 43; 3-4, 4.38, 47), Jackie Thompson (7-6, 3.95, 82), and Floyd Warner (14-6, 3.16, 90), a guy I've always been fascinated with. It would hurt us, but I'd love to see him go the Pug White/Jim Norris path and pitch well past 38. His 256 wins are right behind Pug, and he should pass him with ease, and every additional win with the Stars adds to the franchise record. I can't complain we got him considering we missed him the first time and miss Bill Dunham (9-5, 2.89, 111) this time, giving us a great chance to come away with a road series win. We did a good job keeping their lineup in check when they came to town, with the big star for them Kellogg candidate Bob Branson (.299, 3, 38). He's likely to get Bartlett (8-4, 1.94, 45) in the finale, in what neutral fans selfishly hope is a duel for the series with Floyd Warner. Even with nearly 250 wins separating them, both are excellent pitchers, and neither offense is likely to have much fun.

We're off on Thursday, but that just sets up four games in three days at Cougars Park. It's a series we need a win in each day, as we'll welcome the 48-64 Cincinnati Cannons. A series win against the Wolves got them out of last in the East, now a half game ahead of Toronto. They are not off Thursday, so we are likely to see Ike Hawley (7-5, 2.28, 117), John DeWitt (1-0, 3.60, 1), and ace Herm Quinn (13-8, 2.96, 126). There's no easy draw, as Hawley has clearly proved me wrong, DeWitt is a former #1 pick who ranks around Bartlett in the prospect list, and Quinn is a legit Allen candidate. The Cannons do seem to get a lot out of pitchers, and Hawley could be the next one. He's got an awesome 2.90 FIP (75 FIP-) in 161.2 innings and until something changes that means he's a great pitcher. He has 117 strikeouts to just 44 walks, and the K% and BB% are around his career norms. A spacious park has worked in his favor, as now he's not giving up the longball. DeWitt is pretty interesting too, as they just picked him up from the Arrows. Since it will be his third career start, I think we can take advantage of him, but this is a guy who can be at least a mid-rotation arm. The pitching is tough, but considering they don't score much this is a series where we can play to our strength. We won't out slug, but if our arms limit what Billy West (.302, 9, 46, 20) can do at the top of the lineup, we will come away with a needed series win.

Minor League Report
3B Jay Richardson (AAA Omaha Plainsmen): I almost feel bad that I acquired Tom Lorang, as not only has he not been that great, but Jay Richardson has had a monumental breakout. The 24-year-old won another Player of the Week, 16-for-30 with 3 homers, 8 runs, 9 RBIs, and 4 walks. Through 92 games the 24-year-old has hit a healthy .346/.435/.547 (149 OPS+) and would have easily hit his way up to the big league roster. Contributing 19 doubles, 4 triples, 15 homers, 64 RBIs, and 71 runs, he's even walked (59) more then he strikes out (52), putting together star level production. Yes it's AAA and yes it probably won't translate to FABL, but he's on a 6+ WAR pace with 20+ homers and 100+ runs, exactly what Lorang should have been doing. At this point it's almost impossible to keep him in the minors, but that seems like the most likely course of action for the diplomatic third basemen.

SS Harry Stewart (A Rockford Wildcats): Even if the big league team can't get their homers, a lot of our minor leaguers can, and 23-year-old shortstop Harry Stewart had his power strike working this week. During a combined 6-0 shutout, the former 9th Rounder took center stage, clubbing three homers and driving in all but one of the Wildcats six runs. Now with 10 on the season, he's hit a nice .282/.356/.449 (121 OPS+) on the season, making 374 PAs in 90 games. Making a lot of starts at short and third, he's just passed the 3 WAR mark (3.1), adding 12 doubles, 6 triples, 41 RBIs, 46 runs, and 8 steals. A useful bench piece, the defense has been great at both positions, and when he filled in at first it worked out too. I do like the glove at short, but Carl Carroll's there now, and at some point we'll have to see how he does at second. Destined to be a bench bat, there's still value in that, especially if some of this power can translate to the big leagues.

RHP Lyle Lessard (A Yakima Rams): I almost hate that I had to end this run, but after 14 starts it's time to give Lyle Lessard some tougher competition. Having turned 21 in July, the 1972 1st Rounder was superb, and at least he got to keep up the pattern. He won his first six decisions, lost his seventh, and then one the next six, finishing 12-1 with a single no decision. Covering 88 innings, he had a miniscule 1.33 ERA (289 ERA+) and his 2.85 FIP (72 FIP-) was outstanding as well. His WHIP was below 1, just a touch though at 0.99, and he had 84 strikeouts to just 38 walks. I also wanted him to secure Pitcher of the Month, 5-1 with a 1.24 ERA (310 ERA+), 1.02 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts, which is surprisingly his first of the season.

Set to finish the year in Rockford, the stuff has really impressed, and at this rate he could be a Cougar in 1976. If we didn't have the rotation depth we do, I'd have bumped him up earlier, as there's a chance he could more then handle even AA right now. A five pitch pitcher, he's tough to solve, and despite high walk rates command is expected once he's fully developed. No longer a top-100 prospect, he's at 7th in our organization, and at 123 is the first of our prospects outside the top 100. That's no knock on his upside, as he's got mid-rotation potential, and for some reason Carr think's he'll be better then Alford and Bartlett. As nice as that would be, I wouldn't expect an Allen in his future, but I would expect a big league starter. I'd love for it to be with us, especially since he's a Cougar first rounder, but he's a perfect trade piece. None of the new draftees can be moved, and unless we're getting a Lorang level player Bob Hays isn't going anywhere. Lessard will be our most enticing pitching prospect, and packaging him with one of our three catching prospects could bring in the big offensive piece we need.

LF Al Baker (A Yakima Rams): A guy I didn't really know much about, Al Baker has taken advantage of his playing time, eventually parlaying it into a Player of the Week. A 7th Rounder back in 1971, he has been a regular at both Yakima and Rockford, but the overall performance wasn't like what he did this week. Going 15-for-32, he grabbed 5 doubles, a homer, 3 walks, 4 runs, 7 RBIs, and a steal, upping his season line to .284/.387/.381 (110 OPS+). Still a hair lower then his Rockford line, the now 22-year-old did well as he's fighting for his life as a starter. An excellent defender, especially in the corners, he's a strong kid who takes advantage of that strength in the field and at the plate. The power is a projection, and why he's not a legit prospect, but unlike a lot of the players who were here when I joined, he at least gets a shoutout before he sees the door.

SS Bill Ketchum (C La Crosse Lions): I won't claim to understand Bill Ketchum, who I totally thought was a bust, and is instead as our fourth highest prospect from the recent draft. OSA and Carr think he's just a bench bat, but the 5th Rounder is 13th in our organization and 268th overall. Earlier, he was even inside the top-200 and ahead of Joe Williams (11th, 210), but despite the drop he's been excellent since joining the Lions. Starting twelve games as the shortstop, Ketchum is hitting .420/.491/.680 (162 OPS+), and it's not just because of his 5-hit game on the 28th. Coming in a huge 15-6 win, he drove in 8 of the runs and was a double away from the cycle. He was retired once, finishing 5-for-6, and he's now reached base in all but his first minor league game. That was a strange one where he left in the fifth, something Charlie Wentz hopefully doesn't do again. When the season started, I never thought he'd have a chance for full season ball, but with a week or so more like this he'll force his way up to Yakima.

RHP Tom Brewer (C La Crosse Lions): It hasn't all been pretty for our highly touted prospect, but start #6 was a glimpse of what's to come with Tom Brewer. Sure, it came after two 8-run starts, but you can never complain about a 5-hit shutout, especially when it comes with 12 strikeouts and just 2 walks. Easily the best start of Brewer's young career, the 6th ranked prospect is now 3-2 with a surprisingly above average 5.20 ERA (116 ERA+). The UMVA is so hitter-friendly that his 4.05 FIP (69 FIP-) is Allen worthy, as he has a strong 45-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio. This level of command is not particular for inexperienced arms, and at 18 he's already ahead of his competition. One of the hardest workers in our system, he's got the chance to be an ace's ace, and OSA considers just three pitchers to have more upside then him. One of those is George Carney, who I really wanted in the draft, but he's the youngest member of the top-25. With the sky truly the limit, it's hard for me to predict how he could be, and he will be given every tool needed to reach that lofty potential.