American Baseball Association.

[gehrig38]

Got through the spring with no injuries. Played above .500 but the offensive numbers league wide were once again way down.



Watch the Dave Weller kid. He's sneaking up the prospect ladder. Ismael Saldana has another huge spring but the 'new kid on the block' Guiomar Cortezo could not have had a worse spring. In fact we had quite a few bad springs at the plate. Nice to see Mike Haupt getting back to his complete game. I don't expect Hallamore to rip the league apart but a .190/.244/.429 slash line is worrisome. Not much to be done about any of this since everyone is back to zero as of today.



Seb Broomhall needs to be in AAA starting every 5th day. He is out of options and there's no way he clears so I am going to have to put him in the pen for now. Turner and Galindo had great springs as did Mike Allen which makes me feel good about the back end of the bullpen.
My rotation concerns me. Juan Alatorre missed much of the spring with various issues, only getting in 6.2 innings. Luis Samvdio and Jon Naclerio both had atrocius K/BB and K/9 ratios. If you can't get more swings and misses than that there's going to be problems.

[gehrig38]

This roster feels like the first real solid group I've put together. For one the clubhouse and team chemistry is vastly improved. The talent level is dramatically better across the board and I have the beginnings of what could be a dynasty leading rotation.

STARTING ROTATION

• Chad Willoughby (26) RHP – Gets the opening day nod after going a combined 16-4 3.34 between AAA/ABA in 2007. Was 7-1 3.49 after his callup. Struck out 178 over 197 innings with 66 walks.
• AQUIRED – 2006 trade with Las Vegas
• CONTRACT – 144K 102 days of service

• Kody Pollock (24) LHP – Went a combined 18-6 4.03 between AAA/ABA over 31 starts and 213 innings. Struck out 190 to just 39 walks (77/8 in 13 ABA starts).
• ACQUIRED – 2006 trade with Las Vegas
• CONTRACT – 128K 73 days of service

• Luis Samvdio (25) RHP – 10-9 4.42 in 27 starts last year. 162 K's 74 BB and 177 hits in 177.1 IP.
• ACQUIRED – FA Signing 12/06
• CONTRACT – 750K 2 years 156 days Arbitration Eligible after 2008

• Juan Alatorre (28) LHP – Big power arm with devastating change up and ++ curveball.
• ACQUIRED – FA Signing 1/08
• CONTRACT – Year 1 of 5 year $17.375 million contract

• Jon Naclerio (27) LHP – 14-8 4.00 at AAA last year. Made 2 appearances in September. Mid to high 90's guy who went 12-3 3.96 for San Francisco in 76 appearances in 2005.
• ACQUIRED – 2006 Trade with San Francisco
• CONTRACT – 320K 2 years 8 days of service

CATCHING

• Cisco Mendoza (29) R/R - .269/.318/.447 16 HR 54 RBI in 107 games last year. Solid every day catcher. Not a core player in the grand scheme of things as his overall game behind the dish is lacking.
• ACQUIRED - 03/07 Trade with San Antonio
• CONTRACT – 144K 158 days of service

• Max Ramirez (23) R/R – Has not developed as a hitter. Hit just .205 in 34 games here, and .237 in 45 AAA games last year. Still the premier game caller, and shuts down anyones running game. 37.1% career CS.
• ACQUIRED - Minor League FA signing 04/05
• CONTRACT – 144K 104 days of service

INFIELD

• 1B Guiomar Cortezo (27) R/R – Reigning NL MVP. Hit .353/.429/.579 with 32 2B 12 3B 29 HR 28 SB and 117 RBI in 161 games with LA. Franchise player. Cornerstone guy who is liked by teammates and fans alike.
• ACQUIRED - 2007 trade with Los Angeles
• CONTRACT - 2nd year of a 4 year $12.44 million dollar deal signed before 2007

• 2B Juan Guevara (26) R/R – Spent the year at AAA hitting .312/.391/.409. Plays both 2B and SS. Will eventually be a 2 hole hitter or hit at the bottom to provide lineup depth..
• ACQUIRED – 12/28 trade with Los Angeles
• CONTRACT – 128K 3 days of ABA service

• 1B/3B Dusty Barber (28) L/R – Hit .263/.390/.399 in 108 AAA games last year with 11 HR and 68 RBI's. Out of options. For now he's a LH bat and depth at the corners off the bench. A career 4A guy who I am actively looking to move if I can find suitable replacement on the waiver wire.
• ACQUIRED - 31st round draft pick in 2004 Expansion draft from Washington
• CONTRACT – 144K 143 days of service

• 1B/3B/LF Eric Borrows (27) R/R – Hit a combined .245/.314/.366 in 124 games between Chicago and Florida last year. Good defender who has show better tools than the numbers. Solid player but an area I will be open to improving if the right opportunity presents itself.
• ACQUIRED – 7/07 trade with Chicago
• CONTRACT – 240K 3 years 169 days of service

• SS Kennan Hallamore (21) R/R Outstanding defensive shortstop with speed to spare. Still growing in every facet of the game. I expect him to be in the Rookie of the year conversation. Hit .265/.312/.380 with 6 HR 21 RBI in 58 games with San Diego. Had a great WBC this spring going 4-6 for team Canada. Spent enormous amount to get this guy in hopes he anchors this infield for the next decade plus.
• ACQUIRED – 2/08 Trade with San Diego
• CONTRACT – 144K 1 year 35 days of service

• UT IF Ron Turner (27) L/R If he could hit even a little bit he's a perennial all star. Hit .219/.275/.336 in 94 games a the shortstop last year. He can fly, and he'll draw his walks and he is a premier defender around the infield but I consider him to be 'holding down the fort' as my utility man until I can either develop or trade for a person in this spot that doesn't have to hit 9th.
• ACQUIRED – 12/05 Trade with Washington
• CONTRACT – 144K 1 year 45 days of service

• OF Juan Renovato (27) R/R Corner outfielder who can play CF in an emergency. Stole 33 bases at AAA last year. Hasn't hit much in different call ups but he has the tools to handle the bat should he be called on to play everyday in the event of an injury.
• ACQUIRED – 11/07 Trade with Milwaukee
• CONTRACT – 242K 1 year 157 days of service

• OF Ismael Saldana (24) L/L 1st overall pick in 2006 and hopefully will be the lineup anchor for years to come. Could walk a little bit more but that would be the worst thing you could say about his offense. Finished 2nd to Ben Chase in the AL Jackie Robinson voting after hitting .276/.340/.561 with 33 HR and 87 RBI's. After hitting just .186 in April. He has improved defensively and he's an average defender with a cannon in left.
• ACQUIRED – Drafted 1st overall 2006
• CONTRACT – 144K 148 days of service time

• OF Ernesto Bernal (24) R/R The best all around outfielder in the game. He plays all three spots at an elite level. Also recognized as the fastest and best baserunner at just 24 years old. If he were even an average offensive player he's worth 7 million a year. He's not done maturing as a player but his defense is actually worth keeping almost regardless of his offense, he's that good. He has a very good awareness of the strike zone but just can't get over the hump putting the ball in play. Still time, he's a hard worker and a good guy in the clubhouse.
• ACQUIRED – 11/07 Trade with Buffalo
• CONTRACT – 144K 1 year service time

• OF Mike Haupt (25) L/L Could be, should be, in the MVP discussion yearly. Went from a .monster 2006 hitting .311/.416/.557 34 HR 95 RBI 21 SB to .254/.364/.443 20 HR 67 RBI 2007. Stole 43 bases last year. Fears about his work ethic were true. His regression last year was not just at the plate. He is truly a 5 tool player who doesn't have that extra 'thing' that turns a player into a hall of famer. He'll still be our best player and makes this lineup go.
• ACQUIRED – 1/06 Trade with Minnesota
• CONTRACT – 4.49 million 1 year deal through arbitration 4 years service. He will become a free agent after this season and I am starting to wrap my head around that. If I could sign him to an extension that was a good ways below his winter request of a 7 year deal with an AAV of over 8m per. There is a market out there but nothing that seems to return close to equal value.

GM'S OFFICE
Recent talks with his agent appear to have gotten the ask “down” to 5.5 to 5.8 million per but wants a 9 year with an opt out after 4.

• LF/RF Makata Hayashi (23) L/L 2006 AL Rookie of the year. Slumped big time, going from 45 HR 132 RBI 2006 to a 25 HR 80 RBI 2007. Has light tower power from foul pole to foul pole. Struggles against LHP and might see more of a platoon vs LHP this year.
• ACQUIRED – Free agent signing 2006
• CONTRACT - 3rd year of a 4 year 8.58 million dollar deal. Next year is a team option at 2.5 million.

BULLPEN

• A 7 man pen to start the year.
• Closer Ernesto Galindo 29 (RH) – had a great spring giving up 0 runs and punching out 13.8 per 9. 2007 Goose Gossage Award winner as the AL's best middle reliever.
• Contract – Signed through 2010 at 1.845m per
• Setup – Jake Grab 27 (RH) 31 saves last year with a stint on the DL late in the year. Great numbers and only going to get better.
• Setup – Brad Turner 26 (LH) Future closer. Triple digit left hander who is just now coming into his own. With Grab I think we have as good a bridge to our closer as any team in the game.
• Middle Relief – Jorge Longoria 27 (RH) Sidearmer righty who routinely sits in the upper 90's. Solid middle guy but probably just as valuable in the clubhouse where he is one of the leaders.
• Middle Relief – Sam Ginn 24 (LH) Another closer in waiting. Can hit 100 from the left side with one of the games better curve balls. Solid arm and likely would be setting up or closing on most other clubs.
• Long Relief – Mike Allen 27 (RH) Another very solid option in the pen who is likely pitching a 'step down' from where he would be on other teams. Has trouble with lefties but dominates hitters on the right side.
• Long Relief – Seb Broomhall 26 (RH) This is an unfortunate situation. He needs to be in AAA starting every 5th day because that's what he is, a starter. He's out of options so I had to keep him because there is no chance he clears a waiver scenario. I'd love to get a little 'twinge' out of him to be able to DL and then rehab. Not sure where he's going to get innings but there will be an effort to get him some.

[gehrig38]

So coming into this years draft, as of today I have the 15th overall pick in round 1, and the 7th and 31st pick in round 2. I do not select again until the 9th round.
I should also mention the league has expanded the draft from 20 to 25 rounds.



Kinnon Mendelson exits spring training as the games #1 prospect.



We've slipped overall in the rankings of minor league organizations but that was to be expected after dealing so many prospects. Many of whom now occupy this list on other teams (SD and Buffalo).



But as you can see we still have a deep system.

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 1 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
3 @ Minnesota
3 vs Alaska
1 @ Chicago

RESULTS:

• 4/7: FLA 5 MIN 2 Willoughby W 7 IP 4 K 2 ER Galindo SV (1) Cortezo 2-3 2 BB 2 R HR RBI
• RJ Stanton (CHI) picked up where he left off. Tossing a 1-hitter and punching out 11 in a 3-0 win over Ohio
• 4/8: FLA 9 MIN 2 Pollock CG 7 H 7 K 2 ER Haupt 3-4 2B (2) HR (1) 3 R RBI Cortezo 3-4 3B 3 R 2 RBI Mendoza 3-5 2 2B (2) 4 RBI (5)
• Former Tarpon 1st pick Joe Linn took the loss going 6 IP 10 H 5 ER
• MVP Eric Hecht (MEM) carried a 30 game hitting streak into the season and has hit in the 1st two games of the year.
• Kinnon Mendelson goes 7.1 and punches out 12 in a 12-4 win opening day at Clovis. He gave up 2 earned.
• 4/9: FLA 6 MIN 2 Samvdio W 7 IP 4 K 1 ER Turner SV (1) Saldana 2-4 HR (1) RBI (3) Borrows 2-4 HR (1) 2 RBI (4)
• Juan Garza 3-5 RBI (1) SB (1)
• Eric Hecht hit a solo HR in the 3rd inning of a 7-5 win over St Louis.
• 4/10: FLA 5 ALK 1 Alatorre 7 IP 5 K 1 ER Turner SV (2) Hallamore 3-4 RBI (2) SB (2) Borrows 3-4 2 2B 2 RBI (6)
• C prospect Chris Schultz (AA) went 5-5 3 R 3 RBI in a 15-4 Clovis win.
• Eric Hecht hit an RBI single in his 1st AB to extend his streak to 34
• 4/11: ALK 3 FLA 1 Zaine Qualtrough W (1-0) 8 IP 3 H 5 K 1 ER
• Hayashi HR (1) Naclerio L 6 IP 5 H 2 K 2 ER
• Chris Schultz had a 3-3 day to extend his hit streak to 8 straight AB's.
• Hecht hit a 3 R HR in a 1-4 day.
• 4/12: ALK 8 FLA 3 Galindo L (0-1) 0.2 IP 2 H 4 BB 5 ER Willoughby 6 IP 4 K 3 ER
• Chris Kantor (MEM) threw a 1-hitter in a 2-0 win over Denver.
• Eric Hecht went 2-4 to extend his streak to 36 games which breaks Chris Fredericks (LA) record of 35 set in 2002
• 4/13: CHI 4 FLA 3 Grab L (0-1) 2 IP 4 H 1 ER Pollock 6 IP 5 H 3 ER
• HECHT TWATCH : 2-4 1B 2B 37 games
• Sean Cockley (TEX) threw a 2-hitter to beat LA 4-0

AL POTW - Gabe Clark (BRK) 15-27 2 HR 6 RBI
NL POTW – Rob Anderson (WAS) 16-28 2 HR 9 RBI

RECORD: 4-3
PLACE: 3rd 3GB
RUNS SCORED: 32 5th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 22 t-5th
DEFENSE: .719 4th
OWNER MOOD: Worried
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Brooklyn
2) Chicago
3) San Francisco
4) Ohio
5) New York
…..
15) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 2 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
2 @ Chicago
3 vs Las Vegas
OFF DAY
1 @ Memphis

RESULTS:

• 4/14: FLA 5 CHI 4 (16) Mike Allen W (1-0) 5 IP 1 H 2 K (Turner, Longoria, Galindo and Allen throw 9.1 innings of 1 hit relief)
• HECHT WATCH: 1-4 RBI 1B in the 1st 38 games
• 4/15: CHI 4 FLA 1 Raita Tamada W (2-0 1.20) 8 IP 6 K 1 ER D'Addio SV (2) Maddox Dower 3-4 HR (2)
• Hayashi 3-4 2B (3) Alatorre L (1-1 3.46) 6 IP 10 H 4 ER
• HECHT WATCH: Over... Went 0-5 in a 10-5 win. New ABA record though.
• 4/16: LV 6 FLA 5 Juan Guerra 3-5 2B (2) Domenic Loetzsch HR (2) 3 RBI (6)
• Cortezo 3-5 3B (2) 3 RBI (7) Naclerio L (0-2 6.35) 5.1 IP 9 H 6 ER
• Knuckleballer Robbie Givens threw a CG striking out 10 in an 8-2 win. He's 2-0 3.38 for Clovis
• Juan Aguilar (POR) went 5-5 2B HR (2) and drove in 2 in a 10-6 win over Oklahoma
• 4/17: LV 12 FLA 3 Tousei Sato W (1-2 2.95) CG 6 H 3 K 3 ER Jaquain Piggue 4-5 HR (1) 3 RBI (6) Loetzsch 3-5 2B (4) 3B (1) 3 R 2 RBI (8)
• Willoughby ND 4 IP 6 H 3 K 3 BB 3 ER 90 pitches
• Ignacio Justiniano (MIN) struck out 11 in a CG 4-0 win over Alaska.
• Sean Riggs (PIT) tossed his 2nd SHO in 3 starts with a 12 K 4 hitter in a 5-0 win over San Diego
• 4/18: FLA 4 LV 3 Pollock W (2-0 3.27) 7 IP 5 H 3 ER Galindo SV (2)
• Jeff Faulkner (AAA) moved to 3-0 2.86 with an 8 IP 2 H 1 ER effort
• Bobby Rone (OH) went 3-0 1.57 with a 5-0 3-hitter to beat Brooklyn
• 4/19: OFF DAY
• 4/20: FLA 7 MEM 5 Hayashi HR (2) 3 RBI (7) Borrows HR (3) 2 RBI (12) Grab W (1-1) Galindo SV (3)
• Juan Castro (AA) went 4-4 2B 2 HR 6 RBI in a 13-4 win. He's hitting .372-4-18 through 11 games. He as our 11th round pick in 2007 out of Baylor

AL POTW - Maddox Bolduc (DEN) 7-17 4 HR 8 RBI (.364-4-11)
NL POTW – Layne Linseman (JAX) 12-22 2 HR 5 RBI (.333-3-9)

RECORD: 3-3 (7-6)
PLACE: 3rd 2 GB
RUNS SCORED: 57 6th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 56 t-9th
DEFENSE: .698 7th (1st time I can remember it below .700 over last 3 years
OWNER MOOD: Worried
POWER RANKINGS:
1) New York
2) San Francisco
3) Ohio
4) Oklahoma
5) Chicago
…..
13) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 3 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
2 @ Memphis
3 @ Brooklyn
2 vs Phoenix

RESULTS:

• 4/21: FLA 9 MEM 7 (10) Borrows 2-5 2B (3) 3B (1) 2 RBI (14) Turner BS (1) 0.1 IP 4 H 2 ER Galindo SV (4)
• Chi-ming-Xie 4-5 2 R RBI
• Wow. Astute readers may remember Dave Weller's name after last year at Clovis. He was our 7th rounder in our 1st Entry Draft back in 2005 out of Minnesota. Looking back he was not a power prospect by any means. But, here's his progression. Hobbs .311-12-41 64 games, Farmington .273-29-106 118 games, Clovis 280-39-129 in 129 games and yesterday he went 3-5 at Alamogordo hitting 2 homers. He's hitting just .208 in 12 games but has 5 HR and 8 RBI. Did I mention he's stolen 42 bases as a minor leaguer? He's got elite speed.
• One of my shortlisted guys in the 2006 draft was an outfielder out of Cal, Eric Barrios. Minnestota took him 6th overall. Yesterday he went 3-4 hitting 3 home runs in a AA game. In 12 games at AA he's hitting .566 (30-53) with 11 HR's and 25 RBI's. Came into '08 as the 52nd rated prospect
• Chris Beard (SAN) went 5-6 with 2 2B a Grand Slam (4) and 4 RBI's in a 12-5 win over San Diego
• 4/22: MEM 9 FLA 2 Naclerio (0-3 6.61) 5 IP 9 H 4 ER Longoria 4 ER 1.2 IP
• Steven Wright W (2-0 2.49) 7 IP 5 K 2 ER
• 4/23: BRK 8 FLA 7 Jayakar Anand 4-5 3 2B 3 R
• Cortezo 3-4 R RBI (11) Ginn L (1-1 7.71) 1 IP 3 H 2 ER
• 4/24: FLA 5 BRK 4 Pollow W (3-0 3.72) 7 IP 7 H 5 K 4 ER Galindo SV (5)
• 4/25: FLA 8 BRK 3 Samvdio W (2-0 2.88) 6 IP 3 H 5 K 1 ER Hallamore 2-4 2 R BB 2 SB (8) Mendoza 2-3 2BB 2 2B R 3 RBI (15)
• 4/26: FLA 3 PHX 1 Alatorre W (2-1 3.33) 8 IP 4 H 6 K 1 ER Galindo SV (6) Cortezo 2-3 RBI (15)
• 4/27: FLA 8 PHX 3 Naclerio W (1-3 6.04) 6 IP 6 K 3 ER Galindo SV (7) Cortezo 3B (4) 4 RBI (19)
• Robbie Givens tossed a 3 hitter in Clovis' 5-1 win. He struck out a club record 14 to win his 4th.
• Kinnon Mendelson came out after 4 no-hit innings with a leg issue. He's DtD with a strain.

AL POTW - Jorge Casarez (OH) 11-25 3 HR 7 RBI (.308-4-11)
NL POTW – Maddox Sweetland (PIT) 10-26 3 HR 9 RBI (.216-3-14)

RECORD: 5-2 (12-8)
PLACE: 2nd 2 GB
RUNS SCORED: 99 3rd
RUNS GIVEN UP: 91 11th
DEFENSE: .685 13th (?)
OWNER MOOD: Worried
POWER RANKINGS:
1) New York
2) San Francisco
3) Pittsburgh
4) Florida
5) Washington

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK NOTES
SCHEDULE:
1 vs Phoenix
3 @ St Louis
OFF DAY
2 vs Denver

RESULTS:

• 4/28: FLA 3 PHX 1 Willoughby W (2-0 4.33) 5 IP 4 H 4 K 5 BB 1 ER Ginn H (1) 3 IP 0 H 5 K Galindo SV (8)
• 8 total hits in the game Cortezo GW 2 run single, 21 RBI's
• Chris Silverstone (SD) went 5-5 HR (1) 2 RBI (6) in a 6-5 win over Oklahoma.
• 4/29: FLA 3 PHX 1 Pollock W (4-0 3.09) 6 IP 3 H 6 K 0 R Grab SV (1) 3 IP 2 K 1 R
• Jorge Laboy L (3-2 1.89) 7 IP 5 H 5 BB 1 ER
• In the last two days, 3B Jeff Duncan (A) has gone 5-8 4 R 2B 3 HR and 9 RBI. He's hitting .370-7-24 in just 13 games. Jeff was our 8th round pick in 2006 out of UCLA.
• 29-year-old Man-Keung Yuen (PIT) threw 8 innings of 3 hit ball striking out 16 in a 1-0 win over Oklahoma to break the franchise record for K's in a game.
• Former Tarpon Jace Camp tossed a 3-hit SHO to beat Portland 9-0. He's 1-2 4.02
• 4/30: STL 4 FLA 1 Juan Alvarado W (2-0 1.80) 8 IP 5 H 3 K 1 ER Shemar Jeanty SV (8)
• Samvdio L (2-1 3.48) 6 IP 6 BB 5 H 4 ER
• C Prospect Vince Rydell (brought over in September trade with NE) went 2-3 with a 2B HR and 7 RBI for Farmington. He's hitting .271/.378/.529 with 5 HR 21 RBI in 18 games this year. He's struck out just 7 times while accruing 12 walks.
• 5/1: FLA 13 STL 2 Hallamore 3-6 2B (5) HR (3) 4 R 4 RBI (14) Saldana HR (2) 3 RBI (9) Haupt 0-1 2 BB 3 R Alatorre CG W (3-1 2.75) 4 H 6 K 0 BB
• Pittsburgh Miners closer Al Alburquerque will undergo elbow surgery and be out for the remainder of the 2008 season. He's saved 110 games the past 3+ years. Veteran Mark Mundschenk will take over the NL's 13th ranked bullpen.
• Another devastating piece of news. San Francisco SP Mike Lloyd, the 2006 NL Koufax winner made just 2 starts last season after an 11-month hiatus for Tommy John surgery. He came out of his April 25th start with some tingling issues in his fingers. He took the mound 2 days ago and again came out after 1 inning. Today it was reported he will undergo a 2nd TJ surgery in less than 18 months. San Francisco has called up 23-year-old free agent from Mexico Rogelio Zamora to take his rotation spot. The Bears are off to a 16-8 start and are currently 4 games ahead of Los Angeles in the NL West.
• 5/2: OFF DAY
• Seb Broomhall will get a spot start and we'll go with a 6 man rotation this time around to give everyone 2 extra days between starts. Jon Naclerio will be out in the pen for this one. If he's used we'll just skip his turn and keep him down there for a few days.
• 5/3: DEN 7 FLA 1 Micah Stolz W (1-2 3.19) 7 IP 4 H 1 ER Willoughby L (2-1 4.22) 5 IP 7 K 5 BB 2 ER
• Farmington won 16-2 today and C Vince Rydell went 5-5 2B 3 R (.315-5-21) and SS Jeremy Jones went 4-4 HR 3 R 5 RBI 2 BB (.324-3-17) Mike Carpenter went 7 striking out 8 to move to 4-1 2.29
• 5/4: FLA 6 DEN 5 Seb Broomhall (7 IP 8 H 4 ER) outpitched Winton Alward (8 IP 7 H 5 R) and Mike Haupt hit a HR (2) and drove in 3 (8).
• Tousei Sato (LV) tossed a 2-hitter striking out 4 in a 4-0 win over New York.

AL POTW - Jared Reilly (BRK) 12-23 HR 4 RBI (.308-1-13)
NL POTW – Tony Stockwell (LA) 11-22 2 HR 7 RBI (.309-4-17)

RECORD: 4-2 (16-10)
PLACE: 1st +1
RUNS SCORED: 126 2nd
RUNS GIVEN UP: 111 9th
DEFENSE: .696 9th
OWNER MOOD: Worried
POWER RANKINGS:
1) San Francisco
2) Florida
3) Chicago
4) Pittsburgh
5) Washington

[gehrig38]

• AL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Korey Rick (MIN) .305-9-27
• NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Rob Anderson (WAS) .455-6-22
• AL PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Bobby Rone (OH) 5-0 2.13
• NL PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Tim Bournes (WAS) 5-0 2.12
• AL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – Charlie Neumann (PHX) .284-2-10
• NL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – Sean Malone (NE) .341-1-11

Knuckleballer Robbie Givens took home AA Pitcher of the Month after going 4-0 2.90 striking out 31 in 33 IP



Brooklyn's off to a great start and the leaderboard explains why In the NL Rob Anderson is making their GM look brilliant by having one of the best Aprils in league history. For anyone counting that's on average a 15.6 WAR....



A great first month sees us enter May tied atop the East. Perennial postseason visitors Las Vegas and Detroit off to bad starts but no one having a monster month means they sit just 3 and 4 games back I have no idea based on the pre-season predictions how any of this is going to go.



The Jets had a very aggressive winter and so far it appears to be paying off. Signing Anderson wasn't a 'genius' move in the sense of smarts but it was just a very good signing that's paying dividends already. Pitcher and Player of the month never hurt.
Seems every year LA or SF puts 1-2 teams almost out of the hunt in April. This year it appears to be the Bears turn.

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 5 NOTES
SCHEDULE
1 vs Denver
3 @ Ohio
3 vs Milwaukee

RESULTS:

• 5/5: DEN 5 FLA 3 Grab BS (1) , Longoria L (0-1) 2 IP 4 H 4 ER Pollock 6 IP 3 H 3 K 1 ER Hallamore 8th error
• Zaire Kirlew W (2-3 4.46) 7 IP 8 H 1 K 4 ER Reese SV (9)
• 5/6: FLA 6 OH 0 Samvdio W (3-1 2.75) 8.1 IP 6 H 4 K 138 pitches Cortezo 3-4 RBI (25)
• 5/7: OH 4 FLA 3 Alatorre CG L (3-2 3.07) 8 IP 5 H 4 K 5 BB 4 ER Saldana HR (3) 3 RBI (3)
• Esteban Ybarra (AA) threw a 2-hit shutout and struck out 5 in a 6-0 win. He's 4-1 2.61 on the year
• Dusty Caspary (PHX) went 5-6 with a grand slam and 5 RBI's in a 17-4 win over Alaska
• 5/8: OH 4 FLA 1 Broomhall CG L (0-2 4.50) 8 IP 1 K 6 H 4 ER 89 pitches Hayashi 2-4 HR (3) RBI (12)
• Yasushi Sugihara W (5-1 3.26) 6 IP 1 H 1 ER Juan Uribe SV (10)
• 5/9: MIL 2 FLA 1 Davon Ducheine CG W (3-3 4.14) 9 IP 6 H 4 K 1 ER Josh Miles PH 2 R 2B in 7th
• Willoughby L (2-2 3.92) 7 IP 8 H 5 K 2 ER Saldana HR (4)
• 5/10: FLA 5 MIL 4 2-2 game into the 9th. Pollock 6 IP 3 H 5 K 2 ER
• 5/11: MIL 2 FLA 1 Takera Ogura W (1-4 6.08) 6 IP 3 H 1 ER Samvdio L (3-2 2.44) 5 IP 4 H 0 ER Hallamore error (9)
• IF Juan Guevara went down with an apparent leg injury, no word on the severity.

9 runs in our 5 losses. Team is not hitting anywhere near what I was expecting and lefties are eating us up right now. Both Saldana and Hayashi are struggling mightily vs LHP

DRAFT NEWS
Juan De Soto out of the University of Arizona is my target this year. Don't know where he sits in regards to us picking 15th, but that's my guy if he somehow gets there. 100 mph righty with 4 pitches and a + slider, great intangibles and a RHP who shuts down running games.

• AL POTW - Gabe Clark (BRK) 11-27 3 HR 5 RBI (.383-7-20)
• NL POTW – Alpha Malveaux (OKL) 13-29 2 HR 7 RBI (.347-7-24)

C Prospect Chris Schultz (AA) took home POTW honors for his 10-28 2 HR 8 RBI effort. He's hitting .433-4-23 in just 27 games and likely near a call-up.

RECORD: 2-5 (18-15)
PLACE: 1st Tied
RUNS SCORED: 146 t-6th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 132 4th
DEFENSE: .704 6th
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Jacksonville
2) Pittsburgh
3) San Francisco
4) Chicago
5) Washington
…..
10) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 7 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
3 vs New York
OFF DAY
3 @ Detroit

RESULTS:

• 5/12: NY 4 FLA 1 Luis Flores W (3-2 3.79) 7 IP 4 K 4 H 0 R Brian Ross SV (11)
• Alatorre L (3-3 3.18) 7 IP 5 H 2 HR 6 K 3 ER
• The news came down after the game Jyan Guevara has some hamstring issues, enough so that he'll hit the 10 day DL. IF prospect Harland Daig who is hitting .319 at AAA will be placed on the roster and recalled. Rob Turner will take over at 2B vs RHP and Daig will start there vs LHP.
• Alamogordo just went through a long losing streak, snapped today and Clovis (24-9) is ripping up the Dixie League. Farmington is 20-17 and in first in the Florida State League.
• 5/13: FLA 4 NY 1 Seb Broomhall 1st ABA win 6 IP 4 H 5 K 1 R Galindo SV (9) Harland Daig 3-4 HR in his 2nd AB 3 RBI
• Veteran readers my remember a few drafts back my infatuation with knuckleballer John Girard. He tossed a 2-hit shutout for KC in a 1-0 win striking out 6. He's 5-2 3.56 this year.
• Our version of “Girard” who we took in that same draft, Robbie Givens, appears to be maturing. He went 8.1 striking out 11 on 6 hits in a 12-3 win. He's 7-0 3.49 in AA.
• C Chris Schultz was just 1-4 today but he's still tearing it up. He's hitting .438-5-27 at Clovis.
• 5/14: FLA 9 NY 3 Willoughby W (3-2 3.91) 7 IP 1 H 7 K 4 BB 3 ER Mendoza 3-4 HR (3) 3 R RBI (18) Haupt 1-2 3B (1) 2 R 2 RBI (13) 2 BB CS (4)
• Arturo Mendoza is presenting a bit of a dilema. At the plate he's ready right now. 3-5 2B (7) 4 R 2 RBI today and he's hitting .390-5-11 and he tossed 7 SHO innings yesterday where he is 3-2 5.40 in 36.2 IP 34 K 19 BB. He needs more time on the mound and won't get that here. I think barring some strange event I am going to try hard to leave him at AAA all year. Hoping the stuff on the mound progresses enough this year to be a viable starting rotation option and starting 3B as well going into next season. I have to think about roster construction for that one. Do I keep a legit everyday 3B, and pay him? Going to have to look and think about that one.
• Top P prospect Kinnon Mendelson threw 5.1 shutout innings and struck out 8 on just 3 hits and is now finding himself at Farmington. Problem is he needed 101 pitches to do it. Llike to see him make that many throws last longer. I've loosened the reins on some of our P prospects and pitch counts, allowing them to get deeper into pitches as they learn to 'economize'.
• RJ Stanton is back at it. The lefty punched out 9 in a 1-hitter to beat St Louis. He's 6-1 1.87.
• 33 year old Ace Winton Alward wasn't 'as good', his 2-hitter featured only 8 k's in Denvers 12-0 drubbing of Alaska. He's 2-2 4.25 so far this year
• 2005 3rd rounder Mike Carpenter is filling out that 6'7” frame. He was beaten yesterday 5-2 but he's 5-2 3.02 over 7 starts. 53.1 IP 36 H 37 K's and 17 BB at Farmington.
• 2007 1st rounder Brendan Huffine was promoted to AA.
• 5/15: OFF DAY
• 5/16: FLA 14 DET 10 Borrows 2-5 Grand Slam (5) 5 RBI (24) Saldana 4-5 2B (3) R RBI (18) Haupt 4-5 grand slam (3) SB (11) 2 R 5 RBI (18) Pollock W (5-0) 5 IP 4 ER Naclerio 4 ER 2.1 IP
• Tweaked the lineup today. Lefty Jim Brooks started for Detroit so Haupt was dropped to the 9 hole and Hallamore led off (he went 1-5 4 K's!). I need to get Mike's bat going.
• Brendan Huffine got the win in his 1st start at Farmington but he didn't pitch all that well. 5 earned in 5 IP and it took him 105 pitches to get there.
• 5/17: DET 6 FLA 3 Ginn 5 H 2 BB 3 ER 2 IP L (1-2 7.53)
• Chris Mattingly 6.2 IP 5 H 2 ER ND former Tarpon Cletus Owry went 3-4 2 2B (8) RBI (11)

TARPONS SEND RAMIREZ AND PICKS TO DETROIT
The Florida Tarpons are likely to be well under their budget for the 2008 draft. That's because they sent 4 of those picks to the Detroit Phantom today. Florida traded 23 year old catcher Max Ramirez and their 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th round picks to Detroit and received 29 year old RP Hisanobu Matsui and the Phantoms 2nd round draft choice.
Ramirez is hitting just .118 this season over 34 at bats and Matsui was 1-1 1 SV 4.87 over 20.1 innings, fanning 18 with an OPP AVG of just .183

GM'S OFFICE
It was time to move on. Max needs a change of scenery and we desperately need some offense from our backup catcher. This triggered a slew of moves.
Sam Ginn (7.53 ERA) is optioned to AAA.
Matsui is added to the roster and called up
Veteran backstop Robinson Chirinos is added to the 38 man and recalled from Alamogordo. He's an elite catcher who has legitimate pop but not a hitter to expect much offense from. His power is enough that spelling Mendoza every few days he'll do just fine.
Chris Schultz is promoted from Clovis to be the everday catcher in Alamogordo
I had very little in the way of picks after the 2nd round before today, much less now. However I now have 5 picks in the 1st 2 rounds. Pick 15, 38, 53, 59 and 61 (59 is comp pick for failing to sign 2nd rounder last year). Depending on what is there I can take some gambles knowing I'll have those same comp picks next year should I not sign the player. Also I have enough bodies in the lower minors that I don't need a fresh crop. Add to that I have almost no financial capability to sign any international free agents after last years spending spree so this should all combine into getting less picks but more potential top end talent AND reducing my draft spending as well as international spending to help the budget for 2008.

• 5/18: FLA 4 DET 1 Alatorre W (4-3 3.00) 6 IP 1 H 4 K 1 R Galindo SV (10) Combined 1-hitter

Week ends with us tied with Minnesota, Detroit 1 game back and New York 2.

• AL POTW - Jahiem Kouassi (DEN) 13-24 4 HR 10 RBI (.359-8-24)
• NL POTW – Juan Burruel (WAS) 10-24 3 HR 6 RBI (.323-5-15)

Juan Castro (AA) took home POTW after going 13-28 3 HR 9 RBI, he is tearing it up going .341-10-37 in 38 games

RECORD: 4-2 (22-17)
PLACE: t-1st
RUNS SCORED:
RUNS GIVEN UP:
DEFENSE:
OWNER MOOD:
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Jacksonville
2) Washington
3) Pittsburgh
4) Chicago
5) Memphis
…..
8) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 8 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
3 vs Minnesota
3 @ Alaska
1 vs Chicago

RESULTS:

• 5/19: FLA 3 MIN 2 Mendoza 3-4 2B (10) 2 RBI (21) Turner walk-off SAC FLY Broomhall ND 6 IP 5 H 2 K 2 ER Galindo W (3-1)

LANCERS CLEAN HOUSE 40 GAMES IN
Portland's 13-27 start was apparently enough for owner Luis Verdin as GM Tim Noble and Manager Mike Sarbaugh were fired today. Noble was in his 6th season as GM of the Lancers after 13 years away from the game. He was the Milwaukee Hawks GM in the ABA's inaugural 1990 season.
Sarbaugh spent 14 years managing the Leon Bravos, winning the Mexican League Championship and manager of the year in 2001. He came to the ABA in 2004 as the Saints bench coach, where they won it all that year and was hired just prior to this season on a 4-year deal. His firing came as a shock to baseball people around the league as he's always had a great reputation on and off the field. No replacements have been named for either slot.
The Lancers have made the playoffs just 2 seasons in their 19-year existence. They've never won the division and have finished in 3rd place or lower in 16 of the 19 years in the ABA.

• 5/20: FLA 3 MIN 2 (10) Willoughby ND 8 IP 5 H 0 ER Galindo BS (1) Turner W (1-0)
• Ignacio Justiniano ND 8 IP 3 H 2 ER
• Two-way prospect Arturo Mendoza went 3-5 in a 9-4 win today. He hit 3 solo home runs and is now hitting .393-8-15.
• 5/21: FLA 5 MIN 4 (14) Borrows 4-6 2 2B (8) 2 RBI (27) 'Pen 8 IP 2 H 7 K 0 R
• Joe Linn ND 7 IP 6 H 3 ER (2.76)
• 5/22: AK 7 FLA 3 Samvdio L (3-3 3.15) 5 IP 6 H 6 BB 6 ER
• Eric Kowalke W (5-2 2.81) CG 10 H 2 K 0 BB 3 ER
• 20 game winner Sean Cockley (TEX) will miss the next month at least with a forearm issue. He was 4-3 2.74 this year.
• 5/23: FLA 11 AK 1 Hallamore 2-5 Grand Slam (6) 5 RBI (24) CS (9) Chirinos 4-5 RBI Borrows 3-4 3B (4) 2 R RBI (28) Allatore W (5-3 2.86) 6 IP 4 H 1 ER Allen SV (1) 3 IP 1 H 3 K
• IF Dusty Barber was injured today but there's no word on the severity yet.
• Juan Guevara is off the DL and was sent to Alamogordo for a short rehab stint.
• IF prospect Jeremy Crimi (AAA) broke his collarbone and will miss the next 2 months
• 5/24: AK 7 FLA 1 Emmanuelle Gianini W (2-5 4.37) CG 3 H 2 K 0 BB 1 ER
• Broomhall L (1-3 4.62) 7 IP 7 ER
• Micah Stolz (DEN) threw a 2-hitter striking out 6 in a 10-0 win over Memphis.
• 5/25: CHI 8 FLA 7 (18) Chicago scores 4 times in the 18th, we score 3 and leave the bases loaded.
• RJ Stanton ND 9 IP 7 K 2 ER
• Willoughby 7 IP 5 H 3 ER Hallamore's 13th error leads to 4 unearned in the 18th. Matsui walks 5 in 1 IP
• Hallamore 4-8 1 BB 2B (8) 3B (4) 3 R SB (13) Saldana 3-8 HR (6)
• Mike Loree (NY) tossed a 3-hit shutout in a 4-0 win over Minnesota. It was his 1st win (1-6 7.41)
• Dusty Barber has a severe sprain on the knee. He will miss the next 6 weeks. He's put on the 60-day and Juan Guevara will have his rehab stint shortened.
• Brooklyn SP Luis Rivera will undergo shoulder surgery today and miss the next 9-12 months. He was 2-2 4.38 this year.

• AL POTW - Brad Rivera (MEM) 11-25 2 HR 9 RBI (.257-7-22)
• NL POTW – Teagan Ings (TEX) 12-24 2 HR 4 RBI (.267-4-17)

RECORD: 4-3 (26-20)
PLACE: 1st +1
RUNS SCORED: 214 4th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 188 t-5th
DEFENSE: .709 4th
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Pittsburgh
2) Chicago
3) Washington
4) Jacksonville
5) Kansas City
…..
9) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 9 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
2 vs Chicago
OFF DAY
3 @ Las Vegas
1 vs Memphis

RESULTS:

• 5/26: FLA 3 CHI 2 (10) Pollock ND 7 IP 5 K 5 H 1 ER Galindo BS (2) W (4-1 4.01)
• Eric Mitchell 3-4 2B (6) game-tying HR off Galindo in the 9th
• Ismael Orta (DET) struck out 11 in a 5-0 5 hit shutout of Alaska.
• 5/27: CHI 2 FLA 0 Ezequiel Cordero 3-hit shutout 7 K
• 3 errors lead to 2 unearned runs Samvdio L (3-4 2.83) 6 IP 1 H 5 BB 2 R 6 hits total in the game
• 1B Jeff Duncan (A) went 3-5 2 HR (11) and 7 RBI (39) he's hitting 296-11-39 in 31 games
• 5/28: OFF DAY
• 5/29: LV 2 FLA 1 Alatorre L (5-4 2.83) 7 IP 5 H 2 ER Hallamore 15th error
• Joe Weiss W (3-4 2.97) 6 IP 7 K 1 ER 10 hits in the game, 9 singles
• Robbie Givens (AA) moved to 8-0 4.66 with another CG. 8 H 4 K 2 ER
• 5/30: LV 10 FLA 3 Broomhall L (1-4 6.07) 12 H 9 ER 3 HR 4 IP
• Juan Guerra 4-5 2B (12) HR (2) 3 R 3 RBI (19) SB (17)
• Broomhall back to the bullpen, Naclerio back into the rotation
• 5/31: LV 5 FLA 3 3 game sweep outscored 17-7 Willoughby L (3-3 3.82) 5 IP 6 H 4 BB 5 ER
• Tousei Sato W (5-6 2.69) 7.1 IP 5 K 4 H 2 ER Helmrich SV (13)
• 6/1: MEM 4 FLA 1 Pollock L (5-1 3.25) 7 IP 7 H 6 K 4 ER Daig 3-4
• Luis Anguiano W (4-4 3.33) 7 IP 4 H 1 ER McAlhaney SV (11) Andy Mutch 2-4 2B (6) HR (2) 4 RBI

• AL POTW - Joe Vertz (OH) 12-22 HR 5 RBI
• NL POTW – Chris Silverstone (SD) 15-26 3 HR 9 RBI

RECORD: 1-5 ((27-25)
PLACE: 3rd 2 GB
RUNS SCORED: 225 t-7th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 213 5th
DEFENSE: .712 3rd
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Jacksonville
2) Washington
3) Las Vegas
4) Brooklyn
5) Pittsburgh
….
18) Florida

[gehrig38]

• AL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Jahiem Kouassi (DEN) .370-6-20 (.340-8-26)
• NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Chris Silverstone (SD) .336-8-20 (.288-9-29)
• AL PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Ezequiel Cordero (CHI) 4-1 0.84 (5-4 1.82)
• NL PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Federico Escobedo (PIT) 4-0 2.35 (5-2 3.08)
• AL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – Chad Mohr (NY) .314-7-18 (.274-11-35)
• NL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – Josh Cardenas .278-3-12 (.241-3-18)

The offense is down big again. Rob Anderson wasn't just a good signing for the Jets he's the runaway MVP as of today. It's not even close.
RJ Stanton looks poised for a pitching triple crown run and he's helping Chicago pace the AL Central.



Never seen the NL West this close before. I can't remember the last time I saw Jacksonville in the top 3 let alone atop the NL East. 3 team race there as well as the Central.



All 5 East teams are legitimately in it right now. Brooklyn just ran off a 9-1 stretch which just so happened to coincide with our 2-8 tailspin.
Milwaukee and St Louis seasons are over already, I expect Ohio to be in that division race.
The West is going to be an awesome division if they can stay healthy. I knew Vegas' early-season slump was a mirage.



Oklahoma defeats Cal to win their 2nd National Title

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 10 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
2 vs Memphis
3 vs Brooklyn
2 @ Phoenix

RESULTS:

• 6/2: FLA 9 MEM 2 Samvdio W (4-4 2.81) 7 IP 8 K 2 ER Turner SV (3) Hallamore 2-4 2 2B (12) 4 RBI (31)
• 6/3: FLA 4 MEM 3 Alatorre W (6-4 2.70) 6.2 IP 9 H 1 R Galindo SV (11) Daig 3-4
• Nate Walker (AK) tossed a 3-hitter over 8 innings in a 4-2 win over New York for career win #200. He's 200-97 3.84 with 2224 K's in 2515.1 IP.
• 6/4: FLA 5 BRK 2 Naclerio W (2-4 4.99) 7 IP 0 K 1 BB 2 H 1 ER Galindo SV (12) Saldana HR (7)
• Jorge Morales (A) went the distance in a 17-0 win striking out 8 (6-2 3.84). In that game, SS Jeremy Jones was 3-4 2 HR (5) 3 R and 7 RBI (31) while OF Jamie Okereke went 4-4 2B (11) HR (10) 4 R 4 RBI (28)
• 6/5: BRK 3 FLA 2 Steve White W (3-4 3.97) 7 IP 2 H 1 K 1 ER Luis Aguirre 2-5 HR (3) 3 RBI (33) Omar Bethea 3-3 2 BB
• Willoughby ND 6.1 IP 8 H 2 K 1 ER
• 6/6: FLA 4 BRK 2 Pollock W (6-1 3.04) 8 IP 3 K 1 ER Galindo SV (13) Cortezo 2-4 2B (10) 2 RBI (33) Hallamore 2-3 2B (13) 2 RBI (35)
• Kazuhiko Kobayashi L (1-1 2.77) CG 8 IP 9 H 1 K 4 ER
• 6/7: FLA 10 PHX 0 Samvdio W (5-4 2.57) 6.1 IP 3 H 5 K 105 pitches Saldana 2-4 2 3B (2) 5 RBI (27)
• Ezequiel Cordero (CHI) continued his monster season today with another shutout. He gave up 2 hits in a 1-0 win over New York. It was his 3rd shutout in his past 6 starts. He's 7-4 1.69
• Scouts took a flyer on a 19-year-old HS pitcher late in the draft. More of a draft and follow kid. His slot was 800k and he pretty much gave us 1 shot, 1 offer. We sent him a 1.2m offer and he agreed. He'll head to Rio Rancho and we'll see what we found. If anything.
• 6/8: FLA 13 PHX 5 (13) Ya, 8 run 13th. Steve Richey L 1 IP 8 H 2 BB 3 HR 8 ER
• Cortezo HR (5) RBI (34) Mendoza 2 HR (6) 3 RBI (26) 4-7 Daig HR (2) 3 RBI (14) Bernal, Hayashi, Cortezo Renovato 3 hit days Mendoza 4 -7
• 'Pen goes 7 IP 2 H 6 K 0 R
• Alamogordo hit 8 2B's and 15 1B in a 17-5 win (Mendoza 4-4) to snap an 8 game losing streak.
• Nate Walker (AK) tossed a 3-hitter striking out 6 in a 6-0 win over Las Vegas. He's 6-4 3.02
• Former Tarpon Chris Hastings went 5-5 with 4 RBI in Texas 13-7 win over Jacksonville. He's hitting .272-10-32
• 59th overall pick SS Danny Sharp from Missouri signed today. He'll report to Rio Rancho
• 6-1 week outscoring opponents 47-17. Best week in franchise history

AL POTW - Eric Hecht (MEM) 12-25 HR 8 RBI (.306-7-45)
NL POTW – Juan Magana (SF) 14-29 HR 7 RBI (.354-5-34)

RECORD: 6-1 (33-26)
PLACE: 1st +2
RUNS SCORED: 272 3rd
RUNS GIVEN UP: 230 3rd
DEFENSE: .714 2nd
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Chicago
2) Jacksonville
3) Pittsburgh
4) Washington
5) Las Vegas
6) Florida

[gehrig38]

A very different draft for the Tarpons this year. 5 picks in the 1st two rounds followed by nothing else until the 12th. We leveraged many of our choices in last winters trades.
I didn't know how the OSA was going to rate de Soto but he clearly won't make it to me at 15. Burmeister is a superstar in waiting.

I pick 15th, 38th, 53rd, 59th, and 61st in the first 61 picks. I won't pick again until the 12th.

Austin has this years top pick.

• 1) Austin – Jeremy Burmeister (21) CF 6' 175 L/R superstar written all over him. 5 tool player with off the charts intangibles.
• 2) St Louis – Zach Harding (21) LF 5'9” 160 R/R sparkplug with power. Can fly.
• 3) New York – Juan de Soto (21) SP 6' 180 RHP Ace. Upper 90's with a ++ slider. Great intangibles. By far best arm in the draft
• 4) Oklahoma – Sean Haley (21) SS 5'10” 165 R/R all-around talent with speed. Going to be 2-3 hole hitter who hits for avg. + defender already. Serious questions around his intangibles and work ethic
• 5) Milwaukee – Micah Davis (19) SP 5'10” 175 RHP 1st high schooler off the board. Sits in the upper 90's and can touch 100. Projects to have ++ cutter and split. Questions about the baseball IQ and his 'stature' at 5'10”.
• 6) Buffalo – Tim Terrell (20) SS 6' 185 L/R Big time speed, power combo with exceptional defensive tools.
• 7) Memphis – Ajani Siplin (19) OF 6' 165 L/R All kinds of tools but huge questions around whether he'll ever make enough contact to matter. Great eye, good wheels, and potential + power. Cannon for an arm.
• 8) Portland – Ron Dagle (19) C 6'1” 205 R/R Huge potential out of a HS catcher. ++ power, incredibly mature game caller.
• 9) Phoenix – Chris Russell (21) 3B 6' 185 R/R Safe pick. College bat who runs well, will be a ++ defender and will hit
• 10) Jacksonville – Jared Essick (21) 6'3” 200 L/L low to mid-90's lefty with ++ changeup and developing Curve and split.
• 11) Brooklyn – Steve Mabry (21) 6'3” 185 R/R Likely the guy I would have taken 4 picks from now if he had a 3rd pitch. Upper 90's with great body. Just a 2 pitch guy right now so I don't see anything but a groundball, strikeout reliever. Too early in the draft for that.
• 12) Denver – Jeremy Dolce (21) 1B/3B 6' 185 R/R Well above avg 1B but can play some 3B and OF. More 3 or 5 hole guy. Likely 20 HR 40 2B guy if he pans out as expected.
• 13) San Diego – Chris Linn (21) RF 6'2” 185 Younger brother of our 1st pick in 2005, Joe Linn. Big bat, big power and a good defender already.
• 14) San Antonio – Freddie Garner (21) SP 6'1” 190 R/R Upper 90's with 5 pitches. He underwent surgery in March and will be out until September
• 15) Florida – Andy Elizondo (21) LF 6' 180 R/R Outstanding college bat that's likely to move quick. Likely play left but has a good arm and some RF potential.

1. 2nd round 7th pick Jimmy Helms (21) C 6' 190 L/R thought he'd be long gone. Big time bat but a long way to go behind the plate. Potential to be a 3,4 or 5 hitter.
2. 2nd round 22nd pick Josh Thompson (21) 6' 180 LHP Upper 90's lefty with some potential to front a rotation. Has to outdo his control expectations but he's a legit triple digit arm
3. 2nd round 28th pick Danny Sharp (21) 6'2” 190 SS R/R Most had him moving to CF but he is already a very good SS. Blazing speed, huge arm, insane defensive tools and a potential 2 hole, or leadoff bat.
4. 2nd round 30th pick Camden Mouland (21) 6'3” 200 LF L/L College power bat, ++ power, good defend

er in left.

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 11 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
1 @ Phoenix
OFF DAY
3 vs St Louis
2 @ Denver

RESULTS:

• 6/9: PHX 8 FLA 4 Naclerio L (2-5 5.56) 4 IP 8 H 4 BB 7 R 5 ER Broomhall 4 IP 4 H 5 K 1 ER Hayashi 3-5 HR (5) 2 RBI (25) Mendoza 3-4 2 2B (12)
• Yasushi Sugihara (OH) threw a 3-hit shutout in Denver today. He punched out 3 in the 7-0 win. He's 8-3 2.86
• Jimmy Helms and Camden Mouland both signed today. Both will start at Hobbs (SA)
• 6/10: OFF DAY
• 6/11: FLA 7 STL 1 Willoughby CG W (4-3 3.32) 6 H 6 K 1 BB 1 ER
• 6/12: STL 9 FLA 6 Pollock L (6-2 3.43) 4 IP 9 H 8 R 5 ER
• 6/13: FLA 3 STL 1 Samvdio W (6-4 2.49) 6 IP 7 K 1 H 3 BB 1 ER Galindo SV (14) Mendoza (7) Hayashi (6) Saldana (8) solo HR's
• Our 3rd pick (2nd round 53rd overall) Josh Thompson has signed. He will open the season at Hobbs as well
• 6/14: FLA 5 DEN 3 (10) Hallamore game-tying 2B (15) in the 9th, Haupt bases-loaded walk GW RBI
• Dusty McCarthy ND 8 IP 6 H 1 R Alatorre ND 6 IP 3 H 3 ER Galindo SV (15)
• 6/15: FLA 9 DEN 7 Cortezo 3-5 HR (6) 3 RBI (38) Borrows 3-4 3 2B (12) 2 RBI (38) Hallamore 2 more errors (20) Naclerio 5 IP 8 H 7 R 5 ER 3 K 3 BB

GM'S OFFICE
Jon Naclerio is 2-5 5.92 and having a rough season. But that's not the half of it. His K/BB total? 17/18. 17 K's in 48.2 innings. He throws 95-97 mph so the velocity is there. You cannot win at any level punching out 3.1 guys per 9 especially when you're walking 3.3 per 9. Broomhall's lack of options presents problems but I think I am going to need to send this kid back to AAA. Instead of looking for a SP option I think I send him down, bring Broomhall into the rotation and call up a reliever. Reliever Eddie Hein will get his first taste of the big leagues. Sam Ginn has gone down and gotten worse if that's possible.
Also in the news, top draft pick Andy Elizondo agreed to terms. He'll open at Hobbs. FWIW Hobbs might have as stacked a lineup as I've ever put together in the minors.

AL POTW - Sergio Pacheco (OH) 10-18 3 HR 4 RBI (.337-5-27)
NL POTW – Juan Mercado (SF) 13-30 2 HR 8 RBI (.259-7-39)

RECORD: 4-2 (37-28)
PLACE: 1st +2
RUNS SCORED: 306 3rd
RUNS GIVEN UP: 250 t-3rd
DEFENSE: .711 2nd (that's more like it)
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Pittsburgh
2) Las Vegas
3) Jacksonville
4) Memphis
5) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 12 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
1 @ Denver
3 vs Ohio
3 @ Milwaukee

RESULTS:

• 6/16: DEN 2 FLA 1 Zaire Kirlew W (4-3 3.91) 7.1 IP 3 H 2 K 1 ER
• Willoughby CG L (4-4 3.22) 5 H 5 K 2 ER
• Ken Hallamore came out of today's game with some back issues. He's headed to the DL. So we will add IF Greg Digangi to the 38 man roster and call him up. Acquired from Jacksonville in a December 2005 deal he's a 2B/3B guy who can fly. Last 3 seasons spent at AAA he's hit .274/.370/.376.

GM'S OFFICE
I am at a point now where no GM should be. I don't want Mike Haupt on my team. A clubhouse sore spot who is apathetic win or lose. I have to do what's best for the team and no one is offering anything close to his value in return and I have zero interest in signing him to an extension. I'll gladly take the pick I get when he walks, but for now, I need him to start hitting. He's hitting .234/..339/.323 and on pace for a 10 HR 69 RBI season. He complains about wanting to hit in the middle of the lineup so I'll give that a shot. This team, even though we are playing well, needs a shot in the ass. Daig and his .448 OBP vs RHP will leadoff, Hayashi will move into the 2 slot and Cortezo the 3 hole with Haupt moving into the cleanup role. Borrows, Saldana, Mendoza, Guevara and Turner will round it out. A very good defensive alignment but the offense will be something to watch for.

• 6/17: OH 11 FLA 4 Ernesto Banderas CG W (4-7 3.77) 6 H 6 K 0 BB 3 ER Joe Vertz 3-4 2B (7) 4 RBI (34)
• Broomhall L (1-5 6.84) 4.1 IP 5 BB 8 H 9 ER Daig (5) Saldana (9) homer
• 35 years old Whip Sonier (LV) went 4-4 driving in 2 while hitting for his 1st career cycle in a 7-6 loss to Memphis
• 6/18: FLA 9 OH 7 Turner W (2-0) 1 IP 3 K Galindo SV (16) Alatorre 6 IP 5 ER Daig 3-5 2 R SB (10) 3 RBI (20)
• Sergio Robles 3-4 3B (6) 3 R SB (24) Vertz 2-4 HR (8) 2 RBI (36)
• SP Ethan Collins (5-2 4.01) RP Josh Ziegler (0-2 1.73) 3B Arturo Mendoza (.340/.424/.647) made the AAA All-Star team.
• SP Robbie Givens (9-0 4.24) SP Esteban Ibarra (8-3 4.28 starter) C Joey Scalzi (.361/.489/.624 starter) made the AA All-Star team
• SP Mike Carpenter (6-4 3.28) C Vince Rydell (.275/.373/.444) SS Jeremy Jones (.309/.432/.483 starter) LF Zach Astor (.295/.367/.590) made the single-A All-Star Team
• 6/19: OH 8 FLA 7 Samvdio L (6-5) 5 IP 11 H 8 ER Guevara 3-4 2 R
• Sergio Robles 2-5 3B (7) 3 RBI (37) SB (25) Ohio 6-6 SB.
• Former Tarpon Jeff Chase tossed a 3-hitter striking out 1 in a 3-0 win over Jacksonville. He's 6-4 3.90
• 6/20: MIL 8 FLA 5 Pollock L (6-3 3.94) 11 H 7 ER 5 IP
• In his pro debut, top draft pick Andy Elizondo went 4-6 and drove in 3 in a 9-8 Hobbs win. Juan Guerra went 4-6 with 2 2B
• Yuki Yamagata (PHX) tossed a 3-hit shutout to beat Chicago 4-0
• 6/21: FLA 7 MIL 4 Saldana 3-5 HR (10) 2 RBI (38) Cortezo 3-4 2 R Borrows 3-4 2 RBI (42) Willoughby W (5-4) 5 IP 3 H 0 K 4 BB 2 ER Galindo SV (17)
• 6/22: MIL 3 FLA 1 Davon Ducheine W (8-5 4.35) 8 IP 8 H 1 ER SV Steve Provost (12)
• Broomhall L (1-6 6.55) 6.1 IP 5 H 3ER Daig 3-4 (20 game hitting streak .393-5-24) Saldana HR (11)

AL POTW - Sergio Robles (OH) 15-29 3 HR 8 RBI (.296-8-41) every time I see his name and think of Haupt's issues I cringe
NL POTW – Ernesto Solorzano (OK) 11-28 3 HR 12 RBI (.304-9-40)

RECORD: 2-5 (39-33)
PLACE: t-1st
RUNS SCORED: 340 2nd
RUNS GIVEN UP: 302 t-7th
DEFENSE: .706 5th
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Jacksonville
2) Ohio
3) Pittsburgh
4) Las Vegas
5) Chicago
….
9) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 13 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
OFF DAY
3 @ New York
ALL-STAR BREAK

RESULTS:

• 6/23: OFF DAY
• 6/24: FLA 4 NY 2 Alatorre W (7-4 3.31) 6 IP 8 H 4 K 2 ER Galindo SV (18)
• Hobbs beat up on North Las Vegas 10-2 today. Top pick Andy Elizono was 4-5 2B (1) 2 RBI and is hitting .625-1-6 through 5 games. Kevin Kass went 4-4 3B (2) HR (2) and 6 RBI. He's hitting .429-2-15 in 5 games.
• 6/25: NY 3 FLA 1 Luis Flores W (5-7 4.22) 8 IP 3 H 3 K 0 BB 1 ER Bobby Ross SV (24)
• Samvdio L (6-6 3.32) 4.2 IP 4 H 6 BB 3 ER
• Jeff Faulkner (AAA) tossed a 4-hit shutout in an 8-0 win. He struck out 5 and walked 0. He's 5-3 4.05
• Kinnon Mendelson (AA) moved to 3-3 4.06 after going 8 IP 4 H 8 K 0 ER in a 3-0 win.
• Josh Thompson (SA) punched out 12 in 8 innings of an 18-2 win. He went 8 giving up 1. Juan Guerra was 4-5 with 4 R and 2 RBI and is hitting .520-0-5 through 6 games. Hobbs is 5-1
• Hallamore is going to be at least 1 week longer
• RP Hisanobu Matsui came out of a game 2 days ago with a 'tired arm'. He's going to be shut down for a week or so. Juan Mendoza will be recalled
• Ben Chase led all AL voting for the All-Star game
• Rob Anderson did the same over in the NL
• 6/26: FLA 4 NY 2 Pollock W (7-3 3.84) 7 IP 4 H 7 K 0 BB 2 ER Galindo SV (19) Daig leadoff HR (6)

RECORD: 2-1 (41-34)
PLACE: 2nd 1 GB
RUNS SCORED: 349 3rd
RUNS GIVEN UP: 309 7th
DEFENSE: .707 4th
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Chicago
2) Ohio
3) Jacksonville
4) Washington
5) Detroit
…..
9) Florida

ALL-STAR BREAK

[gehrig38]

Not really sure how close anyone following but I need some help.
How can I get my offense and pitching to be statistically comparable to a single season and stay that way? I don't want it to progress or regress, I just want to have 60 HR be a huge year, every year, instead of the fluctuations. I want strats to be a specific way.
Can that be done? I thought I knew how but this isn't happening the way I want it to

[gehrig38]

2008 ALL-STAR ROSTERS

Blue = Tarpon
Red = Former Tarpon




SUBJECT: WEEK 14 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
3 vs Detroit
3 @ Minnesota
1 vs Alaska

RESULTS:

• 6/30: FLA 3 DET 2 (10) Eric Burrows 3-4 2 2B (15) walk off 2B in the 10th Galindo W (5-1) 2 IP 4 K 1 H Willoughby ND 6 IP 4 H 3 K 4 BB 2 ER
• The 53rd overall selection this year, Josh Thompson, tossed 8.1 1outit innings, striking ou 9 in a 9-0 win over Eagleton. He's 2-0 2.79 for Hobbs
• 7/1: FLA 4 DET 2 Broomhall W (2-6 6.32) 5 IP 8 H 0 K 2 BB 2 ER Galindo SV (20) Daig HR (7) 2 RBI (27)
• Loan Auffret 3-5 Ted Barlow L (6-3 3.65) 5.2 IP 6 H 3 ER
• Stacked group of international free agents hit the market today and my gorging last year has pretty much taken me out of any competition for them this year.
• 7/2: FLA 9 DET 2 Alatorre CG W (8-4 3.20) 5 H 4 K 0 BB 2 ER Chirinos 3-4 3 R RBI (6) Bernal 3-3 3B (3) 2 R 2 RBI (8) SB (7) Renovato 2-3 2B (8) 4 RBI (23)
• Chris Mattingly L (5-5 3.80) 5 IP 11 H 7 ER
• 3 game sweep of our co-1st place rivals.
• At Alamogordo, Dave Weller went 4-5 2 2B (6) SB (30) RBI (43) Ethan Collins 7 IP 7 K 4 H 1 ER (7-3 3.79)
• 7/3: MIN 10 FLA 6 4 errors Samvdio L (6-7 3.72) 5 IP 9 H 6 ER Saldana 3-4 RBI (45)
• Hallamore is off the DL, Digangi goes down but not before getting his 1st ABA at-bat, and drilling a PH single in the 9th.
• 2007 1st rounder Brendan Huffine left after just 1.2 innings today. No word yet on the extent of the injury.
• 7/4: MIN 4 FLA 1 Josh Horn W (7-5 2.78) 6.2 IP 7 K 5 H 0 ER Korey Rick HR (16) 2 RBI (54)
• Pollock L (7-4 3.93) 7 IP 8 H 1 K 2 BB 4 ER
• Brendan has some tendonitis and will head to the DL. Likely out a month
• 7/5: MIN 3 FLA 0 Willoughby CG L (5-5 3.24) 8 IP 3 K 4 H 3 ER Saldana 0-3 3 K offense managed just 2 hits
• Joe Linn started and was pulled after the 3rd with back stiffness. Phil Myres SV (23)
• 7/6: AK 13 FLA 8 Broomhall 3.1 IP 13 H 3 HR 10 ER Chirinos 3-5 2B (2) Renovato 3-5 2B (9) RBI (24)
• Juan Gamez 4-5 2 2B (10) RBI (25) Nate Walker 3.1 IP 10 H 8 ER

AL POTW - Korey Rick (MIN) 12-25 5 HR 10 RBI (.279-16-54)
NL POTW – Yadier Molina (POR) 12-24 4 HR 8 RBI (.305-7-34)

RECORD: 3-4 (44-38)
PLACE: t-1st
RUNS SCORED: 380 2nd
RUNS GIVEN UP: 345 8th
DEFENSE: .707 4th
OWNER MOOD: Worried
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Washington
2) Chicago
3) New England
4) Alaska
5) Ohio
…..
12) Florida