The Mallards

[Muskies]

Record: 14-10, .583, 2 GB
Position: 2nd (behind Tampa)
Avg: .256 (8th in National League)
Runs Scored: 95 (13th in NL)
Runs Allowed: 79 (3rd in NL)
Defense: .745 (1st in NL)
Fan Interest: 100
Power Ranking: 112 (9th in NL)

• Last Week: (5-1) 2-1 vs. Memphis, 2-1 vs. Dallas
• 4/20: MAD 3, MEM 0: Higgins 8 IP, 3 H, 6 K (Game Score 82)
• Higgins has a .59 ERA through the first 4 games
• 4/21: MAD 9, MEM 0: Campbell 7 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 K
• Martinez 2-4, R, 2 RBI, 2 B, HR
• 4/22: MEM 8, MAD 4: Juarez 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 6 K
• Liu 4-4
• Nishikawa continues to struggle, he will be moved down in the batting order
• Davila racked up the loss and the blown save in the 8th
• 4/23: MAD 4, DAL 2: Aquino 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 6 K
• 4/24: MAD 2, DAL 1 (10): Wilder 6 1/3 IP, 6 H, ER, BB 5 K
• Wilder injured; out for six week with back spasms
• 4/25: MAD 6, DAL 4 (11): Higgins 7 1/3 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB, 5K
• Chris Taylor 2 run walk off HR in the 11th inning
• Next Week: 3 @ Mesa, 3vs. Phoenix, 1 @ Detroit

We picked up Ray McGrain(TAM) - (8.1IP, 1.08ERA, 2BB, 6K) off waivers to bolster the bullpen. Matt Hinton will be sent back down to AAA; he has three more option years left

Wilder threw out his back and will be out for 6 weeks, with back spasms. Jesus Baca will fill in as a spot starter in the meantime and Matt Hinton will be called back up to the pen from AAA. Wilder’s injury will be difficult, hopefully the offense will be able to pick up some of the slack. Nishikawa continues to struggle at the plate and has moved down in the batting order, through 24 games he still does not have a home run.

[bwburke94]

Another plane crash dynasty? Seriously?

[Muskies]

Record: 17 – 14, .548, 5 GB
Position: 2nd (behind Tampa)
Avg.: .255 (9th in NL)
Runs Scored: 122 (13th in NL)
Runs Allowed: 124 (4th in the NL)
Defense: .736 (1st in NL)
Fan Interest: 100
Power Ranking: 102.7 (9th in NL)

• Last Week: (3-4) 0 – 3 vs Mesa, 2 -1 vs Phoenix, 1-0 vs Detroit
• 4/27: MES 10, MAD 2: Campbell 5 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 5 K 4 HR
• 4/28: MES 5, MAD 4: Juarez 5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 5 ER
• Ruiz 3-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
• Nashikawa finally got his first home run of the season
• 4/29: MES 7, MAD 5: Taylor 3-4, R, 3 RBI, HR
• 4/30: MAD 2, PHO 1: Baca 6 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 3K
• Jesus Baca makes his first start as fill in for Higgins
• Aquino named the NL best pitcher for April (5-0, 1.98 ERA)
• 5/1: PHO 15, MAD 5: Higgins 3 2/3 IP, 5 H, 8 ER, 2K
• Howell 0.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, HR
• Liu 3-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, HR, then injured in a collision at a base, hamstring strain, out for 2 weeks
• Liu’s injury really is leaves us with a big hole in the middle infield, Taylor will take over at 2B full time and Benson will play SS. There is no one at AAA Louisville who is ready to move up.
• Submitted an offer to Greg Wilson 30 year old. Wilson is a journeyman who is an average hitter but 10’s defensively at 2B, 3B an SS. Wilson quickly signed a minor league deal and was placed on the active roster
• Baca suffered a thumb contusion and is out for three days, but should return for his next start
• 5/2: MAD 3, PHO 2: Campbell 7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
• Howell earned his 6 save of the season, he is hanging on to his closer role
• David Garcia (LA) hit is 400th home run
• Mesa’s Ace Donald Patrick (5-1, 3.47 ERA) is out for three weeks
• 5/3: MAD 6, DET 5: Hubbard 3-4, R 2 RBI, HR
• Juarez 5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 2ER, BB, 2K (0-4, 5.45)
• Next Week: 2 @ Detroit, 3 vs. Baltimore, 1 @ Kansas City

I received a note from Joe Snow, who thinks he deserves a shot at the closing role rather than a mop up reliever. I sat down with Joe and his agent and discussed the closing role. Currently it is Howell’s role and even though he had some bumps out of the gate, he has done enough to maintain that role. However, Howell is getting up there in age and has a recent history of injuries, and Joe will get a shot if Howell is injured or needs extra rest. This was enough to appease Joe for the time being.

[Muskies]

Record: 19 – 18, .514, 7GB
Position: 2nd (behind Tampa)
Avg.: .260 (6th in NL)
Runs Scored: 150 (13th in NL)
Runs Allowed: 157 (t- 6th)
Defense: .730 (1st in NL)
Fan Interest: 100
Power Ranking: 93.4 (12th)

• Last Week: (2 -4) – 1-1 vs. Detroit, 0-3 vs. Baltimore, 1-0 vs. Kansas City
• 5/4: MAD 5, DET 4: Aquino 8 IP, 10H, 4 ER, 4 K (6-0, 2.33)
• Ironically, Snow earned the save due to Howell being unavailable
• Bonnett (TAM) (3-2, 3.95) threw a no hitter
• 5/5: DET 8, MAD 7: Martinez 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B, 3B, a home run away from a triple
• Baca only lasted 2/3 inning before leaving the game with an injury, out four weeks with elbow inflammation.
• Howell took the loss in the bottom of the 9th, however, we had to use the entire bullpen to get through the game, this will make the next few games tough if the starters can’t go deep
• 5/6: BAL 7, MAD 2: Higgins 7 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 K, 2 HR (3-3, 2.59)
• Davila let the game get out of hand in the 8th, allowing 4 earned runs in one inning, ballooning his ERA to 11.42 in 8 2/3 innings pitched
• Greg Wilson injured, out for three weeks with an oblique strain. This injury leaves me with 23 men on the 25 man roster, and another 10 days until Liu comes back from his injury. We are going to call up Thomas Lee from AAA, he doesn’t have much of a future, but at this point he is a body who can play all infield positions. The last position is open for the outstanding offer (see below).
• 5/7: BAL 7, MAD 5: Campbell 4 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, a rain delay in the 3rd inning shortened his outing.
• McGrain took the loss allowing 4 ER in 1/3 inning
• 5/8: BAL 4, MAD 3: Juarez 8 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3K – no decision, McGrain again took the loss allowing 2 ER in 1/3 IP in the top of the 9th.
• 5/10: MAD 6, KC 3: Aquino 5 IP, 9 H, 2ER, BB, 3K, 2 HR (7-0, 2.43)
• Chamings (CF) was injured chasing a ball in CF, out for one week with back soreness
• Next Week: 2 @ Kansas City, 3 vs Charlotte, 2 vs. Colorado

Players of the Week
NL – Clyde Kelley (CHA) - .433, 4HR, 6 RBI
AL – Dave Christian (SJ) -.450, 9H, 2 HR, 7 RBI

The injuries to Baca and Wilder leave a big hole in the line up, there are no spot starters available in the bullpen who can step up and AAA has no one ready. The closest is Vincent Houston, who was just moved to AAA from AA and has one start under his belt. There are no pitchers on the waiver wire and one overpaid washed up pitcher on the active trading block. I explored some trades with the some low level prospects and 5th starter, but the prices are too steep, all wanted either starting major league pitching or Martinez or Nashikawa, who are at this point untouchable. That leaves me with Free Agency. We offered a one-year contract to Juan Martinez (33 yr – L) (4-5, 4.41 ERA) in 2008. Sadly he was unable to make a decision in a week, now we are forced to move Higgins start up a day, fortunately we had a day off and he is at 100%. Here are our injuries as they currently stand:

Wing Liu – 5 more days with a hamstring strain
Jeremy Wilder – out 3 to 4 weeks recurring back spasms
Greg Wilson (SS) - out 2 weeks with oblique strain
Al Hill (1B) – out 2 to 3 months with severed fingers
David Chamings (CF) - out 6 days with back soreness
Jesus Baca (SP) - out for 3 weeks with elbow inflammation

Calvin Taylor visited my office asking for more playing time, he currently hitting .191/.220. You can keep asking Calvin, but it isn’t going to happen, just enjoy your last multi-million dollar contract and ride off into the sunset. On the other hand the way we are dropping around here, he may be playing a bigger role.

[Muskies]

Record: 20-24, .455, 12 GB
Position: 4th (behind Tampa, Columbus, Memphis)
Avg.: .263 (6th in NL)
Runs Scored: 185 (t-10th in NL)
Runs Allowed: 201 (8th in NL)
Defense: .721 (3rd in NL)
Fan Interest: 100
Power Ranking: (69.8, 26th)

Players of the Week:
NL - Jose Diaz (CHA) - .500, 3 HR, 6 RBI
AL – Pedor Vega (FtW) - .500, 3 HR, 9 RBI

Minor League Awards
Single A Carlos Hinojosa (3B) - .407, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 4 R


• Last Week: (1-6) 1-1 @ KC, 0-3, vs. CHA, 0-2 vs. COL
• 5/13: MAD 14, KC 10: Higgins 6 IP, 8H, 4ER, 8K no decision
• Shaffer 4-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B
• Funk was injured after being hit by a pitch, diagnosed with bruised shoulder day to day for 5 days.
• 5/12: KC 5, MAD 2: Jennings 7.1 IP, 7H, 5ER, 2BB, 9K (1-2, 4.35)
• SP Juan Ramirez finally signed his contract; overall fan reaction was positive.
• 5/13: CHA 11, MAD 7(10): Taylor 2-5, R, 4RBI
• Campbell 6 IP, 12 H, 5 ER, BB, 4 K (111 pitches – no decision)
• Taylor hit Grand Slam in the 5th, he is working his way into the lineup full time
• M. Burt (CHA) hit a Grand Slam in the top of the 10th, after we fought back from a 7 – 1 deficit to tie it up.
• None of my starters have gotten a decision in since May 6th.
• 5/14: CHA 5, MAD 3: Juarez 5.1 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 3 HR (0-5, 5.06)
• Jacksonville Claymores fired Manager Dan Sevigny; Jacksonvill is 14-27 and in last place in the NL Eastern Division
• 5/15: CHA 6, MAD 5: Aquino 5 2/3 IP, 6H, 2 ER, BB, K, 2 HR – (7-1, 2.49)
• Chamings suffered a setback and will need another 4 days of recovery.
• 5/16: COL 3, MAD 1: Ramirez 9.1IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (0-1, 3.68)
• 5/17: COL 4, MAD 3: Higgins 7.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, BB, 7 K (3-4, 3.05)
• Next week: 1 vs. Colorado, 3 @ New York, 2 vs. Tampa

[Muskies]

I received word from Mr. Stuart to meet him in his office after the Columbus game tonight. Needless to say he is very frustrated at the teams performance. After he finished ranting I went through the injury listing and explained that the team hasn’t really been able to get into a grove, since we haven’t really had the team together since the first two or three weeks in the season. He seem to calm down a little bit, but he seemed to calm down just a bit, but if we can’t get this ship turn around there will certainly be management changes in the offseason.

[Muskies]

The first quarter of the season clearly has not gotten off to the start envisioned by Mr. Stuart and myself as evidenced by our fourth place in the division. Tampa appears to be running away with the NL Central at this point. The minor league teams are floundering at the same pace as we are with the best record at 16-16. Our top prospects are performing well, but there isn’t anything there that can help out our ailing pitching staff.

[Muskies]

Aquino and Ruiz are both making appearance on the league leader board, both are just of the top in ERA and Home Runs as well.

[Muskies]

Aquino and Ruiz are off to All-Star starts to the season. Wing Liu is playing out of his mind so far, consistent with it being his last year of arbitration, looking for a contract that that will pay him through his first couple of years of free agency.

[Muskies]

Scouts are scattering across the globe and all over the world as the 2009 first-year player draft is announced. Who will draft the ideal prospect and who will find the diamond in the rough.

The top players available (in no particular order) are:

1. Charles Green, 19 year old short stop out of high school
2. Joseph McKay, 17 year old starting pitcher out of high school
3. Jim Carlisle, 17 year old starting pitcher out of high-school
4. Dale Brown, 20 year old starting pitcher out of college
5. Rick Hansen, 17 year old starting pitcher out of college
6. Jason Gross, 22 year old short stop out of college
7. River Johnson, 20 year old center fielder out of college
8. Ramon Buenvenida, 21 year old third basement out of college
9. Ken Melanson, 23 year old starting pitcher out of college
10. Donnie Martin, 20 year old starting pitcher out of college

Our draft position is 29th, so we won’t see any of these players when it comes to our selection. Davis will spend the next 30 days traveling the country to scout the draft pool to prepare for the draft.

[Muskies]

Record: 25-25, .500, 10 GB
Position: 3rd (behind Tampa and Columbus)
Avg: .264 (6th in NL)
Runs Scored: 213 (9th in NL)
Runs Allowed: 217 (7th in NL)
Defense: .724 (1st in NL)
Fan Interest: 100 (owner Unhappy)
Power Ranking: 94 (16th)

• Last Week: (5-1) 1-0 vs. Columbus, 2-1 vs. New York, 2-0 vs. Tampa
• 5/18: MAD 8, COL 1: Campbell 7 IP, 6H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K (4-2, 3.57)
• Hansen 2-4, R, 4 RBI
• Ended our 5 game loosing streak
• 5/19: NY 6, MAD 2: Juarez 7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, K (0-6, 4.91)
• A respectable outing by Juarez, he just isn’t getting any run support
• 5/20: MAD 3, NY 0: Aquino 8 IP, 3H, BB, 3 K (8-1, 2.23) – Nice shut out for Aquino
• Nishikawa just cannot find his swing, his average and power are way down for a 9/9/10 guy he is hitting 198/.284/.340
• Armando Rivera (NAS) earned his 200th career win and Ignacio Salazar (NAS) earned his 300th save.
• 5/21: MAD 5, NY 4: Ramirez 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4K – no decision
• 5/23: MAD 5, NY 4: Higgins 8 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 6 K (4-4, 2.83)
• Shaffer 3-4, 3 R, 2 B, 3 B – a home run away from the cycle.
• 5/24: MAD 5, TAM 4(10): Liu 3-5, 3 RBI, 2B
• Campbell 6.1 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K (4-2, 3.64)
• Next Week: 1 vs. Tampa, 3 @ Austin, 3 vs. San Fransisco

Players of the Week:
NL – Isreal Colon (WAS) - .429, 3 HR, 7 RBI
AL – Xu-gang Liu (CHI) - .591, 13 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI

[Muskies]

I was reviewing the salary report at my desk this morning and it was drawn to my attention that the next year will be the last year of salary arbitration for Miguel Ruiz (3B) -.328/.391/.531, his current salary arbitration estimate is $8 million and Wing Liu (2B) - .346/.392/.500 whose estimate is $4.4 million.

I called in both agents to start the discussions:

Ruiz is looking for 3 years at $13 million per year; he is also very popular with the fans.
Liu is a leader and popular in the clubhouse, his agent indicated that he is looking for 3 years at $6.3 million per year.

I currently have $32 million available for extensions so I can certainly expect that I can get each of these done, but I will wait until after the all star break to start negotiations.

I do have to consider that Chamings, Aquino, Hubbard are signed for 4 more years at $16 million per year. Both Chamings and Hubbard are extremely popular, Aquino is well known, but he also the best pitcher we have at this time.

[Muskies]

Record: 30-27, .526, 8 GB
Position: t-2nd (behind Tampa)
Avg.:.262 (7th in NL)
Runs Scored: 263 (8th in NL)
Runs Allowed: 247 (5th in NL)
Defense: .719 (3rd in NL)
Fan Interest: 100 (Owner – Undecided)
Power Ranking: (99.7) – (9th in NL)

• Last Week: (5-2) 0-1 vs. Tampa, 3-0 vs. Austin, 2-1 vs. San Francisco
• 5/25: TAM 5, MAD 4: Juarez 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 K (0-6, 4.65) – no decision
• 5/26: MAD 13, AUS 3: Aquino 8 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, BB, K (9-1, 2.34)
• 5/27: MAD 11, AUS 4: Ramirez 7 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (1-1, 3.48)
• Hansen 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR, 2 BB
• 5/28: MAD 8, AU 5: Higgins 6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K (5-4, 2.82)
• Martinez 4-5, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR
• 5/29: MAD 3, SF 2: Campbell 6 IP, 4H, 10K (5-2, 3.33)
• 5/30: MAD 9, SF 8(10): Hansen 2-5, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 HR
• 5/31: SF 3, MAD 2: Aquino 8 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 3 K (9-2, 2.23)
• Nishikawa 1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
• Liu committed two errors that resulted in two runs
• Andres Ayala – AA earned the batter of the month award batting .365, 12 HR, 25 RBI, 26 R
• Next week: 3 @ Jacksonville (20-37), 3 vs. Washington(32-25)

Players of the Week
NL – Andres Ayala (LOU) - .632, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 8 R
AL - Craig Thompson (DAL) - .481, 4 HR, 12 RBI

Batters of the Month
NL – Carl Scott (DET) - .371, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 30 R
AL – Tyson Walker (Fresno) - .407, 7 HR, 21 RBI, 22 R

Pitchers of the Month
NL – Paul Fisher (NY) – 4-1, 1.72, 22 K
AL – Brian Mallon(San Jose) – 5-0, 2.28, 29K

Rookie of the Month
NL – Mark Wright (Columbus) - .294, HR, 14 RBI
AL – Pedro Ramos (San Jose) - .303, 3 HR, 16 RBI

[Muskies]

Record: 31-32, .492, 12 GB
Position: 4th (behind Tampa, Columbus and Memphis)
Avg.: .263 (7th in NL)
Runs Scored: 290 (7th in the NL)
Runs Allowed: 285 (8th in NL)
Defense: .713 (4th in NL)
Fan Interest: 100
Power Ranking: (83.6 – 19th )

• Last Week: (1-5) 1-2 vs. Jacksonville, 0-3 vs. Washington
• 6/1: JAC 8, MAD 5: Liu 2-4, 2R, 3 RBI, 2 HR
• Davila 1.1 IP, 4H, 6 ER, HR in the 7th inning with the game knotted at 1
• J. Baca is eligible to come off of the disabled list, and in three days Wilder will come off as well, Hinton and Davila will will go back to AAA to continue to develop.
• 6/2: JAC 5, MAD 2: Higgins 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (5-5, 2.87)
• 6/3: MAD 8, JAC 4: Campbell 8 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 K (6-2, 3.33)
• Disappointing going 1 – 2 vs. Jacksonville, but we are now at full strength with the exception of Al Hill, we’ll see where it goes.
• 6/5: WAS 8, MAD 7: Juarez 3 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, BB, K, HR (0-7, 5.27)
• Juarez is going to be designated to the bullpen and we are going to promote Baca into the starting rotation, I don’t think Juarez is quite ready.
• 6/6: WAS 4, MAD 2: Aquino 8 IP, 7 H, ER, BB 5 K
• Howell blew the save in the ninth inning allowing 2 hits and 3 earned runs in 2/3 innings
• Nice game by Nishikawa 2-3, 2 R, RBI, HR, he has his average up to .241 and 9 home runs
• 6/7: WAS 9, MAD 2: Wilder 5 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, BB, 4 K (1-3, 4.42), maybe I should have given him a couple starts in AAA before dropping him into the rotation
• Next Week: 3 vs. Memphis (31-32), 3 @ Dallas (28-35), 1 vs. Mesa (34-29)

Tough week for the Mallards we get back to virtually full strength only to go 1 – 5 for the week. Mr. Stuart is not going to happy with this I will certainly be expecting another sit down.

Players of the Week
NL – Katai Nishikawa - .409, 3 HR, 6 RBI
AL – Tim Gardner (San Antonio) - .476, 2 HR, 10 RBI

[Muskies]

Record: 35-35, .500, 13 GB
Position: 4th (behind, Tampa, Detroit and Columbus)
Avg.: .261 (6th in NL)
Runs Scored: 329 (8th in NL)
Runs Allowed: 312 (6th in NL)
Defense: .712 (4th in NL)
Fan Interest: 100
Power Ranking: 87 (17th up 2)

Players of the Week:
NL: Jim Hayes (San Francisco) .464, 4 HR, 14 RBI
AL: Karl Hickman (Houston) .579, 2 HR, 6 RBI

• Last Week: 4-3, 2-1 vs. Memphis, 2-1 vs. Dallas, 0-1 vs. Mesa
• 6/8: MAD 10, MEM 2: Higgins 7.1 IP, 6H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, W (6-5, 2.83)
• Ruiz 2-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR
• We are going to moving Ruiz up to the #4 spot, he is currently hitting .315 and slugging .532 with 14 home runs
• 6/9: MEM 8, MAD 4 (11): Campbell 7.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 9 K, ND
• Howell blew is third save of the year allowing a home run in the 9th.
• Ruiz went 2-5 with another home run in the 4th spot.
• 6/10: MAD 9, MEM 2: Juarez 8.1IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 6 K, W (1-7, 4.94) – Juarez picked up his first win.
• Nishikawa hit 2 home runs
• 6/11: MAD 9, DAL 7: Nishikawa 3-4, R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR
• Aquino 7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, but no decision, bullpen allowed 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th.
• 6/12: DAL 3, MAD 1: Wilder 6.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
• 6/13: MAD 4, DAL 1: Higgins 7 IP, 5 H, ER, 6 K, ND
• Bullpen of Snow and Howell got the win and the save, Rojas has not been in yet after two games.
• Nishikawa has 5 home runs and 14 RBI in the last four games.
• 6/14: MES 4, MAD 2, we left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth
• Campbell 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 108 PI, L (6-3, 3.36)
• Next Week: 2 vs. Mesa (40-30), 3 @ Phoenix (27-43)

The Mallards continue to hover right at the .500 mark. The bullpen is pretty shaky and costing the team a few games down the stretch, which could prove to be the difference at the end of the season.

The Madison Mallards have released a statement confirming the trade of SP Juan Ramirez (1-1, 2.89) for Sixto Rojas (8-2, 2.44, 48IP, 4/37 BB/K ratio). The deal was finalized today.

The fans were slightly disappointed at this trade, but Ramirez was signed short term to get us through our injuries and I really need to beef up the bullpen.

[Muskies]

First Year player are drafted today in the American Baseball League while front offices buzz with anticipation and opinion’s from GM’s to receptionists to fans. The first five picks belong to Kansas City, Indianapolis, Long Beach, Boston and Austin. Your Madison Mallards have the 29th pick in the draft.
With the first pick Kansas City selected:

SS Jason ‘Air’ Gross – 22 year old from Rice who has a high ceiling if he can reach it.

Mallard top draft selections are as follows.

1. LF - Nolan Schaefer (20 yr – R) – Could be one of the dominant hitters in baseball for the next 10 years, potential hall of famer. Davies is projecting 5 stars and 10/3/10 hitting. He isn’t thrilled about coming to Madison, but we have the funds to sign him. He wants $1.6 million, $500,000 over the slot.

This was tough move; I have a superstar left fielder in Martinez who is only 20 years old and have some big gaps in the minors in the pitching prospects. In the end I went on the advice of Davies, hard to pass up on a guy like this for a flyer on a pitcher.

2. SP – Joe Jackson (21 – R) – projected 4 star starter, strong #2 possibly number, should develop above average movement and maximum control.

I think Davies made this recommendation to appease me after my nervousness over the first selection.

3. 2B – Marcus Wallace (18 – R) – projects to be 5 stars, currently 1. Should have above average contact with maximum power and lots of walks. Will certainly take some time to reach his potential.
4. SP – Don Kane (20 – R) – a potential back end starter if he reaches is potential. I am not sure about this one, but I am going to rely on Davies for this one.
5. SP – Scott Roberts (21 – R) – this one is another back end potential, more likely a reliever in the future. I am putting a lot of faith in Davies here again, we will see how this pans out.
6. C – Allen Cowell (21-R)
7. SP – Manuel Canales (17 – R)
8. 1B – Grant Tidwell (21-R)
9. SP – Michael Bass (21-R)
10. LF – Raul Perez (22-R)


I have over $12 million available to negotiate with draftees, but based upon my position and the slots, I shouldn’t spend over $3 million.

[Muskies]

Record: 38-37, .507, 14 GB
Position: t3rd (behind Tampa and Detroit)
Avg.: .359 (6th in NL)
Runs Scored: 350 (8th in NL)
Runs Allowed: 330 (6th in NL)
Defense: .716 (2nd in NL)
Fan Interest: 100
Power Ranking: 92.2 (13th)

• Last Week: (3-2) 1-1 vs. Mesa, 2-1 vs. Phoenix
• 6/15: MAD 3, MES 2: Juarez 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 96 PI, ND
• Don Kane, selected in the 4th round signed his contract and is reporting to Minneapolis
• 6/16: MES 3, MAD 2: Aquino 9 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, BB, 4 K, 106 PI, L (9-3, 2.31)
• Nishikawa 3-3
• Allen Cowell the 6th selection was not satisfied with slot of $130,000 we will bump it to $160,000, but still below his demand of $180,000
• Nolan Schaefer let us know that he was not satisfied with the money offered. This didn’t surprise me, I will offer his demand of $1.6 million.
• 6/18: MAD 5, PHO 1: Wilder 8 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, K, 108 PI, W (2-4, 3.88)
• Round 2 pick Joe Jackson was satisfied with the offer and has reported to Minneapolis.
• 6/19: MAD 6, PHO 3: Higgins 8.1 IP, 3 H, ER, 5K, 107 PI, W (7-5, 2.59)
• Howell was quickly yanked in the ninth after allowing 2 base runners and getting no outs. Jennings came in and earned his first save of the year. The leash on Howell is getting shorter.
• 6/20: PHO 9, MAD 5 (11) Campbell 5.1IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 106 IP
• The combination of Barrios, Howell and Jennings blew the save and took the loss in the 9, 10 and 11 innings
• Three fielding errors contributed to 3 runs in the first nine innings.
• AA – Maurillo Fladiero was named player of the week (.360, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R)
• Next Week: All Star Game, 3 vs. Detroit (40-35), 2 @ Baltimore (42-33)

Players of the Week:
NL – Fred Willis (MES) - .600, 2 HR, 7 RBI
AL – Enrique Balderas (CHI) - .571, R, 6 RBI, 4 R

[Muskies]

All Star Teams Announced:

National Leauge

SP – Roberto Aquino (MIL) – 9-3, 2.31 ERA
SP – Jeff Campbell (NY) – 8-5, 2.36 ERA
SP – Roberto Chararria (TAM) – 10-3, 2.44 ERA
SP – John Lucas (COL) – 8-5, 2.77 ERA
SP – Donald Patrick (MES) – 10-1, 2.76 ERA
SP – Jose Souza (KC) – 8-5, 2.85 ERA
MR – Jacob Drake (NY) 4-1, 9 SV, 3.23 ERA
CL - Mitzusuka Hirata (MES) 2-4, 19 SV, 2.81 ERA
CL – James Kaufman (WAS) – 3-2, 16 SV, 2.86 ERA
CL – Carlos Moran (JAC) – 0-0, 14 SV, 0.47 ERA
CL – Robert Stevenson (BAL) – 4-2, 21 SV, 4.83 ERA
C – Jeff O’Halloran (MEM) - .270/ .330/ .456, 12 HR, 25 RBI
C – Stephan Anderson (MES) - .243/ .342/ .449 14 HR, 38 RBI
1B – Carl Scott (DET) - .330/ .422/ .506, 10 HR, 54 RBI
1B – Jim Hayes (SF) - .298/ .360/ .538, 20 HR, 58 RBI
1B – Israel Colon (WAS) - .339/ .389/ .511, 13 HR, 46 RBI
1B – Carlos Pena (NY) - .322/ .372/ .502, 9 HR, 35 RBI
2B – Jarrod Caine (DET) - .339/ .459/ .471, 8 HR, 31 RBI
3B – Scotty Dyer (WAS) - .283/ .383/ .437, 9 HR, 34 RBI
3B – Miguel Ruiz (MIL) - .310/ .374/ .527, 15 HR, 55 RBI
SS – Felix Soberano (WAS) - .320/ .361/ .492, 14 HR, 63 RBI
LF – Robbie Ricks (KC) - .312/ .379/ .540, 12 HR, 45 RBI
LF – Jud Wilson (PHO) - .339/ .371/ .495, 8 HR, 37 RBI
CF – Wallace Morrison (TAM) - .259/ .329/ .600, 18 HR, 55 RBI
CF – Antonio Lara (DET) - .314/ .390/ .540, 17 HR, 54 RBI
RF – Shuichi Takeuchi (BAL) - .292/ .416/ .458, 4 HR, 31 RBI
RF – Alex Bruno (MEM) - .299/ .386/ .555, 17 HR, 52 RBI

American League

SP – Glenn Cooper (LA) – 9-1, 3.20 ERA
SP – Don Daly (HOU) – 10-6, 2.67 ERA
SP – Ray Kossan (FW) – 9-4, 3.04 ERA
SP – Leland Lee (CLE) – 7-1, 1.72 ERA
SP – Raul Lopes(CHI) – 8-3, 3.03 ERA
SP – Stu Myers (PHI) – 10-3, 3.35 ERA
SP – Mkrtitch Selvinazian (NAS) – 7-2, 3.11 ERA
CL – Doug Lewis (SJ) – 3-1, 14SV, 1.99 ERA
CL – Kenny Lloyd (CLE) – 3-5, 25 SV, 3.09 ERA
CL – Alberto Pena (QUE) – 3-2, 18 SV, 2.50 ERA
CL – Tommy Robbins (SAC) – 4-3, 15 SV, 1.89 ERA
CL – Ernest Wallace (LA) – 3-0, 20 SV, 2.62 ERA
C – Freddy Hawkins (SA) - .333/ .409/ .492, 6 HR, 36 RBI
C – Elmer Jackson (SAC) - .287/ .359/ .447, 7 HR, 35 RBI
1B – Alberto Garza (OC) - .267/ .378/ .555, 19 HR, 55 RBI
1B – Stanley Davis (IND) - .276/ .362/ .476, 13 HR, 52 RBI
2B – Mario Arias (SJ) - .312/ .381/ .435, 4 HR, 25 RBI
3B – Tomas Allende (CLE) - .294/. 363/ .486, 9 HR, 48 RBI
SS – Pedro Leyva (SJ) - .284/ .326/ .558, 23 HR, 64 RBI
LF – Brooks Brown (CLE) - .334/ .392/ .437, 4 HR, 33 RBI
LF – Jorge Lucero (PHI) - .312/ .398/ .552, 18 HR, 56 RBI
LF – Tyson Walker (FRE) - .303/ .420/ .455, 10 HR, 36 RBI
LF – Xu-gang Liu (CHI) - .299/ .355/ .456, 13 HR, 41 RBI
CF – Dennis Hanna (SA) - .323/ .394/ .514, 9 HR, 34 RBI
RF – Cameron Parkinson (LA) - .347/ .399/ .574, 10 HR, 50 RBI

[Muskies]

Tampa looks to be running away with the NL Central taking a 12 game lead into the second half of the season. Mallard All-Stars Ruiz and Aquino are among the lead leaders in RBI and ERA, they are just off the lists in HR and Wins as well.

Hopefully the second half sets up some nice races to the finish. The Mallards are currently 4th in the Wild card race, 5 games behind the Washington Birds.

[Muskies]

The bullpen is really bringing down the team, it could be reflection on the staff and the coaching. The ABL does not report that the Mallards have a weakness in the bullpen, so maybe we are right on the cusp…

The minor leagues certainly need some help. We have a lot of contract expiring at the end of this season so we will be looking to make a lot of changes. I hope to start addressing these positions in August to get almost a full season of stats under our belt before we make the hard decisions.