World Baseball Alliance - Page 7

Imperialism32 · 08-11-2020, 07:53 AM

Keeping this from purging... Promise it'll be back soon.

Imperialism32 · 08-23-2020, 05:27 PM

The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season.

Werewolves Remain Unbeaten

Just one team remains unbeaten a week into the season: The London Werewolves, who swept the Madrid Kings and the Munich Hops in the European Premier League. They've scored 54 runs and allowed by 14, though most of that differential came against the Hops who had been promoted in the offseason and were widely expected to struggle. Also in the EPL the Kiev Comets have gotten their title defense off to a strong start at 5-1. No teams have started 0-6.

Imperialism32 · 08-24-2020, 01:39 PM

The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season.

Cueva Hits For Cycle

Luis Cueva struggled mightily in the World Baseball Championship, hitting a paltry .120/.185/.160 for Puerto Rico. It's safe to say he's shaken those struggles off and on May 9th he became the first player in the WBA to hit for the cycle. The Barranquilla Warhawks are only playing .500 ball at 9-9 but with legit superstars in Matador Puzo and Leonard Cruz, they have a good chance to make some noise.

Meet The New Boss

Los Angeles Seraphs center fielder Parker Java is a name to know. The 22 year old has made his presence known in a big way, leading the entire WBA in WAR with 2.0. Java was considered a plus prospect and hit .356/.438/.567 in the minors last season, earned a promotion from A2 to the majors, skipping over A1. But once he was recalled he struggled, batting .222/.302/.389. This year has been a different story, though, as he's raced off a blistering pace. He's also a fantastic defensive player so even when his offensive numbers invariably regress he'll be providing value. Java is a big reason why the Seraphs are off to a 13-5 start after finishing below .500 last year.

Roosmalen Dismantling ESL Pitching

Shocking absolutely no one, Berlin Knights shortstop and World Baseball Championship hero Olivier Roosmalen has throttled pitching in the European Silver League. The Knights are off to a 12-6 start and in line for promotion, but Roosmalen has it made it clear that he intends to play elsewhere next season. Teams from across the world have sent scouts to report on his game, and he'll be in line for a big contract in the offseason.

Imperialism32 · 08-24-2020, 08:28 PM

They've starred on the small screen and now they're ready for their close-up.

That performance happened in June of 1956 in Richmond, Virginia. Chantilly High School vs. Wilson Memorial High School in a game to determine the state champion. Each side had the sort of local legend that most towns do and while baseball is a team game, neither school would be here without their star.

On the mound for Wilson Memorial, located in Fishersville, was Parker Java. The wiry lefty could do it all, and not just on the baseball diamond: he was the team's center fielder when he wasn't pitching, he started at point guard on the basketball team, and he even won the county championship in the 100 and 200 meter dash. He was a much better center fielder than pitcher, but he had the best arm on the team and so he got the start.

Chantilly had Launcelot Evans. He stood about as tall as Java and was also a southpaw but carried more weight. He didn't play basketball and had no interest in running around on a track. He didn't have much of an arm and wasn't much of a fielder, even by high school first base standards. But he was a hitter, maybe the best the state had ever seen. He broke the Virginia home run record a few games into his senior season and comfortably padded that number since.

The theatrics came in the bottom of the 6th with Wilson Memorial up by a run. Evans came to the dish against Java with a man and sent a 2-1 pitch screaming over the right field fence, the decisive blow as Chantilly held on to win the championship.

"I was never much of a pitcher, anyway," Java laments.

"Nah, you were good... I was just better," Evans teases back.

That championship game was the start of a friendship between the two, a bond formed quickly enough that they agreed they wanted to sign with the same team as the World Baseball Alliance was forming. They each held true and inked deals with the Los Angeles Seraphs and now the pair of 22 year olds are one of the top young duos in the league (they were born just two weeks apart).

The Seraphs sit at 16-8, the second-best mark in the North American League. Evans is tied for the WBA home run lead with 8, while Java has already posted 2.2 WAR (second only to Boston's Jay Givens). After a ho-hum 64-68 first season, the Seraphs suddenly look set for the future with two concrete building blocks.

Java seems destined to win a handful of Gold Glove awards, possibly starting his collection as soon as this season. His defense in centerfield has impressed -- and frustrated -- opponents this season.

"That guy can go get it," said Hunter Williams of the Atlanta Razorbacks. The Seraphs took two of three from Atlanta and held Williams, a .324 hitter last season, hitless in the series. "Balls that I think are down he's already scooped up. Great speed, great instincts, great arm," he summarized.

His production at the plate so far has been an added bonus. Batting leadoff, he's hitting .392/.426/.598 with eleven doubles, two triples, and two homers. An impressive turnaround after a .222/.302/.389 line as a rookie following his call-up. While he's hardly expected to keep up his current pace, his outstanding defense will always provide value.

Evans, meanwhile, has simply raked. In 17 games (despite his high school heroics, the Seraphs sit him sometimes against lefties) he boasts a .429/.507/.873 line primarily as a designated hitter.

"I love it," he says of the role. "They said, hey, we just want you to focus on your hitting and to me that's perfect. I think I got a lot better this offseason because I knew I was gonna be able to DH."

Evans and Java began last season with Idaho Falls, but it proved to be a quick pit stop on their journey to the west coast. They ravaged the league and helped the Explorers to a hot start, enough of a cushion to ensure they'd win the division. While the duo couldn't keep it up with Los Angeles, they gained valuable experience that's paying dividends in a big way.

Their friendship has grown stronger and you don't need to be around them for too long to know why. They both love the city of Los Angeles, but neither seems interested in chasing the glitz and glamour. They're more of the "Southern California cool" types with a Virginian twist.

The quick development of the pair has the Seraphs firmly in the mix for the NAL West. Fans are hoping this year is something of a perfect storm, a crossing of generations. Star pitcher Reggie Thurmond and veteran outfielder Gabe Alley are pending free agents, and first baseman Myles Spinks could also leave after the season, though his rich player option is likely too good to pass up.

Evans and Java will keep the floor relatively high even with those key departures, but this season might be their best shot at a blockbuster.

Imperialism32 · 09-01-2020, 12:19 PM

The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season.

Rangers Falling Hard

It's only been seven months since the Caracas Rangers were battling the Kiev Comets for the WBA Championship. Now the Rangers are off to a 10-20 start, the second-worst record among returning teams (just-promoted Calgary is worst at 6-24, and the Helsinki Steeds are 9-21). The Rangers have gotten unlucky as their "expected" record is 14-16 and they've gotten solid performances from Santiago Vecchio and Nicolas Pascal. Caracas clearly still has the talent to succeed, but they've dug themselves a big hole in the first 20% of the season. They need the back half of their rotation to turn things around going forward.

Imperialism32 · 09-01-2020, 01:02 PM

June 1, 1961

May Players of the Month

Imperialism32 · 09-01-2020, 03:39 PM

The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season.

Mumbai's Dominant Rotation

Coming into the season, many pegged the Beijing Maulers' rotation as the best in the sport. And they have been quite good. The Maulers lead the AL North in fewest runs allowed at 171. But then there's the Mumbai Vipers, who lead the AL South with fifty fewer runs allowed. The Vipers had the best mark last season at 3.12 runs per game allowed. Through 42 games this season that number sits at an astounding 2.88 per game.

Hidenosuke Kataoka leads the WBA in WAR at 2.9 while Seong-Hyeon Kwan ranks 4th at 2.3. Kataoka has thrown consecutive shutouts in his last two starts, including a 10-inning performance. The club traded for Douglas Trovato, who lost 19 games in the North American Silver League last season, and turned him into a quality starter in a higher league. Shawn Wijkhuize. The Rangers got off to a terrible start, though they've won seven of their last ten to climb up to 18-24. They're six games back of the Managua Mallards who currently occupy the wildcard spot in the CL South, and there are three teams to jump to get up there. The injection of Wijkhuize into the lineup will help. He smoked A2 pitching to the tune of a .330/.423/.486 line, and that's on the heels of helping the Netherlands (Wijkhuize was born in Bonaire, a Dutch territory) take home the WBC crown.

Wijkhuize Called Up

Speaking of last season's World Series teams, the Caracas Rangers have called up top prospect Shawn Wijkhuize. The Rangers got off to a terrible start, though they've won seven of their last ten to climb up to 18-24. They're six games back of the Managua Mallards who currently occupy the wildcard spot in the CL South, and there are three teams to jump to get up there. The injection of Wijkhuize into the lineup will help. He smoked A2 pitching to the tune of a .330/.423/.486 line, and that's on the heels of helping the Netherlands (Wijkhuize was born in Bonaire, a Dutch territory) take home the WBC crown.

Another top prospect also in the Caribbean League was called up recently: Daniel Rocha of the San Juan Salamanders.

All Hopped Up

Looking for someone to threaten a .400 average this season? May we suggest Martin Danov of the Munich Hops? The third baseman is hitting .463 so far this season and trails only Jay Givens in both WAR and OPS+. Danov is a newcomer to the European Premier League after leading his team to a promotion from the Silver League. Somehow the Bulgarian is hitting even better against the higher caliber of competition, though his .497 BABIP will surely regress. He's a bona-fide superstar, and if the Hops didn't have the worst pitching in the WBA (they rank dead last in runs allowed) they might be in the mix for the playoffs because their offense is legitimately good.

Josh, Jay, and Jacob

The North American League leaderboard is topped by some familiar faces. Jay Givens has started the season out-of-this-world hot for the second year in a row, leading the entire World Baseball Alliance in OPS+ and WAR. His Boston Bombers are 22-20 thanks to Givens and some very good pitching, while the rest of their offense has sputtered. Boston is firmly in the mix for another wildcard spot after taking second place last year, and their shortstop and team leader is an enormous reason why.

Josh Dillow currently has the Kansas City Wheat Kings in second place in the NAL West. He's getting on base at a .500 clip, though his power numbers are down slightly from a season ago. The additon of Ismael Adamson to the rotation has helped balance the Wheat Kings. They'll have a tougher race to the playoffs this year, through. The Seraphs star young duo has powered them into first place, the San Francisco Prospectors' lavish offseason spending has worked out so far, and the Vancouver Bruins (who tied with the Wheat Kings last season) aren't going away, either.

And of course there's Jacob Yoachum, last year's Most Valuable Player across the entire World Baseball Alliance. He's picked up nearly right where he left off, a sort of inverse of Dillow where Yoachum has upped his power at the expense of a bit of on-base ability. But he's cruising for another great year and it's no surprise to see the Toronto Giants atop their division even though the starting pitching hasn't been great outside of ace C.J. Gorski.

Imperialism32 · 09-03-2020, 01:10 PM

It [URL="https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/showpost.php?p=4645526&postcount=21"]started early[URL] last year.

Shortstop Sebastian Cajar was not happy with his teammates, and they were equally unhappy with him. A 12-6 start quickly faded and the Panama City Seabees went 16-20 over their next 36 games.

"Miserable," is how star pitcher Victor Sanchez recalled it. "Even when we started winning again, nobody was having any fun. We weren't a team, nobody was together. It was like you just came to the stadium, punched the clock, and went home."

The specific of the locker room drama are still unclear. After Marcos Esquivel took a shot at Cajar in the press, Cajar snapped back. While the dust may not have completely settled, the mid-May snipes are the last time things spilled out into public.

"We handled our business," is all Esquivel would say of it. Cajar, for his part, declined comment entirely for this story, even on unrelated questions.

The undeniable talent of the Seabees eventually surfaced, and the team took second place in the Caribbean League South Division, falling to the Caracas Rangers in a seven game series. The team made one big move this offseason, signing Oscar San Carlos to a three-year contract, a pickup that raised eyebrows as the lefty will turn 40 in September. But San Carlos has a sterling reputation not just as a pitcher but as a teammate, and that was no doubt part of the calculus. Cajar is signed through 1967 and while other Seabees were careful not to cast any aspersions, they weren't exactly praising him as a changed man, either.

Instead, the plan appears to let Sabastian be Sebastian and simply surround him with Good Guys elsewhere. San Carlos is one, and outfielder Hefesto Navas is another. The 22 year old was a sparkplug on the field as a rookie last year, and he's kept up the production while taking on a role as a team leader. He's hitting .341/.419/.505 and is a big reason why Cajar, batting right in front him, is only four runs scored off the WBA lead.

The other two starting outfielders, J.C. Garcia and Ismael Eldorado have been quality contributors. Garcia was recognized as his division's MVP last season, losing out to Kingston's Maximo Loaiza for the Caribbean League award. San Carlos and Sanchez have anchored a four-man rotation while the team relies heavily on a bullpen that is stocked with top arms.

Last year's closer Preston Santiago, who was recognized as the CL's top reliever in the preseason "Best Tools" list, has moved into a fireman role. He threw 48 innings all of last season, but this year he's already thrown 43 (and has a 2.51 ERA). Danny Pastrana and free agent signee Sol Delgado have been terrific, while Edidson de Santiago is lurking as a sort of secret weapon. They've deployed him for only eight innings on the year as the multi-talented righty has gotten extended run as the team's designated hitter, where he's slashing .240/.344/.423.

Oh, and of course there's Sebastian Cajar, productive as ever: He's leading the Caribbean League in WAR while hitting .367/.411/.515 with 13 steals (he's yet to be caught) and very good defense up the middle. Whatever issues are or aren't going on haven't impacted his performance.

All of this adds up to a 35-13 record, the best record in the sport by two games (the Perth Paladins are 33-15). They've won nine straight and are traveling to visit the lowly Santo Domingo Panthers, who sit at 18-30. Their .729 winning percentage puts them ahead of the Kiev Comets' pace from last season, though the Comets did roll into the All Star break with a .740 mark. The Seabees are nine games clear of the next-closest in their division.

And yet... there's still the memories of last season, when internal strife won out over pure talent for at least part of the season. Members of the team seem more laid-back, more tightly-knight, more together. But look down the dugout and you'll see Sebastian Cajar, alone by himself more often than not. Nobody's calling him out, and he's kept quiet as well.

"We went through it all last season," Navas said. "All the ups, the downs, the craziness. As far as I'm concerned, it's behind us. I know I'm not thinking about that. Maybe reporters are, maybe fans are, but we're not."

Will the détente last? Or maybe the better question is, with a team this good, does it matter?

Imperialism32 · 09-04-2020, 10:49 AM

The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season.

Nakano Leading Paladins' Charge

The second-best record in the WBA belongs to the Perth Paladins and star centerfielder Matsuo Nakano is the main reason why. The Japanese superstar has nearly as many home runs (15) as strikeouts (16) while maintaining a .365/.406/.685 batting line. He's one of the best bat-to-ball hitters in the world and though he's not particularly choosy he can barrel a ball anywhere near the plate. He was quietly excellent last season (6.2 WAR) but has erupted this year, already nearing his home run mark with 15 (he had 19 a season ago). On the mound the Paladins have relied on youngster Jayashree Gabeja who is 10-1 with a 1.76 ERA in his second season.

Aztecs Winners of Ten Straight

The hottest team in baseball? That would be the Mexico City Aztecs who carry a 10-game winning streak into a series with the Havana Lightning. The recent surge has carried them into first place in the Caribbean League North though two teams are just a game back.

Imperialism32 · 09-04-2020, 11:27 AM

July 1, 1961

June Players of the Month

Imperialism32 · 09-04-2020, 12:36 PM

July 2, 1960

Amateur Prospect Preview

The draft order is determined by the previous year's standings. The best record picks 16th, the next-best picks 15th, and so on. The #1 pick goes to the promoted team which had MORE wins in the Silver League. The other promoted team gets the #2 pick. Think of it as another reward for the promoted teams. There is no draft pick trading, no draft pick compensation for lost FAs, and no draft pick compensation for unsigned picks. In the Silver Leagues (which have separate draft pools) the order is determined by random draw. That said, here are your 1961 #1 overall draft picks:

Australasian League - Tianjin Predators: SP Arthur Landry

Caribbean League - Medellin Pathfinders: SP Jaden Vicento

European Premier League - Munich Hops: 1B Hugo van Wijk

North American League - Calgary Caracals: SP Hunter Steenerson

Today also marks the first day of the signing period for 16 (and older) amateurs who opted to attend their region's combine. We'll check back soon when the top players have signed with an organization.

Imperialism32 · 09-08-2020, 01:06 PM

The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season.

Kiev Heating Up

We haven't checked in with the defending champs, the Kiev Comets, but rest assured they're doing just fine. The Comets sit at 42-24, the best record in the EPL, and lead their division by 6 games. Henry Jones had a rough start to the season but posted a 2.32 ERA in the month of June and worked 6.1 scoreless innings in his first start in July. It's been another balanced offensive attack with all the familiar names from last season. The Comets lead the EPL in runs scored though they're not quite on the same pace as last year. They've won six straight and should cruise back in the playoffs.

Danov Still Going Nuts

Waiting for Martin Danov to cool off? So is the rest of the European Premier League. The Munich Hops' third baseman continues to blister the ball at a record pace, hitting .448/.505/.652 at the halfway point of the season. Not surprisingly, his batting average and on-base percentage are tops in the entire WBA, and his slugging percentage is third behind only Launcelot Evans and Jacob Yoachum. He's added 15 steals on the bases and is single-handedly keeping the Hops afloat in a packed EPL West division. Danov leads the WBA in Wins Above Replacement.

Dash-ing Ahead

One of the best stories of the season so far has been the Santiago de Cuba Dash in the Caribbean League. They finished barely above .500 at 68-64 last season in the Silver League, but it was good enough to earn a promotion to the big show where they currently sit at 40-26, tied for first in the CL North division. By way of comparison: the Medellin Pathfinders, the other team promoted from the CSL, are sitting in last place in their division at 24-42. The Dash and the Belgrade Buzz (36-30, tied for 2nd behind Kiev) are the only newly-promoted teams close to a playoff spot.

Imperialism32 · 09-08-2020, 02:08 PM

July 11, 1961

Most Outstanding Pitcher Dealt

Last year's Most Outstanding Pitcher, Leonard Cruz, has been traded from the Barranquilla Warhawks to the Caracas Rangers. The Rangers, last season's runner-up in the World Series, are sitting 30-39 and are 12 games out of a playoff spot, so they've decided to make the major move to try and get back in it. The Warhawks receive outfielder Mateo de la Cruz and a top closer prospect, plus a minor league shortstop. The Rangers also got two minor leaguers back, but neither is a serious prospect. The biggest gain for Barranquilla may be the salary relief, as Cruz is the highest-earner in the Caribbean League. For Caracas, they're gambling on Cruz to maintain his form and make the contract worthwhile even as he enters his mid-30s.

Elsewhere, a deal was also struck in the Australasian League: the Yokohama Lynx traded veteran outfielder Taradin Nibuesa to the Newcastle Swoop for pitching prospect Alan Knighton. Knighton was acquired by Newcastle last July and helped lead their B2 team to a championship season. Yokohama ranks 1st in their divison in runs scored so they felt they could deal a batter to acquire a potential future star on the mound.

PrinceofKirkland · 09-14-2020, 03:40 AM

Wow, this is an incredible dynasty report! I love your attention to detail and your writing is amazing! The monthly magazine articles are so much fun to read! Keep up the great work!

Also, let go Seattle Bluejackets! Here's to hopefully not getting relegated!

Imperialism32 · 09-22-2020, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrinceofKirkland

Wow, this is an incredible dynasty report! I love your attention to detail and your writing is amazing! The monthly magazine articles are so much fun to read! Keep up the great work!

Also, let go Seattle Bluejackets! Here's to hopefully not getting relegated!

Thanks for the kind words! Hoping to get back into things soon.

Imperialism32 · 09-30-2020, 10:30 AM

The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season. This special All-Star Edition comes on a Monday.

All-Star Teams Announced

Kansas City Surging

The Wheat Kings have grown their lead in the NAL West Division to 3 games and now own the second-best record in the WBA. Their offense has been led by Josh Dillow and Rick Tapia. The latter is actually outhitting Dillow this season, sporting a .344/.426/.527 line while adding 18 steals. The offseason trade for Ismael Adamson has paid off in a big way, with the righty holding a 9-3 record with a 2.85 ERA.

Imperialism32 · 10-16-2020, 07:21 AM

Expect to resume this once the real-life baseball postseason has ended.

Imperialism32 · 11-13-2020, 08:28 PM

Saving this from purge, sorry for cluttering.

09-01-2020, 03:39 PM	#127
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season. Mumbai's Dominant Rotation Coming into the season, many pegged the Beijing Maulers' rotation as the best in the sport. And they have been quite good. The Maulers lead the AL North in fewest runs allowed at 171. But then there's the Mumbai Vipers, who lead the AL South with fifty fewer runs allowed. The Vipers had the best mark last season at 3.12 runs per game allowed. Through 42 games this season that number sits at an astounding 2.88 per game. Hidenosuke Kataoka leads the WBA in WAR at 2.9 while Seong-Hyeon Kwan ranks 4th at 2.3. Kataoka has thrown consecutive shutouts in his last two starts, including a 10-inning performance. The club traded for Douglas Trovato, who lost 19 games in the North American Silver League last season, and turned him into a quality starter in a higher league. Shawn Wijkhuize. The Rangers got off to a terrible start, though they've won seven of their last ten to climb up to 18-24. They're six games back of the Managua Mallards who currently occupy the wildcard spot in the CL South, and there are three teams to jump to get up there. The injection of Wijkhuize into the lineup will help. He smoked A2 pitching to the tune of a .330/.423/.486 line, and that's on the heels of helping the Netherlands (Wijkhuize was born in Bonaire, a Dutch territory) take home the WBC crown. Wijkhuize Called Up Speaking of last season's World Series teams, the Caracas Rangers have called up top prospect Shawn Wijkhuize. The Rangers got off to a terrible start, though they've won seven of their last ten to climb up to 18-24. They're six games back of the Managua Mallards who currently occupy the wildcard spot in the CL South, and there are three teams to jump to get up there. The injection of Wijkhuize into the lineup will help. He smoked A2 pitching to the tune of a .330/.423/.486 line, and that's on the heels of helping the Netherlands (Wijkhuize was born in Bonaire, a Dutch territory) take home the WBC crown. Another top prospect also in the Caribbean League was called up recently: Daniel Rocha of the San Juan Salamanders. All Hopped Up Looking for someone to threaten a .400 average this season? May we suggest Martin Danov of the Munich Hops? The third baseman is hitting .463 so far this season and trails only Jay Givens in both WAR and OPS+. Danov is a newcomer to the European Premier League after leading his team to a promotion from the Silver League. Somehow the Bulgarian is hitting even better against the higher caliber of competition, though his .497 BABIP will surely regress. He's a bona-fide superstar, and if the Hops didn't have the worst pitching in the WBA (they rank dead last in runs allowed) they might be in the mix for the playoffs because their offense is legitimately good. Josh, Jay, and Jacob The North American League leaderboard is topped by some familiar faces. Jay Givens has started the season out-of-this-world hot for the second year in a row, leading the entire World Baseball Alliance in OPS+ and WAR. His Boston Bombers are 22-20 thanks to Givens and some very good pitching, while the rest of their offense has sputtered. Boston is firmly in the mix for another wildcard spot after taking second place last year, and their shortstop and team leader is an enormous reason why. Josh Dillow currently has the Kansas City Wheat Kings in second place in the NAL West. He's getting on base at a .500 clip, though his power numbers are down slightly from a season ago. The additon of Ismael Adamson to the rotation has helped balance the Wheat Kings. They'll have a tougher race to the playoffs this year, through. The Seraphs star young duo has powered them into first place, the San Francisco Prospectors' lavish offseason spending has worked out so far, and the Vancouver Bruins (who tied with the Wheat Kings last season) aren't going away, either. And of course there's Jacob Yoachum, last year's Most Valuable Player across the entire World Baseball Alliance. He's picked up nearly right where he left off, a sort of inverse of Dillow where Yoachum has upped his power at the expense of a bit of on-base ability. But he's cruising for another great year and it's no surprise to see the Toronto Giants atop their division even though the starting pitching hasn't been great outside of ace C.J. Gorski. Last edited by Imperialism32; 09-01-2020 at 04:05 PM.

09-03-2020, 01:10 PM	#128
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	It [URL="https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/showpost.php?p=4645526&postcount=21"]started early[URL] last year. Shortstop Sebastian Cajar was not happy with his teammates, and they were equally unhappy with him. A 12-6 start quickly faded and the Panama City Seabees went 16-20 over their next 36 games. "Miserable," is how star pitcher Victor Sanchez recalled it. "Even when we started winning again, nobody was having any fun. We weren't a team, nobody was together. It was like you just came to the stadium, punched the clock, and went home." The specific of the locker room drama are still unclear. After Marcos Esquivel took a shot at Cajar in the press, Cajar snapped back. While the dust may not have completely settled, the mid-May snipes are the last time things spilled out into public. "We handled our business," is all Esquivel would say of it. Cajar, for his part, declined comment entirely for this story, even on unrelated questions. The undeniable talent of the Seabees eventually surfaced, and the team took second place in the Caribbean League South Division, falling to the Caracas Rangers in a seven game series. The team made one big move this offseason, signing Oscar San Carlos to a three-year contract, a pickup that raised eyebrows as the lefty will turn 40 in September. But San Carlos has a sterling reputation not just as a pitcher but as a teammate, and that was no doubt part of the calculus. Cajar is signed through 1967 and while other Seabees were careful not to cast any aspersions, they weren't exactly praising him as a changed man, either. Instead, the plan appears to let Sabastian be Sebastian and simply surround him with Good Guys elsewhere. San Carlos is one, and outfielder Hefesto Navas is another. The 22 year old was a sparkplug on the field as a rookie last year, and he's kept up the production while taking on a role as a team leader. He's hitting .341/.419/.505 and is a big reason why Cajar, batting right in front him, is only four runs scored off the WBA lead. The other two starting outfielders, J.C. Garcia and Ismael Eldorado have been quality contributors. Garcia was recognized as his division's MVP last season, losing out to Kingston's Maximo Loaiza for the Caribbean League award. San Carlos and Sanchez have anchored a four-man rotation while the team relies heavily on a bullpen that is stocked with top arms. Last year's closer Preston Santiago, who was recognized as the CL's top reliever in the preseason "Best Tools" list, has moved into a fireman role. He threw 48 innings all of last season, but this year he's already thrown 43 (and has a 2.51 ERA). Danny Pastrana and free agent signee Sol Delgado have been terrific, while Edidson de Santiago is lurking as a sort of secret weapon. They've deployed him for only eight innings on the year as the multi-talented righty has gotten extended run as the team's designated hitter, where he's slashing .240/.344/.423. Oh, and of course there's Sebastian Cajar, productive as ever: He's leading the Caribbean League in WAR while hitting .367/.411/.515 with 13 steals (he's yet to be caught) and very good defense up the middle. Whatever issues are or aren't going on haven't impacted his performance. All of this adds up to a 35-13 record, the best record in the sport by two games (the Perth Paladins are 33-15). They've won nine straight and are traveling to visit the lowly Santo Domingo Panthers, who sit at 18-30. Their .729 winning percentage puts them ahead of the Kiev Comets' pace from last season, though the Comets did roll into the All Star break with a .740 mark. The Seabees are nine games clear of the next-closest in their division. And yet... there's still the memories of last season, when internal strife won out over pure talent for at least part of the season. Members of the team seem more laid-back, more tightly-knight, more together. But look down the dugout and you'll see Sebastian Cajar, alone by himself more often than not. Nobody's calling him out, and he's kept quiet as well. "We went through it all last season," Navas said. "All the ups, the downs, the craziness. As far as I'm concerned, it's behind us. I know I'm not thinking about that. Maybe reporters are, maybe fans are, but we're not." Will the détente last? Or maybe the better question is, with a team this good, does it matter? Last edited by Imperialism32; 09-03-2020 at 01:13 PM.

09-08-2020, 01:06 PM	#132
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season. Kiev Heating Up We haven't checked in with the defending champs, the Kiev Comets, but rest assured they're doing just fine. The Comets sit at 42-24, the best record in the EPL, and lead their division by 6 games. Henry Jones had a rough start to the season but posted a 2.32 ERA in the month of June and worked 6.1 scoreless innings in his first start in July. It's been another balanced offensive attack with all the familiar names from last season. The Comets lead the EPL in runs scored though they're not quite on the same pace as last year. They've won six straight and should cruise back in the playoffs. Danov Still Going Nuts Waiting for Martin Danov to cool off? So is the rest of the European Premier League. The Munich Hops' third baseman continues to blister the ball at a record pace, hitting .448/.505/.652 at the halfway point of the season. Not surprisingly, his batting average and on-base percentage are tops in the entire WBA, and his slugging percentage is third behind only Launcelot Evans and Jacob Yoachum. He's added 15 steals on the bases and is single-handedly keeping the Hops afloat in a packed EPL West division. Danov leads the WBA in Wins Above Replacement. Dash-ing Ahead One of the best stories of the season so far has been the Santiago de Cuba Dash in the Caribbean League. They finished barely above .500 at 68-64 last season in the Silver League, but it was good enough to earn a promotion to the big show where they currently sit at 40-26, tied for first in the CL North division. By way of comparison: the Medellin Pathfinders, the other team promoted from the CSL, are sitting in last place in their division at 24-42. The Dash and the Belgrade Buzz (36-30, tied for 2nd behind Kiev) are the only newly-promoted teams close to a playoff spot. Last edited by Imperialism32; 09-08-2020 at 02:09 PM.

10-16-2020, 07:21 AM	#137
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	Expect to resume this once the real-life baseball postseason has ended. Last edited by Imperialism32; 11-13-2020 at 08:28 PM.

08-11-2020, 07:53 AM	#121
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	Keeping this from purging... Promise it'll be back soon.

08-23-2020, 05:27 PM	#122
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season. Werewolves Remain Unbeaten Just one team remains unbeaten a week into the season: The London Werewolves, who swept the Madrid Kings and the Munich Hops in the European Premier League. They've scored 54 runs and allowed by 14, though most of that differential came against the Hops who had been promoted in the offseason and were widely expected to struggle. Also in the EPL the Kiev Comets have gotten their title defense off to a strong start at 5-1. No teams have started 0-6.

08-24-2020, 01:39 PM	#123
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season. Cueva Hits For Cycle Luis Cueva struggled mightily in the World Baseball Championship, hitting a paltry .120/.185/.160 for Puerto Rico. It's safe to say he's shaken those struggles off and on May 9th he became the first player in the WBA to hit for the cycle. The Barranquilla Warhawks are only playing .500 ball at 9-9 but with legit superstars in Matador Puzo and Leonard Cruz, they have a good chance to make some noise. Meet The New Boss Los Angeles Seraphs center fielder Parker Java is a name to know. The 22 year old has made his presence known in a big way, leading the entire WBA in WAR with 2.0. Java was considered a plus prospect and hit .356/.438/.567 in the minors last season, earned a promotion from A2 to the majors, skipping over A1. But once he was recalled he struggled, batting .222/.302/.389. This year has been a different story, though, as he's raced off a blistering pace. He's also a fantastic defensive player so even when his offensive numbers invariably regress he'll be providing value. Java is a big reason why the Seraphs are off to a 13-5 start after finishing below .500 last year. Roosmalen Dismantling ESL Pitching Shocking absolutely no one, Berlin Knights shortstop and World Baseball Championship hero Olivier Roosmalen has throttled pitching in the European Silver League. The Knights are off to a 12-6 start and in line for promotion, but Roosmalen has it made it clear that he intends to play elsewhere next season. Teams from across the world have sent scouts to report on his game, and he'll be in line for a big contract in the offseason.

08-24-2020, 08:28 PM	#124
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	They've starred on the small screen and now they're ready for their close-up. That performance happened in June of 1956 in Richmond, Virginia. Chantilly High School vs. Wilson Memorial High School in a game to determine the state champion. Each side had the sort of local legend that most towns do and while baseball is a team game, neither school would be here without their star. On the mound for Wilson Memorial, located in Fishersville, was Parker Java. The wiry lefty could do it all, and not just on the baseball diamond: he was the team's center fielder when he wasn't pitching, he started at point guard on the basketball team, and he even won the county championship in the 100 and 200 meter dash. He was a much better center fielder than pitcher, but he had the best arm on the team and so he got the start. Chantilly had Launcelot Evans. He stood about as tall as Java and was also a southpaw but carried more weight. He didn't play basketball and had no interest in running around on a track. He didn't have much of an arm and wasn't much of a fielder, even by high school first base standards. But he was a hitter, maybe the best the state had ever seen. He broke the Virginia home run record a few games into his senior season and comfortably padded that number since. The theatrics came in the bottom of the 6th with Wilson Memorial up by a run. Evans came to the dish against Java with a man and sent a 2-1 pitch screaming over the right field fence, the decisive blow as Chantilly held on to win the championship. "I was never much of a pitcher, anyway," Java laments. "Nah, you were good... I was just better," Evans teases back. That championship game was the start of a friendship between the two, a bond formed quickly enough that they agreed they wanted to sign with the same team as the World Baseball Alliance was forming. They each held true and inked deals with the Los Angeles Seraphs and now the pair of 22 year olds are one of the top young duos in the league (they were born just two weeks apart). The Seraphs sit at 16-8, the second-best mark in the North American League. Evans is tied for the WBA home run lead with 8, while Java has already posted 2.2 WAR (second only to Boston's Jay Givens). After a ho-hum 64-68 first season, the Seraphs suddenly look set for the future with two concrete building blocks. Java seems destined to win a handful of Gold Glove awards, possibly starting his collection as soon as this season. His defense in centerfield has impressed -- and frustrated -- opponents this season. "That guy can go get it," said Hunter Williams of the Atlanta Razorbacks. The Seraphs took two of three from Atlanta and held Williams, a .324 hitter last season, hitless in the series. "Balls that I think are down he's already scooped up. Great speed, great instincts, great arm," he summarized. His production at the plate so far has been an added bonus. Batting leadoff, he's hitting .392/.426/.598 with eleven doubles, two triples, and two homers. An impressive turnaround after a .222/.302/.389 line as a rookie following his call-up. While he's hardly expected to keep up his current pace, his outstanding defense will always provide value. Evans, meanwhile, has simply raked. In 17 games (despite his high school heroics, the Seraphs sit him sometimes against lefties) he boasts a .429/.507/.873 line primarily as a designated hitter. "I love it," he says of the role. "They said, hey, we just want you to focus on your hitting and to me that's perfect. I think I got a lot better this offseason because I knew I was gonna be able to DH." Evans and Java began last season with Idaho Falls, but it proved to be a quick pit stop on their journey to the west coast. They ravaged the league and helped the Explorers to a hot start, enough of a cushion to ensure they'd win the division. While the duo couldn't keep it up with Los Angeles, they gained valuable experience that's paying dividends in a big way. Their friendship has grown stronger and you don't need to be around them for too long to know why. They both love the city of Los Angeles, but neither seems interested in chasing the glitz and glamour. They're more of the "Southern California cool" types with a Virginian twist. The quick development of the pair has the Seraphs firmly in the mix for the NAL West. Fans are hoping this year is something of a perfect storm, a crossing of generations. Star pitcher Reggie Thurmond and veteran outfielder Gabe Alley are pending free agents, and first baseman Myles Spinks could also leave after the season, though his rich player option is likely too good to pass up. Evans and Java will keep the floor relatively high even with those key departures, but this season might be their best shot at a blockbuster.

09-01-2020, 12:19 PM	#125
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season. Rangers Falling Hard It's only been seven months since the Caracas Rangers were battling the Kiev Comets for the WBA Championship. Now the Rangers are off to a 10-20 start, the second-worst record among returning teams (just-promoted Calgary is worst at 6-24, and the Helsinki Steeds are 9-21). The Rangers have gotten unlucky as their "expected" record is 14-16 and they've gotten solid performances from Santiago Vecchio and Nicolas Pascal. Caracas clearly still has the talent to succeed, but they've dug themselves a big hole in the first 20% of the season. They need the back half of their rotation to turn things around going forward.

09-01-2020, 01:02 PM	#126
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	June 1, 1961 May Players of the Month

09-04-2020, 10:49 AM	#129
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season. Nakano Leading Paladins' Charge The second-best record in the WBA belongs to the Perth Paladins and star centerfielder Matsuo Nakano is the main reason why. The Japanese superstar has nearly as many home runs (15) as strikeouts (16) while maintaining a .365/.406/.685 batting line. He's one of the best bat-to-ball hitters in the world and though he's not particularly choosy he can barrel a ball anywhere near the plate. He was quietly excellent last season (6.2 WAR) but has erupted this year, already nearing his home run mark with 15 (he had 19 a season ago). On the mound the Paladins have relied on youngster Jayashree Gabeja who is 10-1 with a 1.76 ERA in his second season. Aztecs Winners of Ten Straight The hottest team in baseball? That would be the Mexico City Aztecs who carry a 10-game winning streak into a series with the Havana Lightning. The recent surge has carried them into first place in the Caribbean League North though two teams are just a game back.

09-04-2020, 11:27 AM	#130
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	July 1, 1961 June Players of the Month

09-04-2020, 12:36 PM	#131
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	July 2, 1960 Amateur Prospect Preview The draft order is determined by the previous year's standings. The best record picks 16th, the next-best picks 15th, and so on. The #1 pick goes to the promoted team which had MORE wins in the Silver League. The other promoted team gets the #2 pick. Think of it as another reward for the promoted teams. There is no draft pick trading, no draft pick compensation for lost FAs, and no draft pick compensation for unsigned picks. In the Silver Leagues (which have separate draft pools) the order is determined by random draw. That said, here are your 1961 #1 overall draft picks: Australasian League - Tianjin Predators: SP Arthur Landry Caribbean League - Medellin Pathfinders: SP Jaden Vicento European Premier League - Munich Hops: 1B Hugo van Wijk North American League - Calgary Caracals: SP Hunter Steenerson Today also marks the first day of the signing period for 16 (and older) amateurs who opted to attend their region's combine. We'll check back soon when the top players have signed with an organization.

09-08-2020, 02:08 PM	#133
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	July 11, 1961 Most Outstanding Pitcher Dealt Last year's Most Outstanding Pitcher, Leonard Cruz, has been traded from the Barranquilla Warhawks to the Caracas Rangers. The Rangers, last season's runner-up in the World Series, are sitting 30-39 and are 12 games out of a playoff spot, so they've decided to make the major move to try and get back in it. The Warhawks receive outfielder Mateo de la Cruz and a top closer prospect, plus a minor league shortstop. The Rangers also got two minor leaguers back, but neither is a serious prospect. The biggest gain for Barranquilla may be the salary relief, as Cruz is the highest-earner in the Caribbean League. For Caracas, they're gambling on Cruz to maintain his form and make the contract worthwhile even as he enters his mid-30s. Elsewhere, a deal was also struck in the Australasian League: the Yokohama Lynx traded veteran outfielder Taradin Nibuesa to the Newcastle Swoop for pitching prospect Alan Knighton. Knighton was acquired by Newcastle last July and helped lead their B2 team to a championship season. Yokohama ranks 1st in their divison in runs scored so they felt they could deal a batter to acquire a potential future star on the mound.

09-14-2020, 03:40 AM	#134
PrinceofKirkland Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 21	Wow, this is an incredible dynasty report! I love your attention to detail and your writing is amazing! The monthly magazine articles are so much fun to read! Keep up the great work! Also, let go Seattle Bluejackets! Here's to hopefully not getting relegated!

09-30-2020, 10:30 AM	#136
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	The Wheelhouse is a joint production of the World Baseball Alliance and media outlets around the world. It is published every other Friday during the regular season. This special All-Star Edition comes on a Monday. All-Star Teams Announced Kansas City Surging The Wheat Kings have grown their lead in the NAL West Division to 3 games and now own the second-best record in the WBA. Their offense has been led by Josh Dillow and Rick Tapia. The latter is actually outhitting Dillow this season, sporting a .344/.426/.527 line while adding 18 steals. The offseason trade for Ismael Adamson has paid off in a big way, with the righty holding a 9-3 record with a 2.85 ERA.

11-13-2020, 08:28 PM	#138
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	Saving this from purge, sorry for cluttering.