(Chicago - Associated Press) Beast faithful recieved an early Christmas present over the weekend as franchise icon B.C. Parent was activated from the disabled list after tearing a knee ligament in the team's thirty third game; the Beast have responded by going 4-1 in Parent's first five games back. At the time of the injury, pundits across the league surmised that Chicago's run of three straight NL North divison titles was over.
But a funny thing happened on the way to middle of the pack. Team GM Bullet6464 didnt panic and force a move to somehow try and replace Parent's production. Instead, the Beast have banded together and remained in the hunt for NL North title, keeping their head above water with 37-34 mark with Parent on the shelf. Most suprising has been the offensive production despite missing one of the game's most powerful weapons. The Beast's 608 runs scored are second in the NL (Portland 610). Unknown superstar James Suzuki and Rookie of the Year candidate Julian Pena have been terrific and should benefit the most from the addition of Parent back to the order.
Meanwhile, the "Bullet" has recently been up to his old tricks. The ML aquistions of Randy Dellucci and Brian Ogawa shore up the starting pitching and defense. Moreover, the dish of the enigmatic Adrian Shave to Washington for two premium prospects is addition by subtraction.
Will the Beast have enough "bite" to make it to the post-season? Your guess is as good as mine but one thing is for certain....BC is back and that's never good for the oppostition.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Ortiz Called Up to Seattle
 |
| ||||||||||||||
Seattle - Amid very little notice, Seattle GM Donald Key called up 22 Year Old First Baseman Guillermo Ortiz last night right before the game. Ortiz was immediately plugged in and went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI batting out of the 6th spot. Key said that Ortiz had been notified earlier that he was getting the call, but that they waited for the late announcement so that the press wouldn't get a hold of it and heap great amounts of scrutiny on him.
Ortiz was the 10th overall pick last year in the draft, and has skyrocketed thru the Seattle organization, as he is making the jump straight from AA. He started off a little slow this year in AA, but quickly turned it on. In 88 games at AA he was batting .320, with a .405 OBP, .775 SLG, and 1.180 OPS to go along with 45 HR's, 115 RBI's and 47 Walks. One troubling statistic is that he also struck out 50 times in 338 AB's.
He has struggled against Lefties this year and will probably sit against most lefties in the Majors. According to Key he will "hit lower down in the order" so that the pressure is not to great, however, they expect great things from this young lefty slugger.
Key is hoping that this amounts to acquiring an impact bat for the stretch drive, as Chicago has really gotten hot lately and still have B.C. Parent due back from injury.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Trade Winds are Blowing in Boston
Boston, MA - The Boston Colonials sit in a tie for 2nd place in the AL East, just 5 games behind the Washington D.C. Federals, but make no mistake - Boston is in full sale mode. Word around the league is that several Colonials players are being actively shopped as the franchise reaches to try and regain the talent that made the team a perennial contender in the American League.
Starting players Billy Cannon, Francis Andrews, Sherman Carter, Marty Beckett and Chad Broadhurst have all had their names pop up in talks recently as have pitchers Bo Goldstein and, perhaps the most surprising name on this list, 3-time All-Star Closer Willie Lee.
Goldstein (already rumored to be on his way to Wichita) is the oldest of this group at just 31, as Boston - already the 4th youngest club in the AL - is looking at replacing some of their players who are still in their primes with prime-time minor league talent.
When asked for comment on the trade front while stopped by reporters at the airport before Boston's trip to Jacksonville, team officials confirmed that talks where happening, "We have had dialog with several teams concerning a number of our veteran players", said Scouting Director Wilson Duran. Boston GM Rick Randall added, "Of course we are active in the trade market right now; we are always looking for ways to better our club." Asked about his team's place in the standings and their potential for a post-season berth, he added, "The team is definitely playing better than we expected at this point - but that doesn't mean that we will put our long-term plans on hold." When Randall was asked to expand on that, and if it meant that previously untouchable Willie Lee was on the block, he simply said "I don't think we have any untouchables" and ended the conversation.
One thing that is certain for Boston fans - don't grow too attached to the players you see on the field today, because the trade winds may blow them to a new town come tomorrow.
Starting players Billy Cannon, Francis Andrews, Sherman Carter, Marty Beckett and Chad Broadhurst have all had their names pop up in talks recently as have pitchers Bo Goldstein and, perhaps the most surprising name on this list, 3-time All-Star Closer Willie Lee.
 |
| ||||||||||||||
Goldstein (already rumored to be on his way to Wichita) is the oldest of this group at just 31, as Boston - already the 4th youngest club in the AL - is looking at replacing some of their players who are still in their primes with prime-time minor league talent.
When asked for comment on the trade front while stopped by reporters at the airport before Boston's trip to Jacksonville, team officials confirmed that talks where happening, "We have had dialog with several teams concerning a number of our veteran players", said Scouting Director Wilson Duran. Boston GM Rick Randall added, "Of course we are active in the trade market right now; we are always looking for ways to better our club." Asked about his team's place in the standings and their potential for a post-season berth, he added, "The team is definitely playing better than we expected at this point - but that doesn't mean that we will put our long-term plans on hold." When Randall was asked to expand on that, and if it meant that previously untouchable Willie Lee was on the block, he simply said "I don't think we have any untouchables" and ended the conversation.
One thing that is certain for Boston fans - don't grow too attached to the players you see on the field today, because the trade winds may blow them to a new town come tomorrow.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Paul Martin called up to Seattle
|
| ||||||||||||||
Seattle - Despite being shopped around the league for pitching(no bites obviously) Seattle has decided to promote Paul Martin to the Majors. Martin was called up due to the durability concerns of Alex Randolph, who despite having a good bounce back season from last years herniated disk, is still a durability risk. Randolph has played mostly RF this season so it is possible that Martin may see time in the OF at one of the corners from time to time to keep getting him regular AB's. Also of concern is the high # of plate appearances that Brett Siddall has been accumulating out of the leadoff spot, despite having durability concerns of his own. Siddall is having a phenomenal season so far but management is concerned that it could catch up to him later in the season. Having Martin on the roster now will give manager Donald Key another option, as well as let Martin get his feet wet without heaping too much pressure on him. Despite Seattle's poor start they have finally climbed back to .500 and are only 2 games back of 1st place Toronto, who after a 14 game winning streak earlier in the season is currently on a 5 game win streak.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Top 10/ Bottom 5 (50 Game Mark Season 10)
TOP 10/ BOTTOM 5 (Season 10-NABCL-after 50 Games)
1. Sacramento Terrible Two's (Last Ranking #1) 37-13
The Two's made 3 major trades which began the process of rebuilding their minor league system and also gave them a new look at the big league level. Still, the new look Two's are playing like the same 'ol Two's as the big 4 rotation (Boone, Bennett, Schmidt, and Curtis) remained intact. The offense has been middle of the pack and 2-time NL MVP Otis Pavlov has yet to find his stroke, but when he does look out. Until then the pitching, which leads the NL in every major team category, will continue to carry the load.
2. Honolulu Anteaters (Last Ranking # Unranked) 33-17
The 'eaters have been on fire lately having won 19 of their last 21 games. The competition hasn't been great but they did mix in a sweep of Toronto and just took game 1 of a 3-game series against the newly revitalized 'weed. They acquired Miguel Polanco from Sacramento which gave them another arm behind Lenny Singleton and they trail only Trenton in the NL in runs scored. They have arrived and are the real deal, but will they be chasing Sacramento all season, or will they break their streak of 6-consecutive NL West titles?
3. Anaheim Natural Disasters (Last Ranking #2) 33-17
With Los Angeles struggling (25-25), Anaheim finally looks like the team to beat in the AL West. They have been knocking at the door for awhile but they managed to kick it in this season. They are following the old cliche perfectly, win your home games (16-5) and split your road games (17-12). Tony Wanatabe is off to a MVP type season and if the pitching remains this dominant, the AL could very well have a new representative in the World Series.
4. Fargo Roughriders (Last Ranking #5) 34-16
Carpediem spent the offseason spending money like George Steinbrenner and it has paid off handsomely. The much maligned Felipe Matos is off to a blazing 9-2 start, and Danys Ortiz and Vinny Granger are both hitting close to .300 with a combined 13 homeruns and 52 rbi in non-run producing roles. Mac Gray is on pace for a 60+ homerun season and Kurt Lewis is pretending to be Ted Williams. They have already scored 381 runs but their pitching has yielded only 223 (run differential of +158). The only thing that can stop Fargo is the old mantra, "Pitching wins Championships", and the AL is stock full of teams who can throw together solid 3-man rotations for the playoffs.
5. San Diego Storm (Last Ranking #10) 30-20
The Storm have made a huge jump up the rankings and are doing it with solid pitching (not all Petco Park) and a surprise offense led by Donaldo Leon. Duane Boyd and free agent signee A.J. McIntyre have been outstanding combining for a 13-2 record and Tomas Maduro has been lights out (14 saves in 15 opps) at the end of the game. Most notable is their 16-6 road mark compared to only 14-14 at home. If they start to win at Petco they could very easily run away with the division.
6. Wichita 'weed (Last Ranking #3) 28-22
The 'weed have cooled considerably since their blazing start going 10-14 over their last 24 games, but after camping out in the Bottom 5 for most of the last few seasons, their prospects have arrived and turned the franchise into a winner. Oldave deserves huge praise for not only sticking it out with this team and fighting through some long losing seasons, but for also turning this team into arguably the best young team in the NABCL. The only problem I see is that it takes young pitching a little bit longer to mature than young hitting. Cookie Milton and Joe Rhodes will be great, but their ERA's show that they are receiving a lot of help from their powerful offense. Regardless, we can nitpick all we like, this team is for real, and nobody wants to see the 'weed on the schedule come the postseason.
7. New Britain Block Heads (Last Ranking Unranked) 29-21
The Block Heads have been on the verge of cracking the Top 10 all season but their recent 5-2 stretch over fellow Top 10'ers Anaheim and San Diego got them into the mix. They are 4th in the AL in runs scored as well as 4th in the AL in runs against so they are getting it done on both sides. Their rotation is not very good but their bullpen is flat out nasty, if their 1-2-3 punch of Brett Zambrano, Frank Starr, and Mikey Knotts (and this is not even including the struggling Craig Hooper who has not lived up to the hype since coming over in a trade in season 8) can give the starters enough room to work, the bullpen will handle the rest.
8. Portland Jacks (Last Ranking Unranked) 27-23
The Jacks have been a very difficult team to figure out. The NL West is already tough enough, they are in 3rd place a full 10 games out of 1st, but their 27-23 record would have them tied for 1st in 2 other divisions and only 1-game out in another. Overall, they are inconsistent taking 2 out of 3 from Sacramento early in the year, 2 out of 3 from Wichita last week, and 2 out of 3 from a good Charlotte team. But the same team has also lost 2 out of 3 to Kansas City, 2 out of 3 to Vancouver, and 2 out of 3 to last place Seattle. Will the real Portland Jacks please stand up? The real Jacks will be fighting for a wild card spot all year, the other...well.
9. San Antonio Missions (Viva The Puffy Taco) (Last Ranking #6) 27-23
They got off to a somewhat slow start but the 2-time defending NL Champs have regained their perch atop the NL South. Their pitching is as good as ever (198 runs given up second only to Sacramento's 166), but their offense has to find a way to score more (their 212 runs scored is ahead of only Louisville-188 and Kansas City-201). The pitching is too deep in the NL for them to make another run without more runs to help out. I would look for San Antonio to make a move before the trade deadline to give a boost to the bats.
10. Chicago Beast (Last Ranking Unranked) 27-23
The Beast survived a horrid 3-11 stretch at one point, and thanks to worse runs by the rest of the NL North, they still lead the division by 2 games. The offense is still their (their 271 runs scored is 3rd best in the NL) calling card and their pitching ranks 6th best in the NL in runs against. And once again it looks like enough as Toronto has faded after getting off to a great start, Vancouver is still trying to pull it all together, and Seattle once again looks like they are right at the hump but just cant quite get over it.
Close but no cigar...
Philadelphia: 28-22 record is worthy of Top 10, -27 run differential is not...
Charlotte: giving Wichita a run for its money in the NL East, 11-8 road record is solid but 15-16 home mark is not...
Los Angeles: 25-25 record is un-Robin's like, so is 11-18 road record, they are almost Top 10 worth based on reputation alone...
Colorado Springs: 26-24 record would have them 1-game out in NL North, 2-games out in NL East, 1-game out in NL South, but 11 games out in NL West...
Bottom 5
28. Norfolk Loyalists (Last Ranking #30) 20-30
They are only 6-games out and we all know the AL East has its issues, but their run differential is -13 and they are only 14-19 at home. A 6-4 record in their last 10 games has hope remaining alive in Virginia.
29. Las Vegas Muckers (Last Ranking #29) 19-31
Only Pawtucket has scored fewer runs in the AL and no one has allowed more runs to score. Simply a bad combination.
30. Pawtucket Patriots (Last Ranking Unranked) 17-33
Bad at home (9-16), bad on the road (8-17), and they have scored the fewest runs in the AL; but only 9 games out in the AL East. Ya never know!!!
31. Louisville Legionnaires (Last Ranking #28) 13-37
It has been a long rebuild and credit mlhutch for sticking it out. It will turn around, if Wichita can do it, so can the 'ville.
32. Kansas City Baby Blue Soundcrew (Last Ranking #32) 14-36
This is a franchise that has 2 World Series Championships under the belt, but those seem like another lifetime ago. After ownership changed hands 2 times (very un-NABCL like) it looks like Iain is here to stay. He is the right man for the job, and will get it done. He has already begun to reshape the future of the team through trades so it wont be long before he will see the fruits of his labor.
Well there you go fellas. And remember, I wasn't trying to offend anyone, just trying to have fun and bring something different to the table. Hope everyone enjoyed the read. Let me know what you think. Charles (Save_Mr_X)...
1. Sacramento Terrible Two's (Last Ranking #1) 37-13
The Two's made 3 major trades which began the process of rebuilding their minor league system and also gave them a new look at the big league level. Still, the new look Two's are playing like the same 'ol Two's as the big 4 rotation (Boone, Bennett, Schmidt, and Curtis) remained intact. The offense has been middle of the pack and 2-time NL MVP Otis Pavlov has yet to find his stroke, but when he does look out. Until then the pitching, which leads the NL in every major team category, will continue to carry the load.
2. Honolulu Anteaters (Last Ranking # Unranked) 33-17
The 'eaters have been on fire lately having won 19 of their last 21 games. The competition hasn't been great but they did mix in a sweep of Toronto and just took game 1 of a 3-game series against the newly revitalized 'weed. They acquired Miguel Polanco from Sacramento which gave them another arm behind Lenny Singleton and they trail only Trenton in the NL in runs scored. They have arrived and are the real deal, but will they be chasing Sacramento all season, or will they break their streak of 6-consecutive NL West titles?
3. Anaheim Natural Disasters (Last Ranking #2) 33-17
With Los Angeles struggling (25-25), Anaheim finally looks like the team to beat in the AL West. They have been knocking at the door for awhile but they managed to kick it in this season. They are following the old cliche perfectly, win your home games (16-5) and split your road games (17-12). Tony Wanatabe is off to a MVP type season and if the pitching remains this dominant, the AL could very well have a new representative in the World Series.
4. Fargo Roughriders (Last Ranking #5) 34-16
Carpediem spent the offseason spending money like George Steinbrenner and it has paid off handsomely. The much maligned Felipe Matos is off to a blazing 9-2 start, and Danys Ortiz and Vinny Granger are both hitting close to .300 with a combined 13 homeruns and 52 rbi in non-run producing roles. Mac Gray is on pace for a 60+ homerun season and Kurt Lewis is pretending to be Ted Williams. They have already scored 381 runs but their pitching has yielded only 223 (run differential of +158). The only thing that can stop Fargo is the old mantra, "Pitching wins Championships", and the AL is stock full of teams who can throw together solid 3-man rotations for the playoffs.
5. San Diego Storm (Last Ranking #10) 30-20
The Storm have made a huge jump up the rankings and are doing it with solid pitching (not all Petco Park) and a surprise offense led by Donaldo Leon. Duane Boyd and free agent signee A.J. McIntyre have been outstanding combining for a 13-2 record and Tomas Maduro has been lights out (14 saves in 15 opps) at the end of the game. Most notable is their 16-6 road mark compared to only 14-14 at home. If they start to win at Petco they could very easily run away with the division.
6. Wichita 'weed (Last Ranking #3) 28-22
The 'weed have cooled considerably since their blazing start going 10-14 over their last 24 games, but after camping out in the Bottom 5 for most of the last few seasons, their prospects have arrived and turned the franchise into a winner. Oldave deserves huge praise for not only sticking it out with this team and fighting through some long losing seasons, but for also turning this team into arguably the best young team in the NABCL. The only problem I see is that it takes young pitching a little bit longer to mature than young hitting. Cookie Milton and Joe Rhodes will be great, but their ERA's show that they are receiving a lot of help from their powerful offense. Regardless, we can nitpick all we like, this team is for real, and nobody wants to see the 'weed on the schedule come the postseason.
7. New Britain Block Heads (Last Ranking Unranked) 29-21
The Block Heads have been on the verge of cracking the Top 10 all season but their recent 5-2 stretch over fellow Top 10'ers Anaheim and San Diego got them into the mix. They are 4th in the AL in runs scored as well as 4th in the AL in runs against so they are getting it done on both sides. Their rotation is not very good but their bullpen is flat out nasty, if their 1-2-3 punch of Brett Zambrano, Frank Starr, and Mikey Knotts (and this is not even including the struggling Craig Hooper who has not lived up to the hype since coming over in a trade in season 8) can give the starters enough room to work, the bullpen will handle the rest.
8. Portland Jacks (Last Ranking Unranked) 27-23
The Jacks have been a very difficult team to figure out. The NL West is already tough enough, they are in 3rd place a full 10 games out of 1st, but their 27-23 record would have them tied for 1st in 2 other divisions and only 1-game out in another. Overall, they are inconsistent taking 2 out of 3 from Sacramento early in the year, 2 out of 3 from Wichita last week, and 2 out of 3 from a good Charlotte team. But the same team has also lost 2 out of 3 to Kansas City, 2 out of 3 to Vancouver, and 2 out of 3 to last place Seattle. Will the real Portland Jacks please stand up? The real Jacks will be fighting for a wild card spot all year, the other...well.
9. San Antonio Missions (Viva The Puffy Taco) (Last Ranking #6) 27-23
They got off to a somewhat slow start but the 2-time defending NL Champs have regained their perch atop the NL South. Their pitching is as good as ever (198 runs given up second only to Sacramento's 166), but their offense has to find a way to score more (their 212 runs scored is ahead of only Louisville-188 and Kansas City-201). The pitching is too deep in the NL for them to make another run without more runs to help out. I would look for San Antonio to make a move before the trade deadline to give a boost to the bats.
10. Chicago Beast (Last Ranking Unranked) 27-23
The Beast survived a horrid 3-11 stretch at one point, and thanks to worse runs by the rest of the NL North, they still lead the division by 2 games. The offense is still their (their 271 runs scored is 3rd best in the NL) calling card and their pitching ranks 6th best in the NL in runs against. And once again it looks like enough as Toronto has faded after getting off to a great start, Vancouver is still trying to pull it all together, and Seattle once again looks like they are right at the hump but just cant quite get over it.
Close but no cigar...
Philadelphia: 28-22 record is worthy of Top 10, -27 run differential is not...
Charlotte: giving Wichita a run for its money in the NL East, 11-8 road record is solid but 15-16 home mark is not...
Los Angeles: 25-25 record is un-Robin's like, so is 11-18 road record, they are almost Top 10 worth based on reputation alone...
Colorado Springs: 26-24 record would have them 1-game out in NL North, 2-games out in NL East, 1-game out in NL South, but 11 games out in NL West...
Bottom 5
28. Norfolk Loyalists (Last Ranking #30) 20-30
They are only 6-games out and we all know the AL East has its issues, but their run differential is -13 and they are only 14-19 at home. A 6-4 record in their last 10 games has hope remaining alive in Virginia.
29. Las Vegas Muckers (Last Ranking #29) 19-31
Only Pawtucket has scored fewer runs in the AL and no one has allowed more runs to score. Simply a bad combination.
30. Pawtucket Patriots (Last Ranking Unranked) 17-33
Bad at home (9-16), bad on the road (8-17), and they have scored the fewest runs in the AL; but only 9 games out in the AL East. Ya never know!!!
31. Louisville Legionnaires (Last Ranking #28) 13-37
It has been a long rebuild and credit mlhutch for sticking it out. It will turn around, if Wichita can do it, so can the 'ville.
32. Kansas City Baby Blue Soundcrew (Last Ranking #32) 14-36
This is a franchise that has 2 World Series Championships under the belt, but those seem like another lifetime ago. After ownership changed hands 2 times (very un-NABCL like) it looks like Iain is here to stay. He is the right man for the job, and will get it done. He has already begun to reshape the future of the team through trades so it wont be long before he will see the fruits of his labor.
Well there you go fellas. And remember, I wasn't trying to offend anyone, just trying to have fun and bring something different to the table. Hope everyone enjoyed the read. Let me know what you think. Charles (Save_Mr_X)...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)