[mikev]

N'Awlins News Volume 5 Issue 6

The Crawdads started the sim on a low note, dropping the final 2 games of their set with Seattle. It didn't get any better, as they were swept in 3 games by Hackensack. The second half of the sim was better, as we took 2 of 3 from Birmingham and won the first game against Des Moines. We're currently 31-42, pretty much where we expected to be.
All Star selections have been released, and the Crawdads had... nobody. Not even Marty Powers or Shawn Boskie. Oh well, we don't really need that anyways. I guess a case could have been made for Willie Williams, as well, but there are some seriously good first basemen in the league, so an .862 OPS just isn't allstar worthy.

Farm Report

Since the big league team sucks so bad, we're going to concentrate on some of the prospects in the Crawdad system. As we all know, the supplemental June draft was just held, and New Orleans had the #5 overall pick. It was a no-brainer that the team was targeting pitching, and 18 year old starter Tyler Hansen was their round 1 selection. Hansen is a 4 pitch pitcher, with above average stuff and fantastic control and movement. He's probably a couple years away at least, but so is the team. Provided he doesn't lump into oblivion, he should develop into a front of the rotation arm.

In round 2, another starter was nabbed in Milton Scott. Scott doesn't project nearly as high as Hansen, but an arm is an arm and there is always the chance that he blossoms into a stud. Slim, but possible. The rest of the draft was nothing more than minor league filler.

The team's #1 prospect Rolland Plemons is getting awfully close to being ready. His contact is really all that's left to develop before he's ready, as his eye and avoid K's are both major league quality. This is proven by his .358 OBP in AAA, but a dismal .231 batting average and a very low SLG. He should be ready to start sometime next year we're hoping.

OMFG! Don't look now, but Ogre might actually be called up to the big leagues!!! If anything he'll be able to be a platoon player vs. lefties. I can't believe it, but he's finally actually shown some development this year! Woots!

Tipper Kengos is another minor leaguer ont he cusp of being ready to play. His gap power and avoid K's are nearly completely developed, and if he can raise his contact up to about a 14 or 15 he'll get the call up this season. We're not expecting it to happen, but hey, stranger things could take place. As it is now, he's projected as the starting CF after Eric Davis is gone in 1997.

AAA closer Leonel Oliphant is putting up good numbers in the minors, and could also see a call up this season. Between him and Kosuke Fukudome, we are more than happy with the Bill Walters trade!

Upcoming Schedule

6/21 vs Des Moines
6/22 vs Des Moines

6/23 - 6/25 ALL STAR BREAK

6/26 @ Buffalo
6/27 @ Buffalo
6/28 @ Buffalo

6/29 @ Atlantic City
6/30 @ Atlantic City