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BradC · 04-12-2013, 05:45 PM

The Grand Championship League may be just three weeks old, but MLB Pro has posted the best record at 18-3, four games ahead of second place USBL in the Heinsohn Division. The other three division leaders are clinging to one-game leads.

Asked about the keys to his team’s dominance so far, MLB Pro GM Dave Lockar replied, “The pitching. The bullpen has been lights out when they needed to be, in particular [closer] Ken Reed. The starting pitching has done a good job of minimizing damage, and getting through seven innings. If we keep up this success, the pitching will be the reason why.”

Reed, who was chosen in the third round of the GCL draft, has posted eight saves and a 1-0 record, with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP, in ten games. Among the starters, Miguel Angel Venegas is 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA in five starts and Robby Hawkins is 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA in four starts.

Of course, every dominant team has its weaknesses, and MLB Pro’s hitting has not produced the way the pitching staff has. Lockar, however, took such an observation in stride. “There are some concerns, but nothing I’m worried about,” he said. “It’s still early, the hitters are still finding their stroke, and we’re still trying to get the order down to where it will maximize production. [Ismael] Chavez is a concern right now, but we believe he’ll pick himself up in the coming weeks.”

Chavez, the team’s 28-year-old third baseman who was a fifth round GCL draft pick, came into this season with a .246 career batting average and is currently hitting .227, but he’s coming off four seasons in which he hit . 291, .261, .276, and .277, so Lockar was obviously expecting better production from him. Left fielder Keith Cook leads the team with a .306 average so far.

Of the other division leaders, BML and RIBC have both racked up 15-6 records while Seamheads Laundry is 13-8. Seamheads GM Gary Graves said his team is performing according to his pre-draft plans. “I built this team around pitching and I can happily say, so far so good,” he said. “The team ranks fourth overall in ERA and I just hope the offense can provide enough runs to translate their efforts into wins.” The team’s .257 batting average ranks tenth, but its 5-3 record in one-run games shows that Graves’ “just good enough” philosophy may pay off in the end.

04-12-2013, 05:45 PM	#3
BradC All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: northern CA Posts: 1,885	Week Three: MLB Pro Threatens to Run Away With it All The Grand Championship League may be just three weeks old, but MLB Pro has posted the best record at 18-3, four games ahead of second place USBL in the Heinsohn Division. The other three division leaders are clinging to one-game leads. Asked about the keys to his team’s dominance so far, MLB Pro GM Dave Lockar replied, “The pitching. The bullpen has been lights out when they needed to be, in particular [closer] Ken Reed. The starting pitching has done a good job of minimizing damage, and getting through seven innings. If we keep up this success, the pitching will be the reason why.” Reed, who was chosen in the third round of the GCL draft, has posted eight saves and a 1-0 record, with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP, in ten games. Among the starters, Miguel Angel Venegas is 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA in five starts and Robby Hawkins is 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA in four starts. Of course, every dominant team has its weaknesses, and MLB Pro’s hitting has not produced the way the pitching staff has. Lockar, however, took such an observation in stride. “There are some concerns, but nothing I’m worried about,” he said. “It’s still early, the hitters are still finding their stroke, and we’re still trying to get the order down to where it will maximize production. [Ismael] Chavez is a concern right now, but we believe he’ll pick himself up in the coming weeks.” Chavez, the team’s 28-year-old third baseman who was a fifth round GCL draft pick, came into this season with a .246 career batting average and is currently hitting .227, but he’s coming off four seasons in which he hit . 291, .261, .276, and .277, so Lockar was obviously expecting better production from him. Left fielder Keith Cook leads the team with a .306 average so far. Of the other division leaders, BML and RIBC have both racked up 15-6 records while Seamheads Laundry is 13-8. Seamheads GM Gary Graves said his team is performing according to his pre-draft plans. “I built this team around pitching and I can happily say, so far so good,” he said. “The team ranks fourth overall in ERA and I just hope the offense can provide enough runs to translate their efforts into wins.” The team’s .257 batting average ranks tenth, but its 5-3 record in one-run games shows that Graves’ “just good enough” philosophy may pay off in the end.