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Bub13 · 08-03-2017, 08:50 PM

May 31, June 1-2 @ CLEVELAND
Cleveland is another team in the middle, trying to figure out its identity to make a move as we move into June. They're 25-24, eight games in back of the Twins, six behind KC. They score a lot of runs (270, 2nd in the AL), but are only 10th in AVG, and 11th in HR. They're +36 in run diff, and are getting good starting pitching, but the bullpen is a dumpster fire, with a 5.60 ERA. Star RF Greg Tackett (.297, 12 HR) is playing well but on the DL. In fact, they have four OF currently disabled. We may get to see original Islander Chance Muller (5-1, 3.10).

#52: WIN 7-5 ... three in the 4th and four in the 5th do the trick...Brock is good this time (7 IP, 4 H, 2 R)
#53: WIN 4-3 ... we give up a run in the 9th but win it in the 12th...Clark is pulled after 4 IP for some reason; Key goes 4 in relief to get the win
#54: WIN 2-1 ... a pitching duel, with just 5 hits for each team...Little (7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 9 K) outdoes Muller (7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 K)

Well, that was surprising. Three close-played, hard-fought games, and we won them all. Better yet, our rivals have been losing lately, to where Seattle, Houston, and Oakland all sit at 27-27, six games back. We're at the 1/3 mark of the season, with 33 wins (fourth in the league, behind Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and the Cubs), and are first in runs against, bullpen ERA, and defensive efficiency. ELSEWHERE...My hopes for a six-way tie in the NL East are coming closer to fruition, as now only two games separate first (Mets, 26-25) from sixth (Richmond, 24-27) place. And the Cards are now a game over .500, which is just unseemly.

June 3-6 @ TEXAS
The Rangers have slipped into last place, at 23-31, ten games in back of us. Hitting and pitching are both scraping the bottom, excepting the bullpen, which is keeping it together, for whatever that's worth. C David Larrea is hitting .328, and RF Todd McNearney was AL Rookie of the Month for May. Aaron Burton, once upon a time the starter with the 10.29 ERA, is now down to 7.42 and no longer has the worst ERA in the rotation (that would be Mark Metz's 8.08).

#55: WIN 6-2 ... Groff's GRAND SLAM in the 1st kills the hated Rangers...Jones gets an early rest after just 5.1 IP
#56: LOSS 3-4 ... Casillas has a rare off night (6 IP, 10 H, 4 R), and two errors keep Texas rallies going and doom us in the end
#57: WIN 6-0 ... six runs on eight hits is a nice ratio...Brock (7.2 IP) and Steve Miller Band combine for the shutout
#58: WIN 15-2 ... a nine-run first (highlighted by Drayton's GRAND SLAM), followed by three more in the second, and every fan left the building...Clark throws well again

A nice, loud demolishing was just what we needed. We're now 9-1 in our last ten, and have moved out to a seven-game lead over Seattle and Oakland. We're off to play a two-game set against the A's just now. PS--I don't hate the Rangers. ELSEWHERE...Yankees pitcher Mario Oliva hurls the league's third no-hitter of the season, a 4-0 win over the Blue Jays....Speaking of the Jays, #2 starter Curtis Thames (who had 305 K's last year) was lost for the season on the 4th....New Orleans (18-39) is the last remaining team to not yet have 20 wins.

......

2038 Draft, aka Now You Belong To Me
We interrupt our regular programming to join Major League Baseball' first year draft, coming to you this year from Las Vegas, Nevada. The first five picks belong to: St Louis, Austin, Washington, Tampa Bay, and Brooklyn. We lost our first round pick to the Leon Casillas FA signing, but do have a Supplemental Round pick thanks to Tom DiFranco buggering off to Kansas City. Our first pick will be #43 overall.

Here are our top picks, soon to be coming to a minor league park near you:

1. CF Steve Hopkins, 20, 43rd overall (Niagara University) Doesn't knock your socks off, but that's to be expected when you don't pick until #43. Having said that, he's got good contact and gap power, and won't strike out a lot. Little power, and needs to work on his plate discipline. Is rangy enough to stay in center, and has arm enough to play in right. Can also pitch, but still rates higher at the plate.

2. 1B Steve Holt, 21, 74th overall (Quinnipiac Similar to Hopkins, above, with a little less contact but much higher power potential. Not much of a fielder, so will be limited to first or DH. Plus, there was no way I could resist drafting someone named "STEVE HOLT!"

3. CF/P Joseph Hart, 18, 115th overall (high school) Is a mostly average hitter (good gap though) with good fielding, and also has potential as a pitcher, but only just an outside chance. Smart kid, and a hard worker, so I'm hoping this pick isn't a reach.

4. SS Alan Branham, 18, 151st overall (high school) The draft class is already looking so underwhelming that I did something I never do: take an "impossible" signee. Branham is a strong hitter, lacking only in the one area no one in our system has: eye/discpline. Is also a strong fielder, but with only an above average arm, he may end up at second rather than short. I think he can overdevelop into a career .300 hitter, so I'll try hard to get him signed.

5. C/P Josh Barrowclough, 20, 187th overall (Univ. of Richmond) His best quality as a catcher is his defense, which is nearly excellent in both categories. However, I think his future is in the bullpen. Elite stuff, and two elite pitches (curve and 95-97 mph fastball), decent movement, low control. Smart kid, so he could develop better movement and control and possibly be closer material one day.

8. 1B/P Jake Kane, 19 Has no power, so might figure as a prospective starting pitcher. Not super impressive anywhere.
9. 2B Steve Thompson, 20 Average hitter, excellent fielder, great intelligence/work ethic. Will need to overdevelop.
10. C Seth Walker, 22 Can't hit, can't run. Is all defense and intangibles, and we need catchers in the system.
11. P Ryan Brattain, 21 Works hard, and will need to if he's going to get anywhere.
12. LF Joe Bloodworth, 21 Low contact, but good everywhere else, and a slow but good outfielder. Can work hard, so get to it!

The rest of the draft is the usual mix of "Who?" and "Him?" and guys you'll never, ever hear from. Although maybe one or two could sneak through the cracks...After all, Eric Jones is establishing himself as a solid member of the rotation, and was taken in the 21st round in 2034. He's the poster child for what could be.

......

Mid-season Prospect Review
MLB ranked us #2 in their pre-season review, which at the time I thought was way too high. Having looked at our prospect depth, and the way most of our top players are performing, I have to say now I agree with them.

1. RHP Rob Hart, 21, 9th round 2034 draft, AAA: 4-2, 1.07, 67 IP, 47 H, 80 K, 2.5 WAR One of the last cuts from camp, and a guy I had hoped would make the opening day roster, Hart has taken his disappointment and is simply murdering AAA hitting. Will definitely be the first call-up if injuries strike. MLB #1 ranked prospect.

2. RHP Mark Phillips, 25, FA signing (2034), AAA: 5-1, 2.31, 58 IP, 43 H, 63 K, 1.3 WAR Another late cut, he's also been dominating AAA batters. He should also see time with us, but his low movement and flyball tendency could see him as future trade bait instead. MLB #18 prospect.

3. LHP Eric Jones, 21, 21st round 2034 draft, MLB: 7-3, 3.78, 67 IP, 62 H, 52 K, 0.6 WAR Has segued a strong spring into a solid rookie campaign. A hard worker who parlayed being a 21st round pick into a fast rise through our system. Control has some way to develop yet, but he is walking fewer than any of his minor league seasons. MLB #28 prospect.

4. LF Mel Carillo, 20, Intl FA signing (2034), AAA: .234/.283/.318, 1 HR, 11 RBI, -0.5 WAR Having a disappointing season in AAA so far. He's still developing, and is quite young, so no need to worry yet. MLB #74 prospect.

5. LHP Cameron Bornhoft, 21, 8th round 2034 draft, AAA: 1-2, 3.38, 24 IP, 22 H, 24 K, 0.3 WAR (plus 2.41, 37 IP in AA) Has had a quiet rise through our system, and is now in AAA because of injury. His stuff and control are still developing, and he already has four solid pitches. Has only fair movement, which may hold him back or limit him to the bottom of our rotation. MLB #84 prospect.

6. RHP Bobby Piccirillo, 24, trade with KC (2037), AAA: 3-0, 0.97, 50 IP, 30 H, 44 K, 1.5 WAR Made the team out of camp, but got off to a poor start. Has been outstanding back in AAA, and will certainly earn another call-up, in September at least. Stuff is not dominant, but has excellent control, which always seems to be at a premium in this league. MLB #106 prospect.

7. IF Danny Holguin, 24, 12th round 2034 draft, MLB: .273/.310/.327 in 55 AB Currently on the DL for another month. Outstanding defensive player. Could start for some teams, but his hitting doesn't say 'starter' to me.

8. RF Jesse Henkel, 20, 3rd round 2037 draft, A: .251/.308/.488, 10 HR, 29 RBI Contact, gap, and power potential has risen to near-elite levels in just one year. Went from R ball last year to A league currently, and will probably be in AA before long. Fielding is truly mediocre, so I'll probably learn him some 1B and plug him in at DH one of these days. An example of a WEInt (high WE and INT) overdeveloping in OOTP.

9. RHP Roberto Castaneda, 21, FA signing (2036), AA: 2.25, 28 IP, 22 K (also 8 starts in A) Smart guy, who's making the most of his second chance after being cut by the Expos a few years back. Elite curve, two other good pitches, good stuff and control, just above-average movement. Has a chance to be a decent middle reliever in a year or two.

10. 2B Josh Robertson, 23, 2nd round 2034 draft, MLB: .282/.333/.337, 1.016 def eff at 2B Not the great clubhouse guy that long-time Islander Ryan Hebert was, but is proving himself as a solid contact hitter and is miles ahead of Hebert in the field.

Honorable Mentions:
C Guillermo Diaz, 22, trade with TB (2037), AAA: .266/.379/.508, 9 HR, 1.7 WAR Excellent defensive catcher and good with pitchers. Has been a boon to a developing staff in AAA. Contact and gap potential has dropped since acquiring him, but still has good power and potential to be a patient and crafty hitter. May unseat Austin Collins one day, especially as contracts go up up up. Is by far the only decent catching prospect in the system.

SS Mike Hunter, 23, 2nd round 2037 draft, AAA: .333/.362/.475, 23 2b, 25 RBI, 2.3 WAR Contact and gap are near-elite, and he wants to make contact every time he's at the plate. No power, tho. Converted from third really because I needed a shortstop at AAA this year, he has elite ratings at the three skilled infield positions. As much as I like my middle infield combo (SS Mullen, 2B Robertson) right now, Hunter will push very hard for a place in the bigs next year.

System Strengths: Pitching, especially starters; Infielders; Contact hitting; High motor players
System Weaknesses: Catching depth; Outfield depth; Patient hitters; No can't-miss closer

......

Next up: Back to June

08-03-2017, 08:50 PM	#56
Bub13 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Maine Posts: 748	May 31, June 1-2 @ CLEVELAND Cleveland is another team in the middle, trying to figure out its identity to make a move as we move into June. They're 25-24, eight games in back of the Twins, six behind KC. They score a lot of runs (270, 2nd in the AL), but are only 10th in AVG, and 11th in HR. They're +36 in run diff, and are getting good starting pitching, but the bullpen is a dumpster fire, with a 5.60 ERA. Star RF Greg Tackett (.297, 12 HR) is playing well but on the DL. In fact, they have four OF currently disabled. We may get to see original Islander Chance Muller (5-1, 3.10). #52: WIN 7-5 ... three in the 4th and four in the 5th do the trick...Brock is good this time (7 IP, 4 H, 2 R) #53: WIN 4-3 ... we give up a run in the 9th but win it in the 12th...Clark is pulled after 4 IP for some reason; Key goes 4 in relief to get the win #54: WIN 2-1 ... a pitching duel, with just 5 hits for each team...Little (7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 9 K) outdoes Muller (7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 K) Well, that was surprising. Three close-played, hard-fought games, and we won them all. Better yet, our rivals have been losing lately, to where Seattle, Houston, and Oakland all sit at 27-27, six games back. We're at the 1/3 mark of the season, with 33 wins (fourth in the league, behind Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and the Cubs), and are first in runs against, bullpen ERA, and defensive efficiency. ELSEWHERE...My hopes for a six-way tie in the NL East are coming closer to fruition, as now only two games separate first (Mets, 26-25) from sixth (Richmond, 24-27) place. And the Cards are now a game over .500, which is just unseemly. June 3-6 @ TEXAS The Rangers have slipped into last place, at 23-31, ten games in back of us. Hitting and pitching are both scraping the bottom, excepting the bullpen, which is keeping it together, for whatever that's worth. C David Larrea is hitting .328, and RF Todd McNearney was AL Rookie of the Month for May. Aaron Burton, once upon a time the starter with the 10.29 ERA, is now down to 7.42 and no longer has the worst ERA in the rotation (that would be Mark Metz's 8.08). #55: WIN 6-2 ... Groff's GRAND SLAM in the 1st kills the hated Rangers...Jones gets an early rest after just 5.1 IP #56: LOSS 3-4 ... Casillas has a rare off night (6 IP, 10 H, 4 R), and two errors keep Texas rallies going and doom us in the end #57: WIN 6-0 ... six runs on eight hits is a nice ratio...Brock (7.2 IP) and Steve Miller Band combine for the shutout #58: WIN 15-2 ... a nine-run first (highlighted by Drayton's GRAND SLAM), followed by three more in the second, and every fan left the building...Clark throws well again A nice, loud demolishing was just what we needed. We're now 9-1 in our last ten, and have moved out to a seven-game lead over Seattle and Oakland. We're off to play a two-game set against the A's just now. PS--I don't hate the Rangers. ELSEWHERE...Yankees pitcher Mario Oliva hurls the league's third no-hitter of the season, a 4-0 win over the Blue Jays....Speaking of the Jays, #2 starter Curtis Thames (who had 305 K's last year) was lost for the season on the 4th....New Orleans (18-39) is the last remaining team to not yet have 20 wins. ...... 2038 Draft, aka Now You Belong To Me We interrupt our regular programming to join Major League Baseball' first year draft, coming to you this year from Las Vegas, Nevada. The first five picks belong to: St Louis, Austin, Washington, Tampa Bay, and Brooklyn. We lost our first round pick to the Leon Casillas FA signing, but do have a Supplemental Round pick thanks to Tom DiFranco buggering off to Kansas City. Our first pick will be #43 overall. Here are our top picks, soon to be coming to a minor league park near you: 1. CF Steve Hopkins, 20, 43rd overall (Niagara University) Doesn't knock your socks off, but that's to be expected when you don't pick until #43. Having said that, he's got good contact and gap power, and won't strike out a lot. Little power, and needs to work on his plate discipline. Is rangy enough to stay in center, and has arm enough to play in right. Can also pitch, but still rates higher at the plate. 2. 1B Steve Holt, 21, 74th overall (Quinnipiac Similar to Hopkins, above, with a little less contact but much higher power potential. Not much of a fielder, so will be limited to first or DH. Plus, there was no way I could resist drafting someone named "STEVE HOLT!" 3. CF/P Joseph Hart, 18, 115th overall (high school) Is a mostly average hitter (good gap though) with good fielding, and also has potential as a pitcher, but only just an outside chance. Smart kid, and a hard worker, so I'm hoping this pick isn't a reach. 4. SS Alan Branham, 18, 151st overall (high school) The draft class is already looking so underwhelming that I did something I never do: take an "impossible" signee. Branham is a strong hitter, lacking only in the one area no one in our system has: eye/discpline. Is also a strong fielder, but with only an above average arm, he may end up at second rather than short. I think he can overdevelop into a career .300 hitter, so I'll try hard to get him signed. 5. C/P Josh Barrowclough, 20, 187th overall (Univ. of Richmond) His best quality as a catcher is his defense, which is nearly excellent in both categories. However, I think his future is in the bullpen. Elite stuff, and two elite pitches (curve and 95-97 mph fastball), decent movement, low control. Smart kid, so he could develop better movement and control and possibly be closer material one day. 8. 1B/P Jake Kane, 19 Has no power, so might figure as a prospective starting pitcher. Not super impressive anywhere. 9. 2B Steve Thompson, 20 Average hitter, excellent fielder, great intelligence/work ethic. Will need to overdevelop. 10. C Seth Walker, 22 Can't hit, can't run. Is all defense and intangibles, and we need catchers in the system. 11. P Ryan Brattain, 21 Works hard, and will need to if he's going to get anywhere. 12. LF Joe Bloodworth, 21 Low contact, but good everywhere else, and a slow but good outfielder. Can work hard, so get to it! The rest of the draft is the usual mix of "Who?" and "Him?" and guys you'll never, ever hear from. Although maybe one or two could sneak through the cracks...After all, Eric Jones is establishing himself as a solid member of the rotation, and was taken in the 21st round in 2034. He's the poster child for what could be. ...... Mid-season Prospect Review MLB ranked us #2 in their pre-season review, which at the time I thought was way too high. Having looked at our prospect depth, and the way most of our top players are performing, I have to say now I agree with them. 1. RHP Rob Hart, 21, 9th round 2034 draft, AAA: 4-2, 1.07, 67 IP, 47 H, 80 K, 2.5 WAR One of the last cuts from camp, and a guy I had hoped would make the opening day roster, Hart has taken his disappointment and is simply murdering AAA hitting. Will definitely be the first call-up if injuries strike. MLB #1 ranked prospect. 2. RHP Mark Phillips, 25, FA signing (2034), AAA: 5-1, 2.31, 58 IP, 43 H, 63 K, 1.3 WAR Another late cut, he's also been dominating AAA batters. He should also see time with us, but his low movement and flyball tendency could see him as future trade bait instead. MLB #18 prospect. 3. LHP Eric Jones, 21, 21st round 2034 draft, MLB: 7-3, 3.78, 67 IP, 62 H, 52 K, 0.6 WAR Has segued a strong spring into a solid rookie campaign. A hard worker who parlayed being a 21st round pick into a fast rise through our system. Control has some way to develop yet, but he is walking fewer than any of his minor league seasons. MLB #28 prospect. 4. LF Mel Carillo, 20, Intl FA signing (2034), AAA: .234/.283/.318, 1 HR, 11 RBI, -0.5 WAR Having a disappointing season in AAA so far. He's still developing, and is quite young, so no need to worry yet. MLB #74 prospect. 5. LHP Cameron Bornhoft, 21, 8th round 2034 draft, AAA: 1-2, 3.38, 24 IP, 22 H, 24 K, 0.3 WAR (plus 2.41, 37 IP in AA) Has had a quiet rise through our system, and is now in AAA because of injury. His stuff and control are still developing, and he already has four solid pitches. Has only fair movement, which may hold him back or limit him to the bottom of our rotation. MLB #84 prospect. 6. RHP Bobby Piccirillo, 24, trade with KC (2037), AAA: 3-0, 0.97, 50 IP, 30 H, 44 K, 1.5 WAR Made the team out of camp, but got off to a poor start. Has been outstanding back in AAA, and will certainly earn another call-up, in September at least. Stuff is not dominant, but has excellent control, which always seems to be at a premium in this league. MLB #106 prospect. 7. IF Danny Holguin, 24, 12th round 2034 draft, MLB: .273/.310/.327 in 55 AB Currently on the DL for another month. Outstanding defensive player. Could start for some teams, but his hitting doesn't say 'starter' to me. 8. RF Jesse Henkel, 20, 3rd round 2037 draft, A: .251/.308/.488, 10 HR, 29 RBI Contact, gap, and power potential has risen to near-elite levels in just one year. Went from R ball last year to A league currently, and will probably be in AA before long. Fielding is truly mediocre, so I'll probably learn him some 1B and plug him in at DH one of these days. An example of a WEInt (high WE and INT) overdeveloping in OOTP. 9. RHP Roberto Castaneda, 21, FA signing (2036), AA: 2.25, 28 IP, 22 K (also 8 starts in A) Smart guy, who's making the most of his second chance after being cut by the Expos a few years back. Elite curve, two other good pitches, good stuff and control, just above-average movement. Has a chance to be a decent middle reliever in a year or two. 10. 2B Josh Robertson, 23, 2nd round 2034 draft, MLB: .282/.333/.337, 1.016 def eff at 2B Not the great clubhouse guy that long-time Islander Ryan Hebert was, but is proving himself as a solid contact hitter and is miles ahead of Hebert in the field. Honorable Mentions: C Guillermo Diaz, 22, trade with TB (2037), AAA: .266/.379/.508, 9 HR, 1.7 WAR Excellent defensive catcher and good with pitchers. Has been a boon to a developing staff in AAA. Contact and gap potential has dropped since acquiring him, but still has good power and potential to be a patient and crafty hitter. May unseat Austin Collins one day, especially as contracts go up up up. Is by far the only decent catching prospect in the system. SS Mike Hunter, 23, 2nd round 2037 draft, AAA: .333/.362/.475, 23 2b, 25 RBI, 2.3 WAR Contact and gap are near-elite, and he wants to make contact every time he's at the plate. No power, tho. Converted from third really because I needed a shortstop at AAA this year, he has elite ratings at the three skilled infield positions. As much as I like my middle infield combo (SS Mullen, 2B Robertson) right now, Hunter will push very hard for a place in the bigs next year. System Strengths: Pitching, especially starters; Infielders; Contact hitting; High motor players System Weaknesses: Catching depth; Outfield depth; Patient hitters; No can't-miss closer ...... Next up: Back to June