[ayaghmour2]

July 5th, 2018: I officially recieved the 13th pick of next years draft in exchange for not signing Ethan Hankins. He rather go to Kennesaw State. KENNESAW STATE!?!? Not Florida, Not Vanderbuilt, but KENNESAW STATE!?!? I guess he really wanted to stay in Gerogia. OOTP finally got draft eligibility right, and he'll be eligible for the 2021 draft, not next year. He will have to spend 3 years in college just like in real life. Here's the rest of the unsigned guys, and where they will attend

6th Round: CF Tim Ball (Bradley)
14th Round: C Erik Hoyer (UCLA)
20th Round: SP Jimmy Jones (Wichita State)
23rd Round: SS Tim Hubbell (Long Beach State)
24th Round: C Kevin Roberts (Clemson)
27th Round: SP Dominic Pipkin (California)
29th Rouund: RP Bradley Spooner (Long Beach State)
32nd Round: 2B J.D. Douglas (Texas)

All these guys will be in the Class of 2021 except Douglas, who will be back in 2019. I'm assuming this Texas is a Junior College, not the University. I'm really glad OOTP got the eligibility rules accurate now.

Other notable non-signees
1st Round, 3rd Overall (PHI): 1B Damani Cephus (Will attend South Alabama, with the the later mention Swaggerty, and will be eligible for the 2021 draft)
1st Round, 14th Overall (SEA): SP Ryan Rolison (Returns to Mississippi for Senior Year)
1st Round, 19th Overall (STL): SP Igone Perfect (Will attend Missouri and then be eligible for draft in 2021)
1st Round, 21st Overall (MIL): 3B Nick Northcut (Will attend Xavier, and be eligible for the 2021 draft)
1st Round, 24th Overall (CHC): SS Danny Schwind (Will attend Pepperdine and be eligible for redraft in 2021)
1st Round, 33rd Overall (KCR): CF Travis Swaggerty (Returns to South Alabama for Senior year)
1st Round, 41st Overall (COL): SP Dallas Woolfolk (Like teammate Ryan Rolison, returns to Mississippi for senior year)
2nd Round, 46th Overall (CIN): RF Nicholas Schnell (Will attend Purdue for a season, then return to the draft next year, so not a perfect system)
2nd Round, 47th Overall (NYM): RP Durbin Feltman (Valued his arm, returned to TCU for his senior year)
2nd Round, 63rd Overall (CHC): RF Steele Walker (Will return to Oklahoma for his Senior season)
3rd Round, 102nd Overall (COL): SP Josiah Gray (Will return to Le Moyne and be eligible for the next draft)
3rd Round, 108th Overall (HOU): SP Andy Hodges (Will attend Dallas Baptist, a JUCO, and be eligible for next years draft)

All of these teams will recieve the pick next year that is 1 behind the draft spot (3rd becomes 4th overall). A lot of guys didn't sign, lots of extra picks will be in next years draft.

Griffin Conine, Jeff's son, will return to Duke for his senior year. Maybe I can grab him next year. He was aa 4th round selection of the Angels.

My first international guy signed, RF Saverio Viccio (3). He agreed to a $490,000 bonus, very affordable.

The Mets offered me RF Jhoander Saez for Drew Steckenrider, but it was an easy decline. Saez wasn't anything special.

We arrived in the Nationals capital, and were ready to start 4 with the Nats. Brian Johnson (6-7, 4.07 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) was greeted by Tanner Roark (6-4, 5.49 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) who we faced earlier in the year. 17 hits and 13 runs later we fell 13-2.

Johnson struggled, allowing 9 runs (8 earned) in 3.1 innings. He gave up 10 hits and struck out just 2. He allowed 3 homers, but no walks. Jorge De La Rosa and Heath Hembree had the mop up duty. De La Rosa allowed 4 in 2, but Hembree thre 2.2 scoreless innings. No 5 hit games, but Ryan Zimmerman reieved 4. Anthony Rendon and Trea Turner had 3 a piece, 3 times as many as any Marlin.

Johnson picked up 1 of the 7 hits, but no Marlin had more then 1. Backup catcher Bryan Holaday tripled in a game where J.T. Realmuto needed rest. Lane Agams hit his 7th home run, and the usually sure handed J.J. Hardy had a rare error.

July 6th, 2018: Carlos Aguilar and Juan Valenzuela wanted pay bumps again. I just snuck it under my 5 million cap.

Game 2 saw Odrisamer Despaigne (3-7, 3.79 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) took on Jesse Chavez (1-2, 4.34 ERA, 1.18 WHIP). J.J. Hardy got his 1st ever start at 1B today.

Game 2 saw a lot of scoring, 15 runs for one team 7 for another. 22 hits for the winner, 11 for the loser. You'll never guess how the runs were scored.

Sean Doolittle wanted to finish off a 3 inning save in the 9th, but instead allowed 6 Marlins to score, giving Miami a 10-7 lead. It didn't end tehre. Matt Wieters, the catcher, had to come into the game since all other relievers were used or exhausted, and allowed 5 more runs in the 15-7 Miami victory.

Our bullpen was much better, allowing no runs in 7 innings and only allowed 1 hit, a single in the 9th off Kevin Chapman. Despaigne, however, allowed 10 hits and 7 runs in just 2 innings. He walked 3 Nats and only struck out 1. Offensively, all 8 starters and pinch hitter Bryan Holaday had base hits.

You'll never guess who had the game of his life? LA Swiftness went a perfect 5-for-5 with a run scored, a walk, and 4 driven in. All 5 of his hits were singles, but he stole 2 bases. Realmuto stole one as well. We only had 2 extra base hits, A bases clearing double in the 9th by J.J. Hardy and a solo homer by Cameron Maybin in the 3rd. We had 20 singles, including 10 in the 9th. Here's the hit totals for the rest of the guys: Maybin (2), Rojas (3), Castro (4), Dietrich (2), Realmuto (2), Prado (1), Hardy (2). It was a crazy game, and Csaatro was the only starter without an RBI, despite his 4 hits (he did score 3 times). Maybin (1), Rojas (1), Dietrich (1), Realmuto (2), Prado (1), Adams (4), Hardy (2), and pinch hitter Holaday (2) all had RBI's.

This was definitely a wild game, and I had 3 new achievements waiting for me! "In the Wheelhouse" for Lane Adams' 5 hit game. "Double Digits" for putting up 11 in the 9th. The last, was "Slugfest" for scoring 15 runsin one game. This was one for the ages, and we now had a 30-60 record. When you put our win total, loss total, and game total into a triangle, we get a perfect 30-60-90 right triangle.

Back to Adams, he's only hitting .233/.314/.363 on the season now. A lot better then the mendoza line he was hovering around, but it shows how much of a fluke this amazing game was.

July 7th, 2018: Who knows what today would bring, other then Shelby Miller (1-2, 6.75 ERA, 2.11 WHIP) and lefty Gio Gonzalez (5-5, 3.98 ERA, 1.43 WHIP). Hopefully, more of yesterday. We had an all righty line up, don't know why Bour sat again. Turns out he's tired and keeps pinch hitting. I'll have to fix that.

Today was a lot different, but we did have 10 hits. Too bad it was only 1 run. Even worse, they had 3 hits, but 3 runs thanks to a Matt Adams 3 run shot in the 4th.

Miller went 6 and allowed just 2 hits and a walk. He allowed 3 runs, but struck out 7. Martin Prado and Brandon Guyer were the only starters who didn't get a hit (even Miller got a hit), but Guyer droce in a run. Maybin, Rojas, and Hardy had 2 a piece. Maybin hit his 12th double and Castro hit his 16th.

To fix the Bour situation, I selected "Never use as Pinch Hitter when tired" to help him rest and get back in the line up. Luckily, Hardy had been a good replacement.

July 8th, 2018: Carlos Aguilar wanted more money that I couldn't offer him. I might lose out on him.

The Padres are also interested in Steckenrider, but I rejected their offer. A.J. Preller was willing to part way with LF Rod Boykin. I don't blame him, he sucks. Just a half star scrub who will never play in the majors.

Castro keeps his lead in the All Star race. Poor Justin Bour gets no love, since the 1B position is so strong.

We looked to come away with a split, and faced Eeric Fedde (2-5, 6.90 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) so it seamed doable. We trotted out Adam Conley (2-7, 4.75 ERA, 1.48 WHIP). This should be Bour's last off day.

Conley went 6 strong allowing just a single run, and hit Fedde enough for him to allow 3 in 7, although 2 were unearned. Nick Wittgren grabbed a 2 inning hold, and Steceksaurus shut the door in the 9th to earn save 17. We picked up a 3-1, and split the 4 game road series against Washington.

GUESS WHO PINCH HIT TODAY... JUSTIN BOUR! Come on OOTP, he needs rest. He did get a hit and drove in a run, but still, he needs his rest so he can start.

Don't know why he keeps pinch hitting, it's said for him not to.

We returned home, and got ready to face the NL Central Brewers. 2018 wasn't kind to them either, as they were 38-52 and 23.5 out in 4th place. We'd get to welcome Christian Yelich home, and he got a nice thank you video waiting for him to make his first at bat.

We were looking at Yovani Gallardo (6-5, 3.70 ERA), Jimmy Nelson (0-0, 2.08 ERA), and Jhoulys Chacin (3-10, 6.59). All were righties, so Bour rested would have been nice.

July 9th, 2018: I signed 3 star second basemen Juan Valenzuela to a $1,850,000 bonus. I went back to re-invest the remaining $2,660,000 that were intended for Aguilar, who wanted too much. Dominican OF Mauro Bonifacio recieved $770,000 and fellow countrymen and OF Ignacio Apodaca recieved $810,000 offers. Neither guys were impact makers, but they had upside, and were able to play in the DSL.

I had to manually bench Justin Bour so he could return to 100% rest.

Everyone wants Drew Steckenrider, and the Pirates offered me the useless 25-year-old Chris Bostick. They must've forgot he's no longer a top prospect.

Power rankins, we were tied at 28th with the Royals with a 61.7 rating.

Dan Straily (3-8, 4.99 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) hosted Yovani Gallardo (6-5, 3.70 ERA, 1.37 WHIP). Hardy, who now has 10 rating at 1B, shockingly hit 4th. We opened off the series with a 7-2 loss.

Straily struggled, allowing 6 runs (5 earned) off 7 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings. He struck out just 3 of the Brew Crew batters. Brian Ellington allowed the final run in the 7th, but struck out the side. We were outhit 11-3.

Pinch hitter Lane Adams, Hernan Perez, and Derek Dietrich had the only hits. Perez hit a solo shot, and Dietrich droce in Starlin Castro with a single. Castro was the culprit of the error.

Christian Yelich went 3-for-5 in his return to Marlins park. He had double number 22 and a pair of RBI's.

July 10th, 2018: For game two, southpaw Brian Johnson (6-8, 4.69 ERA, 1.45 WHIP) looked to bounce back from a rough outing against Jimmy Nelson (0-0, 2.08, 1.85 WHIP) who was making his 2nd start of the year. Bour was rested and back in the lineup.

Johnson went 6.1 innings, allowing 7 hits and 3 runs and recieved a no decision. He walked 1 and struck out 3, and the rest of the pen allowed zero runs. We got 4 off Oliver Drake, 3 in the 7th, 1 in the 8th, and pulled off a 7-3 series evening win, forcing a rubber match tommorow. Steckesaurus, popular in trade proposal, converted save number 18.

J.J. Hardy was at short, but left with an injury. He was 1-for-2 in the game before getting hurt on the base paths. Cameron Maybin doubled in a 3-for-4 game that saw him touch home twice. He also walked in a really solid performance. Castro and Realmuto both had a pair of hits. Castro sscored a run and drove one in, while Realmuto cleared the bases in the 7th with a double and score a run in the 8th. Hernan Perez, who reaplced Hardy at SS, went 2-for-2 with 2 RBI's in the 6th with 2 outs. Nick Wittgren earned the win, now 2-1.

Hardy was diagnosed with a hand contusion, and should be back in 5 days at most. He didn't head to the DL.

Former Marlin slugged his 300th career homer against the Orioles as the Yanks topped the O's 8-6. He's slugged 33 on the year, 2 more then the Red Sox J.D. Martinez for most in the AL and the MLB. He's only hitting .231, but his slugging percentage is an excellent .561.

July 11th, 2018: Carlos Aguilar signed a deal with the Angels, paying a $3,040,000 bonus. I had to increase my offer to Ignacio Apodaca.

We looked to win the home series, sending Odrisamer Despaigne (3-7, 4.48 ERA, 1.49 WHIP) to face Jhoulys Chacin (3-10, 6.59 ERA, 1.65 WHIP). We could do this. Or maybe not. Maybe we'd lose 8-2, despite outhitting the Brewers 13-11. 2 errors hurt, but didn't lead to runs.

In the 8-2 loss, Despaigne only lasted 4 and a third, allowing 8 hits and 6 runs while walking and striking out 3. Heath Hembree allowed 2 runs in the 8th, but by then we knew the game was lost. Lane Adams and Miguel Rojas were the error culprits. J.T. Realmuto hit well, going 3-for-4 and scoring twice while also doubling. Maybin, Rojas, and Adams had 2 hits a piece, with Adams the only one to not double. Adams and Prado drove in Realmuto. Reliever Jorge De La Rosa had a hit as well. The former starter had a few of those in Coors Field earlier in his career.

With the off day tommorow, I'd tried to put together a few deals.

July 12th, 2018: LF Mauro Bonifacio inked a $770,000 bonus to become the 3rd in this years international class for Mimai. He's got solid hitting skills, and can be a decent corner guy. He's a big guy who can develop more pure power, but his future is as the right handed hitting side of the platoon.

Another offer for Steckenrider, the Cardinals offered a 22-year-old elite defender in RF Scott Hurst. He's got blazing speed and a cannon, but isn't much of a hitter. He'll give great defense at all 3 spots, with RF being the most comftorable. Maybe they'd give me him for Prado? Didn't work, as expected...

I started my day by shopping SP Wei-Yin Chen. his rehab was going well, 1-0 in 17.1 innings with a 2.08 ERA, and 1.04 WHIP, but he was expensive. 10 million this year, followed by 20, 22, and then a 16 million dollar option. Yikes. That's going to be annoying to deal with next year. As expected, no offers.

Next guy to be shopped was OF Brandon Guyer. He's been a solid 4th OF since coming from Cleveland in a waiver claim, but I would like to see what's available for him. Best offer came from the Rays, offering 24-year-old Yonny Chirinos. He was a decent SP, but had trouble in Tampa this year. He was 4-8 with a 7.11 ERA and 1.58 WHIP. He's got 3 pitches and amazing control (89/95). His ceiling looks like a solid #4 or #5 guys, but may just become a spot starter. I was able to move Guyer back to Tampa for Chirinos and AA CF Nathan Lukes. The brand new 24 year old isn't the best, but he's a solid defensive outfielder at all 3 spots, and is a niec lottery ticket addition. He was the Indians 7th rounder back in 2015.

Finally, I shopped Odrisamer Despaigne around, since he got a lot of asks earlier in the year. I got a ton of options to choose from for him.

Highlights: Toronto offered CF Anthony Alford (1.5/2.5) or RF Teoscar Hernandez (2/2.5). As a Blue Jay fan, I was familiar and big fans of both guys. Atlanta offered RP Zack Petrick (2.5). San Diego offered SP Luis D. Pedromo (2).

I tried Alford and Hernandez, and Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said he'd think about it. This could be a big steal. To fix the roster situation, I brought Jarlin the Marlin back. Garcia, 25, had a 1-0 record, a 3.57 ERA with 2 saves and 21 strike outs in 17.2 innings in AAA and was 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA, a save, and 10 strike outs in as minning innings in the majors, along with a 1.00 WHIP.

We were able to stay home, and had just 1 series before the All Star break. We'd host the 1st place Phillies (57-35) for three, who were 26.5 games ahead of us in last (32-63). We would see Mark Leiter Jr. (1-2, 3.10 ERA), Aaron Nola (8-6, 4.03 ERA), and Jake Arrieta (8-4, 4.34 ERA).

On July 15th the All Star Game rosters were announced, and the All Sar Game was July 17th. After that, our next game was in Tampa on the 20th. Alex Cobb could be back after the All Star Break, but would likely start rehab first.