[Jay_Bourne]

Approching end of June in this 1935 season and we can see the improvement with the team as the Eagles are only 4 games under .500 with a 31-35 record (7th position). But the FA is a very tight league and if the Eagles can strech a series of wins, they would easily climb into the standings. At the moment, Eagles are in a middle of a long road trip of 23 games away which will bring them back home just before the All-Star game.

To improve their position the young Eagles have to keep batting like they are but start winning against LHP, find some pitching skills and look for speed to stole bases on a regular bases.

Moves
Few moves mades during that stretch.
Veteran LHP Reynolds and RF Fero were sent down to AAA in favor of SP Ike Quinn and RHP Bill Morrill (claimed on waivers from Pittsburgh). Quinn who had a surprising training camp and good season start in AAA was bring up to help the pitching squad but the experience was not that successful and Eagles return him to KC after 3 outings only. In return the Eagles called back to DC RP Chuck Taylor who left with a very good impression last September.

Batter's notes:
RF Sam Brown (0.361, 11HR, 46 RBIs) is continuing to be the leader of this team as he already pass number of HRs from last rookie season in June. Nobody in DC would be surprised if he get invited to the All-Star game next month.

The hot corners 3B Mel Carroll and 1B Hal Schumate are keepign the pace in their rookie season by combining together 10 HRs and 67 RBIs.

2B Andy Carter, was back from a 2 weeks injury. He was able to maintain his usul batting average, his number of RBIs went down. However, since he is hitting with more regularity, he was brought to the top of lineup recently.

Pitcher's notes:
The starting rotation is stabilizing but have place for improvements on many ways. LHP Johnson did better then early in the season but still showing only a 4-7 record with 5.80 ERA. The surprising arm is 38 years old RHP Dennis with a 6-4 record and 3.92 ERA. RHP Knight is showing more confidence with a 6-5 record and 4.31 ERA. In the bullpen RP Curry and RP Sears are holding the fort in most of the games.

Prospect's notes:
We are keeping a close eye on the multipel prospects in our minor leagues teams and during the last stretch, we made some promotions to few players.
Below are the players we are watching closely

AAA CF Joe Ellicott 0.340 BA, 12 HR, 41 RBI
AAA RF Roy Bradley 0.325, 12 RBI, 10 SB in just 23 games coming back from an injury
AAA RP Ike Zuckermann already promoted from AA earlier this season, can be promoted to DC shortly… sounds like a September call up
AA SP Bobo White, first selection of the 1934 draft, he is pulling very good numbers to start his professional debut with a 7-3 record, 4.10 ERA, 16 BB and 44 Ks.
AA C Ernie Killiam still progressing from last year numbers and could be the eventual answer as C Richardson is not playing as expected in AAA
AA SS Johnny Sundberg, recently promoted from A team, the first DC selection from 1933 draft is climbing up into the team depth chart

What's next
Depending on the team perform until All-Star break will determine how we approach the rest of season. If the Eagles keep the record to the 0.500 and still battling everyday, we would keep the challenge of developping our young players to be better for many seasons to come. We have to keep looking for pitching staff and the high quantity of top prospects in the organization may open opportunities for trade as we approach the trade deadline.