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DG18 · 10-06-2019, 12:01 AM

April 2025 Update:
Record: 8-14 (3rd, 2 GB)

As bad as April was, we had to play 11 games on the road against 2024 playoff teams, so the schedule should become much easier soon. The other positive note is that the Midwest Division looks to be the easiest in baseball, so winning 90 games probably won't be needed to finish in 1st. Offensively, CF William Lizarraga has surprisingly provided the biggest spark at the top of the lineup, after beginning the season as a backup. Ben Grates picked up where he left off in 2024, and Myles Fenty was also great before a groin injury sent him to the IL. The biggest disappointments have been 3B Corey Neu and 1B Jose Ariza, who still haven't found a rhythm. Ariza was recently benched for Jose Tapia, who is off to a nice 6-13 start in his first 3 games. The concern is that Tapia doesn't have enough power to be a regular first baseman, as all of his hits are singles so far.

Pitching was expected to be a strong suit, but that hasn't been the case as we are just tied for 8th in runs allowed. Lee, Torres, and Koonts have been passable as starters, but the bullpen has let them down more often than not. Ramon Salazar's closer role is anything but secure, as the recent signing has given up runs in nearly all of his appearances. Our pitching is probably worse than the stats indicate, as we have the worst FIP in the EL. Fortunately, our defense has been fantastic: Especially the infield of Neu, Palacios, and Batres.

Transactions:
SP Jimmy Embleton was optioned to AAA after another rough start to close the month. Evan Downey has been called up, and he will make his USBL debut on May 1st. Downey hasn't been especially sharp this year, but he was great in 2024, and it's time to see if he can pitch at this level.

Injury Report:
SS Tony Palacios returned from his shoulder injury, and has been great with the bat since coming back. We optioned Mike Killian back to the minors, with hopes that he will develop his hitting.

DH Myles Fenty is out one month with a strained groin. The injury isn't major, but losing his bat really hurts as he is by far our biggest home run threat. 1B Jose Tapia has been called up from AAA, and he has since taken over as the starting first baseman. As a result, Jose Ariza and Alex Roberts have been splitting time in the DH role.

Around the League:
-Robins 2B Jeff Williams went 5-6 in a win over the Explorers. Williams is hitting .351 on the year, driving in 14.
-RP Nuno Daddi finally settled for a deal, as he heads to Tulsa on a 3 year contract. The lefty finished 4th in EL Pitcher of the Year voting in 2024.
-Monarchs SP Mark Saige shut out the Explorers, allowing just 3 hits. Saige has a 1.17 ERA in two starts after starting the year in the minors.
-Spartans LF Eric Niehoff went 5-6 against the Comets, leading them to a 5-3 win. Niehoff is hitting .264 with 3 home runs.
-Heroes LF Nick Kitzler went 5-5 in a win over the Impact. Kitzler picked up where he left off in 2024, hitting .444 through the first month of the season.
-Vipers SP Kevin Greer is out for the year with a torn UCL. Greer made just 8 starts last season, and his career may be in jeopardy at age 39.

Monthly Awards:
WL Batter of the Month: Scouts 2B Jason Colford: .368 AVG, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 20 R
EL Batter of the Month: Waves 1B Scott Head: .375 AVG, 13 HR, 26 RBI, 23 R
WL Pitcher of the Month: Foxes SP Alexis Fregoso: 37.1 IP, 1.21 ERA, 44 K
EL Pitcher of the Month: Salukis SP Billy Boltz: 35 IP, 1.80 ERA, 41 K
WL Rookie of the Month: Scorpions 1B Bobby Young: .286 AVG, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 14 R
EL Rookie of the Month: Naturals 1B Tyler Renfro: .286 AVG, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 20 R

Columbus Monthly Awards:
Batter of the Month: DH Myles Fenty: .333/.417/.667, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 10 R
Pitcher of the Month: RP Jeremy Townsend: 8.2 IP, 1.04 ERA, 16 K, 1 BB, 0.58 WHIP

Minor League Batters of the Month:
CF Jimmy Batt (AA): .383/.451/.556, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R, 5 SB
3B Chris Rathert (AAA): .333/.435/.692, 4 HR, 6 RBI
3B Adam Mitchum (A): .290/.417/.449, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R

Minor League Pitchers of the Month:
SP Shane Webster (A): 28.2 IP, 4.08 ERA, 28 K, 1.29 WHIP
RP Eric Baer (A): 11.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 9 K, 0.91 WHIP
SP Gabe Perez (AA): 30 IP, 3.00 ERA, 27 K, 1.40 WHIP

10-06-2019, 12:01 AM	#29
DG18 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 204	April 2025 Update: Record: 8-14 (3rd, 2 GB) As bad as April was, we had to play 11 games on the road against 2024 playoff teams, so the schedule should become much easier soon. The other positive note is that the Midwest Division looks to be the easiest in baseball, so winning 90 games probably won't be needed to finish in 1st. Offensively, CF William Lizarraga has surprisingly provided the biggest spark at the top of the lineup, after beginning the season as a backup. Ben Grates picked up where he left off in 2024, and Myles Fenty was also great before a groin injury sent him to the IL. The biggest disappointments have been 3B Corey Neu and 1B Jose Ariza, who still haven't found a rhythm. Ariza was recently benched for Jose Tapia, who is off to a nice 6-13 start in his first 3 games. The concern is that Tapia doesn't have enough power to be a regular first baseman, as all of his hits are singles so far. Pitching was expected to be a strong suit, but that hasn't been the case as we are just tied for 8th in runs allowed. Lee, Torres, and Koonts have been passable as starters, but the bullpen has let them down more often than not. Ramon Salazar's closer role is anything but secure, as the recent signing has given up runs in nearly all of his appearances. Our pitching is probably worse than the stats indicate, as we have the worst FIP in the EL. Fortunately, our defense has been fantastic: Especially the infield of Neu, Palacios, and Batres. Transactions: SP Jimmy Embleton was optioned to AAA after another rough start to close the month. Evan Downey has been called up, and he will make his USBL debut on May 1st. Downey hasn't been especially sharp this year, but he was great in 2024, and it's time to see if he can pitch at this level. Injury Report: SS Tony Palacios returned from his shoulder injury, and has been great with the bat since coming back. We optioned Mike Killian back to the minors, with hopes that he will develop his hitting. DH Myles Fenty is out one month with a strained groin. The injury isn't major, but losing his bat really hurts as he is by far our biggest home run threat. 1B Jose Tapia has been called up from AAA, and he has since taken over as the starting first baseman. As a result, Jose Ariza and Alex Roberts have been splitting time in the DH role. Around the League: -Robins 2B Jeff Williams went 5-6 in a win over the Explorers. Williams is hitting .351 on the year, driving in 14. -RP Nuno Daddi finally settled for a deal, as he heads to Tulsa on a 3 year contract. The lefty finished 4th in EL Pitcher of the Year voting in 2024. -Monarchs SP Mark Saige shut out the Explorers, allowing just 3 hits. Saige has a 1.17 ERA in two starts after starting the year in the minors. -Spartans LF Eric Niehoff went 5-6 against the Comets, leading them to a 5-3 win. Niehoff is hitting .264 with 3 home runs. -Heroes LF Nick Kitzler went 5-5 in a win over the Impact. Kitzler picked up where he left off in 2024, hitting .444 through the first month of the season. -Vipers SP Kevin Greer is out for the year with a torn UCL. Greer made just 8 starts last season, and his career may be in jeopardy at age 39. Monthly Awards: WL Batter of the Month: Scouts 2B Jason Colford: .368 AVG, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 20 R EL Batter of the Month: Waves 1B Scott Head: .375 AVG, 13 HR, 26 RBI, 23 R WL Pitcher of the Month: Foxes SP Alexis Fregoso: 37.1 IP, 1.21 ERA, 44 K EL Pitcher of the Month: Salukis SP Billy Boltz: 35 IP, 1.80 ERA, 41 K WL Rookie of the Month: Scorpions 1B Bobby Young: .286 AVG, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 14 R EL Rookie of the Month: Naturals 1B Tyler Renfro: .286 AVG, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 20 R Columbus Monthly Awards: Batter of the Month: DH Myles Fenty: .333/.417/.667, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 10 R Pitcher of the Month: RP Jeremy Townsend: 8.2 IP, 1.04 ERA, 16 K, 1 BB, 0.58 WHIP Minor League Batters of the Month: CF Jimmy Batt (AA): .383/.451/.556, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R, 5 SB 3B Chris Rathert (AAA): .333/.435/.692, 4 HR, 6 RBI 3B Adam Mitchum (A): .290/.417/.449, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R Minor League Pitchers of the Month: SP Shane Webster (A): 28.2 IP, 4.08 ERA, 28 K, 1.29 WHIP RP Eric Baer (A): 11.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 9 K, 0.91 WHIP SP Gabe Perez (AA): 30 IP, 3.00 ERA, 27 K, 1.40 WHIP