May 2025 Update:
Record: 23-28 (2nd, 5 GB)
A 4-game sweep over the Naturals got us back to an even record, but a 3-8 slide to finish the month puts the Classics back in the hole.
Ben Grates has continued to be the offensive MVP, as he hit .345 with 5 home runs for the month. 2B
Manny Batres also stepped up in a big way, hitting .337, and putting up a .413 on base percentage. Otherwise the offense has been pretty quiet - especially
Tony Palacios, who had just a .491 OPS in May after a hot April.
Evan Downey gave us the highlight of the month, as he pitched the team's first shutout of the season against the Naturals. So far the back end of the rotation has been pathetic at times, so it would be huge if Downey establishes himself as a good starter.
Min-ho Lee led the way on the mound overall, as his consistent pitching led to another EL Pitcher of the Month Award. May's top reliever was
Marcos Archuleta, who allowed just 1 earned run in 12 innings.
Transactions:
1B
Jose Ariza was released, as his cold streak continued throughout the month. Ariza had a .128/.172/.267 slash line in 25 games, and with no defensive value there wasn't any reason to keep him on the roster.
SS
Robert Reyes has been killing the ball in the minors, so he has been called up in place of 3B
Chris Rathert, who received a brief stint with Columbus after
Ariza's release. Reyes will get a chance to start at shortstop, as
Tony Palacios has been awful over the last few weeks.
Injury Report:
DH
Myles Fenty has started a rehab assignment in AAA, and should return within a week.
RP
Julio Lambruschini spent the minimum 10 days on the IL with a minor back injury, and has returned to the USBL team.
Danny Gaona was called up in his absence, and pitched well in 3 appearances.
SP
Bryan Fetty suffered a shoulder injury in his first USBL appearance, and has been sent to the Injured List.
Matt Stotler was called up in his place, but was sent down after making two starts.
Jimmy Embleton has been pitching well in the minors since his initial demotion, and for now he will take over the 5th spot in the starting rotation.
Around the League:
-Foxes SP Bill Mattes is out for the year with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow. The 2024 EL All-Star was 3-2 with a 2.91 ERA in 8 starts.
-Impact SP Derrick Jensen threw a shutout against the Seals, striking out 10. Jensen has a 3.59 ERA in 67.2 innings, striking out 71.
-Vipers LF Russ Rock is out 3-4 weeks with a strained oblique. The 35-year old is hitting .338, after hitting .391 in just 215 at bats a season ago.
-Scorpions LF Bobby Young is out 3 weeks with a torn hamstring. The 28-year old rookie is hitting .277/.389/.535 with 9 home runs after coming to the USBL from an independent league.
-Monarchs SP Alex Jimenez shut out Columbus, strikng out 5. Jimenez has a 2.88 ERA in 10 starts.
-Spartans 2B Trevor Damm went 5-5 against the Heroes in a 10-6 win. Damm missed the beginning of the season with a strained hamstring, but is batting .394 in his first 27 games of the season.
WL Batter of the Month: Impact 1B Josh Vinson: .344 AVG, 12 HR, 22 RBI, 27 R
EL Batter of the Month: Waves 1B Scott Head: .360 AVG, 16 HR, 40 RBI, 25 R
WL Pitcher of the Month: Foxes SP Alexis Fregoso: 43.2 IP, 1.65 ERA, 48 K
EL Pitcher of the Month: Classics SP Min-ho Lee: 39.2 IP, 2.27 ERA, 32 K
WL Rookie of the Month: Emeralds RF Jim Pierce: .411 AVG, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 13 R
EL Pitcher of the Month: Spartans SP Jim Pasnik: 35.1 IP, 2.80 ERA, 21 K
Columbus Organization Awards:
Batter of the Month: RF Ben Grates: .345/.381/.571, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 8 2B, 3 SB
Pitcher of the Month: SP Min-ho Lee: 39.2 IP, 2.27 ERA, 32 K, 0.93 WHIP
Minor League Batters of the Month:
1. CF Shane Sehnert (A): .404/.509/.638, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 11 R, 3 SB
2. SS Robert Reyes (AAA): .318/.400/.545, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 14 R
3. 2B David Hinjosa (AAA): .268/.381/.439, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 12 R, 2 SB
Minor League Pitchers of the Month:
1. Javier Samaniego (A): 44.1 IP, 2.03 ERA, 45 K, 0.88 WHIP
2. Mario Segura (AAA): 41.2 IP, 1.30 ERA, 38 K, 0.94 WHIP
3. Anthony Roy (AA): 35.1 IP, 2.04 ERA, 37 K, 1.02 WHIP