The IBL's Chicago Iron Pigs

[gehrig38]

THe Riverhounds fired GM Skip Jones today. Owner Steve Wright, a guy that will spend money, was furious as the club, expected to contend, went 80-82 and finished 19 games back, 2 games worse than the 2012 version. Their fans are incredibly interested in their team (87) and their owner wants to make good.



Columbus owner Augusto Ramirez let go of GM Luis Clemente. Ramirez was expecting a playoff contender and instead got an 72-90 club, just 1 game better than the 71-91 2012 version. It was a surprising move as Ramirez is believed to be a pretty lenient guy, but someone was going to pay for the miserable year and it ended up being his GM.

LA's plummet from a 94-68 world series contender to an 81-81 also ran cost GM Rob Yoder his job as well. While Owner Antonio Rodriguez has hamstrung his GM a tad with the purse strings, he is furious at the club being a non factor in the west this year.

Fresno fired manager Dave Hoffman today. Hoffmans 81-81 2012 finish was viewed as disappointing by many, considering the talent on that club, so his 74-88 2013 run was writing on the wall.

TRADE NEWS
OF Lee Allen is heading to his 3rd club in 3 years. Brooklyn dealt the 30 year old CF to the New York Knights for 29 year old 2B Paul Morris and 21 year old IF prospect Jose Herrera. Between Fresno and Brooklyn Allen hit a combined 268/338/432 with 37 HR's and 153 RBI's in 280 games. He scored 151 runs and hit 59 doubles. Allen is best served playing LF but for now looks to play CF and hit 5th in the Knights lineup.
Herrera spent 73 games in after being taken in the 6th round of the 2013 first year player draft out of the University of Georgia. an FBL(R) All Star Allen is rated as a 3.5 star prospect by Chicago's scouts. He's an average IBL defender today, which means he could be very good, and he'll be a legit top of the order threat as a base runner. Morris played in 177 games in NY the past 2 years with a 269/347/346 slash line, hitting 8 HR's and driving in 68 in 177 games. His value lies in his ability to play all around the IF as a RH utility guy.

Brooklyn reacquires Scott McLaren...
Brooklyn then turned around and made another deal. Sending 28 year old Alonzo Garza (2B) and 23 year old relief prospect Mike Ray to Fresno to reacquire 36 year old OF Scott McLaren. Garza is an outstanding left side of the infield defender, who has hit 264/348/388 in 177 games with the parent club. Ray spent 2012 and 2013 in A ball, throwing in 101 games, 115.2 IP, going 10-3 with 22 saves and 117 K's.
Brooklyn receives McLaren, a guy who's defense is suited to DH. the Cyclones 15th pick in the inaugural draft he's had some back issues the past 2 seasons. Brooklyn dealt McLaren to Fresno at the deadline as Fresno was trying to push into the post season. In 210 games McLaren has hit 61 doubles, 21 HR's and driven in 103 runs for a slash line of 303/359/494. He figures to be a left handed DH and bench option.

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The 2013 voting is in, and here are the IBL Award winners!
My hope is that Alexanders agent DOESN'T get this news yet (as we are working on an extension!).
Ernesto Cruz takes home to soon to be renamed reliever award with an IBL record 144 pts. Barlow's 0-9 record took him out of the top 3 finishers, even though he was tied with 47 saves!
I knew Rios season was way too much for Collins to overcome, but we'll still try and sign the kid.
Hudson D improved dramatically, and he has a GG to show for it.
What can't Bill Hill do? Holy cow.
Interesting former Chicago 3B Sean Parker took home the GG at 3rd.
That's repeat Koufax's for Kelly in Dayton.
Baron is the only repeat GG in the FL.
Moore, Jongmans and Vaughn are repeat GG winners in the CL.

[gehrig38]

Been hard at work. With 14 players headed to arbitration, it's time to try and get some franchise guys under longer term cost certain deals.

Bill Alexander- Bill was (rightly so I think) looking at some bigger money, his arb # was in the 3.7M neighborhood. Given his age I felt ok moving him into a 4 year deal. After some finaggling we settled on a 4 year 16.54M deal that will pay him 2.38/3.38/5.38/5.38 with some bonuses here and there. I was looking at, imo, 20+ million at least for the next 3-4, this saves me some money and anchors my lineup.

Got a nice fan interest bump, I won't check until all signings are done.

Ernesto Cruz- His arb was in the 2.5 neighborhood, I think I stole him. 1.18/2.18/2.18/4.18 for a 4 year 9.72M deal. He's happy, I'm very happy to have one of the elite closers in the game, at 28, locked in.

Another slight increase in interest.

Jean Chartier-The franchise. His arb# was 3.2, at 19 I can't fathom the pricetag a few healthy seasons will bring. I snagged him on another 4 yera deal, for 1.94/1.94/3.94/3.94 for a total of 11.76 over 4. He could have been making that alone 3 years from now. Now all I need is health.

Fan interest increases alot!

Craig Frank-2 outstanding seasons with ERA's of 2.06 in 52.1IP and 2.16 in 79.1 IP. Not a huge deal to sign him but a 1.2M arb number made me look into it. Managed to get him to agree on a 2 year 1.57M deal.

Mike Davis-Was totally out on the limb on this one. I have no idea which guy Mike is, the 18-8 or 4-6 guy. Problem is arbitration is combined numbers so his sucky year doesn't do what it rightly should to his ask. He was thinking 2.4M in arb, I needed him to get much less. Managed to get him to sign a 4 yera 6.94M deal. 885/1.385/2.085/2.585. At 22 he SHOULD be worth 3-4 times that much if he comes back off this bad season and gets back on track.

Alfredo Alejandrez-The Ace. His arb# was in the 2.9 neighborhood. So we jumped in and tried to lock the 27 year old up for 5 years, which he felt was too long (and we did too fwiw).
We eventually settled on a 4 year 10.12M deal, paying him 1.53/2.53/2.53/3.53 and he can earn IP incentives (225) to hopefully get him to get his stamina up! (Be awesome if they AI, for hard working players, had them work to improve on singular traits to try and get better and reach incentives). He also gets a nice bonus for a Koufax Award.

In the process I've managed to lower my 2014 payroll expectations from 26.5 to 20.2m...

I know where that found money will go!

[gehrig38]

Chicago fans are now RABID in their interest of this team! (100!)

[gehrig38]

Here's a compilation of news up to arbitration hearings.

11/2 Corpus Christi has sent 26 year old SP Toby Gray (I've got him a 2 star ceiling guy) who was 0-1 3.38 in 1 IBL start after a combined 17-22 in AA/AAA the past 2 seasons in 55 starts over 368.1 IP he had 226K's 158 BB's with a 3.98 ERA to Los Angeles for 17 year old 3B Yoshinori Ohayashi. Ohayashi was discovered and signed out of Japan in 2012. In 108 games between rookie, short season and A ball he's hitting 210-12-47 in 367 AB's. A decent runner, with a cannon at 3B scouts are mixed on his ceiling but believe if things click he could be a very good everyday player in the IBL.

11/5 Wes Morgan and the club came to an agreement today on a 3 year 4.68M contract that will pay him 960/1.16/2.56 million. The 24 year old slugger missed the 2013 post season but is a young middle of the lineup bat and a gold glove caliber defender at 1st and 3rd base. After getting wind of his 1.2-1.8m arbitration number we thought we'd make a run at him.

11/7 Buffalo trades 33 year old MR Scotty Mitchell and 18 year old OF prospect Hector Hernandez to West Michigan for 29 year old OF Pat Padgett and West Michigan's 2nd round pick. Mitchell, a righty, has thrown 1501.1IP in 123 appearances with a 15-6 record, 24 saves and a 2.45 ERA. He's given up 113 hits and K'd 145 while walking 63 and allowing just 9 HR's. Many believe his best years are behind him, and he'll move into a setup role in the Bison bullpen. Hernandez is a 5 star prospect, found in Cuba and signed in April of 2012, the 18 year old was listed as the IBL's #8 prospect. In 117 games between rookie/SS and A ball he's hit 232-26-93 with 23 of 32 stolen bases. His power projects at the top of the scale and he's projected to hit for average as well. He's also a top of the scale runner. Padgett joins his 4th IBL team, starting with San Antonio, being dealt to Dayton and then Buffalo before this trade. In 195 IBL games, 804 AB's, he's hit 262/310/420 with 36 doubles, 27 HR's and 100 RBI's while stealing 43 bases (his 2013 season was 280-15-46 in 95 games). He's a ++ corner OF and is slated to move into the leadoff spot in the White Cap batting order.

11/7 We made a trade today. Sending disappointing lefty Jack Jackson to Buffalo for 27 year old 1B (DH really) Enrique Franco. Our scouts like Franco's RH bat and we felt Jackson needed a change of scenery. Franco saw only 8 games of IBL action after a September call up, playing the last 2 seasons in AAA after Buffalo selected him in the 28th round of the inaugural draft. He was a 2012 AAA All Star. In 98 AAA games his 336/442/510 slash line look nice. He hit 14 2B's, 12 HR's while K'ing 63 times and walking 49.

11/9 Brooklyn Manager Jim Nash was voted the FL Manager of the Year after the Cyclones Eastern Division title and 87-75 record.

Chicago's Jared Smith took home the CL Manager of the Year award after the Iron Pigs shocking 2013 turn around. He left the press conference to continue discussions on a 4 year extension we are talking to him about. At 60 I think his best years are just ahead!

11/11 Chicago announced the 4 year extension for Manager Jared Smith today. Smith will receive 1.9m from 2015-18.

Fwiw Chicago sports the 2 youngest players in the IBL. OF Raul Feliz is 19 years and 83 days old, SS Jean Chartier is 19 years and 347 days old. Ray Myers (COL) is 20yrs 6 days, Barton Tinker (BAL) is 20 years 243 days and Felix Torres (LA) is 20 years 273 days old.

11/12 Michigan traded 1B Drew Leduc (who my scouts LOVE) to Vegas for 29 year old SS Enrico Rocha and 21 year old prospect Pedro Rivera. Leduc is a franchise bat and triple crown threat right now. He hasn't hit to that level but our scouts think he will. In 206 IBL games he's at 278/360/462 with 46 2B's 31 HR's and 112 RBI's. He's a born DH, with no speed and a cement mixer for a glove. He'll move right into the heart of the 51's lineup. To get him Las Vegas had to give up Rocha, who's played in 299 games the past 2 years hitting 283/358/402 with 51 doubles 8 triples and 20 HR's, scoring 145 runs and driving in 144. Rocha will hit in the bottom half othe the CL's most powerful lineup (Michigan led the CL with 244 HR's, anchored by Bob Herman (40-99). the other major piece is 21 year old Pedro Rivera. A 1B who's power projects to 40+ doubles and 40+ HR's with as good an eye as there is, a future .450 OBP hitter. He won't likely hit for a ton of average but he'll do everything else you could ask of a middle of the lineup bat. Rivera was drafted in the 152nd round of the inaugural draft by Staten Island, and then released at the end of last season!

The two players left I am thinking about deals with are C Eric Hudson and CF Ernesto Gutierrez. Hudson is looking at a 1.4 arb ask, and he's coming off a gold glove. At 26 his best years are likely the next 4-5.

Gutierrez is asking 1.1 in arb, and every team in the league is inquiring about him via trade.

I've made them both great deals from my end, and my guess is the reason they're considering is what we're building here, and the fans.

11/14 Corpus Christi send 25 year old SP Antonio Espinoza to Fresno for 21 year old pitching prospect Curt Daugherty. Espinoza went 6-18 in Corpus Christi last season with a 6.01 ERA, and 7-8 5.95 this year. He pitched very well at AA/AAA and scouts think he was just rushed. His ceiling (by our guys) figures to be 2-2.5 stars and a back end guy on a great staff. Our scouts like the Daugherty kid better. A potential 2-3 guy, he's only 21 and throws 5 decent pitches. In 5 stops around A ball he's 18-19 4.02 with 376K's and 190BB's in 362.2 IP over 60 starts.


11/14 The Knights sent 27 year old SP Richard Dyce to Tulsa for 23 year old OF prospect Rob Hale and 24 year old minor league 3B Gilbert Combs. In 50 IBL starts Dyce is 14-26 5.60 over 337.2 IP. Allowing 404 hits and 238 K's. Dyce is being moved into the Tulsa pen for now. Hale, a corner OF, has a bat our scouts do like, no real pop but he does not strike out, has very good gap power and will hit for some average. Our scouts think Combs is a great glove, period. His bat doesn't project at all.


11/16 Eric Hudson came to terms on a 3 year 3.02M deal that will pay him 640/840/1.54M over the next three. Fans are excited about having this kid in the fold. On the same day OF Ernesto Gutierrez agreed to terms on a 2 year deal that will pay him 720/1.12M.

That leaves 5 arb cases, which we will likely go to the arbitrator with. Will Butler, Jose Pacheco, Riley Potts, Sib van Bodegraven and Ignacio Ferrer.

CASE 1-Riley Potts asked for 530, we countered at 420 and won.
CASE 2-Wil Butler asked for 503, we countered at 320 and won.
CASE 3-Jose Pacheco asked for 530, we countered at 320 and won.
CASE 4-Ignacio Ferrer asked for 438, we countered at 320 and won.
CASE 5-Sib van Bodegraven asked for 530, we countered at 320 and won.

So 2.4M in asks, we countered around 1.7 and saved over a half million bucks.

Our 2014 payroll is locked in at 18.4M next year. Unless a super free agent from another country shows up, we'll be ok.

Santiago Medina (FRE) is now the leagues highest paid player at 3.62M. Randolph Boyd (BAL) is second at 3.352M.

[gehrig38]

The meetings began today and there was a trade announced about 20 seconds after they opened.

12/10 The Columbus Clippers sent 30 year old IF Gilberto Caraballo to Corpus Christi for 30 year old SP Marcos Diaz and 638K in cash. In 100 games over the past 2 years Caraballo his hit 278/341/382 with 4 HR's and 32 RBI's (306 AB's). He figures to take over at SS in Corpus Christi. Diaz is 21-29 5.26 in 66 starts covering 324IP. He will move into the middle of the Clipper rotation.

12/10 Chicago makes a deal that our scouts are ecstatic about. Sending 26 year old IF Chris Dixon and our 2014 1st round pick (#25) to Edmonton for 29 year old SP Ramiro Morales and Edmonton's 2014 1st round pick (#9). Dixon, a LH bat, can play 2B, 3B and SS, where we have depth, and scouts feel his bat is potentially suited in a 5 or 6 hole. Morales has been in the Trappers AAA pen most of the last 2 seasons. His stuff is off the charts, but he'll give up the long ball. He's going to allow us to move Butler into the pen and give some of the young arms time. We love the change of picks as well, moving up 16 slots.

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12/11 Phoenix has traded 28 year old IF Andres Zapata to Dayton for 26 year old SP Tanner Ashley. Zapata is a super utility guy that puts the ball in play and can run. He's hit 268/341/368 in 2 seasons playing 108 total games with 4 HR's and 29 RBI's in 250 AB's. Ashley was dealt to Dayton from Buffalo earlier in the year and has compiled an 8-13 record with a 5.43 ERA in 39 games, 32 starts, covering 182.1 IP.

12/12 Phoenix deals again. This time sending 26 year old MR Jorge Fernandez and 650K in cash to Edmonton in exchange for 21 year old OF prospect Gabriel Flores and 23 year old SP prospect Thomas McDonald. Fernandez is 6-3 with a 2.75 ERA in 131IP over 103 games. He's punched out 75. He was acquired by Phoenix, from Dayton, earlier in the 2013 season. Our scouts view Flores as a potential 4 star OF, playing all three positions exceptionally well. His bat doesn't project to much average but it does have 40 double 30 HR potential and he could have a very good eye, working to a good OBP. McDonald has been in A ball but projects as a bullpen arm in the IBL, a potential 2-2.5 star top end.

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12/14 On the meetings final day West Michigan comes to me with an offer for Gutierrez. And while I cannot move him for anywhere near what teams are offering, they put a kid on the table my scouts love, and we make a move. Trading 23 year old prospect Ralph Bradford (whom we acquired from Pittsburgh in 2012 and was the #98 prospect in 2013) to West Michigan in exchange for the kid we loved. 22 year old Cory Shaw is a very good OF, who doesn't run great but can steal bases, has zero HR pop. However our scouts think his ability to put the bat on the ball and find gaps could translate into a 350ish hitter with 50 2B pop who will get his walks and not punch out a ton. They thought it was more than worth the gamble, and we took it.

[gehrig38]

Orlando Rios (FRE) .974 (SHOCKER!)
Hugh Collins (CHI) .895
Walt Bell (MICH) .805
Dave Miller (HOU) .775
Wally Reed (TUL) .741

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1/26/13 Pittsburgh sent 25 year old OF Dave Palmer to West Michigan for 28 year old MR Joseph Horton and 18 year old SP prospect Vincente Castillo. Horton has pitched in 74 games with 2 saves, a 5-0 record and 64 K's in 85.2 IP, he looks to be a guy that can anchor a pen and close if needed. Our scouts think Castillo could be a back end to mid rotation kid if he fills out. He was the White Caps #1 pick in the 2013 draft (18th overall). After 75 minor league innings and 68 K's it appears WMI isn't as high on this kid as they were 6 months ago. A heavy price to pay for a guy that will DH. Palmer figures to move into the 5 hole in West Michigan. Scouts do like his power, and gap power, and he has a good eye for the zone but his 63 games of IBL play brought a 216/303/377 line with 6 HR's and 19 RBI's. He can't play in the field, not if you want balls caught anyway.

[gehrig38]

I've received no less than 30 offers for Gutierrez in the past year. None, until now, was worth reading.
Fresno is offering 3B Joe Rowe, and some cash, for him. Rowe's last 2 seasons have included 296 games, 68 doubles, 4 triples and 54 HR's with 217 RBI's and a .301 OBP. His downfall? 281 K's to 24 walks.... He's actually a mirror of Wes Morgan at first and third, but he's 30. Did I mention he runs like a pitcher?
It's an interesting offer.

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I see now our 25M budget is offset by projected expenses of 31.2M. Which means I'm done offering extensions, and no free agents will be coming my way. Need to think through getting costs down, but options are limited. Going to be a nice bit of work. I am going to raise ticket prices to 19 bucks (up from 170, as I think the product warrants it and fans will respond well).

[gehrig38]

SPRING TRAINING NEWS
Vincente Soto leads all IBL hitters at .477. Hugh Collins leads with 25 hits. Lorenzelli is 3rd with 7 doubles, Collins hits 6 HR’s, Vargas (BUF) leads everyone with 10 (Former Iron Pig Sergio Lopez is second with 7).
Philly C Dan Land leads everyone with 26 RBI’s. Former Chicago OF Jorge Diaz, now of Philly, leads with 19 runs. Bob Barbour is 2nd with 5 SB’s. Hugh Collins finishes 2nd with 45 total bases to Vargas’s 57.

MEDICAL NEWS
3/2 Dayton Star Bill Hill goes down with a torn meniscus and will miss 6 weeks.
3/3 Michigan OF Fernando Rey breaks his hand and will miss the next 5 weeks.
3/9 Michigan MR Bill Stevenson will miss 4-5 months after exploratory shoulder surgery
3/10 Sacramento CL Hayden Howell will miss the 2014 season with a ruptured elbow ligament. Howell was 5-8 with 56 saves in 104 games over the last 2 years. Joey Johnson will now cement the Closers role after his outstanding 2013 post season.
3/13 CC Hooks 1B Geoff Limond will miss the next 4-5 months with torn ankle ligaments.
3/17 In devastating news to Las Vegas fans ace Matthieu Cafasso will be out until mid June at least with a strained rotator cuff. Cafasso is 36-18 3.43 in the past 2 years, winning the CL Sandy Koufax Award in 2012.
3/17 Michigan will be without 2B Albert Pruitt for the 2014 season after he tore his labrum today.
3/18 Staten Island reliever Reid Quinn will miss the next 4 months after tearing his triceps. The 24 year old has been a bullpen anchor the past 2 seasons going 6-9 with 7 saves and a 2.84 ERA in 126 games covering 165 IP.
3/21 West Michigan will be without starting 2B Felipe Rosa for the next 3-4 weeks after he strained an oblique. Rosa has hit 302/398/421 in 271 games in the past 2 seasons with 73 2B’s, 16 3B’s and 7 HR’s, driving in 116 and scoring 174.
3/24 Buffalo fans were devastated to learn the Bisons will have to play the 2014 schedule without 29 year old closer Francisco Flores. Flores (12-8 with 66 Saves 2.93 ERA in 117 games over 132 IP) tore his flexor tendon in a game today.
3/27 Baltimore will be without 23 year old slugger Juan Torres for the next month after he turned an ankle today. Torres has 71 HR’s and 196 RBI’s in 263 games the past two seasons.
3/28 Dayton will be without OF Ben Simmons for the next month after the 35 year old suffered an ab strain. Since coming to Dayton from Pittsburgh in the middle of the 2012 season, Simmons has hit 37 HR’s and driven in 115 runs in 194 games.

[gehrig38]

It’s been 2 seasons, 324 games. I’ve started to get to know these guys and hopefully so have you. It’s taken some time but the team is starting to feel like it’s mine, and the guys like my players. I thought I’d kick off the 2014 season by introducing the roster, and some of the people and talent in the organization given that the Chicago franchise is now on the map after a shocking post season run last year.

Manager
Jared Smith (61)-Signed a 4 year extension through 2018. Has really adapted to the roster, and rarely, if ever, leaves a starter in too long. Last year bought into the entire roster helping and began to make sure the best 8 defenders were on the field at the right times. He’s always been an outstanding teacher of hitting and an excellent communicator with pitchers. Knows defense well too. Handles all types of players decently. The 2013 CL Manager of the year.
Coaching Staff-Bench Coach- Art McPhun. Telling “McPhunnies” in the clubhouse is an Iron Pig pastime. Art is as country as they come, and as smart as they can be when it comes to being an IBL Bench coach. A manager in waiting the 58 year old has an outstanding reputation for handling players of all ages and types. An outstanding minor league infielder, he’s known as a defensive guru as well. Has been known to talk to the occasional hitter, and the rumor is that his ‘tweak’ of Bill Alexander’s stance two years ago started him on his way. With his contract up (400K), we are currently working on an extension to keep him here as the heir apparent to Jared.
Pitching Coach-Peter Hardin. A grinder. Hard working and committed to his staff, he’s been known to take a swing at any player, or coach, talking smack about ‘his staff’. An outstanding pitching coach who has a good reputation amongst the veterans. His contract (140K) runs out this year. We are working on an extension.
Hitting Coach-John Edgar. The 48 year old was the 1988 Gatorade High School player of the year, and a 1st round pick of the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. A car accident on the way to the press conference ended his career before it started. He’s never held a grudge and is known as a ‘lifer’. An outstanding ‘teacher’ of hitting and a guy any player can talk to. Has manager written all over him. His contract (85K) is up this year.
Trainer-Ricco Cotchini. The 56 year old has been around the game for 35 years, working his way up from rookie ball. His daughter Isabella Alejandrez, is married to Chicago ace Alfredo. He’s a legend in the NATA and signed through 2016 (240K)
Head Scout-Martin Cintron. The 47 year old former Mexican League all star has an eye for talent. His focus has always been a players ‘ability’ and what he CAN do now, more so than what folks ‘think’ a kid can do. His philosophy is ‘they are what they are at 21’ and while the players may get better, you generally don’t get too surprised after that. His commitment is to Mr. Marquis and he’s as loyal a man as you’ll find. Singed through 2021.

The Players:
Starting Pitchers (7)
Alfredo Alejandrez (28)-The undisputed ace of the Chicago rotation. 31-18 the past 2 seasons he is what he is, and that’s a 96-98 mph fastball combined with devastating cutter and forkball. He needs to continue working on command, but he’s the guy in this rotation. His only issue is stamina, as he cannot seem to consistently get deep into games. Signed a 4 year 10.12 million dollar extension this winter.
Jeff Bentley (24)-A young left who spent 2013 in AA and AAA over 29 starts going 9-8 4.28 in 168.2 IP with 139 K’s and 65 walks with 165 hits. Taken with the 4th round pick in the 2012 draft out of Wichita State he’s rated the #54 prospect in the IBL. After a decent spring he’ll open as the #4 guy in the Chicago rotation.
Mike Davis (22)-The ‘Wild Card’. 18-8 3.58 two years ago he fell to 4-6 in 24 starts last year battling some injuries. If the 2012 version shows up he could change everything about the team, and season. Signed a 4 year extension this winter for 6.94 million. Starts the season as the #3.
Carlos De La Torre-(24) The 2013 AAA Pitcher of the year (17-5 4.13) the young righty was a September call up and made 3 starts before going down with a strained oblique. Suffered a relapse this spring but is healthy and starts the season as the #5 starter. A 93-95 power guy with a great forkball.
Bill Flowers(27)-A 17-13 record over the past 2 seasons with a 5.27 ERA. Bill is a ‘filler’ for us. Surrendering 347 hits and 95 walks in 280.1 IP he’s been a strain on the pen, and was optioned to AAA Tulsa at the end of camp where he’ll start and be an insurance policy with so many young arms in the IBL rotation.
Ramiro Morales (29) Acquired from Edmonton for IF Chris Dixon at the winter meetings all our scouts loved this guys stuff. He was prone to the walk, and HR, but they felt he was making the adjustments needed. He had a very disappointing spring and underperformed enough to force our hand and option him at the end of camp. He’ll likely be the first arm up in an emergency, but we need his stuff to come back. A reliever in AAA the past 2 years he has 205K’s in 162.1 IP out of the pen.
Mark Williams(25) The lefty went 14-7 4.31 to help propel the 2013 Iron Pigs to the central division title. Is still improving his control but is a 91-93 guy with a good slider and fork. Need more innings from him per start this year. Opens the season in the 2 slot in the rotation.

Relievers (9)
Wil Butler (24) made 33 combined starts between New Hampshire and here going 9-12 4.96 in 190.2 IP. Gave up 212 hits, 93 K’s and 67 BB’s. Our scouts feel his role is in the pen, if that, as they’ve soured on him in the past few months. At best they say he’s an emergency starter, but should stay in the pen. Optioned to AAA Tulsa to work on relieving. Was acquired in a May 2013 deal with NH.
Craig Frank (28) The lefty anchor, and veteran among the setup guys. Two outstanding seasons totaling 131.2 IP 113 hits with 125K’s and 35 walks. Can get lefties and righties out. Signed to a 2 year 1.57 million dollar contract this winter.
Mike Moore (23) Frank’s protégé. Moore, a lefty, threw in 45 games last year after being called up, tossing 59 IP, striking out 47 and walking 26, yielding 52 hits to a 3.97 ERA. The 15th round pick of the 2012 draft, was the #83 prospect in 2012, #57 in 2013. Mike was optioned at the end of spring to continue his progression as the pen is now deeper and can afford for the kids to get more innings in before getting them into the big league pen.
Jose Pacheco (24) The right handed bridge man, Jose bounced back from a 4-3 5.07 2012 to a 8-5 1 SV 2.82 2013. In 67IP last year he allowed 53 hits, while striking out 64 and walking 38.
Randy Pennington (23) The 3rd round pick in 2012 out of Rice, Randy is the late inning lefty option with Frank, and growing into an emergency closer. An upper 90’s fastball combined with his devastating split he went 56 IP last year, striking out 77 and walking 25 to finish 8-2 4.02.
Riley Potts (26) the ‘middle guy’. He’s tossed 155.2 IP in 107 games the past 2 years with 127K’s and 54 walks, giving up 147 hits with a 3.52 ERA. His nickname is “Fragile”…..
Jose Torres (22) Acquired from the Sky Sox in July of ’12 Jose breaks camp to join Pennington and Frank as the LH options out of the pen. He has closer stuff if needed and figures to be a bullpen presence for years to come.
Sib van Bodegraven (26) Ying to Riley Potts Yang. These two righties, with Pacheco, make up the RH trio tasked with getting leads to the closer. He’s thrown 131.2IP in 118 games with a 3.54 ERA the past 2 years, striking out 127 and walking 66.
Ernesto Cruz (28) The 2013 Mariano Rivera Award winner and at the top of anyones list of ‘games best closers. Sporting a .919 save % (79-86) and a 6-3 1.67 ERA combined over the past 2 years, he’s as good as they come. He has 166 K’s and just 19 walks in 134.2 IP, with 104 hits allowed (.214 avg). He’s why managers manage as if the game were 7 innings instead of 9. Signed a 4 year 9.72 million dollar extension this winter.

Catchers:
Eric Hudson (27) A 2013 Gold Glove winner the 26 year old has hit a combined 285/352/378 in 288 games the past 2 seasons. With 54 2B’s, 15 HR’s and 146 RBI’s. He’s thrown out 38.7% of base stealers (improving from 28.2 to 52.8) and cut his PB’s in half (14-7). His 2 year efficiency is 1.036. Signed a 3 year 3.02 million dollar extension this past winter.
Rafael Flores (25) with our starter playing in 288 of 328 games there’s only a need to make sure your backup can catch and throw, and Rafael can do both. He hit 238/333/365 in 32 games and 63 AB’s this year. Was challenged by Cabral this spring but Jose’s defense was enough to get him optioned.
Jose Cabral (24) His AAA slash line of 265/355/531 is promising. He hit 32 HR’s and drove in 90 in 123 games at Tulsa, where he’ll start again this year. Scouts are having issues with the bat projecting and his defense is, at best, average. He’s young enough to surprise, and that’s what we’re hoping. If something were to happen on the roster we’d be fine with him. He hits LH as well, which is a plus.

Infield:
Donald Weaver (29-1B/DH) A below average defender on his best day, his power keeps him in the IBL. He has no position but his 22 HR’s and 73 RBI’s in 125 games make him a rest option at 1st and DH. LHH.
Wes Morgan (25-1B/3B) Can play either position at a high level, and hits left handed. Came off a monster 2012 (256-44-109 in 497 AB’s) to a down 2013 power wise (19-93 in 523 AB’s) but his OBP rose a tick. This is about getting AB’s, which he will, and getting better. Signed a 3 year 4.68 million dollar extension this winter.
Paul Riggs (21-2B/SS) The ‘kid” made the club out of camp. The 16th pick in the 2012 IBL Inaugural draft he was the #16 prospect in 2012, #21 in 2013. He comes into 2014 as the #33. Hit 350/402/517 in AA and 281/335/411 in AAA last year and had a good spring to earn the 2B job. Very little power to speak of but everything else is golden. Will be a premier #2 hitter when he’s matured.
Alejandro Sotolo (23-2B) Had a decent year (359-322-405 in 107 games and 370 AB’s) but his lack of a position other than 2nd is a problem. Being LH on a LH heavy roster doesn’t help either. Had a poor spring and was optioned to AAA Tulsa where he’ll play every day.
Walt Thompson (26-1B/3B) A player who’s stock has plummeted. Hit just 187/250/364 in 37 games last year. If he wasn’t an outstanding defender at both positions he’d likely have been designated. At 26 time is short. He’ll open the season at AAA.
Andrew Martin (23-3B/SS) Acquired from Columbus last year for 3B Sean Parker and MR Jack Durham, his stock has also gone down. In a combined 63 games he’s hit 241/279/328 in 196 AB’s. His ceiling was far higher when we got him , than scouts believe it is today. A good 3B, and tick above average SS, he’ll start the season in AAA.
Ignacio Ferrer (34-2B/3B/SS) The veteran on the club and one of the clubhouse leaders. He’s done a fantastic job as a backup, and as a starter when needed. Playing all three positions as well as anyone in the game, his glove will likely keep him here a few more years. Being RH helps too.
Massimiliano “Massi” Lorenzelli (22-3B/SS) Another right handed bat who can pick it at SS. Acquired, with Will Butler, from NH in May of last year for SS Joreao Tio, MR Bill George, 2B Greg Bartlett and RF Thomas Wise (and #1 picks). In 109 IBL games with 349 AB’s he’s hit 266/304/398 with 33 2B’s a 1 HR.
Melvin Watson (22-2B/3B/SS/OF) Glove man extraordinaire. He plays every position listed as a stud, and the thought when we got him (acquired from Vegas in may of last season for Sergio Lopez and Hector Guzman) was that he would be a RH option for left handed starters, at all those positions. It’s taking long than expected and the shine is off, but he’ll start the season at AAA in hopes the bat continues to improve.
Jean Chartier (20-2B/3B/SS) The ‘Kid”. As gifted a bat as there is. There’s nothing he cannot do at the plate and it’s only just begun. Out most of last year with a bad back problem he’s healthy and ready to go. His ability to play all three positions very well give the lineup great flexibility depending on the starter. In 2012 he hit 275/323/506 with 33 doubles, 14 triples and 22 home runs, stealing 22 bases. He could be one of , if not the only, 40/40 threat in the league. At 20 he’s hopefully in the early stages of a HoF career. Signed to a 4 year 11.76 million dollar extension this winter.

Outfielders (7)
Alfredo Lozano (24-1B/LF/CF/RF) His ability to play 1st was big when Morgan went down. A switch hitter (left side stronger) and 2012 AA Primal League MVP. His bat is spotty, but looks like it could be a decent 5th OF option, and he runs like the wind. His arm is suited best in LF. Hit little in a September call up last year and will start out in AAA Tulsa where he hit 309/388/505 in 95 games last year.
Raul Feliz (19-LF) The 2012 #2 pick (29th overall). Has made a rapid rise in the past 24 months. Tore up AA/AAA pitching but we held off until mid way through last year. Hit 282/351/467 in 85 games with 17 doubles and 13 HR’s, driving in 56. Stole 19-25. Figures to be our everyday LF.
Leo Russell (27-LF/CF) Here for two reasons, he’s right handed and he can play CF. Struggled in 2012 (72G 218/286/378) but went to AAA and might have figured it out. Hit 305/359/610 in 28 games last year after spending most of the year in Tulsa. Our 4th OF.
Hugh Collins (24-LF/CF) 2nd in the Rookie of the Year balloting, Hugh was a HR and 3 SB’s from being a 30/30 guy his rookie year. Went 290/371/524 in 131 games, hitting 27 doubles and 4 triples, and stealing 27-45. He’ll need to cut down the CS but he looks to be our CF and leadoff hitter for years to come.
Bill Alexander (26-LF/RF) The “Franchise”. The Coastal League MVP Bill hit 332-48-139 after a 319-48-147 2012. A switch hitter who doesn’t K (103 career K’s in over 1300 career AB’s) he’s the leader on and off the field, of this team. As he goes, we go. There are some health concerns and that led to more starts at the DH role (which he handled well). In 2012 he’ll continue to play RF and DH, as he’s got one of the better OF arms in the game. Signed a 4 year 16.54 million dollar extension this winter.
Bob Barbour (24-LF/RF) Had thought he and Hugh Collins were on parallel tracks, and that’s clearly not happening right now. He spent the season on the big club (235/277/333 in 94 games, 327 AB’s) but after this spring the organization felt it best he get back to AAA, play every day and regain that fire. He’s a 50+ steal threat and a top of the lineup bat if he can do that.
Ernesto Gutierrez (27-OF) Plays all three positions. "Goot" has an OF arm second only to Alexander, he’ll man RF most of the time and hit in the lower half of the lineup. Had a 211 hit season in 2012, with 44 doubles. Took a step back offensively last year but you wouldn’t know it from the other teams. We’ve gotten in the neighborhood of 30 trade offers, every one of them has this guys name attached. He’s also 47-66 in SB’s the past two seasons. Signed a 2 year 1.84 million dollar extension this winter.
Enrique Franco (27-DH/1B) Sent SP Jack Jackson to Buffalo for this kid, whom our scouts were in love with. His spring training fixed that. Nowhere near the hitter we thought, we’ll get him some AAA at bats to see what he’s about.

[gehrig38]

A look at the top players from around the minor leagues, followed by a look at the Chicago system.

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Here's a look at our system on opening day 2014

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Here's what the pundits are saying the 2014 season is going to look like!
In the Frontier league they're calling an end to Brooklyns 2 year run.
Tulsa looks to be the class of the Central by a long shot, with Dayton having a horrid year. Can't see that...
Sacramento for three in a row? Edmonton the WC.

[gehrig38]

Things are predicted to go as follows:
Philly and Baltimore to duke it out again, with New Hampshire and Pittsburgh remaining doormats.
Looks like they've got us and Houston going toe to toe and it's interesting that they have Columbus clearly in the mix.
Vegas out west again, with LA and Fresno making it a close division. Michigan? Getting no love as league doormats.

[gehrig38]

The sabermetric guys have had their run, and here's the projections for the top IBL players in 2014.
Frontier league is on top. Another K title for Walt Thompson? Seems to be a glut of FL 1B with bats....
Amazing how little respect Alexander continues to get from the stat folks. This is the first year he's made the list, first year ANY Chicago hitter has made the list.
They apparently don't think much of our pitching either.

[gehrig38]

2014 SEASON BEGINS!
3 vs Las Vegas
4 vs Pittsburgh

GAME 1
Opening up with West Division champ Vegas. Getting Marshall Wall opening day (12-6 3.42 in 22 starts adter his call up last year, finished strong winning the CL’s August Pitcher of the month). Newly acquired Drew Leduc will help anchor their offense, and they’re without their ace for about the first 3 months (Cafasso).

1st batter of the 2014 season, LV RF Bob White drills the third pitch he see for a 415ft homer. Please don’t let that be a premonition. Hugh Collins gets the first hit of the year, a 2 out solo shot in the 3rd. White drills another shot (2) off Alejadrez in the 4th to make it 4-1, where it stays. Alfredo (0-1) has a rough day (5.2-7-4-4-6-5) but the pen throws 3.1 scoreless behind him. We manage just 2 runs on 6 hits with Collins going 2-4. Wall (1-0) goes 8 strong 8-6-2-2-3-4 and Suhayb notches his 1st save.
LV 4 CHI 2 (0-1 1 GB)

ORG NEWS
Bench Coach Art McPhun agreed to a 5 year 455K a year extension after the opener. A successor to Jared Smith when he walks away, McPhun is regarded as one of the better baseball minds around.


GAME 2
Another Chicago starter wrestles with the strike zone. Mark Williams (1-0) walks 6 in 5.2-6-5-3-6-3 but the offense and pen bail him out. An Eric Hudson error let Vegas slip back into the game after the offense exploded for 6 in the 4th. Ernesto Cruz came in and surrendered a single before getting his 1st save. Hugh Collins hit his 2nd HR going 4-5 with 2 run and 2 RBI’s and Jean Chartier hit a grand slam for his 1st HR of the year. Paul Riggs went 1-2 with 2 runs and 2 RBI’s.
CHI 9 LV 6 (1-1 1GB)

LEAGUE NEWS
Vegas CF Thomas Hood will miss the next month after being hurt in our game yesterday, straining a hamstring.

ORG NEWS
Chicago inked Pitching Coach Peter Hardin to a 4 year 177.5K a year contract extension. A raise from his current 140K deal set to expire at years end.

Talks with hitting coach John Edgar continue, though there appears to be some distance in money between the two.


GAME 3
The 4th appears to be our inning. Another 6 run fourth turned a 2-2 game into a 10-3 rout. Bill Alexander (1) hit his first HR of the year in a 2-5 3 RBI day and Paul Riggs went 3-5, scoring twice and driving in 3. Wes Morgan hit his first homer of the year as well. Hudson and Gutierrez had 2-4 days. Starter Mike Davis (1-0) had control issues early but settled in (7-6-3-3-4-5).
CHI 10 LV 3 (2-1 1GB)

LEAGUE NEWS
Cy May (HOU) will miss the next 2 weeks with a finger sprain.

ORG NEWS
Bob Barbour is off to an 8-13 start in Tulsa, and has also picked up the hitting streak he left behind in 2012! He’s hit in 20 straight now.

GAME 4
Pittsburgh finally gets Ace Vincent Bray back after he missed the entire 2013 season with Tommy John surgery. The Riverhounds #1 pick in the inaugural draft went 14-9 with 229 K’s in 216 IP in 2012, before being injured late in the year. He’ll throw game 3 of this rare 4 game weekend wrap around.

Another struggle to find the zone for my starter. Jeff Bentley, in his IBL debut goes 4-5-4-3-6-3 but the pen, Torres (1-0), Pacheco (H1), Pennington (H1) gets to Cruz who grabs the last 4 outs perfectly, with 2 K’s, for save 2. Bill Alexander went 3-5 with a HR (2) and 2 RBI’s, Hugh Collins went 2-4 and scored twice, and Ernesto Gutierrez went 3-3, scoring twice and driving in a run. Raul Feliz tripled in a 2-5 day. Ignacio Ferrer was banged up and will be DtD for a few.
CHI 7 PIT 4 (3-1 1 GB) Columbus is off to a 4-0 start.

LEAGUE NEWS
Knights fans received some terrible news today. 32 year old slugger and lineup anchor Stefan Conway will miss the next 4 months with a broken kneecap suffered in the season opener. Conway has hit 68 HR’s the past 2 seasons and driven in 191 runs.

GAME 5
Ernesto Cruz loaded the bases in the 9th inning of a 4-3 game, then struck out Ben Hutchins and got Kris Wright to ground into a FC for his 3rd save. Eric Hudson’s 2 run 1st inning double helped Chicago jump ahead and Raul Feliz went 1-3 with 2 RBI’s in the win. Carlos De La Torre (1-0) went 7-8-3-3-3-6 and Jose Pacheco (H2) bridged to Cruz in the 9th. Paul Riggs grabbed his arm on a throw in the 8th and was taken out of the game, waiting on word of the extent of his issue.
CHI 4 PIT 2 (4-1 Tied)

ORG NEWS
Riggs will miss the next 5 days with a sore arm.

GAME 6
Vince Bray held us hitless into the 4th. He ended up going 8-7-3-3-1-6 for a ND. Alejandrez went 6.1-6-3-3-3-3 in the matchup and 3 Chicago relievers managed to hold the game through 10. In the 11th Ryan Pennington (0-1) gave up a 2 out single for the final 4-3 score. Gutierrez went 3-5 with a 2B and Jean Chartier went 2-4 with his 2nd HR and 2 RBI’s. Hugh Collins hit his 3rd.
PIT 4 CHI 3 (4-2 1 GB)

WEEK 1 NEWS AND NOTES
Paul Morris (BRO) took home FL PotW honors after going 10-20 with a HR and 7 RBI’s. The 29 year old, acquired from New York this winter, helped Brooklyn to a 4-2 start.

Philly’s Carlos Arredondo went 10-22 with 3 HR’s and 7 RBI’s to win his 1st CL PotW award.

Nothing major this week. San Antonio, El Paso, Philly, Baltimore, Columbus are all off to 5-1 starts. Buffalo and Pittsburgh are 1-5.

Ed Thomas (SAN) has 11 RBI’s through 6 games, Jean Chartier (CHI) has 10. Arredondo leads the IBL with 4 HR’s.

Ernesto Gutierrez is leading all IBL hitters at .524.


ORG NEWS
Tulsa IF Dudley Williams took home PotW honors after a 9-20 1HR 6 RBI week.

Bakersfield’s Flynn Ash, back for a 3rd year in the town, won the PotW award after going 7-16 with 4 HR’s and 10 RBI’s.