A Different Ball Game

[jasg224]

1946 Major Transactions
*Stats are for 1945 unless otherwise noted

There was less movement compared to other years. Perhaps because of the new league north of the border? Or is it just coincidence? This offseason did see some players make the move north and become high earners, but no real stars crossed the border.

Tuzos de Aguascalientes - 46-62, 8th
Signed
2B Ehécatl Cocom - .244/.324/.342, 1.9 WAR - $9.8k over 2 years, from Guadalajara

Obsidianas de Guadalajara - 53-55, 6th
Lost
2B Ehécatl Cocom - .244/.324/.342, 1.9 WAR - Signed by Aguascalientes
RF David de la Rosa - .248/.315/.346, 1.8 WAR - Traded to Puebla
RHP Joaquín Cuestas - 1.77 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 0.5 WAR - Signed by Monterrey
LHP Arthur Barclay - 1.88 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, 0.1 WAR - Free Agent
1B Miguel Muñoz - .253/.337/.382, 0 WAR - Traded to Águilas
1B Jordán Hernández - .231/.350/.278, 3.8 WAR (Res.) - Traded to Monterrey
RHP Ricardo Sánchez - 0.85 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 1.1 WAR (Res.) - Traded to Monterrey

Signed
2B Enrique Rangel - .267/.322/.339, 1.5 WAR - $37k over 5 years, from Mérida
CF Walter Harrington - .267/.343/.348, 1.3 WAR - Trade from Monterrey
RF David Arroyo - .274/.330/.416, 1.1 WAR - Trade from Puebla
1B Carlos Torres - .259/.346/.324, 0.7 WAR - $38.5k over 5 years, re-signed
RHP Elías Hernández - 2.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 0 WAR - Trade from Puebla
2B Sergio Ramírez - .307/.366/.387, 0.9 WAR - $46.1k over 7 years, from Tampico
3B Mateo Castañeda - 55/55 35 year old discovery from Guatemala - $28.8k over 4 years
RHP Juan de León - 1.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, -0.1 WAR (Res.) - Trade from Puebla

Flechas de León - 62-46, 2nd
Lost
2B Oziel Rojas - .304/.321/.398, 2.2 WAR - Signed by Mérida
RHP Enrique Cruz - 6.75 ERA, 2.48 WHIP, -0.2 WAR - Signed by San Luis

Signed
1B Mario Morales - .255/.406/.345, 0.2 WAR - $18.4k over 2 years, from Tampico

Aulladores de Mérida - 58-50, 5th
Lost
RF Edwin Esparza - .305/.374/.504, 5.3 WAR - Signed by Tampico
RHP Carlos Delgado - 2.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 2.9 WAR - Signed by Monterrey
2B Enrique Rangel - .267/.322/.339, 1.5 WAR - Signed by Guadalajara
RHP Andrés Villalta - 2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, -0.1 WAR - Signed by Monterrey

Signed
RF Manuel Vargas - .256/.392/.326, 3.8 WAR - $51k over 5 years, from Jaguares
C José Trujillo - .287/.402/.410, 3.1 WAR - $57k over 5 years, re-signed
RHP Francisco Barajas - 2.54 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 2.8 WAR - $24.3k over 3 years, re-signed
2B Oziel Rojas - .304/.321/.398, 2.2 WAR - $40.8k over 4 years, from León
RHP Felipe Nava - 1.53 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 1.4 WAR - $27.1k over 3 years, from Jaguares

Águilas de México - 42-66, 9th
Signed
1B Miguel Muñoz - .253/.337/.382, 0 WAR - Trade from Guadalajara

Jaguares de México - 71-37, 1st
Lost
RF Manuel Vargas - .256/.392/.326, 3.8 WAR - Signed by Mérida
RHP Felipe Nava - 1.53 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 1.4 WAR - Signed by Mérida

Signed
RHP Luis Aguilar - 2.04 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 1 WAR - Trade from Tampico
RF Juan Alcantur - .155/.231/.192, -0.8 WAR (Res.) - Trade from Puebla

Cardenales de Monterrey - 40-68, 10th
Lost
Manager Roberto Rodríguez - 148-176 after 3 years - Retired (374-394 lifetime with Guadalajara and Monterrey)
CF Walter Harrington - .267/.343/.348, 1.3 WAR - Traded to Guadalajara

Signed
Manager Juan Echeverría - Mérida Bench Coach (1940-44) - 5 year contract
RHP Carlos Delgado - 2.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 2.9 WAR - $51.7k over 5 years, from Mérida
RHP Joaquín Cuestas - 1.77 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 0.5 WAR - $7.2k over 2 years, from Guadalajara
RHP Andrés Villalta - 2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, -0.1 WAR - $4.3k for 1946, from Mérida
1B Jordán Hernández - .231/.350/.278, 3.8 WAR (Res.) - Trade from Guadalajara
RHP Ricardo Sánchez - 0.85 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 1.1 WAR (Res.) - Trade from Guadalajara

Serpientes de Puebla - 48-60, 7th
Lost
Manager Iván Moctezuma - 181-251 after 4 years - Fired
CF Alberto Campana - .258/.282/.404, 2.7 WAR - Signed by San Luis
RF David Arroyo - .274/.330/.416, 1.1 WAR - Traded to Guadalajara
2B Bruno Aguilar - .240/.269/.304, 0.4 WAR - Traded to San Luis
RHP Elías Hernández - 2.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 0 WAR - Traded to Guadalajara
RHP Juan de León - 1.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, -0.1 WAR (Res.) - Traded to Guadalajara
RF Juan Alcantur - .155/.231/.192, -0.8 WAR (Res.) - Traded to Jaguares

Signed
Manager Celestino de la Rosa - Former LF 1936-42, played for Puebla in 1939. 1937 Tlatoani. - 4 year contract
RHP Félix Alemán - 2.24 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 2.9 WAR - Trade from San Luis
RF David de la Rosa - .248/.315/.346, 1.8 WAR - Trade from Guadalajara
LF Jordán García - .269/.355/.389, 1.8 WAR - $24.9k over 3 years, from Tampico
SS Heraclio Rincón - .286/.311/.349, 1.7 WAR - $55.5k over 6 years, from Tampico

Tunas de San Luis - 61-47, 3rd
Lost
RHP Félix Alemán - 2.24 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 2.9 WAR - Traded to Puebla

Signed
CF Alberto Campana - .258/.282/.404, 2.7 WAR - $44k over 4 years, from Puebla
2B Bruno Aguilar - .240/.269/.304, 0.4 WAR - Trade from Puebla
RHP Enrique Cruz - 6.75 ERA, 2.48 WHIP, -0.2 WAR - $4k for 1946, from León

Jaibas de Tampico
Lost
Manager Félix Leyva - 376-356 after 7 years - Fired
LF Jordán García - .269/.355/.389, 1.8 WAR - Signed by Puebla
SS Heraclio Rincón - .286/.311/.349, 1.7 WAR - Signed by Puebla
RHP Luis Aguilar - 2.04 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 1 WAR - Traded to Jaguares
2B Sergio Ramírez - .307/.366/.387, 0.9 WAR - Signed by Guadalajara
1B Mario Morales - .255/.406/.345, 0.2 WAR - Signed by León

Signed
Manager Vicente Rivero - Guadalajara Bench Coach (1940-44), Mérida 1B Coach (1939) - 5 year contract
RF Edwin Esparza - .305/.374/.504, 5.3 WAR - $82.8k over 6 years, from Mérida
RHP Rafael Calderón - 20/50 16 year old discovery from El Salvador

Clubs by payroll (Difference from last year)
1. Jaguares - $140.3k (+24.1k)
2. San Luis - $138.7k (+7.1k)
3. Tampico - $135.2k (+16.3k)
4. León - $132.8k (-15.3k)
5. Mérida - $125.6k (+25.6k)
6. Puebla - $117.9k (+30.6k)
7. Águilas - $116k (NC)
8. Guadalajara - $114.8k (-1.8k)
9. Monterrey - $101.8k (+0.8k)
10. Aguascalientes - $93.1k (+13.5k)

Biggest earners
1. RF Edwin Esparza (TAM) - $13.8k
2. P Rich Faircloth (TAM) - $13.2k
3. C Miguel de León (AGU) - $12.6k
4. 1B Orlando Melara (TAM) - $12k
5. P Andrés Amaya (SNL) - $11.8k

[jasg224]

1946 Season Preview



León are favorites to win their second Ullamaliztli title after coming in second place last year. They're a solid team across all positions and the addition of 5x Teyaotlani 1B Mario Morales adds more punch to their lineup. Israel Álvarez is ready to lead their rotation for the second year in a row. Speaking of the rotation, this year will see the debut of #18 prospect Alejandro "Tepito" Hernández, who threw to a 1.24 ERA across 189 innings with Irapuato last year.

1944 Champions San Luis will be the closest competitors for the title with a very strong lineup. They might have downgraded offensively at 2B but the addition of 1940's best newcomer Alberto Campana brings more speed, power and defense to their lineup. Three-time Atlatl Roberto Mestre, now aged 34, will lead the Tunas rotation as he has since his age 24 season. The Tunas' rotation might be the weakest it's been since the league began 10 years ago, but they're still a very capable team.

Tampico are still chasing their first title, and they'll trust a mostly homegrown team to do so. They've brought outfielders José Contreras and Edwin Esparza from Mérida, with the latter being a 2x Tlatoani. They continue having the best rotation in the league with USA's John Nestle and Rich Faircloth at the helm. Will adding Esparza solve their run-production issue and aid their pitchers to a title?

The Cardinals were the last place team last year, but the experts predict them to have a rebound year for some reason. Their stars in C Guillermo Meraz and 2B César Loaiza will need to carry what looks like a pretty rough lineup. Raúl Romero is looking like a pretty good pitcher as he enters his prime. Romero was ranked as the 5th best starter in the league after a pretty solid 1945 season. We'll also see the debut of the 6th best prospect: LF Manuel Ramírez, despite the questions that arose after he hit .221/.284/.289 in the reserves last year.

Mérida look like underdogs once again after being predicted to come in right in the middle of the table. Losing key players, particularly Tlatoani Edwin Esparza seems to be the reason why they're classed as a mid-table team once again. Their lineup is still stacked with talent: C José Trujillo, 2B Oziel Rojas, 3B Carlos Renderos, LF Manuel Vargas and RF Héctor Ramírez are all top 2 players at their positions. Their rotation remains the same as last year, with Manuel Jiménez and his durability concerns leading the way for a rotation that's not the best but good enough to fight for a title. We'll also get to see a full season in the rotation out of Omar Huerta, who was the #4 prospect and pitched a 2.75 ERA in 16 relief appearances last year. #10 prospect José Barrios is also part of the pitching staff this year, though as a bullpen option as the Howlers are waiting to see how he develops his secondary pitches before giving him a stint in the rotation. #22 prospect Armando Cortés might also make his debut, once he recovers from a fractured hand he suffered in the final games of preparation.

Aguascalientes are also set to improve on last year's 8th place season, though them and Monterrey have done nothing to justify the expansion going into their 7th year in the league. A young core of CF Ricardo Santos (19), 3B Néstor Rentería (20) and former #5 prospect 2B Orlando Rosas (26) are raring to go alongside league legend Antonio Monterrosa, now covering the first base. Lefty Felipe Osorio will prove himself once again after being snubbed for the Atlatl award despite a 1.80 ERA and 1.21 WHIP last year, while a 37 year old Jacinto Santos will prove he still has some left in the tank after signing a 2-year deal with the Gophers. Aguascalientes are looking like an improved team, though still far from competitive.

It's a surprise to see the current champions ranked so far behind. Jaguares are predicted to have a losing season for the first time since 1942. They have the looks of a dynasty however, with Gabriel Barrón (now at 1B), 3B William Middleton, SS José Serrano, LF Antonio Cervantes RF Santiago González, and a rotation that includes Carlos Casillas, Pablo Hinojosa and Omar Sánchez, still considered the best of the best at their positions. If we take a look at their reserve, they also have the best 3 prospects, with P Ricky Repollet and Antonio Juárez ready to step up after 1.37 and 1.50 ERAs with Naucalpan last year. The Jaguars are still one of the best teams in the league, and they're hoping having the highest payroll will bring them another trophy.

The Águilas roster is looking pretty rough once again, will they ever have a winning season? They made no impact signings, but lefty David Guevara will make his debut out of the bullpen this year. The #4 prospect had a 2.09 ERA after 103.1 innings last year.

Rookie manager Celestino de la Rosa has his work cut out for him in Puebla. Their lineup looks solid after the additions of SS Heraclio Rincón, LF Jordán García, CF Manuel Escobedo and RF David de la Rosa. Their rotation looks pretty rough on the other hand, but the addition of Roberto Mestre's henchman Félix Alemán might give them a boost on that front.

Finally, Guadalajara seem to be ready to hit rock bottom, at least according to the experts. They took positive steps, signing CF Walter Harrington and Guatemalan newcomer 3B Mateo Castañeda. They might be better than they look at first glance, though you can't expect them to compete this year.



North of the border it seems like a tight affair, with Ft. Worth and San Diego looking like they're headed towards the first ever Desert Series. With the Desert League being more focused on power, with taller and stronger players than in Mexico, it will be a fantastic show for all those willing to pay a dollar-fifty. Owners are expecting crowds of around 10 thousand, just a tad bit bigger than Mexican crowds.

[jasg224]

April 1946 in The Ballgame!


Tampico are off to a hot start as the best performing team in the league! John Nestle (1.57 ERA), Rich Faircloth (0.90 ERA) and surprisingly Roy McAllister (1.80 ERA) have combined for a near perfect 10-0 record in 14 starts. Meanwhile, new signings Edwin Esparza and José Contreras have made an immediate impact, contributing 39 RBI this month from 2-3 in the lineup. The Crabs are looking like a totally new team and are early favorites for the title.

San Luis are hot on their tails though, leading the league in average and scoring 90 runs this month. Celestino Valadez (.356/.404/.471, 15 RBI), Ángel Ziranda (.339/.364/.629, 14 RBI), Alberto Campana (.261/.278/.500, 14 RBI) and Harold Montgomery (.333/.463/.455, 12 RBI) have been the main contributors. Pitching-wise, Roberto Mestre (1.83 ERA) is running it back and leading the 4th best rotation. Questions remain about the quality of their pitching, but they certainly do have enough to compete.

Aguascalientes is looking like a contender, though they're the opposite of San Luis. The 2nd best rotation includes Felipe Osorio (1.77 ERA), Jacinto Santos (1.34 ERA) and Alfonso Simental (2.39 ERA). Meanwhile, they're 8th in runs scored with only Antonio Monterrosa (.226/.258/.398, 13 RBI) cracking double digits for runs produced. This should improve once their young hitters adapt to the highest level of pitching, but will they do it in time to keep on competing?

The mid-table looks to be tight, with the predict bottom dwellers of Águilas and Guadalajara the only ones not in on the race.

Hitter of the Month


As mentioned above, RF Edwin Esparza has made a huge impact on the Tampico lineup. He's hitting .376/.427/.645, with 7 doubles, 3 triples, and 4 homers for 24 runs driven in. The 32 year old is an early favorite to earn his 3rd consecutive Tlatoani Award.

Pitcher of the Month


The Blue Crabs take home both awards with lefty Rich Faircloth being named the best pitcher in April. Faircloth has a 4-0 record, 0.90 ERA, 0.80 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and only 7 walks this month. This includes 2 shutouts so far, while the Californian has yet to allow a home run. Will he earn the Atlatl award ahead of teammate John Nestle?
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(Showing off some fresh new logos by 20_range, the rest were taken from the cephasjames pack.)

El Paso are running things in the East, mostly due to some nice pitching. Bill Pergola (0.00 ERA), Steve Ziegler (1.41 ERA) and Mike Castillo (2.23 ERA) make up the core of the 3rd best rotation so far. Offensively they are lacking consistency, with only a +8 run differential. 2B Mike Rickel (.289/.341/.368, 13 RBI) and C Robert Delgado (.306/.403/.419, 10 RBI) have been the standouts.

Houston are also fighting for a spot in the Desert Series, just 3 games back despite a better performance on paper. They have the best rotation in the league, with Colby Orman (1.06 ERA), Joel Coleman (1.24 ERA) and Trey Pfeiffer (2.70 ERA) leading the way. The Longhorns also lead the league in OPS, and are 4th in runs scored. Jon Durbin (.288/.354/.479, 12 RBI), Ryan Daubenspeck (.353/.439/.485, 11 RBI) and Chris McReynolds (.274/.295/.393, 10 RBI) have been the biggest contributors.

The West is ruled by the Condors, who own the 2nd best offense in the league. Aaron Gannon (.265/.341/.338, 13 RBI), Bobby Taylor (.262/.387/.410, 13 RBI) and Jason White (.302/.318/.397, 10 RBI) have been positive surprises in their lineup. Their rotation is just about average, but having Salvatore Rossi (2.17 ERA) would make any team better.

The Roadrunners are in the opposite situation. They're the 2nd best rotation thanks to performances by Mark Ummel (1.04 ERA) and Josh Borek (1.59 ERA), making up for an average lineup. Rich Maxwell (.264/.321/.333, 12 RBI) is the only player with double digit RBIs.

Hitter of the Month


Dallas LF Bill Soffa was the best hitter in April, slashing .343/.412/.571 with 11 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer and 11 RBI. The young outfielder has shown great defense as well, and is now leading the way for the PotS award.

Pitcher of the month


El Paso's Ziegler is 3-0 after 4 starts, including a shutout. The Californian has compiled a 1.41 ERA, 1.28 WHIP with 13 strikeouts to 10 walks. Competition for the Pitcher of the Season award is tough, but Ziegler's name is definitely in the hat.
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Tight races, old stars and rising stars showing they have what it takes, it's been an exciting month and a nice debut for the Desert League! We'll have two champions in August, but let's enjoy the ride as well. Thanks for reading!

[jasg224]

May 1946 Report


Tampico hold onto first place, expanding their lead by 2 games and a half after a 15-10 May. Rich Faircloth had an amazing month, allowing just 4 runs in 5 games, including one complete game shutout. His 0.89 ERA made him the pitcher of the month! Their best hitter this month was RF Edwin Esparza, slashing .320/.361/.530, driving in 13 runs on 14 extra base hits. With two months remaining, do they have what it takes to take full control and secure their first title?

Despite a 12-12 month, San Luis remain in hot pursuit thanks in big part to Roberto Mestre having his best season since the league expanded. The 3-time Atlatl had a 5-run game against Tampico, but allowed just 3 runs otherwise, including 2 shutouts in 5 starts. Their hitting struggled a bit, but 2B Celestino Valadez led the charge with a .308/.351/.413 slash and 13 runs driven in on 7 doubles and 2 triples. Getting more consistent on the run-scoring will make them the team to beat, specially if Mestre is on the mound.

Aguascalientes dropped out of the race, but a 13-10 May makes León the dark horse contenders with the 4th best rotation and OPS. A 37 year old Leovigildo Esparza was their best pitcher this month, winning 3 games, one of which was a complete game shutout. He allowed 6 runs in his last 2 starts to take his month ERA to 1.49. 1B Mario Morales was one of the best hitters in the league this month, with a .317/.441/.524 line, 5 doubles, 6 triples and 17 runs driven in. It may be too late for them, but perhaps a nice little streak could push them into the top 2.

Pitcher of the Month


Once again, Rich Faircloth wins the Pitcher award! His 4th season in Mexico is turning out to be his best, with a 6-0 record and a 0.90 ERA after 10 starts. Just 13 walks to 49 strikeouts are contributing to a league leading 0.85 WHIP.

Hitter of the Month


Mérida 1B Héctor Ramírez was the best hitter in May, with a .352/.443/.637 slash. He led the league with 24 RBI after 4 doubles, 2 triples and 6 homers. Esparza, Morales, Ramírez and Melara will be fighting it out for the Tlatoani award.
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El Paso have gotten one more game on Houston despite losing their series against them. Mike Castillo had a great month and is now on a 4 game win streak. The last of his starts was a complete game shutout. Zorro had a 1.18 ERA this month. LF Jacob Brace was the best one in the lineup, hitting .328/.435/.403, with 2 doubles and a homer for 14 runs produced.

Out West the Condors have a strong lead now, after a 17-7 May. They now hold an impressive 19-6 record on the road. Their Italian ace had a nice month despite a loss, including one complete game shutout. Rossi held a 1.38 ERA and 0.92 WHIP after 5 starts. The best offense keeps on producing, and CF Mark Freeman was the most productive. He hit .330/.427/.564, 5 doubles, a triple and 5 homers make 15 runs produced this month. He was also creating runs on the basepath with 8 stolen bases.

Everything points to a "Scavenger Series" between the Coyotes and Condors for the first ever Championship!

Pitcher of the Month


The Roadrunners are the West division's closest competitors (if you can call them that), and pitcher Josh Borek has been amongst their best players. In 6 starts this month, the Lufkin native has won 5 and lost 1, including a complete game shutout in a 1-0 win against Fort Worth. Borek pitched his way to a 1.47 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 18 walks to 18 Ks.

Hitter of the Month


The previously mentioned Freeman was the league's most decisive hitter this past May. He raised his game after a pretty mid April, and is now slashing .288/.402/.448 on the season with 7 doubles, 2 triples and 5 homers (all hit this month) for 20 RBI. He's currently second in HR (5) and SB (16).

[jasg224]

June 1946 Report


Tampico barely hold on to first place after their worst month to date. Their pitching was great, and the Jaibas remain as the best rotation in the league. John Nestle pitched his way to a 1.22 ERA in 6 starts this month, striking out 28 while walking only 12. He's still competing with fellow US-born pitcher Rich Faircloth for the 1946 Atlatl Award. Their offense led them down, particularly with getting on base, leading to 7 of their 12 losses this month being by 2 runs or less. RF Edwin Esparza was their most productive player, driving in 19 runs despite slashing just .232/.295/.368. They'll be hoping for a nice recovery in July and finally get their first title.

On the other hand, León picked up the pace with 15 wins in June and are now just two and a half games back. A 37 year old Leovigildo Esparza is looking like a dark horse for the Atlatl, with a 2.06 ERA and 0.96 WHIP this month. Young LF Marcos Olivares had a productive month with a .327/.380/.449 line, driving in 18 runs on 9 doubles and a homer. 1B Mario Morales was also a top producer, slashing .316/.417/.443, with 4 doubles and 2 homers for 12 RBI. If they're able to keep the pace and with Tampico slipping, they have a serious shot at a second title.

Quietly, the Jaguars have also become a contender. They were the hottest team in June, finishing with an 18-8 record, including an 8-game winning streak in the middle of the month and a sweep of Tampico. All their pitchers held an ERA below 2.4, with 4 of them having 2 or less. Lefty Pablo Hinojosa had the lowest of the bunch with a 1.43, striking out 15 and walking just 6 in 5 starts. They've quietly become the best offense in Mexico, and LF Antonio Cervantes played a big part this month. He hit .281/.320/.385, but more importantly drove in 20 runs after 7 doubles and a homer. 1B "Tablazo" Barrón was great out of the 3 spot, with a .311/.379/.359 line, doubling twice and homering once for 12 RBI. It was a fantastic month for the capital club, and their momentum could power them to a third title.

Pitcher of the Month


Salvadoran Juan González is having his best season since he won the 1941 Atlatl. This month he was the league's best starter, with a 3-0 record, 1.55 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 24 K to 13 walks and a 1.6 WPA. It might be too late for Mérida to get in the fight, but at least a handful of their players will be in the awards conversations come the end of the season.

Hitter of the Month


León wouldn't find themselves in 2nd place if they didn't have 1B Mario Morales hitting this month. In his return to León, 6 years later, he's looking like a favorite to collect his 6th Teyaotlani award and perhaps his first Tlatoani. Morales hit .316/.417/.443 with 4 doubles, 2 homers and 12 RBI for a 0.91 WPA. Another hot month from Morales in July will definitely increase the Arrows' chances at winning it all.
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Things are warming up in the east with 5 series remaining and all teams but San Antonio still in the race. The Coyotes' past form allows them to remain in first for now, but a terrible 8-12 month allowed their rivals to creep closer. Their bats have cooled off, and El Paso is now the 2nd worst offense in the league, being carried by the 2nd best defense. Their rotation was helped by the players behind them, also dropping off into 4th place. Former Aguascalientes pitcher Amadeo Velázquez was their best starter in June, with a 2-2 record and a complete game shutout against Phoenix this month. The 32 year old Mexican had a 3.13 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, he struck out 10 and walked 8 through 31.2 innings. While their lineup might have struggled to produce, 2B Mike Rickel held his own, slashing .293/.346/.427. The 26 year old from Sacramento doubled 7 times and homered once, producing 11 runs. The Coyotes need to get howling again, before the Longhorns steal their spot in the Desert Series.

Speaking of the Longhorns, they're the 3rd best rotation and 2nd best offense so far. If they had a bit more luck, perhaps their record in one-run games wouldn't be 11-11 and they'd be safely in 1st place. But that isn't the case, and a very talented squad will have to treat every game remaining as if it were the playoffs if they want to reach the actual Desert Series. Young Colby Orman is certainly pulling his weight; despite a 2-2 record, the pitcher from San Diego owns a 1.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 21 strikeouts and 14 walks after 42 innings in June. Orman and co. are getting run support from the likes of LF Mike Mullally, who's hitting .273/.390/.364 and drove in 15 runs on a double, two triples and a homer. If a couple of those games go their way, Houston could find themselves playing Los Angeles for the first championship.

Dallas are also amongst the top teams in the league, with the best rotation and 3rd best offensive production. The "Great Dane" had a 5-0 record after 6 starts this month, pitching 2 complete game shutouts and allowing 3 runs or less in all of his other starts. Sorensen was a workhorse, with a 1.58 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 23 strikeouts and 11 walks in 51.1 innings this month. Meanwhile, players like 1B Franklin Reyes make the Mustangs lineup a very solid one. Reyes hit .333/.476/.457 this month, doubling four times and going yard twice for 11 runs driven in. Despite a slow start, the Mustangs are now in a full gallop and will try to make it a photo finish come the end of the regular season.

Finally, the Horned Frogs are the third hottest team in the league, behind Dallas and Los Angeles. Performances from the likes of Jason Batchelder (3-1, 1.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 18 K, 16 BB this month) and 3B Jose Garcia (.398/.456/.645, 8 2B, 5 HR, 24 RBI this month) saw them rise from a .463 to a .540 winning percentage in just a month. Tough series against Albuquerque, El Paso, Los Angeles and Dallas remain as the East Division regular season reaches its conclusion.



The dust has settled in the West, and it is as clear as ever that the Los Angeles Condors will participate in the 1946 Desert Series. The're even looking like favorites to win it all, with the best rotation and the best offense in the league. Italian-USA pitcher Salvatore Rossi had a 4-1 record in June, including a complete game shutout, three one-run games and one two-run game. His 1.09 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, with 12 Ks and just 6 walks make him one of the best pitchers in the league this month, and he's in serious contention for the season pitching award. On the other side of the ball, SS Jack O'Reilly added a whole 1.09 Win Probability to his team, hitting .299/.413/.460 with 9 doubles, a triple, a homer and 12 runs driven in. At this point, the Los Angeles Condors are looking at ending up with a Desert Series and awards sweep.

Pitcher of the Month


If there's anyone keeping Albuquerque from being mathematically eliminated, it's Mark Ummel. The native Texan won all 5 of his starts this month, shutting out Phoenix and San Antonio on the road. Ummel allowed 2 runs or less in all of his starts this month, leaving him with a 1.09 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in June. Despite walking 13 batters, Mark also struck out 15 and remained effective, putting up a 1.7 WPA this month.

Hitter of the Month


The Horned Frogs' hot month coincided with 3B Jose Garcia's hot month. After 37 hits in 93 tries, 8 of them doubles and 5 of them going over the wall, Garcia's line for June is an outstanding .398/.456/.645 with 24 RBI. The McAllen native is leading the league in RBI with 44 but still has a ways to go to be in the MVP conversation.