American Baseball Association.

[gehrig38]

• OFF SEASON NEWS
• Oklahoma fired GM Daisuke Yama****a and Manager Joe Maddon.
• Milwaukee fired Manager Joe Girardi
• St Louis fired GM Steve Phillips

• CASEY STENGEL AWARDS
• Ohio's Don Mattingly and Pittsburgh's Rafael Rayes took home this years Manager of the year awards. It was Mattingly's 2nd and Reyes 4th. Reyes won in 1995, 96 and 97 and has managed Pittsburgh to the postseason EVERY single year since taking over in 1994.

• SALARY ARBITRATION
• Luis Balderas asked 517 offered 450 Club won
• Leith Bursey asked 4 million offered 3.52 million Player won
• Shinji Kaneshiro asked 1.135 million offered 1 million Player won
• Joe Ballard asked 305K offered 240K Club won
• Tyrese Umoh asked 279K offered 220K Player won
• Sergio Coronado asked 449K offered 410K Player won
• Jeremy Makowski asked 437K offered 370K Club won
• Steve Cooke asked 1.5 million offered 1.26 million Club won
• Davon Legion asked 675K offered 550K Club won
• DJ Adams asked 265K offered 220K Club won

FLORIDA SENDS FLORES TO AUSTIN
The Florida Tarpons have traded veteran 2B Juan Flores to the Austin Colts in exchange for 23 year old OF prospect Eric Ferrell and the Colts 2012 3rd round draft choice. Sources have confirmed this move as purely 'financial' as GM Gehrig Schilling has been ordered to cut the Tarpons payroll from 52+ million, downward. No word on how far or what that means but rumors have them shopping Catcher Giobbe Funicello as well.

GM'S OFFICE
It's all about the $$. Our payroll is out of control and the owner has said no more. Our unexpectedly short playoff run left a hole in the bottom line this year and we are going to have to fix that. This move hurt less than many think as 2B Dan McMullen is ready to step in right now and assume the every day 2B job. The only 'issue' being McMullen is a “one trick pony” on defense, being a 2B and 2B only. He's a player though and will fit in nicely. 5 years of club control left and room to grow offensively.
Ferrell is an RH hitting corner outfielder who will absolutely be in the mix for a job. He's headed to AA Clovis to start the 2012 season. A power hitter with good plate discipline and a cannon of an arm.

[gehrig38]

SAN ANTONIO PAYS UP, GROH HEADED “SOUTH” FOR 33.6 MILLION
The San Antonio Broncos have snagged the prized bat on this year's free agent market signing former Oklahoma OF Dave Grohs to six years 33.62 million dollar deal. Year 6 is a 6.2 million dollar player option. The 27-year-old is coming off back to back all-star seasons as well as a 2010 2nd place finish in the Hank Aaron Award voting. He's a career .292/.365/.483 hitter with 140 home runs and 438 RBI's in 741 games, all spent with the Drillers.

BLOCKBUSTER! MANZER, ZASKO SWAP CLUBS
The Denver Saints have sent star SS Kinnon Zasko to the Los Angeles Storm for former Rookie of the Year, and ten times all-star 1B Dave Manzer, as well as the ABA's 21st, ranked prospect in pitcher Dan Belcher.
Zasko is considered by many to be the top all-around defensive SS in the game and is coming off a career-best .291/.382/.477 season with 37 2B 21 HR 80 RBI in 154 games. He's due 4.24 million this year and is a free agent to be following the 2012 season.
Manzer, the ABA's 2000 Jackie Robinson Award winner, is coming off another outstanding season at the plate that saw him hit .299/.389/.543 with 36 2B 35 HR 108 RBI's in 157 games. He has two seasons remaining on his four year 13.3 million dollar contract with a 3rd season that vests at 135 GP in 2013.
Belcher was the 18th overall pick by LA in 2010 and was rated the ABA's 21st ranked prospect before the 2011 season.

LAS VEGAS GAMBLES ON RONE
The Las Vegas Aces have signed 2011 World Series star Bobby Rone to a seven-year 34.9 million dollar deal. The 29-year-old finished 3rd in Koufax voting this year after winning 22 games for the 2nd straight year. He is 101-39 3.84 in his career and has won fewer than 19 games just once (16 in 2008) in the past five seasons.

DETROIT LAYS OUT 47.8 MILLION TO SIGN 3
Former San Antonio OF Doug Schneider has agreed to terms on a five year 17.8 million dollar deal with the Detroit Phantom. The 33-year-old is a career .308/.360.457 hitter with 149 HR in 1336 games. He's a two-time gold glove winner, three-time all-star and has won a silver slugger.
Three-time All-Star and 20 game winner in 2011 Eric Kowalske has agreed to terms on a 4 year 14.72 million dollar deal with the Phantom today. The 34-year-old is coming off a career-best 20-5 3.38 season that ended abruptly in October when the righty underwent rotator cuff surgery. Some scouts were apoplectic at the signing of a guy at his age with a completely uncertain future.
The Phantom the round out their day announcing the signing of former Texas C Kennan McGaughey to a four year 16.2 million dollar free agent contract. He's a career .293/.344/.478 hitter with 105 2B 99 HR in 627 games. He was the 2010 Gold Glove winner in the NL for catchers. A 3 time all star and 2-time silver slugger winner.

SIGNINGS
Former Chicago hurler Zaire Nibbs signed a five year 16.4 million dollar contract with Pittsburgh. He's 67-58 4.75 in his career.

FLORIDA SNAGS MOLINA
The Florida Tarpon today announced the signing of 29-year-old catcher Luis Molina to a four year 12.5 million dollar contract. The right-handed hitter out of Santo Domingo is considered by many to have a 40 home run bat, and in addition to being an above average defender, he has a reputation as an outstanding teammate and a leader on and off the field.

GM'S OFFICE
Not sure I expected to make any headlines like this. This came together due to his desire to A) play here and B) Accept far less than he was letting on. This does 'tip' my hand though as it means we must now move Funicello's contract, at a minimum. The winter meetings are in 3 days. My 38 man roster is full, but I will make some moves to change that and at the same time pare down payroll.

On that note, I have two players, Ismael Saldana and Giobbe Funicello that I can get almost zero interest in right now. I would love to move both and would do so for minor league talent, but I can't get even a bite

FLORIDA DEALS MCCULLEN
The Florida Tarpons today announced they had dealt 25-year-old 2B Dan McCullen to the Buffalo Nickels in exchange for 2010 #1 overall draft choice RHP Zach Monlux and the Nickels 3rd round draft choice in 2012.
Teams were stunned at the move given that Florida had just dealt veteran 2B Jose Flores and announced that McCullen would be their everyday 2B going forward.
Apparently, there were inside conversations and former MVP Guillermo Cortezo has agreed to move to 2B while newcomer Bob Wild will take over at 1B.

GM'S OFFICE
I have some major roster shuffling needing to be done. Wild has 50+ homer pop and a .450+ OBP approach. He's a liability at 1B for sure but also a switch hitter who destroys pitching from both sides. The move also allows for the possibility of moving JD Adams, DH'ing Wild and going younger at 2B with a prospect.
Monlux was the top pick in 2010 and entered last season as the games #3 ranked prospect. He got a taste of the big leagues last year but will go to Alamogordo and start all year there. He's a top of the rotation power arm with all the makeup to be a true #1.

SAN ANTONIO LANDS JAPANESE STAR
Kuniaki Fujiwara has agreed to terms with the San Antonio Broncos on a 5 year 24 million dollar free agent contract. The 30 year old righty will help bolster a Broncos rotation that under performed last year. He will also bring a hoarde of over 50 japanese media members on the road with him as every start will be a television event in Japan.

[gehrig38]

OFF SEASON SUMMARY


Some wildly active and inactive teams this winter.

WBC RESULTS



The USA defeats Puerto Rico while Japan's LF and Florida Tarpon Makata Hayashi takes home WBC tournament MVP

[gehrig38]

STANDINGS LEADERS


TARPONS
Ben Chase will start the season on the DL. He pulled up lame late in camp and will miss the seasons first two weeks.
Yasushi Sugihara will begin the season on the DL as well, but won't miss a turn as he'll be activated for his start on the 7th.

[gehrig38]

2012 Top 10 prospects





By far the lowest I've been in a few years. If you notice the organizations top prospects you'll note a very heavy dose of 2nd round picks littered throughout.
To that end in this years draft I am picking 21st, (23 1st round picks and 18 supplemental to date) 43rd, 50th, 66th, 74th, 75th in the first 3 rounds and then no picks until the 7th. This will be a very big draft in terms of adding some depth to the minors and talent pool.



The more things change the more they stay the same. The only thing I look at, that truly stuns me, is the AL West. Wow
Detroit worked their butts off this winter and the experts think it made a difference clearly.
Kody Pollock the only player to have a great year? I beg to differ



Another Pittsburgh, Washington NL EAST with no one even a close third?
Looks like a great year for the NL Central and the West is handed to LA?

FUNICELLO WAIVED BY FLORIDA
Veteran catcher Giobbe Funicello has been waived by the Florida Tarpons and will be DFA if he clears waivers said Tarpon GM Gehrig Schilling.
“Anyone that knows me knows how hard this was. Giobbe has been nothing but class and we've benefited immensely from his leadership and presence. Playing the game at this level is about winning, and our fans deserve our commitment to that end. Giobbe and I have talked and I have made it clear if there is a situation that presents itself I will move him immediately. That has not happened as of today. We've also made it clear to him that we want him to remain in this organization for life if he is open to that. He does not believe his days in uniform are over, and we will honor that.

GM'S OFFICE
There is an immense amount of turmoil right now. Mr Medina was staunchly opposed to this move to the point we haven't spoken in days. I got a quick voice mail today stating “You know the goal, win it all this year”, and that was it, he hung up.....
There are 106 players on waivers opening day. There are some of interest but as you look at the roster breakdown there are no open spots. The ABA roster is deep and young (I have just TWO players 30 or older and the 2 are both 30!).
Payroll is the major issue. There are some major differences between the GM's office and ownership as to how to proceed with the Funicello incident clearly causing some major issues. It does feel like something that could present a problem moving forward. It's the first time Mr Medina has actually interfered or “meddled” and it's not a good thing. It is his team, he can ask for whatever he wants but his #1 goal is a another world championship and every move I make is to get closer to exactly that.
If this continues there may be a larger discussion to be had.....

[gehrig38]

Name, age, how acquired (salary Year = signed through, no year = less than 5 years service

STARTING ROTATION
1) Luis Samvdio RHP (29) FA signing 2006 (3.5M '12)
2) Kody Pollock LHP (28) Trade with Las Vegas 2006 (2.85M '15)
3) Chad Willoughby RHP (30) Trade with Las Vegas 2006 (2.6M '16)
4) Sergio Coronado LHP (27) Trade with Alaska 2010 (449K)
5) Yasushi Sugihara RHP (27) Trade with Ohio 2008 (3.0M '16)

BULLPEN
RP – Luis Balderas RHP (27) Trade with Oklahoma 2008 (450K)
RP – Shinji Kaneshiro RHP (24) Trade with Buffalo 2011 (1.135M)
RP – Steve Cooke RHP (27) Trade with Texas 2009 (1.26M '12)
RP – Tsunesuke Tamada LHP (26) Trade with Buffalo (1.385M '16)
RP – Joe Ballard RHP (26) Trade with Austin 2010 (240K)
CL – Brad Turner LHP (30) Trade with Minnesota 2005 (2.2M '15)

POSITION PLAYERS
Catcher – Luis Molina RH (29) FA signing 2011 (3.125M)
Catcher – Jeremy Makowski RH (28) Trade with New England 2008 (370K)
1B – Bob Wild SH (= vs Both) (25) Trade with Pittsburgh 2011 (MIN)
1B 3B – Yuusei Nakamura RH (25) Rule 5 from San Diego 2010 (MIN)
1B 2B – Guiomar Cortezo RH (31) Trade with Los Angeles 2007 (4.17M '16)
SS 2B – Kennan Hallamore RH (25) Trade wit San Diego 2008 (3.55M '15)
IF CF RF – Davon Legion RH (28) Trade with Chicago 2009 (550K)
3B SS – Danny Sharp RH (25) 2nd pick (59th) 2008 Draft (MIN)
LF RF – Andy Elizondo RH (25) 1st pick (15th) 2008 Draft (MIN)
1B LF – Ismael Saldana LH (28) 1st pick (1st) 2006 Draft (3.2M '13)
CF – Leith Bursey SH (+ vs RHP) (25) Trade with Texas 2009 (4M '12)
LF CF RF – Talbot Linseman SH (++ vs RHP) (22) Trade with Pittsburgh 2010 (MIN)
RF LF – Makata Hayashi LH (27) FA signing 2006 (3.8M '15)
DH - D.J. Adams SH (+ vs LHP but still great vs RHP) (27) Rule 5 Draft choice from Oklahoma 2008 (220K)

TOP PROSPECTS

ABA RANK/ORGANIZATION RANK
6/1 Gregorio Figueroa 2B SS 3B RH (18) Int FA Signing 2009 Rio Rancho
96/2 Arturo Flores RH SP (25) Trade with Pittsburgh 2009 (7-6 3.67 AAA) Alamogordo
103/3 Tim Grimes C LH (24) Trade with Kansas City 2011 (.327-35-104 AA / .385-2-14 AAA) Alamogordo
107/4 Josh Thompson RH SP (25) 2nd round pick (53) 2008 (20-2 3.58 Pitcher of the year AAA) Alamogordo
112/5 Luis Cardenas 1B (20) Trade with Buffalo 2011 (.293-7-32 34 G R / .336-5-27 SA) Hobbs (SA)
133/6 Keizo Sato RH SP (21) Minor league FA signing 2009 (11-4 10 Saves 4.65 A, AA, AAA) Clovis
142/7 Sergio Rivera RF LH (19) International FA signing 2009 (.295-5-32 65 G R) Hobbs
144/8 Bobby Hill RH SP (21) 2nd round pick (59) 2010 (0-5 11 Saves 9.22 R) Rio Rancho
163/9 Alfredo Luquin IF RH (17) International FA signing 2011 Rio Rancho
168/10 Danny Sharp 3B SS 2B RH (25) 2nd round pick (59) 2008 (.334-6-79 AAA) Florida
180/11 Joel King RH SP (20) 2nd round pick (59) 2011 (2-3 4.56 R) Rio Rancho
194/12 TJ Gaskill RH SP (23) Trade with LA 2011 (15-3 4.04 AA) Alamogordo
195/13 Tetsuya Kanda RH SP (20) Scouting Discovery 2008 Japan (8-2 3.30 R/SA) Hobbs

Our AAA roster is stacked. A ton of prospects with an insane starting rotation.

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 3 @ Brooklyn 3-0
• 3 vs Detroit 1-2
• 1 @ Alaska 1-0

RESULTS
Opening day lineup
1) Cortezo 2B
2) Hallamore SS
3) Bursey CF
4) Molina C
5) Wild 1B
6) Hayashi RF
7) Nakamura 3B
8) Adams DH
9) Saldana LF
Samvdio SP

• 4/2: Florida 22 Brooklyn 2
• W – Samvdio (1-0) L – Kimura (0-1)
• HR – FLA-Linseman (1)
• POTG – Cortezo 4-7 3 2B (ties club record) 3 R 4 RBI
• Samvdio 6 IP 6 H 1 ER 3 K Wild 3-6 2 R 3 RBI Hayashi 3-6 2B 3 R 2 RBI Adams 3-5 2B 2 R 3 RBI Saldana 3-3 2B 2 R 2 RBI
• Wow. 22 runs on 21 hits in the season opener. Oh and as expected Hallmore Error (1)

• San Antonio's big FA signing from Japan, Kuniaki Fujiwara kicked his ABA career off in style, striking out 7 in a 5 hit shutout of Austin 4-0.

• 4/3: Florida 6 Brooklyn 4
• W – Pollock (1-0) L – Sakai (0-1) S – Turner (1)
• HR FLA-Saldana (1) Bursey (1) Nakamura (1) BRK-Santana (1) Schneider (1)
• POTG – Pollock 8 IP 4 H 3 ER 3 BB 5 K

• Luis Flores (NY) struck out 10 and scattered 7 hits in the Punishers 6-0 win over Las Vegas.
• Pittsburgh snagged Closer Jon Carruth with a 1 year 1.6 million dollar deal.

• 4/4: Florida 7 Brooklyn 2
• W – Willoughby (1-0) L – Kikuchi (0-1) S – Balderas (1)
• HR – FLA-Hayashi (1) Bursey (2)
• POTG – Willoughby 5.1 IP 7 H 1 ER 2 BB 5 K Molina 3-4 R

• 4/5: Florida 9 Detroit 2
• W – Coronado (1-0) L – Kerr (0-1)
• HR FLA-Adams (1)
• POTG – Coronado 7 IP 7 H 2 ER 1 BB 10 K

• 4/6: Detroit 7 Florida 5
• W – Southorn (1-0) L – Yamada (0-1) S – Ross (1)
• HR DET-Foster (1) Schneider (1) FLA-Bursey 2 (4) Wild (1)
• POTG – Bursey 3-4 BB 2 HR 2 R 2 RBI (9)
• Yamada L 0.0 IP 1 H 1 R 0 ER Ballard 1.1 IP 4 H 3 BB 3 ER

• 4/7: Detroit 12 Florida 4
• W – Ortga (2-0) L – Samvdio (1-1)
• HR DET-Foster (2) FLA- Molina (1) Adams (2) Bursey (5)
• POTG – Fuchigami 2-3 BB 2B (3) 3B (1) 3 R 3 RBI (5)
• Bursey 2-4 HR (5) RBI (10) Samvdio 6.2 IP 13 H 9 ER 4 BB
• Ortga CG 9 H 4 ER 9 K

• Dave Haynes (NY) beat Memphis 1-0 scattering 8 hits and striking out 3. (1-0 1.00)
• Nate Aucoin (DET) extended his hitting streak to 25 games with a last at bat 1B in the 8th of a 10-4 win over Brooklyn.
• Man-Keung Yuen (PIT) struck out 9 and walked none in a 5-0 win over Buffalo. (1-0 2.57)
• The minor league seasons begin tomorrow.

• 4/8: Florida 3 Alaska 2 (14)
• W – Ballard (1-0) L – Gilbert (0-1) S – Turner (2)
• HR FLA-Cortezo (1) Hayashi (2) Wild (2) ALK-Newbury (2)
• POTG – Pollock 7 IP 5 H 0 ER 3 K
• 'Pen 7 IP 2 H 10 K 1 ER Hayashi, Cortezo back to back solo homers in the 14th. Turner 2 appearances 2 HR. Cortezo 3-7 2B (5) HR (1) RBI (9) Hallamore 3-6 CS (1) Error (2)
• Meah ND 7.1 IP 6 H 1 ER 3 BB 11 K

• AL POTW – Chris Price (MIN) 12-22 2 HR 8 RBI (how did Bursey NOT win this (.324-5-10)!
• NL POTW – Mike Futrell (PIT) 11-27 4 HR 10 RBI

• RECORD: 5-2
• STANDINGS: t-1st
• RUNS SCORED: 56 1st
• RUNS AGAINST: 31 8th
• DEFENSE: .658 9th
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Washington
2. Los Angeles
3. Las Vegas
4. Florida
5. San Francisco

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 2 @ Alaska 2-0
• 3 vs Milwaukee 2-1
• OFF DAY
• 1 @ Phoenix 1-0

RESULTS

• 4/9: Florida 7 Alaska 0
• W – Willoughby (2-0 0.67) L – Berg (1-1 6.00)
• HR FLA-Cortezo (2)
• POTG Willoughby 8 IP 8 H 2 BB 7 K
• Ben Chase comes off the DL after tomorrows game.

• 4/10: Florida 12 Alaska 3
• W – Coronado (2-0 2.81) L – Faulkner (0-1 15.75)
• HR FLA-Saldana (2) ALK-Trouve (1)
• POTG – Bursey 5-5 2 2B (3) R RBI (11)
• Hallamore 3-5 BB 3B (4) 4 R 4 RBI (8)
• Coronado CG 7 H 3 ER 0 BB 4 K

• Tim Kerr (DET) tossed a 3-hitter to beat Brooklyn 5-0. (1-1 2.57)

• 4/11: Florida 7 Milwaukee 2
• W – Sugihara (1-0 3.55) L – Stanfield (1-1 4.50) S – Cooke (1)
• HR MIL-Barrios (3) FLA-Wild (3)
• POTG – Cortezo 3-4 2B (6) HBP 3 R 2 RBI (14)
• Sugihara 6.2 IP 4 H 2 ER 4 BB 9 K came out in the 7th with an undiagnosed arm issue.

• 4/12: Milwaukee 14 Florida 6
• W – J Mendoza (1-1 4.91) L – Samvdio (1-2 9.33)
• HR MIL-Zaidel (1) Barrios (4) FLA-Molina (2)
• POTG Zaidel 2-4 2B (2) HR (1) 3 R 3 RBI
• Samvdio 5.2 IP 9 H 3 BB 9 ER (12.1 IP 22 H 18 ER last 2 starts)

• BAD LOSS ENDS DISASTROUS DAY IN FLORIDA
• News was grim out of the Tarpon clubhouse following their 14-6 defeat at the hands of the Milwaukee Hawks. In addition to the loss the club learned 27 year old RHP Yasushi Sugihara would require season ending surgery after it was learned he'd torn his rotator cuff during his start Wednesday. Doctors said he'd likely miss “at a minimum 13-14 months, possibly more”. The club recalled LH reliever Tyson Umroh and said righty Luis Balderas would take Sugihara's spot in the rotation.

• Chicago's RJ Stanton punched out 17 in the Hitmen's 13-4 pasting of Ohio. He's 3-0 2.10 and leads the AL in K's with 37 through his 1st three games.

• 4/13: Florida 3 Milwaukee 2 (10)
• W – Turner (1-0) L – Keels (1-3)
• HR FLA-Linseman (2)
• POTG – S Moya ND 8 IP 6 H 2 ER 1 BB 5 K

4/14: OFF DAY

• 4/15: Florida 6 Phoenix 4
• W – Willoughby (3-0 2.21) L – Poliskin (1-2 6.14) S – Turner (3)
• HR PHX-Fuller (4*)
• POTG – Willoughby 7 IP 4 H 4 ER 4 BB 6 K

• Tousei Sato (LV) struck out 9 in beating St Louis 3-0. He's 2-1 2.52 on the year

• AL POTW – Tomohide Shimisaki (CHI) 9-22 6 HR 10 RBI (.264-6-12)
• NL POTW – Chris Grove (POR) 12-24 3 HR 9 RBI (.353-3-12)

• AA Tim Hillje 15-30 3 HR 12 RBI

• RECORD: 5-1 (10-3)
• STANDINGS: 1st +1
• RUNS SCORED: 97 1st
• RUNS AGAINST: 56 5th
• DEFENSE: .678 5th
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Washington
2. Florida
3. Chicago
4. Jacksonville
5. Detroit

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 2 @ Phoenix 1-1
• 3 vs Chicago 0-3
• 2 @ New York 2-0

RESULTS

• 4/16: Florida 5 Phoenix 3
• W – Coronado (3-0 2.63) L – Janzen (2-1 4.13) S – Turner (4)
• HR FLA-Saldana (3) PHX-Fuller (5)
• POTG Coronado 8 IP 4 H 2 ER 3 BB 5 K

• Josh Laster (MIL) struck out 5 and walked 1 in Milwaukee's 7-0 win over Detroit. He's 1-0 4.15

• 4/17: Phoenix 7 Florida 2
• W – Aleman (1-2 5.32) L – Balderas (0-1 6.89)
• HR FLA-Bursey (6) PHX-Richards (3) Price (1) Fuller (6) Neumann (3)
• POTG Aleman CG 6 H 2 ER 3 BB 4 K 111 pitches.
• Eddie Fuller in 3 games vs Florida this year has hit 3 HR's and driven in 6

• 4/18: Chicago 8 Florida 3
• W – Ballesteros (2-0 4.76) L – Samvdio (1-3 9.59)
• HR CHI-Colle (3) FLA-Bursey (7) Nakamura (2)
• POTG Ballesteros CG 9 H 3 ER 2 BB 6 K
• Bursey 4-5 HR (7) R RBI (16)

• Masahiro Yama****a (NE) beat San Diego 1-0 on a 5-hitter. He's 3-1 1.91.
• Detroit closer Bobby Ross earned his 300th career save in the Phantom 3-2 victory over Phoenix. He's the 4th reliever in league history to record 300 and is 2nd among active players behind the all-time leader Domenic Helmrich and his 397 saves.

• 4/19: Chicago 5 FLA 2
• W – Cordero (1-1 4.03) L – Yamada (0-2) S – D'Addio (5)
• HR CHI-Montiel (3)
• POTG Pollock ND 7 IP 3 H 10 K 0 ER
• 3 Errors (Pollock (1) Bursey (1) Chase (3) lead to 2 unearned and the loss.

• Luis Paredes (OH) went 5-5 with a 2B 2 HR's and 5 RBI's in the Generals 17-9 win over Las Vegas
• Tomaz Pgo (MEM) was off to a nightmare start before today. He struck out 18 in their 7-4 win over St Louis and is now 2-2 7.67
• Tasuku Sakai (BRK) struck out 9 in a 2-hitter to beat Denver and move to 1-2 3.27

• 4/20: Florida 11 Chicago 7
• W – Willoughby (4-0 3.04) L – Anguiano (1-3 7.13)
• HR CHI-Mitchell (2) Montiel (4) FLA-Wild (4*)
• POTG Bursey 2-3 2B (5) 2 R 3 RBI (19)

• 4/21: Florida 12 New York 5
• W – Coronado (4-0 3.56) L – Haseldan (1-3 6.00)
• HR FLA-Molina (3) Saldana 3 (6) Linseman (3)
• POTG Saldana 4-5 3 Home Runs 3 R 6 RBI (13)

• Arturo Mata (SF) went 5-5 with 3 1B 2B and a 3B in their 8-3 win over Pittsburgh.

• 4/22: Florida 6 New York 0
• W – Balderas (1-0 4.98) L – Ramos (3-1 3.04)
• HR FLA-Bursey (8)
• POTG – Balderas 6 IP 2 H 3 BB 7 K 107 pitches

• Whip Prest (OH) struck out 4 in the Generals 15-0 lambasting of Memphis. He's 1-2 5.14

• AL POTW – Josh Knipp (MIN) 12-22 5 HR 13 RBI (.352-5-14)
• NL POTW – Gene Keller (SAN) 13-27 2 HR 7 RBI (.304-3-13)

• RECORD: 4-3 (14-6)
• STANDINGS: 1st +2
• RUNS SCORED: 138 1st
• RUNS AGAINST: 91 2nd
• DEFENSE: .681 3rd
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Washington
2. Los Angeles
3. Jacksonville
4. Chicago
5. Florida

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 1 @ New York 1-0
• 3 @ Las Vegas 2-1
• OFF DAY
• 2 vs Memphis 1-1

RESULTS

• 4/23: Florida 4 New York 3
• W – Samvdio (2-3 8.35) L – Haynes (3-1 2.79) S – Turner (5)
• HR FLA-Chase (1) NY-Estwick (1)
• POTG Chase 2-3 BB R 4 RBI (7) 2 SB (2)
• Samvdio 7 IP 10 H 3 ER 3 BB 5 K
• Hayashi 3-5 2 2B (8) 2 R Hallamore 3-4 BB R 3 SB (8) CS (3)

• Raita Yamada (LA) stuck out 10 in beating Austin 4-0 on a 3-hitter. He's 4-0 1.49

• 4/24: Florida 4 Las Vegas 1
• W – Pollock (2-0 1.25) L – Renz (2-2 7.40) S – Turner (6)
• HR NONE
• POTG Pollock 7 IP 4 H 1 ER 2 BB 11 K

• Kelyn Vaillancourt (SF) beat Oklahoma 6-0 to move to 2-1 2.78

• 4/25: Las Vegas 8 Florida 5
• W – Sato (4-1 3.32) L – Willoughby (4-1 4.26) S – Okolo (5)
• HR FLA-Saldana 2 (8) LV-Camacho (1) McNayr (2) Norlander (4)
• POTG Saldana 2-3 2 HR 2 R 3 RBI (16)

• Ohio left fielder Layne Cosman went 3-3 hitting 3 home runs and driving in 6 in their 13-9 win over Denver.

• 4/26: Florida 9 Las Vegas 7
• W – Coronado (5-0 3.93) L – Izaquirre (1-2 8.50) S – Turner (7)
• HR FLA-Adams (3) LV-Aucoin (5) Eisentrout (4)
• POTG Aucoin 2-3 2 BB HR 2 R 4 RBI

• Pat Henson (NY) went 5-5 in the Punishers 18-3 bombing of Detroit.

• 4/27: OFF DAY

• 4/28: Florida 5 Memphis 4
• W – Balderas (2-1 4.88) L – Espinoza (3-2 4.81) S – Turner (8)
• HR MEM-Koo (4) Malveaux (5) Casarez (3) FLA-Bursey (9) Chase (2)
• POTG Bursey 2-4 HR 2 RBI (27)

• 4/29: Memphis 6 Florida 2
• W – Garza (1-0) L – Samvdio (2-4 8.60)
• HR MEM-Koo (5) FLA-Bursey (10)
• POTG A Malveux 2-4 2 R RBI (9)

• AL POTW – Rogelio Santana (STL) 8-15 3 HR 12 RBI (.340-3-15)
• NL POTW – Jim Bartlett (KC) 14-22 2 HR 6 RBI (.344-3-13)

• RECORD: 4-2 (18-8)
• STANDINGS: 1st +4
• RUNS SCORED: 167 2nd
• RUNS AGAINST: 120 3rd
• DEFENSE: .680 5th
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Washington
2. Los Angeles
3. Jacksonville
4. Chicago
5. Florida

[gehrig38]

Surprise team of the month = Jacksonville.

• AL PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Chad Mohr (NY) .330-11-31
• NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Andy Domingue (PIT) .360-7-22
• AL PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Folco Ortga (DET) 5-0 2.82
• NL PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Dwain Milazzo (LA) 5-0 2.08
• AL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Eric Bathke (MIL) .300-6-16
• NL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Luis Alanis (OK) .300-6-19

• TARPON PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Leith Bursey .368-10-30 .414 OBP
• TARPON PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Kody Pollock 2-0 1.93 6 GS 42 IP 44 K 14 BB (5-1 in his starts) 0-1 ER 4 of 6 QS 5 of 6 4 POTG awards
• TARPON MINOR LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Eric Ferrell (AA) .410/.449/.705 5 HR 21 RBI 21 Games
• TARPON MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Billy Adrian (A) 0-1 9 Saves 1.69 ERA 10.2 IP 9 K 8 H

• Alamogordo 12-10 2nd -5
• Clovis 14-8 3rd -1
• Farmington 15-7 1st

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 1 vs Memphis
• 3 @ Denver
• 3 vs St Louis

RESULTS

• 4/30: Florida 8 Memphis 6
• W – Yamada (1-2) L – Pgo (3-3 7.00) S – Turner (9)
• HR MEM – Goodman (8) FLA – Molina (4) Cortezo (3) Chase 2 (4)
• POTG – Chase 2-3 BB 2 HR 2 R 4 RBI (13)

• 5/1: Florida 3 Denver 2
• W – Willoughby (5-1 3.86) L – bin Musa (1-4 7.39) S – Turner (10)
• HR FLA-Wild (5)
• POTG Willoughby 8 IP 7 H 2 ER 2 BB 8 K
• Wild 2-4 3B (1) HR (5) RBI (25) Error (3)

• Tousei Sato (LV) tossed his 2nd shutout of the season striking out 7 in a 6-0 win over Alaska. He's 5-1 2.68

• 5/2: Florida 8 Denver 6
• W – Ballard (2-0) L – Hara (2-1 BS 2) S – Turner (11)
• HR FLA-Saldana (9) Linseman (4) DEN-Kouassi 2* (5) Moore (2)
• POTG Kouassi 2-3 BB 2 HR grand slam 2 R 5 RBI (18)
• Saldana 3-3 2 BB HR (9) 2 R RBI (19)
• Coronado came out in the 3rd with a yet to be disclosed injury.

• 5/3: Florida 5 Denver 4 (10)
• W – Yamada (2-2 BS 1) L – Hara (2-2)
• HR FLA-Hayashi (3) DEN-Lazer (2)
• POTG Balderas 7.1 IP 4 H 3 R 0 ER 3 BB 7 K

• Bobby Tribble (AUS) struck out 2 in a 4-hitter to beat San Francisco 2-0. He's 1-3 3.14

FLORIDA'S CORONADO TO THE DL
Florida's Sergio Coronado was diagnosed with a forearm strain and will head to the 10-day DL. Team doctors say it will likely be 4-6 weeks before he can make another start if things go well.
The club recalled Josh Thompson from Alamogordo.

• 5/4: Florida 11 St Louis 2
• W – Samvdio (3-4 7.33) L – J Morales (1-3 8.28)
• HR STL-Rimpson (2)
• POTG Samvdio CG 7 H 2 ER 5 BBB 9 K
• Cortezo 4-5 3 R BB

• Folco Ortga (DET) struck out a career-high 16 in a 1-hitter as he led Detroit to an 8-0 win over Denver. He's 6-0 2.40 on the year.
• Jaquan Estwick (NY) went 5-5 hitting 2 HR's and driving in 6 in the Punishers 14-2 win over Phoenix
• Man-Keung Yuen (PIT) scattered 4 hits and struck out 6 to move to 5-0 1.62 in the Miners 8-0 win over San Antonio.

• 5/5: St Louis 8 Florida 2
• W – Nakai (2-3 3.72) L – Pollock (2-1 3.02) S – Etheridge (1)
• HR STL-Braine (5) FLA-Adams (4)
• POTG Madura 3-5 3 2B (5) R 3 RBI (11)
• Pollock 5.2 IP 9 H 7 ER 3 BB 5 K

• 5/6: Florida 8 St Louis 2
• W – Willoughby (6-1 3.28) L – Claypool (2-4 3.00)
• HR FLA-Bursey (11*) Hallamore (1)
• POTG Hallamore 2-3 HR (1) SB (13) 2 R 3 RBI (16) 1st HR of the season!
• Willoughby 7 IP 4 H 1 R 0 ER 3 BB 7 K

• Talbot Sandwell (JAX) tossed a 3-hitter in beating Oklahoma 4-0. He's 4-2 4.88
• Luis Valles (KC) scattered 5 hits to beat Buffalo 5-0 and win his 1st game of the year. He's 1-2 6.57

• AL POTW – Zach Sheppard (OH) 14-25 3 HR 7 RBI (.393-8-30)
• NL POTW – Chris Foster (POR) 14-29 3 HR 6 RBI (.314-6-14)

• RECORD: 6-1 (24-9)
• STANDINGS: 1st +4
• RUNS SCORED: 212 2nd
• RUNS AGAINST: 150 2nd
• DEFENSE: .683 3rd
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Florida
2. Chicago
3. Pittsburgh
4. Los Angeles
5. Washington

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 3 @ Ohio 1-2
• OFF DAY
• 3 vs Minnesota 2-1

RESULTS

• 5/7: Ohio 17 Florida 6
• W – Mutschler (2-2 5.36) L – Thompson (0-1)
• HR: FLA- Hayashi (4) OH- Cosman 3 (9) Robles (10) Hamilton (8) Schroeder (5)
• POTG: Cosman 4-4 3 HR BB 3 R 7 RBI (30)
• Thompson 1.2 IP 8 H 2 HR 2 BB 7 ER Ballard 1.2 IP 4 H 2 HR 5 ER
• Hallamore 3-4 2 RBI (18)

• Thompson was optioned out after the game. He's not ready and our scouts think he's never going to gain enough command to be consistent. While not saying that out loud it's worth mentioning Denver approached us asking for Thompson in a deal. We are going to explore that. Top P prospect Arturo Flores, who pitched at AAA yesterday, will be recalled to take Thompson's spot.

• Omezo Yamamura (SAN) beat Oklahoma on a 2-hit shutout 3-0. He's 2-0 3.27
• Tim Taylor (AUS) went 5-5 and drove in 2 in the Colts 10-2 win over San Diego

• 5/8: Ohio 5 Florida 4 (12)
• W – Lebeaux (1-1) L – Yamada (2-3)
• HR: FLA-Molina (5) Saldana (10) OH-Rusinko (1) Cosman (10) Hamilton (9)
• POTG: Hamilton 3-5 HR R RBI (23)
• Balderas ND 6 IP 8 H 3 BB 1 K 3 HR 4 ER

• 5/9: Florida 6 Ohio 5 (11)
• W – Turner (2-0) L – Ginn (3-2)
• HR: FLA-Bursey (12) Hallamore (2) OH-Vertz (6) Hamilton (10)
• POTG: Hallamore 3-5 HR (2) 2 R 3 RBI (21)

• 5/10: OFF DAY

FLORIDA DEALS THOMPSON
The Florida Tarpons and Denver Saints completed a deal today exchanging top P prospects who were in need of a 'change of scenery'. Since going 20-2 2 seasons ago at Alamogordo Thompson has been on many clubs want list and today Denver got it done. The Saints sent 23-year-old Zach Gilbert and their top draft pick in next months draft (9th overall) along with Gilbert, to Florida also getting one of the Tarpons 2nd round picks in the upcoming draft (9th pick in the 2nd round).

GM'S OFFICE
This was a case of many many clubs valuing Thompson far higher than our guys. He has the makeup to be a top rotation guy but I don't think his command will allow that to happen. Matched with his straight fastball and you have walks + hits + home runs. Denver has inserted him into their big league rotation.
In addition to the 9th overall pick this year, a huge get, we have acquired a guy who was the 27th ranked prospect in 2011. He's an upper 90's arm with 3++ pitches as well as all the intangibles to be an ace. Our guys would like to see him bulk up (5'11” 180) as their only concern could be a heavy innings load. In all honesty, I would have likely done this deal for one or the other of the assets we got back. That's how good I feel about both.
There are 90 picks in the 1st three rounds counting the compensation round. We have picks 9, 21, 43, 66, 74, and 75 and then no picks until round 10.

• 5/11: Florida 8 Minnesota 7
• W – Ballard (3-0) L – Mikami (2-6 5.59) S – Yamada (1)
• HR: MIN-Lewis (3) FLA-Cortezo (4) Bursey (13)
• POTG: Cortezo 2-4 2B (11) HR (4) 2 R 4 RBI (24)
• Ballard 3 IP 6 K 0 R

• 5/12: Minnesota 7 Florida 6
• W – Tejeda (3-2 5.76) L – Willoughby (6-2 3.71) S – Santora (8)
• HR: FLA-Adams (5) Bursey (14)
• POTG: Bursey 2-3 BB 2B (9) HR (14) 2 R 3 RBI (48) Error (2)

• Talib Bin Musa (DEN) fanned 12 in a 4-hitter to beat Milwaukee 3-0 and win his 2nd (2-4 5.98)
• Newly acquired Zach Gilbert took a ND in his 1st start going 6 IP 8 H 2 ER 5 BB 7 K

• 5/13: Florida 3 Minnesota 0
• W – Flores (1-0 0.00) L – Correa (3-4 5.76) S – Turner (12)
• HR: FLA Hayashi (5) Nakamura (3)
• POTG: Arturo Flores 8 IP 7 H 3 BB 8 K 117 pitches in 2012 debut.

• Talbot Peternek (BRK) struck out 10 in beating New York 4-0. He's 1-5 4.94
• San Diego's Eric Baston hit for the cycle and went 5-5 driving in 4 in the Missions 12-11 win over Portland. He went 2R HR, 1B, RBI 1B, RBI 2B, 3B and a walk.

• AL POTW – Layne Cosman (OH) 14-24 4 HR 9 RBI (.308-10-32)
• NL POTW – Zorge Zavaleta (TEX) 12-26 3 HR 9 RBI (.324-3-16)

• RECORD: 3-3 (27-12)
• STANDINGS: 1st +3
• RUNS SCORED: 245 3rd
• RUNS AGAINST: 191 6th
• DEFENSE: .672 7th
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Los Angeles
2. Chicago
3. Florida
4. Memphis
5. Washington

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 3 vs Brooklyn 2-1
• 3 @ Detroit 1-2
• 1 vs Alaska 1-0

RESULTS

• 5/14: Brooklyn 6 Florida 5
• W – Kimura (6-2 3.68) L – Balderas (2-2 4.89) S – Mabry (9)
• HR: BRK-Russell (5) A Santana (5) FLA-Chase (5)
• POTG: Kimura 8 IP 10 H 4 ER 2 BB 2 K
• Balderas 5 IP 7 H 2 HR 6 ER
• Umoh 4 IP 1 H 2 K (11 IP 14 K 1 BB 0.00 ERA this year)

RJ Stanton (CHI) punched out 15 in Chicago's 9-1 win over Memphis. He's got 107 K's in just 76.1 innings and is 6-1 2.36.

• 5/15: Florida 3 Brooklyn 1
• W – Samvdio (4-4 6.22) L – Kobayashi (0-1 4.50) S – Turner (13)
• HR: FLA-Hallamore (3)
• POTG: Samvdio 8 IP 4 H 1 ER 1 BB 8 K

• Jin-Hyun Noh (LV) struck out 12 and scattered 5 hits in a 4-0 win over New York to go 3-3 2.78.

• 5/16: Florida 6 Brooklyn 2
• W – Pollock (3-1 3.66) L – Sakai (1-5 5.40) S – Kaneshiro (2)
• HR: NONE
• POTG: Cortezo 3-3 2B (12) SB (4) CS (6) 2 R RBI (26)

• 5/17: Florida 5 Detroit 1
• W – Willoughby (7-2 3.32) L – Fujino (5-2 2.40)
• HR: FLA-Adams (6) Linseman 2 (6) DET-Pannebaker (4)
• POTG: Willoughby CG 7 H 1 ER 1 BB 4 K
• Linseman 2-4 2 HR 2 R 3 RBI (12)

• 5/18: Detroit 9 Florida 2
• W – Kerr (3-6 7.71) L – Flores (1-1 3.77)
• HR: DET-Barela (14) Burmeister (3)
• POTG: Burmeister 3-4 2B (14) HR (3) R 4 RBI (15)
• Cortezo 4-5 2 2B (14) R
• Flores L 6.1 IP 7 H 8 R 6 ER 4 BB 1 K 2 Errors

• Jorge Hurtado (WAS) shut out San Diego 7-0 striking out 10 to move to 5-2 3.00
• Memphis beat New York 10-4 and 2B Godofredo De Faria went 5-5. He's hitting .418-0-19 on the year.

• 5/19: Detroit 11 Florida 4
• W – Southorn (5-2 5.22) L – Balderas (2-3 5.68)
• HR: FLA-Saldana (11) DET-Ogarro 2 (8)
• POTG: Ogarro 3-4 BB 2 HR (8) 4 R 4 RBI (33)
• Balderas 4.2 IP 9 H 3 BB 7 ER 3 K

• Elvis Andrus (NE) went 5-5 in New Englans 10-2 win over Austin.
• At AAA SP Joe Rogers took a 1-hitter into the 10th of a 0-0 game and a leadoff single followed by a walk-off triple ended the game. He did that on 115 pitches.

• 5/20: Florida 6 Alaska 1
• W – Samvdio (5-4 5.87) L – DeScalfini (4-5 5.37)
• HR: FLA-Molina (6)
• POTG: Samvdio 5.1 IP 4 H 4 BB 1 ER 8 K

• Dave Haynes (NY) won his 5th (5-3 3.89) on a 6 hit 4-0 victory over Denver.

• AL POTW – Jim Shelley (CHI) 11-18 3 HR 9 RBI (.319-8-33)
• NL POTW – Brad Rivera (LA) 10-24 8 RBI (.265-11-26)

• RECORD: 4-3 (31-15)
• STANDINGS: 1st +3
• RUNS SCORED: 276 3rd
• RUNS AGAINST: 222 4th
• DEFENSE: .680 4th
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Los Angeles
2. Florida
3. Chicago
4. Pittsburgh
5. Washington

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 2 vs Alaska 2-0
• OFF DAY
• 3 @ Milwaukee 2-1
• 1 vs Phoenix 0-1

RESULTS

• 5/21: Florida 6 Alaska 3
• W – Pollock (4-1 3.74) L – Meah (4-3 4.66) S – Turner (14)
• HR: ALK-Trouve (6) FLA-Cortezo (5') Makowski (1) Hallamore (4) Linseman (7)
• POTG: Pollock 6 IP 7 H 3 ER 2 BB 4 K
• Cortezo, Hallamore back to back HR's to start the game.

• 5/22: Florida 11 Alaska 4
• W – Willoughby (8-2 3.42) L – Berg (1-7 8.08) S – Ballard (1)
• HR: ALK-Andrade (8) FLA-Molina (7) Hayashi (6) Chase (6)
• POTG: Chase 3-5 2 2B (3) HR (6) SB (7) 3 RBI (20)
• Hayashi 3-4 2B (15) HR (6) R 3 RBI (27) Molina 2-3 HR (7) 2 R 3 RBI (22)
• Willoughby 6 IP 4 H 3 ER 1 BB 8 K

• Jeremy Pannebaker (DET) went 5-5 and drove in 3 in Detroits 13-1 win over Brooklyn.

• 5/23: OFF DAY

BURSEY, FLORIDA AGREE TO 5 YEAR EXTENSION
In the midst of a breakout season, Florida CF Leith Bursey has agreed to terms on a 5 year 25.15 million dollar extension to make him one of the games highest paid players. Just 26 years old the Gold Glove CF is off to a career-best .324-14-53 through the Tarpons first 44 games. The final year of the deal is a player option at 5.025 million.

GM'S OFFICE
This had to get done and it got done at below market value. He's 26, switch hits, is a gold glove defender and a prominent voice in the clubhouse. He's on his way to a bronze plaque if he can remain healthy.

• 5/24: Florida 6 Milwaukee 3
• W – Yamada (3-3) L – Laster (3-2 4.68) S – Turner (15)
• HR: FLA-Hayashi (7) Bursey (15)
• POTG: Bursey 2-4 2B (11) HR (15) SB (2) 2 R 2 RBI (55)
• Hallamore 3-5 2B (10) 3B (5) SB (16) R RBI (27)
• Arturo Flores came out in the 3rd and has a back issue. It doesn't look like a long-term thing so we will park him on the 10 day DL and call up Joe Rogers from Alamogordo.

• 5/25: Milwaukee 6 Florida 2
• W – J Mendoza (6-2 3.63) L – Balderas (2-4 6.14)
• HR: MIL-Bathke (9) Burlew (7) Takamaya (3)
• POTG: J Mendoza 7.2 IP 6 H 1 R 0 ER 3 BB 8 K
• Hallamore 3-5 3B (6) SB (17)
• Balderas 5 IP 6 H 6 ER 2 BB 6 K 3 HR Ballard 3 IP 1 H 5 K

• Tetsu Kawahara (PHX) struck out 11, walked none in the Roadrunners 11-0 win over Minnesota. He's 3-5 4.13

• 5/26: Florida 10 Milwaukee 2
• W – Samvdio (6-4 5.42) L – Reese (2-4 5.10)
• HR: FLA-Hayashi 2 (9)
• POTG: Hayashi 3-4 2 HR (9) 3 R 4 RBI
• Hallamore 3-4 RBI (28) 9-14 2B 2 3B R 2 RBI 2 SB last 3 games 3 straight 3 hit games.
• Samvdio CG 5 H 2 ER 2 BB 12 K

• Sid Kennealy (NY) went 3-3 hitting three home runs, scoring four times and driving in 7 in New York 11-3 win over St Louis.

• AA Clovis hit 8 home runs in a 24-8 route of the Dover Jays.
• Taichiro Tatsunami 4-5 2B (8) HR (6) 5 R 4 RBI (25)
• Zaire Fantroy 3-4 2 HR (4) 4 R 5 RBI (12)
• Luis Figueroa 4-5 HR (4) 2 R 3 RBI (25)
• Pat Thomas 2-4 grand slam 2 HR 3 R 5 RBI (5) 2 BB

• 5/27: Phoenix 5 Florida 4
• W – Ellis (3-4 5.24) L – Pollock (4-2 4.11) S – Lamb (10)
• HR: NONE
• POTG: Blowers 2-4 2 2B (10) 2 RBI (19)
• Pollock 5 IP 8 H 5 ER 1 BB 5 K

• Erik Barth (MEM) went 5-5 in the Blue Sox 11-6 thumping of Denver.
• 2011 NL Koufax winner Sean Cockley (WAS) was put on the 60-day DL today with an elbow issue. The 37-year-old righty was 4-2 3.20 on the season.

• AL POTW – Sid Kennealy (NY) 11-24 4 HR 10 RBI (.307-11-37)
• NL POTW – Luis Camacho (SAN) 15-29 7 RBI (.340-0-28)

• RECORD: 4-2 (35-17)
• STANDINGS: 1st +2.5
• RUNS SCORED: 315 3rd
• RUNS AGAINST: 245 2nd
• DEFENSE: .678 5th
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Los Angeles
2. Florida
3. Detroit
4. Chicago
5. Las Vegas

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 2 vs Phoenix 1-1
• 3 @ Chicago 2-1
• 2 vs New York 2-0

RESULTS

• 5/28: Florida 7 Phoenix 2
• W – Willoughby (9-2 3.35) L – Poliskin (2-8 4.98)
• HR: FLA-Hayashi (10)
• POTG: Willoughby 7 IP 6 H 2 ER 10 K

• Juan Tejada (MIN) struck out 7 in the Huskies 5-0 win over Chicago. He's 6-2 4.27

• 5/29: Phoenix 4 Florida 2
• W – Richey (2-0) L – Rogers (0-1) S – Lamb (11)
• HR: NONE
• POTG: E Fuller 3-5 R 2 RBI (32)
• Rogers 6.2 IP 9 H 4 ER 5 BB 7 K ABA debut

• Josh Mutschler (OH) threw a 2-hitter to beat New York 9-0 and move to 4-3 5.03

• 5/30: Florida 7 Chicago 4
• W – Balderas (3-4 6.00) L – Stanton (8-2 2.69) S – Turner (16)
• HR: FLA-Cortezo (6) Adams 2 (8) CHI-Shimasaki (12) Montiel (16)
• POTG: DJ Adams 2-3 2 HR BB 3 R 3 RBI (32) 2 HR's of RJ Stanton

• Mike Moss (MIN) threw the Huskies 2nd SHO in 3 days with a 5-hitter in a 13-0 win over New York. He's 6-2 4.13
• Bobby Rone (LV) fanned 5 and scattered 9 hits in the Aces 6-0 win over Ohio.

• 5/31: Chicago 13 Florida 1
• W – Ballesteros (4-3 5.35) L – Samvdio (6-5 6.34)
• HR: CHI-Shelley (10) Mitchell (10)
• POTG: Jim Shelley 4-5 HR 2 R 5 RBI (41)
• Ballesteros 8 IP 5 H 1 ER 5 BB 4 K
• Samvdio 4.1 IP 12 H 5 BB 11 ER 2 K

• 6/1: Florida 10 Chicago 5
• W – Pollock (5-2 4.26) L – Cordero (4-4 4.93)
• HR: FLA-Hayashi (11) Adams (9*) Wild (6) Chase (7)
• POTG: B Wild 2-3 HR (6) 3 R 2 BB 2 RBI (31)
• Bursey 3-5 2 R Hayashi 3-4 HR (11) R RBI (35) Adams grand slam 4 RBI (36)
• Pollock 6 IP 5 H 4 ER 4 BB 9 K

• Former Tarpon Arturo Mendoza struck out 9 in a 3-hitter to beat Memphis 7-0. He's 4-3 4.30

• 6/2: Florida 6 New York 4
• W – Yamada (4-3) L – Ito (2-5)
• HR: NY-Sammons (5) FLA-Saldana (12) Chase (8)
• POTG: Saldana 1-3 HR (12) 2 R 2 BB 2 RBI (26)
• Willoughby 6 IP 7 H 4 ER 4 BB 6 K Kaneshiro 2 IP 0 BR 4 K

• Davon Pinkins hit a 2 out grand slam in the bottom of the 10th to break a 7-7 tie and end the Portland Lancers ABA record 19 game losing streak 11-7 over Oklahoma.
• Jorge Santander (WAS) beat Texas 3-0 to go 8-1 4.23

• 6/3: Florida 7 New York 2
• W – Rogers (1-1 3.60) L – Haselden (3-7 6.27)
• HR: FLA-Chase 2 (10)
• POTG: Rogers 8.1 IP 9 H 2 ER 2 BB 6 K 1st career W.
• Hallamore 3-4 SB (20) CS (5) Error (6) RBI (32) Adams 3-3 2 2B (12) 2 R BB

• BJ Janzen (PHX) scattered 7 hits to beat Alaska 8-0 and go 6-4 4.16. That 6th win is one more than he had all last season when he set the all time ABA record for losses in a season going 5-25 7.30
• Rodolfo Carmona (PIT) threw a 3-hitter to beat San Francisco 5-0 and go 5-3 4.52 on the season.

• AL POTW – Jayakar Anand (MIN) 10-23 2 HR 8 RBI (.259-8-24)
• NL POTW – Andy Domingue (PIT) 15-28 3 HR 12 RBI (.364-13-46)

• TARPONS IN THE MINORS
• SP prospect Zach Gilbert went 7.2 IP to win his 3rd game in 5 starts for AAA Alamogordo. He's 3-0 2.04 over 35.1 IP striking out 32, walking 17 and giving up 27 hits. All 5 of his starts have been 6+ IP and he's given up 3 runs just once and 2 or less the other 4 starts.

• RECORD: 5-2 (40-19)
• STANDINGS: 1st +3
• RUNS SCORED: 355 3rd
• RUNS AGAINST: 279 3rd
• DEFENSE: .675 8th
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Los Angeles
2. Pittsburgh
3. Florida
4. Chicago
5. Detroit

[gehrig38]

• AL PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Luis Paredes (OH) .353-12-24 (.355-16-41)
• NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Jorge Zavaleta (TEX) .355-10-27 (.335-10-33)
• AL PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Folco Ortga (DET) 6-0 1.56 (11-0 2.18)
• NL PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Dwain Milazzo (LA) 5-0 2.36 (10-0 2.21)
• AL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Andrea Colle (CHI) .398-7-12 (.349-11-32)
• NL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Bobby Trucco (SD) .304-6-13 (.249-8-20)

AA POTM Eric Butler .357-11-26 (.302-17-40)

• TARPON PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Makata Hayashi .337-8-22 .438 OBP .686 SLG
• TARPON PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Chad Willoughby 5-1 2.68 43.2 IP 44 K 8 BB 1.08 WHIP
• TARPON MINOR LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Juan Salazar (A) 3-1 2.13 42.1 IP 34 H 38 K 11 BB 1.06 WHIP
• TARPON MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Eric Butler (AA) .357-11-26 (.302-17-40)

• Take a peek at the NL West last place team. Not an error, 18 straight.18 straight losses...
• That's a new ABA record, actually, it was a new record 5 losses ago.
• 55 runs scored 130 runs given up. 11 games with 2 or fewer runs scored, 7 games giving up 9+. 11 losses by 3 or more runs. 4 1 run losses and 3 of those were in the first 4 games of the losing streak.

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 1 vs New York 1-0
• OFF DAY (2012 Amateur Draft)
• 3 vs Las Vegas 2-1
• 2 @ Memphis 2-0

RESULTS

• SP Arturo Flores is due off the DL and there's no room. Luis Balderas is out of options, is not pitching well and I can't find a trading partner. I am going to DFA to clear a spot and activate Flores and go with Rogers and Flores as the 4 and 5 from here on out.

• 6/4: Florida 3 New York 2
• W – Flores (2-1 2.52) L – D Haynes (5-6 4.74) S – Turner (17)
• HR: NY-Kym (2) FLA-Saldana (13) Wild (7)
• POTG: Flores 8 IP 6 H 2 R 1 ER 1 BB 4 K
• Haynes CG L 8 IP 7 H 3 ER 2 BB 3 K

• Tetsu Kawahara (PHX) beat Alaska 4-0 on 3 hits to go 4-6 3.72

• 6/5: OFF DAY (2012 Amateur Draft)

• The medical staff has informed me that Sergio Coronado's elbow issue has moved from 'healing' to “unknown recovery time”. Apparently, he experienced pain during long toss today.
• 75th overall selection Luis Esquivel signed today and reported to Rio Rancho.

• 6/6: Florida 4 Las Vegas 3
• W – Turner (3-0) L – Pedemonte (0-2)
• HR: LV-Aucoin (10) FLA-Nakamura (4)
• POTG: Samvdio 8 IP 5 H 3 ER 4 BB 6 K

• Mike Carlson (JAX) struck out 9 in the Panthers 6-0 win, surrendering just 2 hits to win his 9th (9-2 2.94)
• Tasuku Sakai (BRK) struck out 12 to beat St Louis 1-0. He's 3-6 4.68

• 6/7: Las Vegas 4 Florida 1
• W – Shimizu (4-1 4.83) L – Pollock (5-3 4.17) S – Pedemonte (3)
• HR: LV-Dares (3)
• POTG: Shimizu 7 IP 4 H 1 ER 4 BB 4 K
• Pollock 6 IP 6 H 3 R 2 ER 1 BB 5 K
• Hallamore 2 errors (9)

• Dan Harrison (LA) went 5-6 and drove in 5 in LA's record-setting 22-2 win over Portland.
• Our 1st pick and 66th overall picks have both signed and reported to rookie ball

• 6/8: Florida 2 Las Vegas 0
• W – Willoughby (10-2 3.22) L – Sato (8-2 2.07)S – Turner (18)
• HR: FLA-Hayashi (12)
• POTG: Willoughby 8 IP 3 H 3 BB 7 K

• Kunimichi Mikami (MIN) fanned 10 in beating the Memphis Blue Sox 4-0. He's 4-9 5.27
• Jonathan Claypool (STL) beat Brooklyn 4-0 today to even his record. (5-5 2.33)
• Sergio Moya (MIL) struck out 9 and gave up just 2 hits in the Hawks 7-0 win over Phoenix. He's 5-7 4.28
• Sergio Guerrero evened his record at 5-5 (3.38) with a 3-0 victory over Texas.

• 6/9: Florida 8 Memphis 4
• W – Rogers (2-1 4.09) L – Terraza (2-4 7.17)
• HR: FLA-Elizondo (1) Hallamore (5) Wild (8)
• POTG: Elizondo 2-3 HR R BB 2 RBI (7)
• Rogers 7 IP 9 H 4 ER 3 BB 5 K

• Sergio Silva (SAN) remained unbeaten (5-0 4.25) with a 2-hit shutout of Kansas City.

• 6/10: Florida 4 Memphis 2
• W – Flores (3-1 2.56) L – Espinoza (5-7 4.92) S – Turner (19)
• HR: FLA-Mackowski (2) Chase (11) MEM-Ansell (10)
• POTG: Flores 6.2 IP 8 H 2 ER 0 BB 2 K 4 double plays 2x 4-6-3 2x 6-4-3

• Dave Haynes (NY) fanned 10 and New York destroyed Alaska 12-0 to even his record at 6-6 4.35
• Jonathan Doherty (LA) gave up just 3 hits in the Storms 5-0 win over San Francisco. He's now 6-3 3.59
• 43rd overall pick Kurt Clerico has signed.

SAN ANTONIO STAR DONE FOR THE YEAR
Japanese sensation and the centerpiece of the Broncos off-season rebuild Kuniaki Fujiwara will undergo elbow surgery today and be lost for the remainder of the 2012 season. The 31-year-old was 6-6 3.72 for the Broncos through 14 starts with 101 K's in just 94.1 innings. They currently sit atop the NL Central just 4 games ahead of Texas. 2008 1st round draft pick (14th overall) Freddie Garner will be recalled to take the rotation opening.

• AL POTW – Eric Bathke (MIL) 9-17 2 HR 6 RBI (.300-12-37)
• NL POTW – Dave Grohs (SAN) 15-24 2 HR 9 RBI (.342-14-52)

• TARPONS IN THE MINORS NEWS

• Eric Butler (AA) took home POTW honors going 11-24 5 HR 7 RBI 10 R (.313-22-50)

• RECORD: 5-1 (45-20)
• STANDINGS: 1st +4
• RUNS SCORED: 377 4th
• RUNS AGAINST: 294 2nd
• DEFENSE: .679 5th
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Los Angeles
2. Florida
3. Pittsburgh
4. Detroit
5. San Antonio

[gehrig38]

Here are this year's top prospects and where they went.



We pick 9th, 21st in round 1
2nd in round 2 (43rd)
2nd in round 3 (66th) 10th and 11th in round 3 (74th and 75th) and then we do not have another pick until the 10th round

Pick/Team
1. St Louis – Billy Mitchell 2B R/R (21) Monster power above-average runner and defender already.
2. San Francisco – Chad Stewart 2B R/R (22) Big time bat, might be the best hitter in the draft average wise. 75 steal speed good defender who can and may play SS
3. Portland – Eric Campbell CF R/R (21) Supreme defender, middle of the lineup bat, hard worker ++ speed
4. Jacksonville – Phil Bristow RHP (21) Elite arm, mid 90's with 4 pitches.
5. Milwaukee – Makai Appiah RF (21) OSA loves him far more than our guys. They have him as a legit 3-4 hole stud bat with big time speed. Our guys say 6-7 hitter with some pop is as high as it goes
6. Oklahoma – Walt Powell 1B R/L (19) HUGE kid, 6'8” 225 high school bomber. Projects as potential 50 homer guy but a long ways off.
7. Phoenix – Nehemiah Gholston LHP (21) big bodied power lefty. 3+ pitches but some concerns about the BB IQ.
8. New England – Sean Lemke RHP (21) another guy the leagues scouts are far ahead of us in terms of projections. Our guys think he's a fringe starter at best due to major control concerns.
9. FLORIDA – Jim Trisko RF L/R (21) 6'4” power bat with a well above average eye today. Projects as a 4 hole hitter with a chance to be a .450 OBP guy.

• 21st Pick Nate Moran RHP (21) upper 90's power righty who needs to get his 3rd pitch matured. Top of the rotation arm and body out of Oklahoma State
• 43rd Pick Kurt Clerico OF L/L (21) Multi-tool OF from Texas. Great work habits. Likely end up in left.
• 66th Pick Jared Alvrod CF R/R (21) Burner with huge defensive upside and an above average approach at the plate. Junior out of USC
• 74th Pick Luis Esquivel SS R/R (21) Scouts pushed him back with the 43rd pick and I put it off. Questions around work ethic but big toolset
• 75th Pick Steve McCourt RHP (21) Scouts also pushed him earlier. They see far more upside than I do.

[gehrig38]

• SCHEDULE
• 1 @ Memphis 1-0
• 3 vs Denver 3-0
• 3 @ St Louis 2-1

RESULTS

• 6/11: Florida 12 Memphis 6
• W – Samvdio (7-5 6.13) L – Pgo (6-6 7.11)
• HR: FLA-Molina (8) Hayashi (13) Hallamore (6) Linseman (8) Chase (12) MEM-Koo (7) Casarez (7)
• POTG: Hayashi 2-5 HR (13) R 3 RBI (40)

• Arturo Aleman (PHX) took the W in a 1-0 pitchers duel, striking out 9 to go 3-10 6.03
• 21st overall pick Nate Moran has signed.

• 6/12: Florida 6 Denver 0
• W – Pollock (6-3 3.76) L – Daugherty (3-9 4.83)
• HR: FLA-Molina (9) Bursey (17)
• POTG: Pollock CG 4 H career high 14 K 1 BB

• 6/13: Florida 6 Denver 1
• W – Willoughby (11-2 3.12) L – bin Musa (5-7 4.98) S – Ballard (2)
• HR: FLA-Cortezo (7)
• POTG: Willoughby 6 IP 3 H 1 ER 3 BB 5 K
• Ballard 3 IP 0 BR 3 K
• Hallamore 3-4 3B (8) R

• 6/14: Florida 12 Denver 11 (11)
• W – Kaneshiro (1-0) L – Schumacher (0-2)
• HR: FLA-Adams (10) Chase 2 (14) Wild (9)
• POTG: Chase 2-3 3 BB 2 HR (14) 4 R 4 RBI (37) Error (9)
• Wild and Adams hit 2 run homers in the bottom of the 9th to tie it 11-11. Chase draws bases-loaded walk to win it.
• Rogers 5 IP 11 H 7 R 5 ER 1 BB 4 K 4
• 4 Errors Elizondo (3) Umoh (1) Bursey (3) Chase (9)!

• 6/15: Florida 5 St Louis 0
• W – Flores (4-1 1.99) L – Nakai (3-6 4.34)
• HR: FLA-Hallamore (7) Hayashi (14)
• POTG: Flores CG SHO 10 H 2 BB 3 K 3 DP's

• Kinnon Zasko (LA) went 5-6 as LA pounded San Diego 10-2.

• 6/16: St Louis 8 Florida 2
• W – Engel (1-4 7.20) L – Samvdio (7-6 6.45) S – Etheridge (2)
• HR: STL-Santana (4) Bedolla (3)
• POTG: R Santana 2-2 2 BB HR (4) 3 R 4 RBI (24)
• Samvdio 6.1 IP 14 H 4 BB 8 ER

• 6/17: Florida 4 St Louis 3
• W – Pollock (7-3 3.61) L – A Mendoza (5-5 4.39) S – Turner (20)
• HR: NONE
• POTG: Pollock 6.1 IP 6 H 3 R 1 ER 4 BB 1 K
• Hallamore 2 errors (12)

• COOKE SIGNS EXTENSION WITH FLORIDA
• 27-year-old reliever Steve Cooke has agreed to terms on a 3 year 3.78 million dollar contract extension with the Florida Tarpons. “I want to win, this team is absolutely set up to dominate and I want to be a part of that,” the reliever said in a post-game press conference Sunday.
• “Steve has been a solid contributor since coming here from Texas and we want to see that continue” GM Gehrig Schilling stated. The deal is a 3-year extension at the righty's current salary of 1.26 million.

• GM'S OFFICE
• Paring payroll is a serious need moving forward but this is an insane deal. The guy is not a core part of this team and little birdies tell me it's all about his selfishness, something he is clearly unaware he displays openly. But the contract is at his current salary and this was a guy who saved 40 games in 2009 with a 1.99 ERA in a league-leading 79 appearances. He's as tradeable as they come now.

• AL POTW – Zach Sheppard (OH) 12-26 2 HR 6 RBI (.345-13-53)
• NL POTW – Brad Rivera (LA) 13-28 5 HR 13 RBI (.286-21-49)

• RECORD: 6-1 (51-21)
• STANDINGS: 1st +6
• RUNS SCORED: 424 3rd
• RUNS AGAINST: 323 1st
• DEFENSE: .675 7th
• POWER RANKINGS:

1. Florida
2. Los Angeles
3. Pittsburgh
4. Detroit
5. Washington