The IBL's Chicago Iron Pigs

[gehrig38]

GAME 1 Houston (Wes Perry 4-8 9.16) @ Dayton (Rich Stevens 0-0 0.00)

Ya, how about that Game 1 matchup? An injury replacement in the regular season vs an playoff injury replacement! Amazingly they both deal! Perry goes 8-4-2-2-4-6 and Stevens goes 7-5-3-3-4-6.

Dayton grabs a run in the 1st, and 2nd to open a 2-0 lead and the game stayed there into the 7th. Jeff Guys 4th playoff HR, a solo shot, got Houston on the board. Art Doane’s 1 out 2 run 2B in the 8th gave Houston a 3-2 lead and they added 1 more to win it 4-2. This was Daytons 1st playoff loss.
The bigger news came after the game as Houston 35 year old CF Carlos Arredondo broke his elbow and in the 7th inning of todays game and is likely shelved for the next 7-8 months

PotG Wes Perry Houston (Houston leads 1-0)



GAME 2 Houston (Raul Gonzalez 19-11 3.52) @ Dayton (Ernie Kelly 18-9 2.58)

The dream matchup that never materializes. Gonzalez gets hammered for 10 hits and 5 runs in 4.2 innings and Kelly goes to 3-0 in the post season with a line of 8-7-3-3-0-3.

Houston jumps out 1-0 in the 3rd and Dayton answers with 2 in the bottom. Houston ties it at 2 in the 4th and Daytons Jesus Costello clears the bases with a 2B in the 5th to put Dayton ahead to stay 5-2. Dayton wins 6-1

PotG Jesus Costello Dayton (Series tied 1-1)



GAME 3 Dayton (Carl Dale 1-6 7.61) @ Houston (Sergio De La Garza 16-11 4.11)

The loss of Bartolo Serrano (18-7 3.15) is clearly devastating for Dayton as they have to send this crap out to try and win a world series! Surprisingly, again, the Dragons get an outstanding effort from an unexpected source, but it’s not enough as De La Garza moves to 4-0 in post season play with a 8-8-3-3-0-4 line. Dale actually throws a CG 8-8-4-4-2-3.

This game is too much Cy May. May hits a 2B, 3B and HR and drives in 3 in a 4-3 Houston win. Bill Hill goes 3-4 in the Dayton loss.

PotG Cy May Houston (Houston leads 2-1)



GAME 4 Dayton (Angel Rodriguez 4-6 7.78) @ Houston (Brian Donahue 13-6 3.43)

Again with the scrub! This is amazing, and another amazing turnout. Rodriguez spins a 7-11-7-7-1-2 line and WINS as Donahue goes 4.2-8-7-7-1-4! The Dayton pen comes in to hold it down and Bill “Mugshot” Barlow notches his 5th playoff save.

Bill Hill takes over today going 3-4 with 3 RBI’s and his 4th playoff HR. Shigenobou Sato’s 5th inning Grand Slam is the backbreaker. Sato has 5HR’s and 16 post season RBI’s. Pat Padgett goes 4-5 for Dayton. Teams traded 2 runs firsts, and Houston went up 4-3 after 3, but Sato’s granny locked it up for Dayton.

PotG Bill Hill Dayton (Series tied 2-2)



GAME 5 Dayton (Ernie Kelly 18-9 2.58) @ Houston (Raul Gonzalez 19-11 3.52)

Dream matchup 2.0, if Gonzalez can show up. I’m betting HUGE that the team that wins this game wins it all.

And neither guy shows up! Gonzalez lays another egg (2.2-8-6-6-1-1-) while Kelly allows Houston back in (7.1-8-6-5-0-7).

Cy May’s 2 out 2B in the 8th knotted the game at 6 where it stayed until the 10th. With Bill Barlow on, Alberto Ortiz few a leadoff walk. Paul Reeves attempts to sacrifice him over, and fails. Reeves, in what will be remember (if they win) as the most memorable SB’s short of Dave Roberts steals 2nd on the 1st pitch, and then third on the next pitch! Amador is then intentionally walked which brings up Cy May. May hits a slow roller to 2nd base and it’s enough, Houston wins 7-6.

Millard O’Reilly goes 2-4 with 3 RBI’s, his 3rd playoff HR and 11 RBI’s
Houston MR Tom Conklin was diagnosed with a torn labrum in this game and will be out for at least 4 months (66G 6-1 4 Saves 2.85 ERA)

PotG Millard O’Reilly Houston (Houston leads 3-2)



GAME 6 Houston (Wes Perry 4-8 9.16) @ Dayton (Rich Stevens 0-0 0.00)

A repeat of the Game 1 matchups, and they’re no less stunning now, more so given this is now ‘win or go home’ time for Dayton. I’m predicting Bill Hill will continue his amazing, magical season and do something to keep Dayton alive (and ya I am writing this before the game).

Houston jumps out 1-0 on Art Doane’s 2nd inning solo shot. Dayton answers with a single run in the bottom of the 3rd to make it 1-1. The Dragons push a run across in the 5th to make it 2-1, and another in the 7th on Luis Sandoval’s 2 out 2B. Cy May turns the tide in the top of the 8th with a 2 on 0 out 3B to knot the game at 3, Millard O’Reilly brings him home to give Houston the lead. Houston’s Paul Reeves then hits his 5th HR of the entire season in the top of the 9th and 35 year old closer Michael “Headgame” Ross strides to the mound. Bill Hill leads off the 9th with a sharp single. On a 1-1 fastball Ben Simmons laces a ball down the line, but 3B Millard O’Reilly not only makes a diving step, he turns two! Down to their last out, the Dragons Wally Howard dumps a 1B into shallow left bringing up Shigenobu Sato. Sato allows for no more drama as he taps the 1st pitch from Ross to 1B Art Doane who steps on the bag and the wild world series celebration for the Houston Roughridgers commences!

SP’s Stevens (7-2-2-2-5-6 and PotG honors) and Perry (7-9-3-2-4-4 and the W) BOTH showed up again, big time. Hehe, on a side note Houston LF Dave Miller will start the 2013 season under a 7 game suspension for being tossed arguing balls and strikes.



Houston Roughriders are World Series Champions!!!!!!

[gehrig38]

Originally Posted by Sal, The Barber

Well, Sal does not get to Chicago very often, but leave him a ticket at Will Call and you may never the know. Although sometimes Sal gets Will Call (WC) confused with the WC, if you know what Sal means.

And, no, Sal is not interested in franchising the shop. Sal is not able to manage his shop in Louieville. There is no way he can (mis)manage two.

But Sal has a like for the old technology. He will tune in to this Pigs team on the radio.

(This dynasty is faster than Sal's first wife!)

Welcome to the windy city Sal, thank's for stopping by. Ya, I CRUSHED this first year to see if i was going to enjoy it. Scrambled writing style aside I had a blast and I actually now understand EXACTLY why I love this game, and what I've been missing by 'just playing'.

I've started to grow a like, fondness, dislike, and in some cases downright hatred for players

There will be much less 'stuff' going on the first few years and I am waffling on whether or not to sim 4 or so years as the GM to get to free Agency and what not, but to be honest I've gotten real invested in the team and think I might have 'control' issues doing that.

I've actually set aside 2 tickets for you and whomever is on your arm on any given day, on the end of the Iron Pigs dugout, front row, with a clear look into the dugout.

I've also sent a box of Iron Pigs swag to the shop, for the folks in Louisville that happen into Sal's, to being spreading the Iron Pig brand!!!

I also know the Clipper franchise in Columbus, and the Dragon franchise are probably closer to you, but, well, you know.

[gehrig38]

I scored a 52/100 this year. Clearly not a score I'm happy with, but it's a start. I am in an average market, with very good fan loyalty and their interest sits at 62 right now.

I've got just one open coaching spot and that's my hitting job at A ball Denison. they struggled this year but former Tulsa Drillers IBL Manager Reggie Nixon is available. I can't see him taking an A ball job unless he's a true teacher that loves the game, but I am going to extend an offer.
He wants 275k to do it, and I am thinking he's a guy, at 53, that could actually grow in this organization. He's rated as 'Good" across the board teaching hitting, pitching and defense, so we'll see. I offered him his asking price for 3 years.
Reggie was quick to respond, agreeing to the 3 year 275k offering I made. I am going to look to get him a bit higher up on the food chain before spring training.

Giving how aggressive I was at signing young minor league free agents it's time to clear out and clean up my minor league rosters. I had far too many players in Omaha this year and I think that hurt me quite a bit in getting the kids the time they needed on the field.

Omar called me in today. My budget for 2013 will be 21.2m which is unchanged. We turned a 518K profit last year. Draft expenses in '12 were 4.55m but he's upped that to 5.6m next year. (guys where can I make sure the stat stuff and settings DOES NOT change, but that the financials progress? I want to grow the finance stuff a few years but keep my statistical stuff on par with this seasons performance?)
Thanks in advance.

I have about 4.1m sitting there for extensions but with 2 years before arb kicks in, I'll likely shoot to sign, if I do, a few players.

Chartier, at 18, jumps out at me as a kid I'd love to get long term.

LEAGUE EMPLOYMENT NEWS
Tulsa, after a 71-91 season has sacked GM Elmer Simms and Manager Reggie Nixon. Drillers owner Gene Jackson, labeled the "Jerry Jones of the IBL" made no bones about his desire to win a championship this year, and apparently was the only guy on this side of the pacific or atlantic that thought that was even remotely possible. Tulsa finished 3rd in the FL in HR's, and 10 or worse in every other category, offensively, defensively, and pitching wise.

33 year old New Hampshire Fisher Cats manager Nick Dance was let go today. He was clearly not surprised by the move (countering the insane SHOCK by fans, players and baseball people alike on his hiring). Dance had exactly zero days of managing, ANYWHERE, prior to his hiring in NH. He seemed to mesh with his players but had major issues 'managing up' in the NH organization. Demanding AND controlling owner Alex Bell is going to be a challenge for even the most experienced manager.

And the other 'kid' managing this year, Columbus' Toby Cook was let go today as well. Both of these hirings were met with a ton of skepticism, Cook actually being hired to manage guys he'd been playing with as late as last year.
The challenge for Cook will be this. If you can't manage for a club owned be Augusto Ramirez, the 50 year old railroad tycoon, a guy seen as the most lenient and charitable owner around, who can you manage for? Augusto was looking for a winning record this year and Columbus struggled to a 71-91 finish.

[gehrig38]

2012 GOLD GLOVE WINNERS
FRONTIER LEAGUE
P Brian Walker (SAN)
C Cesar Barron (EP)
1B Alberto Vargas (BUF)
2B Francisco Ordonez (SI)
3B Antonio Feliciauo (SAC)
SS Tom Johnston (EDM)
LF Shigenobu Sato (DAY)
CF Joel runas (SAN) (traded day before the award was announced to Tulsa)
RF Gregory Wise (SAN)

COASTAL LEAGUE
P Ken Williams (BAL)
C Gustavo Suarez (PIT)
1B Kevin Moore (NH)
2B Lando Jongmans (BAL)
3B Randolph Boyd (BAL)
SS Allan Hamm (LV)
LF Thomas Hood (LV)
CF Will Vaughn (NH)
RF Don Evans (CC)

Baltimore 3, San Antonio 3 (though they trade 1) lead the way. Thought I might be looking at 1 or 2. Not this year.

[gehrig38]

In what is likely a precursor to the Players of the Year voting, there weren't many surprises in the 1st every RotY vote (given all players are rookies in the IBL this year)

30 year old Bill Hill of Dayton won unanimously. Hill hit 342/395/695 with 221 hits, 34 2B's, 7 3B's and 60 HR's with 153 RBI's in Daytons run up to the World Series. Hill also stole 19 bases and scored 145 runs.

27 year old Cy May of Houston took home the Coastal League honors. May hit 328/371/672 with 209 hits, 129 runs, 44 2B's, 4 3B's with 56 HR's and 157 RBI's. He stole 17 bases in 28 attempts.

Both players are expected to win their leagues most valuable hitter as well.

[gehrig38]

Dayton Dragons skipper Chris Daly took home the first ever IBL FL Manager of the Year award. The 47 year old Daly is known as a guy who handles players of any age well and has always been thought of as a good defensive 'teacher'. This award should likely help him garner an extension as he only signed a 2 year deal to begin the season. Dayton went 92-70 and reached the IBL World Series before being eliminated by Houston 4 games to 2.

In the CL, voters felt Pedro Perez, the 33 year old Mexico City native earned the award. Perez managed the LA Sky Sox to a 94-68 season and a Western Division title. They were knocked out of the playoffs by eventual world series champion Houston, 3 games to 1 in the Wild Card series.

[gehrig38]

Frontier League hitters had issues this year, the biggest one being 33 year old Ernie Kelly of Dayton. Kelly took home the IBL's first FL Pitcher of the Year award after a 18-9 2.58 season. Kelly threw a league leading 275.2 IP, yielding 226 hits and striking out 209, while walking just 22 hitters. His 0.90 WHIP was a major contributor to a phenomenal season. Kelly managed QS in 25 of 34 starts, throwing 11 complete games and 3 shut outs.

In the Coastal League 28 year old Las Vegas left hander Mattieu Cafasso walked away the winner. Cafasso's 20-9 2.99 ERA was backed by 258.2 IP, 227 punch outs and 58 walks. He surrendered 21 HR's and 252 hits. He registered 22 QS in 33 overall starts and had 11 complete games.

[gehrig38]

It should come as no shock that Both Cy May (HOU) and Dave Hill (DAY) both took home more hardware. The FL and CL Rookies of the Year both won their leagues Hank Aaron Award.

[gehrig38]

San Antonio sent 25 year old CF Joel Runas (a gold glove OF at every spot in the OF, though his arm makes him better suited for CF or LF. He stole 47 of 56 bases in San Antonio last year so he brings tons of speed to Tulsa. Martin pegged him as a 2 star talent, scouts feel his bat will never amount to much. His slash line of 235/303/409 with 17 HR’s and 55 RBI’s) to Tulsa for 22 year old OF prospect Ron Stokes. Stokes was Tulsa’s #2 pick in the 2012 first year draft plays a decent 1B and has a cannon in RF. His bat is all pop, scouts projecting a 25-35 HR ceiling but he’ll likely punch out 12+ times and hit in the mid 200’s if he is what they think. He runs above average.

Head Scout Martin Cintron has shifted focus on foreign talent to the Dominican and come back with a potential beauty. Relief pitcher Mariano Colon, of the 97-99MPH fastball wants to come over to the states and play ball. He’s only 18 but he’s looking for a ML contract. I offered him a split and he’s considering it, but the 1.05m price tag means I’ll need to get him signed before the end of April if he breaks camp in the minor leagues.

11/16 The kid signed. Now I need to make sure I set a note to remind me to get this kid signed longer term before the end of April!

Man, I keep wanting to ask, but why the hell do international free agents suck? They’re all low to mid 30’s and I can’t remember other than 1 time ever seeing a player worth ANYTHING in the pool. It feels very broken.

[gehrig38]

I am off for a day
Clearly I set a bit different pace but I would welcome, if anyone's following, feedback on format, or anything else anyone would be interested in seeing, not seeing, or being changed.
I am having a great time doing this and realizing parts of the game which have immense depth I never even paid attention to before, and I loved the game anyway.
Orcin's got me seriously tuned into the budget and finances which will present an obstacle.
Also since I am paying day to day attention to things I am realizing things I never saw before. Such as teams shifting focus, trades being made for way more specific reasons than I ever realized.
Basically the game has got real 'life' to it that only are noticeable to me if I pay this sort of attention to goings on.
The winter meetings are about to begin when I return.
Also I notice just how much 'game' there is, or isn't with arbitration, free agents and what not (though damn I wish the international thing was better or fixed, they suck) and I am missing it. I'll need to get 5 years into this to really get this league rolling.
GO IRON PIGS!
Curt

[gehrig38]

12/2/12 Tulsa Owner Gene Jackson, realistically or not, is pushing to get his team to contender status. Apparently the trade today was meant to help. Tulsa acquired corner OF 36 year old Carlos Pena (.343 4-24 in 53 games at Michigan) for 28 year old SS Spencer Moore (.251-5-40 in 120 games at Tulsa) and 22 year old prospect Fernando Pagan. Scouts rate Pagan as a huge power bat with an outstanding eye who is still a ways off. He’s slotted to play a corner OF spot. The bet is that Tulsa wanted Pena as much for his off the field presence, as on. Moore will likely slide into the SS slot, and hit 2nd in Michigan where scouts say he could be a top 10 defender at any IF position outside 1B. Pagan was sent to Michigans short season Mesa club.

Winter Meetings begin!

12/9/12 Tulsa continues to move. This time trading ANOTHER SS, 25 year old Erik Cameron (1.5-2.0) who can flat out play in the field, in 72 games at Tulsa he had 257/315/318 with 1 HR and 21 RBI’s in 245 at bats. He figures to play 2B, 3B and SS in West Michigan. In return Tulsa receives 26 year old SP George Perkins. Perk was 7-11 5.12 in 30 starts for the White Caps. In 170.2 IP he gave up 179 hits, 16 HR’s, K’d 104 and walked 128. Obviously command is a problem but scouts like the movement on his sinker. He rates 2.5 right now with a ceiling of 3 on our board.

I’ve dropped some BIG TIME feelers on a few key players, huge interest but I’ve run into a snag. Apparently my players got re-rated in the recent past, and a bunch of guys I thought were serious prospects, aren't now. I remember Orcin running into this, but man this is disheartening and not a little perturbing. A personnel move might be in order. Also my two AAA catchers, who I thought were potentially a L/R hitting combo, they both have been seriously downgraded by our scouts. I’m showing a huge, or it feels that way, disparity in OSA and my head scout. For example my #1 pick, LHP Anthony Martin, OSA has him 9/14/6 with potential 20/19/16 and Martin has him 8/13/6 with potential 11/16/9!

That was the only trade at the meetings. I put feelers out on Lopez and a few others, but nothing I felt convinced to pounce on. I’m sitting in the 9 hole in the draft and feel decent about the spot. If the class is strong I may consider trying to move up.

12/27/12 The Roughriders visited the White House today, 4 players from their club refused to make the trip ‘in protest’. Curious to see how the media handles this, and if it affects their clubhouse.

12/29/12 Michigan and LA made a deal today. LA sending 27 yr old Gerald Kelly (whom they acquired from Dayton in July (8-7 4.17 in Dayton, 7-5 3.63 in LA) to Michigan in return for 34 year old SS/3B Craig Hatcher (260/335/365 in 323 AB’s for the Battlecats) and 21 year old catching prospect Glen Snow. Kelly will assume the mantle of staff ace in Michigan.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

Apparently my players got re-rated in the recent past, and a bunch of guys I thought were serious prospects, aren't now. I remember Orcin running into this, but man this is disheartening and not a little perturbing. A personnel move might be in order.

Been there, done that! My advice is to not make a hasty move after too much wine, or you might find yourself writing a story around it the next morning.

[gehrig38]

Forgot to do this at 2012 season end, but here were the final standings for the Mariano Rivera Award for the leagues best closer. (Ties are broken by lowest ERA)

In the FL the final tally looked like this

Francisco Flores (BUF) 7-5 43-50 Saves for 119 pts

Bill Barlow (DAY) 4-3 41-45 Saves for 117 pts and 1.72 ERA to take tie breaker

Greg Patterson (BRO) 7-4 39-42 Saves for 117 pts and 1.88 ERA

In the CL:

Sherwood Jacobs (MIC) 5-3 46-48 Saves for 138 pts

Julio Gonzalez (LA) 1-1 44-46 Saves for 128 pts

Joe Boswell (PIT) 5-0 39-39 Saves for 127 pts (He also sported a 0.88 ERA with a line of 78 IP, 48 hits, 105 K’s and 8 walks!)

Chicago’s Ernesto Cruz was 3-2 with 31-36 saves for 85 pts.

[gehrig38]

Thought it'd be cool to take a look back at the best 2012 performances. Starting with the hitters!
The Iron Pigs make no appearances here, which is actually surprising given the years Morg and Alexander had. I expect this to change. 2 3 HR games.
I guess the flip side of not appearing as hitters here, was that I didn't apear as an "Opponent" either, also surprising given the bottom of my rotation.

[gehrig38]

However! On the pitching side, the Iron Pigs showed some fight.
Alfredo sits atop this list with his no no. His 15 K game moved from 2nd to 4th after, and unbeknownst to me, Dan Hill of Philly punches out 15 in a game in September. Ernie Kelly makes more than a few appearances. Carter Lee's no hitter of my Chicago club comes in at #6.

[gehrig38]

I'm clearly a stat fiend. But I have to admit that reading along with Orcin has completely changed the way I play OOTP.
For the first time in the many years I've been playing, I've found a way to play the game with an MMO feel to it, and it's a blast. I think I look more forward to writing in many cases, as I do playing.
Each time I write I get a little more invested. That's opened up the game to a ton more fun for me. I'm still trying to figure out where to draw the line, but I think I am writing as much (much as I wrote on the bench) so the players and scenarios will become more familiar, faster.
I want heroes, and villains, and the more I write the quicker I get to 'know' the teams and players.
Honestly the 'game' inside the game, the front office and owner stuff, I had no idea existed to this depth. That there is that much AI in this, that trades are actually made for REAL reasons when you look into the players moving, is huge to me.
The budget, draft and what not, are fun.
I'll tell you another thing.
In my other leagues I went into the editor and often when I setup a league I tweaked my teams to be fun, to be teams I wanted to coach and to be good, early. I always knew this was making me miss what Orcin had to some degree, but I've found this to be a very different animal.
The only editor moves I went in an made were coaches, as I like that part a lot less than anything else and every year having a ton of moves to make wasn't fun, but even that's different. I now am looking hard at how my players improve, or not, and am calculating that into coaching decisions.
Overall the game has taken on a completely different 'fun' for me, and that's a good thing.

[gehrig38]

1/19/13 The Sky Sox of LA made a move today. Shipping 32 year old RF Manuel Miranda (310-24-88) to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds for 25 year old MR Tommy Ray and 24 year old C prospect Largo Viadana.

(MARTIN’S TAKE:Miranda’s a gold glove corner OF with a middle of the lineup bat who rarely K’s, or walks. He still runs well for a 32 year old, clearly a move to get LA into contention for them. Tommy Ray is a sinker slider GB guy, coaxing them at almost 80% and coming off a very good season (when he is healthy.) Had labral surgery in March so he made only 16 appearances but he figures to be a bullpen stalwart in LA. Viadana is a fringy prospect at best, at 24 he’s too old to be a future star and he didn’t hit at all in AA last year. Below avg glove and arm.

Tulsa continued their remake as well. Trading 27 year old OF Javier Colon (.232-11-46 in 499 AB’s) to Edmonton for 34 year old MR Stephen Kelley (3-6 2 SV 3.70 in 87.2 IP) and 21 year old OF prospect Stephen Meyer (13 HR’s and 53 RBI’s in 434 AB’s at 3 stops from A-AA).

(MARTIN’S TAKE: Edmonton has a large and rabid fan base and their owner Mark Bastien (who made his fortune in the beer trade) has made no bones about the Trappers reaching the playoffs after falling 1 game short last year. Colon, an outstanding LF, figures to move into the starting role there and hit in the bottom half of the Trapper order while Kelley moves into a setup role for 30 year old Closer Goncalo Bermude who had 35 saves and a 1.70 ERA last year.)

[gehrig38]

2013 Pre Season is about to start. My market is average, fan loyalty remains very good and interest is at 62. I’ve moved from rebuild to neutral, as I think with a few breaks it could be an interesting year. Omar is asking for another ‘close to .500 season’ and that’s doable imo. Going to move my ticket prices just a ‘smidge’, from 16.22 to 17 bucks. I think the product is worth it. With little room in the budget I’m asking Martin to shift his search for international talent to Cuba, from the Dominican. When I manage to get some breathing room I’ll be pumping huge $$ into scouting and player dev. My scouting budget is at 2.45m, with a league average of 3.2 and a max of 9.7.

Here’s a pre spring training look at the 2013 version of the Chicago Iron Pigs
We’ll go to camp with 7 SP on the roster. 23 year old Carlos De La Torre was a last minute addition to the roster. Carlos was 11-6 3.43 at AA Bakersfield last year and given the lack of any consistency at the back end of the rotation he’ll be given every shot to win a spot.

#1 27 year old Alfredo Alejandrez is the #1 here, his 13-11 4.41 ERA season was as much a product of a .299 BABIP as anything. He’s built some more stamina so hopefully won’t run out of gas at seasons end and be able to get us deeper into games.

#2 21 year old Mike Davis is really our 1A, and were he older he could get the ball opening day. I expect that to happen if he continues to progess. His 18-8 3.58 campaign was staggering to watch. He led the league with a .229 BABIP which we fully expect to go up a bit this year. His issue has been, and likely will be, walks. 87 in 228.2 IP last year. Martin isn’t as high on him as he had been, but we’re still hopfeful he can anchor the 2 spot.

#3 26 year old Bill Flowers started fast after a call up from AAA Tulsa. The move was made more out of desperation but Flowers jumped to a 4-0 start, then finished 8-6 5.02. He has issues missing bats (153 hits in 127.1 IP and his command isn’t good enough to allow that many. His calling card is Cribbage, as he takes more money than anyone during camp from anyone that will sit down.

#4 Carlos De La Torre. The hope is that the 23 year old can grab this spot. In a great organization he’d likely be somewhere in the AAA rotation in an effort to continue improving his control. We’ll see how this works out. Scouts love his stamina, he can get himself deep into games if he can stay away from the walks. His hobby? Botany, ya, botany. Never heard of an ace who dabbled in botany fwiw.

#5 Jack Jackson, Jeff Garrett, Francisco Salazar. The hope is that one of these guys has gotten good enough to deserve this spot. Jackson was 6-14 6.66 last year, Garrett 5-11 6.38 and Salazar 3-7 7.97 before being sent down and eventually missing 7 months with shoulder issues. Jackson is the only LH, and Salazar is the youngest at 25 (Garret is 30, Jackson 29), but the pitcher that throws the best wins the spot this year, period.

BULLPEN
9 guys will compete for 7 spots here. Ernesto Cruz (3-2 31 saves 1.98 ERA) is the stopper with everyone else finding their places. Ideally I’ll have 3 lefties and 3 righties to set him up. Right now 3rd round pick Randy Pennington looks to continue his rise and will hopefully join Craig Frank (3-2 1 SV 2.06 in 52.1 IP) and Bill George(5-0 2 SV 3.39 ERA) as the bullpen southpaws. George offers the ability to spot start in a pinch.

On the right side Chris Dalton (32, 1-1 1 Sv 6.00 ERA), Ken Johnson (27, 5-4 5.26), Jose Pacheco (23, 4-3 5.07), Riley Potts (24, 3-5 2 SV 3.45) and Sib van Bodegraven (25, 2-8 3.82) will compete for the 3 RH spots. Pacheco, Potts and van Bodegraven have the inside track but KJ and Dalton bring different things. Dalton can dot a pin at 60 feet but cannot miss bats, KJ had incredible stuff, insane movement but horrid command. I’ll let them sort it out over the next 30.

CATCHING
Eric Hudson (26) will remain the every day guy. His 296/369/388 line and outstanding defense make him a valuable piece to the puzzle. Dave Lawhorn (29) will spell Huddy when he has to, but Rafael Flores (24) in Tulsa is a GG caliber defender and could possibly see his way onto the roster by the end of spring. Jose Cabral (23) will start the year in AAA in hopes his bat continues to mature.

1B
Wes Morgan (24) is coming off a 44HR season in which he drove in 108 runs. He’ll contend for the gold glove again this year and the fact he can play an outstanding 3B will give me lineup flexibility. Donald Weaver came to camp 20 pds heavier and blasting RH pitching. Versus RH’s he’ll likely DH, and backup Wes at first.

Middle Infield
Greg Bartlett (31) Chris Dixon (26) Sean Parker (25) Jean Chartier (19) Ignacio Ferrer (32) and Gonzalo Barron (25) are in the mix. Chartier is poised to enter the national spotlight. Scouts are predicting a possible 30/30 or 40/40 season from this kid. Being above average at 2B, SS and 3B will give the lineup immense flexibility for this RH hitter to be where we need him. Barring injury Bartlett, Ferrer and Parker figure to battle for the 2 remaining spots. With a 7 man pen we’re going short handed again here so the guy that hits a little and presents the most versatility will likely take the last spot.

Outfield
Ernesto Gutierrez (25) is coming off a fantastic season. .318/377/434 will sit atop the lineup again vs RHP. He can play an outstanding CF and RF with a cannon, and we lose little if we need him in left. If Bill Alexander can remain healthy, again, the 25 year old figures to build on his monster 319-48-147 season. An above average corner OF the only concern is health, and keeping him fresh. Sergio Lopez (acquired from Philly last year) played in 157 games last year hitting a combined 278-12-79 with a .341 OBP. He stole 19 bases in 30 attempts as well. His ability to play a good 1B makes him a nice piece to have. Hugh Collins (23) Bob Barbour (23) and Brian Walker (24) all share one thing in common. They’re the three fastest players in the Iron Pigs organization. Barbour and Collins figure to take the 2 remaining OF spots with Walker heading to AAA. We’re actually setup nicely in the OF even with an injury, though Alexander or Goot going down would have huge repercussions on our overall club.

[gehrig38]

From Chicago and around the league

3/13/13 Sergio Lopez will miss about 5 weeks after fracturing his hand. We put him on the 15 day DL

3/20/13 Fresno 2B Joe O’Neal (38) will miss the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon. O’Neal hit 278-15-65 in 575 at bats last year.

3/26/13 Eric Hudson went down for a few days, and we decided to call up Rafael Flores to big league camp to not find ourselves short handed at Catcher.

We had a great spring, avoiding serious injury problems and posting a 15-9 record. Gutierrez hit 438, Chartier had 24 hits and 4 HR’s, he and Alexander drove in 15 apiece.

In surprising news Francisco Salazar and Jack Jackson managed to pitch well enough to take the 4 and 5 spots. De La Torre had a rough go of it and we’ll be fine sending him to Tulsa to get his work in. KJ had 27 K’s in 21 IP, but the 17 walks were too much, and he’ll head to AAA to setup or close, hoping AAA Pitching coach Flavio Leon can get his control squared away.

Rafael Flores was good enough to stick. His defense alone was enough and give Dave Lawhorn being 29, a non prospect and lack of a bat it made the move easy. Morgan, Weaver, Bartlett, Parker, Chartier and Ferrer will makeup the infield, with Leo Russel, Hugh Collins, Gutierrez, Alexander and Barbour in the OF. Russell will be our 5th OF, pinch runner until Lopez returns off the DL.

Jeff Garret and Cris Dalton and Gonzalo Barron were designated for assignment

Made a trade involving minor leaguers at the end of camp. Sent 26 year old SP Javier Sanchez (13-9 4.30 AAA) to New Hampshire for 22 year old CL prospect Dave Winston (8-7 24 SV 4.67 AAA). Our scouts are VERY high on this Winston kid. His 98-100mph fastball, with some more control, could be a nice pickup. Winston will head to Tulsa as a reliever.

[gehrig38]

Who doesn't love the 'experts'. Here's the media's take on the upcoming season, along with their predictions from last year and the final standings!
Those guys are pretty good! They only really 'missed' on the Knights of NY, predicting them to win 89 and the WC, but injuries and media issues, and a clubhouse brew up saw them finish 19 games off. They correctly predicted all three division winners and nailed 2 records, missing a few others by only a game. Seems they feel the Frontier League is going to be similar, but they clearly think Tulsa shake up worked, and that Edmonton is going to fall.