The IBL's Chicago Iron Pigs

[gehrig38]

WEEK 6
3 @ New Hampshire (15-18 3 GB in the CL East)
4 @ Houston (27-4 +9.5 in my division. Our 2nd meetup after they swept me 8-0, 8-2 and 10-7 in mid April on their way to a 16-0 start, and 21-2 April)

GAME 32
Welcome to Chicago Wil Butler and welcome to .500! 8-5-1-1-2-3 was his line in moving to 3-3 and the Chicago offense had his back. Scoring 9 runs on 13 hits. 2 hits days by Gutierrez, Barbour, Hudson, Parker and Lorenzelli, including Gutierrez’s 2nd career leadoff HR (3) and Barbours 5th of the year. Sean Parker drove in 3, Collins, Gutierrez and Barbour drove in 2 each as the Iron Pigs managed to get to .500 for the first time and the latest in team history.
CHI 10 NH 1 WIN (11.5 GB)

LEAGUE NEWS
Santiago Medina (1-6 2.57) has been pitching with some insane bad luck this year. He ended that today by handling it all himself, tossing a 5 hit 8 K shutout at LA.

GAME 33
Mark Williams (2-0) was awesome (7-4-1-1-2-5), Eric Hudson was outstanding (4-5 2 R’s and an RBI) and Bill Alexander was, record breaking. Bill Alexander became the first Chicago Iron Pigs hitter to ever homer 3 times in one game. Alexander hit a solo HR (16) in the 1st, a 2R shot (17) in the 2nd and capped the win with a 2 run shot (18) in the 9th to lead Chicago to a 6-1 win and over .500 for the first time in 2013.
CHI 6 NH 1 WIN (17-16 10.5 GB)

Alexander is now sporting the 3rd best average in the entire IBL at .370 (tailing Soto’s (LA) .382 and FL’s Gerald Wright (EP) at .379. He leads the IBL in HR’s with 18, 4 more than Staten Island’s Travis Bryant and is up 1 in RBI’s on Bryant as well.

MINORS NEWS
Magnum Ultimate 2B Melvin Watson (AAA Las Vegas affiliate) went 6-6 today in a 21-10 win. (I point this out because this kid plays 6 positions (all three left side IF and all three OF positions) and scouts rate his glove as excellent to Gold Glove at all 6. His bat is going to be IBL capable, as a high 280+ hitter with an exceptional eye and great speed. We’re going to take a run at the kid, whom our scouts have as a 4.5 star potential player.

TRADE NEWS
In what ended up being a rather short window, Las Vegas 51 GM Dan Frank sent the papers over to complete a trade. Las Vegas is sending super utility prospect 21 year old Melvin Watson to Chicago in exchange for 23 year old LF Sergio Lopez (acquired from Philly in the deal that sent Jorge Diaz to the Freedom) and 18 year old RHP prospect Hector Guzman (Chicago’s 6th pick in the 2012 draft) and their 2013 6th rounder.

OF Leo Russell was called up to replace Lopez on the roster and Watson (with 1 option remaining) was sent to AAA Tulsa. Backup IF Gonzalo Barron was given his release at Tulsa. In the short term this leaves me insanely LH heavy and a lineup that will have issues vs good LH starting. But the pieces are beginning to form.

GAME 34
Bill Flowers (1-3) goes 6.1-7-4-4-3-3 in a 5-1 loss that saw NH starter Colin Botts (1-4) stymie the Chicago offense (8-6-1-1-0-3). Hugh Collins was 2-4 subbing for the slumping Bob Barbour.
NH 4 CHI 1 LOSS (17-17 11.5 GB)

GAME 35
Top 4 starters are lined up for this showdown. Interesting to see where the club stacks up this early in the year. Unfortunately Houston is lined up as well, with Gonzalez (6-0 1.79) and Alejandrez (4-2 3.12) squaring off in game 1.

Alejandrez (5-2) goes 7-9-2-2-3-5 to outpitch Gonzalez (6-1) who throws 6.2-6-5-5-2-3 in the loss. Massi Lorenzelli’s 2nd double, a 2 run bases loaded drive in the 7th broke open a 2-2 game. Wes Morgan hit his 6th in a 2-4 day. Dave Millers 2nd HR of the game (3) off Ryan Pennington made it 5-4 and Ernesto Cruz came in to record the final 5 outs for his 7th save.
CHI 5 HOU 4 (18-17 10.5 GB)

LEAGUE NEWS
LA Sky Sox 24 year old Tommy Hobbs moved to 5-0 2.31 on the year after tossing a 2 hit 10 K CG shutout in Pittsburgh. Hobbs currently ranks 3rd in the CL in ERA.

In what could have been devastating news, Las Vegas learned that All Star, and reigning Koufax Award winner Matthieu Cafasso will only be out about a month after fearing the worst of a sore shoulder. Cafasso was 20-9 2.99 last year, and was off to a 5-2 3.97 start through 8 games in 2013 and was leading the Coastal League with 54 strike outs, and 2nd in wins. The 51’s have called up 23 year old Dan White to make Cafasso’s starts over the next few weeks.

GAME 36
Bad starting pitching and sloppy defense gave Houston all they would need and more. Mike Davis’ (0-3) early season woes continued as the slumping right went 4.2-7-7-7-3-2 and the Chicago offense after jumping out 2-0 in the 2nd, couldn’t muster anything.
HOU 10 CHI 3 (18-18 11.5 GB)

GAME 37
Wil Butler gets his 2nd start tonight and it’s against stud Brian Donahue (3-1 2.08).
A 2-2 game entering the top of the 9th saw Chicago explode for 6 runs. Leon Russell struck out as a pinch hitter to start the inning. Eight hitters later he drove in 2 runs with a 2 out single. That offense allowed manager to send starter Wil Butler (4-3 2.51) back out for the 9th, where he set the Roughriders down in order. A 118 pitch 9-5-2-2-1-4 complete game. Eric Hudson went 3-5, Ernesto Gutierrez 1-4 with 3 RBI’s (including his 4th HR, a 3 run shot to break the 2-2 tie), Wes Morgan, Sean Parker and Massi Lorenzelli had 2 hit days as part of an 8 run 14 hit attack. Hard luck starter Brian Donahue went 7-5-2-2-4-4 in a ND.
CHI 8 HOU 2 (19-18 10.5 GB)

GAME 38
Mark Williams (3-0 2.16) went 6 strong innings (6-4-1-0-4-4) and Wesley Morgan and Sean Parker both had 3 hit days. Parker drove in 2 with his 4th HR and Morgan had an RBI on 2 singles and a triple. Chicago takes 3 of 4 from the best team in the IBL.
Cy May was 2-15 in the series with 2 singles and a run scored.
CHI 6 HOU 2 (20-18 9,5 GB)

WEEK 6 NEWS
New York Knights RF Steve Blue continued their run of PotW award by going 14-31 with a HR and 2 RBI’s this week. The 30 year old is hitting 335-3-18 in 155 AB’s this year after a 264-14-74 2012 campaign in 542 AB’s.

Philly’s Dave Ladd won the CL PotW award after a 12-24 3 HR 7 RBI week. Ladd is sitting at 331-11-32 on the year. (Hit 283-31-118 in 2012)

In the FL East Brooklyn has moved 2.5 up on Buffalo at 21-17 and both NY and SI are starting to drop back at 5 and 5.5 out.

In the FL Central it can’t get much tighter. Tulsa is at 23-16, .5 up on Dayton and San Antonio, and 2.5 up on West Michigan.

In the West El Paso is 21-18 and leads Sacramento by a half game. Edmonton is 1 game back and Phoenix, at 11-28, is 10 out.

Dayton is atop the Wild Card at 21-15, and 5 teams are within 3.5 games.
In the CL east Philly and Pittsburgh are battling for best PA team, and tied with 20-20 and 19-19 records. New Hampshire is 1.5 back, Baltimore 3 out.

In the Central Houston still has a commanding 8 game lead over Corpus Christi at 29-8.

In the West LA, 21-16, has opened up a 3.5 game lead over Michigan, 4.5 on Vegas. Fresno is 10 games out at 11-25.

Corpus Christi is on top of the wild card at 22-17, and the Iron Pigs are 1.5 back. Including Chicago there are 7 teams within 5.5 games of the leader in the WC.

ORG NEWS
Colm Goodman, 20 year old LF for the Denison Plymouths took home Pacific League PotW after going 11-25 with 4 HR’s and 9 RBI’s, and scoring 8 times. Goodman is at 356-5-18 in 87 AB’s this year after a 240-2-20 (221 AB) 2012
Chicago reaches new heights! Ranked #5 in this weeks power rankings at 100.7

[gehrig38]

WEEK 7
OFF DAY
3 @ Philly (20-20 +.5 CL East)
3 vs Las Vegas (18-22 -4.5 CL West)

GAME 39
An instant classic! Down 3-0 into the 5th, A Sotolo’s HR (2) tied it at 3 where it stayed into the 7th. Bill Flowers (6.1-11-5-5-1-4) handed it to a fresh pen who tried to R/L/R the game. They failed. C Dan Land’s 2 out 3B plated 2 runs and the Freedom tacked on 2 more to go up 7-3. In the top of the 8th Gutierrez led off with a 1B, 1 out later Bill Alexander hit his 19th HR, pulling within 2. Eric Hudson walked and Sean Parker hit a 3B to make it 7-6. Hugh Collins routine grounder was booted by 3B Kevin Peters and Parker scored to tie it. With 2 on and 2 out in the bottom of the eight Land hits another 2 out 2 run triple and Philly pulls ahead 9-7. Into the 9th with an out, Gutierrez singles, Barbour singles and Alexander is HBP. Wes Morgan pops up for the 2nd out and Eric Hudson, on the first pitch, drives a ball deep into the gap clearing the bases for the 10-7 win!
CHI 10 PHI 9 21-18 (10 GB)

ORG NEWS
22 year Tulsa 2B Dudley Williams had a 5-5 day in a 25-10 Tulsa win over Magnolia (FRE AAA). On the year Williams is at 370-3-14

Belleview RF Mark Murray also had a day. Going 5-6 in a 16-1 win over Watertown (SAN A).

GAME 40
Bill Alexander went 2-4 and drove in 2. His 2nd hit was a tie breaking 2B in the top of the 10th to put Chicago up 5-4 where Ernesto Cruz entered, and saved his 9th. Alfredo Alejandrez was ineffective through 5-7-3-3-3-3 and the bullpen held the game close. Gutierrez went 2-4 with his 10th stolen base, Alexander (20) and Morgan (7) homered. C Eric Hudson was 2-5 with an RBI.
CHI 5 PHI 4 22-18 (10 GB)

LEAGUE NEWS
Bill Alexander now trails Vincente Soto .355 to .350 in the batting race. Alexanders 44 RBI’s is 11 better than the Hooks Clint Etheridge and his 20 HR’s is 9 ahead of Michigans Bob Herman.

Chicago’s 8-2 run has them 1.5 games behind Corpus Christi in the WC.

GAME 41
Mike Davis holds the Freedom hitless into the 6th and comes out in the 8th (7.1-4-2-2-4-4) handing a 5-2 lead to the pen, which immediately collapses. Sib van Bodegraven allows his inherited run to score and then surrenders a game tying 2R HR Kevin Peters. A tired pen then held the door for the next 4.1 innings until Ernesto Gutierrez’s 2B drove in Bob Barbour to put Chicago ahead to stay, 6-5. Ernesto Cruz notched his 10th save. Hugh Collins went 2-5 with his 3rd HR, Bill Alexander drove in 2.
CHI 6 PHI 5 23-18 (9.5 GB)

LEAGUE NEWS
Fisher Cats 33 year old Colin Botts (12-15 3.86 ’12 and 1-5 5.43 ’13) will miss the remainder of the season with rotator cuff problems.

GAME 42
Wil Butler (4-4) laid his first egg in a Chicago uniform (4.1-7-8-7-2-1). Bill Alexander 2-4 HR (21) and 2 RBI’s and Wes Morgan 2-4 with a 2B and an RBI were the lone bright spots for Chicago. Glen Harvery (3-2) of Vegas went 8.1-8-3-3-0-7 in the win.
LV 8 CHI 3 23-19 (9.5 GB)

LEAGUE NEWS
Pittsburgh’s Manuel Miranda went 5-6 in the Riverhounds 9-1 win over Michigan. The 32 year old CF also drove in 2 and is now 345-8-24 in 174 at bats on the season. Miranda hit 310-24-88 last year.

Battlecats SP 34 year old Al Stroud came out of that same game with a shoulder problem. The lefty has a torn labrum and will miss the rest of the 2013 season. Stroud (12-17 5.49 in ’12) was 3-2 with a 6.20 ERA in 2013.

GAME 43
Mark Williams (3-1) went 6.2-7-3-2-2-6 and didn’t help himself with an error. Randy Pennington allowed the 51’s to break it open with a 3 run 9th. Dennis Weaver went 2-3 with 2 solo HR’s (6) in the loss.
LV 6 CHI 3 23-20 (9.5 GB)

LEAGUE NEWS
Dayton Dragons 3B Julian Martinez went 1-3 today to extend his hitting streak to 20 games. The 29 year old Martinez is currently at 342-3-24 on the season.

GAME 44
Bill Flowers (2-3) took the game into the 7th (6-7-2-2-1-4) and van Bodegraven handed to Craig Frank for the final 7 outs. Dennis Weaver hit his 4th HR, 8th overall, in 2 days, going 3-4 with 5 RBI’s.
CHI 8 LV 2 24-20 (9.5 GB)

WEEK 7 NEWS

ORG NEWS
AAA 2B Dudley Williams is hurt again. This time shoulder and this time for at least a month.

Tulsa RF Alfredo Lozano went 15-30 with 4 HR’s and 13 RBI’s to win the United League PotW honors. The 2012 AA Hitter of the Year continues to impress.

Belleview’s Mark Murray took home PotW honors in the Midwest League last week.The 21 year old LF went 14-31 with 2 HR’s and 7 RBI’s while scoring 8 runs.

Chicago is 4th in the IBL Power Rankings at 103.2

LEAGUE NEWS
Philly’s Andrew Olson (5-3 3.86 ’13 and 15-8 3.55 ’12) tossed a 6 hitter at Fresno yesterday.

Vincente Soto (LA) went 5-6 in an 11 inning 6-5 win over Columbus.

Houston Roughriders Cy May tore ligaments in his thumb yesterday. The 28 year old May, the IBL Coastal Leagues 2012 Player of the Year will miss up to 5 weeks. May was hitting 265-11-26 on the season.

West Michigan White Caps CF Felipe Hernandez took home FL PotW honors after a 10-25 3 HR 8 RBI week. The 23 year old is currently hitting 273-6-17 on the year.

Philly Freedom 1B Antonio Vargas won CL PotW honors. The 24 year old went 14-29 with 3 HR’s and 12 RBI’s last week

The Roughriders, now with a major injury, have started to come back to earth a bit. At 33-10 they are 9 up on Corpus Christi and 9.5 up on us.

In the FL Central San Antonio and Tulsa are separated by .5 game (SAN 25-19 TUL 25-20) with West Michigan and Dayton 3 back.

Brooklyn leads New York by 3, Buffalo by 3.5 and Staten Island is 6.5 out.

El Paso is .5 up on Sacramento at 26-19 to 25-19. Edmonton is 4 out and Phoenix has rebounded a smidge to get to 16-29.

Pittsburgh is .5 up on New Hampshire at 22-22 to 22-23, Philly is at 22-24 and Baltimore brings up the rear at 19-25.

LA is at 24-20, 2.5 up on 22-23 Vegas and 3.5 up on 21-24 Michigan.

Vincente Soto has taken charge in the CL batting race at 371, 34 pts higher than Clint Etheridge (CC) Manuel Miranda (PITT). Alexander is 10 better than the next CL hitter in HR’s with 21, and 14 RBI’s better than Etheridge at 49.

Raul Gonzalez (HOU) and Josh Wells (EP) lead the IBL with 8 wins. Michael Ross (HOU) continues to dominate the Saves category at 21, 8 more than any other closer. Gonzalez and teammate Brian Donahue are 1-2 in the CL ERA race at 2.16 and 2.22 with Fresno’s Santiago Medina in 3rd at 2.38.

In the FL Shawn Calhoun (WMI) is at 1.56, leading Brooklyn’s Walt Thompson who’s at 1.73. Thompson is the pace setter with 80 punchouts, followed by Calhoun’s 75.

[gehrig38]

WEEK 8
4 @ LA (24-20 +2.5 CL West)
3 @ Baltimore (19-25 3 GB CL East)

TRADE NEWS
Chicago has sent the paperwork for deal completion to the league office but GM Luis Clemente let slip to local Columbus media that the Clippers had traded blue chip prospect SS/3B 23 year old Andrew Martin to the Iron Pigs of Chicago. Receiving the Iron Pigs starting 3b Sean Parker (265-4-18) and Omaha relief prospect 18 year old Jack Durham. The teams also swapped 2nd picks in this years draft.

I got younger, Parker is 26, Martin is 23, and my scouts have Martin as a 5 star ceiling guy who can play both SS and 3B, though he’s a much better 3B. The hang up was he’s a LH hitter, but Parker is as well so we’ll remain LH heavy, but get younger and hopefully better.

The other domino to fall here was calling up AAA prospect Walt Thompson. A switch hitting 1B/3B who’s grown into a prospect since last year. At 25 he’s a bit old to label a prospect, but he’ll give my lineup versatility, and he handles lefties and righties very similarly. Both he and Wes Morgan are gold glovers at 1st base and exceptional 3B.

They both have big pop, Thompson having a huge ceiling power wise. It certainly helps my lineup vs lefties but I am still thin at middle inf, especially 2B.

Paul Riggs (350-402-517 at AA) is being called up to AAA.

GAME 45
Eric Hudson goes 4-6 with 3 RBI’s, Bill Alexander 2-3, Walt Thompson 3-5 an RBI and 2 runs in his IBL debut, Donald Weaver 2-5 with his 9th HR (5th in 3 games), Bob Barbour 3-5 2 runs and Massi Lorenzelli was 3-5 with 3 RBI’s to pacea 17 hit 8 run attack today. All that offense was enough for Alfredo Alejandrez (6-2) who went 7-6-2-0-2-1 in the win. The offense was rough on LA starter Thomas Hobbs (5-2 3.18) who went 3.1-8-5-5-1-2. CL batting leader Vincente Soto was 1-4 in the loss.
CHI 9 LA 2 (25-20 9 GB)

LEAGUE NEWS
Dayton’s Julian Martinez had his streak stopped at 21 today in a 5-2 loss to Brooklyn.

Baltimore Railcats Lando Jongmans will remain out with his broken foot. Thought to be back in the next few days the Railcat 2B will be out a bit longer than expected.

Chicago has moved into a .5 game lead in the wild card.

GAME 46
Mike Davis (1-3) pitched dominating ball into the 9th before tiring (8-5-2-2-1-7) and Walt Thompson doubled and homered (1) and drove in 3. Eric Hudson went 2-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI’s, Wes Morgan 2-3 2 RBI’s, and A Sotolo went 2-5 as the Iron Pigs rapped 5 doubles.
CHI 8 LA 2 (26-20 8 GB)

LEAGUE NEWS
Tulsa Drillers rookie (and FL Rookie of the month for April) Tiberio Donizetti went 3-3 yesterday in a 5-4 win, drilling 3 solo home runs. On the year the 21 year old is hitting 331-7-19.

The NY Knights have lost their 2nd CF for the year, losing 31 year old Darren Oliverto torn PCL.

GAME 47
Solo HR’s by Alexander (22) and Thompson (2) in the 9th were the lone bright spots today.Thompson’s crucial 1st inning error made a loser out of Wil Butler (4-5 3.36) as he went 5.1-9-5-2-3-1 in the loss. Ernesto Gutierrez went 3-4 with 2 stolen bases (12).
LA 5 CHI 3 (26-21 9 GB) (+.5 in WC)

LEAGUE NEWS
West Michigan prospect CF Chad Weeks (293-11-46 at AAA) will miss the remainder of the 2013 after suffering a grade 3 concussion last night. Weeks saw struggled in his 2012 rookie campaign (185-6-32 in 270 AB’s) but was finding his stroke early in the AAA season. The IBL’s new concussion rules were put in place for exactly this instance, and Weeks will be monitored weekly as the season progresses.

Buffalo rookie MR Bryan Curtis was also lost for the season yesterday. The 22 year old Curtis (1-0 2.25 in 14 games) tore the flexor tendon and will likely be sidelined for more than a year.

GAME 48
53 degrees and a stiff wind in from center kept the bats on ice early. Bill Alexander’s 23rd HR, a 2 run shot, changed that in the 4th, and after making it 2-1 Chicago busted out for 4 in the 6th. Massi Lorenzelli’s bases clearing double being the decisive blow. Mark Williams (4-1 2.06) went 7.2-5-1-1-4-2 for the win. All that offense came against stud Nick Johnston (19-8 3.88 ’12) who’s 5-5 4.91 through 10 starts this year.
CHI 6 LA 1 (27-21 8GB) (+1 in WC)


GAME 49
Handed a 3-2 lead in the 7th, Ryan Pennington and Jose Pacheco couldn’t hold it. A 2B followed by a walk and a 2B off Pacheco and Chicago couldn’t get it back. Clinton Quinn nailed it down for his 11th save. Alexander, Hudson and Weaver drove in the Chicago runs. Flowers was outstanding in the loss going 6-7-2-2-0-4.
BAL 4 CHI 3 (27-22 9 GB) (tied for WC)

GAME 50
Alfredo Alejandrez (6-3) never got it going 7-6-5-5-3-4 surrendering 2 2R HR’s to Baltimore’s T Holmes (8) as part of a 3-3 5 RBI day. Chris O’Slattery (3-6 3.25) tied Alejandrez IBL record with 15 K’s over 8 dominating innings (8-3-2-2-0-15) and Quinn iced it for his 12th save. Hugh Collins PH 9th inning HR (4) knocked O’Slattery from the game.
BAL 5 CHI 2 (27-23 9 GB) (tied for WC)

LEAGUE NEWS
O’Slattery’s 15 k’s moved him into the CL lead with 91 K’s, 23 more than Andrew Olson (PHI).

In a rash of pitching injury news:
The White Caps of West Michigan lost 36 year old SP Dwayne Williams (12-16 4.35 ’12 and 4-3 3.28 ’13) for the remainder of the season. Williams will have undisclosed shoulder surgery with doctors expecting him to be out at least 8 months.

Las Vegas 51 34 year old SP Juan Carvajal received similar news today. Carvajal (11-12 3.51 ’12 and 4-4 4.19 ’13) will miss 11-12 months after tearing his UCL.

Columbus Clippers starter Paul Cook will miss the next 4-5 months to have his rotator cleaned up. The 26 year old Cook was 3-4 3.69 this year after a 2012 season which saw him make 14 starts around 2 DL stints and go 7-2 3.99.

GAME 51
Mike Davis worked 7 strong (7.1-7-2-2-1-1) and in a rare 3 inning appearance Ernesto Cruz (2-0) shut down Baltimore as Bob Barbour’s 1 out 2 run single proved the difference. Eric Hudson was 4-5 with an RBI (raising his avg to 323) and Bill Alexander went 3-6. Barbour was 2-5 with 2 RBI’s.
CHI 4 BAL 2 (28-23 8 GB) (+1 in the WC)

WEEK 8 NEWS
Stephano McDermott, Columbus’ 34 year old LF, went 5-5 in a 12-5 Columbus beating of Pittsburgh. McDermott is hitting 243-14-44 on the year.

Trapper C Ernest Snider took home FL PotW honors after a 11-25 3 HR 10 RBI week.

LA Sky Sox LF Vincente Soto remained hot going 13-26 with 2 HR’s and 7 RBI’s to raise his average to a league leading 375 and win CL PotW.

ORG NEWS
Bakersfield LF Ken Sanders went 8-23 with 3 HR’s, 9 RBI’s and scored 6 times to take home Primal League PotW honors. Sanders is hitting 233-11-39 in 189 ab’s this year.

Belleview’s Chris Richards went 7-13 with a HR and 3 RBI’s to win MWL PotW honors. The 23 year old Richards is at 341-5-19 in 85 AB’s this year after a 325-11-37 season in Belleview last year. Looks like it’s time to move this kid.

Chicago remains 4 in the Power Rankings at 99.8

[mpejkrm]

Unrelated to this dynasty, but thanks for sticking up for Trout on BBTN. He should have won the MVP.

[gehrig38]

In all honesty OOTP helped me completely understand WHY he should have won, when you look at the defensive metrics, it becomes a no brainer.
Chiccago's getting ready to take the field...

[gehrig38]

MAY NEWS
Mike Davis will miss at least the next 8 weeks with a sprained ankle. Lefty Jack Jackson will be recalled. Jackson has far better since being sent down (3-2 3.22 in 7 starts) but his control will remain an issue. The other options were Carlos De La Torre (8-3 4.58 in 12 starts) and Jacob Nelson (2-4 7.41). De La Torre was given a shot in spring training but pitched poorly and the organization feels like he’s better, but needs more innings and Nelson is actually heading to AA to try and right the ship. Nelson was acquired from Staten Island last April and De La Torre was the 19th round pick in the inaugural IBL draft. Relief prospect Jose Torres will get a month worth of innings in the Tulsa rotation.

Chris O’Slattery continued his challenging ’13 season (4-6 2.93) with a 6 hit 9K shutout of LA yesterday. Chris leads the CL with 100 strikeouts (2nd in the IBL to Walt Thompson (BRO) and his 106.

Fresno is happy to see Qi-chen Jung back after a month on the DL. The 33 year old 1B (301-40-134 ’12) went 5-6 with 6 RBI’s in a 16-1 Grizzly win over Columbus.

New York Knights 1B Stefan Conway was a major part of the Knights May resurgence (18-10 after a 9-19 April) as he hist 355-13-33 in May to take home FL Player of the Month Honors. On the year the 31 year old is 327-20-52, which makes his 2012 season of 299-38-111 seem like more of the same.

Columbus Clipper LF Stephano McDermott took home May CL Player of the Month honors after posting a 353-12-43 month. He had a 448 OBP and scored 29 runs as well.

West Michigans Shawn Calhoun went 4-1 1.93 in 6 May starts, striking out 42 in 42 innings to take home FL Pitcher of the Month honors. Calhoun is 7-3 1.71, leads the FL in ERA and trails only Walt Thompson in K’s.

Fresno’s Santiago Medina went 4-1 1.64 in 7 May starts to win CL Pitcher of the Month honors. Like Calhoun, Medina leads the CL in ERA and is 2nd in Strikeouts with 76.

West Michigan also had the FL Rookie of the Month. CF Felipe Hernandez went 276-6-19 to take home the award. On the year he’s hitting 256-6-19.

Las Vegas Rookie Casey Blanchard took home CL Rookie of the Month after a fine 298-4-24 month. The 24 year old Rookie also scored 17 runs. For the year he’s hitting 262-7-35.

MAY ORG NEWS
LF prospect Colm Goodman will miss the next 7-8 months with a torn PCL suffered yesterday. The 20 year old was off to a great start (308-6-22) at Class A Denison.

Alejandro Bautista took the demotion in stride it seems. The one time Iron Pig future 3B ran into some issues and started the season at AA Bakersfield, and after a tough April rebounded in May to hit 322-9-31 with 27 runs scored to win Primal League PotM honors.

[gehrig38]

Here's a look at the Frontier League on June 1st. 50 or so games in the books.
How about them Knights? An 18-10 month to get back into the thick of things? Staten Island is headed in the opposite direction after a 8-19 month. Brooklyn holds serve, and stays exactly the same, two 13-15 months.
The Central is almost EXACTLY the same 30 some odd games later.
At May 1st the Silver Stars were 2.5/3.5/3.5 up on Tulsa, Dayton and West Michigan.
San Antonio went 14-15, Dayton 15-14, Tulsa 13-15 and West Michigan 14-15.
In the West El Paso had a very good month. After finishing last in 2012, and predicted to be 80-82 this year, they're clearly exceeding some expectations. They went 18-12 in May. Phoenix, while likely out of it, followed a horrid 6-22 April with a respsectable 13-15 May.
The Wild Card has 7 teams within 4 games, up from 6 a month ago.
Steve Blue of the Knights had an insane month. After hitting a very good 306 in April, Blue, the 31 year old RF for NY, went on a .449 tear in 16 May games to take over the FL batting race. Stephen Conway, the FL player of the month, makes the NY picture somewhat clearer to understand (why their May was so good) as he pounded 13 homers to wrestle the lead from Travis Bryant. His 33 May RBI's also meant he'd end up catching Daytons Bill Hill (2012 Hank Aaron Award Winner).
Walt Thompson (BRO) kept to his 300K pace with 3 more 10K games in May.
Calhoun (WMI) and Thompson are still 1-2 in ERA, just as they were a month ago.

[gehrig38]

A 17-10 May pushed the Fisher Cats from 2 out to 1.5 up as Pittsburgh followed a 13-13 April with a 15-15 May. Philly too stuck at .500 in May going 14-14, while Baltimore went 13-16. Experts had the Riverhounds as a 67 win team this year...

Houston, if you think about April, had a horriffic May at 12-14, but pretty much any month following a 25-2 is going to be a regression. Still with a commanding 7.5 game lead in the Central over our Iron Pigs of Chicago.
We managed a 19-10 month (I am guessing that's by far our best month ever) to pick up 5.5 games in the Central.

The West has tightened up due to LA's 12-18 May, with Michigan going 15-13 and Vegas 16-14 to catch the Sky Sox.

Fresno, like Phoenix in the FL, followed a disastrous 6-19 April with a semi-respectable 12-19 May.

We moved from 4.5 back to 1 up in the Wild Card. Pretty much the same mix of clubs in this race as a month ago, with only 4 games separating 1 and 6.
Vincente Soto (LA) had few places to go but down from his .421 April, but he still paces all CL hitters.

Bill Alexander followed a 12 homer April with a 13 homer May and is in command of the entire IBL and on a 72 HR pace as of today. Stephano McDermotts (COL) 12 HR May put him right in the thick of things. His IBL record 43 RBI's in May catapulted him into that race as well.

Michael Ross' April was so dominant, an IBL record 18 Saves, that a mere 6 saves in May still has him 6 up on any closer in the game.

Chris O"Slattery's 15 K game vs Chicago was part of a 58 K month, that featured 2 other 10K+ games and he is 6 behind strikeout machine Walt Thompson for the IBL lead.

Houston's Raul Gonzalez and Brian Donahue are still in the top 3 of ERA, but CL Pitcher of the Month Santiago Medina appears to be here to stay. The flame throwing righty, at 28 years old, is being talked about around the league as possessing 3 ++ pitches and the makeup to be an ace for a long time.

[gehrig38]

Here's a look at our club, and minors, through May. 154 runs scored to 116 given up, a great turn around from the 128-140 ratio of April. That is likely attributed to the trades and moves to get Butler and Williams into the rotation. Both have pitched very well.
OBP is up 4 pts, another great sign. 37 homers in April, 37 more in May. Starters ERA is down .96, almost a full run, while the pen had dropped .25.
Our defense has gone from 12th in the league at .670 to 6th.
The kids have, for the most part all improved. Paul Riggs move from AA to AAA appears to be going well, and that needs to continue.
Raul Feliz continues to crush AAA pitching, and it's likely something needs to happen to open a spot up for the kid, he's ready.
For the most part my minor league clubs are competitive, though I think a peek at the Denton club, and staff, should this continue, could be in order.
The Davis injury, even though he was throwing poorly, could be a huge blow as it means Jackson has to come back and start. I won't allow that to last long if it doesn't go well, I have younger arms that I can see and feel much better about if he continues to poop the bed.

[gehrig38]

There are a few games that were played prior to the end of the month, who's stats will be above in the May recap, in case anyone gets confused.

WEEK 9
3 vs Columbus (22-29 14 GB Central)
4 vs Michigan (25-26 1.5 GB West)

GAME 52
Will Butler came out after the 3rd with back tightness. M Moore (3-1) came up huge with 4 innings of 1 hit 1 run relief to hold the line and Wes Morgans solo shot (8) in the 7th gave the margin for victory. Sib van Bodegraven handed the ball to a tired Ernesto Cruz for his 11th save.
CHI 4 COL 3 (29-23 7GB) (+1 in WC)

GAME 53
Chicago erupted for 6 runs in the 5th to make a 2-0 lead a rout. Mark Williams (5-1) went 7-4-4-2-2-5 for the Walt W Thompson went 2-4 with a 3B and a HR (3) and 3 RBI’s, Wes Morgan went 2-5 with 3 RBI’s as well. Eric Hudson and Dan Weaver had 2 hit days as well.
CHI 11 COL 4 (30-23 7 GB) +2 in WC

GAME 54
Bill Flowers (2-4) tired in the 7th (6.2-9-4-3-0-4) and shoddy defense and a combustible pen (4 runs over final 3) kept the Clippers in charge. Starter R Perez (1-4) got his first win in a CG effort (9-8-4-4-1-5) and S McDermott went 4-5 with a triple and HR (16) and 3 RBI’s. Alexander (24) and Collins (5) homered in the loss.
COL 8 CHI 4 (30-24 7 GB) +1 in WC

LEAGUE NEWS
Tulsa Driller 1B Curt Whimster continued his outstanding 2013 season with a 5-5 day in an 11-10 loss at Edmonton. Whimster is at 338-10-32 after the 25 year old posted a 299-36-104 2012.

GAME 55
Alejandrez (7-3) goes 6.1-7-3-3-0-7 and van Bodegraven (H4) and Frank (H4) bridge to Cruz who notches save 12. The Iron Pigs jumped out for 3 on 5 hits in the 1st, Alexander, Morgan, Collins and Barbour had 2 hit days with Wes Morgan also driving in 2.
CHI 5 MICH 4 (31-24 6.5 GB) +1 in WC

GAME 56
A tired pen got more tired. Mike Davis left with an apparent ankle injury after the 1st and the pen had to muster 13 innings of relief. In the end a tired Ryan Pennington (1-1) couldn’t hold the fort as L Osorio hammered a 2 run shot (14) to win it for Michigan. Alexander hit #25, and A Sotolo went 3-6 in the loss.
MICH 8 CHI 6 (31-25 7.5 GB) +1 in WC

GAME 57
Ugh, when it rains, it pours, literally. A 66 minute rain delay nailed my starter again as Will Butler (2.1-4-1-1-1-2) got rained on, and then it poured. Oh the pen picked him up, Jose Pacheco (2-2) gave 4.1 amazing innings of relief, but our MVP, and potential league MVP, Bill Alexander went down in the 7th with a . The offense came through, Wes Morgans 2-3 3 RBI day was capped by his 9th HR, Gutierrez went 3-4 and scored twice, and Alexander and Sotolo had 2 hit days with Sotolo driving in 2. But the injury to Alexander hung over the post game media stuff going on in the clubhouse. As hard as we worked to get here, anything serious could be a huge blow to the 2013 season.
CHI 6 MICH 3 (32-25 6.5 GB) +1 in WC

LEAGUE NEWS
Alexander is out…. At least 3-4 weeks with an ankle injury. When you HOPE for a sprain you know it’s not good, could be torn, not sure, but it’s at least 3 weeks so we’ll have to make some things happen.
At the time of his injury his slash line was 339/409/747 for a 1.156 OPS. His 25 HR’s and 58 RBI’s will be replaceable, we just need some guys to step up and be consistent.

In fighting every urge I could, I remained calm and did NOT call up Raul Feliz. I need the kid to get his 5-600 AAA AB’s and I think, if we manage to hang on and stay in, I’ll succumb in September and start his IBL career. Another injury and all bets are off, plus 23 year old Alfredo Lozano is just tearing it up in AAA right now and he’s a switch hitter, while Feliz would bring me another LH bat. Additionally Lozano plays both corners strongly.

Problem is the 2 biggest bats in my lineup are missing for at least the next 3-4 weeks, and that’s if Alexander heals well, Chartier is lost until September at least. That and a missing #2 starter.

Top pick Anthony Martin is out 5-6 weeks with Elbow Inflammation. He was 3-4 4.63 at Class A Denison.

GAME 58
As flat a game as we’ve played all year. Mark Williams (5-2) HAD to eat innings and that meant leaving him in a nightmare 6th that will show only 1 unearned run, but there should have been more. His line (6-9-7-6-6-2) pretty much all came in the 6th when Michigan scored 6 times. The offense managed just 5 hits and a run on all singles and the defense chipped in with 2 errors.
MICH 7 CHI 1 (32-26 7.5 GB) +1 in the WC

LEAGUE NEWS
CF Dave Osborne (SAC) went 5-5 with 3 RBI’s in an 11-4 win over Sacramento today.

The Frontier Leagues PotM followed up the honor 2 days later with PotW. New York 1B Stefan Conway won the award on a 11-25 5 HR 8 RBI week.

And in the same manner, May CL PotM Stephano McDermott took home this weeks CL PotW with a 15-28 5 HR and IBL league record 19 RBI’s this week. He also scored 9 times.

MINORS NEWS
Clippers SS prospect Vincente Perez hit in his 25th straight game today. The funny thing is he’s been in AA all this year, and the 11 games this year were added to the 14 game streak he finished with last season.

Philadelphia Freedom AAA SP Rafael Rosales threw a 1 hitter over Wichita today. The 26 year old ran his record to 11-0 2.32 on the season.

Denison’s Todd Peters took home PL Player of the week honors after a 14-29 4 RBI and 5 run week.

Chicago has slipped to 9th in the IBL Power Rankings at 98.3

[gehrig38]

WEEK 10
Off Day SORELY NEEDED!
3 vs Pittsburgh (29-29 1.5 GB EAST)
3 vs New Hampshire (30-27 +1.5 EAST)

Ignacio Ferrer is eligible to come off the DL. Andrew Martin was optioned to AAA Tulsa, he can use the seasoning and is a LH bat, which I am inundated with right now.

GAME 59
Off day allows me to skip the 5 and Alejandrez (8-3) does a fine job (7-5-2-2-3-8). Van Bodegraven and Pennington get it to Cruz for his 13th save. Barbour goes 3-3 with a run and an RBI and Sotolo singles, triples and homers (3) in the win. Gutierrez and Morgan have 2 hit days.
CHI 4 PIT 2 (33-26 7 GB) +2 in the WC

GAME 60
K Wrights 2R HR (10) in the 6th broke a 4-4 tie and helped Pittsburgh win 6-4. Bill Flowers (2-5) was battling into the 6th (5-8-6-6-1-2) but couldn’t get an out when we most needed it. Gutierrez, Hudson, Collins, Barbour and Ferrer had 2 hit days, with Hudson hitting his 4th and driving in 2. Weaver drove in 2 with a double and Barbour stole his 9th base in the loss.
PIT 6 CHI 5 (33-27 7 GB) +1 in the WC

GAME 61
Will Butler (4-6) couldn’t help himself today (4-10-7-7-2-3) in a game the offense turned from a 3-1 deficit into a 6-3 lead. Butler gave it back. Ross Tunstall’s 12th homer in the 5th negated the outburst. Eric Hudson was 2-5 with 2 runs, Hugh Collins 3-4 with 2 RBI’s and A Sotolo went 2-4 with a run and 3 RBI’s. Will Thompson went 2-4 with 2 doubles.
PIT 8 CHI 7 (33-28 7.5 GB) +1 in the WC

LEAGUE NEWS
Dissension in Buffalo’s clubhouse has gone public. RHP’s Carlos Bello and Chris Dusek were apparently in a brawl in the clubhouse and anonymous players have said this isn’t the first time. Bello is having a rough season and had just given up a lead, and a game, and a player said Dusek made a smart alec comment about Bello, his outing, and his work ethic. Buffalo is on a 3 game skid and at 28-33 stand 4 games back of 1st place Brooklyn.

Slugger Jose Palacios, the 27 year old thumper for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds has found himself on his third team in two years. The kids power has never been in question, but his defense has made it hard to find him an everyday role, and he’s made it clear to anyone that will listen that he’s not ok with that. Palacios was traded from Houston in the middle of the 2012 season along with 2B Chris Wilson for RF Leonard Sizemore and he combined to hit 250-24-70 in 154 games. Scouts think his ceiling is closer to 50 than 30 HR’s if he can get his off the field issues straightened out. Now players in Buffalo will get to listen as Pittsburgh shipped the mercurial slugger to the Buffalo Bisons today in exchange for right handed starter Gonzalo Casisas. Casisas, 27, (16-7 3.55 ’12) was struggling in 2013 at 4-5 5.88 but his ceiling has never been questioned. What also took GM’s around the league by surprise was Buffalo’s inclusion of super blue chip Gabriel Fries. The 18 year old hitting prodigy was the Bisons 19th overall pick in the IBL Inaugural draft. He spent two separate 6 week stints on the DL last year with back spasms and plantar fasciitis.

(My scouts think Fries ceiling is “OFF THE CHARTS” offensively. Rating his ability to hit, and XBH pop, as big as there is from a potential stand point. He’ll likely top out mid teens HR wise, if that, but if he can stay healthy they’re calling this kid a batting title contender and 420+ OBP hitter. Where they all agree as well is defense, as an OF they agree he’s got decent range, but is prone to clank balls and has an average arm, being rated a below average corner OF at best, and not likely to be able to handle CF. I keep pointing out that the kid is 18 YEARS OLD! Hell this is a deal I may consider for him alone, much less a front line starter like Casisas. I’m guessing that Pittsburgh is still without ace Vincent Bray, and just .5 game back they felt a need to get a legit starter and this was the price. Sitting at 11th in starters ERA with a very good offense, they’re going for it. Still a puzzling move from Buffalo’s perspective, but they’re offense, already 3rd in the FL in homers, gets another big time thumper.

GAME 62
Chicago bangs out 12 hits and scores 11 runs in an 11-3 win. Gutierrez, Collins, Weaver and Barbour all have 2 hit days with Hudson and Morgan driving in 2 each and Weaver driving in 3 with his 10th HR. Collins scores 3 times and Chicago steals 4 bags (Gutierrez 2 for his 15th). All that to back Mark Williams (6-2, 5.2-8-3-3-2-4). Riley Potts and Mike Moore throw the final 3.1 innings in scoreless fashion.
CHI 11 NH 3 (34-28 6.5 GB) +2 in the WC

LEAGUE NEWS
El Paso lost the services of 24 year old SP Jason Allen for the remainder of the 2013 season. Allen, 10-10 5.08 in 2012 was off to a 3-5 4.34 start in the Diablos suprising first half. He’ll have surgery to clean up his rotator cuff and is expected back for the spring of the 2014 season.

GAME 63
Fisher Cats SP rookie Ed Lawson (4-7 4.24) went the distance on a 4 hitter for his 1st career shut out. Chicago had 3 errors and never threatened. Loser Jeff Jackson (0-4 7.17) went 5.2-7-5-2-3-4 on 106 pitches.
NH 6 CHI 0 (34-29 7.5 GB) +2 in the WC

GAME 64
A 4 run 1st and 3 run 3rd were just the beginning as the Iron Pigs handed out a 17-2 beating on New Hampshire just a day after being shut out. Alejandro Sotolo went 4-5 with a double and a run scored, driving in 1, Ernesto Gutierrez went 3-6 with a triple and HR (5) and 3 runs and 3 RBI’s, Hugh Collins went 2-3 with 4 runs scored, Wes Morgan 2-4 with 3 runs and 2 RBI’s, Don Weaver 2-5 with 3 RBI’s on his 11th HR and Bob Barbour went 3-4, scoring twice and driving in 5. All of that offense behind winner Alfredo Alejandrez (9-3) who went 7-4-2-2-3-4.
CHI 17 NH 2 (35-29 6.5 GB) +2 in the WC

WEEK 10 NEWS
Michigan Battlecats LF Dave Jones (243-20-50 in ’12) had 3 hits, 3 runs and 3 RBI’s in a 3 HR day as Michigan beat Houston 8-6. Jones, relegated to the bench when Michigan moved Fernando Rey to LF this year, is subbing as Rey (290-11-30) is down for the next 2 weeks with a hip strain. Jones is hitting 317-4-12 in 17 games this year after playing in 100 games last year and hitting 243-20-50.

El Paso’s Mario Orosco took home FL PotW honors in week 10. The 28 year old SS went 15-24 with an RBI last week.

Vegas 51 CF Jelmar Walraven went 13-25 with 2 HR’s and 9 RBI’s to win Coastal League PotW honors.

Baltimore Railcats MR Jorge Bautista will miss the next 4 months with a bad shoulder. The 28 year old was 5-6 with 22 saves and a 4.06 in 2012, and was 2-1 with 0 saves and a 1.82 in 27 games this year.

ORG NEWS
Belleviews Cody Young took home MW league PotW honors after a 9-23 2 HR 3 RBI week.

Denisons Mike Brown took home the same award for the Pacific league today. Brown went 9-22 with 4 HR’s and 11 RBI’s.

Chicago moves to 5th in the Power Rankings this week at 99.4

[gehrig38]

2013 Draft
Thought it would be cool to check out the top picks from last year, as well as our first picks.

#1 New Hampshire took LF Manny Espinoza with the first ever IBL draft pick. Some huge expectations come with that. He spent 3 games at Easton Estates ® going 3-9 before being called up to AA Bonadelle Ranchos where his slash line was 233/301/307 hitting 3 HR’s and driving in 23 in 62 games, he stole 14 of 21 bases and hit 10 2B’s. Scouts are still extremely high on the kid as he’s only 19.

#2 The Tulsa Drillers selected SP Antonio “Cushion” Rodriguez who skyrocketed to the IBL after just an inning in rookie ball. The 23 year old made 14 starts going 2-8 with a 5.76 ERA in what many thought was an ‘insanely fast, fast track’. He’s started proving EVERYONE wrong by starting the 2013 season in the middle of the Driller rotation and going 4-1 2.70 in 13 starts to date. With 90IP, 71 hits he’s K’d 72 and walked 47. Few, if any, see any sort of return to the minors.

#3 In a somewhat similar path 23 year old Ray “Shifty” Anderson went to the New York Knights with the 3rd pick. Ray spent 2012 in between Rookie league (4 games 1 start) and Class A teams Tacoma and Mansfield going a combined 2-3 3.12 in 66.1 innings over 11 starts. He opened the season in Tacoma again but after 2 starts (1-1 2.16) was recalled to their IBL roster and has pretty much anchored himself, and their club going 9-3 3.65 in 13 starts covering 91.1 IP. He’s a major reason the pre season predictions appear to have missed as he’s helped NY to a 36-33 record and a share of the FL Eastern Division lead.

#4 20 year old CF Barton Tinker went to the Baltimore Railcats with the 4th pick. Scouts believe this kid has the potential to hit .380, some have talked about him being ‘the one’ to challenge The Splinters .406 as well. Most believe his eye and swing will mean a 450+ OBP and very few strikeouts. His power looks to be the last thing scouts think will come, but they believe it will. A base stealer extraordinaire and a kid that will win a GG at whatever position he’s put in the OF. His range screams CF. Barton spent the 2012 season at Rookie ball Skippack and both A ball teams of the Railcat organization compiling a 233/308/388 line. Hitting 4 HR’s and driving in 19 in 29 A ball games. This year he started out in AA, hit .196 and was called up to AAA for 11 games where he started to hit, going 317/396/488. The Railcats called him up for a game where he got his 1st ML hit, a HR, and went 1-3. He’s now back at Class A Paradise.

We picked 5th last year, taking Anthony Martin, the 18 year old out of Oakwood Friends in NY. He came into 2013 as the #1 Chicago prospect and #17 overall in the IBL. He went a combined 8-3 in 88.2 IP between Omaha and Heavener, in 15 starts he gave up 64 hits, walked 45 and struck out 106. He started this year at Class A Denison and went 3-4 in 9 starts with a 4.63 before going on the DL with elbow inflammation, where he resides now for another 4 weeks. I’m a bit concerned at the scouting departments regrade of him, as they think his command will stop short of being a top of the rotation guy, and I’m not hearing the raves about his ‘stuff’ like I did on draft day.

#2 We were STUNNED that 17 year old Raul Feliz was still on the board when we picked 2nd. It took about 2 seconds to make the call, and it looks to be a once in a generation snag. In a combined 73 games between A and AA all he did was hit 366/459/579 with 13 HR’s and 62 RBI’s in 73 games. He stole 21 of 29, and added 17 doubles, walking 45 times and striking out 45 times in 273 at bats. All he's done this year is hit 343/438/670 in 62 games at Tulsa, with 19 HR's and 64 RBI's while stealing 22 of 26 bases, he’s ready now, and if we can stay healthy he’ll be here in September, otherwise he’s the next OF on the list.

#3 You’ve already seen our #3 pick at work. MR left hander Randy Pennington spent 27 games at AAA Tulsa right out of the draft, sporting a 0.91 ERA and was called up in September appearing in 10 games with a 3.60 ERA. He’s had his bumps this year, but he broke camp with the big club and looks to be a left handed fixture for years to come.

#4 23 year old Wichita State lefty Jeff Bentley was our #4 pick. He spent the remainder of the season, after signing, at Class A Denison, going 5-6 4.60 in 15 starts covering 78.1 IP while punching out 55 and walking 22. This year he broke camp with AA Bakersfield and went 3-4 4.18 through 12 starts before earning a call up to AAA Tulsa where he is now. He’s 1-0 4.63 through his first 2 starts with 14 K’s and 5 walks in 11.2 IP.

We traded our 5th pick and with our 6th we took 17 year old fireballer Hector Guzman. Hector was traded, along with Sergio Lopez, to Las Vegas for 21 year old Melvin Watson back in mid may.

[Orcin]

Wow, that's looking like a nice draft. Anthony Martin will be interesting to watch. I have seen this exact circumstance, where my scout thinks he is all-world on draft day and then cools on him when he gets into the organization. Meanwhile, he is listed among the league's top prospects. Somebody is wrong. The injury adds a little mystery also.

[gehrig38]

2013 DRAFT
First few picks went like this:
#1 Corpus Christi-18 year old Panamanian RH SP Carlos “Bingo” Medina. Moved to the U.S. and enrolled at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, GA where, in his senior year, he went 8-0 0-65 with 142 K’s and 15 walks in 82.2 IP. Low to mid 90’s fastball with a potentially devastating forkball. I’m glad they took him and his 6,000,000 dollar bonus demand…..(FWIW The IBL OSA scouts didn’t even have this kid in the top 10, not sure if that was bonus or talent issues!)

#2 El Paso snags 21 year old Chris Harvey. Many scouts see this kid as a Left Fielder who’ll hit 330+, get on base at a 425 or better clip and is a threat to steal 80-100 bases today. He’s close and considering he put up a 339/488/575 and stealing 40 of 44 bases. at East Carolina against great college competition. If they can manage the 3M demand his agents already made, he’ll likely be in the big leagues inside a year, leading off nad creating problems for pitchers and catchers everywhere.

#3 The Knights select 23 year old Clemson CF Marcos Oginlara. Scouts already rate his defense as exceptional at all three positions, he’s a 40-50 SB guy (39-43 at Clemson). His last season he posted a 314/415/636 line with 17 HR’s and 65 RBI’s in 60 games against great competition. Our scouting department isn’t as high on his offensive upside as many, projecting the average won’t be there when he fills out. His 5.5m bonus ask is a concern as well.

#4 Our best player, and best pitcher are still on the board. Eric Coates, a 21 year old West Virginia LF who we think will do everything a player can do with the bat, and more. His bat projects as a 20 contact, 20 HR power and 20 batting eye, with mid teens gap power and ability to not punch out. The tempting piece is that with this kid this close and Felix already there, they could form incredible foundations to a HoF caliber OF inside the next 24 months. He’ll take the slot bonus as a SR. Gerardo Zamora, the 19 year old we scouted earlier, is looking for 1.3m (not a problem in this spot) and projects as an ace. 11-0 0.61 with 210K’s and 18 walks in 117.2 IP against average HS competition tells me he’s that good, or can be. He’s going to give up some hits and HR’s, as he works with a straight 4 seamer, curve, change and fork. At 6’8” and 225 pds already, he’s going to look the part as well. Martin, and about every other scout we have, thinks this kid should be the pick…… and he is.

#5 Tulsa selects 18 year old Jared “Bull” Johnson, a RH hitting left fielder out of Waltham HS in Waltham Mass. Bucking the trend of not taking NE kids early. Jared went 571/650/1221, but managed that in only 20 games. I think the sample overall is too small, especially for a kid asking 4.6m.

CHICAGO DRAFT
#2 (32) For the second year in a row, a pick we felt had NO CHANCE, ZERO, NIL, fell into our laps. Eric Coats remains on the board (is it our scouts? Are they THAT GOOD? Or that bad?). Martin nailed it on Feliz last year and we take Coates with the hope he’s 2-2. Regardless of how the rest of the draft goes we get our #1 rated hitter and #1 rated pitcher on the board. We'll see how good our scouts are. I desperately need to make some money and up my player development budget asap this winter. Hate being mid to lower rungs in the league on the important stuff.

#3 (51) Shane Jackson (17)-A prep catcher out of Orland High School in California. Martin had made an case for this kid with the last pick, and we felt he’d still be here a few picks later. The 2nd pick of our 2nd round is a catcher. He’s already ML caliber behind the dish, great ability with a canon, and his eye and power project close to top of the scale. A 5 star catcher = too good to pass up.

#4 (71) RHH 21 year old John Whisenant. A, well….Infielder. He plays the entire infield, 1B exceptionally well but will likely improve all over. Our scouts LOVE the bat, not as much for power but as a 2 or 6 guy maybe. Doesn’t run real well, but we’d like to get some depth on the right side offensively.

#5 (87) 22 year old RH SP Roberto Reyna was there with the last pick, and we thought about it, but I’m disagreeing with the scouts on his upside. 8-5 3.83 with 112 K’s in 120 IP, 59 walks at Arkansas, which is great competition and we need arms. The other choice for me and Martin’s recommendation is 22 year old RF Cory Shaw out of St Louis College. Scouts say a .320+ bat with 40-50 double thump. Won’t hit but 4-5 HR’s a year if he’s lucky. Runs ok, can steal some bags and might have a decent eye. Great range in the oF where he plays both corners. Scouts are in love with the kid, he’s a ‘dirt dog’ worker he grinds his AB’s out. Needing arms we went with Reyna. Another kid we like, and are praying he stays under the radar for our next pick is Arizona RH MR Mike Pratt. Starter in college he projects as a very good bullpen arm in the big leagues.

#6 Bruce O’Keefe 17 year old SP McNary High, Keizer, OR
#8 Mike Pratt 23 year old RH MR UofA, Tucson, AZ
#9 Emory Thomas 22 year old RH SP Louisville U, Kentucky
#10 Jim Ford 22 year old RH Catcher out of Alabama
#11 Shawn Miller 21 year old RH MR out of UCLA
#12 Bryan Small 23 year old C/1B LHH out of UCLA (Small and Miller were teammates and roommates)
#13 Francisco Miranda 22 year old OF (outstanding defender) from UC-Irvine
#14 Gary Dunn 18 year old RH MR Aquinas HS, Augusta, GA
#15 Carlos Gomez 17 year old RH SP St David HS, St David, AZ
#16 Juan Guerra 21 year old 2B/3B Albany College, Albany , NY
#17 Anthony Tate 19 year old RH SP U of Texas, Austin, TX (Tate was the 4th round selection of the Fresno Grizzlies last year out of Hamilton City, TX and failed to sign)
#18 Ben Estes 21 year old IF Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
#19 Steve Jones 20 year old RH MR Steve Jones Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
#20 Victor Arellano 21 year old 1B Arkansas, Fayetville, AR
#21 Tu-an Hsueh 21 year old RH SP U of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
#22 Josh Cromer 18 year old Switch hitting 1B Riverdale Country HS, Bronx, NY
#23 Enrique Lopez 17 year old LH SP Marlboro County HS, Bennettsville, SC
#24 Matt Patenaude 20 year old RH SP Biola JC, La Mirada, CA
#25 Marc Bell 17 year old LH SP Governors School for the Arts & Humanities, Easley, SC (the textbook definition of a ‘Flyer’)

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

I desperately need to make some money and up my player development budget asap this winter. Hate being mid to lower rungs in the league on the important stuff.

This is easy... just dump some players.



EDIT: I thought I should explain the wink... you really can't save any money via salaries based on your setup. If I understand it correctly, they all make the minimum.

"First few years are going to be goofy financially, given all players will start at league minimum, and move to arbitration in year 4. Problem will be the entire roster will hit arbitration together."

[gehrig38]

WEEK 11
3 @ Las Vegas (32-33 2.5 GB West)
4 @ Corpus Christi (33-31 8.5 GB Central)

GAME 65
Dennis Weavers 2 out 2 strike 3 run HR (12) brought Chicago from a 3-0 deficit, back in the game. That euphoria was short lived as a 2 out 2 base error followed by a seeing eye single sent Vegas home walk off winners. Eric Hudson threw a ball into right field and Enrico Rocha’s 3rd hit of the day (3-4 4 RBI’s on a single, double and his 5th HR). SP Bill Flowers went 7.1-7-3-3-0-4.Lloser Jose Pacheco (2-3) got 2 outs in the 9th before Hudsons error and the 2B ended the game.
LV 4 CHI 3 (35-30 7.5 GB) +1 in the WC

Stefan Conway (NY) has overtaken Bill Alexander hitting his 26th HR. He’s also leading the Frontier league with 69 RBI’s.

GAME 66
3 more Chicago errors leading to 4 unearned runs spelled doom today. Will Butler (4-7) went 6-6-5-1-2-4 but was saddled with the loss as a trio of timely errors gave away the ballgame. Craig Frank came in to hold it at a run but instead yielded 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk in .2 IP. Massi Lorenzelli went 3-4 in the leadoff spot to stay hot against LH pitching. Eric Hudson, in addition to his 5th error, belted a 3R HR (5) in the 6th that briefly put Chicago up 3-1.
LV 8 CHI 3 (35-31 8.5 GB) +1 in the WC

GAME 67
Mark Williams battles to hold a 5-3 lead into the 6th and Jordan Pacheco (2-4) loads the bases with no one out, and van Bodegraven allows them all to score, giving the lead, and the game away. Chicago built the lead on a Wes Morgan 3 run homer (10) and a sac fly and an RBI triple by Hugh Collins. The offense could not muster anything resembling a rally against the Vegas pen over the last 3.
LV 6 CHI 5 (35-32 8.5 GB) tied for the WC

LEAGUE NEWS
Baltimore OF Juan Torres (23) showed up at the park today with his arm in a sling and the media was informed he was placed on the 15 day DL with a ‘sore arm’, with no other explanation given. Torres, one of the games rising young stars and Baltimore’s HR and RBI leader was hitting 256-20-45 on the year after a 2012 season that saw him go 274-32-89. Torres is the 6th Baltimore regular to go on the DL, joining 1B Tim Holmes (another week) relievers Jorge Bautista (Season) Norbert Jackson (another week) CF Jon Davis (2 weeks) and 3B Carlos Perra (5 more days). The Railcats are 29-37 and 4.5 games in back of division leading Pittsburgh.

GAME 68
Mike Moore (3-2) has to make a surprise start (the game crashed and when it crashes ALL pitchers lose a days rest for some reason) and actually pitched ok. 6-8-5-5-5-4 but the offense was manhandled until the 9th by CC SP Marcus Diaz (7-5 3.32) who took a shutout into the 9th. Chicago mounted a fierce comeback with 3 straight singles and a bases clearing double from Don Weaver to make it 5-3. Lozano PH and grounded out, Sotolo popped up and Thompson grounded out and it was over.
CC 5 CHI 3 (35-33 9.5 GB) 1 GB in the WC (4 teams are within a game of the WC now with CC leading.

GAME 69
Jack Jackson (1-4) battled through 6-2-3-3-4-1 for the win after the pen held the fort, van Bodegraven (H6) to Frank (H5) with Cruz picking up save 14. Chicago scratched out 4 runs on just 3 hits and walks today while turning 2 double plays and stealing 3 bases (Lorenzelli (4) Gutierrez (16) and Collins (8)
CHI 4 CC 3 (36-33 9.5 GB) tied for the WC

GAME 70
Alejandrez (10-3) for 8-5-1-1-0-7 to Cruz (15) is how it’s supposed to work. Alfredo Alejandrez was outstanding today, hand cuffing the Hooks from the 1st, only Martin Walley’s 11th HR tarnished this one. Don Weaver went 3-4 with an RBI, Hugh Collins hit #6 and Chicago stole 3 bases (Gutierrez (17) Barbour (10) and Collins (9)). All this against former Iron Pig Francisco Salazar who went 7-6-4-4-4-2 in losing (4-3 3.59). Had Mr Salazar pitched even REMOTELY close to that for us, he’d still be wearing the silver and blue.
CHI 4 CC 1 (37-33 9.5 GB) +1 in the WC

LEAGUE NEWS
River Cats RF, 23 year old blue chip prospect Brent Hooper will miss the next 6 months after breaking his kneecap yesterday. Hopper was hitting 262-8-34 in 260 AB’s this year after a 237-7-26 ’12 campaign.

TRADE NEWS
Corpus Christi sent 30 year old C Jason Cole (273-1-4 in limited action this year after a 287-1-15 in 150 AB’s in 2012) to Michigan for 26 year old minor league 1B/3B Geoff Limond. Limond has combined AA and AAA stops in both seasons, last year hitting 280-20-60 in 115 games and this year hitting 300-18-56 in 65 combined games. Michigan appears to be ready to make a switch at Catcher as incumbents Mark Johnston, one of the leagues better defenders, is off to a 207-4-19 and Dan Clark (137-220-219) have failed to provide any offense.

Saramento has sent 27 year old Antonio Feliciauo to Baltimore in exchange for 28 year old SP Jason England. Feliciauo hit 224/298/389 in 501 AB’s in ’12 and had split time between AAA Scottsdale and Sacramento this year. A very good defender who scouts believe will top out with a middle of the lineup bat, but has yet to show it. England went 5-12 5.03 for the NY Knights before being traded to Baltimore last year, where he made 11 starts and finished with a 3-5 5.73. He was off to a 4-3 4.09 start, in 11 games this year.

GAME 71
A 19 hit day paced by Eric Hudson (3-5 2 runs) Wes Morgan (3-5 4 runs 3 RBI’s a 2B and HR (11) and Don Weaver (3-6 3 RBI’s). Lorenzelli had 3 RBI’s in a 2 hit day, while Gutierrez and Ferrer also chipped in 2 hits apiece to back Bill Flowers (3-5) 6-8-5-2-4-8. Potts gave up a 3 run HR to make it closer than it should have been at the end.
CHI 13 CC 9 (38-33 9.5 GB) +1.5 in the WC

WEEK 11 NEWS
Massi Lorenzelli will miss the next 4 days with a stomach virus.

Eric Coates came to terms and has signed! He’s likely ready for AA now but I’ll get him to Short Season Heavener for some work first. Roberto Reyna has also agreed to terms. If my top 5 sign for their demands I’ll have saved close to 2m in draft money.

Orlando Rios, the 25 year old 3B for Fresno went 14-28 with 4 HR’s and 11 RBI’s to win CL PotW honors.

Buffalo 2B Dave Norfleet took home the 2nd PotW award in 2013. Norfleet went 11-20 with 3 HR’s and 9 RBI’s.

Chicago is 4th in the current IBL Power Rankings at 99.3

New York and Brooklyn are knotted up in the FL East at 37-34, 4 games up on Buffalo.

West Michigan, at 40-31 (2nd best IBL record) leads San Antonio by 1.5, Tulsa by 2 and Dayton at 35-34 by 4.

El Paso’s is working to prove the start is no fluke. At 38-34 they are a game up on Edmonton, 1.5 on Sacramento.

The FL WC is incredible. Sacramento, at 38-32, leads. 6 teams are within 2.5 games with Buffalo 5.5 back.

New Hampshire is 1 up on both Pittsburgh and Philly in the CL East. Houston remains in control of the Central at 46-22.

In the West Vegas is 38-34, 1 game better than Michigan, 1.5 better than LA.
We lead the WC by 1.5 over Michigan, 2 over LA and CC, and 3 over Pittsburgh and Philly.

Alfredo Alejandrez is tied for the IBL lead in wins with 10. Ernie Kelly (DAY) and Raul Gonzalez (HOU) also have 10.

Alejandrez is also 3rd in the CL in ERA at 3.05.

Stefan Conway (NY) leads all IBL sluggers with 28 HR’s and 74 RBI’s. Steve Blue leads the FL in batting at 360, 2 pts better than CL leader Vincente Soto’s 367.

Kevin Moore (NH) leads all base stealers in the IBL at 31, Joel Runas (TUL) is 2nd at 20.

Michael Ross (HOU) has re-asserted his Saves lead, now at 30 (and a 71 save pace at the moment). Bill Barlow (DAY), Greg Patterson (BRO), Julio Arroyo (PHI) and Sherwood Jacobs (MICH) are all at 21.

Shawn Calhoun (WMI) leads all IBL Pitchers at 1.96, Walt Thompson is 2nd at 2.05 and Santiago Medina (FRE) is 3rd at 2.43.

Thompson, at 117, is 6 K’s better than Chris O’Slattery (BAL).

[gehrig38]

WEEK 12
3 @ Fresno (29-40 7.5 GB West)
OFF DAY
3 vs Houston (46-22 +9.5 Central)

Alexander should hopefully be back at weeks end, maybe not until next Monday. Be nice to have him for a few games in the Houston series.

GAME 72
Will Butler (4-8) struggled from the outset (4-9-6-6-1-3) surrendering Rich Stone’s 2 run shot (14) and putting us behind early. The offense hit into 3 DP’s. Alfredo Sotolo went 3-3 and Hugh Collins 2-4 with a HR (7) and 2 RBI’s. Rich Stone went down during the game and he’ll miss the next 2 weeks with knee soreness.
FRE 6 CHI 3 (38-34 9.5 GB) +1 in the WC

MINOR LEAGUE NEWS
The AA All Star Rosters were announced today.
Bakersfield sent 6 players!
SP Denny Walker (6-3 3.97) CL Roger Robison (1-1 16 SV 4.67) C Francisco Reyna (322/376/380) 3B Alejandro Bautista (269/364/485, 16 HR 52 RBI’s) LF Flynn Ash (255/354/511, 11 HR 32 RBI’s) and RF Brandon Harris (265/351/502, 13 HR 40 RBI’s)

Also the A(S) and A(N) announced their rosters
From Belleview A (S) 8 players: SP Alejandro Gonzalez (7-3 2.74) SP Pablo Mercado (7-3 2.69) and SP Bill Sharp (7-1 2.51) 3B Milard Young (222/320/440, 13 HR, 47 RBI’s) SS Jim Carter (253/336/413, 7 HR 40 RBI’s) LF Chris Richards (305/379/525, 5 HR 24 RBI’s) CF Cody Young (246/335/472, 9 HR 36 RBI’s) RF Luis Ramirez (293/364/552, 6 HR, 26 RBI’s)

From Denison A(N) 4 players: SP Jose Chaves (6-5 3.03) LF Mike Brown (237/352/440, 10 HR 51 RBI’s) LF Todd Peters (360/456/530, 6 HR 27 RBI’s)

TRADE NEWS
The San Antonio Silver Stars have shipped 26 year old LF Michael Martin (250-1-7 in limited action) to Brooklyn for 29 year old MR Jon Sloan (2-1 3.71 in 19 games this year. Sloan was dealt by Dayton last year after a combined 4-5 2.18 2 SV season) and 22 year old CL Aron Radtke (1-1 2.30 and 9 SV at Class A this year).

GAME 73
Hudson (6) and Collins go back to back in the 1st to open up a 3-0 lead, and in the 6th Chicago pulls away with 3 more. Collins hit 2 HR’s (9) as part of a 3-4 3 run 2 RBI day. Mark Williams (7-2 3.63) did just enough 6.1-8-5-5-1-3 and Potts (H2) handed to Cruz for save 16. 2 huge DP’s helped Williams keep the Grizzlies in check.
CHI 7 FRE 5 (39-34 9.5 GB) +1 in the WC

AAA All Star Rosters were announced today
Tulsa is sending : SP Carlos De La Torre (9-4 4.44) CL Ken Johnson (1-2 18 SV 2.32) C Jose Cabral (284/382/520, 13 HR 54 RBI’s) LF Raul Feliz (343/436/649, 19 HR 64 RBI’s)

LEAGUE NEWS
Staten Island lost the services of 25 year old MR Andy Fritz for the next 10 months after tests revealed a torn labrum. Fritz (3-3 4 SV 2.38 in 57G ’12) was 3-2 2 SV 4.28 ERA this year.

GAME 74
Scoring the tying run on a WP is awesome, even more so in the 9th inning! What makes it suck mud is allowing the tying run into scoring position in the bottom of the 9th, then giving up a walk off hit…. Sib van Bodegraven (0-1) was THAT guy today. Jack Jackson sputtered through a 4-5-4-4-4-3 day, and Jose Pacheco came up huge with 3 hitless innings to allow the offense a chance to get back in it. Sotolo scored the tying run after doubling with 1 out. Bob Barbour was hurt and we’re awaiting word on how serious.
FRE 5 CHI 4 (39-35 9 GB) +1 in the WC

NEWS
Barbour will miss the next 3 weeks with a herniated disc. With Alexander due back at weeks end we’ll have to think about the move to be made.

After much debate the call was made to call up blue chipper Raul Feliz for the 3 game Houston series. He was ok with having to miss the AAA All Star game

Gerardo Zamora signed his offer sheet today. He’ll start his career at Class A Denison.

Edmontons Tim Davis, who earlier was reportedly to have hurt himself in a off the field incident, was and is reportedly having an affair with the Trappers team massage therapist. At .5 game back of 1st, this news and the media circus that will inevitably surround it, can’t be welcome in the Edmonton clubhouse. (Davis is currently hitting 264-9-36).

GAME 75 (I won’t call it a BIG series, but a sweep would make this race a lot more interesting. While I am seriously short on bats, I have Alejandrez lined up for game 1
Alejandrez (10-4) never had it. Going 2.1-9-7-7-2-2 and yielding 3 HR’s to put Chicago in a hole they couldn’t climb out of. Chicago battled back as rookie Raul Feliz went 3-4 with 2 HR’s in his IBL debut. Feliz drove the first IBL pitch he ever saw deep into the RF bleachers, and and added a solo shot in the 6th. Hugh Collins went 3-5 with his 10th HR and Wes Morgan also hit 2 HR’s (13) and drove in 3 in the loss.
HOU 8 CHI 7 (39-36 10 GB) Tied in the WC

(I should note I played this game and it crashed exiting the box! A rarer occasion for sure, but still extremely frustrating as I won the first time it played. When this happens I sim the next game to avoid the crash, and in BOTH games Felix homered in his 1st AB!)

John Whisenant agreed to terms today and was moved to Class A Denison.

West Michigan LF Roger Goodman remains on the DL. After a 2012 season that saw him post 258-31-87 and a start to the 2013 season in similar fashion, 262-16-52 through 58 games, he’s been battling injuries late May when he strained his back, then went down with an ankle sprain and just today suffered a setback that will keep him sidelined for at least another week. One of the IBL’s premier power bats, the 26 year old has always had his leadership and work ethic questioned, and many wonder if this isn’t a case, or combination, of the two considering the White Caps are 1.5 games up on San Antonio with OF’s Trent Griggs and Chad Weeks already out for the year, Goodmans bat is desperately needed.

GAME 76
A 7 hit 7 run 1st from Will Butler, capped by the grand slam from D Miller (1st of 2 HR’s on the day) ended this one before it began. Butler (4-9) went 4.2-10-9-9-2-3, allowing 3 HR’s. Raul Gonzalez (11-4 3.33) took a shutout into the 9th before surrending 3 runs (2 earned) and exiting. Ernesto Gutierrez went 2-4 and Raul Felix 2-4 with an RBI in the loss.
HOU 10 CHI 3 (39-37 11 GB) .5 GB in the WC

LEAGUE NEWS
San Antonio 3B 30 year old Juan Morales called it quits today after hearing news he’d need another labral surgery to begin thinking about coming back. He said ‘enough is enough’, and walked away. Morales hit 288 with 21 HR’s and 79 RBI’s for the Silver Stars last year, and was at 255-7-41 through 73 games this year.

GAME 77
Down 3-0 into the 6th Don Weaver hit a 3R HR (13) and Rookie Raul Feliz hit his 3rd HR in 3 games since being recalled to bring Chicago back and cap a 5-3 win. Mark Williams (8-2) worked around a crucial A Lozano 1st inning error in going 6-8-3-1-1-4 and Pennington (H8) handed to van Bodegraven (H7) and Frank (H6) who got Cruz in the game for his 17th save.
CHI 5 HOU 3 (40-37 10 GB) .5 GB in the WC

WEEK 12 NEWS
Bill Alexander comes off the DL! Leo Russell will be optioned out to make room. 1B/3B Walt Thompson was optioned out as well, and middle INF Melvin Watson was called up to be a defensive replacement.

El Paso LF 24 year old Cayden Haynes won FL PotW honors for his 13-25 3 HR 9 RBI week.

Philly Freedom LF David Ladd took home CL PotW honors with his 9-24 5 HR 10 RBI week. Ladd is currently at 337-21-64 after a 283-31-118 ’12 campaign.

IBL Rookies leading in HR’s:
Orlando Rios (FRE) 15
Dave Miller (HOU) 13
Wally Reed (TUL) 13
Walt Bell (MICH) 11
Hugh Collins (CHI) 10



ORG NEWS
Belleview OF Cody Young, a 2013 All Star, took home PotW honors for his 12-35 4 HR 13 RBI week. Cody had 13 HR and 53 RBI’s in 356 AB’s last year and has 13 HR’s and 48 RBI’s in 218 AB’s this year.

Chicago drops to 10th in the Power Rankings at 94.5

Belleview is now 1st in the their power rankings at 115.3

After 4 more games I’ll give the breakdown of the league and goings on at the 81 game mark.

[gehrig38]

Here was the OSA's top 10 into the draft
1) Martin went to San Antonio at #13
2) Moreno went to New Hampshire at #9
3) Moran went to Phoenix at #12
4) Burns went to Pittsburgh at #11
5) Oginlara went to NY at #3
6) Arredondo went to Sacramento at #19
7) Johnson went to Tulsa at #5
8) Rosado went to Staten Island at #7
9) Schmitt went to Edmonton at #17
10) Ortiz went to Baltimore at #10

[gehrig38]

Here come some charts, stats and info! Updating the league, and Chicago's club, at the 81 game milepost. Thought it'd be cool to compare where we were a year ago league and team wise.
First up the Frontier League.
In the west New York has seen a nice swing, though one has to wonder how big the Conway injury will impact them. With Staten Island the only team likely "out" this division should be closer.
West Michigan is a half game worse record wise, and 4 better in the standings. Dayton is at the other end, but with only 4.5 games separating the division it should be a good one as well.
Edmonton back slid a bit, while the division caught up, except Phoenix. Have to wonder how Owner Jake Scmidt is going to handle this, word has it he's "Furious" at the current turn of events and with a BIG market and EXTREME fans, things could combust there before September.
A new mix of names in the batting race which is nice to see, the HR race too (though Conway will likely fall out of the mix soon).
Bill Hill still manages to get his name up there somewhere though.
Same sort of totals but some different names in the W column, while Barlow and Patterson continue to be the class of the FL closing and Julio Salinas is making a name for himself.
Walt Thompson on about the same pace with Calhoun right there again. Those two are in another league stuff wise.
Calhoun remains a true force, his name showing up everywhere, with some luck he'd be leading in wins as well.
The White Caps were opening up the WC race at this time last year, a race that actually went into the final weekend. That bodes well for fans across the league thie year as 7 different teams are within 5.5 games at the halfway point.

[gehrig38]

In the CL East the Riverhounds of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia still rule the roost. New Hampshire has made up good ground though and is hoping to get in the mix. Houston's monster 26-2 start was enough to grab the division, and while they've come back to earth they are sitting in a great spot with an IBL best 51 wins. We've managed to get good enough to be serious WC contenders far faster than we expected, but are still pushing to avoid any rash moves as we build the foundation to compete for a WS title every year.
Fresno fell off the map over the past year, though still a doable 6 games out. Vegas remains the team to beat in the West, with LA knocking at the door.
In the WC it's Philly and 6 teams within 5.5, which will hopefully amount to another good race.
Rich Stone is hurt (but coming back tomorrow actually) and Jeff Holland fell off a cliff (hitting 251-2-21 right now), Vincente Soto is what he always was, a hitter. Alexander's back and hoping to challenge him but if Soto's healthy he's the odds on favorite to win the title.
Alexander has missed the last 20 games but amazingly was so good early he's a HR shy of his 2012 total still.
MVP and RotY Cy May has been battling injury issues and managed just 42 games this year (265-11-26) which makes Houston's run even more amazing, but that's opened the door for individual runs by a few different guys, not the least of which is Philly's Dave Ladd. At 337-22-68 he's making a run at a 2nd CL Triple Crown in 2 years.
Kevin Moore of the Fisher Cats remains the class of the league when it comes to stealing bases.
With Mathieu Cafasso (LV) missing 5 weeks and pitching to a 6-3 4.18 th edoor has opened for a few others. Raul Gonzalez continues to pace the CL in wins while Santiago Medina (FRE) finds himself the ERA leader and 3rd in K's.
Chris O'Slattery is the odds on K king with Vincent Bray likely to write off this entire season coming back from major shoulder surgery.