DELMARVA Baseball League

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by illeracula

Whitaker Joins Greats on 2nd Attempt: When it comes to relievers, Dalton Whitaker was as good as they get. When he stepped on the mound in the crucial late innings and took the ball, you could just about book it -- case closed, game over. That's the prime reason the Baseball Writers Association has elected the talented hurler to the DELMARVA Baseball League Hall of Fame.

Whitaker played until he was 43. When he retired, he had accumulated some very impressive stats. Whitaker pitched in 745 games, saved 343 of them, worked 787.1 innings, fanned 1027 batters and had a 3.75 ERA. His career won-lost record was 53-59.

Whitaker closed his induction speech with these words: "I had a lot of help getting here today. I had some great role models along the way. As a kid my baseball heroes were some of you guys that are here today. I wanted to be like you on the field and I am so darn proud to join you in the Hall of Fame."

His idols were proud of him, too. Each of them rose up and gave him a standing ovation.

Notes: I thought he should of been a first ballot, but I am glad he made it in. Well deserved. He was a class act for the Cavaliers for many years and I am not sure there will be another closer like him. Congrats to DW.

It's been a while since I've checked and got caught up, but seeing Whitaker inducted into the Hall of Fame makes me happy. Well deserved!

[illeracula]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

It's been a while since I've checked and got caught up, but seeing Whitaker inducted into the Hall of Fame makes me happy. Well deserved!

I am surprised he didn't make it last year and was actually starting to think because he was a closer he wouldn't make... Glad to see him did make it, because he really did deserve it.

[illeracula]

Budget: $69,000,000
Payroll: $47,050,000
Fan Interest: 91

Spring Training:
We head into spring with 19 pitchers, which we will somehow need to cut back to 11 and 21 position players, which will need to trimmed down to 14. There are a lot of guys with 0 options so it will be possible we lose a few players this year.

Two weeks into spring training we are 4-9 and really looking bad. I will start paring away the roster now in hopes to get us back to a manageable number the final 2 1/2 weeks of spring.

Our first cuts were players with option who weren't going to make the team.

Sent SP Juan Jose González from spring training camp to Triple A San Juan.
Sent RP Aaron Henderson from spring training camp to Triple A San Juan.
Sent SP Jesús Salazar from spring training camp to Triple A San Juan.
Sent CF Félix Robles from spring training camp to Triple A San Juan.
Sent CF Terry Yates from spring training camp to Triple A San Juan.

The roster now stands at 16 and 19, still a far way to go, and I have 1 player who will get demoted, for sure, who has an option... so there will be some unhappy players over the next couple of weeks.

The first batch of wavier/cuts are in. I shouldn't lose any of these guys, but if I do I am ok with it.
RP Leo Hampton was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
2B Sixto Hernández was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
2B Enrique Maldonado was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.

OF Pete Davis was returned to the Norfolk Cavaliers. Davis was fighting injuries and not getting much playing time. I didn't see anywhere for him to go, so away he went.

Heading into the final week of spring games we are carrying 32 players. I am really not sure how I will make it down to 25. Going to be some interesting final moves.

Final Moves:
2B Miguel Ramirez was demoted to AAA (.128-1-1)
3B Tony Inman was demoted to AAA. (.333-0-3)
MR Matt Noble was demoted to AAA. (0-0 4.70, 15.1 IP, 24 H)
MR Gwang-soo Cho was demoted to AAA. (1-0, SV, 7.42, 15 H, 13.1 IP)
MR Alfonso Hernandez was placed on the 11-day DL. (0-2, 7.36, 20 H, 14.2 IP)
MR Dan Wilkinson was demoted to AAA. (0-1 7.56, 16.2 IP, 21 H)

Hernandez doens't have any options so he was sent to the DL, I am not sure what will happen when he is ready to return. Do I risk losing him to waivers? No one seems interested in trading for him. Guess I will see how it plays out... and I really didn't want to send Wilkinson or Cho down they are going to play a big part in this teams future, but they way they struggled they didn't really deserve a roster slot... Alfonso Hernandez was transferred to the 60-day DL, so I can keep him on the team for now. He won't be happy, but at least he is getting paid.

Performances:
**First Half of Spring**
As far as performances go, Pepe Martines, who is a rule-5 pick-up from the Norfolk Cavaliers has been my best starter this spring, which is pretty surprising. Pepe is 0-2 in 8 IP, but has a 2.25 ERA, allowing just 2 ER (4 R) over 8 IP... Dave Lewis has been our top bat hitting .281-5-10. Hopefully he will be able to carry that on, he has the talent, but has had issues converting it over to the big league level.

On the down side of the spring has been Leo Hampton (4.2 IP, 11.57 ERA) and Gwang-soo Cho (3.0 IP, 12.00 ERA). Hampton will be waived, but Cho has some options. I just expected him to make some noise based on how much money I spent on him. The risk you take with free-agents from other countries... And our expensive addition Julio Jaramillo. So far this spring he hasn't done much hitting .143-1-1 with 10 K's, which is making me a little nervous. He has to show off some power and should hit between .245-.260 to make this deal worthwhile.

**End of Spring**
I called up Dragoljub Karadzic to see what he could do and over the final week of spring he crushed the ball, hitting .375-1-2. The sample size was small (6-16), but it opened my eyes. He may be up with us sooner than later, but that being said he will be starting the season in AAA... Dave Lewis crushed the ball this spring, hopefully that means good things to come (.319-11-19), he only had 22 hits, 11 of which went over the wall!... Anzhel Astsatrian was going to be a guy I sent down, but how? He hit .295-7-12, one of my better springs. He earned the slot.

Miguel Ramirez was demoted down to AAA and that really bummed me out. I have high hopes for him, but he just doesn't seem to be able to put it all together. In 41 AB's he hit only .128 going 5-39 with only 1 XB hit... Julio Jaramillo has been disappointing, and if he keeps this up he won't be in CF for long, lol. For the spring he hit .192-3-9, picking it up ever so slightly during the second half.

Waivers:
We lost Leo Hampton to the Washington Senators who claimed him off waivers. Not a big deal here, as I had no placed for the 31-year-old. I wish him luck in Washington.

Notes:
Our team will look a little different this year compared to last, but I feel those changes are for the better. Our rotation should be strong with Angel Rivera, Alfredo Mejia, and Lazzaro Tadiotto returning and newcomers Pepe Martines and Blake Ballard joining us. We also have Dan Pierson who will be our "6th" starter. If one of those guys struggles Pierson will move from the pen to the rotation. We actually have semi-talented depth in the rotation this season.

The bullpen was our key last season and it has only gotten better. I mean we had to send down two guys who should be in this pen, and will most likely be before the season is out. Kessler is back as the closer, So will continue to be the 8th inning set-up man, new comer Kwon will be our 7th inning set-up guy, with returning pitches Payne, Fernandez rounding out the staff. I tinkered with DFA'ing Fernandez so I could keep around Cho, but Fernandez is one of my team leaders so he is here. Plus he really earned the slot with the a solid spring and a solid 2030. Fernandez is alos the oldest pitcher on the team at 31.

The line-up looks a lot different. New comers C Jaramillo, 1b Little, 2B Miller, 3B Valle, RF K. Adams will gives a different look at-bat this season. Manny Hernandez will be our SS, but we will have him on a defensive string, Martin Adams will be our CF, Dave Lewis will remain in RF after an amazing spring and in the DH slot to start the season will be Astsatrian. That one is a shocker to me, but based on what he did this spring he may be ready for a "break-out" season.

Cavazso, Harrision, Boone and Olivas return to the team going from starter to the bench (at least for now) and Nelson Barrera made the roster and will be our utility man. Barrera has been up-and-down in the bigs for the past 5-seasons.... that means we have no rookies this season on the offensive side of the plate... Jaramillo comes in at 29-years-old, and is our oldest offensive player.

I don't think we are a Championship team yet, but I think we are heading in the right direction. I use the world "think", because I really don't know what to expect from these guys...



WAR Summary:
Winners:
Washington Senators: 15.9
Martinsburg Mountaineers: 7.5
King George Royals: 7.2
Annapolis Admirals: 6.9
Chadds Ford Cannons: 4.5

Losers:
Norfolk Cavaliers: -14.2
New Castle Colonials: -8.1
Richmond Cardinals: -8.0
Ocean City Tourists: -5.2
Milford Clippers/Ellicott City Express: -2.2

Injuries:
Martinsburg Mountaineers: Lost 1B Nick Watson for 4-5 months with a partially torn laburm. The 27-year-old hit .241-7-27 last year with with the MM's.
New Castle Colonials: Made a big deal earlier this spring acquiring OF Emory Phillips, but they will have to wait another year to see him on the field. Phillips tore his labrum and is expected to miss the season (10 month).
Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: Lost star OF Ira Kelly for the first month of the season with a sprained ankle. Kelly is expected to be out for 6-weeks in all.
Newark Millers: Expect to see SP Anastasio Ramirez back on the hill in 8-9 months following a ruptured UCL.
Cape May Beacons: Lost MR Mike Hanson for 3 months with a torn triceps. Hanson went 8-5 1.64 in 58 games last season in New Castle.

Free Agency:
Annapolis Admirals: Signed SP Jesus Bello to a 4-year extension worth $13,575,000 per season.

Trades:
Washington Senators: Acquired C Curt MacPherson (.277-9-52) from the Annapolis Admirals in return for Manny Vega (.336-7-45). The Senators who lost their starting C this off-seasons are struggling to find a replacement.

Spring Standings:
Colonials Division: Seaford Blue Jays: 15-13
Northern Division: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 18-10 (Cannons finished 10-18)
Atlantic Division: Milton Brewers: 17-11

Beltway Division: Annapolis Admirals: 16-12
Mountain Division: Ellicott City Express: 14-14
Coastal Division: Norfolk Cavaliers/Ocean City Tourists: 19-9

Avg: Paul Turner, Milford Clippers: .431
HR: Tom Brown, Dover Generals: 12
RBI: Tom Brown, Dover Generals: 26
Two Cannons tied for the most spring K's, Martin Adams and Julio Jaramillo both went down 24 times!

ERA: 3 Players with 0.00
Wins: 4 players with 4
K's: Ricardo Gonzalez, Georgetown Sixteens: 26
SV: Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Norfolk Cavaliers, 10

League Events Coming Up:
04/07/2031: Opening Day!!

[illeracula]

Top 100 Prospects List Published: The season is about to start, so it's time to publish the annual Top 100 Prospects list. This year 19-year-old SS Brian Battle of the Martinsburg Mountaineers is the #1 prospect overall.

Here is the top 10:
1) SS Brian Battle, 19, Martinsburg Mountaineers
2) SS Ryan Hunt, 22, King George Royals
3) RHP Travis Abadee, 23, Richmond Cardinals
4) RHP Alfonso Andrade, 22, Richmond Cardinals
5) RHP Jason Lancaster, 24, Ellicott City Express
6) RHP José Ruíz, 18, Chesapeake Blue Crabs
7) SS David González, 19, Baltimore Barons
8) RHP Bob Davis, 19, Annapolis Admirals
9) RHP Juan González, 23, Norfolk Cavaliers
10) RHP Martin Beaulieu, 20, Newark Millers

Last years #1 and #2 are now big-leaguers and #3 dropped to #5, as an influx of young kids rose to the top. Taking over the top spot is Brian Battle who was the 4th pick in last years first-player-draft. You don't see many players with the talent of this kid, but the question is, at 19 will he develop? He will start the season in short-season A-ball, which is being question by many. Last season in S-A he hit .258-4-39 in 77 games.
Contact: 9/15, Gap: 10/14, HR: 3/13, Eye: 6/13, Avoid K: 7/17



Our system came in 15th, and our top prospect was #26. We had 3-players in the top 100 Juan Guzman (26), Carl Oulton (31) and Scott Wolfe (93). Guzman is 19 with a big ceiling, starting the season in A-ball, Oulton is on my radar for 2031/32. He will be the "ace" in AAA. Wolfe isn't even on my radar of making it to the bigs, so now I have to keep a better eye on him, but at 22 and really under developed I am not sure how he made the list.

The biggest surprise was Dragon not making this list. Is he too nice and and quiet? Maybe I just think he is better than he really is...

The way these ratings are falling I am starting to feel a little nervous that my scout doesn't know what he is talking about... have I put too much stock in what he has to say?? Here is a look at our top prospects, guess what we will be focusing on in the 2031 draft...

		
TOP PROSPECTS - BATTERS
	
	

		

			

				

					
#
					
Name
					
Age
					
Pos
					
Contact
					
Power
					
Eye/Discipline
					
Speed
					
Defense
					
Level
					
AVG
					
HR
					
RBI
				
							

				
1
				
Juan Guzmán
				
19
				
2B
				
14
				
12
				
7
				
9
				
11
				
A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
3
				
Scott Wolfe
				
22
				
SS
				
10
				
4
				
14
				
14
				
6
				
S A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
4
				
Dragoljub Karadzic
				
21
				
3B
				
9
				
13
				
8
				
12
				
16
				
AAA
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
5
				
José Rentería
				
19
				
2B
				
10
				
4
				
10
				
17
				
9
				
A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
6
				
Paco Santos
				
23
				
C
				
9
				
5
				
4
				
1
				
16
				
A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
7
				
Mike Wilson
				
20
				
SS
				
9
				
6
				
9
				
9
				
8
				
S A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
8
				
David Cornett
				
25
				
C
				
8
				
8
				
8
				
6
				
15
				
A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
9
				
Pablo Rivera
				
24
				
CF
				
10
				
6
				
8
				
16
				
14
				
AAA
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
11
				
Eugene Todd
				
19
				
1B
				
8
				
11
				
8
				
4
				
3
				
A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
12
				
Leo Fountain
				
21
				
C
				
8
				
4
				
10
				
2
				
16
				
A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
13
				
Jaime Ojeda
				
23
				
SS
				
9
				
2
				
8
				
14
				
11
				
A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
14
				
John Avery
				
21
				
2B
				
9
				
1
				
9
				
16
				
13
				
S A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
15
				
Ndungu Abdelsatta
				
23
				
RF
				
10
				
5
				
10
				
14
				
15
				
AA
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
16
				
Santiago Sánchez
				
25
				
3B
				
8
				
9
				
7
				
3
				
15
				
AAA
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
17
				
Kunsa Renuka
				
20
				
SS
				
7
				
8
				
9
				
13
				
10
				
S A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
18
				
Chris Barnes
				
19
				
SS
				
9
				
2
				
9
				
13
				
4
				
S A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
19
				
Scott Robison
				
20
				
3B
				
9
				
2
				
7
				
8
				
16
				
S A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
20
				
Kamel Lacoste
				
19
				
C
				
5
				
9
				
12
				
1
				
10
				
S A
				
.000
				
0
				
0
			

			
		
	
	

		
TOP PROSPECTS - PITCHERS
	
	

		

			

				

					
#
					
Name
					
Age
					
Role
					
Stuff
					
Movement
					
Control
					
Level
					
Rec
					
ERA
					
IP
					
HA
					
BB
					
K
				
							

				
2
				
Carl Oulton
				
21
				
P
				
12
				
13
				
16
				
AAA
				
0-0
				
.00
				
0.0
				
0
				
0
				
0
			
			

				
10
				
Luis Sánchez
				
21
				
P
				
9
				
11
				
14
				
A
				
0-0
				
.00
				
0.0
				
0
				
0
				
0
			

			
		
	

Here is a look at the top minor league systems in the DBL. Richmond leads the way, and the expansion Beacons hold down the end, without a single top 100 player. They look like they have a long road ahead of them.

[illeracula]

Week 1 ** Opening Week **
Current Week: 1-6 (1-6 .143, -4)
Next Week: 2 @ Georgetown Sixteens, 3 @ Lewes Braves
Power Ranking: 23 (--, 18.7)
Fan Interest: 91
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 23 (12th)
Avg: .251 (9th)
HR: 6 (t6th)
SB: 9 (3rd)
Runs Against: 39 (t9th)
Starters ERA: 7.32 (12th)
Pen ERA: 3.08 (7th)
Def Eff: .683 (6th)

Personal Message from Owner Ralph Corbin: Season Expectation: Tony,

Welcome to the new season. I hope that the off-season has treated you well! This is also a reminder that you should at least try to stay close to an even record.

Good Luck!
Ralph Corbin

Game 1: Seaford 0, Chadds Ford 1
Angel Rivera (0-1): 5.0 IP, 3 H, R, 6 BB, 3 K
Al Little: 1-2, 2B
Stuart Valle: 1-4, 2B
H: 5, LOB: 5

Game 2: Seaford 8, Chadds Ford 4
Alfredo Mejia (0-1): 4.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Sung-il Kwon: 2.1 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 3 K (debut)
Martin Adams: 2-4, 2B, HR (1), R, 2 RBI
Anzhel Astsatrian: 2-4, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, RBI
Stuart Valle: 1-4, 2B
H: 9, LOB: 5

Game 3: Chadds Ford 3, New Castle 6
Blake Ballard (0-1): 6.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 4 K
Julio Jaramillo: 1-3, HR (1), R, 2 RBI
Martin Adams: 3-4, 2B, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 8

Game 4: Chadds Ford 6, New Castle 8
Lazzaro Tadiotto (0-1): 3.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, Bb, K
James Miller: 1-4, HR (1), R, RBI
Martin Adams: 2-4, R, RBI
Keith Adams: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Julio Jaramillo: 2-4, 2 R
Vincent Harrison: 2-5, 2B, R
H: 12, LOB: 5

Game 5: Milton 6, Chadds Ford 7 (10 Innings)
Pepe Martines: 3.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, BB, K
Dan Kessler (1-0): 2.0 IP, H, 2 K
Vincent Harrison: 3-5, HR (1), R, 2 RBI
Dave Lewis: 2-5, 3B, HR (1), 2 R, RBI
James Miller: 1-4, R, RBI
H: 11, LOB: 4

Game 6: Milton 1, Chadds Ford 6
Angel Rivera (0-2): 5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Stuart Valle: 1-3, 3B, R
H: 3, LOB: 3

Game 7: Milton 4, Chadds Ford 2
Alfredo Mejia (0-2): 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 4 K
James Miller: 1-1, 2B, RBI
Felix Olivas: 2-3
Davew Lewis: 2-4, R, RBI
Al Little: 2-4, R
H: 12, LOB: 7



Transactions:
none

Injuries:
Alfonso Hernandez, strained oblique, 41 days left on the DL
Hernandez was placed on the 60-day DL, to free up roster space. I am not sure what I will do when he comes back and no one is hurt. Something to deal with in 40 days I guess.

Other/Roster News:
Vincent Harrison has taken over at SS while we wait for Hernandez to return from his 9 game suspension. That doesn't make me happy, and I hope he can calm down and get back to the way he was hitting last season.

GM Notes:
This week was awful... part of me is ready to throw in the towel and try to trade everyone of my "new" guys. I mean I spent $20M in the off-season to build this team, did I really do that bad of a job? Rotation? Awful. Offense? Awful. Defense? Awful... yes its the first week, but there was very little positive signs. Very little! What does that mean for the next 156 games? Am I overreacting? I don't know, maybe I am, but we have to be better than a 1-6 team...

Sadly I have tinkered with the idea of trading Jaramillo. I thought he would be an huge offensive spark, but I think I spent too much money on him. The last time I spent a ton of money on a catcher I traded him away before the all-star break, and I am thinking the same thing is going to happen this season. Unless he blows up, I just can't see how keeping him around is a good idea...

The starters were supposed to be better this season... but after the first 7 games I am worried we took a step back. But how? really? I mean last season we had a make-shift starting rotation with a reliever who turned out to be my #2 starter. How could 5-semi-decent rated starter be worse than that? Maybe it goes back to the offense? Maybe I am just over thinking it. Maybe the owner is putting too much pressure on me. Does he really expect us to play .500 ball in our second season with a $45M payroll? Where to begin...

One thing is certain... WE HAVE TO GET BETTER... there is no doubt about it... but how? Our prospects aren't nearly ready, our pitching staff is just weak... What did I do? Did I spend money in the wrong places? Yes I know its only the first week, but this was an ugly week. Not one thing positive could come out of this week... seriously not one!

I hope we find our groove soon. I just feel like we have struggled, through spring till today. I have to have faith...



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Seaford Blue Jays: 6-1 (+2)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 5-2 (+2)
DE Atlantic: Lewes Braves: 5-2 (+2)
WC: Dover Generals/Milton Brewers/New Castle Colonials: 4-3 (+1)

MV Beltway: Washington Senators: 6-1 (+1)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 5-2 (+1)
MV Norfolk Cavaliers/Ocean City Tourists: 5-2 (+3)
WC: Norfolk Cavaliers/Ocean City Tourists/Annapolis Admirals: 5-2 (+1)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Tom Dundee, Lewes Braves, 13-31, 5 HR, 14 RBI's
MarVa: Oliver Williams, Ocean City Tourists, 12-31, 3 HR, 6 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Washington Senators (164.3)
2) Seaford Blue Jays (158.3)
3) Ocean City Tourists (135.6)
4) Annapolis Admirals (133.6)
5) Lewes Braves/ Richmond Cardinals (132.6)

News:
Milton Brewers: 2B Julio Lara is going to miss another 6-days, so he is debut for the season is being delayed a little more.
Milford Clippers: Signed free-agent George Meyer to a 1-year deal worth $2,720,000. Meyer pitched in 66 games last season for the Blue Crabs.
DBL: Came down hard on Chadds Fords' Manny Hernandez and Seaford Blue Jays Robbie Kelly, suspending both of them for 9 games after causing a bench clearing brawl.

[illeracula]

Week 2
Current Week: 0-5 (1-11 .083, -7)
Next Week: 3 @ Milford Clippers, 4 @ Dover Generals
Power Ranking: 24 (-1, 0.0) << not sure I have EVER seen that, lol
Fan Interest: 91
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 31 (12th)
Avg: .241 (9th)
HR: 6 (12th)
SB: 9 (6th)
Runs Against: 65 (10th)
Starters ERA: 6.46 (11th)
Pen ERA: 3.54 (5th)
Def Eff: .687 (t5th)

Game 8: Chadds Ford 3, Georgetown 7
Blake Ballard (0-2): 5.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Stuart Valle: 2-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI
Al little: 2-4, R
H: 11, LOB: 10

Game 9: Chadds Ford 1, Georgetown 4
Lazzaro Tadiotto (0-2): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Vincent Harrison: 2-4, 3B
Felix Olivas: 1-4, 3B, RBI
H: 4, LOB: 6

Game 10: Chadds Ford 1, Lewes 7
Pepe Martines (0-1): 3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R
Al Little: 2-4, 3B, R
Vincent Harrison: 2-4
H: 8, LOB: 6

Game 11: Chadds Ford 0, Lewes 4
Angel Rivera (0-3): 7.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 2 ER, BB, 2 K
Felix Olivas: 2-4, 2B
H: 8, LOB: 9

Game 12: Chadds Ford 3, Lewes 4
Alfredo Mejia: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, BB, 4 K
Juan Fernandez (0-1, BS 1): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, BB
Manny Hernandez: 1-4, 3B, R
Stuart Valle: 1-4, 2B, R
H: 6, LOB: 3



Transactions:
none

Injuries:
MR Alfonso Hernandez, strained oblique, 34 days

Other/Roster News:
Heading into a full week of games Dan Pierson will be joining the starting rotation. It is possibly the last time we will see Pepe Martines. I am very tempted in letting him go back to the Cavaliers.

GM Notes:
How bad was this week? We didn't steal a base or hit a HR. Our "big" time signing Julio Jaramillo is off to a horrendous start going 5-38 in his first 11 games in Chadds Ford. He has 1 HR, his only XB hit and has only driven in 3 runs... I can't live with this guy hitting .132. I can see Jack Cavazos getting more AB's. I also upset Jaramillo, because I shopped him around. I was ready to get rid of him, however there were NO takers...

I am at a cross roads with Pepe Martines. He was a rule-5 draft pick and he has just been awful. The scouting reports on the 24-year-old rave how good he is, but I haven't seen it on the field yet. Maybe I will move him to the back-end of the bullpen so I can at least keep on the roster... in his first 2 starts he has gone a combined 7 IP, allowing 14 H, 11 R and 2 HR's... Not much positive to say about the guy... Maybe one more start and that will be the determining factor. I have a talent in the minors ready to come up and pitch (Wilkinson and Choo)...

I am hoping we can put together a nice steak soon. We can't be this bad, its just impossible. Right now we scored 2.6 runs per game while giving up 5.4. How can you win games like that? I can't even swap out the subs because right now they aren't doing anything either. Our offense really should be better than this...

I really am trying to find a silver lining in this start and I can't. I am worried about the rest of the season. Nothing seems to be going right for this team, but Martin Adams. I picked up so many semi-quality players who should have given me more quality than I had last year, but right now they aren't showing me anything... what do I do? Is it panic time?



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Seaford Blue Jays: 9-3 (+2)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 8-4 (+3)
DE Atlantic: Lewes Braves: 9-3 (+1)
WC: Milton Brewers: 8-4 (+1)

MV Beltway: Washington Senators: 12-2 (+3)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 9-5 (+3)
MV Norfolk Cavaliers: 11-3 (+2)
WC: Ocean City Tourists/Annapolis Admirals: 9-5 (+3)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Jorge Berrios, Milford Clippers, 10-22, 2 HR's, 6 RBI's
MarVa: John Herbert, Salisbury Ports, 9-16, 6 HR's, 6 R's, 7 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Washington Senators (161.3)
2) Norfolk Cavaliers (149.4)
3) Lewes Braves (145.0)
4) Seaford Blue Jays (158.3)
5) Milton Brewers/Wilmington Iron Pigs (125.0)

News:
Cape May Beacons: Lost OF Juan Tavares for 4-5 months with a broken bone in his elbow. Tavares was off to a slow start this season hitting .107-0-1 in 28 AB's.
Georgetown Sixteens: Lost 2B Pedro Galvan for 5 months. Galvan fractured his knee in a game this week. The all-time base stealer was hitting .297-0-3 on the season.
Newark Millers: 1B Yann Gosslin hit his 40th career HR.
Annapolis Admirals: The day after Gosslin hit #400, C Will Riley did the same.

[illeracula]

Week 3
Current Week: 2-5 (3-16 .158, -10)
Next Week: 2 @ King George Royals, 2 vs Ellicott City Express, 3 vs Richmond Cardinals
Power Ranking: 24 (--, 20.4)
Fan Interest: 91
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 56 (12th)
Avg: .243 (10th)
HR: 14 (t11th)
SB: 12 (8th)
Runs Against: 93 (t8th)
Starters ERA: 5.61 (10th)
Pen ERA: 3.39 (5th)
Def Eff: .690 (7th)

Game 13: Chadds Ford 3, Milford 6
Blake Ballard (0-3): 3.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 BB, K
Dave Lewis: 3-5, 2B, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
Al Little: 2-5, 2B, R
Nelson Barrera: 1-4, RBI
H: 11, LOB: 10

Game 14: Chadds Ford 1, Milford 2
Lazzaro Tadiotto: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K
Hee-seop So (0-1, BS 1): 0.2 IP, H, 2 R, BB
Anzhel Astsatrian: 1-3, 2B
Keith Admas: 1-3, RBI
H: 4, LOB: 4

Game 15: Chadds Ford 7, Milford 8
Pepe Martines (0-2): 3.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 2 BB
Gwang-soo Cho: 2.2 IP, 2 H, R, BB, K (debut)
Dave Lewis: 2-3, HR (3), 2 R, 3 RBI
Keith Adams: 2-4, HR (1), R, 3 RBI
Julio Jaramillo: 2-4, 2 R
H: 10, LOB: 1

Game 16: Chadds Ford 5, Dover 2
Dan Pierson (1-0): 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Dan Kessler (SV 1): 1.0 IP, H
James Miler: 1-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
Keith Adams: 2-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
Al Little: 2-4, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 4

Game 17: Chadds Ford 4 , Dover 2
Angel Rivera: 6.0 IP, 5 H, R, 0 ER, BB, 4 K
Sung-il Kwon (1-0): 2.0 IP, 3 H, R
Dan Kessler (SV 2): 1 IP, H
Jack Cavazos: 2-3, HR (1), R, 2 RBI
Il-young Cho: 1-1, HR (1), R, RBI (PH)
Keith Adams: 3-4, 2B, 2 R
H: 9, LOB: 5

Game 18: Chadds Ford 3, Dover 4 (12 Innings)
Alfredo Mejia: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Hee-seop So (0-2): 3.1 IP, H, R, BB
Manny Hernandez: 3-6, R
Julio Jaramillo: 3-6, 2 2B, R, RBI
Anzhel Astsatrian: 1-1, 2B, 2 RBI (PH)
Martin Adams: 2-5
H: 11, LOB: 8

Game 19: Chadds Ford 2, Dover 4
Blake Ballard (0-4): 8.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 4 K
Felix Olivas: 1-4, 2 RBI
Manny Hernandez: 2-4, R
H: 8, LOB: 5



Transactions:
Placed 3B Stuart Valle on the 11-day disabled list.
SP Juan Fernández was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Purchased the contract of C Il-young Cho from Triple A San Juan.
Recalled RP Gwang-soo Cho from Triple A San Juan.
Lost SP Juan Fernandez to the Virigina Beach Surf Dawgs, waiver claim.

Injuries:
MR Alfonso Hernandez, strained oblique, 27 days
3B Stuart Valle, pinched nerve, 2 weeks

Valle went down with a pinched nerve in his neck and will miss the next 3 weeks. I am not sure what to thik about this guy as he was somewhat one of hte offensive bright sports hitting .263-0-3 (yes bright spot). Hard to think taht this guy hit 39 HR's just 3 seasons ago. I decided to go with Cho instead of Dragon, because I think Dragon could use some more development. Cho wil get his 3 weeks and then head back down to AAA. After hitting .281-35-97 in AAA last year Cho has slumped to .255-4-13 this year and is only 1-14 in the bigs since being called up.

Other/Roster News:
I really didn't want to lose Fernandez, but he is gone now. The bright side of things Wilkinson and Cho will now be ready to pitch and ready to be called up. As Cho has been... the down side? Well he was nice depth, and the way things are going with this team I may need that depth!

GM Notes:
I am happy our team showed some life this week... it wasn't much, but it was more than we have shown in the first two weeks. Heck we even had a 2-game winning streak at one point. We hit some long-balls scored some runs and the pitching stepped it up a little bit. You have to like it when things start clicking. I know, deep down, we are much better than a 3-16 club and I really hope we start showing that in the subsequent weeks.

I am waiting for some of these guys to click and just start putting up the numbers I think they are capable of. One guy for for sure is James Miller. He hasn't done anything this year hitting just .170-2-5 in 17 games, but based on his scouting ratings is capable of so much more... this goes back to my scout, am I putting too much stake in him? Maybe I am trusting him way too much. I think its time to look around and see who is available. However that being said, it could be scary getting a new scout. What if he thinks our talent pool is garbage? After we built it around what Mike Markey had to say. This could turn into a disaster if I decide to pull it off... Ultimately Mike Markey has very little experience and he projections are neutral. Maybe I need someone else...

My "$11,170,000" dollar man is on pace to hit 9 HR's and drive in 43 runs... I am in shock right now by Julio Jaramillo's performance. I never expected him to hit .300-30-120, but I did expect something close to he has done over the past few seasons .240-28-80. If I could get that from him, then we would be in much better shape than we are now... I made a mistake signing him and now I am stuck with him. I just hope I will be able to trade him away and get that money back... what did I do?

I have had all types of success in this game. A crazy run in Norfolk, a championship after 2 seasons in Georgetown, but now I am in Chadds Ford and I can't seem to do anything right. I really am not sure what I am doing wrong, but I have to be doing something. I have tried to keep the same ideals as I had with the Sixteens and Cavaliers, but we just don't have the talent to make it work... I think soon it will be time to try to move as many players as possible and start over. I would really hate to do that, but the only players that are of value are players that would be move-able... ugh. So many tough decisions coming up.

With the loss of Fernandez it will be interesting to see how this team changes. Fernandez was known as a club-house leader and I am not sure if losing that is going to hurt or help this team. Either way I let him go because we actually have some depth on the staff, and we have 25 year olds that are just as good as that 30 year old.

I can't look anywhere but of starters if I am going to make a deal. Yes our offense is sluggish, but you can't win without pitchers. I am looking forward to the draft, so I can focus on pitching and start trying to find some prospects. I do think that is our key to success, we aren't going to outscore anyone, but if we can keep the games close we have a chance.

We will get better, it may take time, but we will get better.



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Seaford Blue Jays: 15-4 (+4)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 13-6 (+5)
DE Atlantic: Lewes Braves: 13-6 (+2)
WC: Milton Brewers/Milford Clippers/Georgetown Sixteens: 11-8 (+1)

MV Beltway: Washington Senators: 16-3 (+3)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 11-8 (+3)
MV Norfolk Cavaliers/Ocean City Tourists: 13-6 (+5)
WC: Ocean City Tourists/Annapolis Admirals/Norfolk Cavaliers: 13-6 (+5)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Mike Johnson, Milton Brewers, 11-28, 5 HR's, 10 RBI's
MarVa: Wally Lambert, Richmond Cardinals, 11-16, HR, 8 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Washington Senators (158.6)
2) Seaford Blue Jays (152.1)
3) Annapolis Admirals (131.2)
4) Lewes Braves (130.2)
5) Ocean City Tourists (128.2)

News:
New Castle Colonials: Lost MR Juan Durango for 5-6 months. The 24-year-old was 0-0 3.86 in 6 games this season.
Ellicott City Express: Lost MR Josh Nelson for 4 months with radial nerve compression. Nelson was 1-1 6.75 in 7 games this year.

[illeracula]

Players of the Month - April 2031



Delaware Conference

Johnson Wins DEConf's Best Bat Award: Mike Johnson battered Delaware Conference pitchers all April and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award. "I've been around DELMARVA Baseball League long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 27-year-old Johnson told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not take the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month." In 22 games, Johnson hit .326 with 9 home runs, 17 RBIs and scored 16 runs.

Rivera DEConf Winner, Top Hurler in April: "The kid had it all working last month," a veteran teammate told reporters. "He keeps up those kind of numbers, we might have to start inviting him out with us after the games." Miguel Angel Rivera put together a very solid month to take home the Delaware Conference's top pitching honor in April. The 24-year-old reliever threw like a veteran. In 12 relief appearances he raked in 10 saves and 22 strikeouts in 14 innings as he put together his 1-0 record and 1.93 ERA.

Delaware Conference Names Rookie of Month: Evan Gowing earned April's Rookie of the Month honors in the Delaware Conference for last month's performance. The boyish Milford shortstop might be wet behind the ears, but he's proving that he has what it takes to play at this level. Gowing hit .429 with no home runs, 7 RBIs and 6 runs scored this past month on his way to winning the award.

MarVa Conference

Annapolis Left Fielder MVConf's Best Batter in April: Seasoned by several years of professional experience, 26-year-old Lúcio Peña put together a solid offensive month for Annapolis and was crowned April's top batter in the MarVa Conference. He batted .359 with 10 home runs, 26 RBIs and 23 runs scored.

Jones Tabbed as April's Starter of the Month: Whether Brad Jones stays in Ocean City beyond this season remains to be seen, but while he's here he's making the most of it. In April the 35-year-old certainly pulled out all the stops by winning the MarVa Conference Pitcher of the Month award. He put up some fancy numbers with a 5-0 record and and an ERA of 1.78. In 35.1 innings he struck out 24, surrendered 26 hits, 9 walks and proved to be a solid performer in 5 starts last month.

MVConf Selects Rookie Star of the Month: Youngster Roy Okumura emerged as the latest MarVa Conference Rookie of the Month today. The young man from Richmond deserved the honor, batting .338 with 3 home runs and 10 runs batted in. Is the month of April a harbinger of things to come or just a fluke? We'll find out someday, but for now, we'll just let Okumura enjoy the limelight.

Standings - May 5, 2031

Here is a look at the first month's standings... including the first ever wild card races!

[illeracula]

Week 4
Current Week: 5-2 (8-18 .308, -9)
Next Week: 3 @ Martinsburg Mountaineers, 3 vs Norfolk Cavaliers
Power Ranking: 20 (+4, 60.2)
Fan Interest: 87 (-4)
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 84 (12th)
Avg: .238 (11th)
HR: 23 (9th)
SB: 18 (t4th)
Runs Against: 116 (4th)
Starters ERA: 5.02 (10th)
Pen ERA: 3.12 (3rd)
Def Eff: .691 (6th)

Game 20: Chadds Ford 3, King George 2
Lazzaro Tadiotto: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 4 K
Hee-seop So (1-2): 1.0 IP, 2 H
Dan Kessler (SV 3): 1.0 IP, BB
Julio Jaramillo: 1-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
James Miller: 2-4, 2B, RBI
Il-young Cho: 1-1, R
H: 7, LOB: 1

Game 21: Chadds Ford 5, King George 2
Pepe Martines (1-2): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K
Dan Kessler (SV 4): 1.0 IP, H
Manny Hernandez: 1-3, HR(1), R, 2 RBI
Felix Olivas: 1-4, HR (1), R, RBI
Anzhel Astsatrian: 2-4, 2B, R, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 4

Game 22: Ellicott City 3, Chadds Ford 4
Dan Pierson (2-0): 6.2 IP, 4 H, R, 4 BB, 6 K
Anthony Payne (SV 1): 1.0 IP, H, K
Manny Hernandez: 1-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
Martin Adams: 1-3, R, RBI
James Miller: 1-3, 3B, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 6

Game 23: Ellicott City 8, Chadds Ford 9
Angel Rivera: 4.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Dan Kessler (2-0): 1.2 IP, H, K
Martin Admas: 3-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Il-young Cho: 2-4, 2B, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI
Dave Lewis: 2-5, HR (4), R, 3 RBI
James Miller: 1-3, 3B, 2 R
H: 11, LOB: 3

Game 24: Richmond 4, Chadds Ford 3 (10 Innings)
Alfredo Mejia: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 5 BB, 2 K
Dan Kessler (2-1): 1.0 IP, H, R
Julio Jaramillo: 2-4, HR (3), R, 2 RBI
Jack Cavazos: 1-1, 2B, R
Keith Adams: 1-4, RBI
H: 9, LOB: 4

Game 25: Richmond 3, Chadds Ford 2
Blake Ballard (0-5): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Martin Adams: 2-4, 3B, R, RBI
Manny Hernandez: 1-4, R
Chance Boone: 1-3, 2B
H: 6, LOB: 3

Game 26: Richmond 1, Chadds Ford 2
Lazzaro Tadiotto (1-2): 7.0 IP, 8 H, R, 2 BB, 4 K
Dan Kessler (SV 5): 1.0 IP, K
Il-young Cho: 1-3, HR (3), R, RBI
Chance Boone: 1-3, HR 1), r, RBI
H: 3, LOB: 4



Transactions:
none

Injuries:
MR Alfonso Hernandez, strained oblique, 20 days
3B Stuart Valle, pinched nerve, 1 week

Other/Roster News:
Pepe Martines was moved to the bullpen after his lastest start. I feel like he just needs some more work. He will head back into the rotation if we have a lot of games in a row, or if Ballard doesn't pick things up... either way I am still a SP of quality down.

GM Notes:
Nope you aren't hallucinating we really just pulled off a 5 win week and even won 4 games in a row. Things were bright in Chadds Ford this week. Most of it was driven by our pitching, keeping their runs down, but our offense did show a little life. I am feeling a little bit better about this team, but we still have a long way to go.

Our bullpen is looking good. Kessler finally got a few good save opportunities and Cho and Payne are tearing things up. I am liking what I see here. I do need to figure out how to get Wilkinson up from AAA he really isn't a AAA player.

Blake Ballard is off to an awful start. I actually thought I was getting a "steal" when I signed him, but it seems like he has gone down a rung or two since then. Right now he can't seem to keep a game close and is getting hit hard. He has only given up 4 HR's in 30 IP, so you can't even blame the long-ball. He will get a few more starts, but if he continues to struggle I may have to think about sending him to the bullpen.

One thing I did notice is I feel short on finding pitches with high-control ratings. One thing I did in Norfolk was target 14 and above to be starters. Here I have a lot of 9 or 10 guys and it really seems to be affecting the outcome of games. Can't win games when you walk too many hitters... and I am learning that the hard way.

My team is complaining about lack of veteran leadership and I guess I can understand that. I don't have a lot of players with experience on this team, and only 3 players are over 30-years. The player with the most DBL experience is my new addition Julio Jaramillo, but he has "very low" leadership skills. This is something I probably should of paid attention to before signing him. I have a few "high" guys, but they are all first or second year players, and of the 3 "very high" guys only pitcher Alfredo Mejia has more than 100 games played... This is something I will need to pay attention to in 2032 when looking for additions to the roster... its not good seeing a bunch of red-faces on the roster.



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Seaford Blue Jays: 19-7 (+5)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 17-9 (+6)
DE Atlantic: Georgetown Sixteens: 16-10 (+1)
WC: Lewes Braves: 15-11 (+1)

MV Beltway: Washington Senators: 18-8 (+1)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 16-10 (+5)
MV Ocean City Tourists: 19-7 (+1)
WC: Norfolk Cavaliers: 18-8 (+1)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Samuel Darcy, Milton Brewers, 9-21, 5 HR's, 9 RBI's
MarVa: Bob Brooks, Ocean City Tourists, 12-28, 5 HR's, 9 RBI's, 12 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Ocean City Tourists (143.5)
2) Seaford Blue Jays (134.5)
3) Norfolk Cavaliers (128.6)
4) Wilmington Iron Pigs (121.7)
5) Annapolis Admirals (120.7)

News:
Norfolk Cavaliers: Signed SP Paul Brown to a 2-year contract extension worth $20,000,000 per season. Brown has won 20 games each of the past 2-seasons.
Ellicott City Express: Lost MR Antonio Castillo for 4-5 months with a bone spur in his elbow. Castillo was 0-0 5.40 in 2 games this year.
New Castle Colonials: Lost OF Cris Flores for 5-6 weeks with a fractured rib. Flores was hitting .321-4-15 on the season.
Ellicott City Express: Acquired CF Jose Silva (.310/.368/.402, HR), SP Chris Meyer (AAA) and $3 M in cash for OF Roberto Flores (.330/.358/.489, 2 HR)

[illeracula]

Week 5
Current Week: 1-5 (9-23 .281, -10)
Next Week: 3 @ Christiana Blue Hens, 4 vs Wilmington Iron Pigs
Power Ranking: 22 (-2, 44.6)
Fan Interest: 85 (-2)
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 108 (12th)
Avg: .243 (7th)
HR: 27 (9th)
SB: 24 (3rd)
Runs Against: 155 (8th)
Starters ERA: 5.37 (10th)
Pen ERA: 3.73 (4th)
Def Eff: .679 (9th)

Game 27: Chadds Ford 9, Martinsburg 13
Dan Pierson: 5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, BB, 7 K
Sung-il Kwon (1-1): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 4 BB, K
Pepe Martinez (BS 1): 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, K
Keith Adams: 2-5, HR (3), R, 2 RBI
Manny Hernandez: 2-5, R, 3 RBI
Julio Jaramillo: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Al Little: 2-3, 3 R
H: 13, LOB: 6

Game 28: Chadds Ford 2, Martinsburg 5
Angel Rivera (0-4): 6.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Julio Jaramillo: 1-1, 2B, RBI (left hurt)
Vincent Harrison: 1-4, 3B, R
H: 5, LOB: 6

Game 29: Chadds Ford 2, Martinsburg 8
Alfredo Mejia (0-3): 2.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Gwang-soo Cho: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Jack Cavazos: 3-4, 2B, 3B, R
Al Little: 2-4
H: 7, LOB: 6

Game 30: Norfolk 5, Chadds Ford 6
Blake Ballard (1-5): 7.0 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 4 K
Dan Kessler: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 HR)
Anthony Payne (SV 2): 0.1 IP
Il-young Cho: 2-3, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI
Keith Adams: 3-4, 2 2B, R
Julio Jaramiloo: 3-4
Martin Adams: 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI
H: 13, LOB: 6

Game 31: Norfolk 5, Chadds Ford 4 (11 Innings)
Lazzaro Tadiotto: 6.0 IP, 12 H, 4 R, BB, 4 K
He-seop So (1-3): 1.0 IP, H, R, BB
Al Litte: 3-5
Julio Jaramilo: 2-5, R
Martin Adams: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI
Anzhel Astsatrian: 1-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
H: 10, LOB: 5

Game 32: Norfolk 3, Chadds Ford 1
Dan Pierson (2-1): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 7 BB, 3 K
James Miller: 1-3, HR (3), R, RBI
Vincent Harrison: 2-3
H: 7, LOB: 6



Transactions:


Injuries:
MR Alfonso Hernandez, strained oblique, 13 days
3B Stuart Valle, pinched nerve, 2 days

Other/Roster News:


GM Notes:
We came into May strong, winning some games and then wham, anything that could go wrong did. We go handled all over place, pitching was awful, hitting was awful, just a sad week.. another week gone by and we lost 2% more fan interest. Those are good signs for us...

I say everything was bad, but Al Little, Julio Jaramillo and Keith Adams each had solid offensive weeks. I need to see more from them however... Al Little lead off most of the week collected 8 hits and 4 walks, and didn't score a run! Julio Jaramillo had 8 hits, including 2 doubles, but only 2 RBI, and Keith Adams was the week leader with 9 hits, including 3 doubles and a HR... When we get guys on base we have to get them home. I think its time to tinker with the lineup some (again).

I have been in talks with scout Nikolle Kransniqi about taking over this team, but to sign him would be a huge hit to our financials. He has only been a scout for 2 seasons in the DBL in 2013, a first place finish, and 2028, a 2nd place finish... Markey however hasn't shown me he is worth keeping around. I don't even see one bright spot in the minors. I just am not sure I am ready to give my scout $300,000 more... it could be worth it, however...

Two offensive starters are hitting under .200, so their days as starters might be put on hold for a while. Manny Hernandez at .182 has been a huge disappointment after last seasons performance (.298-3-22, 33 steals). Along with Hernandez is James Miller who is hitting .189-3-10. He "should" be better, but he just isn't cutting it... who takes over? I have no clue at this point, however Valle comes back so that might help.

This team needs help, or a shake-up, something. We need one guy who can be a spark and I just don't see anyone capable of that right now. After the past 2 weeks Ihad a good feeling about this club, but after this week, any hopes of a successful season has gone out the window.



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Seaford Blue Jays: 21-11 (+2)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 19-3 (+4)
DE Atlantic: Georgetown Sixteens: 18-14 (+1)
WC: Dover Generals (DEC): 19-13 (+2)

MV Beltway: Annapolis Admirals: 22-10 (+2)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 20-12 (+5)
MV Coastal: Ocean City Tourists: 24-8 (+1)
WC: Norfolk Cavaliers (MVC): 23-9 (+3)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Jorge Berrios, Milford Clippers, 10-28, 3 HR's, 6 RBI's
MarVa: Ricardo Hidalgo, Washington Senators, 11-31, 6 HR's, 12 RBI's, 6 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Ocean City Tourists (146.0)
2) Norfolk Cavaliers (137.4)
3) Annapolis Admirals (126.8)
4) Dover Generals (117.9)
5) Richmond Cardinals (117.5)

News:
New Castle Colonials: Lost SP Jimmy Powers for 1-2 weeks. Powers wasn't expected to miss a start after leaving a start earlier. He is 1-1 2.84 in 5 starts.
Dover Generals: Lost CF Mark Hoover for 1-2 weeks after Hoover bruised his elbow. Hoover is hitting .314-6-24 on the season.

[illeracula]

Week 6
Current Week: 2-5 (11-28 .282, -12)
Next Week: 4 @ Newark Millers, 3 vs Christiana Blue Hens
Power Ranking: 23 (-1, 45.8)
Fan Interest: 84 (-1)
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 135 (12th)
Avg: .242 (8th)
HR: 34 (t8th)
SB: 30 (t2nd)
Runs Against: 195 (10th)
Starters ERA: 5.29 (10th)
Pen ERA: 4.06 (6th)
Def Eff: .684 (9th)

Game 33: Chadds Ford 1, Christiana 0
Angel Rivera (1-4): 8.1 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K
Dan Kessler (SV 6): 0.2 IP, K
Dave Lewis: 1-4, 2B
Vincent Harrison: 0-2, RBI, SF
H: 1, LOB: 2

Game 34: Chadds Ford 2, Christiana 3
Alfredo Mejia (0-4): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 2 K
Dave Lewis: 2-3, 2 2B, R
Keith Adams: 1-4, RBI
James Miller: 2-4
H: 8, LOB: 8

Game 35: Chadds Ford 0, Christiana 8
Blake Ballard (1-6): 4.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, BB, 6 K
Vicent Harrison: 1-3
Manny Hernandez: 1-3
6-singles
H: 6, LOB: 7

Game 36: Wilmington 7, Chadds Ford 6
Lazzaro Tadiotto: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Sung-il Kwon: (1-2, BS 1): 0.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R
Martin Adams: 3-5, HR (2), R, RBI
Keith Adams: 1-4, HR (4), R, 2 RBI
Jack Cavazos: 1-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
Dave Lewsi: 2-4, 2B
H: 11, LOB: 3

Game 37: Wilmington 6, Chadds Ford 3
Dan Pierson (2-2): 3.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Martin Adams: 1-2, 3B, 2 R
Dave Lewis: 1-2, R
Keith Adams: 1-3, 2 RBI
H: 7, LOB: 4

Game 38: Wilmington 3, Chadds Ford 6
Angel Rivera: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, BB, 4 K
Gwang-soo Cho (1-0): 2.0 IP, H, 4 K
Dan Kessler (SV 7): 1.0 IP, BB
Dave Lewis: 2-4, HR (5), R, RBI
Anzhel Astsatrian: 3-3, HR (3), R, 3 RBI
Martin Adams: 1-3, 2 R
H: 8, LOB: 3

Game 39: Wilmington 13, Chadds Ford 9
Alfredo Mejia: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 3 ER, BB, 3 K
Hee-seop So (1-4, BS 2): 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R
Dan Kessler: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Felix Olivas: 2-4, 3B, 2 R
Keith Adams: 4-5, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI
Jack Cavazos: 1-1, HR (3), R, 4 RBI
Stuart Valle: 2-4, 2 R
H: 12, LOB: 7



Transactions:
Fired scouting director Michael Markey.
Signed scouting director Nikolle Krasniqi to a 4-year, $375,000 per year contract.
Demoted CF Chance Boone to Triple A San Juan.
Activated 3B Stuart Valle from the disabled list and placed him on the active roster.

I like Boone as a 4th or 5th OF'er, but he just isn't cutting it right now (.238-1-1), plus Cho is hitting the ball so I want to keep his bat in the lineup.

Injuries:
MR Alfonso Hernandez, strained oblique, 6 days

Other/Roster News:
none.

GM Notes:
Well with Krasniqi taking over at the scout I got a bunch of newly rated players. He favors ability and is average across the board with his scouting. I hope his fresh look at things will help us out over time... the biggest shock to my system was my top pick from last year Dragoljub Karadzic dropping from a 4 1/2 star prospect to a 2 1/2 star prospect... maybe I was being too hopeful, maybe I trusted Markey too much. I almost let him go when I took over the team, because he had no experience, in hindsight I probably should have.

Another tough week... but there are signs of life, even if we are still playing only .282 ball. I really thought our pitching would be better. I am not sure what to do, maybe I start blowing my team up, at least the start staff. I could probably move Ballard and Pierson, but I really don't want to. At least not yet. I don't want to make any deals at this point... I want these guys to play it out and see what happens.

I am starting to see some offensive life with Jaramillo, as his average is now up to .244, but he still needs to do more. He is on pace to hit 12 HR's and 54 RBI's, coming off a season where he hit 27 and drove in 77. I just expected more... I have been tinkering with the lineup trying to see the table more.

As soon as Al Little started showing off in the lead-off slot he is now starting to slump. Jack Cavazo is hitting the ball well in part-time play and leads the team in OBP (.378) so he may start getting more AB's as the DH as Il-young Cho has started to to slump a little bit (.204-4-8).

I thought about shopping Ballard (I did shop him quickly) and Pierson around, but they are both "Well Known" and I am not willing to trade those two guys if they are going to mean that much to my fan interest. I just can't risk losing money over training those two guys... especially with my owner who only cares about profit.

Speaking of Ballard, with my new scout he took a big hit in Control... I am worried about his 8 control now. He is important to my teams success so I do hope he can pick things up and continue to eat innings. He isn't happy, but that is what it is... and he will just have to grin and bear it.



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Seaford Blue Jays/Dover Generals: 23-16 (+4)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 23-16 (+5)
DE Atlantic: Georgetown Sixteens: 21-18 (+1)
WC: Dover Generals (DEC)/Seaford Blue Jays (DEC): 23-16 (+3)

MV Beltway: Annapolis Admirals: 26-13 (+2)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 23-16 (+3)
MV Coastal: Norfolk Cavalers: 28-11 (+1)
WC: Ocean City Tourists (MVC): 27-12 (+3)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Chip Hurt, Milton Brewers, 13-30, 2 HR's, 7 RBI's
MarVa: Jason Atkins, Washington Senators, 10-29, 5 HR's, 10 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (135.2)
2) Ocean City Tourists (124.6)
3) Annapolis Admirals (120.0)
4) Baltimore Barons (114.2)
5) Washington Senators (112.8)

News:
Annapolis Admirals: Lost MR Jim Fields for 4 months with shoulder inflammation. The Admirals top pitching prospect was 1-0 2.74 in 16 games this year.
Norfolk Cavaliers: OF Sergio Rodriguez is healthy and hitting again. He extended his current hitting streak to 21 games. Rodriguez is hitting .343 on the year, after missing most of 2030 with an injury.
Norfolk Cavaliers: Lost SP Cornell Pearson for 3-4 weeks with a torn meniscus. Pearson is trying to duplicate his 2030 Golden Arm seasons going 7-0 2.00 in his first 8 starts.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: C Clinton Picot extended his hitting streak to 20 games, collecting a single in the 7th during a victory in Chadds Ford.
Chesapeake Blue Crabs: Acquired C Jose Rodriguez (.242/.294/.581, 6 HR) from the Ocean City Tourists for prospects CF Alejandro Feliciano (AAA, #17) and SP Ramon Lopez (AA, #166).
Newark Millers: Sent OF Ken Henderson (A) to the Ocean City Tourists for SP Juan Jiminez (0-3 5.50) and $820,000 cash.

[illeracula]

Week 7
Current Week: 2-4 (13-32 .289, -15)
Next Week: 2 vs Wilmington Iron Pigs, 2 @ Newark Millers, 3 @ Chesapeake Blue Crabs
Power Ranking: 22 (+1, 49.0)
Fan Interest: 83 (-1)
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 161 (11th)
Avg: .243 (7th)
HR: 44 (8th)
SB: 35 (t2nd)
Runs Against: 223 (10th)
Starters ERA: 5.39 (11th)
Pen ERA: 3.79 (6th)
Def Eff: .683 (10th)

Game 40: Chadds Ford 5, Newark 6
Blake Ballard (1-7): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 4 K
Julio Jaramillo: 2-5, HR (4), R, 3 RBI
Stuart Valle: 2-4
Jack Cavazos: 1-3, 2B, 2 R
H: 9, LOB: 10

Game 41: Chadds Ford 3, Newark 4 (11 Innings)
Lazzaro Tadiotto: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 3 K
Dan Kessler (2-2): 0.2 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 2 K
Martin Adams: 2-2, HR (3), R, RBI
Stuart Valle: 2-5
Manny Hernandez: 2-3, 3B, R, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 5

Game 42: Chadds Ford 1, Newark 5
Dan Pierson (2-3): 6.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 5 K
Martin Adams: 2-4
Dave Lewis: 1-4, HR (6), R, RBI
Julio Jaramillo: 2-4
H: 8, LOB: 6

Game 43: Christiana 3, Chadds Ford 10
Angel Rivera (2-4): 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 6 K
Martin Adams: 1-2, HR (4), 3 R, RBI, 3 BB
Dave Lewis: 4-4, 2B, HR (7), 2 R, 4 RBI
Manny Hernandez: 2-3, 2B, HR (3), 2 R, RBI
Vincent Harrison: 1-4, HR (2), R, RBI
Jack Cavazos: 1-4, HR (4), R, RBI
H: 12, LOB: 8

Game 44: Christiana 7, Chadds Ford 1
Alfredo Mejia (0-5): 4.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 K
Martin Adams: 2-4, 2B, RBI
H: 4, LOB: 6

Game 45: Christiana 3, Chadds Ford 6
Blake Ballard (2-7): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 7 K
Dan Kessler (SV 8): 1.0 IP, H, K
Julio Jaramillo: 3-4, HR(5), R, 2 RBI
Martin Adams: 1-4, HR(5), R, 2 RBI
Stuart Valle: 2-4, R
Manny Hernandez: 1-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI
H: 10, LOB: 6



Transactions:
none

Injuries:
MR Alfonso Hernandez was sent to AAA to begin a rehab assignment. When he is ready I am not really sure what I will be doing.

Other/Roster News:
none

GM Notes:
What is going on with Alfredo Mejia. Last season the 26-year-old impressed me going 9-15 4.33 with us. He wasn't great, but the team wasn't great, so I was happy to see he showed some life. This year he is just awful 0-5 6.02 in 9 starts. His WHIP is up 0.30 his HR's allowed is up 0.4 and his BABIP is up 0.044. I really hope he bounces back soon. I need him to be on point. I need him to turn this around. I need him to prove to me that last year wasn't a fluke.

The offense is showing some life, with Martin Adams leading the way. I think this might be the first time we had an offensive player with POW. I could be wrong, but either way its been a long time. I hope I don't jinx Adams, but he has been hitting the ball well, since I put him in the leadoff slot... then again Al Little did too for a few weeks, then went ice cold!

I continue to keep my eye on the wavier wire, but there ins't much there. So I have to start hoping players like James Miller (.194-3-10) and Manny Hernandez (.208-3-13) need to start hitting the ball.

Last year we won .358% of the time, this year we are playing at .289%... which is really hard to understand since we dropped $20M in the off-season. We got a better offense, better starters and a better defense. And now 2-months in I am starting to wonder if we really are "this bad"... yes I know we show signs, but are these signs enough? Are we just a "bad" team. Should I try to wheel and deal? Do I need to? I don't know, its hard to make deals when you don't have a lot of assets.



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Dover Generals: 27-18 (+3)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 28-17 (+7)
DE Atlantic: Georgetown Sixteens: 25-20 (+1)
WC: Lewes Braves (DEA)/Seaford Blue Jays (DEC): 24-21 (+1)

MV Beltway: Annapolis Admirals: 29-16 (+1)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 26-19 (+4)
MV Coastal: Norfolk Cavalers: 31-14 (+1)
WC: Ocean City Tourists (MVC): 30-15 (+1)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Martin Adams, Chadds Ford Cannons, 9-20, 3 HR's, 5 RBI's
MarVa: Oliver Ramos, Norfolk Cavaliers, 12-23, 2 HR's, 3 RBI's, 2 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (129.0)
2) Wilmington Iron Pigs (122.0)
3) Ocean City Tourists (119.0)
4) Annapolis Admirals (118.0)
5) Dover Generals (116.0)

News:
Christiana Blue Hens: Lost OF Juan Hernandez for 6 weeks with a hamstring strain. Hernandez hurt his hammy making a throw from deep center. On the year the 26-year old was hitting .231-2-15 on the year.
Norfolk Cavaliers: OF Sergio Rodriguez saw his 20-game hitting streak come to an end.
Richmond Cardinals: Lost SP Earl Fuller for 2 months after Fuller sprained his ankle. Fuller was 4-0 1.17 on the year. The 22-year-old broke the season on the first for the first time in his career.
Baltimore Barons: 1B Woody Brown has been around the league since 2018 and played for 6 different teams, and this week might of been his biggest week yet, as he hit his 300th HR of his career. Brown has never lead the league in HR's, and hasn't hit more than 30 just 2 times (30 and 36), showing consistency throughout his career.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: C Clinton Picot extended his hitting streak to 25 games with a single in the 7th. He went 2-4 on the day. On the season Picot is hitting .362-4-19 with 23 runs scored.

[illeracula]

Players of the Month - May 2031



Delaware Conference

DEConf's Top Hitter Announced: Martin Adams is not used to being associated with Batter of the Month-caliber players, but today the Chadds Ford center fielder joined that select company when the Delaware Conference announced the results of May's voting. Adams totaled 33 hits, 10 walks, 4 home runs, 15 RBIs and 24 runs scored last month to put together a .330 batting average and .396 on-base percentage. Currently Adams has 5 home runs and a .308 batting average.

Delaware Conference Names #1 Pitcher in May: Jesús Cruz's been around the league long enough to appreciate the honor he received today. After going 4-0 in May, the 25-year-old Dover hurler has been named Delaware Conference Pitcher of the Month. He fanned 31 in 37 innings, logged an ERA of 2.68 and allowed opponents to hit .213 against him. This year Cruz has made 11 starts, thrown 66.2 innings, fanned 62 batters and walked 8. His won-lost record is 7-2 with a 2.97 ERA.

Delaware Conference Names Rookie of Month: Youngster Evan Gowing emerged as the latest Delaware Conference Rookie of the Month today. The young man from Milford deserved the honor, batting .312 with 3 home runs and 9 runs batted in. Is the month of May a harbinger of things to come or just a fluke? We'll find out someday, but for now, we'll just let Gowing enjoy the limelight. Gowing is batting .340 this season in 39 games with 3 home runs, 16 RBIs and 23 runs scored. He has 49 hits in 144 at-bats.

MarVa Conference

MVConf's Top Hitter Selected: Seasoned by several years of professional experience, 33-year-old Ricardo Hidalgo put together a solid offensive month for Washington and was crowned May's top batter in the MarVa Conference. He batted .378 with 13 home runs, 37 RBIs and 22 runs scored. Currently Hidalgo is batting .366 with 74 hits and 20 home runs. He has knocked in 64 runs and scored 40 times.

Walker Gets May's Top Pitcher Trophy: Clancy Walker hasn't been around the big leagues long enough to know that youngsters shouldn't be winning MarVa Conference Pitcher of the Month. But when you put up numbers like his, you're going to get some notice. In May the Baltimore starter earned a 4-0 mark in 6 starts. He threw 41.2 innings, struck out 37 and compiled a solid 1.73 ERA. Walker has started 10 times this year, pitched 62.1 innings, fanned 49 batters and walked 15. His current record is 4 wins and 3 losses with a 3.32 ERA.

MVConf Selects Rookie Star of the Month: Domingo Espinosa earned May's Rookie of the Month honors in the MarVa Conference for last month's performance. The boyish Richmond shortstop might be wet behind the ears, but he's proving that he has what it takes to play at this level. Espinosa hit .283 with 2 home runs, 6 RBIs and 18 runs scored this past month on his way to winning the award. This season Espinosa is batting .268 with 10 home runs. His totals include 24 RBIs and 35 runs scored.

Standings - June 1st, 2031

Here are the races after month #2. Looks like there might be some good battles this season.

[illeracula]

The Martinsburg Mountaineers have the first pick in this years draft, a draft that has quite a bit of potential and even one player is just about big-league ready.

Here is a look at the top 10 picks
#1 Martinsburg Mountaineers: 3B, Jon Hughes (U of St. Louis), Demand: $2,200,000
Age: 20
Stars (overall/potential): 1 / 4.5
Ratings: C: 6/9, G: 8/11, HR: 7/16, Eye: 7/13, Ks: 4/8
"Impact Potential Bat"

#2 King George Royals: SS Melvin Jackson (HS, Wisconsin), Demand: $9,000,000
Age: 19
Stars (overall/potential): 0.5 / 3
Ratings: C: 5/12, G: 8/13, HR: 1/9, Eye: 2/7, Ks: 2/9
"Solid contact, projects to be a .290 hitter"

#3 Cape May Beacons: SP John Robertson (HS, California), Demand: Slot
Age: 18
Stars (overall/potential): 0.5 / 1
Ratings: S: 6/12, M: 9/11, C: 1/8
"You can tell he knows hot to pitch"

#4 Chadds Ford Colonials: MR Jonathan Loeffler (Farleigh Dickson), Demand: slot
Age: 22
Stars (overall/potential): 3.5 / 5
Ratings: S: 15/19, M: 13/14, C: 8/13
"Potential Hall-of-Fame Reliever"

#5 Wilmington Iron Pigs: SP Erik Gonzalez (Pepperdine), Demdand: $6,500,000
Age: 20
Stars (overall/potential): 0.5 / 3.5
Ratings: S: 10/14, M: 11/13, C: 4/11
"If he stays healthy, headed for the upper echelon of strikeout pitchers"

#6 Salisbury Ports: OF Phil Davis (HS, Chicago), Demand: Slot
Age: 19
Stars (overall/potential): 1 / 4
Ratings: C: 6/11, G: 8/12, HR: 2/8, Eye: 5/12, Ks: 3/11
"With this kind of bat, Davis could go places."

#7 Annapolis Admirals: SS Ray Green (Cleveland State), Demand: $8,000,000
Age: 21
Stars (overall/potential): 1 / 4.5
Ratings: C: 8/12, G: 10/12, HR: 5/10, Eye: 7/12, Ks: 6/13
"Looks like a natural out there, and the games comes easy to him."

#8 Newark Millers: OF John Bush (HS, Iowa), Demand: Slot
Age: 18
Stars (overall/potential): 1 / 4
Ratings: C: 6/11, G: 6/11, HR: 2/12, Eye: 5/11, Ks: 1/8
"A young player with top-notch potential."

#9 Chesapeake Blue Crabs: C Peter Moore (U of Illinois - Chicago), Demand: $5,000,000
Age: 24
Stars (overall/potential): 1 / 2
Ratings: C: 9/12, G: 12/13, HR: 6/9, Eye: 9/11, Ks: 8/11
"There is some raw potential here."

#10 Lewes Braves: OF Ray Crowe (Cal State-Fullerton), Demand: $8,500,000
Age: 21
Stars (overall/potential): 1 / 4
Ratings: C: 7/10, G: 9/11, HR: 5/12, Eye: 6/10, Ks: 3/7
"Some scouts are predicting big things for Crowe."

Here is a look at the last 5-years #1 picks and where they are today:

2026 - Allen Graves (1B), Richmond Cardinals, Lehigh U
Age: 26
Debut: 2028
Current Team: Richmond Cardinals
Career: .258-3-21 (367 G)
Current Year: .297-3-21 (48 G)

2027 - Stephen Bentall (SS), Annapolis Admirals, St Norbert College
Age: 25
Debut: 2028
Current Team: Georgetown Sixteens
Career: .277-59-252 (495 G)
Current Year: .274-6-23 (51)

2028 - Dennis MacPherson (SP), Baltimore Barons, Wichita State U.
Did not sign in 2028, Rentered the Draft in 2029, 1st Round, 12th pick overall, New Castle Colonials
Age: 24
Debut: ETA 2033
Current Team: Havana Nationals (AAA / New Castle Colonials)
Stats: (AAA) 4-2 2.41 (16 G/ 4 GS)

2029 - Roy Okumura (OF), Richmond Cardinals, Farleigh Dickinson College
Debut: 2030
Current Team: Richmond Cardinals
Awards: #73 Prospect in 2030 top 100
Stats: .295-13-32
Current Year: .276-9-23

2030 - Jose Aguiliar (OF), Cape May Beacons, U of Georgia
Age: 23
Current Team: Savannah Herons (A / Cape May Beacons)
Stats: (A) .286-12-30 (48 G)



I am not sure how I feel about this years draft. We grabbed some good players and hopefully one of these guys will be a sleeper. I let my new scout do most of the picking, however I did override his choice for the #1 pick overall. The player I passed on went #8, so I might keep my eyes open to see how he does. Then again that might just be a bad idea.

Drafted CL Jonathan Loeffler in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall pick).
If we can sign Loeffler he will be sent to AAA and who knows might even make the big club this year. He is a true relief pitcher, but one of the top talents. It might be a risk taking a closer/middle-man as the #1, but its a risk I decided to take.
Age: 22
Stuff: 15/19, Movement: 13/14, Control: 8/13
Stars: 4.5/5

Drafted 1B Jesús Hernández in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 2, Pick 4, 34th overall pick).
Jesus has a big upside if he can develop. He is a hitter with power. Our scout believe he profiles as a future big-league regular, but he's got the talent to exceed even that projection. Those are big words for an 18-year-old.
Age: 18
Contact: 5/10, Gap: 7/12, HR: 5/14, Eye: 6/15, K's: 1/4
Stars: 1/4

Drafted SP Eric Harmon in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 3, Pick 4, 59th overall pick).
Harmon is a possible future starter. I am excited to see how he develops. Our Scout think he has respectable potential if can get stronger and smarter. That is my hope. He has some questions about his stamina, so we will see.
Age: 20
Stuff: 7/10, Movement: 10/11, Control: 7/13
Stars: 1/3

Drafted SS Bill Shirley in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 4, Pick 4, 86th overall pick).
Not sure what to excepted from Shirley. Krasniqi has mixed reviews for Shirley from "platoon bat" to "average contact hitter with extra-base power, and a solid glove and well-above average speed". He will get reps at SS and 2B and we wait and see (assuming we sign him).
Age: 18
Contact: 6/10, Gap: 7/10, HR: 4/9, Eye: 3/10, K's: 5/9
Stars: 1/4

Drafted CL Kenny White in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 5, Pick 2, 108th overall pick).
White was the "best" pitcher available at the time. According to our scout he will need to bring his stuff up a notch if he wants to dominate an entire game, not just an at-bat. I wanted to get some pitchers, so I started draft best available.
Age: 21
Stuff: 10/12, Movement: 11/12, Control: 3/5
Stars: 1/2

Drafted CF Armando Martínez in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 5, Pick 4, 110th overall pick).
I believe "Boo Boo" Martinez might be a sleeper. He plays 5 different positions and has a lots of speed. We will see how that goes. This was a guy Krasniqi wanted me to take with our previous pick. He does believe Krasniqi can develop into a hitter, but will never show any power.
Age: 19
Contact: 5/8, Gap: 9/11, HR: 3/5, Eye: 7/15, K's: 4/9
Stars: 1/2.5

Drafted SP Samuel Brown in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 7, Pick 4, 158th overall pick).
The OSA scout sees Brown with a brighter upside than our scout, but ultimately time will tell. I am not going to hold out much hope, but sometimes...
Age: 21
Stuff: 7/9, Movement: 7/7, Control: 4/7
Stars: .5/.5

Drafted CF Ernest Palmer in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 8, Pick 4, 182nd overall pick).
If the name rings a bell, it is because you have seen it before. We drafted Palmer in the 15th round last year and he decided to go to college. After a year at St. Johns he thinks he is ready. He has speed and a good glove, but will he hit?
Age: 19
Contact: 7/11, Gap: 6/9, HR: 1/3, Eye: 1/5, K's: 6/12
Stars: 1/2

Drafted SP Josh Sullivan in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 9, Pick 4, 206th overall pick).
At this point in the draft we were just looking for a diamond. Josh is 18, so he can develop, but he might have an attitude problem showing up to came with a nickname like "Awesome".
Age: 18
Stuff: 4/7, Movement: 7/7, Control: 4/9
Stars: .5/.5

Drafted RF Chris Moore in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 10, Pick 4, 230th overall pick).
Moore is another speedster who can play D. Just need his bat to develop.
Age: 18
Contact: 5/9, Gap: 4/6, HR: 4/6, Eye: 4/9, K's: 1/7
Stars: .5/2

Drafted SP Joe Brown in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 11, Pick 4, 254th overall pick).
He has 8 potential across the board, and throws 4 pitches. Stranger things have happened.
Age: 18
Stuff: 5/8, Movement: 6/6, Control: 4/8
Stars: .5/.5

Drafted SS Bernard Lefebvre in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 12, Pick 4, 278th overall pick).
I am interested to seeing Bernard develops. At 18 a lot of things could happen, but he already has the eye, now a swing adjustment here or there. You never know.
Age: 18
Contact: 4/8, Gap: 6/9, HR: 1/4, Eye: 6/14, K's: 4/7
Stars: 1/2

Drafted RP Stan Smith in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 13, Pick 4, 302nd overall pick).
Smith didn't have a great year in college last season at St. Johns. I must have an affliction for St. John's players, so I am not sure how his pro career will transpire.
Age: 20
Stuff: 8/10, Movement: 8/8, Control: 5/7
Stars: .5/.5

Drafted SP Ryan Chapman in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 14, Pick 4, 326th overall pick).
Best pitcher left... another one of those just looking for a diamond in the rough.
Age: 18
Stuff: 4/6, Movement: 7/7, Control: 3/8
Stars: .5/.5

Drafted C George Younger in the 2031 first-year player draft (Round 15, Pick 4, 350th overall pick).
He is right where he should be for a 19-year-old. I worry about HS catchers, with slow speed. I like to see some more athleticism. He did hit .410-5-29 during his 27 games... He will get a chance.
Age: 19
Contact: 5/9, Gap: 1/2, HR: 6/11, Eye: 4/11, K's: 1/4
Stars: 1/1

Now it is time to release some of my older not-going anywhere minor leaguers so these guys will get their chance.... and then we will try to sign our top 5. I drafted the best pitcher I could in the first round, he isn't a starter, but he is a pitcher. Might of been a mistake, but we will see. Overall, I would rate this draft a B, if we can sign everyone.

[illeracula]

Week 8
Current Week: 4-3 (17-35 .327, -16)
Next Week: 2 vs Chesapeake Blue Crabs, 3 vs Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs
Power Ranking: 22 (--, 59.8)
Fan Interest: 79 (-4)
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 191 (11th)
Avg: .247 (7th)
HR: 46 (9th)
SB: 46 (t2nd)
Runs Against: 254 (9th)
Starters ERA: 5.34 (11th)
Pen ERA: 3.66 (3rd)
Def Eff: .680 (12th)

Game 45: Wilmington 10, Chadds Ford 3
Lazzaro Tadiotto (1-3): 3.0 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 4 BB, 4 K
Il-young Cho: 2-4, 2B
Felix Olivas: 1-3, 3B, R, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 4

Game 46: Wilmington 8, Chadds Ford 5
Dan Pierson (2-4): 2.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Jack Cavazos: 2-3, 2B, RBI
Dave Lewis: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI
Al Little: 2-5, R, RBI
Julio Jaramillos: 2-5, R, RBI
H: 12, LOB: 10

Game 47: Chadds Ford 5, Newark 2
Angel Rivera (3-4): 7.0 IP, 6 H, R, BB, 3 K
Dan Kessler (SV 9): 1.0 IP, K
Julio Jaramillo: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI
Vincent Harrison: 3-4
Manny Hernandez: 2-4, 2 RBI
H: 10, LOB: 5

Game 48: Chadds Ford 9, Newark 2
Alfredo Mejia (1-5): 7.0 IP, 4 H, R, 0 ER, BB, 6 K
Dan Kessler (SV 10): 1.0 IP
Julio Jaramillo: 2-4, 2 2B
Al Little: 2-4, R, RBI
Keith Adams: 1-3, RBI
H: 9, LOB: 9

Game 50: Chadds Ford 7, Christiana 4
Blake Ballard (3-7): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 6 BB, 2 K
Julio Jaramillo: 3-4, 2B, 2 HR (7), 3 R, 4 RBI
Al Little: 2-4, 3B, R, RBI
Martin Adams: 2-5, 2 R
Manny Hernandez: 2-3, R
H: 14, LOB: 2

Game 51: Chadds Ford 8, Christiana 2
Lazzaro Tadiotto (2-3): 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, BB, K
Martin Adams: 2-4, 3B, 3 R, RBI
Al Little: 1-5, 3 RBI
James Miler: 2-4, R, RBI
H: 11, LOB: 3

Game 52: Chadds Ford 0, Christiana 4
Dan Pierson (2-5): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 5 K
Stuart Valle: 1-3, 2B
Al Little: 1-4, 3B
H: 5, LOB: 5



Transactions:
Signed 1B Alejandro Garza to a minor league deal. Garza hit .274-36-111 in AAA last season, and he is really just as "help". Maybe he will surprise me, he is 26, so who knows.

Signed 3B Egardo Castro to a minor league deal. He is 20-years old and is a 4* prospect. He will join my single-A in Tulsa and we will see how it works out. Last year in SS A-ball he hit .246-2-7.

After the draft I had to some minor league cleanup... this is only the beginning (hopefully):
Released C Ed Taylor, RP Will Cole, CF Peter Johnson, 3B Errol McKinney, 2B Mike Mayfield, LF António Vázquez, SS Mike Brown, RP Rick Key, SP Jack Booker, SP Víctor Antúnez.

Injuries:
none

Other/Roster News:
Catcher Julio Jaramillo has asked for a trade, he isn't happy playing for a losing team. I guess he should of paid some attention before signing a big-deal with a team coming off a 100 loss season. Jaramillo has been hot lately and is currently hitting .274-7-24.

GM Notes:
We put together a pretty solid week to finish off May, including a 4-game winning streak. I have to say I do like winning much better than losing, but who doesn't. We are 18 games under .500 and 12 games out of the wild card, so I am pretty certain our season is over, but streaks like that, beating teams you are supposed to beat are always nice. We won 6 games in April (6-16) and 11 in May (11-18), so if we can keep it going I think we will finish strong and maybe even be in a good slot for next season. However, we are losing fan interest, which means losing money, which means budget issues... a lot to think about.

So there we are losing games like we are the worst team around and the players are starting to get nervous and antsy, up to the point where Jaramillo comes to me and asks to be traded. So I started looking around, heck he wasn't hitting the ball, sure I'd deal him and then the next thing I know he is crushing the ball and I have a deal in play. I am not 100% sure I want to pull this deal off, but it is something worth thinking about. It would be a huge deal and we would be giving up 4-big league players. Three of them I am ready to part with, one I am not sure about... And in return we get a handful of prospects and one over-paid veteran. Now that Jaramillo is hitting the ball I might need to go back to the drawing board. He can put up with losing for a little while, then again I probably spent too much money on him...

After two months I am not sure what I can say our 'bright' spot is. The bullpen is pitching how I expected them to be, our lineup isn't performing like I thought they would, and all these starters we brought in are just struggling... I need to do some thinking about this team and figure out where to take them. Its tough, its not going to be an easy road, but there has to be a "right" path to take, I am sure not sure I am on it right now.

I thought taking over an expansion team was going to be "easier" than this. I think that is what my problem is. I figured we would get a decent team out of the expansion draft and grow from there. I really had faith. I saw the bright-lights, I saw a Championship trophy. I had it all mapped out. But right now I am thinking differently. I am thinking we need to get younger (yes I said that), get better and get deeper. I really think last years offense was better than this one and I am not sure how that is possible.

Ok.. now on to the happy side of things... Martin Adams continues to be a surprise hitting .308 with 15 steals. I just hope he can keep it up. He is a surprise to me and my scout, less so my old scout, oddly enough... Adams became the first Chadds Ford player to win a player of the month award. That was really exciting and unexpected.

My goal the rest of this month of June is to focus on the positive and not the negative. There are good things happening here in Chadds Ford, I think there is even enough to share...



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Dover Generals: 32-20 (+6)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 33-19 (+11)
DE Atlantic: Georgetown Sixteens: 30-22 (+1)
WC: Lewes Braves (DEA): 29-23 (+3)

MV Beltway: Annapolis Admirals: 34-18 (+5)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 30-22 (+4)
MV Coastal: Norfolk Cavalers: 36-16 (+1)
WC: Ocean City Tourists (MVC): 35-17 (+6)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Tony Keith, Lewes Braves, 11-27, 2 HR's, 10 RBI's
MarVa: Bob Brooks, Ocean City Tourists, 12-30, 3 HR;s, 8 RBI's, 8 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (129.6)
2) Ocean City Tourists (124.2)
3) Annapolis Admirals (123.7)
4) Wilmington Iron Pigs (121.2)
5) Dover Generals (117.8)

News:
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Catcher Clinton Picot had his hitting streak ended at 27 games, the longest of the season. On the year Picot is hitting .364-5-25.
Cape May Beacons: MR Mike Hanson who is battling a torn triceps received some bad news during a recent check-up. The 34-year-old will see his 2031 debut delayed for 2 more months.
Georgetown Sixteens: Lost OF Blake Quirke for 4-5 months with torn ankle ligaments. Quirke a team leader was hitting .251-9-27. He hopes to be back for the playoffs, but its not looking good.

Milestones:
Wilmington Iron Pigs: 3B Tom Anderson became the 10th player to reach the 2000 hit plateau. Anderson has had a stellar career hitting .280 with 356 2B, 20 3B, 260 HR, 1004 RBI's and 1068 R's.
Washington Senators: OF Ricardo Hidalgo slugged his 400th HR. Hildago is only the 7th player to reach the 400 mark. At 33-years old, if Hidalgo can stay healthy he may have a shot at reaching #1.

[illeracula]

Week 9
Current Week: 0-5 (17-40 .298, -19)
Next Week: 2 vs Ocean City Tourists, 2 @ Balitmore Barons, 3 @ Annapolis Admrials
Power Ranking: 24 (-2, 45.7)
Fan Interest: 76 (-3)
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 203 (11th)
Avg: .245 (8th)
HR: 47 (t10th)
SB: 48 (2nd)
Runs Against: 287 (1th)
Starters ERA: 5.55 (11th)
Pen ERA: 3.68 (4th)
Def Eff: .678 (12th)

Game 53: Chesapeake 7, Chadds Ford 5
Angel Rivera (3-5): 3.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 2 K
Keith Adams: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Julio Jaramillo: 3-4, R, RBI
Al Little: 2-5, 3B, R, RBI
H: 12, LOB: 9

Game 54: Chesapeake 7, Chadds Ford 2
Alfredo Mejia (1-6): 4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Anzhel Astsatrian: 1-4, HR (4), R, RBI
Davew Lewis: 2-4, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 5

Game 55: Virginia Beach 10, Chadds Ford 1
Blake Ballard (3-8): 5.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Al Little: 3-4, R
H: 6, LOB: 4

Game 56: Virginia Beach 7, Chadds Ford 4
Lazzaro Tadiotto (2-4): 5.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Keith Adams: 3-4, 2 RBI
Al Little: 2-3, 2B, R, RBI
Dave Lewis: 1-4, 2B, R, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 4

Game 57: Virginia Beach 7, Chadds Ford 4
Dan Pierson (2-6): 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K
Manny Hernandez: 2-4
H: 3, LOB: 3



Transactions:
I decided to demote Sung-il Kwon, so down to AAA he goes. Kwon has struggled a little and Wilkinson has been lights out. The downfall is our only lefty is now not with us. I am sure he will be back up soon.
Kwon: 24 G 1-2 5.86

Dan Wilkinson who was solid last year, but had an option and a little struggle during the spring was brought back up to join the team He has been lights out in AAA 1-0 0.59 with 9 SV in 16 games and I hope he brights that stuff here with him.

Draft Picks:
CL Jonathan Loeffler (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall pick)
* Signed for $3,750,000, and we probably didn't have to go that high, and will join our AAA team and be the closer. He may give Kessler a run for the money when he makes it the bigs. Then again Kessler has been crazy good as the closer the past 2 seasons.

1B Jesús Hernández (Round 2, Pick 4, 34th overall pick)
* Signed for $670,000 and will head down to S-A ball to get his career going. I like this kids talent. Right now I have my idea of Todd at 1B, Dragon at 3B, so that laves Hernandez at DH or possible 1B moving Todd... Wishful thinking?

SP Eric Harmon (Round 3, Pick 4, 59th overall pick)
* Signed for $350,000 and down to S-A he goes to hopefully develop into a big leaguer.

SS Bill Shirley (Round 4, Pick 4, 86th overall pick)
* Signed for $230,000 and will head down to SA to get his season and career going. He makes us 4-4 with two to go.

CL Kenny White (Round 5, Pick 2, 108th overall pick)
* No news yet from White, not sure if he is happy or just holding off. We will see, hopefully we will hear something this week.

CF Armando Martínez (Round 5, Pick 4, 110th overall pick)
* Signed for $195,000 and will join the other guys down on the farm. He didn't like my offer of $150K so I bumped it a bit. He has some skills and a cool nickname "Boo Boo" so we will see what happens.

Injuries:
none

Other/Roster News:
Matt Noble hasn't been a full-time starter since 2028 and that was only the first 7-games of the season, but I am sending him back to the rotation. I have a deep bullpen, and he might be one that could turn into a starter. His stamina is borderline (10) but I will give him a shot and see what he does.

GM Notes:
This was an awful week. We lost all 5-games and they were all ugly. We had a big trade in the works, but it fell through and now I can't seem to move Jaramillo. Our hottest hitter went ice cold, our starters seem to be getting worse, our bullpen had a couple of blowups. We just need to find something that will turn this system around.

On a bright note we have signed 5 of our 6 first-5 round picks. I don't think the 5th will be a problem, so it is quite exciting. We are trying to build up our minor league system and I think this draft will really help.

Another bright spot was the signing of minor-league free-agent last week, by the name of Edgardo Castro. Castro actually popped up on our top-20 prospect list, at #5. The 20-year-old is hitting .265-1-3 since joining our organization.

Our #2 pick Jesus Hernandez hit the ground running in S-A ball. Crushing at a.389 rate, which is good to see. I am not sure how long he will stay here, I am thinking A-ball might be a better option. But for now he will hang around. Plus Eugene Todd is manning 1B in Tulsa. Todd is hitting .277-4-19, which is good to see. I have big plans for him.

Speaking of big-plans Dragon is hitting well in AAA (.296-11-42). He isn't ready to be called up by a long shot, but I am glad he is performing well. I really have big hopes for him and I think in the next year or two he will be our 3B, and hopefully for a long time to come.

See staying positive! I didn't talk about my thoughts of blowing this team up and starting over. I didn't talk about how upset I am that I can't find a decent deal for Mejia and Jaramillo. I didn't talk about how the clubhouse is in shambles and we need veteran leadership... none of that... the message is positive.

My work isn't near done here, and I hope our owner, Ralph Corbin, has faith in me to keep me around for a few years. I do see some positives in this team and through the organization. It might not seem it, but things are going to get better in Chadds Ford, they really are.



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Dover Generals: 35-22 (+5)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 36-21 (+11)
DE Atlantic: Lewes Braves: 31-25 (+0.5)
WC: Georgetown Sixteens (DEA): 31-26 (+1)

MV Beltway: Annapolis Admirals: 36-21 (+4)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 33-24 (+5)
MV Coastal: Norfolk Cavalers: 39-18 (+1)
WC: Ocean City Tourists (MVC): 38-19 (+6)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Luis Rodriguez, Seaford Blue Jays, 7-16, 3 HR's, 6 RBI's
MarVa: Ricardo Hidalgo, Washington Senators, 10-22, 5 HR's, 9 RBI's, 5 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (126.2)
2) Ocean City Tourists (125.0)
3) Wilmington Iron Pigs (116.7)
4) Annapolis Admirals (112.7)
5) Dover Generals (111.5)

News:
New Castle Colonials: Lost 2B Ivan Sanchez for 3 weeks with a gluteus strain. Sanchez is hitting .261-7-28 on the season.
Norfolk Cavaliers: OF Trevor Parker suffered a set-back during rehab, which will delay his return at least 5 more days. Parker recovering from a sore hand is hitting .303-12-41 on the season.
Dover Generals: Acquired SP Ryan Gross (3-2 4.64) from the Seaford Blue Jays for 1B Richard Forbes (.324/.357/.521, 6 HR) and prospect IF Mario Reyes (A).

[illeracula]

Week 10
Current Week: 2-5 (19-45 .297, -22)
Next Week: 2 vs Salisbury Ports, 2 @ Washington Senators, 3 vs King George Royals
Power Ranking: 22 (+2, 46.4)
Fan Interest: 75 (-1)
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 241 (10th)
Avg: .248 (8th)
HR: 55 (t9th)
SB: 53 (2nd)
Runs Against: 323 (11th)
Starters ERA: 5.47 (11th)
Pen ERA: 3.92 (6th)
Def Eff: .675 (12th)

Game 58: Ocean City 5, Chadds Ford 1
Angel Rivera (3-6): 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Stuart Valle: 2-2, R
Manny Hernandez: 2-4
Al Little: 1-4, 2B, RBI
H: 6, LOB: 5

Game 59: Ocean City 12, Chadds Ford 9
Alferdo Mejia (1-7): 5.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
Jack Cavazos: 2-3, 2B, HR (5), 3 R, 2 RBI
James Miller: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Vincent Harrison: 2-4, R, 2 RBI
H: 11, LOB: 2

Game 60: Chadds Ford 10, Baltimore 4
Blake Ballard (4-8): 7.1 IP, 4 H, R, 5 BB, 6 K
Manny Hernandez: 3-4, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI
Julio Jaramillo: 1-4, HR (8), 2 R, 3 RBI
Felix Olivas: 2-5, 3B, 2 R, RBI
Il-young Cho: 1-3, R, 2 RBI
H: 11, LOB: 3

Game 61: Chadds Ford 4, Baltimore 5
Lazzaro Tadiotto: 3.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 3 K
Hee-Seop So (1-5): 0.1 IP, 2 H, R, BB, K
Manny Hernandez: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Al Little: 1-3, RBI
Julio Jaramillo: 1-3, RBI
H: 9, LOB: 3

Game 62: Chadds Ford 2, Annapolis 3
Dan Pierson: 6.2 IP, 5 H, R, 3 BB, 3 K
Dan Kessler (2-3, BS 1): 0.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R
Anzhel Astsatrian: 1-3, HR (5), R, RBI
Felix Olvias: 2-3, 3B
Dave Lewis: 2-3
H: 9, LOB: 6

Game 63: Chadds Ford 9, Annapolis 3
Angel Rivera (4-6): 6.0 IP, 6 H, R, 3 BB, 4 K
Hee-Seop So (SV 1): 1.2 IP, H, 3 BB, K
Jack Cavazos: 2-3, 2 HR (7), 3 R, 3 RBI
Dave Lewis: 3-5, HR (8), R, rBI
Il-young Cho: 2-5, 2 RBI
James Miller: 3-4, 2 2B, R
H: 13, LOB: 10

Game 64: Chadds Ford 3, Annapolis 4
Alfredo Mejia: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Hee-Seop So (1-6): 1.0 Ip, 2 H, R, 2 BB
Felix Olivas: 3-4, RBI
Manny Hernandez: 2-4, HR (5), 2 R, RBI
Il-young Cho: 1-1, 3B, R (PH)
H: 8, LOB: 3



Transactions:
none

Draft Picks:
CL Jonathan Loeffler (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall pick)
AAA San Juan Hibuscus: 2 G, 2.1 IP, 0-0 7.71, 1 SV

1B Jesús Hernández (Round 2, Pick 4, 34th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 12 G, .282-0-3

SP Eric Harmon (Round 3, Pick 4, 59th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 2 GS, 9.1 IP, 0-0 2.89

SS Bill Shirley (Round 4, Pick 4, 86th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 8 G, .231-0-2

CL Kenny White (Round 5, Pick 2, 108th overall pick)
Pending Offer ($195,000, 2nd offer), Demand: $220,000

CF Armando Martínez (Round 5, Pick 4, 110th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 9 G, .200-0-3

Injuries:
none

Other/Roster News:
none

GM Notes:
SP Alfredo Mejia was a surprise last season winning 9 games with a 4.33 ERA, however this season he continues to struggle. I am not sure what the difference, is it attitude, our poor defense, is he just not that good, no clue, all I know something is missing. I just need to figure what that "something" is.

I have to figure out what is going on with my defense. I will have to evaluate what is happening. I am not happy with the .675 DE. We were bad last season and it looks like we are bad again this season. I don't think we can win games if we don't play defense. Right? Pitch and catch, that is what wins games.

We are coming on 3 weeks of games in which we should be able to pull out some wins. This could be a big turn for us heading into the all-star break. I would like to play 3 solid weeks and get some motivation going.

Manny Hernanez is back hitting the ball after an early benching. I was shocked how poorly he hit the ball at the beginning of the season, but he has turned it up in June. IN 10 games he is .400-2-6 and he now has 12 steals. He seems to have found a home at 2B... along with Hernandez Olivas has started hitting the ball tool He has finally crossed the .200 line and is now up to .218 with 6 triples.

This team has had some nice up signs, but we just can't seem to put it all together. When we pitch we can't hit. When we hit, we seem to not be able to pitch. I think we are close, no, not to winning it all just close to clicking some and starting to play better. I would like us to play .333 ball this year and I really think we can pull that out.



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Dover Generals: 39-25 (+4)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 41-23 (+14)
DE Atlantic: Lewes Braves: 37-26 (+1.5)
WC: Georgetown Sixteens (DEA): 36-28 (+1)

MV Beltway: Annapolis Admirals: 40-24 (+4)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals/Ellicott City Express: 34-30 (+4)
MV Coastal: : Ocean City Tourists 43-21 (+1)
WC: Norfolk Cavalers (MVC): 42-22 (+6)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Dennis Nichols, Cape May Beacons, 12-22, 2 HR's, 5 RBI's
MarVa: Ryan Urbina, Ocean City Toursts, .452, 3 HR's, 10 RBI's, 5 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Ocean City Tourists (121.9)
2) Wilmington Iron Pigs (121.3)
3) Norfolk Cavaliers (120.1)
4) Annapolis Admirals (113.5)
5) Lewes Braves (111.7)

News:
Annapolis Admirals: Lost SS Leo O'Conner for a week with a mild shoulder injury. O'Connor is hitting .257-8-32 on the year.
Ellicott City Express: Lost SP Brad Rose for 13 months due to a torn flexor tendon. Rose was 5-1 2.00 in 13 games this year.
Norfolk Cavaliers: Lost OF Sergio Rodriguez for 5 weeks with a knee sprain. Rodriguez was hitting .322-2-22 on the year.
Lewes Braves: lost MR Roberto Chavez for 8 months after bone chips were discovered in his elbow. Chavez was 3-1 1.57 with 2 saves in 32 games this year.
Baltimore Barons: Acquired C Patrik Asther (.281/.395/.500, 2 HR) from the Richmond Cardinals for SS Arthur Krieger (A).
Ellicott City Express: After losing SP Rose for the year, the Express acquired SP Craig Wilson (8-1 3.26, #134) from the Ocean City Tourists for C Alfredo Garza (A, #129) and 3B Melvin MacGregor (SA).

[illeracula]

Week 11
Current Week: 4-3 (23-48 .324, -21)
Next Week: 2 vs Cape May Beacons, 3 @ Seaford Blue Jays
Power Ranking: 22 (+2, 46.4)
Fan Interest: 74 (-1)
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 295 (6th)
Avg: .259 (4th)
HR: 61 (9th)
SB: 58 (2nd)
Runs Against: 356 (11th)
Starters ERA: 5.41 (11th)
Pen ERA: 3.97 (7th)
Def Eff: .676 (12th)

Game 65: Salisbury 4, Chadds Ford 10
Blake Ballard (5-8): 9.0 IP, 15 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Al Little: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Julio Jaramillo: 2-5, HR (9), R, 2 RBI
Keith Adams: 2-5, 2 RBI
Martin Adams: 4-5, 2 2B, R
Dave Lewis: 2-5, 3B, 2 R, RBI
H: 14, LOB: 5

Game 66: Salisbury 1, Chadds Ford 15
Lazzaro Tadiotto (3-4): 7.2 iP, 3 H, 5 BB, 4 K
Al Little: 4-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Manny Herandez: 3-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Martin Adams: 2-4, 2 HR (7), 2 R, 6 RBI
Julio Jaramillo: 2-4, 3 R
H: 18, LOB: 2

Game 67: Chadds Ford 5, Washington 6
Dan Pierson (2-7): 3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 BB
Felix Olivas: 2-4, 3B, R, RBI
Dave Lewis: 3-4, 2B, R
Keith Adams: 3-4, R, RBI
Al Little: 2-5, R
H: 14, LOB: 5

Game 68: Chadds Ford 10, Washington 9
Angel Rivera (5-6): 7.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K
Dan Kessler (SV 11): 0.2 IP, H, R
Julio Jaramillo: 2-4, HR (10), 2 R, RBI
Dave Lewis: 2-4, 3 R
Al Little: 3-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI
Felix Olivas: 2-5, 2B, 3 RBI
H: 15, LOB: 6

Game 69: Kings George 6, Chadds Ford 3
Alfredo Mejia (1-8): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 8 K
Martin Adams: 3-5, HR (8), 2 R, RBI
Dave Lewis: 2-5, RBI
Felix Olvias: 2-3
Il-Young Cho: 2-4
H: 12, LOB: 9

Game 70: Kings George 4, Chadds Ford 6
Blake Ballard (5-9): 4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Manny Hernandez: 3-5, R, RBI
Keith Adams: 2-4, RBI
Jack Cavazos: 1-4, HR (8), R, RBI
H: 9, LOB: 5

Game 71: Kings George 1, Chadds Ford 7
Lazzaro Tadiotto (4-4): 6.0 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 6 K
Dan Wilkinson (SV 1): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 4 K
Martin Adams: 2-4, 2 2B, R
Al Little: 1-4, 2B, RBI
Manny Hernandez: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Julio Jaramillo: 2-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI
H: 10, LOB: 5



Transactions:
none

Draft Picks:
CL Jonathan Loeffler (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall pick)
AAA San Juan Hibuscus: 4 G, 4.1 IP, 0-0 4.15, 2 SV

1B Jesús Hernández (Round 2, Pick 4, 34th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 18 G, .273-0-5

SP Eric Harmon (Round 3, Pick 4, 59th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 3 GS, 14.1 IP, 0-0 3.14

SS Bill Shirley (Round 4, Pick 4, 86th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 14 G, .244-1-6

CL Kenny White (Round 5, Pick 2, 108th overall pick)
** Broke off negotiations, and will reneter draft next year.
Pending Offer ($195,000, 2nd offer), Demand: $220,000

CF Armando Martínez (Round 5, Pick 4, 110th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 15 G, .180-0-4

*I was getting confused trying to find Jesus Hernandez stats, since my single-A team has Jesus, Jose and Juan Hernandez. Only 2 are starters however.

Injuries:
none

Other/Roster News:
I had a deal in the works with Annapolis where I would send 5-players for 2-players, but after reviewing it it was very lopsided, so I decided to talk some more. He is currently thinking about it, as I have updated the deal to include a 4th-round pick and some cash. We will see how it goes... probably not a great deal on my part, but at least I would free up some money.

GM Notes:
I have this deal in the works to trade Jaramillo and part of me doesn't want to move him, but part of me does. I really think the signing of him was a waste of money and I just got carried away in the bidding war... I have him signed for 5 years, at around 20% of my teams salary. He is 30-years old and a catcher. It really doesn't make sense to keep him around... I just don't want to get ripped off... on a side note, if I trade Jaramillo it will be the second year in a row where I change my top HR hitter.

What a fun offensive week that ways, our guys hit the ball. I just want to see some more consistency. We can't go a week crushing and week striking out. Just doesn't make for a good season. Al Little is hitting the ball. Martin Adams is hitting the ball. Manny Hernandez is hitting the ball. Its been fun. Things are just clicking.

The bullpen is young and showing signs of growing pains. But I have faith that these guys are going to square up and and find their feet. Maybe its time I bring in a new pitching coach. This guys, Brandon Robles, just isn't showing me that he has what it takes.

We are getting better, I can see it on the field. We just need a couple of these starters to find a groove and once that happens I think the pieces will start falling into place.

Winning weeks are always fun. And like I said I am looking forward to finishing the first half on a hot-streak, and get some momentum heading into the second half. We do finish with a tough final 2 weeks, but with a strong next week we will go into the final two weeks hot.

I am hoping a few wins will get some more fans back into the seats... Lets keep it going...



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Dover Generals: 42-29 (+2)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 44-27 (+13)
DE Atlantic: Lewes Braves: 41-29 (+2.5)
WC: Milford Clippers (DEC): 40-31 (+1)

MV Beltway: Annapolis Admirals: 42-29 (+1)
MV Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 38-33 (+1)
MV Coastal: Norfolk Cavaliers: 47-24 (+1)
WC: Ocean City Tourists (MVC): 46-25 (+5)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Paul Turner, Milford Clippers, 10-21, 4 HR's, 8 RBI's
MarVa: Don Hamilton, Washington Senators, 12-23, 6 HR's, 11 RBI's, 8 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (125.2)
2) Ocean City Tourists (115.6)
3) Baltimore Barons (111.9)
4) Wilmington Iron Pigs (110.5)
5) Lewes Braves (106.4)

News:
Christiana Blue Hens: Lost Juan Hernandez for another week, due to a set-back during rehab. The Blue Hens offense is anxiously awaiting one of their top power bats to return.
DBL: Suspended Norfolk OF Trevor Parker and Cape May MR Ira Daniels for 5-games due to their part in a brawl that broke out during a game earlier this week.
Delaware Conference: OF Mike Johnson, of the Milton Brewers, with 2,360,0333 is the current vote leader.
MarVa Conference: OF Ricardo Gonzalez, of the Washington Senators, is the leading vote getter with 2,548,222.

[illeracula]

Week 12
Current Week: 1-4 (24-52 .316, -21)
Next Week: 3 vs Dover Generals, 4 vs Milford Clippers
Power Ranking: 24 (-2, 49.8
Fan Interest: 74 (--)
Owners Mood: Good
Expectation: .500

Runs Scored: 318 (6th)
Avg: .262 (4th)
HR: 64 (t9th)
SB: 59 (2nd)
Runs Against: 389 (11th)
Starters ERA: 5.47 (11th)
Pen ERA: 4.16 (9th)
Def Eff: .676 (12th)

Game 72: Cape May 7, Chadds Ford 5
Dan Pierson: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, BB, 7 K
Dan Kessler (2-4): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB
Anzhel Astsatrian: 1-4, HR (6), R, RBI
Keith Adams: 2-4, 2B, 4 RBI
Felix Olivas: 2-4, 2B, R
H: 11, LOB: 7

Game 73: Cape May 2, Chadds Ford 5
Angel Rivera (6-6): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Dan Kessler (SV 12): 1.0 IP, H, K
Dave Lewis: 1-4, HR (9), R, 2 RBI
Keith Adams: 4-4, 2B, R, RBI
Felix Olivas: 2-4, 2 2B, R, RBI
H: 10, LOB: 5

Game 74: Chadds Ford 5, Seaford 7
Alfredo Mejia (1-9): 3.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, BB, 2 K
Keith Adams: 2-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI
James Miller: 2-4, 2 2B, R
Stuart Valle: 2-3, 2B, R, RBI
Dave Lewis: 2-4, RBI
H: 12, LOB: 7 (8 doubles)

Game 75: Chadds Ford 2, Seaford 3
Blake Ballard: 6.1 IP, 5 H, R, 3 BB, 6 K
Dan Kessler (2-5, BS 2): 0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, K
Felix Olivas: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Al little: 2-4
H: 9, LOB: 6

Game 76: Chadds Ford 6, Seaford 14
Lazzaro Tadiotto (4-5): 3.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Anthony Payne: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB
Vincent Harrison: 2-4, HR (3), 2 R, 3 RBI
Il-Young Cho: 2-5, R
Keith Adams: 2-4, R
Dave Lewis: 2-5, R, RBI
H: 12, LOB: 8



Transactions:
Pitching Coach John Von Meister was hired as the new pitching coach. He has a good influence on young players, which is a big reason why he was chosen. He was the PC in New Castle from '13 to '15, so its been a while hopefully he still has the desire.

Draft Picks:
CL Jonathan Loeffler (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall pick)
AAA San Juan Hibuscus: 6 G, 6.0 IP, 0-1 9.00, 3 SV

1B Jesús Hernández (Round 2, Pick 4, 34th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 24 G, .243-0-5

SP Eric Harmon (Round 3, Pick 4, 59th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 5 GS, 25.1 IP, 0-0 2.13

SS Bill Shirley (Round 4, Pick 4, 86th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 20 G, .328-1-8

CF Armando Martínez (Round 5, Pick 4, 110th overall pick)
S-A Wilmington Tides: 22 G, .178-1-7

Injuries:
none

Other/Roster News:
none

GM Notes:
For every high week we have a low week. Its almost like bowling a gutter ball after a strike. We just can't see to get things going. Our starters, Mejia, Ballard and Pierson, should be better than this.

I am still trying to negotiate a deal with the Admirals, which should give me a little better rotation (I think)... despite losing a bunch of players. I just want to done with at this point.

For the five games this week we averaged over 10 hits per. We had double digit hits in every game but one, in which we had 9. Our bats are hitting the ball. They are all in the groove and I like to see that. Keith Adams turned it this week, as did Felix Olivas. We might not be hitting the ball over the fence but we are putting it in play and that is a big start.

We ushered in a new pitching coach this week and we will see how that transpires. He had some ok years with the Colonials back in '13 and '14, but hasn't worked since. Not sure if that is a good sign or not. We will see how his attitude and teachings transpire over the second half. Sometimes shaking things up helps, and sometimes it doesn't...

I am hoping the pitching coach change will bring some consistency to the rotation and bullpen. Last season our bullpen was the best aspect of the team, and then this season I thought I made it stronger. For some reason we took a hit. I am guessing it is the youth of these guys, only one has played for more than 2-full seasons. To say we are young is an understatement.

One guy I am going to keep my eyes on is Dan Kessler. He seems to be off his game. Since 5/17 when he picked up his 7th save his ERA has gone up 2.35, he has blown 2 saves and lost 4 games. Something isn't right. I am hoping that this isn't a sign that he is getting tired or the beginning stage of an injury.

Last year I was able to bring in a few guys via waivers, but so far this season there hasn't been much to look at. I am keeping my head up and I will be looking forward to watching some of these young guys develop. I just hope it all comes together sooner than later.



Standings Leaders
DE Colonials: Dover Generals: 44-32 (+2)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 45-31 (+12)
DE Atlantic: Lewes Braves: 44-31 (+2.5)
WC: 3-team tie: 42-34 (+2)

MV Beltway: Annapolis Admirals: 46-31 (+3)
MV Mountain: Ellicott City Express: 40-37 (+1)
MV Coastal: Norfolk Cavaliers/Ocean City Tourists: 51-26 (+12)
WC: Norfolk Cavaliers/Ocean City Tourists (MVC): 51-26 (+8)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Claude Bond, Lewes Braves, 7-19, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R
MarVa: Rafael Piedade, Washington Senators, 16-30, HR, 6 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Ocean City Tourists (125.2)
2) Norfolk Cavaliers (120.2)
3) Seaford Blue Jays (116.5)
4) Annapolis Admirals (109.5)
5) Lewes Braves (106.6)

News:
Virigina Beach Surf Dawgs: OF Jorge Arredondo is out for 5 weeks with a sprained ankle. Arredondo is hitting .274-2-15 on the year.
Christiana Blue Hens: Lost SP Ray Sherman for 4 months with a bone spur in his elbow. Sherman is 2-4 5.38 in 15 starts.
Seaford Blue Jays: SS Miguel Carvajal is out for 5 weeks. Carvajal strained his hamstring while throwing the ball during a game earlier this week. On the year the SS is hitting .210-9-30
Dover Generals: Lost SP Claudio Cabral for 12 months with a torn UCL. Cabral was 2-4 7.02 in 15 starts this year.
New Castle Colonials: OF Cris Flores extended his hitting streak to 20 games with a first inning single. On the year Flores is hitting .346-6-22 and has his eyes set on the 27-game streak, which is the longest of the season.
Delaware Conference: Milton Brewers OF Mike Johnson is the leading vote-getter for the all-star game bringing in 3,009,155.
MarVa Conference: OF Ricardo Hidalgo, the Washington Senators star, is the leading vote getter in the DBL with 3,333,580
Seaford Blue Jays: Acquired C Gary Daugherty (.204/.269/.378, 5 HR) from the Christiana Blue Hens for OF Ron Walker (.214/.360/.324, 3 HR), prospect C Mark Long (AAA, #121) and $2,550,000 cash.

King George Royals: In 2028 the DBL saw 4-no-hitter pitched, and for the last 2 seasons, none, but that changed this week when Shawn Richards took the hill against the Chesapeake Blue Crabs. Richard a lefty, who is plagued with control issues, was in the zone against the Blue Crabs throwing 9 hitless innings, walking 3 and striking out 12.

[illeracula]

Players of the Month - June 2031



Delaware Conference

June's Best Batter Announced: Claude Bond may be getting older, but he's evidently not slowing down. The Lewes Braves third baseman is the Delaware Conference Batter of the Month for June, after posting a stellar campaign. Bond batted .361, hit 6 home runs, drove in 22 runs, scored 18 times and compiled a .513 on-base percentage. Currently Bond is batting .362 with 9 home runs, 45 RBIs and 43 runs scored.

Everett Tabbed as June's Starter of the Month: There was little doubt around the Delaware Conference that Patrick Everett would be awarded Pitcher of the Month honors for June. Today, they made it official, naming the 27-year-old Milton Brewers starter the latest honoree. He thoroughly dominated the hitters who stood in against him, holding them to a .209 batting average while fashioning a 2.31 ERA in 6 starts. His record for the month was 5-0 in 35 innings of work. Everett has posted a 7-4 record for the year with a 3.76 ERA. Teams are hitting .233 against him and he has rung up 101 strikeouts in 88.2 innings.

Chadds Ford Right Fielder Best Rookie: The Delaware Conference Rookie of the Month has been picked for June and the honor went to the Chadds Ford Cannons hitting machine, Keith Adams. During the last month he compiled a .337 batting average with 34 hits and no home runs, along with 18 RBIs and 11 runs scored. Adams is hitting .292 for the season with 5 home runs, 40 RBIs and 27 runs scored. He has 81 hits in 277 at-bats and played in 73 games.

MarVa Conference

Hamilton June's Best Bat Choice: Don Hamilton is likely in no rush to flip the calendar over. The Washington center fielder had a huge month in June and has been named the MarVa Conference Batter of the Month. On the month, he posted a .372 batting average, with 12 home runs, 28 RBIs, 24 runs scored and a .434 on-base percentage. Currently Hamilton has 20 home runs and a .294 batting average.

Fenton MVConf Winner, Top Hurler in June: Despite the number of years he's been in the league, Robin Fenton still gets excited when he puts together a quality stretch like he had in June. The 32-year-old starter for Ocean City was named MarVa Conference Pitcher of the Month earlier today. He collected 3 wins and no losses with 18 strikeouts in his 5 starts, putting up a fine 1.50 ERA in 36 innings of work. For this year Fenton has chalked up 7 wins and 4 losses in 15 starts with 48 strikeouts in 91 innings and a 3.36 ERA.

MarVa Conference Names Rookie of Month: Forrest Johnson is still a bit shy, but then, who could blame the newest MarVa Conference Rookie of the Month honoree? He hasn't been around the league long enough to fully know the ropes yet, despite the fact that he's putting up veteran-like numbers. In June the Norfolk hitter tagged opposing pitching for a .301 average with 28 hits, 2 home runs and 8 RBIs. In 42 games this season Johnson is batting .291 with 46 hits and 4 home runs. He has scored 18 runs and driven in 15.

Standings - July 1st, 2031

Looks there are going to be some good divisional races this year, with only one division leader ahead by 4+ games. The realignment looks like it is a success so far.