Food Baseball Association: The Hunger Never Ends

[TheMaus2]

Now that my high school career has come to a close, and my summer has just begun, I've decided to try my hand at writing a dynasty of my own!

I present to you, the Food Baseball Association (a coming attraction™)

A league where your hunger for food and W's can be fullfilled.

Farmer's League

International Div
Tokyo Ramen
Seoul Soju
Rome Gelato
Athens Gyros


East
Washington Burgers
Pawtucket Lobsters
Chicago Deep Dish
Atlanta Peach Pie

West
Portland Doughnuts
San Antonio Churros
Milwaukee Stouts
San Francisco Clam Chowder

Butterball League©

East
New York Sprite
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Charleston Cheetos
Hershey Kisses

Central
Minneapolis Butterburgers
Dallas Blizzards
Chicago Kremes
Oklahoma City Crunchwrap Supremes

West
San Diego McNuggets
Las Vegas Krazy Bread
Denver Coors
Phoenix Sun Chips

(credit to Honorable Pawn and Justafan, I stole a couple designs from them when starting this one up)

[beepollen]

Make sure every team's leadoff man is a quality table-setter...

[StLee]

Oh no to the Seoul Soju! They'll be staggering around the bases. At least if they were the Bibimbap they could be a good mix of deliciousness!

[TheMaus2]

Note: Just to clear up any confusion, this is a fictional league with real MLB players as of 2019 (I'm running OOTP XX hehe) and also has fictional players. I tried to catch the overflow of talent by putting unsigned players into an Independent League, but that meant losing players like Manny Machado, Christian Yelich, and Anthony Rendon's primes to what is basically a minor league level :/ ah well I've learned my lesson with the unforgiving OOTP systems.

Surveying the FBA (2019-2024)

FL INTL
Tokyo Ramen - 486-486, 1x Playoff Appearance, 1x WS Appearance (2019)
Fun Fact: Ivan Orkin (of Ivan Ramen fame) is a minority owner.
Franchise Player: Francisco Lindor FBA Career Stats .319/.384/.526 166 HR, 555 RBI 44.4 WAR
5x GG, 5x SS, 4x AS, 2x MVP
Team Leader in Hits, Selected 8th overall in the inaugural draft

Throughout six seasons, Lindor has played on a level that has been unmatched in the Farmer's League. The only thing holding him back from being considered the FBA’s greatest player is a ring. Will Tokyo be the team to help Lindor prove himself in the playoffs? Every other position on the roster is hurting for talent (Lindor is the only player ranked in the top 8 of his position, while every other position is in the bottom 8) and it doesn’t look like Lindor will find his championship dreams at Orkin Field soon.


Rome Gelato - 428-544, 0x Playoff Appearances
Popular Concession Stand: Fior De Luna
Franchise Player: Giancarlo Stanton FBA Career Stats .205/.300/.429 217 HR, 519 RBI, 10.2 WAR
Second Highest Paid Player in the FBA, Selected in the 3rd round of the FBA Inaugural Draft (60th overall)... Leads Team in Career Games Played, Hits and HRs

When compiling all these stats… finding out that Stanton is the 2nd highest paid player in the FBA was quite the shock. Unfortunately, the rest of the “great” Gelato players have been vanilla has-beans so far. Crowds at Gelato games are known to go down to the dugout and harass Stanton about how overpaid he is while he enjoys his scoop of Stracciatella courtesy of Fior De Luna.


Seoul Soju - 484-490, 2x Playoff Appearance (2 WC)
Fun Fact: On home weekends, there are pregame K-Pop showcases, usually promoting up and coming groups and now vintage groups such as BTS, who recently promoted their 20th album.
Franchise Player: Mookie Betts FBA Career Stats .279/.367/.494 174 HR 482 RBI 29.2 WAR…
3x AS, 2x GG, 1x SS Leads Team in Career Games Played, Hits HRs, Drafted 10th Overall

These first few seasons for the Soju have put them firmly in the Schroedinger zone of the league, not yet dead come September, but not really alive either. Betts has been the attraction throughout all of this, ranking in the top 10 all time for WAR as of this writing.


Athens Gyros - 522-451, 5x Playoff Appearances, 1x WS Appearance (2024)
Fun Fact: Walkoff hits are often celebrated by dousing the clutch slugger in tzatziki.
Franchise Player: Vlad Guerrero Jr. FBA Career .314/.386/.524, 175 HR 550 RBI 34.1 WAR,
6x AS 2x SS, 3x Batting Champ Leads Team in GP, Hs HRs Drafted 59th Overall Inaugural Draft

Vlad has been a consistent MVP ballot contender since his first season in the league, but he still has yet to have his big MVP year. Expect him and Athens to blow the hinges off the door, as he’s just entering the second half of his 20s with a team that just made the Series a la Carte (the FBA's World Series)

Coming up next: FL East Review

[Westheim]

Doughnuts? I heard there's doughnuts. Where are the doughnuts?

[TheMaus2]

FL East
Washington Burgers - 462-510 2x Playoff Appearance (2 WC)

Fun Fact: Minority Owner David Chang wanted Washington to be the Fried Chicken Sandwiches, but was quickly persuaded after he realized the name wouldn’t fit on jerseys. You can still get his Fuku FCS in the stadium, but waits are long.

Franchise Player: SP Chris Morris FBA Career 78-61, 3.14 ERA, 1350K, 1.28 WHIP
2x ERA Champ, Led League in HRA/9 3 years in a row, 46.1 WAR, 2x CYA, 1x MVP, 6x AS, Drafted 3rd Overall

In an offense oriented league, Chris Morris managed to put up the greatest single season campaigns as a pitcher, putting him among lauded position players in the 9+ WAR season group (only Francisco Lindor and Mike Trout have put up similar efforts.) 22-7/2.12/243K in 2019 brought him MVP and Pitcher of the Year awards. His efforts have helped bring Washington to the playoffs twice, but they haven’t reached the playoffs in four years. What if the alltime leader in pitcher’s WAR was surrounded by talent?

Pawtucket Lobster - 493-479 1x Playoff Appearance (1 WC)
Fun Fact: The total population of Pawtucket is roughly 71,000, yet their ballpark seats 53,400. They averaged 73% capacity last season.

Franchise Player: RF Aaron Judge .242/.352/.474 204 HR, 529 RBI, 22.9 WAR
3x AS, 24th overall

A modest player for a modest franchise. Pawtucket has been consistently okay in the Farmer’s League, never more than a few games below .500. The city’s postseason dreams have lived and died with Judge, who hasn’t reached the peak of his rookie Yankees season since joining the FBA.

Chicago Deep Dish - 411-561, 0x Playoff Appearances
Fun fact: Stadiumgoers prefer the deep dish at Burt's Place.

Franchise Player: SP Willie Rodriguez 43-54, 3.36 ERA, 1098K, 1.40 WHIP, 22.7 WAR,
Drafted 2nd overall, 12 10K+ games, 3x AS

Rodriguez’s career has been one of the few bright spots in Deep Dish history (along with the all you can eat seats in right field), blessing the city with a Pitcher of the Year season in the FBA’s inaugural year (if Chris Morris didn’t have an MVP year, Willie would have won.) After some bad shoulder inflammation in 2022, Willie’s arm declined. As of this writing, he is currently a free agent who could possibly retire at the end of the season. The Deep Dish’s quest to find a savior will continue.

Atlanta Peach Pie - 560-412, 6x Playoff Appearances, 2x WS Appearances (2020, 2022)

Fun fact: Actors from the show Atlanta are treated like legends at the stadium.

Franchise Player: SP Frank Palazzolo 80-44, 2.79 ERA, 1429K, 1.09 WHIP, 41.3 WAR
Drafted 4th Overall, 2x CYA, 1x MVP, 5x AS, 1x Pitching Triple Crown

The crown jewel of the Peach Pie dynasty. It’s a great summer day if you can catch Frank and Chris Morris going against each other. There is much debate about who is the best pitcher in baseball among those two, and Frank tries to stoke the coals ever so often in this debate. They act like two legends cannot coexist! (Christ Morris is better imho) Frank’s devastating breaking ball arsenal has helped bring Atlanta six division titles, with another one expected soon.

Coming up: FL West Review

[TheMaus2]

FL West
Portland Doughnuts - 475-497 3x Playoff Appearances (1 WC) 1x WS Appearance (2021)

Fun Fact: The stadium is named after iconic Portland doughnut spot Voodoo Doughnuts, and the donut eating challenge that killed a man in 2017 replaces the 7th inning stretch at the ballpark.

Franchise Player: 2B Ozzie “Puchi” Albies .271/.317/.440 106 HR 430 RBI 17.4 WAR
2x GG 2x AS 101st Overall.. 2nd in Career Batter WAR and 1st in Games Played for the Doughnuts

Portland hasn’t had a definitive star, but if I was forced to pick, I’d pick Ozzie Albies. He’s a wizard defending the infield, and is a competent hitter as well. Ozzie wasn’t re-signed by Portland in the 2023 season, so he played for Minnesota last year. A 35 year old 5* Anthony Rizzo helped lead Portland to a Wild Card spot this past season though.

Milwaukee Stouts - 482-490 2x Playoff Appearance (1 WC)

Fun Fact: Prince Fielder is a minority owner, back in Milwaukee after investing in a vegan microbrewery

Franchise Player: RF Cody Bellinger .271/.388/.515 203HR 554RBI 35.1 WAR...
Drafted 103rd Overall..
4x AS 4x SS 2x MVP… Leads Team in Career Hits, GP, HRs

It took a couple years for Belli to take off… but take off he has in his past four years in the FBA. He has hustled his way to 4 6+ WAR seasons, and he has reached the playoffs in both his MVP seasons. The FL West was a gauntlet last year though, with the Stouts being the worst team in the division at 83 wins. Can Belli and the Stouts rebound?


San Antonio Churros - 503-469 4x Playoffs (3 WC)

Most Popular Concession Stand: El Moro

Franchise Player: SS Carlos Correa .264/.335/.438 128HR 460RBI 19.4 WAR…
Drafted 104th Overall 2x AS 1x SS
Does the pitch tipping thing happen in the FBA universe? Probably, since there’s no Astros to cover up. (Just realised that Washington doesn’t win a WS though ) Whatever rivalry Belli and Correa have has been ended by their disproportionate stat lines… Correa will take whole seasons off statistically, but his drive sets the example for the rest of the clubhouse. His focus has inspired the San Antonio pitching staff to help carry them into the playoffs the past few years, particularly 2023 Pitcher of the Year winner Daniel Espino.

San Francisco Clam Chowder - 520-453 4x Playoffs (2 WC) 1x WS Appearance (2023)

Fun Fact: Yes, clam chowder is good on the west coast too.

Franchise Player: SS Bobby Becerra .273//.369/.385 50 HR 369 RBI 25.5 WAR
Drafted... 43rd Overall.. Leads Team in Hits and Games Played

Becerra has been overshadowed by Lindor at the shortstop position and he’s not popular enough to crack any AllStar teams… but at least he has a ring so I guess he can taunt the two time MVP all he wants? He’s had a solid career for someone who entered the league at 32. In fact, his peak year was at 35! He is still a free agent at the moment, and there is no guarantee that SF will sign him, but he’s had a great run. SF will look to their young ace Nate Savino and the rest of the deadly Clam Chowder pitching staff to bring them back to the WS next year.

[TheMaus2]

BL East
New York Sprite 563-410 5x Playoffs (4 WC) 1x WS Appearance (2019)
Franchise Player: RF Bryce Harper .291/.437/.570 246 HR 718 RBI 36.4 WAR…
6x AS 4x SS 1x MVP… Drafted 16th Overall

After criticisms of being overrated in the MLB, Bryce Harper turned over a new leaf in the FBA. He’s a dynamo for an offense that has averaged 6 runs a game in five consecutive seasons. Even though they’ve had multiple 100+ win seasons, the advantages that would usually be given to those teams have been negated by their division rivals in Kentucky.

Kentucky Fried Chicken 628-345 6x Playoffs (1 WC) 1x WS Appearance (2020)
Franchise Player: RF Juan Soto .295/.404/.546 169 HR 568 RBI 24.3 WAR
4x AS 1x SS Drafted 34th Overall

Kentucky versus New York has unexpectedly become the FBA’s biggest rivalry. KFC has had plenty of big stars come through the doors- was the selection of Juan Soto just to pair with Bryce Harper? The answer is no, but the symbolism after selecting them is pretty obvious. Jose Ramirez and Chris Sale raked in 2 MVPs and 3 POTYs respectively in their times at Kentucky, but they left for greener pastures in the Farmer’s League. Juanjo has been in Kentucky day in and day out, and even though he’s had confusingly regressive seasons in his 24th and 25th year seasons, he is still a serious presence in the clubhouse. Fried Chicken’s reign over the BL East is expected to continue into 2025, thanks to a deep minor league system and young stars galore. The only worry on the roster is the weak bullpen.

Charleston Cheetos 512-460 3x Playoffs (3 WC)
Franchise Player: SS Andres Giminez .305/.398/.410 43HR 351 RBI 22.6 WAR
3x AS 2x SS 1x Batting Title Drafted 1188th

The former Mets prospect has cut out his own path in the FBA, helping the Cheetos claim a few playoff spots in what is basically the FBA’s group of death with both NY and KFC occupying it.

Hershey Kisses 480-492 2x Playoffs (2 WC)
Franchise Player: RF Alex Morales .276/.415/.542 215HR 689 RBI 27.7 WAR 3x SS 1x MVP 17th Overall

The league’s best kept secret (up his very recent MVP season.) Morales has always had great numbers, but he hasn’t been popular enough to crack the All-Star teams (it doesn’t help that he’s battling Bryce Harper for the position.) He is the league’s most infamous playboy.

[TheMaus2]

BL Central
Oklahoma City Crunchwrap Supremes 512-460 5x Playoffs 1x WS (2021)
Franchise Player: SS Jorge Polanco .315/.404/.464 95 HR 446 RBI 702nd Overall 25.9 WAR
2x AS 1x SS (DH)

Polanco went from playing for Minnesota… to beating Minnesota. A consistent .300 hitter who can make you pay for it if you leave one hanging over the plate. Not the best influence in the ballclub, though- his selfishness might have lost the Crunchwraps a few contributors to free agency over the years.

Minneapolis ButterBurgers 476-496 2x Playoffs (2 WC)
Franchise Player: LF Taylor Trammell .294/.401/.474 103 HR 456 RBI 18.2 WAR
2x AS 2x SS 703rd Overall

After crawling around .500 for the past five seasons, the Butterburgers finally hit a winning season. All credit goes to GM Evan Bendetti, who drafted and traded well enough to strike gold on a few prospects. Trammell is the first of Bendetti’s success story, and he could be the cornerstone guy for Minnesota if he’s allowed to stay. Paired with 2024 BL Rookie of the Year and batting champ Jairo Pomares, the Butterburgers could snap up the playoff spot occupied by Oklahoma City this year.

Chicago Kremes 470-502 1x Playoffs
Franchise Player: SP Luis Menchaca 31-26 4.06 ERA 662K 1.34 WHIP 15.4 WAR
2x AS 1x CYA UDFA in 2019… #2 Prospect in 2022 CYA in 2023

The Kremes haven’t had much luck in terms of great players these past six years, but they’ve had a pretty happy surprise with Luis. He slaved away in the minor leagues for three years, but the hard work he’s put in has paid off in spades, especially after being crowned pitcher of the year in 2023. Instagram aggregators for the FBA love talking up his underdog story.

Dallas Blizzards 385-587 0x Playoffs
Franchise Player: 2B Brendan Rogers .268/.327/.440 114HR 404RBI 11.0 WAR 749th Overall

It’s been a sad six years for the Blizzards, and it’ll get sadder for the near future, as the Blizzards went 56-106 last year. The franchise is waiting on its savior, as the current leader in batter WAR is a career journeyman. The Nick Collison of the FBA, if you will.

[TheMaus2]

BL West
Denver Coors 532-440 4x Playoffs 1x WS Appearance (2022, 2024)
Franchise Player: SS Matt “Litterbug” Knouse .320/.382/.441 54 HR 500RBI 26.4 WAR
555th Overall 4x GG 3x AS 1x SS

Litterbug can pride himself on being one of the biggest baddest fictional players in the FBA. He’s quiet off the field, but he makes the crowds at Coors Field (Yes, that Coors Field) ooh and ahh with his skills on the infield.

Las Vegas Krazy Bread 454-519 1x Playoffs
Franchise Player: CF Mike Trout .276/.428/.549 237HR 619RBI 42.5 WAR 1st Overall 2x MVP 6x AS 6x SS 2x GG

Prison Mike has played top tier baseball for Vegas, but just like Lindor on the Ramen- hasn’t had the supporting cast to really propel him into the postseason. The only good players on the Krazy Bread are young prospects and winning now doesnt really fit their timeline. Trout hits the market this season, so look out for Trout in a new jersey come the trade deadline before free agency.

San Diego McNuggets 399-573 0x Playoffs
Franchise Player: RF Jarred Kelenic .285/.382/.467 84 HR 323 RBI
3x GG 1x AS 1130th Overall

McNuggets fans watched the boys in red hit their fifth 90+ loss season last year. And to make things worse, they traded away their budding franchise player this past season- while he was in an MVP caliber season. (His BL 2024 stat line:91 GP .342/.448/.619 21 HR 74 RBI 5.6 WAR) Even worse, the trade sent Kelenic to one of the other sad FBA clubs: the Gelato. It’s safe to say that the McNugs have the most resentful fanbase in the league.


Phoenix Sun Chips 429-544 1x Playoffs
Franchise Player: SS Trea Turner .271/.336/.432 106 HR 411 RBI
3x AS 1x SS 213rd Overall

Phoenix rounds out this mostly unnotable division, barely reaching .500 in their winning season, and reaching the playoffs as an 81-82 team is not something they can be proud of. Trea has been a serviceable shortstop in his FBA career, but he can’t wait to get out of Phoenix in the upcoming offseason.

[TheMaus2]

Top 5 in WAR Gained:
1. Dallas - 11.11
2. San Diego - 10.5
3. Chicago (FL) - 6.3
4. San Francisco - 6.2
5. Phoenix Sun Chips - 5.4

The Association's doormats do a little addition by subtraction. San Francisco, the lone non-doormat on this list, acquired three serious SPs to add to the rotation, including 2024 BL POTY winner Johnathan Alleman.

High Profile Signings:

1B David Fulton to Chicago (BL): 8 years, $74.6 M
Age 27 5* .253/.370/.465 4.5 WAR

The Kremes get an instant MVP candidate at a discount in Fulton. OSA grades his skills as a hitter highly (65 CON/70 POW/65 EYE). His production in Milwaukee hasn't exactly reflected those numbers, but being in the hitter friendly BL should probably change things for him.

LF Ronald Acuna Jr. to Atlanta: 8 years, $61.6M
Age 27 3.5* .274/.361/.487, 18.5 WAR

The former Sprite outfielder moves back to the town where it all started. His production and current OSA grades make this a questionable move, but Atlanta should have a regular left fielder for at least the next six years.

3B Nolan Jones to Chicago (FL): 8 years, $54.8M
Age 26, 3.5* .221/.335/.376, 7.8 WAR

Nolan's very skilled agent secured a deal to leave one of the suckiest teams in the Association- to one of the other suckier teams in the Association. I guess Chicago is a better place to play for than Rome. The Deep Dish get a solid infield regular in Jones.

2B Adalberto Mondesi to Chicago (FL): 7 years, $35M (player option after year 2, team option after year 6)
Age 29, 3* .286/.325/.482, 18.1 WAR

Mondesi's great contract year performance gets awarded by the Deep Dish, who acquire that quality table setter. You don't need a crystal ball to figure out that he'll take the extra $25M.

CF Justin Anderson to Portland: 5 years, $34.84M
Age 26, 4.5*,.246/.319/.422, 10.2 WAR

He got paid handsomely after the Deep Dish traded him to Denver, where he helped bring the Coors to a championship. The Doughnuts get their cleanup guy and a leader in the clubhouse.

HM: 2B Mel Juarez to Portland: 1 year, $7M
Age 28, 5* .228/.316/.440, 15.7 WAR

Portland gets a late free agency steal, grabbing a power hitting 2nd baseman in an attempt to get over the hill this season. Juarez on a prove-it deal might prove extremely valuable to the Doughnuts.

[TheMaus2]

Farmer's League Preview:

BNN loves the new look Clam Chowder to claim home advantage through the playoffs. Savino, Alleman, and Jose Berrios will be deadly in the division.

Portland is one good arm away from contending this season. The new addition of Justin Anderson along with Rizzo and Miguel Andujar could slug the Doughnuts into a wild card position.


Eyes will be on Jose Ramirez and the Soju to see if they can topple Athens off of the division roost.

A bad start for Atlanta might mean that Manager Don Mattingly could get fired. Chicago's big signings might be able to get them into a playoff spot with some lucky bats.

[TheMaus2]

Vegas bets that its young nucleus (Combined with Prison Mike) can score more runs than they give up. Can they overpower the rest of the Butterball League and claim a playoff spot?

As the sun falls on Oklahoma City, it rises on Minneapolis. A second new divison champ is expected in Charleston, but the whole East division is uncertain.

The Kremes got downgraded from wild card contenders to the worst team in the BL, but Menchaca looks to be on track for a POTY season.

[TheMaus2]

The first pitches of the 2025 season and the crowds have stood up for the consumerist USA's new national anthem, now let's see what's happened in the past month of the FBA.

FL EAST W L GB
Atlanta 17 10 -
Pawtucket 15 12 2
Washington 15 13 2 1/2
Chicago 13 15 4 1/2

FL WEST
San Francisco 19 9 -
Milwaukee 17 11 2
San Antonio 13 15 6
Portland 8 20 11

FL INTL
Seoul 14 14 -
Tokyo 13 15 1
Athens 13 15 1
Rome 10 18 4

BOTM: 3B Nolan Arenado (ATL) .330 BA, 7 HR 22 RBI
POTM: SP Kaleb Hill (MIL) 5-0 6GS, 3.16 ERA 38 K
ROTM: SS Emilio Rosas (MIL) .372, 1 HR 13 RBI

Notes: 4/9 - SF starter Hunter Greene tears his labrum just 3 innings into his team debut. This ends his season.

4/15 - Zach Hammonds (MIL) overtakes Chris Sale (SF) in FBA career wins (a storyline that will continue through this season, I assume- both are active and tied at 84)

4/21 - Daniel Espino (SA) Ks 16 Gelato ballplayers.

Key player injury news: Anthony Rizzo (POR) out 5-6 weeks, Frank Palazzolo (ATL) out 5-6 weeks

Kaleb Hill's POTM award is much disputed from statheads, as Emerson Hancock (WAS) had a serious case for the award as well at 3-0 6 GS, 1.62 ERA 44 K. However, Emerson is considered a much more talented player than Kaleb by the OSA so surely Hancock will get his chance to shine.

Atlanta opens the season performing at a better than projected winning clip and Portland's strategy of bombs over balls has not paid off. The Doughnuts have been outscored by 25 runs through 28 games.

BL EAST
Hershey 18 10 -
Kentucky 17 11 1
Charleston 16 12 2
New York 9 18 8 1/2

BL CENTRAL
Chicago 20 8 -
Minneapolis 17 11 3
Oklahoma City 16 12 4
Dallas 12 16 8

BL WEST
Denver 12 15
Las Vegas 12 16 1/2
Phoenix 10 17 2
San Diego 7 20 5

BOTM: 3B Manny Machado (CHA) - .327 BA .407 OBP, 9 HR 23 RBI
POTM: SP Luis Menchaca (ChiB) - 5-0 6 GS, 1.67 ERA, 52 K
ROTM: SS Christopher Torres (HRS) - .293 BA, 5 HR 17 RBI

Notes: 4/4 - A fight during a Hershey-Charleston game leads to LF Austin Meadows and RP Luke Jackson getting suspended 4 games.

4/9- Cheetos captain Andres Giminez goes 5-6. (Serious question: should these be noted?)

4/28 - A regular Denver vs. Minneapolis game ends in ejection for CF Victor Robles and RP Jaime Barria. The relievers in the BL are heckin FEISTY!

4/30 - Crunchwrap Supreme SP Andrej Groen completes the rare BL shutout, a 3-hitter against the Denver Coors. NY shortstop Royce Young, a key contributor to the team, is out for about a month.

Denver is suffering from serious WS hangover syndrome, which means that a hot Las Vegas actually can claim that playoff spot at this moment in time.

The Kremes have been the big surprise in this opening month of baseball, and it turns out that the signing of 1B David Fulton was in fact worth it.

Hershey confirms how uncertain the East is this year, with the top three East teams sandwiched (maybe on of those 6-inch subs from Subway tm) together by one game.

LEAGUEWIDE POWER RANKINGS (as of 4/28)

[TheMaus2]

FL EAST W L GB
Atlanta 35 21 -
Pawtucket 31 25 4
Washington 27 30 8 1/2
Chicago 21 36 14 1/2

FL WEST
San Francisco 42 15 - 
San Antonio 27 30 15
Milwaukee 25 32 17
Portland 21 36 21

FL INTL
Seoul 34 23 -
Athens 30 27 4
Tokyo 25 32 9
Rome 23 34 11

Wild Card
Pawtucket 31 25 +1 1/2
Athens 30 27 -
San Antonio 27 30 3
Washington 27 30 3

BOTM: 1B Pete Alonso (PAW) - .312, 9 HR 25 RBI
POTM: SP A.J. Puk (SF) - 6-0 (7 GS), 2.52 ERA, .179 OBA, 55 K
ROTM: RP Kyle Mora (PAW) - 2-1 1 SV (18.1 IP), 2.45 ERA, .143 OBA, 23 K

Notes: 5/20 - The Churros get RP Adam Loomis from the Sun Chips, giving back a few prospects in return.
5/21 - CF Tim Tawa of the Ramen and SP Ted Willard of Athens are suspended for an altercation.

Not much made the news for the Farmer's League this month. The current leaders in All-Star voting are:
1. RF Cody Bellinger (MIL) 1,012,677
2. SS Francisco Lindor (TKY) 887,174
3. LF Thu Hung (PAW) 855,048

The main storyline after two months in the Farmer's League is if anyone can beat the Clam Chowder this year. They lead the FL in everything except Stolen Bases and Errors Conceded... The rest of the league's contenders will need to take a serious step up if they want to best San Francisco come the Postseason.

BL EAST W L GB
Kentucky 36 21 -
Charleston 33 24 3
Hershey 32 25 4
New York 21 35 14 1/2

BL CENTRAL
Oklahoma City 34 23 -
Minneapolis 33 24 1
Chicago 30 27 4
Dallas 28 29 6

BL WEST
Denver 30 26 -
Phoenix 25 31 5
Las Vegas 21 36 9 1/2
San Diego 17 39 13

Wild Card
Minneapolis 33 24 -
Charleston 33 24 -
Hershey 32 25 1
Chicago 30 27 3

BOTM: RF Franmil Reyes (DAL) - .344 9 HR 25 RBI
POTM: CL Andres Munoz (KY) - 2-0 9 SV (13 IP), 21 K .130 OBA
ROTM: LF Kameshige Hosokawa (ChiB) - .323 2 HR 15 RBI

Notes: 5/1 - Vegas LF Mike Trout is out for the month with a thumb injury.
5/12 - RF Franmil Reyes crosses the 20 game threshold for hit streaks. The streak ends the next day, right after BNN reports it. Curse you, BNN!
5/13 - Cheetos ace Chris Woodside is set to miss a large chunk of the season with a hamstring strain. He was 6-3 in 9 starts, 2.29 ERA and 57 K.
5/31 - After a hurricane ravages the D.R., many D.R. native FBA players pledge their support- Mainly Kentucky SP Jax Hendez.

You know who orchestrated the Churros-Sun Chips trade? Chris Young. (I know, there's been many Chris Youngs in sports) I meant this Chris Young. Word around the league is that he could be the next great GM. And well- Phoenix is a great place to start. He's only under contract for two years there though. I'll be rooting for him.

Kameshige Hosokawa entered the FBA free agency pool last offseason, and is already making headlines for the Kremes. The BL's Chicago team has regressed to the mean in May, but could fight for a WC spot. Luis Menchaca is making a strong case for POTY this season.

All-Star Voting Leaders:
1. RF Jarred Kelenic (DEN) 994,579
2. 3B Manny Machado (CHA) 975,186
3. CF Jairo Pomares (MIN) 930,432

SS Andres Giminez leads the league in Batter WAR by a big margin, yet is behind Matt Knouse and Jorge Polanco for the starting SS spot.

Power Rankings (as of 5/26)

Coming up next: Maus's All-Star Ballot

[ForeverRoyalKC]

I certainly hope if you have expansion teams, you'll include the Kansas City BBQ's!

[TheMaus2]

haha, there are definitely expansion teams in the works I'll keep your suggestion in mind

[TheMaus2]

Farmer's League
Starting Pitchers:
Emerson Hancock (WAS) 5-3, 2.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 3.4 WAR
Cole Winn (POR) 5-4, 2.60 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 3.1 WAR
Johnathan Alleman (SF) 8-4, 2.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 2.0 WAR

Hancock and Winn would have their first ASG appearances if they're put through. Winn leads the FL with Quality Starts, Alleman not too far behind with 11.

Relievers:
MR Rico Garcia (SF) 4-2 15 HLD, 2.23 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 1.3 WAR
CL Jessen Therien (MIL) 1-6 21 SV, 2.43 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 1.3 WAR
CL Matt Jensen (SEO) 2-3 14 SV, 2.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 1.0 WAR

Catcher: Bo Naylor (SEO) .252/.366/.451, 9 HR 34 RBI, 117 WRC+, 1.7 WAR

Naylor beats out the other less than stellar competition at Catcher, as both Bredan Rivoli (PAW) and Adrian Del Castillo (ROM) failed to crack the century mark at WRC+

First Baseman: Pete Alonso .285/.382/.589, 17 HR 45 RBI, 145 WRC+, 1.5 WAR

The Polar Bear's strong '25 campaign puts him above the other contender for the position, San Francisco's Goldschmidt. Goldy is 37 and showing signs of decline, but he's pounded 12 homers this season.

Second Baseman: Livan Soto .328/.422/.416, 3 HR 37 RBI, 131 WRC+, 2.3 WAR

Anthony Volpe of Athens and Braden Shewmake of Rome have also had stellar seasons so far, but Soto's FL leading batting average puts him above the competition.

Third Baseman: Jose Ramirez (SEO) .274/.346/.498, 12 HR 49 RBI, 124 WRC+, 2.1 WAR

This might have been a harder decision to make had Miguel Andujar (POR) and Nolan Arenado (ATL) played full seasons up to this point, but they've both had to deal with serious injuries up to this point. Ramirez is putting in work for a Soju squad looking for a playoff berth.

Shortstop: Francisco Lindor (TKY) .295/.355/.524, 16 HR 40 RBI, 129 WRC+, 2.7 WAR

Lindor has a worthy challenger in young Brayan Rocchio this year, but you'd need to do something notable like lead the Triple Crown categories to beat out Lindor for the SS spot.

Left Field: Thu Hung (PAW) .302/.377/.524, 13 HR 42 RBI, 142 WRC+, 2.5 WAR

Joey Gallo's league leading 24 HRs almost got him my vote, but his feast or famine approach is withers against a great hitter like Hung.

Center Field: Parker Meadows (ATH) .283/.387/.443, 6 HR 26 RBI, 129 WRC+, 2.4 WAR

Rome and Portland CFs Jameson Hannah and Justin Anderson are a distant second for this one.

Right Field: Cody Bellinger (MIL) .268/.429/.500 , 15 HR 33 RBI, 147 WRC+, 3.0 WAR

Belli's on base numbers help him beat out Mookie and Aaron Judge for the RF spot.


Butterball League

Starting Pitchers: Luis Menchaca (ChiB) 11-1, 2.34 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 13 QS, 3.7 WAR
Tommy Mace (HRS) 7-1, 3.36 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 2.0 WAR
Nate Wohlgemuth (KY) 9-5, 3.40 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 11 QS, 2.4 WAR

Menchaca seems poised to capture that POTY trophy again. Tommy Mace rode a hot spring to land my vote, and Wohlgemuth's fastball/curveball combo should bring him to many more All-Star games.

Relief Pitchers: CL Corey Holland (OKC) 1-1 20 SV, 1.50 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 1.1 WAR
CL Scott Hooks (HRS) 2-1 22 SV, 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 1.1 WAR
CL Andres Munoz (KY) 3-2 18 S:V, 3.29 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 1.4 WAR

Catcher: Salvador Perez (DEN) .322/.361/.554, 12 HR 47 RBI, 139 WRC+, 2.0 WAR

35 y/o Salvy fought off 30 y/o Kisses backstop Danny Jansen. Age before beauty.

First Baseman: Nick Pratto (DAL) .325/.390/.553, 11 HR 39 RBI, 144 WRC+, 1.9 WAR

Pratto shook off a suspension from an offseason incident at his nightclub "Club Velocity" to have a great spring. Hershey's Grant Lavigne trailed by a small margin in this position.

Second Baseman: Brendan Rodgers (DAL) .300/.391/.526, 13 HR 38 RBI, 137 WRC+, 2.6 WAR

Veteran Rodgers wins a hairy battle against the young Tristan Hanoian, who has made serious impact in Vegas.

Third Baseman: Manny Machado (CHA) .307/.362/.568, 19 HR 58 RBI, 145 WRC+, 3.1 WAR

Machado decimates his fellow 3Bs in this category.

Shortstop: Andres Giminez (CHA) .338/.420/.449, 5 HR 25 RBI, 135 WRC+, 3.5 WAR

Cant go wrong between Knause and Giminez in this one. Jorge Polanco is top 3, but shouldn't be leading Giminez in Votes.

Left Field: Taylor Trammell (MIN) .324/.398/.545, 9 HR 34 RBI, 143 WRC+, 1.8 WAR

Sun Chips outfielder might've won my vote had Taylor missed more than a couple weeks due to injury, but the Butterburgers were blessed to get him back quickly.

Center Field: Jairo Pomares (MIN) .352/.455/.563, 14 HR 52 RBI, 156 WRC+, 3.1 WAR

It's tough to see Mike Trout's regular spot in CF get overtaken by Jairo, but Prison Mike's injury combined with his regressive numbers this season has lost him his spot. Denver's Victor Robles made a good case for the CF vote this season.

Right Field: Franmil Reyes (DAL) .325/.413/.642, 21 HR 59 RBI, 177 WRC+, 3.4 WAR

Reyes plays in a league with three other quality RFs, so it's quite a feat that he wins my vote on this one. Jarred Kelenic (DEN), Bryce Harper (NYC), and Julio Castillo (ChiB) will be a gauntlet to beat in voting.

Designated Hitter: Drew Mendoza (KY) .265/.361/.475, 10 HR 31 RBI, 126 WRC+, 1.4 WAR

A pretty weak category, with David Fulton (ChiB) and Yordan Alvarez (HRS) trailing close with similar numbers.

[TheMaus2]

Here are the official All-Star rosters for 2025.

Leading vote getters:

FL
1. Cody Bellinger 3,057,712
2. Francisco Lindor 2,777,196
3. Thu Hung 2,623,868

BL
1. Manny Machado 2,978,307
2. Jairo Pomares 2,879,302
3. Jarred Kelenic 2,477,073

[TheMaus2]

FL EAST W L GB
Atlanta 48 34 -
Pawtucket 47 35 1
Washington 41 41 7
Chicago 33 49 15

FL WEST W L GB
San Francisco 55 27 -
San Antonio 39 43 16
Milwaukee 38 44 17
Portland 36 46 19

FL INTL
Seoul 46 36 -
Athens 39 43 7
Rome 35 47 11
Tokyo 35 47 11

Wild Card
Pawtucket 47 35 6+
Washington 41 41 -
Athens 39 43 2
San Antonio 39 43 2

BOTM: 3B Matt Chapman (PAW) - .375 BA, 9 HR 19 RBI
POTM: SP Jasseel de la Cruz (ROM) - 3-0 (6 GS), 2.25 ERA, 38K
ROTM: RP Johnathan Jones (ChiF) - 3-0 (20.2 IP), 2.61 ERA, 20K

6/18 - CF Corbin Carroll (SF) has his season pretty much come to an end. A 4.5* player, his presence hasn't been terribly missed in the Clam Chowder lineup as they continue to mow down lesser competition in the Farmer's League. This is Carroll's second serious injury this season.

6/22 - The Farmer's League All-Stars took down the home team Butterball League in a game that turned into a Home Run Derby in extra innings. OF Robert Hassell (ChiF) appeared as a pinch hitter in the top of the 9th and hit a solo dinger to force extra innings, then jacked another one in the 11th. It would have been over after that, but crosstown representative Julio Castillo (ChiB) matched Hassell's power. It would all be over in the next frame though, as Atlanta's Nolan Arenado ended the game with a grand slam. FINAL SCORE: 7-3, Farmer's League. ASG MVP: Robert Hassell

6/25 - Doughnuts acquire 3.5* free agent 3B Anthony Rendon, who may help spark a post All-Star break Wild Card campaign.

Pawtucket's 3-4-5 lineup of Pete Alonso/Thu Hung/Aaron Judge has helped them lead the league in homers up to this point, and the power from this offense is tracking to lead them to a playoff berth. It helps that they have quality pitching from SPs Blake Snell and Chris Paddack.

With the only interesting division race being Atlanta vs. Pawtucket, it's time to look at the wildcard race, which is current being gatekeeped by Washington. Here's an interesting fact: the Burgers have league leaders in pitcher's AND batter's war, with All-Stars Emerson Hancock and Brayan Rocchio. Surely the combo of those two will tip the scale in a 1-game play in come September.

BL EAST
Hershey 47 35 -
Kentucky 47 35 -
Charleston 40 42 7
New York 33 49 14

BL CENTRAL 
Chicago 48 34 -
Minneapolis 46 36 2
Dallas 45 37 3
Oklahoma City 42 40 8

BL WEST
Denver 44 38 -
Phoenix 38 44 6
Las Vegas 35 47 9
San Diego 27 55 17

Wild Card
Hershey 47 35 -
Kentucky 47 35 -
Minneapolis 46 36 1
Dallas 45 37 2

BOTM: 3B Leonel Valera (DEN) - .364 BA, 8 HR, 37 RBI
POTM: CL Ian Soreni (DAL) - 2-0 9 SV (12 G, 12.1 IP), 0.73 ERA, 20K
ROTM: 2B Christopher Torres (HRS) - .311 BA, 3 HR, 12 RBI

Notes: 6/2 - Jax Hendez takes a leave of absence from the Fried Chicken to aid his fellow Dominican citizens after the hurricane.
6/4 - McNugs acquire 2.5* C Tyler Stephenson in exchange for sending SP 2.5* SP Caleb Webb to the Soju.

The Butterball League's playoff picture looks livelier than its sister league. It looks like anyone could come out of the BL Central at this point, and Luis Menchaca is living up to preseason predictions. He leads the league in pitchers WAR, Ws and ERA by healthy margins. The rise of the Blizzards in the division, with their 5 All-Stars (and two starters) has helped keep the playoff picture sweet to look at.

Power Rankings as of 6/28: