Minor League Quick Glance - NL North

Fargo Fighters
AAA: 50-39
AA: 59-30
A+: 53-36
A-: 41-48
RL: 10-11

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Tommy Schalk
Position Player: Al James

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Sven Abbey
Position Player: Al James

Potential Stars:
Schalk; Abbey; James; Howard Greer; Reed Wright; Felipe Chantres

Ottawa Renegades
AAA: 52-37
AA: 48-41
A+: 34-55
A-: 45-44
RL: 4-17

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Clarence Fleming
Position Player: Alfredo Stone

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Kyle Gibson
Position Player: Bill Burnett

Potential Stars:
Gibson; Burnett

Rochester Rolling Rocks
AAA: 24-65
AA: 31-58
A+: 36-53
A-: 54-35
RL: 11-10

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: No one
Position Player: No one

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Timothy Anderson
Position Player: Hooks Weathers

Potential Stars:
Weathers; John Pickett

Syracuse Sycophants
AAA: 55-34
AA: 69-20
A+: 48-41
A-: 26-63
RL: 6-15

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Al Owen
Position Player: Joaquin Saenz

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Dave Munson
Position Player: Julio Cordero

Potential Stars:
Munson

Minor League Quick Glance - NL East

Buffalo Bisons
AAA: 56-33
AA: 44-45
A+: 67-22
A-: 67-22
RL: 17-5

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Brian Wang
Position Player: Patrick Donatello

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Brandon Wall
Position Player: Curt Hebert

Potential Stars:
Wall; Marvin Walsh

Cincinnati Red Stockings
AAA: 27-62
AA: 49-40
A+: 48-41
A-: 59-30
RL: 18-4

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Steve Evans
Position Player: Oscar McNally

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Bengie Cruz
Position Player: B.C. Moreno

Potential Stars:
Cruz; Moreno; Sammy Jimenez

Dover Diamond Dogs
AAA: 51-38
AA: 36-53
A+: 42-47
A-: 33-56
RL: 10-12

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Khoury Waters
Position Player: Roberto Bennett

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Khoury Waters
Position Player: Roberto Bennett

Potential Stars:
Bennett

New York Primetimers
AAA: 52-37
AA: 51-38
A+: 30-59
A-: 28-61
RL: 6-15

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Jorel Buck
Position Player: Lynn Castillo

Best long-term prospect:
Jorel Buck
Position Player: Terry James

Potential Stars:
James; Guillermo Campos

Next up: NL North

Minor League Quick Glance - NL South

Charleston Chew
AAA: 54-33
AA: 23-64
A+: 21-66
A-: 20-67
RL: 10-9

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Norman LaPorta
Position Player: Alex Wang

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Norman LaPorta
Position Player: Stubby Shaw

Potential Stars:
LaPorta; Shaw; Wilt Gaetti; Ron Gross; Jumbo Flores

Jackson Rockets
AAA: 35-52
AA: 55-32
A+: 60-27
A-: 34-53
RL: 7-12

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: R.A. Gonzales
Position Player: Joaquin Barajas

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Von Rain
Position Player: Deivi Dotel

Potential Stars:
Rain; Dotel; Yorvit Ortiz

Nashville Mayhem
AAA: 27-60
AA: 21-66
A+: 23-64
A-: 35-52
RL: 11-8

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Ezdra Lee
Position Player: Zip Williams

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Keith Munoz
Position Player: Shawn Dixon

Potential Stars:
Dixon

San Juan Chinchillas
AAA: 52-35
AA: 49-38
A+: 57-30
A-: 42-45
RL: 13-6

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Quilvio Perez
Position Player: Joel King

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Alex Satou
Position Player: George Fultz

Potential Stars:
Satou; Fultz; Charlie Henderson; Rafael Abreu; Gus Lennon; Fernando Cortes; Jordan Salmon

Next up: NL East

Minor League Quick Glance - NL West

Cheyenne Chiefs
AAA: 37-50
AA: 44-43
A+: 50-37
A-: 73-14
RL: 11-8

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Denny Morton
Position Player: Nigel Nakamura

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Denny Morton
Position Player: Alex Hernandez

Potential Stars:
Morton; Hernandez; Miguel Candelaria; Julio Espinosa; Jose Martin; Edgard Cordero; Mark Martin; Pedro Lopez

Honolulu Haoles
AAA: 57-30
AA: 39-48
A+: 43-44
A-: 52-35
RL: 9-11

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Larry Robinson
Position Player: Midre Mantalban

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Felipe Gonzalez
Position Player: Midre Mantalban

Potential Stars:
Gonzalez; Montalban; Stevie Stanley

Los Angeles Lunatics
AAA: 43-44
AA: 61-26
A+: 55-32
A-: 63-24
RL: 12-8

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: No one
Position Player: Darron Wolf

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: No one
Position Player: Darron Wolf

Potential Stars:
Wolf; Jim Baez

Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens
AAA: 31-56
AA: 30-57
A+: 37-50
A-: 32-55
RL: 8-12

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Yamil Hernandez
Position Player: No one

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Jo-jo Strickland
Position Player: Sterling Wright

Potential Stars:
Wright; Strickland; Phillip Thompson

Next up: NL South

Minor League Quick Glance - AL West

Arizona Hammer'd Leprechauns
AAA: 61-26
AA: 67-20
A+: 50-37
A-: 57-30
RL: 11-9

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Victor Almanzar
Position Player: Orlando Garrido

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Victor Almanzar
Position Player: Mendy Kondou

Potential Stars:
Almanzar; Kondou; Garrido; Max Mantalban; William Sabathia; Trevor McQuillan; Anibal Batista; Al Flores

Colorado Abominable Snowmen
AAA: 41-46
AA: 37-50
A+: 38-49
A-: 54-33
RL: 13-7

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Clint Seaton
Position Player: No one

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Clint Seaton
Position Player: Ken Barry

Potential Stars:
None

Kansas City Tweakers
AAA: 55-32
AA: 48-39
A+: 48-39
A-: 45-42
RL: 9-11

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Danys Valentin
Position Player: Brutus Henry

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Tomas Batista
Position Player: Brutus Henry

Potential Stars:
Valentin; Batista; Henry; Sawyer Castner

Vancouver Canadians
AAA: 57-30
AA: 44-43
A+: 46-41
A-: 56-31
RL: 12-8

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Roy Thompson
Position Player: Vic Martinez

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Erubiel Ortiz
Position Player: Vic Martinez

Potential Stars:
Thompson; Martinez; Ortiz; Elston Lloyd; Ronald Donnelly; Chief King

Next up: NL West

Minor League Quick Glance - AL South

I'd like to issue an official apology to ekoontz for ripping his farm system. First, he is clearly very successful at the ML level. Second, I hadn't seen the records from this division yet. Yikes.

Austin Rock Stars (this team is just stacked for the future)
AAA: 54-43
AA: 59-28
A+: 64-23
A-: 47-40
RL: 9-10

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Victor Villano
Position Player: Tommie Winn

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: No one...wait, oh, HE plays for THEM? My bad. James Haselman
Position Player: Felipe James

Potential Stars:
The Almighty; Villano; Winn; Mike Worthington; Gregory Paronto; Ernest Bailey; Carlos Castro; Benito James

Houston Space Cowboys
AAA: 6-81
AA: 14-73
A+: 8-79
A-: 10-77
RL: 8-11

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Dion Hood
Position Player: John Rupe

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Dion Hood
Position Player: John Rupe

Potential Stars:
None

Richmond Rat Bastids
AAA: 51-36
AA: 58-29
A+: 72-15
A-: 67-20
RL: 10-9

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Willie Alfonzo
Position Player: Yovani Ozuna

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Willie Alfonzo
Position Player: Yovani Ozuna

Potential Stars:
Ozuna

St. Louis Beermen
AAA: 40-47
AA: 0-87 (What?)
A+: 7-80
A-: 21-66
RL: 9-10

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Rob Bates
Position Player: Eduardo Calderone

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Allen Cox
Position Player: Neifi Gandarillas

Potential Stars:
Cox; Gandarillas, Calderone

Next: AL West

Minor League Quick Glance - AL East

Atlanta Expos
AAA: 4-82 (no, that's not a typo)
AA: 16-70 (neither is that)
A+: 40-46
A-: 23-63
RL: 4-15

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: No one
Position Player: Rafael Mercedes

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: No one
Position Player: Rafael Mercedes

Potential Stars:
Mercedes

Boston Massacre
AAA: 51-35
AA: 69-17
A+: 47-39
A-: 43-43
RL: 11-8

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Jerry Wise
Position Player: Bronson Collier

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Felix Wheat
Position Player: Micah Olmos (if he sticks at SS)

Potential Stars:
Wheat; Hawk Zornes

Burlington Huskies
AAA: 51-35
AA: 48-38
A+: 50-36
A-: 51-35
RL: 12-7

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Endy Prince
Position Player: Miguel Miranda

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Endy Prince
Position Player: Miguel Miranda

Potential Stars:
Prince

Durham Radicals
AAA: 30-56
AA: 39-47
A+: 45-41
A-: 34-52
RL: 9-10

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Posiedon Cameron
Position Player: Delino Manzanillo

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Posiedon Cameron
Position Player: Shawon Stoops

Potential Stars:
Cameron; Stoops; Manzanillo; Charlie Borders; Roger Mahay

Next up: AL South

Minor League Quick Glance - AL North

Chicago Puppies
AAA: 34-52
AA: 44-42
A+: 55-31
A-: 59-27
RL: 12-6

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Jesus Uribe
Position Player: Sammy Nelson

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Roger Hermida
Position Player: Clarence Loney

Potential Stars:
Loney; Nelson, Hermida

Minnesota Modern Gentlemen
AAA: 53-33
AA: 50-36
A+: 59-27
A-: 39-47
RL: 10-8

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Lyle Wallace
Position Player: Santo Martinez

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Lyle Wallace
Position Player: Santo Martinez

Potential Stars:
Wallace; Martinez; Jayson Klesko; Edgard Aquino

New York Pride of the Yankees
AAA: 51-35
AA: 46-40
A+: 33-53
A-: 58-28
RL: 10-8

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Alex Yosida
Position Player: Randy Knight

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Alex Yosida
Position Player: Bill Lombard

Potential Stars:
Yosida; Lombard; Dallas Hill; Jorel Swift

Tacoma Termites
AAA: 53-33
AA: 52-34
A+: 31-55
A-: 29-57
RL: 5-13

Closest to making a Major League impact:
Pitcher: Bob Halter
Position Player: Mandy Vander Wal

Best long-term prospect:
Pitcher: Rusty Hogan
Position Player: Denny Juden

Potential Stars:
Juden; Vander Wal; Hogan; Ellie Jenkins; Roger Wohlers; Junior Crespo; Jaime Lansing

Next up: AL East

James Haselman Press Conference

Mac Smethers - Cobbfather Post Gazette

It's no secret that in the upcoming Cobbfather draft that pitching mega prospect James Haselman is going #1 overall.  Haselman called a press conference this afternoon to tell the world about his plans for future baseball dominance, and to also shift the media spotlight back to it's rightful place, instead of the LeBron circus. 

Following is the transcript from the press conference, held at at the Minneapolis Mall of America, 15 minutes from the Minnesota Modern Gentleman's training facilities. 

First of all I would like to thank Jesus for giving me the skills to crush batters at the plate, and for everyone else for coming to the Mall of America today to celebrate, um, excuse me, take the time to listen to my statement and ask me some questions.  I am honored to be considered for the first pick in the Cobbfather draft, and look forward to my career as a Rock Star, both on and off the field.  I promise to bring the bling on a daily basis, especially as I will be demanding a signing bonus worthy of a player of my skills.  I will be humble in the locker room, and do my very best to win every game I pitch.  I look forward to the challenge of resurrecting the once proud Austin franchise, and making my name known throughout the league so that when I eventually file for free agency at the age of 30 I will command the largest contract in the history of Cobbfather world. Today is just the first step in becoming a legend, and God willing barring an injury I will be just that.  Now I will happily take your questions.

James, what if you don't get selected #1 overall?
--What, seriously?  Next question, and don't let this dude ask me any more.

James, how much are you going to ask for in signing bonus money?
--Well the slot minimum is 4 million dollars, and I think I am worth at least twice as much.

James, how does it feel to be only the 2nd known pitcher to project to 100 on the Peterman-Blanks skills and ratings scale in Cobbfather history?
--You mean there was someone else?  Who?
I believe in seasons 1 and 2 Pinky Matheson projected to be rated at 100 overall as well.
--That washed up injured old fart?  The scale must have been messed up back then man, is all I'm saying.

James, do you plan on pitching in the major leagues right away, or are you going to spend some time in the minors first? 
--I guess that depends on the Austin management, but seeing as how I am already better than any other pitcher on their ML roster, and most other ML rosters in truth, I don't see why they wouldn't start me in the bigs right away so I can start building my hall of fame resume.

James, is it any coincidence that your name is James, and you are holding a press conference on the same day that King James announces his NBA destination?
--No it's not, it's a coincidence that he is holding his press conference on the same day as MINE.

James, why are you holding your press conference in Minnesota when you live in Kansas, went to school in California, and are going to play in Texas?
--Have you seen this place man?  There is a roller coaster inside of the mall!  Sick dude!  That and they promised me free Orange Julius and Sbarro for me and my posse if I held the conference here. 

That's all the time I have for questions today, thank you for coming out to see me, and I hope you all start buying some tickets for those Rock Star homestands coming up in July, they are going to be something worth watching!

Cobbfather Power Rankings - Early Season 16

Guido Santucci - Cobbfather Post Gazette

It's still early in season 16 of Cobbfather, but for many teams it's already getting late.  Which teams are channeling their inner He-Man and have the power?  Which teams are channeling their inner girly-men?  Read on and find out.

1. Houston Space Cowboys, 31-8 - Having the best record in the league and rolling through tough opposition like Kansas City like a machine gun through balloons makes Houston an easy choice for #1.
2. Rochester Rolling Rocks, 28-11 - Three regulars with an OPS over 1.000?  That's pretty damn impressive, and makes most other teams wish that Al Samuel, Bill Everhart, and Trey Padgett were on their team.
3. Atlanta Expos, 28-11 - Chris Pendleton is 5-0, with an ERA of 1.53 and a WHIP of .98, making him an early favorite for the Cy Young.
4. Los Angeles Lunatics, 28-11 - The Lunatics have rod a white hot start to the top of the NL West, and are easily on pace for their first winning season in franchise history if this keeps up.
5. Richmond Rat Bastids, 27-12 - It must be a shock to the fan base to see the Rat Bastids pitching among the top five in the league after last years stint in Santa Fe.  
6. Kansas City Tweakers, 25-14 - Getting thumped by Houston and Richmond is reason to get down on this franchise, they are still one of the best in the league.  But it's a good thing they aren't in the AL South though!
7. Dover Diamond Dogs, 23-16 - Rondell Burks is earning every bit of his 12 million dollar salary, posting MVP caliber numbers thus far. 
8. Tacoma Termites, 24-15 - Tacoma is pulling away in what has been a sub par AL North thus far this season.  If they keep up the pace they could be in complete control of the division by the All Star break.
9. Jackson Rockets, 23-16 - If you would have told the Jackson fans that they would be in 1st place 1/4 of the way through the season after publicly declaring they were entering full on rebuild mode, they probably wouldn't have believed you.
10. Honolulu Haoles - Once again Honolulu is putting together a solid regular season, and is ready to pounce if Los Angeles slips.
11. Ottawa Renegades, 22-17 - If the season ended today, Ottawa would clinch a wildcard spot, but regardless of that they are on pace for the best season in franchise history.
12. Boston Massacre, 21-18 - 21 home runs already for Johnny Sherman, can you say All Star?  
13. Durham Radicals, 20-19 - The Radicals haven't been a threat to finish above .500 since season 1, now they are looking like a potential playoff contender.
14. Cheyenne Chiefs, 19-20 - Vic Costilla is massively underperforming, if he turns it around then Cheyenne's lineup becomes a lot more dangerous.
15. Arizona Hammer'd Leprechauns, 19-20 - Arizona would be much better if they didn't have only one starting pitcher with an ERA below 5.80, and you have to think that based simply on the law of averages that will improve.
16. Charleston Chew, 19-20 - Statistically speaking Charleston is hitting right around the league averages in all categories, and it's reflected in their record.
17. New York Pride of the Yankees, 18-21 - The Pride have the lineup and pitching to break out of their funk, and their division is still in play.  Ken Evans needs some more run support, he shouldn't be 2-4 with an ERA of 3.28 and a WHIP of 1.08.
18. Syracuse Sycophants, 18-21 - The lineup is having some production issues, as is the pitching staff.  It's bound to get better, but right now they are having trouble keeping pace.
19. Buffalo Bison, 18-21 - The young pitching in Buffalo is starting to show signs of their potential, but right now it's Kirk Sanders who is getting it done for the Bison.
20. Fargo Fighters, 17-22 - Benito Rincon is the hard luck player of the year so far - 9 games started, 1.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 0-2 W-L record.
21. Cincinnati Red Stockings, 16-23 - Cincy is the best 16-23 team in the league, if for no other reason then that they have Marvin Mays.  But a .211 BA is not what you associate with the perennial MVP candidate, and you have to think that's going to get better, and Cincy along with him.
22. Chicago Puppies - If Chicago had starters half as good as their bullpen, they would be in 1st place in the division.  But they don't, so they aren't.
23. Vancouver Canadians, 16-23 - How about some pitching eh?  A team ERA of 5.79 is not looking to sharp right now.
24. Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens, 15-24 - Once again Sacto is digging an early hole for themselves.  They came back to win the division after similar starts the last two seasons, but they will be pushing their luck with a third run.
25. New York Primetimers, 15-24 - Another team that is suffering a slow start that is capable of much more.  There must be some chemistry problems in the locker room or something.
26. Austin Rock Stars, 15-24 - The young blood is taking their lumps while they adjust to the bigs, but unlike the big payrolls above them with the same record, at least they are about where they are supposed to be.
27. Minnesota Modern Gentlemen, 15-24 - The new owner has admitted that he lacks patience, so it's a good thing he'll have plenty of time to work on that this season.
28. Nashville Mayhem, 15-24 - Jack  Bottalico is having a very fine season in the twilight of his career, and is a nice reason to follow the Mayhem this season.
29. Colorado Abominable Snowmen, 15-24 - The pitching has been abominable for Colorado this season, which is why the find themselves near the bottom of the rankings.
30. Burlington Huskies, 14-25 - Talk about a disappointing opening, after putting 95 million into the payroll the management must be disgusted with the performance of the team, but you can't blame the GM for this one, it's all the players.
31. San Juan Chinchillas. 13-26 - Chip James, Kris Matthews, nothing else to see here, move along.
32. St. Louis Beermen, 8-31 - What can be said about St. Louis that hasn't already been said about Afghanistan?