Tuesday, August 31, 2021

S48 Record Books

Jack Torrance - Contributing Reporter




Winner Winner....Chicken Dinner 

First, congratulations to FW_Kekionga for earning the Montreal franchise's first World Series berth, after earning the 2nd best win record in Cobbfather's Season 48. 

The bridesmaid finally becomes the bride, topoftheworl wins it all after finishing his plate of poutine in 4 straight! Be sure to check out the How They Were Built series - our first one covered Colorado Springs as they geared up for their title run. Top better be thankful OKC was eliminated in the first round by Santa Fe, given his track record. But 3 World Series in 4 years definitely says something about this young team. I'd expect to see them represent the AL in the upcoming Season 49 as well. 


Congrats again and let's get ready for Season 49.  

Major League

Owner of the Year

Starting a new section of the record books to do my best to select an Owner of the year. It won't always be the one who wins a ring either. What a year to start this, as it felt like a tight race between two owners; FW_Kekionga & ekoontz41. 

  • FW_Kekionga
    • Improved by 19 wins from Season 47.
      • Lead the NL in wins with 107.
    • Pre-season Rank: 12 - projected to barely miss the playoffs. 
    • Biggest moves this offseason:
      • Traded for eventual NL Cy Young award winner Gerald Kojima. 
      • Traded for NL All-Star catcher Bill Dixon; huge increase in production over last year's starter Dayan Crespo.
      • Bargain bin signing of SS Ivan Bennett who hit .325 on the year while replacing starting 3B Al Rosario when he tore his groin muscle. Also gave rest to starting SS Jhonny Rijo to keep him fresh. 
  • ekoontz41
    • The Cobbfather Post Gazette wrote about it early on, but you can't buy that kind of improvement over a year's timespan...but you can get others to pay for it apparently. 
    • Improved by 23 wins from Season 47. 
    • Pre-Season rank: 16 - middle of the pack, not even close to the playoffs.  
    • Only paid $8.4M of his team's $25.6M payroll, so not only did he make the playoffs but boosted his team with some top prospects
      • Quilvio Infante - $19M IFA
      • Fautino Salas - $12.7M IFA
      • Kyle Crain - 5th overall pick
    • Biggest moves this season
      • Traded for Joshua Reames for pennies, then flipped him with a few others for JC Wall / Yovanni Bonilla; which paved the way for the Ethier deal. 
        • JC Wall went on to place 2nd in AL Cy Young voting, had a 2.43 ERA over 266 innings. 
      • Addition of Aaron Smiley for an old diamond in the rough. 
      • Picked up LJ Anna off waivers (was Rule 5 pick by previous team)
        • #2 hitter - .275 average with 9 HR & 43 SBs

And the winner is:  ekoontz41 - it was a close one and could have gone either way. Both ended their seasons being swept in the playoffs, but not even Vegas had bets on Atlanta making the playoffs. With a rotation led by JC Wall, Zephyr Gross, Rando Powell, and eventually Damaso Ethier they will definitely be looking to challenge top for that AL spot in the World Series in the years to come. Congrats to both for a great build and run this season. 

All-Star Weekend

American League stomped the National League - 10-0
All Star Game MVP - Felipe Benitez (NY Empire)
Home Run Derby Champ - Carl Martinson (Scran Hammers) - 20 total HRs (13 - 2 - 5)

American League 

Division Titles
AL North: Dover Hazmats
AL East: New York Empire (10th straight division title)
AL South: Jackson Flaxon-Waxon
AL West: Colorado Springs From My Lions (2nd straight division title)
Wildcards: Helena Hot Dogs & Atlanta Expos


League Leaders
Batting
Hits: Harry Padilla (NY Empire) - 193
Average: Lonnie Mills (CS From My Loin) - .340
Home Runs: Cy Bettis (Col Cab Blast) - 60
Runs: Harry Padilla (NY Empire) - 145
Runs Batted In: Cy Bettis (Col Cab Blast) - 152
Stolen Bases: Matty Moss (Atl Expos) - 79
Longest Hit Streak: Miguel Ibarra (LAA Diablos) - 26

Pitching
Wins: Midre Benavente (CS From My Loin) & Zephyr Gross (Atl Expos) - 20
Quality Starts: J.C. Wall (Atl Expos) - 32
Saves: Jace Sale (Bos Massacre) - 49
ERA: Arismendy Costilla (CS From My Loin) - 2.33
Strikeout: Zephyr Gross (Atl Expos) - 206
OAV: Nigel White (Dov Hazmats) - .195
WHIP: Nick Shackelford (Phi Harpers) - 0.95

Fielding
Plus Plays: Ben Lawrence (Phi Harpers) - 32
CS%: Kirt Valdes (Houston Space Cowboys) - 0.370
C ERA: Bob Kiermaier (Atl Expos) - 3.31

Awards
MVP: Bonk Burnett (Ana Diablos) - 20 votes
Cy Young: Arismendy Costilla (CS From My Loins) - 13 votes
Rookie of the Year: Josmil Velzquez (Col Cab Blast) - 15 votes
Fireman of the Year: Jace Sale (Bos Massacre)

National League

Division Titles
NL North: Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates
NL East: Buffalo Bisons (8th straight division title)
NL South: Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII (8th straight division title)
NL West: Salt Lake City Tabernacles
Wildcards: Oklahoma City Barons & Columbus Corgis

League Leaders
Batting
Hits: Benny Saez (San Juan Fudds) - 202
Average: Bey Combs (San Juan Fudds) - .326
Home Runs: Omar Gonzales (SLC Tabernacles) - 58
Runs: Omar Gonzales (SLC Tabernacles) - 142
Runs Batted In: Omar Gonzales (SLC Tabernacles) - 135
Stolen Bases: Al Munson (OKC Barons) - 63
Longest Hit Streak: Bey Combs (San Juan Fudds) - 28

Pitching
Wins: Gerald Kojima (Mon Fighting Poutine Plates) - 24
Quality Starts: Jason Gates (OKC Barons) - 30
Saves: Tony Espinosa (SF Surf Riders) - 47
ERA: Gregor Lopez (Buffalo Bisons) - 2.21
Strikeout: Yuudai Park (Van Canucks) - 223
OAV: Gregor Lopez (Buffalo Bisons) - 0.198
WHIP: Gregor Lopez (Buffalo Bisons) - 0.99

Fielding
Plus Plays: Malcom Brach (Pit Yinzers) - 28
CS%: Gareth Anderson (SFE Surf Riders) - 0.470
C ERA: Angel Johnson (OKC Barons) - 2.98

Awards
MVP: Omar Gonzalez (SLC Tabernacles) - 23 votes
Cy Young: Gerlad Kojima (Mon Fighting Poutine Plates) - 18
Rookie of the Year: Eli Moreno (Buf Bisons) - 19 votes
Fireman of the Year: Ron Steenstra (Col Corgis)

Trivia

With 15 years under his belt, Jace Sale of the Boston Massacre; leads second place for All-Time saves by 111 saves with a total of 682. Sale reached an agreement with alogman1 late into the season on a 2 year, $8.8M extension that likely keeps him a Massacre his entire career. 700 is just 18 saves away. 

Minor League

AAA: 
Wichita over Columbus 4-2
MVP: Alexander Middlebrook (AL - ELP, 26) & Karim Herrera (NL - Col, 31)
Cy Young: Ugueth Vazquez (AL - ELP, 22) & Dioner Amezaga (NL - Van, 20)

AA: 
New Orleans over Philadelphia 4-3
MVP: Grayson Lowry (AL - Hun, 21) & Douglas Laxton (NL - NO, 21)
Cy Young: Cesar Olivares (AL - Jac, 24) & Gabriel Quixote (NL - NO, 25)

A+: 
New Orleans over Cincinnati 4-0
MVP: Jerome Morgan (AL - Cin, 24) & Gary Halladay (NL - LA, 23)
Cy Young: James Korecky (AL - Wic, 26) & Ham Buddie (NL - Chi, 21)

A-: 
New Orleans over Wichita 4-3
MVP: Tom Flores (AL - LAA, 22) & Fred Buck (NL - Buf, 23)
Cy Young: Yuniesky Herrera (AL - Wic, 18) & Chris Clayton (NL, Aus, 24)

Rookie: 
Anaheim over Los Angeles 4-3
MVP: George Dwyer (AL - LAA, 27) & Braulio Fernandez (NL - DC, 19)
Cy Young: Miguel Gonzalez (AL - LAA, 24) & Teodoro Cayones (NL - Buf, 20)

Record Books

Look at the single season records, here is anybody who placed within the top 5 of a category. (electing to not include those who tie for 5th)

  • HITTING
    • Pitch Hits: 40 - Albert Purcell (RF - CH) - 2nd
  • PITCHING
    • None
  • FIELDING
    • Errors (2B): Boone Hines (2B - Was) - 2nd
    • Good Plays (2B): Ben Lawrence (2B - Phi) - Tied for 1st. 
    • Stolen Base Attempts: 197 - Roger Herman (C - Chi) - NEW RECORD!
Moving on to team records.
  • HITTING
    • Strikeouts (most): Philadelphia Harpers - 1356 - NEW RECORD!
  • PITCHING
    • None
  • FIELDING
    • None

Career Records

  • Batting
    • Batting Average: Al Samuel - .334
    • Home Runs: Albert Cruz - 771
    • RBI: Albert Cruz - 2,032
    • Hits: Johnny Sherman - 3,232
    • Runs: Andres Candelaria - 1,927
    • Stolen Bases: William Katou - 957
    • Hit Streak - Jose Pizzaro - 42
  • Pitching
    • Wins: Chick Munson - 334
    • Saves: Jace Sale - 682
    • Strikeouts: Chick Munson - 4,190
    • Quality Starts: Chick Munson - 462
    • Complete Games: Chick Munson - 105
    • ERA: Yeico Miranda - 2.21
    • WHIP: Jair James - 1.00
    • OAV: Jair James - .191

Award Winners
(* indicates Hall of Famer member)

Franchise Titles
(bold is recent winner)

  • 5 Titles
    • Atlanta (S3, 10, 26, 27, 29)
    • Houston (S4, 7, 8, 28, 33)
  • 4 Titles
    • Anaheim (S15, 18, 19, 32)
    • El Paso (S36, 41, 43, 44)
    • Oklahoma City (S40, 42, 45, 47)
    • Pittsburgh (S2, 21, 22, 23)
  • 3 Titles
    • Chicago (S9, 11, 12)
  • 2 Titles
    • Buffalo (S24, 39)
    • Jackson (S17, 37)
    • New Orleans (S31, 35)
    • Santa Fe (S1, 30)
    • Washington DC (S6, 14)
    • Colorado Springs (S20, 48)
  • 1 Title
    • Austin (S16)
    • Boston (S38)
    • Los Angeles (S13)
    • Helena (S46)
    • Milwaukee (S5)
    • Colorado (S34)
    • Vancouver (S25)
  • 0 Titles
    • Cincinnati
    • Columbus
    • Dover
    • Montreal
    • New York (AL)
    • Ottawa
    • Philadelphia
    • Salt Lake City
    • San Juan
    • Scranton
    • Wichita

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Monday, August 16, 2021

Way Early S48 Budgets

Jessica Fletcher - Contributing Reporter


With 12 games remaining in Season 48, let's take a look at guaranteed money beyond this year. Highlighted are the teams currently in first place; Montreal, Dover, New York, and Jackson have secured their division and likely resting some of their big names for the playoff run. 

We've only had 5 in-seasons extension deals worked out so far this season, but we'll see if a few of those possible free agents end up working a deal with the home team. 



The league has just recovered from a bit of a draft drought, but are we entering a free agency drought soon? Here is a look at a few of the current top names if nothing changes (all analysis as of this writing - cannot be held accountable for aging until the fountain of youth is found). 

  • Yoenis Portillo (LF, 35) - Has played his entire career in Buffalo but with Tarraga's contract and Portillo's age, he'll hit free agency and have to find a home else where. All said, with 12 games left, he still has a chance to hit above .300 for the 13th time in his career but when will father time catch up? 
  • Andres Estrada (1B, 33) - His 2/13.6 prior to season 47 has sure paid off for Estrada, winning it all his first season with the team and second of his career. His ratings haven't taken much of a hit this year but he's hitting .269 with only 18 hr this season. Then again, hitting in Oklahoma City isn't the easiest thing to do. With an above average glove, surely another team will offer him a couple of  years. 
  • Jimmie Tapia (3B, 32) - Consistent is what Tapia is. Finishes another season with at least a .260 average, 17 HR, and 25 SBs. Should be able to land another couple of years on the free agent market, if Boston let's him walk. He's yet another player on our list that has only played for one team his entire career. 
  • Chuk Takada (LF, 31) - Big year (or is it?) for players who have only played for one team, Takada will be in the boat if klown doesn't lock him up. His last 2/4.4M deal seems like a steal, even while hitting ~15HR with a .285 average. He might not be at the top of the lineup, but still a quality bat to have in the bottom of the lineup. And with the way he limits strikeouts, he shouldn't hurt the team too bad. 
  • Eduardo Ambriz (1B, 30) - The youngest of our bats, and he has held up well this season. He may have struggled last season, but his current 33 HR, 107 RBI, 30 2Bs, 18 SBs, and .279 average show he still has a good bit left in the tank. You'll have to wonder if his new team moves him back to 2B, even with a slightly below average arm strength for the position. That might add a little extra value to his next contract. 
  • Sergei Griggs (SP, 30) - One of Colorado Springs' front line starters could see the open market. Mid 3s ERA with more than twice as many Ks and walks. At only 30, he should have at least one more big paydown left in him. But who will it be? 
  • Doc Cortes (SP, 29) - Our youngest of the pitchers and primed for a big payday after being traded to the Washington DC Nationals from Ottawa earlier this season. He'll continue to limit free passes while missing quite a few bats. His career 104-69 with a 3.03 ERA in 1653 innings should peek the interest of numerous owners and GMs. 
  • Ron Steenstra (RP, 30) - Likely our top reliever for those looking for bullpen help. He has closed out 43 of 49 for NL East division leader Columbus. If they hold off Buffalo, he'll be a big reason why. All thanks to a deal with Atlanta earlier this season. In comparison, Julian Clay who mike traded to ekoon has a 5.84 ERA this season down in New Orleans. Of course, Mike also go Alfonso James and Ernest Paulson (before trading him & salary relief back to Atlanta for Al Cubillan)
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Friday, August 6, 2021

S48 - Mid-Season Power Rankings

  Richard Castle - contributing reporter


3/4 season mark, last set of rankings until the season completes. Lots of recent movement, with New York claiming the top slot. Oklahoma City has to be feeling better about themselves lately as they climb up the rankings too, climbing 3 spots to #2. 

  • Movers
    • Boston climb up 9 to (un)lucky #13 
    • Cincinnati gains 6 to the #15
    • Chicago inches up 4 to #21
  • Sliders
    • Wichita with the biggest decline of 7 all the way down to #24. 
    • Colorado, Austin, and Vancouver all slip 4 slots to 17, 18, & 19 respectively



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Sunday, August 1, 2021

How They Were Built! - OKC

  Jessica Fletcher - contributing reporter



Time to take a look at how the defending NL and World Champions were made. In the previous writeup we took at look at Colorado Springs, who is cruising and currently tied with the best record in the AL and hold a 4 game lead out West. Back on the NL side, OKC is currently johnneck's Salt Lake City Tabernacles by a single game. The Mid-season power rankings had the Barons ranked #5 and currently has the 6th highest run differential at 65. Well below New York at #1 with 193. But likely most recent years their team ERA is best in the league. With a mixture of that park (-4 to both HRLF & HRRF) and the pitching staff, you'll be lucky to score against them. 

  • Finances - since taking over the team, klown has only dipped below a player payroll of 70, twice. With the last seven years never dipping below $100M. Unlike Colorado Springs who built spent a small fortune in IFA, OKC has kept their prospect budget minimal, only three in klown's ownership going above $12M and again unlike Colorado Springs; only once above $22M. He doesn't spend  much on coaching either, and considering the minimal prospect budget there's likely not much in any of their scouting departments either. 
  • The Good (starters as of writing) 
    • Jordan Taylor (C) - vL - Drafted with the 78th pick overall back in 2nd round of Season 41. Playing his 3rd ML season with the Barons. 
    • Angel Johnson (C) - vR - Signed a one year $1M deal this past offseason and hitting to the tune of .317 so far. This just shows it's not how much you have, but how you spend it. 
    • Andres Estrada (1B) - Playing on the final year of a two year $13.6M deal prior to Season 47. 
    • Gary Standridge (2B) - Acquired in klown's initial season of ownership, S35 from the Santa Fe for Alberto Gonzalez (who played another 8 seasons with the team).
    • Al Hernandez (SS) - One of the few IFA's you'll find on this team, only cost the team a cool $3.5M back in S35. 
    • Al Little (3B) - Signed a 5/$41M deal this past offseason. 
    • Al Munson (LF) - vL - Drafted in S39 with the #46 overall pick. 
    • Chul Takada (LF) - vR - The third IFA signing by klown, this one in S36 but unlike the others this one cost him $12.1M. 
    • Richie Barkley (RF) - Only in klown's second season, but drafted #2 overall in S36 - signed for slot. 
    • Darren Hughes (CF) - S40 #21 overall draft pick - signed for slot. 
  • The Bad (bench)
    • Leandro Sierra (2B) - Drafted during the Kansas City years for klown with pick #41 of Season 39 as a freshman out of college. 
    • Archie Wallace (SS) - Was the S40 #47 overall pick, signed for slot. 
    • Chi-Chi Rojas (SS) - Was a $1.9M IFA signing back in S37. 
    • Wil Borders (CF) - Signed a 2/$8.4M deal last offseason.
  • The Ugly (injuries)
    • None
  • The Mound
    • Jason Gates (SP1) - Acquired via trade with El Paso Ploppies earlier this season along with $5M in exchange for Brent Belinda (SS) & Grant Crick (RP).
    • Jair James (SP2) - Draft by the franchise the year before Klown took over with the #5 overall pick back in S34. 
    • Albert Robbins (SP3) - Originally the #2 pick in S36's Rule 5 draft. Can't believe the (now) Huntington franchise let this one slip through the cracks. 
    • Diego Parraz (SP4) - On the 3rd year of a 5/$39M deal signed prior to S46.
    • Del Baez (SP5) - Playing on the first of a 2/$12.6M deal signed this past offseason. 
    • Eric Hampton (SuA) - Playing on the second year of a 5/$37.5M deal signed prior to S47.
    • Enrique Eusebio (SuB) - Another Rule 5 selection by klown in S44 with pick #32. 
    • Jimmie Hartman (SuB) - Acquired via trade with Jackson Flaxon-Waxon in S42 in exchange for Marvin Christian (CF) & Tim Malloy (2B). 
    • Napoleon McKnight (SuB) - Drafted in S40 with the #38 overall pick. 
    • Vance Douglas (SuB) - Drafted in S41 with the #46 overall pick. 
    • Willie Fischbach (SuB) - Drafted in S40 with the #56 overall pick. 

This year's team were acquired mostly from the Rule 4 draft and smart spending in Free Agency. With the occasional dip into IFA, trades, and Rule 5. Overall it appears to be some smart moves and good supplemental round raft picks. 
  • 7 players acquired via Free Agency
  • 10 players acquired via Rule 4 Draft
  • 2 players acquired via Rule 5 Draft
  • 3 players acquired via International Free Agency
  • 3 players acquired via Trade. 
  • 0 players claimed of Waivers
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