Season 8 saw the division as mediocre, with the Fargo Bison claiming the division title with a sub .500 record at 80-82. Portland fell 4 games short at 76-86, Minnesota stayed in the race at 7 games back with a record of 73-89 and Cincinnati brought up the rear with a record of 58-104. Fargo had the biggest improvement as they climbed out of the cellar where they were at for the last 3 seasons all the way to 1st place and the title.
Individuals
Best Starting Pitcher: Gene Wise (Portland Ducks)
Best Hitter: Candy Thomas (Minnesota Golden Gophers)
Rookie to make an impact: Cy Saturria (Fargo Bison)
Team
Starting Rotation: Portland Ducks
Bullpen: Fargo Bison
Batting: Minnesota Golden Gophers
Cincinnati
Acquired:
Trades: Kirk Randa (LF), Del Seanez (C),
Free Agency: None
Lost:
Trades: Jimmie Alicea (2B), Valerio James (LR)
Free Agency: Benito Pujols (Setup), Roberto Puente (C), Billy Barker (CF),
Gus Martin (Cl), Pedro Cruz (LF), Pascual Estrada (SP)
Fargo
Acquired:
Trades: None
Free Agency: None
Lost:
Trades: None
Free Agency: Randy Frye (SS), Mac Douglas (Cl),
Minnesota
Acquired:
Trades: None
Free Agency: None
Lost:
Trades None
Free Agency: Bernie Tresh (SP), Rico Olmeda (1B), Hake Mathews (C)
Portland
Acquired:
Trades: None
Free Agency: Ernie Helton (CF), Mark Tanaka (P)
Lost:
Trades: Jeff Nicholson (1B)
Free Agency: Mark Stewart (RF), Richard Fielder (SP), Ted Simpkins (P)
Predictions
Last season saw 1-2-3 separated by only 7 games although no team finished above .500. This season I’m calling for the Fargo Bison to finish above .500 and win the division behind a balanced team of pitching and batting. Portland’s starting pitching keeps them in the race all season but they fall short and take 2nd. Minnesota will also compete for the division throughout the entire season but fall 1 game behind Portland to take 3rd place and Cincinnati will finish 4th.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tandem Pitcher Rule Added
This rule has been officially adopted and will be added to the rules immediately and enforced for Season 9.
"Using tandem pitchers for the specific reason of telling the AI who you want to be the first pitcher out of the bullpen is perfectly fine. However, it is NOT ok to deceive the other owner to gain a platoon advantage. Starting Pitchers should have their target pitch count set to at least 50. If you choose to not to use a target pitch count, then the max pitch count should be set to at least 50. (exceptions may apply in extreme circumstances"
"Using tandem pitchers for the specific reason of telling the AI who you want to be the first pitcher out of the bullpen is perfectly fine. However, it is NOT ok to deceive the other owner to gain a platoon advantage. Starting Pitchers should have their target pitch count set to at least 50. If you choose to not to use a target pitch count, then the max pitch count should be set to at least 50. (exceptions may apply in extreme circumstances"
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Season 9 - World Rules Recap
NCAA World Rules
Here are the rules that all of NCAA World members have agreed to by playing in this world. If they are not followed, then the owner will be replaced.
Competition Committee
There is a five person competition committee consisting of myself, bighead34, evil doers, tk21775, and mikejuggalo. This committee exists to provide checks and balances on the commissioner (myself) so that I can not make changes unilaterally. The committee will review any rules violations and then vote and majority rules.
Anti Tanking Rules
1. More than 200 losses over a two year period and the owner will be asked to state their case as to why they should be allowed to stay. If allowed to stay the owner must reach 70 wins or be replaced.
2. Extended losing streaks or trends at the end of the season will be reviewed above and beyond the 200-win requirement. Teams are expected to maintain a level of competitiveness throughout the entire season. It is not acceptable to lose towards the end of the season to secure a higher draft slot.
Gameplay Rules
3. Owners must keep their minor league teams intact. This includes having enough pitchers to avoid fatigued pitchers and also covering all of the positions. (Not enough money in the budget is not an excuse as budgeting is an important part of the game...you'll need to make some moves to free up payroll).
4. Using tandem pitchers for the specific reason of telling the AI who you want to be the first pitcher out of the bullpen is perfectly fine. However, it is NOT ok to deceive the other owner to gain a platoon advantage. Starting Pitchers should have their target pitch count set to at least 60. If you choose to not to use a target pitch count, then the max pitch count should be set to at least 60. (exceptions may apply in extreme circumstances)
5. If cash is included in a trade then the cash can NOT exceed the player salary going with it. (Example is player A makes 2 million...you can NOT trade 5 million and the player)
6. You must protect your players for the 40 man roster! Plenty of time to do so once budgets are set to protect your players for the Rule V Draft. There will be no "I had something come up, please take pity on me and trade me my player back."
7. If a team signs a "Type A" or "Type B" player than that player can NOT be traded until after the amateur draft.
8. When a trade is completed, any major league player involved is immediately to be moved to "Rest" and any minor league player involved is to be put on the inactive roster. This is to prevent fatigue and/or injury. If a starting pitcher (ML) is traded and is scheduled as next starter (therefore can not be rested), his pitch count should be set at minimum and then he should be placed on "rest" immediately thereafter.
Other Rules
9. Trade chats and proposals must be responded to in 48 hours...even if it is to say "hey, i saw your chat/proposal, but I'm busy, give me some time to get back to you." Please send me a private trade chat if this rule is not being observed.
10. Cities/Stadiums are not to be moved once you are in the world. All team names must look and sound professional.
11. The world chat is to be used for discussion and debate, however you must keep it civil. Personal attacks will not be acceptable.
12. I reserve the right to add to these rules. Usually I'll put a matter up for a vote and we'll see what everyone thinks.
Here are the rules that all of NCAA World members have agreed to by playing in this world. If they are not followed, then the owner will be replaced.
Competition Committee
There is a five person competition committee consisting of myself, bighead34, evil doers, tk21775, and mikejuggalo. This committee exists to provide checks and balances on the commissioner (myself) so that I can not make changes unilaterally. The committee will review any rules violations and then vote and majority rules.
Anti Tanking Rules
1. More than 200 losses over a two year period and the owner will be asked to state their case as to why they should be allowed to stay. If allowed to stay the owner must reach 70 wins or be replaced.
2. Extended losing streaks or trends at the end of the season will be reviewed above and beyond the 200-win requirement. Teams are expected to maintain a level of competitiveness throughout the entire season. It is not acceptable to lose towards the end of the season to secure a higher draft slot.
Gameplay Rules
3. Owners must keep their minor league teams intact. This includes having enough pitchers to avoid fatigued pitchers and also covering all of the positions. (Not enough money in the budget is not an excuse as budgeting is an important part of the game...you'll need to make some moves to free up payroll).
4. Using tandem pitchers for the specific reason of telling the AI who you want to be the first pitcher out of the bullpen is perfectly fine. However, it is NOT ok to deceive the other owner to gain a platoon advantage. Starting Pitchers should have their target pitch count set to at least 60. If you choose to not to use a target pitch count, then the max pitch count should be set to at least 60. (exceptions may apply in extreme circumstances)
5. If cash is included in a trade then the cash can NOT exceed the player salary going with it. (Example is player A makes 2 million...you can NOT trade 5 million and the player)
6. You must protect your players for the 40 man roster! Plenty of time to do so once budgets are set to protect your players for the Rule V Draft. There will be no "I had something come up, please take pity on me and trade me my player back."
7. If a team signs a "Type A" or "Type B" player than that player can NOT be traded until after the amateur draft.
8. When a trade is completed, any major league player involved is immediately to be moved to "Rest" and any minor league player involved is to be put on the inactive roster. This is to prevent fatigue and/or injury. If a starting pitcher (ML) is traded and is scheduled as next starter (therefore can not be rested), his pitch count should be set at minimum and then he should be placed on "rest" immediately thereafter.
Other Rules
9. Trade chats and proposals must be responded to in 48 hours...even if it is to say "hey, i saw your chat/proposal, but I'm busy, give me some time to get back to you." Please send me a private trade chat if this rule is not being observed.
10. Cities/Stadiums are not to be moved once you are in the world. All team names must look and sound professional.
11. The world chat is to be used for discussion and debate, however you must keep it civil. Personal attacks will not be acceptable.
12. I reserve the right to add to these rules. Usually I'll put a matter up for a vote and we'll see what everyone thinks.
Monday, April 26, 2010
World Series Game 4 and 5 Recaps
by hurricane 384
Game 4 Recap
Anaheim @ Arizona
Down 3-0, Arizona needed someone to step up. That someone was Guy McMasters. Guy pitched 2.1 innings after watching Ivan Duran (0.2IP, 3H, 3ER) blow his second save of the post-season and watch his ERA shoot up to 12.91. Guy did not give up a run, while scattering 1 hit and 2 walks over his 2.1 innings. Arizona got a strong showing from starting pitcher Nick Wilson (6.0IP, 6H, 3ER, 1BB, 4K)as well as solid offensive outings from Bernie Ortiz (2-5, 2RBI), Shawn Tremie (2-4, HR, 2R, RBI), and Buddy Buckley (2-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBI). Ivan Wall hit his 2nd home run of the post-season. Anaheim was done in by some shoddy defense and Clinton Carr having an uncharacteristically bad day on the mound, going only 5.2 innings while giving up 8 hits, 5 runs (3 earned) walking 2 and striking out 4. Pablo Tavarez, the Game 1 hero who will now be known as the game 4 goat committed 2 costly errors, including an error in the 10th that helped Arizona score the game-winner. In addition to those errors, Tavarez recorded the infamous “golden sombrero”. Don’t get me wrong, there were some good performances from the Anaheim offense; Justin Boyd went 2 for 4 with a double, a homer, and 2 ribbies. Rafael Nieves was 2 for 5 with a homer and a couple RBI. Julian Cortes was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles, and a run scored.
Arizona wins, 7-6 (10 innings). Anaheim leads 3-1.
Game 5 Recap
Anaheim @ Arizona
With the Trojans looking for redemption and the Sun Devils for survival, we had every reason to believe that these two teams would go nose-to-nose in game 5. Unfortunately, what we got was an overmatched Arizona team struggle after the first inning. This game looked like it would be a tight game as Anaheim scored on the first of 2 Shawn Tremie (0-3, 2K) errors in the top half of the first and the Sun Devils answered with a run scoring single by David Sierra (1-3, RBI) in the bottom half. Unfortunately for Arizona fans, the 3 hits in the first would only be doubled by the time the 9th rolled around. Anaheim starter, Dick Bailey pitched brilliantly, scattering 6 hits, and one run over 8 innings while striking out 5. A three-run home run by Justin Boyd (3-5, 2R, 4RBI, HR) provided all that Bailey would need. Meanwhile, Don Martin just couldn’t get out of his own way. Martin walked 3, gave up 12 hits, in 7.2 innings, striking out 7 and allowing all 8 (4 unearned) of the Trojans’ runs. Tremie’s second error came in the second inning as he couldn’t handle a Larry Sedlacek (1-4, R) groundball and this ended up leading to Justin Boyd’s 3-run shot. Arizona’s six hits came from six different players (Koh, Buckley, Peterson, Sierra, Ortiz, and Murphy). The champagne and beer flowed freely in the Trojan clubhouse after Miguel Sanchez came on to preserve the victory with an inning of perfect ball, recording two strikeouts.
Anaheim wins, 8-1. ANAHEIM WINS WORLD SERIES, 4-1. CONGRATULATIONS!
Game 4 Recap
Anaheim @ Arizona
Down 3-0, Arizona needed someone to step up. That someone was Guy McMasters. Guy pitched 2.1 innings after watching Ivan Duran (0.2IP, 3H, 3ER) blow his second save of the post-season and watch his ERA shoot up to 12.91. Guy did not give up a run, while scattering 1 hit and 2 walks over his 2.1 innings. Arizona got a strong showing from starting pitcher Nick Wilson (6.0IP, 6H, 3ER, 1BB, 4K)as well as solid offensive outings from Bernie Ortiz (2-5, 2RBI), Shawn Tremie (2-4, HR, 2R, RBI), and Buddy Buckley (2-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBI). Ivan Wall hit his 2nd home run of the post-season. Anaheim was done in by some shoddy defense and Clinton Carr having an uncharacteristically bad day on the mound, going only 5.2 innings while giving up 8 hits, 5 runs (3 earned) walking 2 and striking out 4. Pablo Tavarez, the Game 1 hero who will now be known as the game 4 goat committed 2 costly errors, including an error in the 10th that helped Arizona score the game-winner. In addition to those errors, Tavarez recorded the infamous “golden sombrero”. Don’t get me wrong, there were some good performances from the Anaheim offense; Justin Boyd went 2 for 4 with a double, a homer, and 2 ribbies. Rafael Nieves was 2 for 5 with a homer and a couple RBI. Julian Cortes was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles, and a run scored.
Arizona wins, 7-6 (10 innings). Anaheim leads 3-1.
Game 5 Recap
Anaheim @ Arizona
With the Trojans looking for redemption and the Sun Devils for survival, we had every reason to believe that these two teams would go nose-to-nose in game 5. Unfortunately, what we got was an overmatched Arizona team struggle after the first inning. This game looked like it would be a tight game as Anaheim scored on the first of 2 Shawn Tremie (0-3, 2K) errors in the top half of the first and the Sun Devils answered with a run scoring single by David Sierra (1-3, RBI) in the bottom half. Unfortunately for Arizona fans, the 3 hits in the first would only be doubled by the time the 9th rolled around. Anaheim starter, Dick Bailey pitched brilliantly, scattering 6 hits, and one run over 8 innings while striking out 5. A three-run home run by Justin Boyd (3-5, 2R, 4RBI, HR) provided all that Bailey would need. Meanwhile, Don Martin just couldn’t get out of his own way. Martin walked 3, gave up 12 hits, in 7.2 innings, striking out 7 and allowing all 8 (4 unearned) of the Trojans’ runs. Tremie’s second error came in the second inning as he couldn’t handle a Larry Sedlacek (1-4, R) groundball and this ended up leading to Justin Boyd’s 3-run shot. Arizona’s six hits came from six different players (Koh, Buckley, Peterson, Sierra, Ortiz, and Murphy). The champagne and beer flowed freely in the Trojan clubhouse after Miguel Sanchez came on to preserve the victory with an inning of perfect ball, recording two strikeouts.
Anaheim wins, 8-1. ANAHEIM WINS WORLD SERIES, 4-1. CONGRATULATIONS!
Friday, April 23, 2010
International FA Recap by tk21775
Season 8 in NCAA could be referred to as the year of the International’s. The market was abundant with talent for those teams looking to land a big player, which many teams took advantage of. Only time will tell how good the signings were but one thing was sure, a lot of money was paid out to get players into the United States to play ball.
Arizona landed SP Rafael Guerrero with a signing bonus of $10.7M. He projects to have outstanding control, 4 solid pitches and will be tough against lefties. Guerrero started 13 games in rookie ball with an era 4.08, 60 hits, 56 K’s and 18 walks. They also grabbed SS #p3165578Jose Samuel#p for $6.4M, who projects to be more of a 3B player then SS with great speed with below avg. splits. Samuel got in 4 games at the Low A level, managing 3 hits and 2 stolen bases with a .200 batting avg.
Buffalo’s scouts were fortunate enough to grab Orlando Galvez while they soaked up sun and drinks in Aruba for a price of $6.8M. Galvez projects to be a great closer, having the durability/stamina to be ready when called upon, great control and vR to go along with 3 very solid pitches. He spent his time in Rookie ball where he saw 3.1 innings allowing 4 hits, 3 strike outs and a 0.00 era.
Charleston Cougar’s found their player, Odalis Velazquez , overseas in the Dominican Republic for a price of $8.4M. A projected SS who will probably see more time at 3B, Velazquez looks to help out the Cougars with his dangerous bat. He spent 27 games in High A, knocking out 35 H, 16 2B, 5 HR, 23 RBIs with a batting avg. of .330.
Charlotte hopped on the plane with Charleston to the Dominican, grabbing Erubiel Ordaz on their trip for a price of $15.6M. The Tar Heels plan on Ordaz helping out in their future starting rotation where his pinpoint control will dominate the lefties and he projects to be solid against righties as well. Ordaz started 12 games for the Heels in Rookie ball, recording 57.2 innings where he gave up 51 hits, 69 K’s, 11 BB for a 3.43 era.
Cincinnati kept the Dominican pipe way open, landing Omar Andujar for a price tag of $15.6M. Omar looks to be an outstanding C that has the arm and accuracy to keep runners honest along with a pitch call rating that his pitchers will benefit from. His bat will also help the Bearcats out as he projects to be an elite hitter across the board, however his durability looks to only allow him to play in half of the games. Andujar spent S8 in Low A ball where he spent 76 games with a5.33 era pitching staff and his bat produced 93 hits, 28 doubles, 17 dingers, 65 rbi’s, and a solid .309 batting avg.
Detroit had no problem handing out money in the international market as they to found their two signings in the Dominican. Eliezer Arrojo signed the largest international contract this season at a price of $17.5M where the speedy LF will give the Wolverines exactly the large bat they were looking for in the offseason. Arrojo signed early, getting 96 games in at AA where he recorded 126 hits, 40 doubles, 23 homers, 86 rbis, with a solid .293 batting avg. Detroit however wasn’t done in the Dominican with just Arrojo, they managed to find Edgardo Renteria there as well for $9.0M. The sun may have gotten to the Wolverines scouts with this signing as Renteria projects to be a solid long relief pitcher although his durability is very weak. Edgardo got himself into 12 Low A games this season for 16.1 innings of ball with a 2.76 era. He should produce to a nice pitcher, however there were plenty of players that project to be better players after Renteria was signed.
Fargo sent their scouts away from the masses and ended up finding Mark Glover in Australia for a price of $11.5M. Glover will be dominate against lefties as a starting pitcher and with his control and 3 outstanding pitches, along with a 4th solid pitch, will be a force against righties as well. He only managed to get into 2 rookie league games for 8 innings of ball, scattering 5 hits, 11 K’s to 2 walks, and a 1.13 era.
Helena didn’t want to miss out on all the Dominican fun, landing Victor Valdes to help out their bullpen for $13.5M. Valdes follows the trend of beign dominant against lefties while solid against right-handed batters with great control, 2 outstanding and 2 solid pitches. He managed to start 11 games in rookie league, giving up 27 hits, 25/15 SO/BB, with an era of 3.91 in 25.1 innings.
Kansas City sent their scouts to Cuba, finding Tomas Olmedo and luring him into the states for $15.9M. Olmedo looks like he’ll lock down LF for the Wildcats and give them an outstanding bat and speed on the bases. Olmedo saw 53 games of action in rookie league this season, managing 87 hits, 23 doubles, 15 home runs, 74 rbi’s with a “double take” batting avg. of .390.
Little Rock found their international signing in Venezuela, C Jumbo Tejera for $7.5M. He’ll be able to throw potential stealers out on the bases although his pitch calling projects rather low. His bat should get him on the bases himself, solid numbers across except for power. Tejera spent 66 games behind the plate in rookie ball to manage a 4.53 era pitching staff. He battled Kansas City’s Olmedo for a batting avg. of .386!, swinging out 107 hits, 11 doubles, 5 home runs and 56 rbis.
Memphis wasn’t scared of all the scouts in the Dominican and followed the masses to find Harry Piedra for $7.3M. Piedra looks to be a solid starting pitcher for the Tigers with stamina, control and his splits all projecting nicely. He grabbed 2 start in AA ball for 9 innings of work and a 4.00 era before the Tigers called him up to the big leagues. He started 4 games in the majors where he gave the Tigers 21 innings, 12 hits, 17 K’s, 6 walks and an era of 5.57.
Minnesota shared a flight with Little Rock down to Venezuela and brought back home Davey Albaladejo and $11.0M lighter in their pockets. Davey looks to secure the 2B spot for the Gophers and will bring to the position a solid bat and speed. He put in 67 games at Low A this season where he destroyed pitchers for 104 hits, 31 doubles, 17 home runs, 67 rbis and a best .391 batting avg. A stop in Cuba quick on the way home allowed Jorge Cordero to jump on board for $12.0M. Cordero will take his place behind the plate with avg. pitch calling but a dangerous bat when he gets up to the plate. He spent 67 games in High A where he managed a pitching staff to a 4.45 era. Offensively he recorded 76 hits, 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 46 rbis, and a nice .289 batting avg.
New Orleans grabbed #p3165478Miguel Montanez#p out of Cuba for $15.8M. Montanez looks to be the future closer for the Bengals, projecting to outstanding control and solid vR with 2 ace pitches. He spent 16 games in High A where he went 11 for 11 in saves with a 1.72 era before being called up to AA where he continued his success going 18 for 20 in saves with a 3.68 era.
Philadelphia, worried that the Dominican talent was being bought up, spent their time in Cuba and found Fausto Gimenez for $11.6M. Gimenez might be the best pitcher found in the international market this season where he will be dominate against righties and unhittable against lefties. With his control he’ll be able to place the ball wherever he chooses and 3 solid pitches will leave batters wondering what happened. He started in 5 games at the Low A level for a total of 26.2 innings of work, giving up 16 hits, 27 strike outs to 7 walks and an era of 2.36.
Salem went to the western hemisphere to find #p3165443Ramon Higashioka#p in the Republic of Korea for a price of $12.4M. Ramon could be used as a SP or help in the bullpen, having pinpoint control of his pitches and nice splits. He found himself starting 24 games in High A for the Beavers, giving up 124 hits, striking out 135 while walking 45 batters, and an era of 3.53.
Scranton stayed away from the populated areas and went to Honduras where they found Pedro Aviles for $15.0M. Aviles looks to help out the Lion’s bullpen as a long relief pitcher when he gets to the bigs. He started 28 games in Low A for them this season, allowing 112 hits, striking out 103 while only giving up 39 walks with a 4.97 era.
Arizona landed SP Rafael Guerrero with a signing bonus of $10.7M. He projects to have outstanding control, 4 solid pitches and will be tough against lefties. Guerrero started 13 games in rookie ball with an era 4.08, 60 hits, 56 K’s and 18 walks. They also grabbed SS #p3165578Jose Samuel#p for $6.4M, who projects to be more of a 3B player then SS with great speed with below avg. splits. Samuel got in 4 games at the Low A level, managing 3 hits and 2 stolen bases with a .200 batting avg.
Buffalo’s scouts were fortunate enough to grab Orlando Galvez while they soaked up sun and drinks in Aruba for a price of $6.8M. Galvez projects to be a great closer, having the durability/stamina to be ready when called upon, great control and vR to go along with 3 very solid pitches. He spent his time in Rookie ball where he saw 3.1 innings allowing 4 hits, 3 strike outs and a 0.00 era.
Charleston Cougar’s found their player, Odalis Velazquez , overseas in the Dominican Republic for a price of $8.4M. A projected SS who will probably see more time at 3B, Velazquez looks to help out the Cougars with his dangerous bat. He spent 27 games in High A, knocking out 35 H, 16 2B, 5 HR, 23 RBIs with a batting avg. of .330.
Charlotte hopped on the plane with Charleston to the Dominican, grabbing Erubiel Ordaz on their trip for a price of $15.6M. The Tar Heels plan on Ordaz helping out in their future starting rotation where his pinpoint control will dominate the lefties and he projects to be solid against righties as well. Ordaz started 12 games for the Heels in Rookie ball, recording 57.2 innings where he gave up 51 hits, 69 K’s, 11 BB for a 3.43 era.
Cincinnati kept the Dominican pipe way open, landing Omar Andujar for a price tag of $15.6M. Omar looks to be an outstanding C that has the arm and accuracy to keep runners honest along with a pitch call rating that his pitchers will benefit from. His bat will also help the Bearcats out as he projects to be an elite hitter across the board, however his durability looks to only allow him to play in half of the games. Andujar spent S8 in Low A ball where he spent 76 games with a5.33 era pitching staff and his bat produced 93 hits, 28 doubles, 17 dingers, 65 rbi’s, and a solid .309 batting avg.
Detroit had no problem handing out money in the international market as they to found their two signings in the Dominican. Eliezer Arrojo signed the largest international contract this season at a price of $17.5M where the speedy LF will give the Wolverines exactly the large bat they were looking for in the offseason. Arrojo signed early, getting 96 games in at AA where he recorded 126 hits, 40 doubles, 23 homers, 86 rbis, with a solid .293 batting avg. Detroit however wasn’t done in the Dominican with just Arrojo, they managed to find Edgardo Renteria there as well for $9.0M. The sun may have gotten to the Wolverines scouts with this signing as Renteria projects to be a solid long relief pitcher although his durability is very weak. Edgardo got himself into 12 Low A games this season for 16.1 innings of ball with a 2.76 era. He should produce to a nice pitcher, however there were plenty of players that project to be better players after Renteria was signed.
Fargo sent their scouts away from the masses and ended up finding Mark Glover in Australia for a price of $11.5M. Glover will be dominate against lefties as a starting pitcher and with his control and 3 outstanding pitches, along with a 4th solid pitch, will be a force against righties as well. He only managed to get into 2 rookie league games for 8 innings of ball, scattering 5 hits, 11 K’s to 2 walks, and a 1.13 era.
Helena didn’t want to miss out on all the Dominican fun, landing Victor Valdes to help out their bullpen for $13.5M. Valdes follows the trend of beign dominant against lefties while solid against right-handed batters with great control, 2 outstanding and 2 solid pitches. He managed to start 11 games in rookie league, giving up 27 hits, 25/15 SO/BB, with an era of 3.91 in 25.1 innings.
Kansas City sent their scouts to Cuba, finding Tomas Olmedo and luring him into the states for $15.9M. Olmedo looks like he’ll lock down LF for the Wildcats and give them an outstanding bat and speed on the bases. Olmedo saw 53 games of action in rookie league this season, managing 87 hits, 23 doubles, 15 home runs, 74 rbi’s with a “double take” batting avg. of .390.
Little Rock found their international signing in Venezuela, C Jumbo Tejera for $7.5M. He’ll be able to throw potential stealers out on the bases although his pitch calling projects rather low. His bat should get him on the bases himself, solid numbers across except for power. Tejera spent 66 games behind the plate in rookie ball to manage a 4.53 era pitching staff. He battled Kansas City’s Olmedo for a batting avg. of .386!, swinging out 107 hits, 11 doubles, 5 home runs and 56 rbis.
Memphis wasn’t scared of all the scouts in the Dominican and followed the masses to find Harry Piedra for $7.3M. Piedra looks to be a solid starting pitcher for the Tigers with stamina, control and his splits all projecting nicely. He grabbed 2 start in AA ball for 9 innings of work and a 4.00 era before the Tigers called him up to the big leagues. He started 4 games in the majors where he gave the Tigers 21 innings, 12 hits, 17 K’s, 6 walks and an era of 5.57.
Minnesota shared a flight with Little Rock down to Venezuela and brought back home Davey Albaladejo and $11.0M lighter in their pockets. Davey looks to secure the 2B spot for the Gophers and will bring to the position a solid bat and speed. He put in 67 games at Low A this season where he destroyed pitchers for 104 hits, 31 doubles, 17 home runs, 67 rbis and a best .391 batting avg. A stop in Cuba quick on the way home allowed Jorge Cordero to jump on board for $12.0M. Cordero will take his place behind the plate with avg. pitch calling but a dangerous bat when he gets up to the plate. He spent 67 games in High A where he managed a pitching staff to a 4.45 era. Offensively he recorded 76 hits, 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 46 rbis, and a nice .289 batting avg.
New Orleans grabbed #p3165478Miguel Montanez#p out of Cuba for $15.8M. Montanez looks to be the future closer for the Bengals, projecting to outstanding control and solid vR with 2 ace pitches. He spent 16 games in High A where he went 11 for 11 in saves with a 1.72 era before being called up to AA where he continued his success going 18 for 20 in saves with a 3.68 era.
Philadelphia, worried that the Dominican talent was being bought up, spent their time in Cuba and found Fausto Gimenez for $11.6M. Gimenez might be the best pitcher found in the international market this season where he will be dominate against righties and unhittable against lefties. With his control he’ll be able to place the ball wherever he chooses and 3 solid pitches will leave batters wondering what happened. He started in 5 games at the Low A level for a total of 26.2 innings of work, giving up 16 hits, 27 strike outs to 7 walks and an era of 2.36.
Salem went to the western hemisphere to find #p3165443Ramon Higashioka#p in the Republic of Korea for a price of $12.4M. Ramon could be used as a SP or help in the bullpen, having pinpoint control of his pitches and nice splits. He found himself starting 24 games in High A for the Beavers, giving up 124 hits, striking out 135 while walking 45 batters, and an era of 3.53.
Scranton stayed away from the populated areas and went to Honduras where they found Pedro Aviles for $15.0M. Aviles looks to help out the Lion’s bullpen as a long relief pitcher when he gets to the bigs. He started 28 games in Low A for them this season, allowing 112 hits, striking out 103 while only giving up 39 walks with a 4.97 era.
World Series Game 3 Recap
GAME 3 – Anaheim @ Arizona by hurricane 384
This game saw the sixth blown save of the series, and fourth by Arizona’s bullpen as they coughed up a 1-0 lead in the 8th. Arizona started the scoring in the bottom of the 5th when Don Murphy (2-2, R) worked a walk to lead off the inning and Joaquin Nunez (6.0IP, 5H, 0R, 2BB, 6K) laid down his second sacrifice bunt of the game to move Murphy to second. Jung-Lee Koh (1-2, RBI) then hit the offering of Jake Randolph (6.0IP, 2H, 1ER, 4BB, 5K) into right field for an RBI double…which also wrapped up the Sun Devils’ offensive output for the game. Nunez pitched great and Buddy Stoops redeemed himself with an inning of shutout ball after a disastrous game 2 outing. Ivan Duran and Guy McMasters (again) failed to protect the lead as they struggled through the 8th. Duran got back-to-back groundouts to begin, but then gave up a triple to Ben Brown (1-4, R, 3B) and a single to Rex Allen (3-3, R, RBI). McMasters entered, being counted on to get one out, and couldn’t do that without losing the game. A single into center by Larry Sedlacek (2-4, R) put men at the corners for Julian Cortes (1-4, R, RBI), who came through to put the Trojans in the lead for good with a single to right center field. Pablo Tavarez (2-4, R, 3RBI, 2B, HR) cleared the bases with a 3 run shot to left-field to wrap up the scoring. Miguel Sanchez came on in the bottom of the 9th for Anaheim, only to struggle by allowing a single and hitting Koh with a pitch. Bernard Townsend got the final 2 outs for his 6th save of the postse
This game saw the sixth blown save of the series, and fourth by Arizona’s bullpen as they coughed up a 1-0 lead in the 8th. Arizona started the scoring in the bottom of the 5th when Don Murphy (2-2, R) worked a walk to lead off the inning and Joaquin Nunez (6.0IP, 5H, 0R, 2BB, 6K) laid down his second sacrifice bunt of the game to move Murphy to second. Jung-Lee Koh (1-2, RBI) then hit the offering of Jake Randolph (6.0IP, 2H, 1ER, 4BB, 5K) into right field for an RBI double…which also wrapped up the Sun Devils’ offensive output for the game. Nunez pitched great and Buddy Stoops redeemed himself with an inning of shutout ball after a disastrous game 2 outing. Ivan Duran and Guy McMasters (again) failed to protect the lead as they struggled through the 8th. Duran got back-to-back groundouts to begin, but then gave up a triple to Ben Brown (1-4, R, 3B) and a single to Rex Allen (3-3, R, RBI). McMasters entered, being counted on to get one out, and couldn’t do that without losing the game. A single into center by Larry Sedlacek (2-4, R) put men at the corners for Julian Cortes (1-4, R, RBI), who came through to put the Trojans in the lead for good with a single to right center field. Pablo Tavarez (2-4, R, 3RBI, 2B, HR) cleared the bases with a 3 run shot to left-field to wrap up the scoring. Miguel Sanchez came on in the bottom of the 9th for Anaheim, only to struggle by allowing a single and hitting Koh with a pitch. Bernard Townsend got the final 2 outs for his 6th save of the postse
World Series Game 1 and 2 Recaps
WORLD SERIES RECAPS by hurricane384
GAME 1 – Arizona @ Anaheim
Game 1 saw a bit of what each of these teams is good at. Offense, defense, pitching, it had it all. Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th on an Ivan Wall (2-4, 2B, RBI, R) RBI single, which followed back-to-back singles and a double play. Despite giving up 3 hits in the fifth, Clinton Carr (6.1IP, 8H, 3ER, 2BB, 2K) managed to escape by giving up a single run. Anaheim went on top in the bottom of the inning with a home run by Larry Selacek (2-4, HR, 2R, RBI), his fifth of the postseason. Pablo Tavarez (3-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBI) reached on a bloop single followed by a Justin Boyd (2-5, 2B, RBI) double for Anaheim to take the lead, 2-1. Anaheim took the lead in the top of the seventh inning with an offensive explosion, putting up 6 runs, capped by a Bernie Ortiz (1-5, HR, R, 4RBI) grand slam to take a 7-2 lead. Don Martin (7.2IP, 8H, 5R, 3ER, 3K) began to cough up the lead in the bottom of the 8th by giving up a flyball home run to left field by Tavarez. Boyd singled, which was followed by Rafael Nieves (1-4) grounding into a double play. Dicky Hatcher (0-4, R) reached on a 2 base error when Buddy Buckley (2-5, 2R) dropped a flyball. Lewis Hoyt (1-1, R, RBI) hit an RBI single to score Hatcher and you could close the book on Martin. Buddy Stoops entered and failed to record a single out while giving up two 2-run home runs. The scoring was capped when Ivan Duran (.1, 2H, ER) gave up a single by Julian Cortes (1-4, R) followed by a Tavarez double as Anaheim goes up 9-7. Bernard Townsend made things interesting in the ninth, giving up a walk and a single, but managed to record the save.
ANAHEIM, 9-7. ANAHEIM LEADS THE SERIES 1-0.
GAME 2 – Arizona @ Anaheim
Game 2 was a power filled game that saw 11 home runs hit between these two behemoths. Bernie Ortiz (3-5, 2HR, 2R, 4RBI) cracked the first of his two home runs in the first inning to give Arizona a quick 2-0 lead off of Anaheim’s Dick Bailey (6.0IP, 7H, 3ER, 2BB, 5K), but that lead wouldn’t last long. Dicky Hatcher (3-4, 2HR, 3R, 5RBI) hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first and then a 3-run bomb in the 3rd off of Ebenezer Woodson (5.0IP, 7H, 7ER, 3BB, 5K) to take a 4-2 lead over the Sun Devils. The scoring remained quiet until the 5th when Hatcher walked, and Larry Sedlacek (2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2RBI) cracked a 2-run home run to left field, and Lewis Hoyt (1-5, HR, R, RBI) followed that up with a wall-scraper to right-center to push the Trojans’ lead to 7-2. Jake Peterson (2-5, 2HR, 2R, 2RBI) led off the 6th with the first of his 2 solo homers to make the score 7-3. With a lead that would not survive the inning, Turner Evans (0.1IP, 3H, 3ER) entered and exited after 4 batters with the score 7-6 after giving up back to back home runs to Ortiz and David Sierra (1-4, HR, R, RBI). Enter Felix Seung who managed to enter and exit having given up the lead, but did not record an out after giving up 4 hits and 2 runs, including Jake Peterson’s second solo shot of the night as Arizona takes an 8-7 lead. The story in this game was that no member of either bullpen really cared to hold a lead as Guy McMasters (0.2IP, 2H, ER, 2BB) blew the save in the bottom of the 8th on back to back run scoring singles, but did manage to escape a bases loaded situation to end in the inning. Anaheim reclaimed the lead 9-8. Anaheim brought in closer Bernard Townsend (1.0IP, H, 2ER, BB) looking to shut the door on game 2…that was not to happen as Townsend did something he only did 6 times during the regular season and blew the save. He walked Buddy Buckley (2-4, 2B, 2R) to lead the inning off before recording a pop-out and a fly-out. Just as it looked like he was going to escape with a save, pinch-hitter Julian Green had other things in mind, and showed it to everyone with a 2-run home run to left-field to give Arizona the 10-9 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. Enter Fireman of the Year Justin Ward to shut the door. He enticed a pop-out, gave up an infield single, and then struck out Game 1 hero Tavarez for the second out. Up comes Rafael Nieves (2-3, HR, 3R, 2RBI, 2BB) and he took Ward deep to right field to end Game 2 with a walk-off home run in yet another epic confrontation between these two titans.
ANAHEIM WINS, 11-10. ANAHEIM LEADS THE SERIES 2-0.
GAME 1 – Arizona @ Anaheim
Game 1 saw a bit of what each of these teams is good at. Offense, defense, pitching, it had it all. Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th on an Ivan Wall (2-4, 2B, RBI, R) RBI single, which followed back-to-back singles and a double play. Despite giving up 3 hits in the fifth, Clinton Carr (6.1IP, 8H, 3ER, 2BB, 2K) managed to escape by giving up a single run. Anaheim went on top in the bottom of the inning with a home run by Larry Selacek (2-4, HR, 2R, RBI), his fifth of the postseason. Pablo Tavarez (3-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBI) reached on a bloop single followed by a Justin Boyd (2-5, 2B, RBI) double for Anaheim to take the lead, 2-1. Anaheim took the lead in the top of the seventh inning with an offensive explosion, putting up 6 runs, capped by a Bernie Ortiz (1-5, HR, R, 4RBI) grand slam to take a 7-2 lead. Don Martin (7.2IP, 8H, 5R, 3ER, 3K) began to cough up the lead in the bottom of the 8th by giving up a flyball home run to left field by Tavarez. Boyd singled, which was followed by Rafael Nieves (1-4) grounding into a double play. Dicky Hatcher (0-4, R) reached on a 2 base error when Buddy Buckley (2-5, 2R) dropped a flyball. Lewis Hoyt (1-1, R, RBI) hit an RBI single to score Hatcher and you could close the book on Martin. Buddy Stoops entered and failed to record a single out while giving up two 2-run home runs. The scoring was capped when Ivan Duran (.1, 2H, ER) gave up a single by Julian Cortes (1-4, R) followed by a Tavarez double as Anaheim goes up 9-7. Bernard Townsend made things interesting in the ninth, giving up a walk and a single, but managed to record the save.
ANAHEIM, 9-7. ANAHEIM LEADS THE SERIES 1-0.
GAME 2 – Arizona @ Anaheim
Game 2 was a power filled game that saw 11 home runs hit between these two behemoths. Bernie Ortiz (3-5, 2HR, 2R, 4RBI) cracked the first of his two home runs in the first inning to give Arizona a quick 2-0 lead off of Anaheim’s Dick Bailey (6.0IP, 7H, 3ER, 2BB, 5K), but that lead wouldn’t last long. Dicky Hatcher (3-4, 2HR, 3R, 5RBI) hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first and then a 3-run bomb in the 3rd off of Ebenezer Woodson (5.0IP, 7H, 7ER, 3BB, 5K) to take a 4-2 lead over the Sun Devils. The scoring remained quiet until the 5th when Hatcher walked, and Larry Sedlacek (2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2RBI) cracked a 2-run home run to left field, and Lewis Hoyt (1-5, HR, R, RBI) followed that up with a wall-scraper to right-center to push the Trojans’ lead to 7-2. Jake Peterson (2-5, 2HR, 2R, 2RBI) led off the 6th with the first of his 2 solo homers to make the score 7-3. With a lead that would not survive the inning, Turner Evans (0.1IP, 3H, 3ER) entered and exited after 4 batters with the score 7-6 after giving up back to back home runs to Ortiz and David Sierra (1-4, HR, R, RBI). Enter Felix Seung who managed to enter and exit having given up the lead, but did not record an out after giving up 4 hits and 2 runs, including Jake Peterson’s second solo shot of the night as Arizona takes an 8-7 lead. The story in this game was that no member of either bullpen really cared to hold a lead as Guy McMasters (0.2IP, 2H, ER, 2BB) blew the save in the bottom of the 8th on back to back run scoring singles, but did manage to escape a bases loaded situation to end in the inning. Anaheim reclaimed the lead 9-8. Anaheim brought in closer Bernard Townsend (1.0IP, H, 2ER, BB) looking to shut the door on game 2…that was not to happen as Townsend did something he only did 6 times during the regular season and blew the save. He walked Buddy Buckley (2-4, 2B, 2R) to lead the inning off before recording a pop-out and a fly-out. Just as it looked like he was going to escape with a save, pinch-hitter Julian Green had other things in mind, and showed it to everyone with a 2-run home run to left-field to give Arizona the 10-9 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. Enter Fireman of the Year Justin Ward to shut the door. He enticed a pop-out, gave up an infield single, and then struck out Game 1 hero Tavarez for the second out. Up comes Rafael Nieves (2-3, HR, 3R, 2RBI, 2BB) and he took Ward deep to right field to end Game 2 with a walk-off home run in yet another epic confrontation between these two titans.
ANAHEIM WINS, 11-10. ANAHEIM LEADS THE SERIES 2-0.
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