Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Power Rankings - All Star Snub Edition


Louisville Nightmare
Last: 1  Current: 1

Sam Henry's .855 OPS at 3B would normally make him an All-Star.

Wichita Rocks
Last: 4  Current: 2

With pitching the name of the game in Wichita, I'm sure Aurelio Romero felt left out.
Albuquerque Atomic Ratz
Last: 2  Current: 3

Hard to believe Wladimir Ontiveros has only made one All-Star team.  I bet he thought this would be his second.

Honolulu Jackwagons
Last: 3  Current: 4

Slightly off last year's pace,  but Rudy Howell not making it means it's a tough year for catchers.

Iowa Johnsons
Last: 6  Current: 5

A double-rarity; not only does perennial Clarence Coleman not make it, but the entire Iowa staff gets shut out.

Monterrey Minute Men
Last: 5  Current: 6

I bet Laynce Elder was banking on joining his five Minute Men brothers.

Richmond Confederates
Last: 8  Current: 7

There will be plenty of future All-Star appearances for Dude Blake.  This season was a near-miss.
Santa Fe Brooks
Last: 12  Current: 8

The squeeze at 1B in the AL kept Skip Walton from making his 4th All-Star team.


Scranton Rail Raiders
Last: 11  Current: 9

The hitters get all the glory in Scranton, but Damaso Calvo would have felt right at home at the midsummer classic.


Los Angeles Colemans
Last: 15  Current: 10

Kris Roenicke is finally having the season he's capable of, but not quite enough to earn an All-Star nod.


Anaheim Arte Morenos
Last: 10  Current: 11

Julio Cairo is having his best season since his All-Star season 32, but came up short.

Pittsburgh Appalachians
Last: 9  Current: 12

Former ROY Karim Izquieredo should be making his second appearance, but has been a victim of run support.
Trenton Thunder
Last: 7  Current: 13

If  Horacio DeLeon hadn't split the season between two teams, his 90 RBI surely would have landed him a spot on the All-Star squad.
Fargo Marlboro Men
Last: 17  Current: 14

You know 2B is stacked when Oswaldo Flores's .833 OPS can't make the cut.

Milwaukee Boomers
Last: 16  Current: 15

I understand Esmil Izquierdo being a victim of the numbers game, but Juan Bennett's absence is a real head scratcher.
Philadelphia Phoenix
Last: 18  Current: 16

   If  Kenley Skinner's record was maybe just a game better, he assuredly would have been an All-Star.


Augusta Polar Bears
Last: 14  Current: 17

If Anthony Blackley had pitched a few more innings, he would have gotten a spot.
Chicago Blagos
Last: 20  Current: 18

John Suzuki is certainly not used to sitting home during the break.

Durham Bulls
Last: 13  Current: 19

I'm sure the Bulls were packing Nicky Oquist's bags for the trip.
Colorado Bigfoot
Last: 19  Current: 20

Tough to have Hal Ladendorf  sitting at home with his 37 HR's and 89 RBI.

Burlington Bookworms
Last: 21  Current: 21

If he had received some decent run support, Valerio Santiago and his 1.03 WHIP would be making the trip.

Hippopotamus Dance Party
Last: 22 Current: 22

Kevin Hatteberg a victim of the 1B squeeze.
Syracuse Barking Spiders
Last: 23  Current: 23

 Asdrubal Contreras is certainly a future All-Star, many times over.

San Antonio Wildcats
Last: 25  Current: 24

Albert Walsh looked like he was on track to make it, but fell just a bit short.
Kansas City Blues
Last: 28  Current: 25

Pedro "Prince" Ontiveros has All-Star qualifications, but it's hard to argue against the guys who made it in RF.

Tampa Bay Don Cesars
Last: 29  Current: 26

Anibel Olivares was hoping to make his fifth All-Star team, but he tailed off after a hot start.

San Francisco Lockdown
Last: 30  Current: 27

It would have been nice to see veteran journeyman Guillermo Rodriguez make his first All-Star team for the job he's done this season.


Tacoma Tornadoes
Last: 24  Current: 28

Too bad the Tornadoes couldn't score more runs for Bill Scheppers, or else he'd be an All-Star.

Detroit Chippewas
Last: 27  Current: 29

Same story for Delanor Melville.

Washington DC Senators
Last: 26  Current: 30

Ditto for Birdie Henley, who could have added the fifth berth to his resume.
Charlotte Charlatans
Last: 31  Current: 31

Anibel Espada has quietly put together a few very good seasons, including an All-Star worthy campaign so far this season.
Arizona Wild Kittys
Last: 32  Current: 32

Gloveman Albert Buckley had a 22 game hitting streak earlier this season, and is having an overall All-Star caliber year.















































































Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Power Rankings


Louisville Nightmare
Last: 5  Current: 1

David Sisk and the entire pitching staff  are clicking on all cylinders.

Albuquerque Atomic Ratz
Last: 8  Current: 2

Gerald Hull is back to Hall of Fame form, puts franchise back to elite status.

Honolulu Jackwagons
Last: 7  Current: 3

Cy Henry and Enrique Concepcion forcing separation from Anaheim.

Wichita Rocks
Last: 2  Current: 4

Alex Harris trying to better last season's 18-3 mark, but how long can Jorge Macias keep his job as closer?


Monterrey Minute Men
Last: 1  Current: 5

Louie Li trying his best to win a 3rd ring, and Stefen Redondo blah, blah, blah.

Iowa Johnsons
Last: 14  Current: 6

Gerald Sparks having an MVP type season.  Five dudes with double-digit homers (and a 6th with 9.)


Trenton Thunder
Last: 9  Current: 7

Breakout season from Ron Westmoreland and the addition of Horacio DeLeon have ignited the Thunder.

Richmond Confederates
Last: 13  Current: 8

Dude "I Hate the Eagles" Blake coming into his own;  rookie Manny Iwazaki makes Richmond shrug off the departures of Pasqual Rodriguez and Harry Arias.

Pittsburgh Appalachians
Last: 12  Current: 9

Wasn't expecting the offensive output from  Delino Osuna.  The addition of Mike Christians should keep the run production moving in the right direction.

Anaheim Arte Morenos
Last: 6  Current: 10

Anthony Aven making a bid for his 3rd Cy Young.  Offense has dipped since Horacio DeLeon  was dealt.
Scranton Rail Raiders
Last: 4  Current: 11

Potential to have six 100 RBI guys this season, led by Alex Scott and Kiki Torres.
Santa Fe Brooks
Last: 3  Current: 12

Samuel Merrick poised to go 4 for 4 in All-Star appearances.


Durham Bulls
Last: 25  Current: 13

Just keep on winning despite a negative run differential.  Bullpen led by Alan RichardsonUgueth Torres and Cecil Clark probably has a lot to do with it.

Augusta Polar Bears
Last: 16  Current: 14

Anthony Blackley 11 for 11 in save opportunities.

Los Angeles Colemans
Last: 15  Current: 15

Daniel Mulder gives the offense (and title hopes) a legitimate boost.
Milwaukee Boomers
Last: 10  Current: 16

Esmil Izquierdo, on pace for another 40-something homer season, and Juan Bennet leading the Boomers to the top of the division.

Fargo Marlboro Men
Last: 11  Current: 17

Denny Jung having another incredible season.  Pitching needs to get back on track to contend.


Philadelphia Phoenix
Last: 18  Current: 18

Robbie Davis rewarding the Phoenix for giving him playing time.   Stu McCurry and Kenley Skinner a solid 1-2 punch.


Colorado Bigfoot
Last: 19  Current: 19

Hal Ladendorf the perfect player for Coors.  Four man rotation tough going, though.


Chicago Blagos
Last: 23  Current: 20
Nick Jacquez on pace for one of his best all-time seasons, keeping them in the hunt.

Burlington Bookworms
Last: 27  Current: 21



Riding on the back of red hot Carlton Hines.


Hippopotamus Dance Party
Last: 24 Current: 22

Former MVP Octavio Macias looking to add to his trophy case.


Syracuse Barking Spiders
Last: 22  Current: 23

Harry Duran having a nice little season, making hurlers pay for pitching around Asdrubal Contreras and  Joe Cooper.
Tacoma Tornadoes
Last: 20  Current: 24

Billy Ray Norton and Bill Scheppers keeping them in the thick of things while Benny Molina tries to shake off his slump.


San Antonio Wildcats
Last: 21  Current: 25

Wonder how Miguel Bennet feels about the restructuring?


Washington DC Senators
Last: 26  Current: 26

If Oleg D'Amico can break out of his funk, they may have a run in them.

Detroit Chippewas
Last: 30  Current: 27

Cup of coffee has turned into a Box o' Joe for Will "The Thrill" Clark.  What to do with the dominant Delanor Melville?  Could get a King's Ransom, but maybe better to build around.


Kansas City Blues
Last: 28  Current: 28

Dingo Robinson quietly putting together another quality season.  Future star in the making.


Tampa Bay Don Cesars
Last: 17  Current: 29

Recent L11 has buried the Dons and put them in restructure mode.



San Francisco Lockdown
Last: 31  Current: 30

Steve Snow getting hot.



Charlotte Charlatans
Last: 29  Current: 31

Luis Jacquez  having a very nice season.  Pitching is making the short term outlook precarious.


Arizona Wild Kittys
Last: 32  Current: 32

Jesus Trenidad producing while finally given a chance.  Pitching woes haven't been addressed.