Monday, August 22, 2016

Season 38 Mid Season Power Rankings





Los Angeles Colemans
Current: 1  Last: 10

Who needs Andrea Sheffield? Rookie Erv George 26 of 28 in save opportunities.

Honolulu Jackwagons
 Current: 2  Last: 5

Louie Li notches his 200th win, as 'Wagons leapfrog two division rivals in the standings.


Richmond Confederates
Current: 3  Last: 2

Consistency separates them from the crowded NL South pack.

Colorado Surf Riders III
Current: 4  Last: 7

ChicoJiminez providing the much needed spark atop the order.

Cincinnati Dawgs
Current: 5  Last: 3

Leading the NL in runs, needing every one of them to stave off rival Detroit.


Santa Fe Brooks
Current: 6  Last: 4

Hoping to keep Wichita at bay while they wait for Rich Wright to return for the stretch run.

Wichita Rocks 
Current: 7  Last: 14

Looks like Brent Davis has figured it out; 9-1 since his rough start.

Detroit Chippewas 
Current: 8  Last: 13

As expected, rookie Aramis Javier gets the starting pitching on track to make their run at Cincinnati.

Washington D.C. Senators
Current: 9  Last: 8

Birdie Henley taking giant strides towards becoming World's all time strikeout leader while fending off Philly for the division.



Las Vegas  Bookies
Current: 10  Last:  1

Hitting has cooled off a bit, but their stellar run prevention has helped nurse their one time big lead.

Burlington Bookworms
Current: 11  Last: 19

Sharknado comment lights a fire under Giancarlo Valez. Excluding a shelling at Colorado, He's 3-1 with a 1.82 ERA since.

Iowa City Johnsons
  Current: 12  Last: 6

Two recent rough patches have them chasing Richmond for the division and a handful of teams for the Wild Card.

Scranton Rail Riders
Current: 13  Last: 17


Strong pen, led by Ricky Gold, keeping them within striking distance of both the division and a Wild Card.

Texas Wildcats
Current: 14  Last: 15

Late bloomer Eric Strickland poises to make his second All-Star team in as many seasons.


Montreal Stars
Current: 15  Last: 11

Close enough that they have to at least consider bringing up new International stud Josias Tejera.



Philadelphia Phoenix
Current: 16  Last: 9

The Stu McCurry revival is in full effect; the 38-year old is 4-1 with a 1.73 ERA since joining the rotation.

Jacksonville Minutemen
Current: 17  Last: 21

Still in the mix for a Wild Card, but the bigger question is whether or not Redondo will be wearing a different uniform before the end of the year.


Tampa Bay Don Cesars
Current: 18  Last: 16

Has been fading in and out of contention all season...waiting for the real Dons to show up.



Pittsburgh Appalachians
Current: 19  Last: 18

Berry lost for the season while ownership is galavanting around town. Maybe time for a curfew in Pittsburgh.

Tacoma Tornadoes
Current: 20  Last: 26

Things are moving quickly for newly signed Jair Jacquez...out of the Dominican, into the rotation, and accepting a Player of the Week Award.

Charlotte Charlatans
Current: 21  Last: 22
They've grinded their way to the division lead on the back of Kosuke Sakamoto, 5-1 with a 2.03 ERA in his last eight starts.

Fargo Marlboro Men
Current: 22  Last: 12

Pitching staff holding their own, but almost the entire line up went into a slump (save Anibal Olivares.)

Durham Bulls
Current: 23  Last: 25

Have been quietly digging out of the hole created by their 0-10 start and playing some solid ball.

Anaheim Arte Morenos
Current: 24  Last: 23

Oquist scores two Player of the Week Awards and should make another All-Star team.

 
Syracuse Barking Spiders
Current: 25  Last: 27

Ownership gives the entire scouting department the “Coffee's for Closers” speech. First prize is a Cadillac, second prize is a set of steak knives...third prize is you're fired.



Toledo Mud Hens
Current: 26  Last: 20


Starters are taxing the bullpen, but they're staying afloat for a shot at the division.

Trenton Thunder
Current: 27  Last: 24

Should be one heckuva parade down the one street in municipal Trenton next spring as Nick Jacquez and John Suzuki enter the Hall together.

San Jose Sea Slugs
Current: 28  Last: 28

Holding their own and playing spoiler against some contenders. Tomas Rivera on pace for a career high in homers.

San Francisco Lockdown
Current: 29  Last: 31

Rookie Tony Campos enjoying the spacious digs of AT&T Park.

New York Blues
Current: 30  Last: 29

Have won 6 of 9, including taking series against Las Vegas and Honolulu.

New York Bombers
Current: 31  Last:  30

Jimmy Elarton mashing his way to a third All-Star appearance.


Chicago Blagos
Current: 32   Last: 32

In the midst of a 10-5 stretch and playing spoiler to some tough NL South opponents.





Sunday, August 7, 2016

Season 38 Quarter Season Power Rankings




Las Vegas  Bookies
Current: 1  Last:  30

AL's  best run prevention (by a long shot.)  Four starters with WHIPs of 1.26 or lower, led by Ken Dreses's 0.96.

Richmond Confederates
Current: 2  Last: 9

NL's highest scoring offense, even with Troy Perez serving a DL stint.

Cincinnati
Cincinnati Dawgs
Current: 3  Last: 12

NL's top home run hitting team has four players with 9 or more, led by Julio Molina's 11.


Santa Fe Brooks
Current: 4  Last: 8

High powered offense is still chugging along, but it's rare to the Brooks in the top half of the league in pitching.  Added depth to the staff, with the likes of Ivan Guzman, have kept them at the top of the division.

Honolulu Jackwagons
 Current: 5  Last: 1

Offense has been sluggish so far, but Keone Randolph is having a nice follow up to his rookie season.


Iowa City Johnsons
  Current: 6  Last: 5

Diego Alvarez has rebounded from last season's disaster, and rookie Bill Fisher has absolutely burst onto the scene.

Colorado Surf Riders III
Current: 7  Last: 17

Insane .938 team OPS (next highest is .812.)  Six players above that mark, led by Andy Lincoln's 1.093.

Washington D.C. Senators
Current: 8  Last: 13

Rob Canseco looking to become just the second player in World history to hit .400, and could challenge Omar Castillo's .419 back in season 6.

Philadelphia Phoenix
Current: 9  Last: 18

Ace Kenley Skinner on track for a Cy Young caliber season;  slugger Darrell Campbell on track for his best season too.

Los Angeles Colemans
Current: 10  Last: 4

A fourth consecutive Cy Young for Harry Arias seems pretty likely.


Montreal Stars
Current: 11  Last: 7

Holding their own so far (11-9) since the devastating injury to Roberto Hernandez (formally known as Fausto Carmona.)

Fargo Marlboro Men
Current: 12  Last: 16

Neil Reed bouncing back nicely from his elbow surgery.  Currently second in team ERA.


Detroit Chippewas
 Current: 13  Last: 10

Kevin Hatteberg has been everything they hoped he'd be; just waiting for the pitching to come around (rookie Aramis Javier should help.)


 
Wichita Rocks
 Current: 14  Last: 2

Alexi Arenado on pace for a monster season.  Brent Davis needs to figure it out...fast.

Texas
Texas Wildcats
Current: 15  Last: 19

Goose King on pace for 140 runs.  Anthony Clark taking on the staff ace role.

Tampa Bay Don Cesars
Current: 16  Last: 20

Denny Jung having a nice all around season, keeping them in the mix.

Scranton Rail Riders
Current: 17  Last: 15

Both Max Thompson and 26 year old rookie Donaldo Correa tearing it up.


Pittsburgh Appalachians
Current: 18  Last: 14

NTS (Not too Shabby) for a team supposedly in rebuild mode.  Getting strong performances from role player types, like journeyman hurler Larry Dean and closer Brett Johnson. 



Burlington Bookworms
Current: 19  Last: 3

"Jackson and Melville and pray for a Sharknado."   Doug Wall following up his Silver Slugging rookie season quite nicely for the champs.


Toledo Mud Hens
Current: 20  Last: 25

Too bad Alex Gonzalez can't play more often, the boy would be a beast.  Offense led attack is keeping them on top of the division.



Jacksonville
Jacksonville Minutemen
Current: 21  Last: 26

15 homers so far for Midre Salas.  Team just two games out of the division lead.


Charlotte Charlatans
Current: 22  Last: 6

Too many guys like Dave Haren in deep slumps. Even if some of them can bust out, look out.


Anaheim Arte Morenos
Current: 23  Last: 23

Cord Hennessey and Nicky Oquist having remarkably similar seasons.     The team is hoping former Moreno Edward Jefferies win a future Player of the Week so they can throw a Cotillian.  


Trenton Thunder
Current: 24  Last: 31

Three starters with WHIPs of 1.21 or lower, led by the irrepressible Billy Ray Norton.

Durham Bulls
Current: 25  Last: 21

All hit and no pitch makes Johnny a dull, dull boy.  All hit and no pitch makes Johnny a dull, dull boy.  All hit and no pitch makes Johnny a dull, dull boy.  All hit and no pitch makes Johnny a dull, dull boy. All hit and no pitch makes Johnny a dull, dull boy.  (Except for James Barker.) 

Tacoma Tornadoes
Current: 26  Last: 11

Once Luis Peron and Jolbert Saenz get on track they should be aiight.


Syracuse Barking Spiders
Current: 27  Last: 24

Lon Giles poised to break out in a big way.   Don Hasegawa the closer from Hell.
San Jose
San Jose Sea Slugs

Current: 28  Last: 28

Much needed make-over is in full effect.  Tomas Rivera upping his trade value with a strong season.  And don't go into OT with the boys from San Jose (5-1 in extra's.)

New York Blues
Current: 29  Last: 22

League's worst defense is not doing the strong arms on the staff any favors.  Hipolito Cordero having a nice season despite the D behind him.

New York
New York Bombers
Current: 30  Last:  29


The Jimmy Elarton-led offense isn't bad, and the 'pen is actually very good.  It's the starters that are letting the games get away.

San Francisco Lockdown
Current: 31  Last: 32

Still racking up the steals, but leading to fewer runs.

Chicago Blagos
Current: 32   Last: 27

At least they have deep dish pizza.