Welcome to the weekly review of the NL South. It’s been an interesting week for the NL South as the Huntington Blazers (15-5) have jumped out to a 3 game lead over the Charleston Chiefs (12-8). The Charlotte Knights (9-10) are 5.5 games off the pace and the Jacksonville Hurricanes (8-11) are 6.5 games out.
Huntington Blazers (15-5) AAA (14-5)/ AA (13-6)/ HIA (9-10)/ LOA (6-13)
The Blazers have started out blazing by winning every series so far, while sweeping the Knights and Hurricanes also. They are 9-5 at home, 6-0 on the road and 9-1 within the division. The Blazers have the number 1 offensive in the National League with 132 runs scored, 6.60 runs per game. They also led the National League in Hits (231), RBI (131), AVE (.322), OBP (.389) and OPS (.873) but they are also leading the league with 148 strikeouts. (3B) Carlos Trinidad (.367, 3, 17) and (SS) Trenidad Rincon (.366, 6, 22) have been giving opposing pitchers problem so far in the beginning of the season. (1B) Mac Huyen (.314, 4, 15), (RF) Allen Sutton (.315, 2, 11), (C) Pat Montgomery (.308, 2, 11) have been making it a tough battle for any pitcher so far this year to get through the order. Can the offensive continue this kind of fire power through out the year or will it eventually slow down?
The pitching staff hasn’t been left out with this great start, only allowing 86 runs scored, 4.52 runs per game. They are second in the National League with a 4.08 ERA. The ace of the staff Johnny Liden (3-0, 2.52) and fifth starter Casey Timlin (3-1, 3.18) have been doing a great job anchoring the rotation. Alfonso Romero (1-1, 3.28) as had some rough luck so far this season with bullpen losing two games for him. The bullpen as struggled at times with a 4.62 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP but have only blown one save so far. Brian Sakamoto was given the closer job but as blown the only save and a 12.15 ERA, so he lost it to Eric Baker. Baker as taken the job and ran with it by saving all 4 chances and allowing only one run.
DL
Edgar Ordonez (shoulder surgery) – Out for the season
Ariel Quevedo (stiff neck) – 15 day DL
Roster Moves
Ramiro Montanez (CF) - FA pickup
Jared Fischbach (RF) – Promoted to ML
Charleston Chiefs (12-8) AAA (15-4)/ AA (9-10)/ HIA (9-10)/ LOA (11-8)
The Chiefs started the season off cold, losing 7 of there first 9 games. Then they pulled off 9 straight victories before Scranton final stopped the streak. They are 3-3 at home, 9-5 on the road and 4-6 within the division. They have scored 120 runs which is the second best in the league, averaging 6.00 runs per game. They are also second in the league in Hits (224), RBI (117), AVE (.306), OBP (.369), SLG (.487) and OPS (.856), while also tied for first with 45 SB. (3B) Orlando Molina (.373, 6, 25) is providing the power, while (2B) Edgar Cornejo (.357, 4, 15) have provided the speed with 20 steals. (RF) Miguel Nunez (.341, 3, 12) as 5 stolen bases, (CF) Magglio Elcano (.329, 0, 7) as 9 steals as well, given catchers fits when playing this team. They face the same questions as the Blazers do about the offensive being able to stay hot or will it begin to cool down.
The pitching staff had struggled in the beginning of the season but has improved since the 9 game winning streak began. They are 5th in the league in ERA with 4.27, allowing 93 runs, 4.65 runs per game. Brett Hoover (4-0, 2.97) and Don Morgan (2-0, 1.95) as been an unbeatable one to two punch, combining for half the teams wins. The bullpen as really struggled so far with a 4.99 ERA and blowing 2 saves. Four different pitches as saved a game for the Chiefs, Enrique Vincente being the last.
DL
Ryan Cox (strained hamstring) – 15 day DL
Roster Moves
Edwin Messmer (LF) - Promoted to ML
Charlotte Knights (9-10) AAA (10-9)/ AA (9-10)/ HIA (8-11)/ LOA (5-14)
The Knights started off great, winning 7 out of there first 10 games, but has hit a nose dive, winning only twice in there last 9 games. They are 2-4 at home, 7-6 on the road, and 3-5 within the division. They have scored 94 runs, 4.95 runs per game. The offensive has been able to blast the ball over the fence, hitting 31 homeruns, good for third in the league, but that’s the only thing the offensive has been able to do. They are last in Hits (149), AVE (.230), and OBP (.302). (2B) Vladimir Valentin (.247, 7, 21) and (CF) Dario Newfield (.240, 7, 13) has provided the power. (RF) Timothy Stokes (.320, 1, 11) leads the team with 13 runs scored. Can the Knights offensive find the ability to get men on base, so that the big power guys in the middle of the order can bring them around, or will the offensive rely on the pitching staff to keep them in the games?
The pitching staff as been good so far this season at shutting down the opposite teams offensive for the most part. They have allowed 85 runs so far, 4.47 runs per game. They are 7th in the league with a 4.56 ERA. Starting pitchers Henry Nathan (0-1, 3.26), Bernard Wilson (1-0, 3.46), Jimmy Butler (1-1, 3.76) as pitched well, but the bullpen hasn’t been able to hold on to the games for them. The starting pitching as only accounted for 4 wins, despite posting a 4.52 ERA. The bullpen is 5-6 with 7 saves in 11 chances, but also has a 4.88 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. Einar Olivares is leading the bullpen with 4 saves, but as also blown 3 more. Julio Bocachica as been a good backup option getting 2 saves and not allowing a single run so far this season.
DL
None
Roster Moves
None
Jacksonville Hurricanes (8-11) AAA (7-12)/ AA (10-9)/ HIA (10-9)/ LOA (11-8)
The Hurricanes started out awful, winning for four times during there first 14 games. They have won 4 out of there last 5 to get close to .500. They are 6-7 at home, 2-4 on the road, and 2-8 within the division. They have scored 83 runs, 4.37 runs per game. The offensive has been able to get the hits with 177 but have been unable to get them across home plate (if there was a stat for runners in scoring position average, they could possible be last). (2B) Gus Martin (.384, 4, 16) and (3B) Artie Spence (.356, 5, 13) have been providing the offensive they were expected to provide this season. (RF) Warren Richardson (.263, 6, 17) leads the team in homeruns and RBI’s, while (LF) David Yamakazi (.234, 4, 10) leads the team with 14 runs scored. Who have to wonder if the hitters for the Hurricanes are trying to hard with runners in scoring position to get them across and tightening up at the plate or are they trying to make up for the pitching staff that is getting killed on most nights. Can the Hurricanes begin to relax at the plate and start bringing the runners around before it becomes a year long problem?
The pitching staff has struggled so far this year. They have allowed 109 runs, 5.74 runs allowed per game. They are second to last in ERA at 5.80, and OAV at .285. The only bright so far for the pitching staff is they lead the league in strikeouts with 145. Geronimo Valdes (3-1, 3.24) has been the only ace in the staff so far, as the rest of the starting pitchers are 3-7 with an ERA of 6.04. The bullpen has been to get 5 saves, and have only blown 2 saves. Elroy Cogan as been his normal closer self getting 4 saves and only blown one. The bullpen’s 7.01 ERA is a real concern for the team, as it needs to improve for the team to contend within the division.
DL
None
Roster Moves
None
NL SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
3/5/2008 - 3/12/2008
Orlando Molina
Huntington Blazers (15-5) AAA (14-5)/ AA (13-6)/ HIA (9-10)/ LOA (6-13)
The Blazers have started out blazing by winning every series so far, while sweeping the Knights and Hurricanes also. They are 9-5 at home, 6-0 on the road and 9-1 within the division. The Blazers have the number 1 offensive in the National League with 132 runs scored, 6.60 runs per game. They also led the National League in Hits (231), RBI (131), AVE (.322), OBP (.389) and OPS (.873) but they are also leading the league with 148 strikeouts. (3B) Carlos Trinidad (.367, 3, 17) and (SS) Trenidad Rincon (.366, 6, 22) have been giving opposing pitchers problem so far in the beginning of the season. (1B) Mac Huyen (.314, 4, 15), (RF) Allen Sutton (.315, 2, 11), (C) Pat Montgomery (.308, 2, 11) have been making it a tough battle for any pitcher so far this year to get through the order. Can the offensive continue this kind of fire power through out the year or will it eventually slow down?
The pitching staff hasn’t been left out with this great start, only allowing 86 runs scored, 4.52 runs per game. They are second in the National League with a 4.08 ERA. The ace of the staff Johnny Liden (3-0, 2.52) and fifth starter Casey Timlin (3-1, 3.18) have been doing a great job anchoring the rotation. Alfonso Romero (1-1, 3.28) as had some rough luck so far this season with bullpen losing two games for him. The bullpen as struggled at times with a 4.62 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP but have only blown one save so far. Brian Sakamoto was given the closer job but as blown the only save and a 12.15 ERA, so he lost it to Eric Baker. Baker as taken the job and ran with it by saving all 4 chances and allowing only one run.
DL
Edgar Ordonez (shoulder surgery) – Out for the season
Ariel Quevedo (stiff neck) – 15 day DL
Roster Moves
Ramiro Montanez (CF) - FA pickup
Jared Fischbach (RF) – Promoted to ML
Charleston Chiefs (12-8) AAA (15-4)/ AA (9-10)/ HIA (9-10)/ LOA (11-8)
The Chiefs started the season off cold, losing 7 of there first 9 games. Then they pulled off 9 straight victories before Scranton final stopped the streak. They are 3-3 at home, 9-5 on the road and 4-6 within the division. They have scored 120 runs which is the second best in the league, averaging 6.00 runs per game. They are also second in the league in Hits (224), RBI (117), AVE (.306), OBP (.369), SLG (.487) and OPS (.856), while also tied for first with 45 SB. (3B) Orlando Molina (.373, 6, 25) is providing the power, while (2B) Edgar Cornejo (.357, 4, 15) have provided the speed with 20 steals. (RF) Miguel Nunez (.341, 3, 12) as 5 stolen bases, (CF) Magglio Elcano (.329, 0, 7) as 9 steals as well, given catchers fits when playing this team. They face the same questions as the Blazers do about the offensive being able to stay hot or will it begin to cool down.
The pitching staff had struggled in the beginning of the season but has improved since the 9 game winning streak began. They are 5th in the league in ERA with 4.27, allowing 93 runs, 4.65 runs per game. Brett Hoover (4-0, 2.97) and Don Morgan (2-0, 1.95) as been an unbeatable one to two punch, combining for half the teams wins. The bullpen as really struggled so far with a 4.99 ERA and blowing 2 saves. Four different pitches as saved a game for the Chiefs, Enrique Vincente being the last.
DL
Ryan Cox (strained hamstring) – 15 day DL
Roster Moves
Edwin Messmer (LF) - Promoted to ML
Charlotte Knights (9-10) AAA (10-9)/ AA (9-10)/ HIA (8-11)/ LOA (5-14)
The Knights started off great, winning 7 out of there first 10 games, but has hit a nose dive, winning only twice in there last 9 games. They are 2-4 at home, 7-6 on the road, and 3-5 within the division. They have scored 94 runs, 4.95 runs per game. The offensive has been able to blast the ball over the fence, hitting 31 homeruns, good for third in the league, but that’s the only thing the offensive has been able to do. They are last in Hits (149), AVE (.230), and OBP (.302). (2B) Vladimir Valentin (.247, 7, 21) and (CF) Dario Newfield (.240, 7, 13) has provided the power. (RF) Timothy Stokes (.320, 1, 11) leads the team with 13 runs scored. Can the Knights offensive find the ability to get men on base, so that the big power guys in the middle of the order can bring them around, or will the offensive rely on the pitching staff to keep them in the games?
The pitching staff as been good so far this season at shutting down the opposite teams offensive for the most part. They have allowed 85 runs so far, 4.47 runs per game. They are 7th in the league with a 4.56 ERA. Starting pitchers Henry Nathan (0-1, 3.26), Bernard Wilson (1-0, 3.46), Jimmy Butler (1-1, 3.76) as pitched well, but the bullpen hasn’t been able to hold on to the games for them. The starting pitching as only accounted for 4 wins, despite posting a 4.52 ERA. The bullpen is 5-6 with 7 saves in 11 chances, but also has a 4.88 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. Einar Olivares is leading the bullpen with 4 saves, but as also blown 3 more. Julio Bocachica as been a good backup option getting 2 saves and not allowing a single run so far this season.
DL
None
Roster Moves
None
Jacksonville Hurricanes (8-11) AAA (7-12)/ AA (10-9)/ HIA (10-9)/ LOA (11-8)
The Hurricanes started out awful, winning for four times during there first 14 games. They have won 4 out of there last 5 to get close to .500. They are 6-7 at home, 2-4 on the road, and 2-8 within the division. They have scored 83 runs, 4.37 runs per game. The offensive has been able to get the hits with 177 but have been unable to get them across home plate (if there was a stat for runners in scoring position average, they could possible be last). (2B) Gus Martin (.384, 4, 16) and (3B) Artie Spence (.356, 5, 13) have been providing the offensive they were expected to provide this season. (RF) Warren Richardson (.263, 6, 17) leads the team in homeruns and RBI’s, while (LF) David Yamakazi (.234, 4, 10) leads the team with 14 runs scored. Who have to wonder if the hitters for the Hurricanes are trying to hard with runners in scoring position to get them across and tightening up at the plate or are they trying to make up for the pitching staff that is getting killed on most nights. Can the Hurricanes begin to relax at the plate and start bringing the runners around before it becomes a year long problem?
The pitching staff has struggled so far this year. They have allowed 109 runs, 5.74 runs allowed per game. They are second to last in ERA at 5.80, and OAV at .285. The only bright so far for the pitching staff is they lead the league in strikeouts with 145. Geronimo Valdes (3-1, 3.24) has been the only ace in the staff so far, as the rest of the starting pitchers are 3-7 with an ERA of 6.04. The bullpen has been to get 5 saves, and have only blown 2 saves. Elroy Cogan as been his normal closer self getting 4 saves and only blown one. The bullpen’s 7.01 ERA is a real concern for the team, as it needs to improve for the team to contend within the division.
DL
None
Roster Moves
None
NL SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
3/5/2008 - 3/12/2008
Orlando Molina
Orlando Molina is the Player of the Week. He went 31/83 for a batting average of .373 and hit 6 homeruns in 20 games. Molina also drove in 25 runs and .639 Slugging Percentage.
NL SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
3/5/2008 - 3/12/2008
Brett Hoover
Brett Hoover is the Pitcher of the Week. He gave up 11 earned run(s) in 33.1 innings for an ERA of 2.97. He went 4-0 over a span of 4 games. This included 2 complete games. Hoover struck out 26 while only walking 10.
NL SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
3/5/2008 - 3/12/2008
Brett Hoover
Brett Hoover is the Pitcher of the Week. He gave up 11 earned run(s) in 33.1 innings for an ERA of 2.97. He went 4-0 over a span of 4 games. This included 2 complete games. Hoover struck out 26 while only walking 10.
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