The Mistake on the Lake??

I'm not gonna hit the implosion button yet, but this Cuyahoga team is making my ulcer flare up regularly. So far, it has been a failure on all aspects on the ML squad. Pitching has been awful both in the rotation and in the pen. the offense has been offensive, with the exception of Brian Tomko and Geraldo Chavez. Turner Blake and Dave Perry who were performing exceptionally at AAA have been called up and veteran Bobby Penny will see an increase in playing time to use his wily veteran skills to maybe give this squad a little pick me up. There was no delusion of competing for a playoff spot this season, but sub .500 ball was not expected.

International signings, week 4.

A flurry of international signings ahead of the draft, most of the good MILB, marginal ML player type.



Boston signed RP Miguel Perez for 1.4 million and LF Ariel Mota for 1.3 million. Perez has questional health but great make-up, so we'll see, Mota is part of a trend of 90+ power potential signings.



Los Angeles signed LF Al Feliz for 460K. Another 90+ power guy, not merely cheap, but ultra cheap. An A+ on smart use of the money.



Jacksonville signed SP Damaso Amaro for 2 million. Good stuff, bad control. Will he make the ML some day? Who knows, but even as a career high inning MILB starter, he is a bargain.



Philadelphia signed 3B (RF?) Jesus Gonzalez for 2.3 million, I'm pretty sure to see if he can hit a curve ball. He is another 90+ power guy. Anybody noticing a trend this week?



Three very minor signings: Durham signed RP Jolbert Alcantaro for 190k, Huntington signed RP Domingo Reynoso for 80k, and Helena signed C Alex Fernanadez for 60K. All seem like reasonable MILB signings. I know in my case the Catcher is strictly to catch rookie ball.

Addendum: some time next week, my DSL will be up and running. Huzzah!

1st Quarter NL North Review

So the first quarter of Season 5 has come and gone in No Quitters II. The biggest surprise so far, to me at least, has been that Milwaukee has been keeping pace with Scranton. Both Scranton and Milwaukee are leading the league in wins with 28 and 26 respectively. Cleveland has crawled its way back near .500, while Buffalo is already 15 games back from the leaders. Lets take a team by team look at what's happening.

Scranton SweetSwing'n AbbyMo's (NL) coonja76 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Scranton has been dominate in every area of the game during the first 40 games. Going 14-5 at home and 14-7 away, they haven't been phased on the road. Leading the AbbyMo's have been preseason All NL North picks in Matt West and Chuck Parker. Chuck is absolutely tearing it up on the field, and is on pace to hit 68HRs and steal 73 bases. Possibly the first ever 60/60 guy? We'll see. As a team Scranton leads the NL in on base percentage by 15 points.

Their rotation has been just as dominate as their offense has been, as their top 4 pitchers have an ERA below 3.50. Carson Redmond has been having a season for the ages so far. Going 6-0 in 8 starts, he has struck out 53 while only walking 6. Douglas Dawkins has been consistent in the closers role so far, as he has converted 9 saves in 9 chances.

Despite having 3 players listed on the preseason All NL Defensive team, Scranton is dead last in last in errors allowed and fielding percentage, and consequentially are 2nd to last in unearned runs allowed. Although their defense has been trying their best to allow more runs to score, they are 3rd in the NL in runs allowed.

Milwaukee Timber Rattlers (NL) lccooler View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Milwaukee started the year with a 4 game sweep of Buffalo, and then promptly got swept by Scranton. So far this year we have been lead by minor league signing Preston Burkhart who is having an MVP type year so far. He leads all NL North hitters in RC/27 by almost an amazing 3 runs. Quinn Morgan is also having another fine season, posting a line of .365/.571/.936. Cody Relaford is in the middle of a sophomore slump, and has been relegated to the bottom of the batting order. Thankfully he hasn't forgotten how to play defense as well.

The Timber Rattlers have also been lead by the Big 3 as they have been the past 4 seasons. Ismael Torres has seen a return to his Cy Young season in season 2, while both Hugh Luebbers and Orber Gutierrez are holding their own in the rotation. Look for Milwaukee to replace a starter in the rotation by the all start break if the number 4 and 5 guys don't turn it around. Ted Alexander is following up his NL Fireman of the Year award from last year with another remarkable season so far. He started the season converting his first 14 saves without allowing a run, but gave up back to back solo home runs in his 15th save opportunity. He bounced back quickly saving the next game.

Milwaukee is also having a superb defensive season having only committed a total of 9 errors. This is second only to Las Vegas in the NL.

Cleveland Cuyahogas (NL) mytitan View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Cleveland has been having an up and down season thus far. They started out the season going 3-7, but have come back to a respectable 20-23. This is not that easy of a feat in the NL North with both Milwaukee and Scranton owning both the top two records in the NL. The Cuyahogas are having a great defensive and offensive season, and if their pitching would come around they could possibly compete for a wild card spot.

The Cuyahogas have been lead on offense by both Gary Crosby and Geraldo Chavez. Both are near the top of the NL North in offensive production, and each does it differently. Chavez is getting on base like no other, and is currently 3rd in the North, while Crosby is slugging the ball all over the place.

Pitching is a different story. While they aren't horrible, they is only one person on the team who is having an All Star season. So let's start with the good in Dennis Mercker. He's 5-1 in 8 starts and has 6 quality starts so far. Top prospect Jeff Gload, has been having a decent rookie season so far. While his ERA says otherwise, his WHIP has said otherwise. He's been respectable at home, but has gotten pounded on the road.

Buffalo Wings (NL) mdonegan View Hardball Dynasty Profile

What has gone right for Buffalo this year you may ask? Well besides Brutus Fleming there hasn't been much good news coming out of Buffalo. The wings are dead last in WHIP and ERA and 2nd to last in 1.8*OPS. The Wings have used a total of 14 different lineups on offense, and while they have used the same rotation since opening day, none of them is performing better than what a number 3 or 4 starter on any other staff would perform. Even the Wing's closer, Juan Perez, has a WHIP above 2.00.

It looks like mdonegan is going to need to hunker down for a long season, but as we've seen from the Top 100 prospect list, help is not that far away.

NL North 1st Qtr All Stars
C: Matt West - Scranton
1B: Quinn Morgan - Milwaukee
2B: Geraldo Chavez - Cleveland
3B: Brian Tomko - Cleveland
SS: Delino Martinez - Cleveland
LF: Chuck Parker - Scranton (Normally RF)
CF: Gary Crosby - Cleveland
RF: Preston Burkhart - Milwaukee

Starting Pitchers
Carson Redmond - Scranton
Ismael Sanchez - Milwaukee
Orber Guiterrez - Milwaukee
Dennis Merker - Cleveland
Dante Adkinsson - Scranton

Closer
Ted Alexander - Milwaukee


1st Qtr All NL North Defensive Team
C: Luis Oropesa - Milwaukee
1B: O.T. Wagner - Cleveland
2B: Geraldo Chavez - Cleveland
3B: Ramon Yang - Scranton
SS: Eduardo Rosado - Milwaukee
LF: Aubrey Goldman - Cleveland
CF: Gary Crosby - Cleveland
RF: Placido Ordonez - Cleveland

International Signings Week 3

Helena signed 3B\RF Fernando Manzanillo for 9.5 mil. Yes, the big news in the 3rd week of the season is the signing of Manzanillo, by, uh, well, me. Kind of hard to be objective here, but I believe he projects quality late 1st round pick level talent, and by definition, you can't do better than that. Helena has blown the entire prospect budget on the signing, and by drafting very conservative, can just sign the amateur draft. That's why they invented calulators people, so you can run budgets to within 100k of their maximum "tolerance".

Charlotte signed 2 people, C Rolando Flores at 556k, and reliever James Yamakazi at 2.0 Mil.
I think these are quality signings, especially the C, with some serious catcher skills, will be a serious MILB asset to any team he is on. Just make sure that when the pitchers he handles progress, you don't hand them over to some big bat\can't catch a game catcher without carefully thinking through the consequences.

Buffalo signed RP Omar Beltre for 2.3 million. Which just looking at the guy seems an unbelievable bargain for an RP projecting that talent.

New York Leathernecks signed OF Delino Sanchez for 3.6 Mil. This looks to be another good bargain in the INT signing season, as Sanchez projects to at least, what, okish ML OF?

Durham signed RP Jesus Valdez for 1.5 mil. Financially sound signing, but what to make of a guy with such a mix of really good and really bad ratings? "we'd better teach this guy some control before he kills somebody".

Since I'm a day late on posting (I have relatives visiting), I can't look at a "last week" search and be sure I've gotten everybody. So I apologise for anybody I missed. And I have the perceptable felling I've missed people.

NL South Weekly Review - Week 2

NL South Weekly Review

Welcome to the weekly review of the NL South. It’s been an interesting second week for the NL South as the Huntington Blazers (20-16) as been in a free fall allowing the surging Charlotte Knights (19-17) to come within 1 game. The Charleston Chiefs (18-18) are struggling as well but are still within 2 games. The Jacksonville Hurricanes (15-21) are hanging in there at 5 games back.

Huntington Blazers (20-16) AAA (24-12)/ AA (26-10)/ HIA (14-22)/ LOA (16-20)

The great start by the Blazers as turned into a nightmare the second week of the season. The Blazers have gone 5-11 during the last week, only winning one game each series that they’ve played. They are now 12-11 at home, 8-5 on the road and 11-15 playing against teams outside there division. The citizens of Huntington have gone out on search parties, looking for the missing offensive of the Blazers but as of today it has not been found. Last week they only scored 60 runs, good for 3.75 runs per game. The offensive as fell to 5h in runs scored (192) even as they still lead the league in Hits (375), AVE (.289) and second in OBP (.356), it is clear that the problem the team is struggle with men in scoring position. The strikeouts continue to cause problems as they still led the league with 273.
Mac Hyun (1B) – (.294, 12, 28) leads the team in Runs (27), HR (12), and RBI (28)
Allen Sutton (2B/RF) – (.281, 4, 13)
Carlos Trinidad (3B) – (.327, 8, 27) leads the team in Hits (48)
Benito Polanco (LF) – (.289, 7, 24) tied for the led SB (10) and leads the team in SO (37)
Trenidad Rincon (SS) – (.320, 8, 27) leads the team in Walks (18) and tied in 2B’s (6)

The pitching staff it seems as ran away with the offensive the last week. They have allowed 94 runs, 5.88 runs per game during the week. They have fallen to 9th in the National League with a 4.51 ERA. The starters are only averaging 5.5 innings per start and out of the teams 36 games only 17 have been quality starts. The team is hoping with their new acquisition of Pedro Martinez will provide enough innings to give the tired bullpen a breather. The bullpen as already pitched over 130 innings so far with Javier Hernandez already pitching in 23 games. The team as not found a closer yet, as Eric Baker as been hit hard his recently, losing the closer job to Haywood Brewer who as saved to 2 games.
Johnny Linden – (3-3, 4.98) leads the team in IP (43.1), GS (8), and tied in wins (3)
Rafael Torres – (3-2, 3.35) leads the team in SO (35) and tied in wins (3)
Haywood Brewer – (3.04, 2SV)

Can the Blazers stop the sinking ship or will they continue to sink to the bottom?

DL
Edgar Ordonez (shoulder surgery) – Out for the season
Roster Moves
Pedro Martinez (P) – Traded from New Britain
Jared Fischbach (RF) – Sent back to AAA
Alfonso Romero (P) – Sent to AAA

Charleston Chiefs (18-18) AAA (27-9)/ AA (19-17)/ HIA (17-19)/ LOA (22-14)

The Chiefs are cold once again, as there season seems to be going up and down already. They have only one 6 times in there last 16 games. With the Blazers struggling as well the Chiefs are still right behind the leaders. They are 9-10 at home, 9-8 on the road and 14-12 playing against teams outside there division. The offensive has gone ice cold the last week, unable to provide any kind of support to the pitching staff. The new GM as express that a team with a high payroll and high priced vets that this team is expected to win. Last week the offensive scored only 62 runs, scoring 3.88 runs per game during the week. The team has dropped to the middle of the pack in most offensive categories; expect they are second in the league in steals with 57.
Edgar Cornejo (2B) – (.315, 7, 21) leads the team in Runs (31), Hits (46), 2B (12), Walks (20), SO (29), and SB (25)
Miguel Nunez (RF) – (.308, 7, 20)
Orlando Molina (3B) – (.296, 10, 35) leads the team in HR (10), RBI (35)
Magglio Elcano (CF) – (.262, 1, 12)
Edgardo Ortiz (SS) – (.214, 4, 14)

As the offensive has struggled the pitching staff has been great. They have allowed 69 runs, 4.31 runs per game during the week. They are 3rd in the National League in ERA at 4.06. The starter’s average 6.8 innings per start, 5 complete games and they have 20 quality starts out of the 36 games played. Don Morgan as thrown the only shutout for the team so far. The bullpen has only pitched 71 innings so far, but it’s still closer by committee so far, with five different pitchers recording at least one save, Stevie Brumfield leading the team with 3, but they have also blown 5 saves as well.
Don Morgan – (3-3, 3.03) leads the team in IP (62.1), SHO (1) and SO (50)
Brett Hoover – (6-1, 2.72) leads the team in Wins (6), and CG (3)
Stevie Brumfield – (4.50, 3SV)

Can the veterans pull themselves out of there slump or will the pitchers need to step up even more.

DL
None
Roster Moves
Stevie Brumfield (P) - Promoted to ML
Miguel James (P) – Sent to AAA

Charlotte Knights (19-17) AAA (16-20)/ AA (13-23)/ HIA (21-15)/ LOA (9-27)

The Knights are hot, winning 10 out of there last 17 games. They have surged to within 1 game of the Huntington Blazers for the lead in the division. They are now 11-8 at home, 8-9 on the road, 14-12 playing against teams outside there division. The problems that plagued the offensive during the first week of the season, has been forgotten by the team, but more importantly by the fans themselves. The blazing hot offensive has gotten 165 hits, hit 32 homeruns, and scored 111 runs, 6.53 runs per game during the week. They are 2cd in runs scored with 205 and RBI with 201, they also led the league with 63 long balls. The team has gotten its AVE (.255), OBP (.328) up from the previous week, which as helped the offensive to explode.
Vladimir Valentin (2B) – (.257, 11, 35) tied with team led in RBI (35)
Timothy Stokes (RF) – (.298, 3, 17) leads the teams in Hits (39), 2B’s (10), and BB (18)
Lorenzo Park (3B) – (.248, 8, 25) leads the team in SO (29)
Dario Newfield (CF) – (.278, 14, 35) leads the team in Runs (27), HR (14), and RBI (35)
Phil File (1B) – (.197, 6, 14)

The pitching staff hasn’t had to be perfect the last week, but they where still pretty good. They have allowed only 74 runs, 4.63 runs per game during the week. They are 8th in the league in ERA at 4.45. The starter’s average 5.6 innings per start, 1 complete game and they have 19 quality starts out of the teams 37 games. Out of the 17 games played during the week, the starters won 8 times, as the bullpen was able to hold more leads this week. The bullpen has just pitch over 100 innings so far, with closer Einar Olivares leading the team with 18 games. The blown saves are still a real concern for the team as they have already blown 7 games this season.

Can the Knights hold onto leads late in the games or will that cost them more and more as the season goes forward.

Seth White – (3-2, 3.64) tied with the team led of 3 wins
Henry Nathan – (2-1, 2.45)
Einar Olivares – (4.91, 8SV)
DL
None
Roster Moves
None


Jacksonville Hurricanes (15-21) AAA (11-25)/ AA (23-13)/ HIA (19-17)/ LOA (16-20)

The Hurricanes just can’t get over the hump of being a .500 team. When ever they get close they seem to lose a couple in a row, forcing them to play catch up once again. The week started at well, winning there 5 out of the first 7 games, but have lost 8 out of the last 10 games. They are now 8-12 at home, 7-9 on the road, 13-12 playing against teams outside there division. The offensive has improved scoring 99 runs, 5.82 runs per game during the last week. The Hurricanes are having no problems getting men into scoring position as they led the league in doubles with 68, getting 360 hits and hitting .283 as a team, but they still are having a tough time getting them to score with only 182 runs scored so far this season.
Warren Richardson (RF) – (.275, 13, 35) leads the team in HR (13), and RBI (35)
Gus Martin (2B) – (.350, 6, 30) leads the team in Hits (49), and SO (31)
Marino Aramboles (SS) – (.274, 1, 6)
David Yamakazi (1B/LF) – (.270, 7, 22) leads the team in Runs (26)
Kent Miles (C) – (.321, 4, 16) leads the team in 2B’s (12)
The pitching staff has improved slightly during the last week. They have allowed 83 runs, 4.88 runs per game during the week. The moved up one stop with a 5.42 ERA. The starters are averaging 6.1 innings per game, 1 complete game and they have 15 quality starts out of the 36 games played. The team has found Geronimo Valdes is truly the staff ace leading the team in wins and ERA. The bullpen has pitched under 100 innings so far, giving them lots of rest to perform to there best abilities. Elroy Cogan has been solid when ever he gets a chance to be, but it’s been kind of an adventure in the bullpen to get to there great closer.
Clay Adams – (1-2, 4.47)
Geronimo Valdes – (5-2, 4.25) leads the team in W (5)
Elroy Cogan – (2.84, 5SV)

If the Hurricanes offensive starts to get hot will they still need to win games 8-7, 9-6 so they can approach .500 again?

DL
Artie Spencer (broken wrist) – 15 Day DL
Roster Moves
Teddy Black (1B) – Promoted to ML


NL SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
3/5/2008 - 3/12/2008
Dario Newfield
(Charlotte Knights)

Dario Newfield is the Player of the Week. He went 17/51 for a batting average of .333 and hit 7 homeruns in 14 games. Molina also drove in 22 runs, scored 16 runs and .804 Slugging Percentage.


NL SOUTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
3/5/2008 - 3/12/2008
Henry Nathan
(Charlotte Knights)

Henry Nathan is the Pitcher of the Week. He gave up 4 earned run(s) in 21.0 innings for an ERA of 1.71. He went 2-0 over a span of 3 games. Nathan struck out 13 while only walking 3.

Anticipation mounts for Amateur Draft

With the Amateur draft coming next week, the Cuyahogas, who have 3 first round picks, are cautiously optimistic about landing some quality SP prospects. Financial concerns due to the signing of IFA Frank Li have the bean counters in Cleveland concerned about signability. Look for Cleveland to transfer some funds to the draft warchest and play it safe this season and not chase the riskier to sign prospects.

Bees Recover from Awful Start to Get Back to .500

Expectations were high in New Britain, CT after the Bees' 107 win season and ALCS appearance in Season 4. After signing Vasco Bennett in the offseason to a deep pitching staff and trading for Carlos Carrasco, it looked like the Bees were primed for a run at the AL pennant.

Then the season started and the Bees train wrecked to a 2-10 start. Tension in the clubhouse caused some tempers to flair, but the club refocused and kept it together. The Bees have rallied, going 12-4 in their last 16 games to even up their record at 14-14. They've managed to stay within shouting distance of division rival Portland, currently sitting 5.5 games out of first. The Bees have been led by their stellar starting staff, notably

Hardball Dynasty's

Cecil Stern

and

Hardball Dynasty's

Douglas Handworth

.

Cleveland's slow climb back to respectability

Even after an abysmal 4-12 start to the season, the Cuyahoga faithful held out hope that the team would find a way to hit on all cylinders and regain some respect within NQ2. Strong pitching and timely hitting(finally) the past 10 games has put Cleveland only 2 games under .500 and keeps them in the thick of the playoff run this season. Lead by Lonnie Garcia and Dennis Mercker on the hill, and Gary Crosby and Brian Tomko on offense, hope has returned to the shores of Lake Erie.

Hector Unamuno returns to the Jake

Hardball Dynasty's

Hector Unamuno

Throughout the short history of Cuyahogas baseball, no athlete was more beloved than Hector Unamuno. The holder of nearly all season and career pitching records returned to Cleveland to face his former teammates as a much heralded FA signing by the DC Revolution. Appearing to a standing ovation, Unamuno brought his "A" stuff, but fell short on a Bob Penny 2-run blast giving the Cuyahogas a much needed 3-2 win. GM Mark Shapiro commented that "while it was always the plan to have Hector in a Cleveland uniform, financially it didn't fit with our goals. We wish him all the luck in DC".

NL South Weekly Review

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

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.