Havoc Haulted in Sixteen

Okay, I know this is going to turn into something like the Wilt Chamberlin game but I was actually there last night to see Atlanta get held hit less for 15 innings only to win the game in the 16th. And while the announced crowd was 33,212 I am sure all around Atlanta this morning about 170,000 people are claiming to have been there.

Yes it was a great game, and yes the pitching performance by the Havoc was amazing. But lost in all of that are the little things in the first 15 innings that lead up to that great moment in the 16th.

Let's pick things up in the top of the 7th where with one out Johnny Turnbow hits a jam shot double that skips down the line and into the corner. Turnbow, who is not known for his speed held up at second a decision that would haunt his team. Had he gone for, and made it to third he would have scored on Vic Martinez's fly out to center on the next pitch. Instead he is stranded there and the scoreless duel continues.

Flash ahead to the 8th where the Havoc again have a runner on second. This time Bernard Campbell strikes out to end the inning on his way to an 0-7 day.

Then perhaps my favorite moment of the game in the bottom of the 9th. A moment which changed the course of the game in my opinion. Roger Higginson takes what appears to be strike two over the outside corner. Instead home plate umpire John Fredrickson rules it ball four.

And out from the dugout comes the Havoc manager Gator. After a lengthy argument he gets run and suddenly there on the mound is Andrea Cone, 115 pitches into his start and he has been standing watching this all for the past 9 min. With the extended delay and growing pitch count the Havoc are forced to go to the pen. In my opinion if it was just the walk in that situation Cone stays in and the Havoc don't explore the bullpen for at least another inning.

The game continues on and each team has a crack in the 10th with runners on but no one can push a run across. The teams each manages a few base runners but no one can push a run across and then we get to the 16th.

At this point I am wondering what Gator was thinking missing a game like this. The Havoc go quietly in the top half and then the unthinkable happens. Don Lawrence leads off the inning and cracks one to the right center gap. Everyone in the park is thinking double.

Everyone except Lawrence.

He goes flying, and I use the term loosely, past second and slides into third just ahead of the throw. The crowd, and myself, are on our feet and this time I find myself wondering if I am applauding the hustle for a triple or the fact that I just saw 15 innings of no hit baseball.

Estaban Macias then cracks one into deep left center, and its a good thing its deep because you can tell Lawrence is winded. The throw comes home and its a bang bang play with Feredrickson ruling safe.

Man what a night.

News and Notes...

Welcome to the first installment of my weekly column. For those of you who don’t know me I am Michael Dean, the roving reporter for Branch Rickey Baseball. Each week we will sift through the subterfuge and bring you the straight truth in BRB.

It has been an eventful past few weeks that saw the Santa Cruz Slugs trade both their all time Wins leader Ivan Hayes and their all time Saves leader Ernie Woodson. In return they picked up a “bag of magic beans” as one GM put it. GM Kneeneighbor however claims the team is not in rebuild mode and expects to contend next year.

Speaking of rebuild mode it appears that no one is off limits in Florida as they look to slash payroll and look ahead a few seasons.

One name we heard floated earlier in the year was Oakland’s Mack Clayton. I am not too sure how serious talks got but as of now he is off the market and Oakland, inspired by Scottsdale's summer swoon, is in buy mode looking for a hitter to add to their lineup which is currently ranked second to last in runs ahead of only the Kansas City Monarchs.

In another close race the NL West has all 4 teams with in 2 games of first place at the break. One NL gm told me he thinks Colorado Springs and Seattle will have to make a move to keep up in the race. Each of those franchises are new to winning and it is believed their young kids could struggle down the stretch.

And while we are on the topic of struggling what is going on in Charleston with Placido Santiago? The three time Cy Young winner has hit a wall this year. At 7-9 with a 4.70 ERA he looks like he could still be feeling the effects of the Shoulder injury he suffered late last year. I also heard from a few players in the Charleston club house who have questioned the practice of running him out their every 4th day.

Well I am off to watch the Home Run Derby now. Should be an interesting show. Until next time…

Season 5 draft Review

Here is the official Season 5 Draft Review:

1. Fred Rivera SS SJU 22y/o- Rivera has become the biggest question mark in the draft. Some are wondering if he is the next Craig Brownson. There is also some concern weather or not he is best suited for SS or 3B. One NL GM said “he’s not far from the show” and “would be an elite 3B.”

2. Clarence Bailey SS KC 18y/o- While his bat would not get lost at the Major League Level right now he is still al long ways away from having a defensive position. He does have the type of speed and base running ability that would fit nicely at the top of a line up. “That’s one guy who could steal 100 bases some day,” said an AL scout.

3. Bob Spencer 2B BUF 18y/o- There is debate over where Spencer would be more valuable 2B or CF but either way he appears to be off to a hot start hitting .424 in his first 9 games in RL. “I like him more as a 2B,” said one NL executive. “His offensive numbers there should be elite.”

4. David Calderon 2B CIN 18y/o- Another 2B with a great eye, makes contact and runs like the wind. “As sad as it sounds he could probably help that team as early as roster expansion this year,” said a AL GM. “that franchise has totally torn it down and needs to start winning or ownership may be looking to make a change, that could precipitate his early call up this year or next.”

5. Robert Ramsey SS JAX 22y/o- Ramsey is another player who has scouts arguing. “He lacks the defense to play SS” said one. “He lacks the kind of power you want from a 3B said another.” His development will be watched by many in the origination as they eventually decide his ML fate.

6. Fred Wilson SS CSP 22y/o- Wilson is a power player from the SS position that doesn’t come along very often. As long as he continues to improve his defense he looks to be a steal at pick 6. “Best player in the draft,” said one GM.

7. Garret Baker CF DET 22y/o- Baker is the CF of the future for the Teamsters. The question is how soon. His power will tempt the Teamsters to bring him up early and have him play the corner spots in the outfield or even 2B while he learns. “His speed and that park… he could lead the league in triples every year,” said al NL scout.

8. Todd Spiezio 3B MIN 20y/o- Spiezio should be a solid defensive 3B but executives are skeptical about his offensive prowess. “He doesn’t do any one thing amazingly well. He is just kind of there,” said an AL Executive.

9. Robert Hodges LF SEA 18y/o- Hodges projects out to be a solid left handed bat in the future. Some question when that will be though. “I can’t see him in the bigs with in the next 4 years,” said a scout. That would however still make him only 22 years old with plenty of career ahead of him.

10. Desi Hogan 1B CLB 20y/o- A slugging 1B Hogan could end up a triple crown threat every year. Scouts struggled to come up with something negative to say about him but when pressed one said “his speed and base running knowledge are week. I cant believe that out of 100,000 sperm he was the quickest and knew which way to go.”

(more to come later)

Top Remaining Prospect Budgets (post draft)

San Juan is currently waiting on top draft pick Hooks Randa to make a decision on a contract offer, but see image for top remaining budgets.

AL Rookie of the Year Contenders

Here is a quick look at AL Rookie of the Year Contenders. On the batting side, there are a few solid choices with a fruit taking the early lead. Peaches Wainhouse is hitting close to the .400 mark and is showing a great eye to get on base. Another front runner is Iago Conti who is blistering the ball with an OPS over 1.000 and is averaging an RBI per game. Harry Rivera is also putting on a strong showing while hitting over .300 and has a good combination of power and speed. Junior Maranon and Andre Adcock give the Scottsdale Sandsharks a solid base to build for the future around also. Maranon is a solid CF who can hit for power and can steal some bases. He also has the longest hitting streak among rookies at 17 games. Adcock has 40 HR potential with the ability to hit around .280.

Johan Nixon is putting on a strong showing for Santa Cruz early on with a 2.70 ERA and a 4-3 W/L record. He is being held back a little because of his low stamina. He will only be able to give 6-7 innings an outing. Mitch Gibson is trying to give the relievers a good name as he is sporting a .71 WHIP and is 3-0 with 2 saves. Ben Butler is putting on a good showing from the Rule V players, but with his WHIP (1.67), he cannot continue to keep the ERA as low as it is.

Early Predictions:

#1 - Iago Conti
#2 - Johan Nixon
#3 - Peaches Wainhouse
#4 - Mitch Gibson
#5 - Junior Maranon

NL will be posted later.

View after 1st Series

Well, after the 1st series we may not be able give the World Series away yet, but we do learn a lot. In the NL, its business as usual for the San Francisco Earthquakes as they open the season 3-1. The surprise of the NL is the Seattle Raniers, as Tripp Nelson and Rookie of the Year Candidate Tike Miller have led the way with 5 HR's and 10 RBI combined to give the Earthquakes a 4-0 start. The New Britain Sun Kings have also started out 4-0. Gerald Li is leading the way early on with a .476 OBP.

On the opposite side of the NL, is the Chicago Cubs and the Colorado Springs Sky Sox as they are each 0-4. Both teams were over .500 last year, so this year's start is really disappointing. Colorado Springs has had a bit of bad luck as their pitchers have a 3.86 ERA, but the bats have not done well early. Chicago's pitchers forgot when the season started and can't find the plate. Their bats have hit decent early, so hopefully the pitching comes around.

Over on the AL side of things, the big news may be the defending AL Champs, Oakland Athletics, starting the season at 1-3. They ran into the buzzsaw known as the Scottsdale Sandsharks (I know I'm biased). The Sandsharks pitchers started off strong with a 1.54 ERA early on in the season. The Houston Havoc started the year at 4-0 as they have gotten a good start from Irv Perez. The Kansas City Monarchs played like the butterflies they are in this 1st series, as they start out 0-4. A .192 team batting average for the Monarchs didn't help as they are struggling scoring runs.

The next story will try to preview the Rookie of the Year candidates for both the NL and AL. Stay tuned.

Spring Traing Over, Let the Games Begin

Most everyone survived Spring Training injury free. (Minus Boston SP Philip Graham and Minnesota CL Rickey Wakefield)

With the majority of teams in the middle of the pack at the conclusion of Spring Training (congrats to Baltimore and Charleston for both going 13-5) this looks to be a very competitive season in Branch Rickey.

From everyone at the Branch Rickey Register good luck to all 32 owners this season!