Season II - August Report - Maple playing their best baseball now...

The Maple Mauraders continued their great July result (15-11) by doing even better in August (17-9) with two games remaining vs. Las Vegas.  Maple has extended their lead in the TML Billy Martin Division by 13 games and unless they completely collapse they are a shoe in to win their 2nd consecutive division title.  Maple is winning the close games this year going an impressive 11-5 in extra inning frames and 24-19 in one run games.  Maple has to be one of the surprises so far this season especially considering Ray Lester SP, Dave Kruse SP and Millard Marshall CL haven't seen the field.

Maple has used the long ball to help their turn around (Ranked 3rd in the TML).  The strength of the team reamins in the pitching staff (Ranking 1st in ERA, Runs Allowed, Strikeouts in the TML).  Maple also has 12 more home games down the stretch than road games.  The trade deadline acquisition of Vic Jennings is also serving benefits. 

Vic Jennings is hitting .296, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 13 Runs and 10 Base on Balls in 98 ABs so far since joining the Mauraders.

I'm glad to be back in the World Series hunt!

Down on the farm, Maple's organization has made strides at each level this year.  Astoria is battling for a division title in AAA ball (75-58, 2.5 games back).  In AA ball, Sandy Springs has been dominant this season (88-45).  The nicest surprise has been Kingwood in A ball;  despite being under .500 at 64-69 and 27.5 games back in the division they are showing signs of life and the player morale is improving!

The prospect watch has a new entry.  The son of the owner Joshua Goldberg has made the top 100 in Baseball America's top prospects.  Drafted in Round 1 last year, Joshua started off pretty hot in A ball but, did not fare so well in his brief promotion to AA ball.  Recently demoted Joshua Goldberg is now pitching his best baseball with Kingwood.  Right now the experts have him penciled in as the #98 ranked prospect.  We expect his stock to rise in the coming sims!

11-9, 2.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 167 Ks in 151 IP