Maple finished in 3rd place in the TML, Billy Martin division behind winner in a one game playoff South Carolina and 2nd place San Francisco. Maple entered the last month of the season with an outside shot but, earlier moves to reduce payroll and increase profit hurt their chances down the stretch. GM stated that they felt winning the division this year was a short term fix and didn't feel we had the horses to compete with the top teams in the ABL. Maple finished September 15-13 and closed out October at 0-2.
The 77-85 finish is the worst record in the history of Maple in the ABL. In fact since finishing 93-69 in Season I, Maple has had a worst record in each of the successive seasons, 90 in Season II, 89 in Season III, 84 in Season IV and 77 this past year. Maple clearly needs to regroup with some youth and build back their once dominating SP rotation which at one point and a micro 3.33 ERA!
Maple has a ton of money available for Free Agents and for Extensions, however; team sources indicate that they will not resign CL Johnny Tiller who is recovering from a serious injury and Emmanuel Villa a hard throwing MR. At one during the season it looked like Anthony Lewis OF was a step away from having his contract bought out after he successfully cleared waivers but, he got back on track towards the end of the season to finish the year with 31 HRs. Maple has many needs SP, MR, 2B, 3B & Catcher despite having Bobby Shine make the allstar team.
Our most effective players were LF Billy Greer, C Bobby Shine, SP Dan Wilder who started the season as the teams MR, MR Ken Dixon and MR Chandler Fisher. The teams least effective players were SP Aaron Nelson who missed a majority of the season due to injury, LF Anything "BIG STICK" Shelton who had been the teams Dave Kingman but, passed through waivers and finished the year at AAA Astoria, SP Jesus Ramirez the teams R1 pick last year from University of Florida and was rushed into the SP rotation to see what he had, CF Antonio Alvarez who is a highly touted spec but, due to injury and lineup shakeups and based on his defense was rushed into the ABL a bit early to see what he could do too.
Down on the farm, the following specs have some high upside and could be in the ABL within the next 2-3 years - Manny Palma CL (AA), George Evans OF (AAA) and Brad Thomas OF (AAA). Similar to most teams in the ABL, Maple is just loaded in the OF position with potential.
The Maple organization would like to congratulate the playoff teams for a great season and also a high five to Sir William for his three-peat. I am on record to say I doubt he can win 4 in a row but, it will be fun to see what happens in Season VI in the ABL.
Jason
MAPLE
HOME OF THE 10TH MAN
HOME OF THE 10TH MAN
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Season #5 - August - Month in Review - Final push by a gritty Maple team
Maple had its best month of the season in August going 16-12, however; an early 1-3 start in September has us sitting 5 games back of San Francisco in 3rd place in the Thurman Munson League Billy Martin Division.
We might not be a collective group of the best teams in the ABL, however; each year our division races have come down to the wire! Jersey who is in last place is just as likely to win this division this year as San Francisco who sits in 1st place. I am going to predict that 80 wins will win this division this year!
In September we have the following schedule ahead:
Home
1 x South Carolina
3 x Jersey
3 x Las Vegas
3 x Cabo
4 x San Francisco
Away
3 x Boston
3 x Eureka
3 x South Carolina
1 x Jersey
In October:
Away
2 x Jersey
So overall 14 at HOME and 12 AWAY for the Marauders. To get to 80 wins I will need to go 16-10 the rest of the way. This looks on paper to be a big task as we face playoff teams Cabo, Las Vegas and Eureka. We will need to get the broom sticks out at HOME vs. SF, Jersey and South Carolina to have this happen. We are also hoping our record in close games pays dividends as the pressure turns on. We are 8-3 in Extra Inning games and 19-18 in 1 run games.
September Call Ups:
Maple has called up the following players for their stretch run:
Ramon Torres MR - He will add some depth in long relief for a team that has a very tired pen.
Don Strickland 1B - Remember his glorious 1st season in the ABL? After acquiring Vic Jennings from Las Vegas he was a lost member of the Maple Organization. He could provide that clutch pH off the bench and also is a vacuum cleaner at 1B defensively
John Powers CF - Our OF has been on / off injured all season and our biggest weakness defensively has been the CF job. Powers can hopefully contribute as well offensively. He was the source of many trades at the deadline which Maple passed on.
Tom Hunter 2B/INF - Tom is no stranger to the ABL. He is also a defensive specialist that will be asked to fill in at 2B/SS/3B as needed. He might also get the odd RF duty during the final weeks of the season.
Oliver Davis LF - Oliver has been a terror to minor league pitching. Like so many others he has yet to get his chance and prove his value at the ABL level. This might be his last opportunity to make an impression.
Antonio Alvarez CF - Similar to John Powers, Antonio is an interesting prospect and based on his defensive capabilities and the numerous injuries and fatigue in the OF he will get some swings and also some late inning work.
Minor League Report:
George Evans OF will remain in the AAA Astoria team the rest of the way barring any further injury to big club. He is likely to roam the OF for Maple next season joining youngster Billy Greer. Evans is hitting .293 bavg, .357 obpct and .606 slugging so far this year in 108 games at AAA including 35 bombs. If you had this to his AA #s he is on pace to hit 50+ HRs in the minors this year!
Brad Thomas OF has been fast tracked to AAA Astoria after some excellent play at Kingwood A ball. Brad has come out of no where on the organization depth chart to rank among the top 100 specs. He was hitting .285 bavg. .382 obpct and .417 slugging this year with 32 extra base hits (16 HRs) in 128 games so far this year.
We might not be a collective group of the best teams in the ABL, however; each year our division races have come down to the wire! Jersey who is in last place is just as likely to win this division this year as San Francisco who sits in 1st place. I am going to predict that 80 wins will win this division this year!
In September we have the following schedule ahead:
Home
1 x South Carolina
3 x Jersey
3 x Las Vegas
3 x Cabo
4 x San Francisco
Away
3 x Boston
3 x Eureka
3 x South Carolina
1 x Jersey
In October:
Away
2 x Jersey
So overall 14 at HOME and 12 AWAY for the Marauders. To get to 80 wins I will need to go 16-10 the rest of the way. This looks on paper to be a big task as we face playoff teams Cabo, Las Vegas and Eureka. We will need to get the broom sticks out at HOME vs. SF, Jersey and South Carolina to have this happen. We are also hoping our record in close games pays dividends as the pressure turns on. We are 8-3 in Extra Inning games and 19-18 in 1 run games.
September Call Ups:
Maple has called up the following players for their stretch run:
Ramon Torres MR - He will add some depth in long relief for a team that has a very tired pen.
Don Strickland 1B - Remember his glorious 1st season in the ABL? After acquiring Vic Jennings from Las Vegas he was a lost member of the Maple Organization. He could provide that clutch pH off the bench and also is a vacuum cleaner at 1B defensively
John Powers CF - Our OF has been on / off injured all season and our biggest weakness defensively has been the CF job. Powers can hopefully contribute as well offensively. He was the source of many trades at the deadline which Maple passed on.
Tom Hunter 2B/INF - Tom is no stranger to the ABL. He is also a defensive specialist that will be asked to fill in at 2B/SS/3B as needed. He might also get the odd RF duty during the final weeks of the season.
Oliver Davis LF - Oliver has been a terror to minor league pitching. Like so many others he has yet to get his chance and prove his value at the ABL level. This might be his last opportunity to make an impression.
Antonio Alvarez CF - Similar to John Powers, Antonio is an interesting prospect and based on his defensive capabilities and the numerous injuries and fatigue in the OF he will get some swings and also some late inning work.
Minor League Report:
George Evans OF will remain in the AAA Astoria team the rest of the way barring any further injury to big club. He is likely to roam the OF for Maple next season joining youngster Billy Greer. Evans is hitting .293 bavg, .357 obpct and .606 slugging so far this year in 108 games at AAA including 35 bombs. If you had this to his AA #s he is on pace to hit 50+ HRs in the minors this year!
Brad Thomas OF has been fast tracked to AAA Astoria after some excellent play at Kingwood A ball. Brad has come out of no where on the organization depth chart to rank among the top 100 specs. He was hitting .285 bavg. .382 obpct and .417 slugging this year with 32 extra base hits (16 HRs) in 128 games so far this year.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Maple July in Review
Maple sits in 3rd place tied with South Carolina and 2.5 games back of San Francisco as July comes and goes in the ABL. Despite a 47-57 record, Maple stays alive in the subpar Billy Martin TML Division.
Maple did comes to terms with Mile High for SP Jesse George. Maple sent $2M cash + SP Jesse George for young SP Jeff Andrews who will instantly get a promotion to Astoria in AAA and 2B Kazuhiro Kojima who also gets the instant promotion to AA. We hate to see Mr. Consistency go but, we don't feel we can win the championship this season with the likes of Cabo San Lucas and Nottinghamshire around. This will free up some contract money next year in free agency for Maple and we will play the wait and see game with both prospects of which are borderline ABL players at this point in their projection.
Maple finished July at 12-15. We have slipped in the team batting categories and team pitching has been overall respectable and still a surprise to us. Losing George will hurt our Team ERA which ranks 5th in the TML currently. Ron Cutter has been hot of late in the CL roles since Johnny Tiller went on the 60 day DL. Ron in his past 16 G, 9 SV, 0.52 ERA and 21 Ks in 17.1 IP. Also hot is Dan Wilder in his new SP role, he has gone 1-0, 1.57 ERA in his last 5 G with 22 Ks in 23 IP. Highly touted spec Dave Guenette 3B just can't get it going at the ABL level, since his call up he has struggled in his opportunity going 9 for 79, .114 bavg with 0 HR, 5RBI in 22G. The organization is growing impatient with him and perhaps a change of scenery is best for him at this point in his career. Anthony Lewis OF coming off waivers as unclaimed sparked him to a super 17 for 42 clip, .405 bavg, 4 HR and 10 RBI in his past 12 G. Anthony was pretty vocal about his disappointment being waived by Maple's management. It is clear if you don't produce the patience in MAPLE will be short with any high paid players.
Maple management is very high on OF George Evans who at AAA is batting .273/.337/.553 with 21 HR in 311 ABs for Astoria. He might join Billy Greer in the OF next year for Maple :-) CL Manny Palma was demoted back to AA based on his wild performance at AAA this year. OF Brad Thomas has been a pleasant surprise at A Kingwood this year batting .296/.381/.426 with 12 HR in 371 AB. He might get promoted to AA by the end of August if he continues to swing the bat at this pace.
Astoria in AAA is 45-59, 13 1/2 GB and in 6th place; Sandy Springs AA is 55-50, 8 GB and in 3rd place and finally Kingwood A is 59-45, 14 1/2 GB and in 4th place despite playing over .500 for the first time in their teams history.
Maple's MVP is Billy Greer so far. This OF is batting .300 with 26 dingers, 62 RBI and recently moved over to DH with the call up of defensive specialist Antonio Alvarez to roam CF.
It will be interesting to see who gets the September call ups from Maple this year as there are a few youngster that would benefit from some ABL experience going into next year. Then again, we might be in 1st place in this division so you never know what can happen in the wild and worst division in ABL baseball...
Jason/Maple
Maple did comes to terms with Mile High for SP Jesse George. Maple sent $2M cash + SP Jesse George for young SP Jeff Andrews who will instantly get a promotion to Astoria in AAA and 2B Kazuhiro Kojima who also gets the instant promotion to AA. We hate to see Mr. Consistency go but, we don't feel we can win the championship this season with the likes of Cabo San Lucas and Nottinghamshire around. This will free up some contract money next year in free agency for Maple and we will play the wait and see game with both prospects of which are borderline ABL players at this point in their projection.
Maple finished July at 12-15. We have slipped in the team batting categories and team pitching has been overall respectable and still a surprise to us. Losing George will hurt our Team ERA which ranks 5th in the TML currently. Ron Cutter has been hot of late in the CL roles since Johnny Tiller went on the 60 day DL. Ron in his past 16 G, 9 SV, 0.52 ERA and 21 Ks in 17.1 IP. Also hot is Dan Wilder in his new SP role, he has gone 1-0, 1.57 ERA in his last 5 G with 22 Ks in 23 IP. Highly touted spec Dave Guenette 3B just can't get it going at the ABL level, since his call up he has struggled in his opportunity going 9 for 79, .114 bavg with 0 HR, 5RBI in 22G. The organization is growing impatient with him and perhaps a change of scenery is best for him at this point in his career. Anthony Lewis OF coming off waivers as unclaimed sparked him to a super 17 for 42 clip, .405 bavg, 4 HR and 10 RBI in his past 12 G. Anthony was pretty vocal about his disappointment being waived by Maple's management. It is clear if you don't produce the patience in MAPLE will be short with any high paid players.
Maple management is very high on OF George Evans who at AAA is batting .273/.337/.553 with 21 HR in 311 ABs for Astoria. He might join Billy Greer in the OF next year for Maple :-) CL Manny Palma was demoted back to AA based on his wild performance at AAA this year. OF Brad Thomas has been a pleasant surprise at A Kingwood this year batting .296/.381/.426 with 12 HR in 371 AB. He might get promoted to AA by the end of August if he continues to swing the bat at this pace.
Astoria in AAA is 45-59, 13 1/2 GB and in 6th place; Sandy Springs AA is 55-50, 8 GB and in 3rd place and finally Kingwood A is 59-45, 14 1/2 GB and in 4th place despite playing over .500 for the first time in their teams history.
Maple's MVP is Billy Greer so far. This OF is batting .300 with 26 dingers, 62 RBI and recently moved over to DH with the call up of defensive specialist Antonio Alvarez to roam CF.
It will be interesting to see who gets the September call ups from Maple this year as there are a few youngster that would benefit from some ABL experience going into next year. Then again, we might be in 1st place in this division so you never know what can happen in the wild and worst division in ABL baseball...
Jason/Maple
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Maple Month in Review - June
Maple improved their play in June after a poor May going 12-14, and still staying within striking range, 2.5 games back in the TML Billy Martin division. At home Maple is playing .500 ball and on the road struggling at 16-24 for an overall record of 36-44 for the season.
Team Batting statistics are pretty much middle of the pack ranging from a low of 5th overall in the TML to a high of 12th in the TML overall. Power on the batting side is still a strong point with 90 HRs on the season and not getting on base with free passes is hurting the team with only 212 bases on balls.
Team Pitching statistics are a bit stronger for Maple. We rank #1 in Strikeouts meanwhile we are 10th in giving up the long ball. We expected our pitching to be a weakness this year but, so far the youngsters are holding their own.
Maple made some adjustments in June. First move was to place Dan Wilder in the rotation. There was a lot of interest from teams in acquiring him but, we have decided to see what he can do for us on the mound as a starting pitcher. So far in two starts he has been very good, 1-0 with 13.1 IP, 7 HA, 4 ER, 1 HRA, 3 BB, 7Ks. In both games Maple ended up winning (Vs. GEO and vs. SFE). The 2nd big move was the call up of 2B Eric Rice, 3B Dave Guenette and CF Antonio Alvarez. Dave Guenette was a highly rated prospect but has yet to find his stride at the ABL level. This could be his last shot. Eric Rice has been a surprise player ever since being picked in the 7th Round of the draft a couple of years ago. Alvarez was taken in the same draft as Rice but in Round 2. So far Rice is doing the best, batting .368 and a RC/27 of 7.64. Alvarez and Guenette are struggling to bat their weight.
Down on the farm;
Astoria AAA - Kevin McConnel DH has really picked up his game hitting .288 with 11 HRs and 46 RBI. Nobody has really stood out on the mound so far.
Sandy Springs AA - Antonio Paz 1B has been mr. consistent batting .363 with 14 HRs and 60 RBI. On the mound Joshua Goldberg who has struggled at AAA is a solid contributor at the AA level with a 2.16 ERA.
Kingwood A - Brad Thomas OF is leading the way with a .279 bavg, 7 HRs and 36 RBI. Nobody has really stood out on the mound so far.
Playoffs at the minor league level maybe in the sights for Sandy Springs sitting at 44-37 and 2.5 games back. Kingwood who has never reach .500 is playing their best baseball ever sitting at 46-36 but 12.5 games back.
The Maple minor league system has dropped to last in the league according to the experts at OSA, however; keep in mind that most of the solid prospects for Maple are at the ABL level at this time.
The goal for this team is to improve and get younger and keep the financial machine turning out money. We feel we can still move a few aging players such as Jesse George SP to a contender and still compete in the Billy Martin division.
Jason/GM Maple
Team Batting statistics are pretty much middle of the pack ranging from a low of 5th overall in the TML to a high of 12th in the TML overall. Power on the batting side is still a strong point with 90 HRs on the season and not getting on base with free passes is hurting the team with only 212 bases on balls.
Team Pitching statistics are a bit stronger for Maple. We rank #1 in Strikeouts meanwhile we are 10th in giving up the long ball. We expected our pitching to be a weakness this year but, so far the youngsters are holding their own.
Maple made some adjustments in June. First move was to place Dan Wilder in the rotation. There was a lot of interest from teams in acquiring him but, we have decided to see what he can do for us on the mound as a starting pitcher. So far in two starts he has been very good, 1-0 with 13.1 IP, 7 HA, 4 ER, 1 HRA, 3 BB, 7Ks. In both games Maple ended up winning (Vs. GEO and vs. SFE). The 2nd big move was the call up of 2B Eric Rice, 3B Dave Guenette and CF Antonio Alvarez. Dave Guenette was a highly rated prospect but has yet to find his stride at the ABL level. This could be his last shot. Eric Rice has been a surprise player ever since being picked in the 7th Round of the draft a couple of years ago. Alvarez was taken in the same draft as Rice but in Round 2. So far Rice is doing the best, batting .368 and a RC/27 of 7.64. Alvarez and Guenette are struggling to bat their weight.
Down on the farm;
Astoria AAA - Kevin McConnel DH has really picked up his game hitting .288 with 11 HRs and 46 RBI. Nobody has really stood out on the mound so far.
Sandy Springs AA - Antonio Paz 1B has been mr. consistent batting .363 with 14 HRs and 60 RBI. On the mound Joshua Goldberg who has struggled at AAA is a solid contributor at the AA level with a 2.16 ERA.
Kingwood A - Brad Thomas OF is leading the way with a .279 bavg, 7 HRs and 36 RBI. Nobody has really stood out on the mound so far.
Playoffs at the minor league level maybe in the sights for Sandy Springs sitting at 44-37 and 2.5 games back. Kingwood who has never reach .500 is playing their best baseball ever sitting at 46-36 but 12.5 games back.
The Maple minor league system has dropped to last in the league according to the experts at OSA, however; keep in mind that most of the solid prospects for Maple are at the ABL level at this time.
The goal for this team is to improve and get younger and keep the financial machine turning out money. We feel we can still move a few aging players such as Jesse George SP to a contender and still compete in the Billy Martin division.
Jason/GM Maple
Friday, September 27, 2013
Maple cools down in May after fast start...
Maple took a step backwards in May going 10-17 after posting a quick and surprising 13-11 start in April. At the time this article was written the Marauders were also struggling at 1-4 in June.
24-32 record places us in 4th place in the close Billy Martin Division in the Thurman Munson League. A .500 record may win this division! Outside of slugging and HRs the offense is struggling to score runs (11th in the TML). However, the perceived weakness in the pitching staff is in fact the teams strong point. Maple is in the top of each of the pitching categories. If the defense was a bit better we could only imagine how better the staff stats and the W/L record would be (10th in BABIP and 11th in DEF EFF).
Maple offense has been led by Billy Greer OF who is hitting .289 with 11 HRs and 24 RBI and 12 SBs.
Maple pitching has been led by Jesse George SP who is 5-5, 3.82 ERA, 43 Ks, 75.1 IP
On the farm:
Astoria AAA is 23-33, 7.5 games back
Sandy Springs AA is 28-27, 7.5 games back
Kingwood A is 32-24, 8.5 games back
Tee Wilson CF our highest rated prospect received a brief stint in Maple hitting .255 with 3 HRs and 14 RBI in 24 games. He was sent back down to AAA Astoria. We should see him during September Call-Ups. He also might be a starter next year in Maple in CF.
Jason
24-32 record places us in 4th place in the close Billy Martin Division in the Thurman Munson League. A .500 record may win this division! Outside of slugging and HRs the offense is struggling to score runs (11th in the TML). However, the perceived weakness in the pitching staff is in fact the teams strong point. Maple is in the top of each of the pitching categories. If the defense was a bit better we could only imagine how better the staff stats and the W/L record would be (10th in BABIP and 11th in DEF EFF).
Maple offense has been led by Billy Greer OF who is hitting .289 with 11 HRs and 24 RBI and 12 SBs.
Maple pitching has been led by Jesse George SP who is 5-5, 3.82 ERA, 43 Ks, 75.1 IP
On the farm:
Astoria AAA is 23-33, 7.5 games back
Sandy Springs AA is 28-27, 7.5 games back
Kingwood A is 32-24, 8.5 games back
Tee Wilson CF our highest rated prospect received a brief stint in Maple hitting .255 with 3 HRs and 14 RBI in 24 games. He was sent back down to AAA Astoria. We should see him during September Call-Ups. He also might be a starter next year in Maple in CF.
Jason
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Maple off to a surprising start in Season V
Maple finished the opening month of Season V above .500 posting a 13-11 record. Maple unlike last year is winning the close games and doing well in extra innings (6-1 in 1 run games & 3-1 in Xinnings). The power game is still in the lineup (ranked #2 in the TML) with 40 HRs. Every other offensive category Maple sits about average meanwhile, in the pitching category Maple is #1 in strikeouts at 274 for the season. Despite having the 11th ranked defensive efficiency and BABIP surprisingly the pitching staff ranks in the top half of most of the major categories including ERA, Starter ERA, Bullpen ERA and runs allowed.
Maple dug into their farm system to call up two of the top rated prospects. Robert Osborne SP and CF Tee Wilson joined the club at the ABL level very early on. The last remaining of the top prospects may also get a call up before rosters expand in September CL Manny Palma. Maple's farm system has dropped in rating to #22nd overall.
Maple is also lacking a top 20 batter and pitcher for the first time in five seasons of ABL baseball.
Down on the farm all levels of the organization are in contention to make the playoffs. Astoria AAA is 3 GB sitting 14-17, Sandy Springs is 18-13, 2 GB and Kingwood is 20-11, 2 GB and for the first time ever is above .500 on the season!
On the health front, the Marauders have lost 3 starting players so far due to injuries. CF Anthony Lewis is due back in May, SP Aaron Nelson is due back in June and the big blow is CL Johnny Tiller who is out for the season.
Billy Greer continues to be the most consistent batter for Maple, .299 bavg, 6 HRs, and 9 SBs so far this season. Chandler Fisher surprisingly is our top starter with 4 wins, 3.09 ERA and 32 IP.
Hopefully we can keep this going!
Jason
Maple Marauders
Maple dug into their farm system to call up two of the top rated prospects. Robert Osborne SP and CF Tee Wilson joined the club at the ABL level very early on. The last remaining of the top prospects may also get a call up before rosters expand in September CL Manny Palma. Maple's farm system has dropped in rating to #22nd overall.
Maple is also lacking a top 20 batter and pitcher for the first time in five seasons of ABL baseball.
Down on the farm all levels of the organization are in contention to make the playoffs. Astoria AAA is 3 GB sitting 14-17, Sandy Springs is 18-13, 2 GB and Kingwood is 20-11, 2 GB and for the first time ever is above .500 on the season!
On the health front, the Marauders have lost 3 starting players so far due to injuries. CF Anthony Lewis is due back in May, SP Aaron Nelson is due back in June and the big blow is CL Johnny Tiller who is out for the season.
Billy Greer continues to be the most consistent batter for Maple, .299 bavg, 6 HRs, and 9 SBs so far this season. Chandler Fisher surprisingly is our top starter with 4 wins, 3.09 ERA and 32 IP.
Hopefully we can keep this going!
Jason
Maple Marauders
Friday, August 30, 2013
Maple Post season & Pre Season Review
Maple managed another late season run finishing 81-81 on the season but, for the first time in their ABL history failed to make the playoffs.
The off-season created some challenges for Maple. The pitching which was an anchor in the past for the Marauders was no longer one of the best in the league. The hitting showed some pop but, never managed to be consistent throughout the season.
Some highlights so far:
Just after Post Season:
MR Emmanuel Villa executed his last optional contract year.
MR Ron Cutter had his last optional contract year renewed.
Cutter should be valuable this year in the ABL while Villa will most likely see most of his time in the Minors.
Annual Draft;
Maple went after strikeout king SP Jesus Ramirez from the University of Florida in R1
Then Maple went after power hitting RF George Evans in R2 from the University of LSU.
Those two top picks hopefully will pan out for Maple and address both needs in the SP and Hitting dept.
Free Agency:
Victor Enriquez SP - He had short stint in the ABL and failed miserably. Our scouts feel his ceiling is AAA.
Brandon Crawford MR - Another average MR was set free. Those are a dime a dozen.
Eric McSwan DH - This was a tough decision but he was asking for too much money and with the crop of youth I have coming up that can play either OF and/or DH he was viewed as expendable. We will take the compensation pick and hopefully bank a future star. Mile High signed this allstar!
We did sign Aaron Nelson SP to a 1 year contract and we hope he can fill a back end starting pitcher role this year in the ABL.
Rule V Draft:
Maple lost two players Jake Hennessey and Allen Gardner in the Rule V draft. Good news is Allen Gardner was returned to Maple after SoCal decided to part ways. Bad news is Gardner won't see any ABL action anytime soon.
Jason
Maple
The off-season created some challenges for Maple. The pitching which was an anchor in the past for the Marauders was no longer one of the best in the league. The hitting showed some pop but, never managed to be consistent throughout the season.
Some highlights so far:
Just after Post Season:
MR Emmanuel Villa executed his last optional contract year.
MR Ron Cutter had his last optional contract year renewed.
Cutter should be valuable this year in the ABL while Villa will most likely see most of his time in the Minors.
Annual Draft;
Maple went after strikeout king SP Jesus Ramirez from the University of Florida in R1
Then Maple went after power hitting RF George Evans in R2 from the University of LSU.
Those two top picks hopefully will pan out for Maple and address both needs in the SP and Hitting dept.
Free Agency:
Victor Enriquez SP - He had short stint in the ABL and failed miserably. Our scouts feel his ceiling is AAA.
Brandon Crawford MR - Another average MR was set free. Those are a dime a dozen.
Eric McSwan DH - This was a tough decision but he was asking for too much money and with the crop of youth I have coming up that can play either OF and/or DH he was viewed as expendable. We will take the compensation pick and hopefully bank a future star. Mile High signed this allstar!
We did sign Aaron Nelson SP to a 1 year contract and we hope he can fill a back end starting pitcher role this year in the ABL.
Rule V Draft:
Maple lost two players Jake Hennessey and Allen Gardner in the Rule V draft. Good news is Allen Gardner was returned to Maple after SoCal decided to part ways. Bad news is Gardner won't see any ABL action anytime soon.
Jason
Maple
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