https://anchor.fm/bba/episodes/Wbitb-se ... e-2-ea2g5f
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I can't get Anchor to work
It keeps unrecording each time I hit the record button, it changes to not recording. I will try again shortly, but it's looking a bit unlikely right now. I tried to restart the app, restart my phone, throw my phone against the wall, and none of those worked...The Big Story:
Boise is leading the league in runs scored. They are atop the power rankings. They are second in runs allowed. Let me ask, are they for real? Let me start out by saying they have 3 starting pitchers with an ERA over 6 but who have FIPs that are lower, so runs actually could be lowered.
On the flip side, they have every single position starter at least a WRC+ of 103 other than the left side of their infield. Maybe more important is that they have 5 guys over 167. 9 batters are currently batting over .300 with Dennis French leading the way with a very solid .429. Behind him is the ageless wonder Jared GIlstrom who is batting nearly 100 points higher than last season.
So is Boise for real?
Those batting averages aren’t for real. I can say that with confidence. I will be the first to admit that I really like what Boise has built and is continuing to build. I mean several members of their rotation are still in the minors.
And, let’s not forget they haven’t even played Charlotte yet. Well, I guess Wichita appears to be the bottom dweller here with their 6-18 record, a role played by Boise the past few seasons.
I like Boise, but I don’t like Boise enough to put them into the playoffs. They play in an ultra-competitive division that apparently is going to steal wins from Wichita. You have Edmonton, Calgary, Las Vegas as powerhouses. Phoenix, Mexico City & San Antonio should never be counted out either. I just see a slowdown coming in Boise and one that is going to eventually have them sinking back down to a win total around 81 this year. Look ahead for seasons ahead though as Boise could easily surpass 90 next year and with their youth be a thorn in the side of other Frontier members for quite a while.
The Smaller Story:
Jared Gilstrom blasted home run number 500 for his career as the 36-year-old is proving early on that he is far from done. He is batting .396 this season, and has accumulated a 1.8 WAR through his first 23 games. Gilstrom is an easy Hall of Famer for me to vote in, with a career 106.8 WAR, more than 500 home runs, and over 1,500 RBI. He also has 552 stolen bases. His key to the hall is waiting.
Injuries:
Montreal is without closer Joe Whitaker for the next 4 months, this in addition to Montreal losing outfielder Kevin MacKeith in the previous weeks. Mackeith is out about another month.
Atlantic City lost reliever Ignacio Matinez for the season as well.
Recapping earlier injuries quickly,
Jacksonville is without Rocky Allen in centerfield for the next 3-4 months.
Charlotte lost Dax Norris for 5 months in the outfield as well.
Nashville’s Elliott Buckland will miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury.
Seattle’s Jose Cortez is out for another month or so as is Mexico Cities 2B Marvin Isworth.
Extensions:
Neither are extensions but Brooklyn actually signed two free agents after the season started, agreeing to a 1 year deal with Frank Mccaffey that pays 4 million and a 2 year deal with 39-year-old Alfredo Salazar that pays him $2.3 million this year and has a vesting option for 2042.
SS Alan Williamson is staying in Des Moines through at least 2044. He is set to make $35 million over those 3 seasons. Williamson has been the Des Moines shortstop and second baseman since 2037, but in 2040 tore his ACL causing him to only appear in 22 games. In 156 games in 2039, Williamson posted 6.3 WAR, playing 155 games at second base. $12 million seems like a good gamble considering the lack of upcoming available middle infielders and the potential for Williamson to reach at least 3 WAR each season.
Steven Collins received an invitation from Edmonton to remain until 2044 as well. Edmonton will pay the third baseman a team-friendly $38 million over the next 3 seasons, an even 12.8 per season. Not bad for a guy who has accumulated an average of 6.0 WAR over the past 3 seasons.
Edgardo Encarnavion from Jacksonville and Kwakou of Louisville both had some arbitration seasons bought out as well over the past few weeks. Both on the league maximum 3-year contracts, with Encarnacion getting 15 million over the next 3 seasons and Kwakou getting 25 million.
Last but not least, I at least have to mention James Monger and Omaha. He wouldn’t even talk with me at the beginning of the off-season nor spring training. After the end of spring training, he was willing to talk. He is currently making $12.8 million in the last year of his current deal, and has agreed to a new 5 year deal with us for an even payment annually of $12.2 million, 600,000 less than what he is making right now. At age 28, this sets things up for him to potentially spend his entire career in Omaha.
The Week Ahead:
Boise & Rockville meet this week in their first series of the year. Boise is 8-3 on the road while Rockville is 6-5 at home on the season. All-Time Boise actually has Rockville’s number by a margin of 5 to 3. Rockville won’t be heading to Boise after a break either, as they travel to New Orleans beforehand, who is 16-8 on the season and on a 6 game winning streak currently.
What a past 2 weeks for Aaron Haney. He had a batting average of 489, hit 7 home runs, and stole 6 bases during that time! There has been nobody hotter over the past 2 weeks.
LPT: No LPT this week, I actually just want to take this usual allotted time to pass along prayers for the situation unfolding in the Middle East. I am not going to get political here as that’s not what this platform is for, but of course, I am going to send prayers for those fighting the fight and representing freedom.
