NEW BRITAIN FISHER CATS – jway11
Team records
ML: 62-55
AAA: 76-41
AA: 80-37 (top record in AA)
HiA: 56-61
LowA: 75-42
Rookie: 29-23
GRADES
ML team: B- Even with a solid record, New Britain finds themselves looking up at Detroit and Fargo in the NL North. Veteran 1B Hoss Boone is putting together another solid season. With Boone and Erik West in the lineup, the Fisher Cats are a threat to put up big offensive numbers every game. Veteran Closer Cameron Holt has a career high in saves this season.
Minors: A- Throughout the minors, the Fisher Cats have solid teams. Aside from an average club in HiA, their minor league teams should make the playoffs at every level. The Richmond AA team is particularly impressive, with the best record in the league.
Draft: A- DRAFT GRADE REVIEW
Trades: D+ None
Player acquisitions: C New Britain signed a handful of free agents this season, but none look to be difference makers. Rule 5 SP’s Ricardo De La Vega and Carmen Leiter are having a solid season for the Fisher Cats, and are solid pick-ups.
Player development: B+ For New Britain, it all begins with C/DH Erik West. West is having an MVP-type season, and is among the league leaders in HR’s and RBI’s in only his third season. The future is bright for West and fans expect him to be a force in the middle of the lineup for a long time. RF Kevin Montgomery provides help to West in the lineup, as he is on pace to exceed 100 RBI’s for the 3rd straight season. In his second full season in the ML, SP Horacia Segui is coming into his own and is having a great season. Fisher Cat fans are excited about what he will bring to the rotation in the future.
Record compared to talent: A- With a payroll among the lowest in the league, New Britain is having an outstanding season at the ML level. They also have a good amount of talent developing in the minor leagues. The future is bright in New Britain.
Coach hot seat ranking: Green
MILWAUKEE MELDERS – brewfranks
Team records
ML: 62-55
AAA: 56-61
AA: 69-48
HiA: 62-55
LowA: 58-59
Rookie: 25-27
GRADES
ML team: B- Even with a solid year and a winning record, Milwaukee finds themselves at the bottom of the NL North. Veteran closer Vernon Bolton continues to dominate hitters, and is among the league leaders in saves.
Minors: B- Milwaukee’s minor league clubs are solid all around. Each level is in the running for a playoff berth. The AA team, in particular, is having a great season, and looks to go deep into the playoffs.
Draft: B- DRAFT GRADE REVIEW
Trades: D+ None
Player acquisitions: B Veteran SP Ebaneezer Canseco was signed to a 3 year deal for Milwaukee. Canseco is having a very good year for the Melders, and if he can continue to pitch anywhere close to the same level, this will be an excellent signing. RF signee Mitchell Pickett is also a solid addition and at 32, is having the best season of his career. Pitcher Pablo Montero, another free agent signed by the Melders, has split time between the rotation and the bullpen, and has put up solid but unspectacular numbers. International signee 1B Bartolo Mesa projects to be an everyday 1B in the majors.
Player development: B+ Young 3B Wesley Stanley is having a great season for the Melders. Fans expect Stanley to be a top slugger in the middle of the lineup for many years ahead. 26 year old LF Julian Hartley is quietly having a very good season and teams up with Stanley to terrorize pichers. Fans in Milwaukee are excited about the recent promotion and ML debut of 2B Sal Moore. Moore has terrorized minor league pitchers and should be in the middle of the Melder lineup for a long time.
Record compared to talent: B+ Fueled by a $62.6 million payroll, and 3 free agent signees that have performed well this season, Milwaukee is exceeding expectations. New management has brought an excitement to Milwaukee, and fans are hoping for the team’s first playoff berth. It looks to be an uphill battle in the loaded NL North. Regardless of the outcome of this season, the future is bright in Milwaukee.
Coach hot seat ranking: Green
FARGO WOODCHIPPERS – calolson
Team records
ML: 68-49
AAA: 71-46
AA: 65-52
HiA: 58-59
LowA: 72-45
Rookie: 23-29
GRADES
ML team: A- Fargo is having an excellent season, and is bunched among the leaders in the NL North. Even if they don’t win the North, they are in great shape for a wildcard berth. Veteran 1B Nicky Duran is helping to lead the way, as he is having a great season at the plate for the Woodchippers.
Minors: B+ In the minors, Fargo has some talent and solid teams all around. Outside of the rookie level, every other team is within fighting distance of the playoffs. Teams at AAA, AA, and Low A all look to go deep in the playoffs.
Draft: B- DRAFT GRADE REVIEW
Trades: B- Tommie Romero is the biggest addition for the Woodchippers. Since coming over, Romero is having a huge season for Fargo. C/DH Joaquin Ozuna will be a great hitter at the ML level. RP prospect Jim Taylor looks to be a solid part of the future bullpen in Fargo. SP prospects Edgardo Romero and Walt Cortes will be missed.
Player acquisitions: B- Free agent signee 1B Nicky Duran is having a huge season for the Woodchippers. Nicky is in the middle of the lineup and is one of the top run producers on the team. SP David Torres is a value pickup, but has far exceeded expectations with a solid season.
Player development: B SP Brandon Cora continues to put up great numbers for Fargo. With a solid finish, Cora will be in the mix for the NL Cy Young. Cora will be at the top of the Fargo staff for many years to come. SP Jim Little was off to a very good start to the season, but had elbow problems and was put on the DL. If he can stay healthy, Little will join Cora to form yet another solid young starting pitching tandem in the NL. Young 3B Nick Ball has rebounded from a disappointing season last year with great numbers this time around. Fans in Fargo have put their hopes in Ball to become one of the best hitters in the game.
Record compared to talent: B+ With a $60.7 payroll and $18.5 million invested in the coaching staff, Fargo fans expected a solid season from their team. They are exceeding those expectations and are in great position to make a run for the playoffs.
Coach hot seat ranking: Green
DETROIT DEMOLITION – yanks0218
Team records
ML: 70-47
AAA: 58-59
AA: 65-52
HiA: 65-52
LowA: 67-50
Rookie: 34-18
GRADES
ML team: A- Detroit is among the top teams in the game this season. Veteran SP Luis Encarnacion is having another solid campaign in the Detroit rotation. Closer Roger Newfield leads the league in saves, and is having a great season for the Demolition.
Minors: A- Detroit’s minor league teams are solid throughout. With the exception of the AAA level team, every level is a lock for the playoffs and has a chance to advance. The AAA team can make the playoffs with a solid finish.
Draft: B DRAFT GRADE REVIEW
Trades: B- The Demolition have completed 7 different trades this season. Matt Corey has been a huge addition for Detroit. Corey is hitting .400 so far in his time in the Motor City, and looks to be in the middle of the order for a long time. SP prospect Dickie Wells is a great addition, and figures into future plans in the rotation. RP prospect Domingo Estrella should become a nice piece in the bullpen. Detroit will miss CF Heath Fitzgerald, SP Mitch Epstein, and 3B Rex Ross.
Player acquisitions: C+ Free agent SS Vinny Menechino has been a solid performer for the Demolition so far. SP Gerald Wallace got a 4 year deal with Detroit, and has had a very solid season.
Player development: A- After two good seasons, young SP Raymond Pavlov has put it all together this season and is among the league leaders in wins, WHIP and ERA. He is the odds on favorite to win the Cy Young award in the NL and should be a dominant pitcher in Detroit for a long time. After an injury last season, 24 year old Cookie Valdes has stayed healthy this season and is putting together an incredible year. Valdes is among the league leaders in batting average.
Record compared to talent: B+ Led by young SP Raymond Pavlov, the Demolition are among the best teams in the league this season. With a $91.2 payroll, fans are happy to see their team headed for the playoffs. They have a solid mix of veterans and youngsters at the ML level. Detroit has a lot of young talent, and should be a force in the NL for many years to come.
Coach hot seat ranking: Green
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