Haymakers Add Another Former First Round Pick

Troy, NY:  The Haymakers continued to turn over their roster the other day, this time picking up former number one overall pick Eric Hosmer from the Bulldogs for closer Drew Storen and a round 5 pick.  Hosmer will take over at first base in what has seen a number of players man the position over the past few years, and makes two time Haymaker James Loney expendable.

With Hosmer, the team will now have three gold glove players in the infield which will help the weak pitching staff a good amount.

The team still has a number of players rumored to be on the move, and is currently beginning their planning for what will be a busy draft for Troy.  The team is currently sporting the 2nd, 18th and 19th overall picks in the draft and will most likely be looking to re-build on young talent.

EdCouch wins 4 games to one to advance to the world series!

Here is a very quick recap:

Game 1: Ross vs Buchholz
Game 2: Griffin vs Iwakuma
Game 3: Cobb vs Strousburg
Game 4: Garza vs Greene
Game 5: Ross vs Buchholz


Ed takes the series 4 games to 1 and the series was closer than the outcome as all games were one to three run games.

GAME 1-  Ed wins 10-7. Ellsbury  leads off with a triple and LVI scores 2 in the top of the 1st. Braun and Carpenter double and score is 2-1, then in the bottom of the 2nd Rayburn rolls the 1-8 straight shot and Ed scores 4 to take a 5-2 lead. After LVI cuts the lead to 5-3, Ed scores 2 in the 6th and 7th to take a 9-3 lead. With the score 10-5 going into the 9th LVI scores 2 and makes a threat but Ed holds on to a 10-7 win.

GAME 2-  Ed wins 3-0.Tyler Ross pitches 5 shutout innings(longest start of the series) and Ed cruises to a 3-1 victory, though LVI does have the tying run at the plate a many times.

GAME 3-  LVI wins 5-3. With a 3-2 lead in the 4th, LVI pulls Strasburg , and hold Ed down and Nathan gets the 5 out save and LVI wins 5-3.

GAME 4- Ed wins 3-1. With Ed leading 2-0 in the bottom of the 3rd, Longoria hits the 4-9 straight shot of Cy Young candidate AJ Griffin and Ed pulls him(wasn't pretty in the club house). With a 3-1 lead, Ed brings in Kenly Jansen for his first appearance to get the 6 out save for a 3-1 victory,

GAME 5

- Ed wins 7-5.  Ed dinks and dunks a 6 run top of the 1st, and in the bottom of the 1st LVI scores two and has two runners on with NO OUTS and Garza is pulled without getting ONE out(once again, clubhouse was not a pretty sight) as LVI starter Buchholtz records only 2 outs. With the score 7-2 after 3 innings, LVI brings in Nathan and he pithes 7 innings(was tired after 4th inning) and his line was: 7 innings 2 hits, 1 walk and 10 k's to shut down the mighty Ed offence as LVI scores 2 off Jansen to make it a 7-5 game and with the go ahead run at the plate, Jansen gets the final out to record the 7-5 victory.

Range Ratings Preview. .

For all those GM's that haven't joined the modern world of news reporting and communication, date line Twitter and here is the annual Strat range ratings preview.  You will note that I added my estimated error rating after some of the range ratings.

Some real surprises in the middle infield with Cano at a 2, Kipnis at a 4, Altuve a 3, Andrus a 2, Hanley back to a 4, Reyes stays a 3, N.Walker drops to a 3 and Y. Escobar drops to a 4, Zobrist drops to a 2 are disappointing.
On the upside Kinsler, Dozier, Crawford, A . Escobar, Lemahieu get 1's and J. Peralta gets a 3.

Donaldson, Lucroy, Markakis , Dyson and Lagares are new 1's.

As for the draft, the stock.is rising for J . Harrison, Springer, Panik, D.Santana, Hamilton, Ozuna and Kairmier.

Without further a do, the range ratings preview-



BALTIMORE: Rookie Jonathan Schoop receives a 2 at 2B(9:21am)

BOSTON: Rookie Catcher Christian Vazquez receives a 2 behind the dish with a -4 arm.

CHICAGO (AL): AL Rookie of the Year and Silver Slugger Award winner Jose Abreu gets a 4e9 at 1B

CLEVELAND: Three ratings for Carlos Santana: C-4 (0 arm), 1B-3e9 and 3B-5e38

DETROIT: In his first year with the team, Ian Kinsler receives a 1e9 at 2B for the first time in his career

HOUSTON: All-Star 2B and Batting Champ Jose Altuve repeats his 3e11 Also AA stealing *4-6 (19-14)

KANSAS CITY: Jarrod Dyson gets a LF-2, CF-1b2 along with AA stealing *3-7 (19-15)

LOS ANGELES (AL): David Freese 3B 5b4

MINNESOTA: Joe Mauer earns a 3 at 1B in his first full season not catching(11:53)

NEW YORK (AL): The Captain Jeter gets a SS-4 in his final season

OAKLAND: Ex-Oakland third baseman Josh Donaldson is a 1e25 b2 this year

SEATTLE: Dustin Ackley gets a LF-2 with a +2 arm in his first season as a full-time outfielder

TAMPA BAY: Yunel Escobar falls from a 1 last year to a 4 at SS

TEXAS: Elvis Andrus falls to a 2e20 at SS this year

TORONTO: Jose Reyes will be a SS-3e22 this year with AA stealing *4,5 (19-13)(1:08)

ARIZONA: Ender Inciarte debuts with a 2 and a -1 arm in all three OF spots

ATLANTA: FreddieFreeman falls to a 2 at 1B after two years at a 1

CHICAGO (NL):JorgeSoler The rookie debuts with a RF 3 and a -3 arm

CINCINNATI: Jay Bruce drops to a RF-2 with a -4 arm after four consecutive 1's.... Also a 1B-5

COLORADO: Charlie Blackmon earns a 3 in all outfield spots to go along with a 0 arm

LOS ANGELES (NL): Andre Ethier earns a 3 (2 basic) in LF and RF and a 4 in CF. His arm holds at a -1

MIAMI: Marcell Ozuna gets a 2e6 with a -3 arm in all three outfield spots

MILWAUKEE: Jonathan Lucroy gets a 1 and a 0 arm for his defense behind the plate this year. At 1B, Lucroy gets a 4

NEW YORK (NL): Lagares earns his first Gold Glove and his first 1e8 in CF. His cannon arm gets him a -4

PHILADELPHIA: Centerfielder Ben Revere falls to a 3 with another +3 arm

PITTSBURGH: Starling Marte gets a 1e8 (2 basic) in LF and a 2 (3 basic) in CF along with a -3 arm

ST. LOUIS: Matt Adams improves again this year and gets a 2e12 at 1B

SAN DIEGO: Will Venable gets a 2e0 in LF and a 2e0 (1 basic) in both CF and RF

SAN FRANCISCO: Brandon Crawford goes back to a 1e24 (2 basic) at SS for the World Champs

WASHINGTON: Asdrubal Cabrera gets a 2B-2e3 and a SS-4 for his play in both D.C. and Cleveland(4:10pm)

BALTIMORE: The newly departed Nick Markakis won the AL Gold Glove and reclaims his first 1e0 in RF since 2011(9:30am)

BOSTON: The rookie Mookie Betts debuts with a 3e36 (4 basic) at 2B and a 4e1 (3 basic) in both CF and RF. OF Arm is an even 0

CHICAGO (AL): In his first season on the South Side Adam Eaton gets a CF-2e6 along with a -1 arm

CLEVELAND: Jason Kipnis' struggles knock him down to a 4 (3 basic) at 2B from a 2 last year

DETROIT: JD Martinez In his breakout season in Motown, JD Martinez gets a 4e6 and +1 arm in both LF and RF

HOUSTON: Rookie outfielder George Springer gets a 2e15 (3 basic) in RF, 3 in CF, and a -2 arm

KANSAS CITY: After Dyson, the rest of KC's 1's - Perez, Hosmer e13, Escobar e16, Gordon e2, Cain e3 (CF and RF)

LOS ANGELES (AL):Kole Calhoun is a 2e2 (with a -2 arm) in RF this year and his play earned him an AL GG finalist nomination

MINNESOTA: Versatile rookie Danny Santana earns a 3e11 at both SS and CF. Also a -1 OF arm

NEW YORK (AL): Current Free Agent Chase Headley gets a 3B-2e11 and 1B-3 for his play in NY and SD in 2014

OAKLAND: Josh Reddick earns himself another 1e8 in RF. Also a CF-3 and -4 arm

SEATTLE: Last year's big FA signee Robinson Cano is a 2B-2e10 this year; first time not a 1 since 2009

TAMPA BAY:Kevin Kiermaier gets a RF-1e11 as a rookie. Also a CF-2 and -3 arm

TEXAS: Adrian Beltre retains his 3B-1e15 for the 10th consecutive season

TORONTO: At only 23 years old Anthony Gose gets a 1e3 with a -3 arm in all three OF spots this year(12:36)

ARIZONA: Aaron Hill will get a 4 at both 2B and 3B. First time in his career he will have worse than a 3 at either

ATLANTA: Now in St. Louis,Jason Heyward will get his third consecutive 1e2 in RF. And with a -4 arm

CHICAGO (NL):Javier Baez will get a 3e34(4 basic) at 2B and a 3e29 at SS in his rookie season

CINCINNATI: Third Baseman Todd Frazier gets a 3B-2e13 and 1B-3e22 in his first All-Star season

COLORADO:DJ Lemahieu gets both his first 2B-1e8 and Gold Glove Award(He will have SS,1B and 3B high ratings)

LOS ANGELES (NL): Dee Gordon gets a 2B-3e14 in his first full season there. Also AA stealing *3-7 (18-15)

MIAMI: Slugging outfielder Giancarlo Stanton gets his first RF-2e7 since his rookie season and gets a -3 OF Arm

MILWAUKEE: Khris Davis will get a LF-3 but a +3 arm this season

NEW YORK (NL): Lucas Duda claims first base all by himself this year and earns a 1B-3e9. If you're adventurous a LF-5, +3 arm

PHILADELPHIA: Marlon Byrd gets his best rating since 2005, he's a RF-2e7 with a -1 arm

PITTSBURGH: Second Baseman Neil Walker gets a 3e6 (2 basic) this season

ST. LOUIS: Jon Jay gets the unique rating of a 2e3 in CF and 3 in both LF and RF... OF Arm is a +2

SAN DIEGO: Jedd Gyrorko gets his second consecutive 4 at 2B

SAN FRANCISCO: Rookie Joe Panik earns a 2e20 (3 basic) at second base in his first season in the majors

WASHINGTON: We round out Day 2 with a 1, Denard Span gets the 1e5 in CF and has a -1 arm

BONUS RATINGS:

EXTRA BONUS: Kershaw is the first pitcher with an 8 endurance rating since Cliff Lee in 2010.

BONUS #10: Cincinnati's Billy Hamilton gets a CF-1e3 in his first full season

BONUS #9: Brian Dozier earns his first 1e16 (2 basic) at second base this season. Also an A stealer *2-5 (17-12)

BONUS #8: Xander Bogaerts gets a 4e17 (3 basic) at SS and 4e37 (5 basic) at 3B

BONUS #7: Jose Bautista earns a 3e5 (2 basic) in RF and 4 (3 basic) in CF. Also a cannon -4 arm(He will have high 1B rating)

BONUS #6: In his first year in St. Louis, Jhonny Peralta finally gets back to his first SS-3e13 since 2007

BONUS #5:  Hanley Ramirez will be a SS-4 this season... No OF rating quite yet #StratRatings

BONUS #4: Utility man Ben Zobrist gets a 2 at 2B, LF, and RF, a 3 at SS, and a 4 (3 basic) in CF

BONUS #3: Anthony Rendon's MVP caliber season gets him a 2 at 3B and 3 at 2B

BONUS #2: Pittsburgh's Josh Harrison gets a 2 at 3B, 3 at 2B, LF, and RF, and a 4 at SS. Also a -1 OF arm.

BONUS #1: @YasielPuig The LA outfielder is our top requested rating.. He's a 2 in RF and 3 (2 basic) in CF. All with a -5 arm

Trade winds are starting back up..

It is that glorious time of year where the EdCouch GM starts the process of reviewing his teams needs and looking to reshape the team, and though this annual process can be painful, he sees it as a necessary process in finding the pieces to put the puzzle back together.
The team has 7 starting pitchers and is looking for help at SS and CF/LF. In a most aggressive move, EdCouch attempted to trade Cy Young(real life) winner Kluber to Georgia Roadkill and at the time of this article no deal has been made. This is indication that any player is available for trade and if GM's have any trade suggestions feel free to make suggestions, as this is the glorious time of year when anything can be possible!

Note: My next post will be the range ratings preview

Roadkill brass making deals during "dead" period

The Roadkill front office is taking advantage of the temporary NASBL playoff delay to make several deals acquiring former GRK alumni Edwin Encarnacion & Chase Headley along with Dexter Fowler & Dioner Navarro. "Moving On" include Cespedes, Sandoval, Lawrie & Feliz. GM Miller stated "Dexter will leadoff & provide solid CF. EE will DH & is the protection we've needed for Stanton. We still believe in Wieters for the long-run but Dino will carry the load this season with Santana moving to 1B".

Headley is the wild card. He will likely be the opening day starter at 3B. Anthony Rendon will replace fan favorite Brandon Phillips at 2B. It's rumored that Yovani Gallardo or Jesse Chavez & draft picks could be packaged for an upgrade at Closer.

Turbulence and Trade winds in Troy turn into Roster Turnover

Troy, NY:  The Haymakers failed to make the postseason for the first time in three years in 2014 and rumor was that GM Ken Anderson was not happy about the status of the team and the chemistry in the clubhouse.  Two days after announcing that a number of players were available for trade, Troy has made two blockbusters that have effectively reshaped the team and possibly the future of the team.  A total of 12 players and two picks exchanged hands and effectively puts Troy on the rebuilding block for the future.

  Gone are the likes of players who would have been interesting to watch for the Haymaker fans: Edwin Encarnacion, Dexter Fowler, Chase Headley, Scott Kazmir, Russell Martin and Greg Holland.  The players coming to Troy are former first round picks Pablo Sandoval,Yeonis Cespedes, and Matt Cain along with Wilson Ramos, D.J. LeMahieu, Brad Miller.
   "We were looking to shake things up and build toward 2015 and beyond." said GM Anderson, "We may not be contending next season, but watch out for the Haymakers in the near future."
     Troy also received two second round picks, the GRK round 2 and the LVI round 2. They now own five of the top 32 picks, including three in the top 20.  With a number of quality players available, the team should fill out nicely come March.

   The new look team is currently if flashing a good amount of young talent and planning to look like the following (although a lot can change in the course of the offseason):

C: Wilson Ramos
1B: James Loney
2B: D.J. LeMahieu
3B: Pablo Sandoval
SS: Alcides Escobar
LF: Yeonis Cespedes
CF: A.J. Pollock/B.J. Upton
RF: Alex Rios/Josh Hamilton
DH: Josh Rutledge/Brad Miller
Rotation: Madison Bungarner, Jon Niese, Josh Collmenter, Matt Cain, Dillon Gee

After eight seasons in the NASBL; the future in Troy is looking positive.

NASBL 2015 Base Draft Order for Non-Playoff Teams

The base draft order for non-playoff teams will be:


1)  Slatington Bulldogs
2)  Troy Haymakers
3)  Georgia Roadkill
4)  Dallas Fort Worth Spurs
5)  Illinois Chow Chows
6)  Outlaw Josey Wales
7)  Pocono Chin Music
8)  Springfield Isotopes
9)  Shawnee Crows
10)  Canyon Country Cannons


Picks 11-16 will be in order of playoff exit.


Usage played a role in the draft order, as TRY narrowly edged out GRK due to 2 overusage points by GRK's Alex Wood.  In addition, SHA fell from 7th to 9th due to 70 points of overusage by various players.