GOODBYE PAPI!

One hundred and eight homeruns and two hundred seventy-seven RBI after being picked off the scrap heap in the 7th round of the 2010 NASBL rookie draft (Stratdraft comment: "What the heck, don't cost much!"), Outlaw fans say goodbye to beloved fan favorite Big Papi Ortiz.  With Outlaw going nowhere fast this year, management decided to pull the trigger on a youth movement, netting 22 year-old centerfielder Christian Yelich and a 2015 first round draft pick for the ageless wonder.  Good luck in Lehigh Valley Big Papi.

AJC "Smart Money on Iron Pigs to Repeat"

On the heels of their correct '13 pre-season prediction the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs would take home the NASBL title, the Atlanta Journal Constitution "AJC" said to expect more of the same as they predict back-to-back titles for the first time in the "Modern Era" of the NASBL. There should be very competitive battles in most divisions except the TG South where the Iron Pigs should clinch early & gear up for another title run. Here goes the AJC picks for the '14 season:

Taste Great East
1. LCC
2. SPR
3. ECN
4. ILL

Taste Great South
1. LVI
2. OJW
3. GRK
4. CCC

Less Filling West
1. DFW
2. SHA
3. TRY
4. SPL

Less Filling Central
1. GCG
2. VFS
3. PCM
4. SLB

TG Playoffs:
LCC over SPR (WC)
LVI over LCC

LF Playoffs:
VFS (WC) over DFW
VFS over GCG

World Series:
LVI over VFS in 6 games

Post-Season Awards
TG MVP Freddie Freeman LCC
TG CY Adam Wainwright GRK
TG FOY Craig Kimbrel OJW
TG ROY Jose Fernandez ILL

LF MVP Miggy Cabrera GCG
LF CY Cliff Lee GCG
LF FOY Greg Holland TRY
LF ROY Matt Harvey VFS

Many trades shape the EdCouch roster...

He has been called "Bob Barker" and after completing his 12th trade since the off season began, GM Killmer says the New Potatoes are ready to compete this season and with the addition of Braun,Bautista,Alex Cobb, Eithier and Albert Pujols(at the cost of trading away some fan favorites, very good players and high draft picks) the GM says the team is in a position to compete for the next few years.

Some local critics have mentioned that the ages of the players acquired are 30 or older(exception Cobb) and the GM has taken on some risk of age related regression, but Killmer says that the risk has a very good chance of paying off the next several years.

With LCC having such a great team in the same division, Killmer acknowledges that it will be a close fight for the division and may have to look to the trade wire like he did last year to reinforce the teams bullpen.
It looks like the New Potatoes will have to improve on their 104 wins from last year to have a chance to win the division and to fight for a better record than cross division rival and two time champs LVI, who once again have a stacked team.

The GM is also excited about two of the teams late draft picks, one being the power the crafty veteran Raul Ibanez can add to the current team and the bright future of Willy Pertalta(if he can seem to find the strike zone he should really develop).

As usual only time will tell where the New Potatoes will land, but there is one thing for sure, the fan's are excited about both the current team and the teams chances of competing the next few years!

Sioux Acquire Medlen - Announce Intentions

- Burlington, VT


The Vermont Fighting Sioux have acquired front of the rotation starter Kris Medlen from the Troy Haymakers in exchange for Dillon Gee and picks in the 2nd and 4th rounds of the 2015 NASBL Rookie/FA draft. The Sioux also received back TRY's 8th and 10th round selections.

The moment Ken Anderson hung a For Sale sign on Medlen, Justin Rabidoux quickly assigned the Sioux scouting and medical (TOMMY JOHN, hello) departments to evaluate Medlen's immediate and long-term value. The immediate value is clear, another front end starter added to a now (crosses fingers) very top heavy Sioux rotation. Long-term, who knows, and frankly in the NASBL the future, nonetheless the present, is not guaranteed. So the Sioux pushed their chips to the center of the table and declared themselves all in for the 2014 NASBL title. "Heck, if LVI can do it twice, why not us once?" quipped an anonymous VFS front office source.

It's funny how a season and its expectations can change in the briefest of moments. Sitting with the 7th pick in the opening round of the NASBL 2013 R/FA draft, Vermont would've been content with its forecasted selection of Starling Marte. Heck, one can never have enough LHP whooping bats in a division led by Jack Howard's Southside Hurling Grizzlies. But then a funny thing happened, fellow NASBL execs, no doubt scared away by his pending TOMMY JOHN surgery (this will be a theme for the Sioux this year, looking at you too Jarrod), one after another passed on talented hurler Matt Harvey. Rabidoux was more than willing to grab him for this year and beyond, hoping Harvey would have a Cy Young caliber 2014 and then a Strasburg-like bounce back from surgery leading to a successful NASBL career.

Entering the draft the Sioux had 159 of the required 162 starts from a rotation comprised top to bottom of:

Mat Latos
AJ Burnett

Medlen, ready to deal for Vermont in 2014

Jarrod Parker
Eric Stults
Dillon Gee

That group was an ideal Sioux quintet, given Vermont's recent history suggests 81 win campaigns are ideal.

After the draft and Medlen acquisition, the group is now:

Matt Harvey
Kris Medlen
Mat Latos
AJ Burnett
Jarrod Parker/Eric Stults

Having an extra leftie allows Rabidoux to send the southpaws out against LHB-heavy squads.

So after all this questions still abound. Is this enough to topple GCG, DFW and the rest of the Less Filling? Was it worth it to acquire Medlen for two high picks? Drafting Harvey, whose rehab timetable is unknown, smart move? And on and on.

One thing we do know, the rotation entering the draft had a cumulative 13 wins above replacement (data from Fangraphs). The rotation after the draft (not counting Stults) has 19 WAR. Will those extra six fictional MLB wins translate into NASBL? To what extent? If we assume it actually means six more NASBL wins, that is likely the difference between missing the playoffs and being in contention for a division title and wildcard spot. If that's what 2014 holds for the Sioux, they'll happily take that gamble.

This season is setting up as a parlor game of sorts for VFS. A series of dominoes led to the current pitching staff. Without six other GMs passing, understandably so, on Harvey, VFS would not have pulled the trigger on the Medlen trade. With all the dominoes in place, the 162 roll crap game begins - here's to hoping the Sioux keep rolling their point!!

The PRICE is Right

Grundy County Grizzlies reacquired their 2010 1^st Round Draft Pick, LHSP David Price.  Bob Barker, I mean Ed Kilmer, GM of the EdCouch New Potatoes traded David Price to Jack Howard and the Grundy County Grizzlies for RHSP Alex Cobb and Door Number 4 (the Griz’s 2014 4^th Round Draft Pick).   Howard and Kilmer exchanged emails for a week or so.  Howard made several counteroffers.  But, Kilmer’s price for Price was his price.  Howard ending up paying Kilmer’s price for Price.

One might question why Kilmer would seek to trade the ACE of his Potato Head Staff.  After all David Price was the EDCouch’s STAR Player last year.  David’s 2013 NASBL record reflected his 2012 major league CY Young award winning season.  David won 18 of his 27 New Potatoes’ decisions.  Price’s ERA was a very respectable 3.57 and David had 214 strikeouts over 210 innings.  Needless to say, David Price carried the Potato Heads on his back to a division win and playoff spot.  Without Price, it is unlikely the Potato Heads would have won 104 games in 2013; second most in the NASBL.

A big part of the reason Kilmer may have traded Price to the Griz was to acquire Cobb.  To be quite frank, Cobb’s Strat card for the coming season is better than Price’s card. It appears that Price will mow down left-handed batters as expected.  However, David is vulnerable to right handed hitters.  Cobb on the other hand has a very balanced solid card.  Additionally, Cobb is a RHSP, which usually produces better results than LHP in Strat, especially in small leagues such as the NASBL.   Cobb showed a lot when he overcame a baseball to the forehead.  Cobb returned to the mound after seeing stars and became a Star.  Alex pitched better upon his return to the mound than he had pitched before his injury.
Or, maybe Kilmer has a devious plan.  Kilmer may have schemed to add another LHP to make the already unbalanced Griz staff more southern oriented.   The GRIZ will rely on LHSP at their ( 1), (2), and (3) rotations spots in 2014.  The Griz will trot Cliff Lee, Price, and Cole Hamels out to bump, or maybe it will be Price/Hamels/Lee, or possibly Hamels /Lee/Price; depending on the Mrs.’s time of the month. 

Whatever, NASBL managers are licking their lips with sweet anticipation thinking how they are going to kick Griz butt.  Justin Rabidoux of the Vermont Fighting Sioux got a hard-on (woody, penile erection, or whatever you may wish to call it [I like to call it Mr. Happy}) when he picked Paul Konerko in the 2014 Supplemental Draft.  Konerko kills LHP and that pick alone make the Sioux favorites to win the division this season.  It will be interesting to see who drafts Jordy Mercer, for Mercer’s stick against LHP is stronger than Howard’s Mr. Happy.   

So why would Howard trade for a 3^rd LHSP.  Jack stated he regrets 2 trades more than all others.  He wished he had never traded away Brandon Phillips who anchored his infield defense and he regretted trading David Price.  Howard got good return for those players, but he had not realized how much the two meant to him and the Griz team.  Howard drafted Price in the #9 slot of the 2010 draft (just ahead of Andrew McCutchen) with the intent of handing David the ball every 4 days for the next 20 years.  Howard had sought to reacquire both players at different times over the last few years with no luck.  Then Mr. Kilmer came emailing.

Mr. Happy rose to the occasion when Kilmer offered Price and Howard could not refuse.  At the news conference announcing the reacquisition of Price, Howard said, I will restate what I said 4 years ago when we drafted the young lad from Vanderbilt: “We hope last year’s performance was just a dip for this former top prospect and we hope he will lead our rotation in the future.”  With the acquisition of a 3^rd LHSP, Howard is pondering moving his whole pitching staff south to see if the warmer side of the mound can cause havoc throughout the NASBL.

Springfield Times' Annual NASBL Rookie Mock Draft

Springfield (AP) –


In what now seems to be the norm, a flurry of trades has led to numerous first round picks changing hands. In what may be a record, five teams (Pocono, Shawnee, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Ed Couch and Troy) do not have selections in the first round of this year’s draft. At first glance, this year’s draft class appears to be slightly weaker than last year’s. The big difference being the dynasty changing potential of the top picks in last year’s draft (Trout, Strasburg, Harper, Machado, and Darvish). However, this draft is very deep.



The last two years, the team with three first round picks won the NASBL World Series (Slatington & Lehigh Valley). Based on this fact, the Springfield Times can safely say that no team will win this year’s NASBL World Series since no team has three picks in the first round this year. Either that or the championship is up in the air this year, I’m not sure which.



Without further adieu, the following is the Springfield Times’ Annual First Round Projections.



#1) Illinois Chow Chows (via trade from Slatington) – Jose Fernandez (SP)

The Chows traded a good young catcher in Wilson Ramos for the right to move up one spot in the draft and swap picks with the Bulldogs. It is believed that the elder Sherlag made this deal for the sole purpose of grabbing the 20 year old Fernandez. Taking a pitcher with the top pick in the draft is something that hasn’t been done since 2009, when the New York Knights selected starter Jon Lester with the first pick in the NASBL draft. Fernandez will join his teammate Lester at the top of the Chows’ rotation.



#2) Slatington Bulldogs – Yasiel Puig (OF)

Although there appears to be many good young pitchers available in this draft, impact offensive talent appears hard to come by. Perhaps the best combination of youth/production for an everyday player in this draft resides in the form of Yusiel Puig. Though extremely raw by all accounts, Mr. Puig has been successful at every level he has played, both in the United States and internationally and will fit in nicely with Jacoby Ellsbury and Domonic Brown to round out Slatington’s youthful outfield.



#3) Seattle Pilots – Matt Harvey (SP)

Harvey would have easily been the first pick in this year’s draft had the draft taken place after Major League Baseball (NASBL’s sister league) had its all star game. Harvey was the starting pitcher of the All Star Game as a rookie, and deservedly so. As oftentimes happens to young pitchers, elbow soreness turned into a visit to Dr. Andrews and it is thought that Harvey may have to miss next year’s NASBL season after going “under the knife”. Even after factoring in his injury, Harvey’s talent level warrants being picked at #3.



#4) Georgia Roadkill – Wil Myers (OF)

Due to the sordid injury history of some 1st round pitchers in recent years, the safe pick is to take an offensive player in Round 1. Lucky for the Roadkill, the safe play and the most talented player on the board are one and the same in young outfielder Wil Myers. A highly touted prospect, Myers parlayed his impact in MLB into a Rookie of the Year award. Johnny hopes that Myers will give Georgia the bat it has long been looking for to protect Giancarlo Stanton in the middle of the Roadkill lineup.



#5) Seattle Pilots (via trade from Pocono) – Jurickson Profar (SS/2B)

Players that reach Major League Baseball at age 19 are few and far between. While not necessarily a guarantee of success at the NASBL level, it certainly is a bell-weather that you have a very special prospect. Following the mold of Manny Machado last year, Profar did not tear the cover off the ball in his first taste of major league pitching. However, also like Machado, the talent is undeniable with Profar. Add that to reports that former first round pick Dustin Ackley has been shagging balls in the outfield for the Pilots in training camp and it all adds up that the Pilots are looking to grab Profar with its second pick in the top 5.



#6) Canyon Country Cannons – Josh Donaldson (3B)

With eight pitchers already on the squad after cutdown day, Brendan Conrad will more than likely look for offense here. Even inclusive of Puig and Profar, Josh Donaldson will more than likely provide the most impact of any non-pitcher drafted in Round 1. Donaldson plays near gold glove defense at third base, hits both lefties and righties and has close to 600 at bats. With only David Freese “blocking” him at 3B, Donaldson appears to fit a need as well.



#7) Vermont Fighting Sioux – Starling Marte (OF)

If Marte did a little more with the bat against right handed pitching, he could easily have been the #2 pick in this draft. As it stands now, his defense and speed play enough against right handers to warrant this pick. Add this to the fact that left handed pitchers will run and hide when Marte comes to the plate and you have a very happy Justin Rabidoux that Marte is still here at #7.



#8) Outlaw Josey Wales – Shelby Miller (SP)

It is believed that Outlaw is looking at a pitcher here. The question is – which 22 year old does GM Mark Hildebrandt go with – Shelby Miller or Gerrit Cole? When in doubt, go with the guy who has done it over more innings – which leads to the selection of Shelby Miller here for Outlaw.



#9) Canyon Country Cannons (via trade from Shawnee) – Jose Iglesias (SS)

As I mentioned earlier, the Cannons appear set on the mound. Did I also mention that the Cannons shortstop is named Zach Cozart. Yes, that Zach Cozart. With no apologies necessary, the only question that the Cannons have is which young shortstop to grab with this pick – Jose Iglesias, Jean Segura, Andrelton Simmons, or DiDi Gregorius. Rey Ordonez and Omar Vizquel are the only shortstops in recent memory that the Times can remember rivaling Jose Iglesias’ 1e6 rating at SS. Iglesias can also hit as well or better than any of the other shortstops available. The only issue with Iglesias is that he does not have as many at bats as some of the other young shortstops in this draft. Having another shortstop in the fold in Cozart allows Brendan the luxury of grabbing the proverbial best shortstop available with this pick.



#10) Lake Champlain Cannibals – Gerrit Cole (SP)

Lake Champlain looks like its squad is ready to challenge for the NASBL championship this year. Lucky for GM Steve Beard, there is a player that can help achieve that goal that is also a top 5 talent available here. The Cannibals gobble up Cole with this pick and thank their lucky stars that he fell to them here.



#11) Grundy County Grizzlies – Yan Gomes (C/1B)

The Grizz have a chance to compete for a title this year. That often means sacrificing youth for production in the 1st round. The Grizz can straddle both sides of the fence and grab their catcher of the future here in Gomes. Gomes has a cannon for an arm and can hit both lefties and righties. Young backstops that can swing the bat and play defense are hard to come by. Gomes appears to be one.



#12) Springfield Isotopes – Jean Segura (SS)

The Topes do not have a single carded shortstop on their roster. Luckily, there are a few choices here for GM Doug Sherlag to pick from. The best combination of at bats/performance would probably be Jean Segura. Add in that Segura is just 23 years old and the younger Sherlag has to be pleased with this pick.



#13) Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (via trade from Dallas/Ft.Worth) – Christian Yelich (OF)

Lehigh Valley’s strength is in their pitching. Unfortunately for the Iron Pigs, this draft lacks a true impact bat with a full slate of at bats here at #13. The best hitter available against right handed pitching also happens to be a young outfielder - an apparent need of the Iron Pigs. The only players that get on base at a higher clip against righties than Christian Yelich are guys named Choo and Votto. Last I checked, they were not available in this draft. The Iron Pigs will use all 240 of Yelich’s at bats during the regular season and Christian should be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs/future for the Iron Pigs.



#14) Slatington Bulldogs (via trade from Ed Couch) – A.J. Griffin (SP)

How would you like a 25 year old starter that has proven himself over 200 innings of Major League Baseball? Sign the Bulldogs up as they grab A.J. Griffin with the 14th pick. Griffin is a great value here. Although susceptible to the long ball, Griffin’s stuff keeps hitters off base. Slatington should be happy that Griffin gave up his share of homers this year. Otherwise, there is no way that he would still be available with the 14th pick.



#15) Lake Champlain Cannibals (via Trade from Troy) – Hyun-jin Ryu (SP)

The Cannibals appear poised to compete for a title in 2014 based on the strength of its rotation and a solid lineup at all positions. The Cannibals are one starter short of a full rotation and the Times predicts that they will full it here. The best available starter here is up for debate. There are a few other candidates here in Hyun-jin Ryu, Andrew Cashner and Chris Archer. In the end Ryu’s 192 innings win out and he is the Cannibals pick here.



#16) Grundy County Grizzlies (via Trade from Lehigh Valley) – Scooter Gennett (2B)

As mentioned earlier, the Grizz have a chance to compete for a title this year. Jack Howard grabbed Darwin Barney in the supplemental draft. Barney can be kindly described as offensively challenged. The biggest impact bat left on the draft board is Scooter Gennett, who also happens to play second base. It is a win/win for Howard and although Gennett has limited at bats, Barney’s selection gives the Grizz the luxury to draft Gennett here and potentially ride Scooter’s bat to a crown in 2014.

NASBL Round 3/4 Draft Order

The round 3/4 draft order for the 2014 NASBL Rookie / FA Draft will be:


1.  DFW
2.  LCC
3.  LVI
4.  ECN
5.  OJW
6.  TRY
7.  SPL
8.  GCG
9.  GRK
10. SPR
11. SBU
12. ILL
13. CCC
14. VFS
15. PCM
16. SHA




DFW, LCC, and SHA earned their spots at the opposite end of the FA Money spectrum primarily by virtue of trades involving FA Money.


OJW was the top article writer with 15 posts in 2013, and the resulting $7,500.00 boosted OJW upward by several slots.


LCC earned its traditional $3,000 award for finishing with the best record for a non-playoff team (again,) while SHA earned $2,000 for finishing with the 2nd best record for a non-playoff team.


3 teams (ILL, SHA, and SBU) earned the $500 bonus for having a road record better than their home record.


ECN earned $100 for having the most All-Stars in the Tastes Great, while 3 teams (TRY, SPL, and SHA) each earned $100 for tying for the most All-Stars in the Less Filling conference.


The most unfortunate winners of the $50 categorical leader awards were Joe Mauer of SPL (most GIDP's with 31), Jonathan Papelbon of GRK (most blown saves with 13) and Bud Norris of SBU (most losses with 26.)  Norris also earned his team an additional boobie prize of $50 for establishing a new league record for losses.