NL SOUTH TOP 10 PLAYERS IN THE MINORS

 NL SOUTH TOP 10 PLAYERS IN THE MINORS

(This season's draft not included)

   Team      POS  AGE LVL PLYR

1.Louisville SP        21  AAA Geronimo Estrada 

2.Charlotte 2B       23 AA  Bengie Romano

3.Houston SP        20  AA  Louie Dorsey

4.Jackson DH       21  HiA  Vic Romero

5.Charlotte 1B        21 AAA Hipolito Arrendondo

6.Louisville RP        22 AAA  Pat Chen   

7.Louisville 1B        20  HiA  Pedro Martinez 

8.Houston RP         23  AA  Corey Moran

9.Houston  1B        19  LoA  Erubrial Pascal

10.Jackson   LF        21  AA  Gene Barfield

Around the League-NL East

From the desk of our NL East reporter csudak:

The NL East is still anyone's ball game, with only 6 games separating first and last.

Washington is still holding strong in 1st, after finishing last season in last place. Vector21 has done a great job turning this team around. The key to their success if is a solid offense, with just enough pitching.

Philadelphia is in 2nd, but only 2 games back after a 3 game win streak. It will be interesting to see if they can hold onto the 2nd position, with 9 straight games coming up against teams over .500.

Jacksonville is keeping pace at 4 games back and doing it with solid pitching. The Juice need to get some more people on base to have a chance at moving up the ladder and contending with Washington and Philly

While only 6 games back, Cincy just doesn't have the bats to compete with the top of the division. With no everyday players batting over .300, you wonder if a move is in order. On the bright side of things is 13 of the next 19 are against sub .500 teams, so if there was ever a chance to make a move, now is the time.

Around the League-AL East

Here is what's going on in the AL East by tk21775

AL East looks like they could have 3 teams make the playoffs this season the way they've started out of the gates. Boston is currently in 1st with a 35-20 record where Diego Valbuena is still earning his paycheck with a 9-1 record (Tied for 1st in ML in wins) and is currently 4th in era. Rochester is right behind with a 32-23 record, a team that has Tony Caballero hitting balls into the seats quite often as he's tied for 1st in home runs. Durham finds itself in 3rd place but with a 31-24 record! They've got the bats going as Fred Inge is 7th in batting avg. in the majors and Hector Janssen is 10th in home runs. Pittsburgh rounds out the division with a 21-34 record, currently tied for 3rd in team defense but putting up a 3-11 record in 1 run games. I have to think with a strong defense they could start winning of a few of those close ones soon.

Around the League-AL South

Here is the latest update from RXW1

After 56 games not much has changed in the AL South since the last report. Unlike the last couple of seasons this year is about parity within the division. 6 games separate top from bottom with the top three teams are separated by 2 games. 

Tampa Bay (31-24) has won 10 of their last 12 behind their offense. Victor Alexandar (.308 16HR 35 RBI) leads an offense that is #4 in Team Batting , #1 in HR’s, #3 in Runs scored. Season11 #1 Overall Pick Claude Collins threw his first career no hitter for Tampa Bay.

San Juan (29-26) currently sits 2 games out of first following a pair of 3 game win streaks. Houston Graves (.333 8 HR 36 RBI) leads the #1 Batting Avg & #1 OBS offense. Stretch Campbell’s 12 Saves leads the Hermanos’ pitching staff.

New Orleans (29-26) has spent time on top of the division but has struggled lately. The team has been on autopilot since 1/13 so we are all hoping all is well with owner larryvegas. Henry Siddall (.340 8 HR 32 RBI) leads a Nighthawks offense which is #14 Runs Scored #4 in Doubles. Everth Benitez (9-1 2.43 ERA) leads the pitching staff.

Nashville (25-30) continues to struggle with consistency so far this season. The Nalas had 6 game losing streak followed by a 10 game winning streak pulling them up as high as 2nd place. Owner bnags has threatened a fire sale if things don’t turnaround – we’re not counting the Nalas out by a long shot. They currently have lost 10 of 12 and are sitting 6 games behind. Heine Rice (.318 22 HR 54 RBI) leads an offense that #13 in BA #15 in Runs Scored. Apollo Fletcher ‘s 13 saves leads the pitching staff.