Power Pros Forum

Oh my bad man.

I still need a trade advisor and trainer before I can get up the next update, so yeah

Also, remember, PM me. Don't post it here

February 21st, 2008

"Well Mr. Angelos, the job process has definitely been pretty slow, but for the positions I have filled, I feel really confident. First off, I have the new assistant GM, my good buddy, Ryan Flynn." A middle aged man with black bushy hair walks into the room. He's wearing a Wisconsin Badgers hoodie, a pair of Nikes, and a brand new Baltimore Orioles cap clutched in his hand. He's surprisingly casual for such an important meeting. "Well," I continue on, "we make a great pair. I'm great with the Sabermetics and he has the keen instincts." Peter looks at me all strange like I had just been speaking a foreign language. "Saber-what?" he asks. "Oh, it's what I'll use to help kickstart this organization, but I'll tell you more about that maybe next week. The next guy I've hired is Matthew Harris." "I remember him!" Peter calls out. "Yes you do Mr. Angelos. His career was very similar to mine. An effective closer who suffered elbow troubles and was out of the league quick. His older brother manages a Japanese team, and he was a scout for the Red Sox the last two years, so that should be helpful for our team. The last guy is Ryan Techer. He's just an intern, but he's able to bring me back an iced coffee in record time. So, what do you think so far Mr. Angelos?" After a few seconds of comtemplation, he told me how I'd assembled what seems to be an effective staff so far, yet I was still missing pieces. "You'll probably need someone to help you with trades and another with training. So make sure you get on that." I responded with a no problem, and left the room with Ryan. Once we reach the parking lot, I have to ask Ryan the question on the top of my mind. "Really dude, that's he most formal outfit you have?" With a smirk and a laugh he just walks towards his car, acting like I already know the answer.

Man I wanted to apply, I wasn't here.

You know, you can still apply. There's two openings left

Ryan Techer... dish, stop making it so obvious.

I had to google sabermetics. Good update though!

Let's see, Ryan Techer is the announcer for the Mendenhals and the Stranglers, he pitching coach/relief pitcher for the Knights and now this.

He's a jack of all trades. Quite a talented old man.

February 28th, 2008

"Hello there Mr. Angelos." I say into my beaten-up cell phone. "I've got good news and bad news. Bad news is, we still have some openings left. People just don't seem interested in a job here. I mean, the economy is great and other jobs are aplenty. But I have some really good news to counter it. Matthew has been scouting the Sunny League the past couple years, and has found us a trio of guys who went undrafted. The first guy is Jeffrey Stanton from the Tulips. He has solid power and budding arm strength. He plays 3B, but is also good enough to play in left. When it comes to his poor running and defense, he makes up for it with his intangibles. He only major issue was his ability to hit for average. He is bad at making contact, and is even worse with two strikes, putting his strikeout rate is through the roof. The next player is Tucker Davis from the Pink Sox. Contact is pretty good, arm strength is pretty good, everything else is total shit, especially his D. We either have the option of focusing solely on his two good attributes and making them elite, or taking his other traits and making them league average. Lastly, we have Matthais Lorraine of the Mighty Bears. Originally from Kenya, he moved over here when he was six. What he severely lacks in top speed, he makes up for with pitches. Including his four-seamer, he has seven different pitches to choose from! His breaking balls have great spin while both of his fastballs seem to lack life." "Great, now sign them immediately." With that, Peter hung up, leaving Ryan and I to figure out the salaries and how exactly these players were supposed to fit in with the team.

Which Ryan is he talking to, if you don't mind me asking?

Ryan Flynn, the Assistant General Manager. I forgot we had two Ryan's, so from now on I'll have to put an initial after the names

What jobs are left?

What you talking about? Flynn just had his named changed to... Tremekeus Flynn. No more confusion!

March 1st, 2008

"Hey Tech!" I yell down the hall from my office. "You got the reports yet?" It was the first day of March, signaling the release of Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects report. Tech speeds into my office with a stack of papers and iced coffee in hand. "Here you go, the top 100 prospects and your caramel iced coffee." "Caramel? I asked for mocha!" "I'm sorry, I'll be back in a moment Mr. Thompson." Techer replies. 'Mr. Thompson, I like the sound of that' I think to myself. As Tech rushes back to the coffee machine, I have a few minutes to read the first couple pages of the report.

1. Paul Perry, Detroit Tigers, 1B, 3BBDFCC
.339 AVG, 23 HR, 78 RBI*
An extraordinary talent out of Georgia, Perry has the ability to become a perennial all-star, and will likely win at least one MVP along the way. His superb combination of contact, power, and defense is a scary matchup for any opposing team. He just has that intimidating feel in the box, something you rarely say about a rookie. He's going to be up in the Bigs this season, forming a potent duo with Miguel Cabrera who will likely shift over to third this season. Barring anything crazy, he seems the runaway favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

2. James Calloway, Kansas City Royals, SP, 102CA/1 SIFB/2 CHG/3 CB/2 CUT
2.09 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 13-5
The only other rookie likely to challenge Paul Perry in skill level is Calloway. He possess pitching speed and has a few fastballs to choose from. He has the regular 4-seamer along with his slider and cutter which he can throw in from time to time. He also has a change and a curve, but those pitches are seldom used, mainly just there to change up the rhythm and timing of a batter. Matchups between Calloway and Perry will become must see TV if not this year, but in the foreseeable future.

3. Nick James, Atlanta Braves, RF/C, 3DAECDD
.290 AVG, 27 HR, 83 RBI
A strong hitter our of Ohio, James is the best power hitting prospect this year. He perfectly defines the phrase "light-tower power" with his thin, yet tall frame. But, other than his power, he's about average. His fielding doesn't stand out, and neither does his contact or speed. That being said, he should still be an important addition to the Braves, either as a cleanup hitter in the middle of the order or a productive bat of the bench in key situations. Not to mention his ability to play catcher, a very scarce position around the majors.

4. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays, 3B, 3FBECEE
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A solid third baseman, Longoria seems to be a perfect fit for a rebuilding Rays team. He provides good power in the middle of the lineup to help compliment the speedsters at the top of the lineup. While he's not the most flashy hitter, Longoria does his job and he does it well. He has all-star written all over him and would be the easy pick for Rookie of the Year if he didn't have to contend with Paul Perry and James Calloway.

5. Pedro Vermilyea, Milwaukee Brewers, CP, 93DE/2 2SFB/1 KNCB/3 KN
2.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 1-3
After being picked in the 32nd round out of high school in the 2003 MLB Draft, Vermilyea went over to Japan for a few years to help perfect his craft. While over there, he learned how to throw a gyroball, which is essentially a fastball with an odd spin. It has proven to be a hot commodity as his launched all the way up into the first round a few years later. Yet, his special pitch does not fix everything. His "fastball" is still pretty slow, and his control still has a ways to go. But there's no denying how special this kid is.

6. Keith Colamarino, Altoona Curve, 2B, 2BFCCCC
.325 AVG, 2 HR, 36 RBI
The prototypical two-hitter looks to be a player who will have much to contribute to a team, but will never get the recognition he deserves. Laying down a bunt is his specialty and he's not afraid to go all out for the team. He's the perfect teammate to have, one who'll always have your back. He still needs a little seasoning down in AA, but expect to see him up in 2009 and making a difference for the Buccos.

7. Kosuke Fukudome, Chicago Cubs, RF, 3BBCBBB
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A skilled outfielder from the Chunichi Dragons, Fukudome is coming over here at the ripe old age of 30. Despite being older than most rookies, he still has the combination of speed and power that most of them wish for. Fukudome won't be a star in this league, but he has a great opportunity to help the Cubs try and win their first World Series in 100 years.

8. Hiroki Kuroda, Los Angeles Dodgers, SP, 95CA/2 2SFB/3 H-SHU/4 SPLT/3 H-SLD
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Even older than Kosuke Fukudome, Kuroda is likely to either boom or bust. Coming in at 33 from the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Kuroda already has most of his years under his belt. He could be stuck in his ways and refuse to change to fit the MLB style. But he also has the experience and skill set that the Dodgers pitchers seem to lack. At the very least, Kuroda can come in and be a mentor to younger players.

9. Shengjun Ishida, Reading Phillies, RP, 95CC/3 SHU/2 H-SNK/5 PALM
1.44 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 4-1
Already the third Japanese pitcher on our list, Ishida is an absolute strikeout machine. Back when he played for the Marines in the NPB, he averaged over two strikeouts per inning in middle relief. Ishida has a very hot tempered though, and is starts to lose his touch after giving up a hit or two. He's still trying to work out the kinks and attitude on the minors, but he looks poised to work as a long reliever next season of the Phillies.

10.Jeffrey Stanton, Norfolk Tides, 3B, 3FCEDFE
.212 AVG, 12 HR, 31 RBI
An undrafted free agent out of the Sunny League, Stanton is missing one essential trait. Contact. His ability to hit the ball is limited, and his strikeout rate is ridiculously high. Although all is not gloomy for Stanton. He has pretty good power and about league average arm strength. With a little touching up, expect to see him be a bat off the bench later this season for the Orioles, who seem to lack depth at the corners.

*Stats are through 100 minor league games

You no use Matsubara, or Suzuki, or McDougal. I haz a sad.

They're probably too good huh.