OOTP 2007 - The World

[PilotMan]

Canadian International Association Recap


ATL Newcomer of the Year: Stanford Warren, 24, Calgary Graylings (.285 9 35)


Warren was a graduate of Millbury College where he was touted as a power hitter with a good eye. He was drafted by the St. Louis Wrath in the 5^th round, and was released after failing to move beyond rookie ball. Signed by Calgary he moved up to AAA ball and split time between there and the main club. Warren started 74 games at C and should have a good shot for a full time job after this.


ATL Top Tosser: Takashi Hashimoto, 32, Prince George Valiants (24-5 2.79)


Hashimoto has been the best pitcher for Prince George for the last 6 years. He has won 111 games over that time and carries a 2.71 ERA. This is the second time that Hashimoto has won Top Tosser (1975). Hashimoto has been all over the leader boards and is one of the best. He lead the league in Wins and shutouts this year and was in the top 10 in many, many others. Hashimoto is entering into the last year of his contract.


ATL Smacker of the Year: Yoritomo Taniguchi, 33, Calgary Graylings (.271 36 124)


Taniguchi has played all six years with Calgary, and before this year had never batted above .244. The Japanese second basemen is making over 3.5 M per season. Taniguchi lead the league in RBI's, BB, and IBB. Taniguchi is signed to Calgary for 3 more years.


PAC Newcomer of the Year: Armando Polanco, 21, Kamloops Sea Gulls (10-9 4.06)


Polanco was originally a first round pick by Saint Hyacinthe but was traded to Kamloops. Polanco moved steadily up from AA to AAA, to the CIA. His stats aren't gaudy but given his development at this age, he could have a bright career.


PAC Top Tosser: Mark Brooks, 32, St. Johns Steeldogs (19-6 1.95)


Brooks snags his second Top Tosser (1976). In truth, he was every bit as dominating this as any other year. Unlike Acker, Brooks is unlikely ever to leave the CIA. He just signed a 5 year extension to stay with St Johns. He doesn't make nearly as much (4.1 per season v. 9.0 per) but he is very popular, and success is a very strong aphrodisiac.


PAC Smacker of the Year: Alberto Garcia, 27, Edmonton Rumble (.305 36 106)


Edmonton's catcher had a great year. Good enough that he got a two year extension, in his prime that makes him one of the top paid players in the league at almost 5 mil per season. Garcia was a first round draft pick by Medicine Hat, and was traded a year later. He broke into the CIA 2 years later and his stock has been on the rise ever since.

[PilotMan]

Major League Baseball Recap


National League


Rookie of the Year: Mike Beasley, 27, Mesa Crabbers (.298 7 51 46 SB)


Beasley is a graduate of Tulsa College where he batted .260. He was a second round draft pick by the Honolulu Sunsets. Mike was stuck in the minors, having spent 4 full seasons there, with his last 2 in AAA where he stole 112 bases in 2 seasons. Beasley was traded to Mesa in May and became their starting RF. He finished second in the NL in steals.


Outstanding Pitcher: Terry Barker, 32, El Paso Raging Bulls (17-7 2.08 285k)


Barker wins his third OP award, and second in a row. Barker was the first player selected, overall, in the first draft, in the MLB. Too bad, his team can't seem to make the playoffs (once in 6 years.) Barker recently signed a 6 year extension, and looks to finish his career in El Paso. Here are just a sampling of his accomplishments. Lead the league in W's 3 times, IP(2), K(6), ERA(6), WHIP(4), K/BB(4), RA/9(4), VORP(4), QS(4), GB%(5).


Outstanding Hitter: Johnny Berry, 36, Boston Walnuts (.296 25 99 22SB)


The Boston 3B was the team's second overall pick in the inaugural draft. He appeared in his 4^th All-Star game, and won his second Gold Glove at 3B. Berry recently signed a two year extension that will keep him here through 1982. He lead the league in OBP, BB, and R.


American League


Rookie of the Year: Juan Cedeno, 24, Baton Rouge Cannibals (.258 22 68)


Apparently Cedeno did some weight lifting in the offseason, because before this, his highest HR total in any year, at any level was 15. Cedeno was picked in the 125^th round of the inaugural draft (2989 overall.) And the team has stuck with him. He played the last 4 years at AAA, but was nothing special. Baton Rouge called him up and used him in RF. He struggled in the post season hitting .138 while hitting 2 HR in 9 games.


Outstanding Pitcher: Scott Acker, 35, Portland Predators (18-7 2.37)


Acker should have been able to win rookie of the year too, but I guess the league figured that he was just too old. Acker, despite his arm injury still managed a great year, and pulled the Predators into the playoff chase. Despite his age, he wins his third league best pitcher award. He did have career highs in ERA, HA, BB, and lows in K's, but clearly he is still good enough to pitch here. He is in the last year of his contract. Will he stay in the MLB, or move back to the CIA?


Outstanding Hitter: Paco Morales, 29, Jacksonville Colossus (.300 36 96 29SB)


Morales is another player who started his career in Canada, and move to the ML. He has been a fixture for Jacksonville in LF for 5 years. Morales was the first Smacker of the Year winner in the CIA while playing for Kamloops. He was their first pick in their inaugural draft. He has appeared in 4 ML All-Star games. Last year he signed an extension that pays him 7.5M for 4 more years. He was the HR king this year and also lead the league in R.

[PilotMan]

So how did the rest of them finish?


We know how the year went for Terry Barker, and Scott Acker, but how did the rest of them finish?


Freddy Ramirez, 18, Tampa High Worms


Tampa finished with a 19-21 record. Ramirez, who was the OP 2 years ago went 6-2 with a 3.19 ERA. In three years Ramirez has 20 wins and a 2.48 ERA in only 185 In of work. He seems to be having more trouble with his control, and he wasn't an All-American selection. Ramirez looks to have one more season with Tampa before he will likely be drafted.


Juan Diaz, 32, Free Agent


Diaz played with San Diego, and without a long term deal in place went to Canada to play for Airdrie where he couldn't quite help them over the hump to get them into the playoffs. Diaz had a typical year for him, hitting .293 with 28 HR and 116 RBI. He also stole 17 bases. Ok, but when you were once the highest paid player in baseball, even more is expected. You have to think that is why he wasn't resigned. His time in Canada was fruitful. He played in 12 games, hitting .333 with 2 HR and 8 RBI. I just don't seem him staying in Canada though, no team in Canada can pony up the kind of dough that this guy made last year. In fact, his salary alone last year, was more than about half of the teams in Canada. The fact that he went there to play is a cool thing. I really like these guys being able to give a late season boost to a CIA team, it gives real legitimacy to the league.


Victor Rodriguez, 24, Mesa Greenjackets


Rodriguez looks like he may have lost his closing role, but he is ok with it, for now. He has moved up in local popularity to well know, but still an unknown nationally which makes sense for a league that plays at such a low level. Rodriguez was signed to a two year extension just prior to the season. He is making 23k per season, still lower than the league avg of 37k, but probably better than half. The team was in the finals, and they are in healthy shape selling out their 6600 seat stadium frequently. Rodriguez finished the year with an 0-4 record and 14 saves and a 2.98 ERA . He was 14/16 in saves and had 5 H when he went into the setup role.


Chet Turner, 29, Kelowna Hoodlums


Turner and the Hoodlums got to the playoffs, but couldn't deal with the eventual champs in Kamloops. Turner became one of the highest paid players in the CIA last year when he signed a 5 year deal the paid him almost 4.5 M per season. He had an up and down year, but finished well. He hit .313 with 2 HR and 43 RBI. Still he finished with a career low 47 steals and .365 SLG%. He was not selected for the All-Star game. He was happy with his year, but playing in a less prestigious league I would have expected more from him. Scouts are very high on him though and say that this next year could be his best yet.