MLB 14 The Show: They Call Him "Johnny Boombatz" - Johnny Pascucci's Road to the Show

[NeverEnough]

Good stuff man, glad to see the bat picking up after a slow start.....

plus playing in my team's organization will be a fun watch

[JohnnyP1119]

Month of May 2014

I think I may have been bored in this shot...our pitching staff has been amazing and sometimes I find myself daydreaming, looking into the stands and seeing if there are any cuties to stare at.

Anyway...the month of May has been pretty...steady?

I guess that's the right word. I've been playing pretty well for the most part and you know Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere," well I've about hit in every spot of the lineup over the last month.

Primarily I've been hitting in the leadoff spot, which is new to me. I really don't see myself as a leadoff guy, but I guess Panko [Manager] saw something in me that made him believe I would be a good guy to start the game off.

The funny part is I don't have a single stolen base on the year...I've been caught a couple times but I really haven't run much. So over the last couple weeks I have been training a little on the basepaths in hopes that I can start swiping a few. In the leadoff spot, it would be nice to grab a few bags and help my team get on the board by manufacturing a run.

Anyway the teams still doing pretty well. We go on some nice runs rattling off 5 or 6 in a row, but we are prone to losing a few in a row as well. The chemistry is great though, as just about everyone gets along in the locker room.

In fact, just a couple weeks ago after a victory we had a little fun at Almonte's place [Abraham Almonte, CF] and had a few girls over. Of course Sergio [Ferreira] suggested we played strip poker and since the guys over 21 wouldn't let me drink (I was pissed) I decided to play.

I'm pretty good at poker too, so I not only had an actual pair of aces in my hand, but I got a good peek at a few nice pairs over the night.

I know what you're thinking but...we kept it clean. Just down to the underwear because we all know we didn't need to see each other outside of the shower.

Anyway here's an update on what Baseball America has me rated as:

SL North Standings - Updated: May 31, 2014
AL EAST	W	L	GB
Lookouts	34	22	-
Generals	28	28	6.0
Smokies	27	29	7.0
Stars	25	31	9.0
Barons	21	35	13.0

MAY 2014 Game Log
5/1 vs PNS ----- 1/3, R, BB, RBI, K (W)
5/2 vs PNS ----- 2/4, R, 2B (W)
5/4 vs PNS ----- 1/3, BB, K (L)
5/5 @ HVL ----- 1/5, K (L)
5/7 @ HVL ----- 1/5, R, BB, K (W)
5/8 @ HVL ----- 0/3 (L)
5/9 @ HVL ----- 2/4, R, 2RBI (L)
5/11 vs TNS --- 3/6, 2B, RBI, K (W)
5/13 vs TNS --- 2/4, R, 2B (W)
5/14 vs TNS --- 0/4, R, BB, K (W)
5/15 vs MTG --- 1/5, R, K (W)
5/17 vs MTG --- 0/4 (L)
5/18 vs MTG --- 2/4, R, HR, RBI, BB, K (L)
5/21 @ JAX ---- 1/5, 2B, 2K (W)
5/22 @ JAX ---- 1/3, RBI (L)
5/23 @ JAX ---- 1/7, 2RBI, K (W)
5/25 @ JAX ---- 2/4, R, 2B, BB, RBI (L)
5/26 @ MOB ---- 2/4, R, BB, RBI, K (W)
5/27 @ MOB ---- 1/4, K (L)
5/29 @ MOB ---- 0/4 (L)
5/30 @ MOB ---- 1/4, R, BB (L)
5/31 vs HVL ---- 1/4, R, BB, K (L)

MAY 2014 Totals - 26/93 (.279), 1-HR, 5-2B, 10-RBI, 12-R, 9-BB

Johnny Pascucci's Hitting Statistics as of May 31, 2014
Year	G	AB	H	R	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	so	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
2014 (AA - Jackson)	42	173	49	18	8	0	3	18	13	18	0	.283	.333	.382

I'll leave you with my 3rd Homer:

[JohnnyP1119]

June 1 - June 17, 2014

Ugh...as you can see I was not selected for the AA All-Star Game. What you can't see is that I just missed the cut at 4th in voting. I guess I can see why the other 3 got in over me...the top 2 stole a ton of bags while the 3rd place vote-getter bombed 8 and drove in almost 40. But he did only hit .239!!!

Those 1st couple of weeks did me in and unfortunately our teams' slow start got us behind and we could never catch the Lookouts, who ran away with the division title...for the 1st half.

1st Half Record: 34-36

Thanks to the odd caveat of resetting the standings at the midway point, obviously the goal is to get it done in the 2nd half and reach the postseason. I know we have the team to do it and I'm going to do all I can to make that happen.

The first half was decent, but I'm ready to turn it up in the 2nd half...I have a goal set in mind and that is to win the batting title.

As you can see I've got a ways to go and I've gotta probably hit .350 because Mr. Brignoni is sitting at the top with a .347 average. Seriously how good is that dude? I get the privilege to watch him hit everyday so hopefully the both of us can be 1-2 on this page in a couple of months.

Not all was bad in not making the AA All-Star game. We have a nice 3 day break from the constant grind that is minor league baseball. All of us, except a couple teammates who made the All-Star game went out to have a nice dinner, meaning more than just the $25 meal comps we get on a daily basis (we don't get paid too much, haha) and then did a little partying after.

So now the next couple of days for me will be some much needed R&R and then it's time to kick off the 2nd half of the season and our quest to the postseason.

LAST 10 GAMES
6/2 vs HVL ---- 1/6, 2K (L)
6/3 vs HVL ---- 3/4, 2B (L)
6/4 vs HVL ---- 2/4, R, 2B, BB, RBI (L)
6/6 @ BIR ----- 1/3, R, BB (L)
6/7 @ BIR ----- 2/6, R, SB, K (W)
6/8 @ BIR ----- 1/5, RBI, K (L)
6/9 @ BIR ----- 2/5, R, RBI, K (W)
6/11 vs JAX --- 2/4, 2B (L)
6/13 vs JAX --- 0/3, K (W)
6/14 vs JAX --- 1/5, 2B (W)

Johnny Pascucci's Hitting Statistics as of June 17, 2014 (All-Star Break)
Year	G	AB	H	R	2B	3b	hr	rbi	bb	So	sb	avg	OBP	SLG
2014 (AA - Jackson)	52	218	64	22	12	0	3	21	15	24	1	.294	.339	.390

[JohnnyP1119]

Rest of June 2014

Yes...that's me. I'm Italian so what else did you expect? I can't stand shaving so I gave up and decided to grow it out. Since I've grown it out though, I've noticed that I have been mashing the ball.

I think I found the correlation...having a beard is manly, therefore I am more of a man, leading to more power and you know what they say: "Chicks dig the long ball!"

Well...I haven't hit any out since the All-Star Break, but I am now on another list:

On top of that, the team has been on a roll and I believe we can go toe-to-toe with the Lookouts and fight our way into the postseason.

SL North Standings - Updated: Jun 30, 2014
AL EAST	W	L	GB
Lookouts	10	2	-
Generals	8	4	2.0
Stars	7	5	3.0
Barons	5	7	5.0
Smokies	4	8	6.0

This was probably my best career game so far. I hit the ball hard in all 5 at-bats, hit an RBI Single and RBI Double both with a 2 strike count and also had a sacrifice fly that was almost a 2-run dinger.

For my efforts just a few days ago on the 24th, I was named Player of the Game!

END OF JUNE GAME LOG
6/19 @ MIS --- 0/2, BB, 2RBI (W)
6/20 @ MIS --- 2/4, R, 2B (L)
6/21 @ MIS --- 0/4, K (W)
6/23 @ MIS --- 0/3, BB (W)
6/24 vs TNS -- 3/4, 2B, 3RBI (W)
6/26 vs TNS --- 1/3, 2R, BB, 2B (W)
6/27 vs TNS --- 1/4, BB, 2B, K (W)
6/29 vs MOB --- 2/4, 2B, 2RBI (L)
6/30 vs MOB --- 0/5 (W)

Stay tuned for some July Fireworks!!!

Johnny Pascucci's Hitting Statistics as of June 30, 2014
Year	G	AB	H	R	2B	3b	hr	rbi	bb	So	sb	avg	OBP	SLG
2014 (AA - Jackson)	61	251	73	25	17	0	3	28	19	26	1	.291	.338	.394

[SlamNewton1]

Stirrups are fresh lol

[JohnnyP1119]

July 2014

Not gonna lie but that's a sick card. I don't wanna toot my own horn but everyone better get a hold of one of these cards before I'm a superstar...yes I said it. Confident, totally. Arrogant, yeah. Egomaniac...probably. I'm in love with myself and who wouldn't be after the month I put up.

I was just straight mashing...and here is some proof:

***NOTE TO PITCHERS: DON'T MAKE A MISTAKE...IT WILL END UP A SOUVENIR***

Enough about me though...the team has put together an awesome month as everyone continues to play their hearts out to get into the postseason. Our record is July was a cool 17-12 and we are inching closer to the top spot of the division, which is occupied by the 1st half winners, the Lookouts.

SL North Standings - Updated: Jul 31, 2014
AL EAST	W	L	GB
Lookouts	28	13	-
Generals	25	16	3.0
Stars	20	21	8.0
Smokies	19	22	9.0
Barons	11	30	17.0

So we're close and with 1 month left, we are going to have to stay at pace with the Lookouts, who are having an amazing season. I know we can do it though, and if I can help my team out by putting up numbers like I did this month, we got it!!!

MAJOR LEAGUE UPDATE

Record: 56-51, 2.0 GB (3rd)

Starting RF Corey Hart has shoulder cartilage damage and is out for a couple months, so Michael Saunders has been manning right field, while the Dodgers finally got rid of their surplus in the outfield and traded Carl Crawford, who is now hitting leadoff for us.

With the injury to Hart, could I get an opportunity? Maybe a September call-up? I guess well see...

JULY 2014 GAME LOG
7/1 vs MOB --- 0/4 (W)
7/3 vs MOB --- 2/4, 2R, 2B, RBI, K (W)
7/4 @ HVL ---- 2/5, 2R, 2-2B, 3RBI, K (W)
7/5 @ HVL ---- 0/3, BB (L)
7/7 @ HVL ---- 1/4, BB, 2R, RBI, K (W)
7/10 vs BIR --- 0/4, BB (W)
7/11 vs BIR --- 3/5, R, 2RBI, SB (W)
7/13 vs BIR --- 2/4, BB, 2R, 2B, 2RBI (L)
7/14 vs BIR --- 1/3, K (W)
7/16 @ MTG -- 2/4 (L)
7/17 @ MTG -- 1/3, R, HR, RBI (L)
7/18 @ MTG -- 1/4, R, HR, RBI (L)
7/19 @ MTG -- 1/4, BB, R (W)
7/21 vs HVL --- 1/5, R (L)
7/22 vs HVL --- 1/4, BB, R, RBI (W)
7/24 vs HVL --- 0/3, BB (W)
7/25 vs HVL --- 2/3, BB, R, HR, 2B, 3RBI (W)
7/27 @ MOB --- 2/4, BB, R, 2B, 3RBI, K (W)
7/28 @ MOB --- 3/4, BB, 2RBI, SB (L)
7/30 @ MOB --- 1/4, BB (L)
7/31 vs MTG --- 0/4, K (L)

JULY '14 TOTALS - 26/82 (.317), 3HR, 21RBI, 62B, 16R, 11BB, 2SB

Told you there would be some fireworks in July...my favorite moment so far had to have been the AB I had vs Montgomery on the 17th. I started behind 1-2 in the count and after fouling a couple off and a couple balls being thrown, it was full at 8 pitches. 9th pitch, was a fastball that I was late on and fouled back. The 10th pitch was a slider away that I just got a piece off and chopped it foul, and on pitch 11...an inside breaking ball headed toward the plate and he tried to paint the corner, but what he forgot was that I was at the plate, and I crushed it for a bomb!!!

Johnny Pascucci's Hitting Statistics as of July 31, 2014
Year	G	AB	H	R	2B	3b	hr	rbi	bb	So	sb	avg	OBP	SLG
2014 (AA - Jackson)	82	333	99	41	23	0	6	49	30	33	3	.297	.354	.420

[JohnnyP1119]

August 1 - 13, 2014

Yeah that's right!!!

We are now just 1 game out of the division lead at a 31-21 record and I have continued to swing a hot bat. The team has played so well all around: offense, defense, pitching, and just everyone making spectacular plays.

Everything was going so well but after my game on the 13th, I was notified to head into Manager Pankovits office.

I didn't know what to expect so I was a little worried.

But what came next was...

Basically this is what I did...

However while I was excited to be moving one step closer to my dream of playing in the majors, I did have to say my goodbyes and it was a little tougher than I thought. In just a few short months I really became tight with a lot of my teammates and they were all like brothers, helping me on and off the field. Everyone was happy for me and I am so excited to move to AAA.

As soon as my goodbyes were over, I was headed right to the airport to go off to Tacoma to play for the Rainiers, who played in the PCL (Pacific Coast League)

PCL North Standings - Updated: Aug 13, 2014
AL EAST	W	L	GB
River Cats	73	52	-
Rainiers	68	57	5.0
Grizzlies	59	66	14.0
Aces	58	67	15.0

I look good in my new uni, right?

Anyway I'm excited to start this new chapter in my career and I also got a nice e-mail from my agent, who had just talked to GM Zduriencik:

MONEY MONEY MONEY MONNNNNNEY....MONNNNNNNEY!!!

So I'm one step closer...but here is how I finished off my 1st year in AA playing for the Jackson Generals:

Johnny Pascucci's Hitting Statistics as of August 14, 2014
Year	G	AB	H	R	2B	3b	hr	rbi	bb	So	sb	avg	OBP	SLG
2014 (AA - Jackson)	91	367	107	44	24	0	8	57	33	40	3	.292	.348	.425

[JohnnyP1119]

2014 Season Finale Recap

Here I am after getting the "silent treatment."

My short run in AAA was fun but very challenging. I did struggle in the last dozen or so games, only managing to hit .173, but this little taste of the next level of competition is exactly what I needed before the season was over. Now I have to work harder than ever over the offseason to make sure I am ready for 2015. I'm not sure if I will start up in AAA or if I will even get an invite to Spring Training.

Our Rainiers never gained any ground on the division-leading River Cats as we finished 5 games back at a 77-67 record.

I have to say I could definitely see that the competition was getting tougher. I may have been a little arrogant coming in but I soon learned that this game can humble you if that's your attitude.

I had a very successful season and I believe I've improved a ton so now it's time to regroup and focus on becoming an even better player in 2015.

Johnny Pascucci's Hitting Statistics as of September 2, 2014
TEAM	G	AB	H	R	2B	3b	HR	rbi	bb	so	sb	Avg	OBP	SLG
2014 (AAA - Tacoma)	13	52	9	5	0	1	2	6	4	6	1	.173	.241	.348