OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Foxes Sign Four in International Period
SS Keishi Murata Leads Signings

As expected, the Foxes went after infielders, with three of the four players signed in the position group.

Highest rated among those is Keishi Murata, a shortstop that's leans more to the offensive side. His defense should be serviceable, but it will be the bat that determines his future. He grades out as a plus hitter for average and power both for hitting the gaps and, eventually, over the wall. Defensively, he should have enough range for a shortstop, but everything else might be a question mark.

3B Juan Ramirez will warrant another look in the future as well. He's a line drive hitter that uses the whole field. Whether or not his swing will translate into home run power is up in the air. Scouts think it's possible, but Ramirez might hit "only" hard line drives instead. If Ramirez does find one of the gaps, his speed takes over and he flies around the bases. Defensively, he's definitely a project. Only positive is his arm, which is above average.

2B Jorge Barrera won't be known for his power, but, like Ramirez, is more of a line drive hitter. Difference being that Barrera just doesn't have the carry, even if he finds the barrel. What Barrera does have is an eye for the strike zone. That could be one of his best strengths at the plate to go along with a borderline plus contact projection. Barrera is another who will have work to do with the glove as he matures.

Lastly, there's Jai Mildren, the lone pitcher of the group. Mildren probably won't miss many bats unless he improves the movement and deception of his pitches going forward. But what he does manage to do is keep hitters off balance with changing speeds. That will be the question, though. He will go as far as his ability to locate and upset timing will take him.

Overall, the Foxes seemed pleased with the results, especially given the unpredictable turns these negotiations can take.

"We brought in some good-looking prospects, but now it's time to turn into into good major league players. Anything we do now won't have value if we don't...and this is when the real work begins, " Assistant G.M. Michelle Conklin said.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

2033 Season Report

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The Foxes were able to squeak their way into the NL East division crown by splitting a series late with the Braves and then winning three of four games against the Phillies to clinch the division.

The bats were indeed the weakest point on the team, but they did do enough. Brenes and DeBouse did their job with the home runs, each eclipsing the 40 HR mark while Montero chipped in with another well-rounded offensive season, producing an .861 OPS and 4.7 WAR.

Also among the positives on offense were the successful rookie campaign of Juan Romero (.356 OBP, 2.7 WAR), and the return of Juan Salas being at least similar to pre-injuries production. Though some concerns remain, especially given his salary number.

There was little to worry about in the rotation, though McIntyre is starting to slip, both in health and production, and Lerma might also be developing some nagging injury concerns as well. Fortunately, Casteles, Matano, and Kikuchi were all solid and can form the backbone of the rotation with ease.

That said, pitching rotation depth has become a serious concern. When McIntyre went out, the Foxes had no luck finding even a serviceable replacement. The same proved true with the Lerma injury. This will be something the Foxes will want to address going forward.

Casteles continues to establish himself as an ace, winning two-thirds of the pitching triple crown. He led the NL in wins and strikeouts. He also posted the lowest BABIP allowed in the NL for the second season in a row, registering at .226.

The bullpen was solid enough as well. Eric Lavanche again led the way in the bullpen and continues to show as one of the best relievers in the game. He posted another 4 WAR season. The Shing Liu acquisition also worked well. He posted a 3.24 ERA and a 3.2 WAR.

Manager Casey Dill to Move On

The Foxes will make their last postseason run under the command of Casey Dill. He made it official to the team that he did not want to extend his contract. As such, the Foxes will begin their search for a new manager.

Dill's five-season tenure with the Foxes produced a 489-321 record (.604 win percentage), winning the division four times and making the playoffs all five seasons. The team won the World Series under Dill in 2030. The 2030 season was also a 100-win season.

"I enjoyed my time here, but I want to try a new challenge. I want to thank the fans and the Foxes organization for their support, and I wish them success in the future.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Foxes Fall Short With Bases Loaded in the Ninth
Astros Win 5-4 in Game Seven

"Well, this is one way to end your time with a team. Baseball just had to give me a kick in the gut to send me on my way, " Dill said after the game.

Indeed, the Foxes and Astros dueled to the end in the Fall Classic with neither team winning two games in a row through the first six games.

Game 7 was more of the same between these evenly-matched squads. The Astros stormed out to a 4-1 lead in the first inning and 5-2 in through the first half of the game. DeBouse hit a home run in the 6th to make it 5-3.

Heading to the later innings, it looked like the Astros would close it down with ease, but the Foxes fought in the ninth.

They would end up with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the top of the ninth. Juan Salas hit would seemed to be a routine grounder to first, but Salas hustled and forced an error, allowing Berber to scurry home to make it 5-4 with the bases still loaded. However, the rally came up short as Gamez hit a routine fly to center for the final out. Gamez snapped his bat in half in frustration as the Astros stormed onto the field to celebrate.

"It's so frustrating to come so close but still come up short. We were that close to giving ourselves a chance to keep the rally going or maybe win in extras, but we couldn't finish the job in the our half of the ninth, "DeBouse said postgame.

The Foxes will have to be content with the NL Pennant and wonder what could have been if a few things went differently.

As it is, the team will have to look ahead to 2034 and gear up for another season.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

2033-2034 Offseason
World Series Through Free Agency Filings







Foxes Extend Casteles, Avoid Arbitration

The Foxes locked up their young ace on an 8-year deal (last year team option) worth a total of about $190 million. The deal buys out the last two arbitration years as a result.

Casteles has been one of the more exciting young talents in the game and, arguably, the best young talent that's been through the Foxes system. Fans were overjoyed at the news and the organization can breathe a sign of relief.

McIntyre Mulls Options

Injuries prevented Mitch McIntyre from vesting the finial year of his contract. As such, he's eligible to hit the open market if he chooses. Right now, the Foxes are awaiting his decision on an extension. At the same time, McIntyre is considering if this is a chance for him to explore his options.

"Don't get me wrong, I love Montreal. I love the Foxes. The guys have been a blast to have as teammates and friends. But this might be my chance to see another city, experience other fans, and so on. I'm not ruling out going back to the Foxes, I'm just saying there's a lot going through my mind right now, " McIntyre said on a sports radio show.

Foxes Welcome New Skipper

The Foxes announced Jerad Head as the new manager on a 5-year contract. Head previously worked in the Can-Am League as bench coach for the champion, the New Jersey Jackals.

Based on sources, Head seems to be a student of analytics and incorporates them into his strategies and roster decisions. He's noted to have a patient mindset towards helping players improve and enjoys that side of the game and job in the dugout.

One potential issue could be that he relates better to pitchers. That might cause some concerns for a team that's already struggling to keep up on offense. On the plus side, pitchers like Casteles and Matano could have a mentor of sorts as they continue to learn the game.

Foxes Award Winners

Alvare Casteles - NL Cy Young Award - 17-5, 2.78 ERA, 220 IP, 260 K, .177 OAvg

Eric Lavache - NL Reliever of the Year - 5-4, 15 saves, 2.50 ERA, 122 IP, 172 K

McIntyre Signs

Mitch McIntyre decided to stay with the city and team he's known for most of his career. He finalized his agreement to a 5-year, $50 million contract extension, with the last year a team option.

"I decided to stay where I have it good. I realized that I enjoy what I'm doing and where I'm doing it. Instead of wondering what else I could experience, I decided to count myself lucky for the situation I have and do my part to ensure I can continue to enjoy it, " McIntyre said at the press conference.

McIntyre, who will turn 35 next season, has amassed a 130-46 record in 1682 innings of work, racking up 1669 strikeouts. He has a career 2.90 ERA (148 ERA+) and compiled 51.1 WAR.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

2033-2034 Offseason Continues
Free Agency to Dawn of a New Year

Free agency is here and these names are on most pundits lips as the market opens

SP Mike Jefferies
Age: 29
Previous Team: Red Sox
Salary Whisper: $41.8 M, 8 yrs
WAR Range Last 3 Seasons: 4.7 to 6.0

There is little doubt that Jefferies will be one of the most sought after talents in this year's market. His consistency at preventing the long ball combined with a very solid skill set and pitching instinct has made him one of the more consistent top-of-the-rotation arms in the game.

Early Interests: Mets - no surprise as the NL East has been the pitching bastion. The big difference between the top and bottom of that division is the Mets', Foxes', and Braves' oppressive pitching staffs.


CF Zachariah Mekville
Age: 28
Previous Team: Indians
Salary Whisper: $40 M, 8 yrs
WAR Range Last 3 Seasons: 5.2 to 6.1

Mekville is a very polarizing figure. There are those in the media who insist, absolutely dead sure, that Mekville is either lucky or benefited from the Indians' home park. Then, there's the scouts who project him to be "good but not great", and then there's what he's actually done, which is be great. His last three seasons have come out of nowhere, fueled largely by a skyrocketing on-base percentage and the last two years joined by a higher slugging percentage. The walks, most say he'll maintain, the slugging is where the opinions diverge greatly, especially for $40 million/yr.

Early Interest: Tigers are mulling taking the gamble. Their offense was 14th in the AL last season.


SP Sergio Rivera
Age: 29 (almost 30)
Previous Team: Marlins
Salary Whisper: $40 M, 9 yrs
WAR Range Last 3 Seasons: 1.1 to 6.0

The Marlins have been pretty bad the last few seasons, but that's not be the fault of Sergio Rivera. Indeed, he's been one of the best pitchers in baseball after his breakout season in 2030 where he posted a 2.17 ERA. His WAR range looks bad due to a season-ending injury in 2031. In 2032 and 2033, he's been fully healthy and posted a 5.0 and 6.0 WAR, respectively.

Early Interest: Cubs, Phillies, O's - The Phillies interest makes tons of sense here as their largest weakness is by far their rotation, especially in reference to the NL East's arms race at the top of the division. Their own lack of rotation weapons are what's keeping them on the outside looking in.


LF Alfredo Moreno
Age: 30
Previous Team: Generals
Salary Whisper: $26.9 M, 9 yrs
WAR Range Last 3 Seasons: 2.8 to 5.9

Moreno looks like a potential value pick in the market. Despite a solid last-three-seasons performance, many don't expect Moreno to command the same type of salary as other names. Moreno is a likely bet for 40 home runs with the on-base percentage and BABIP to go along with it, making him a well-rounded offensive threat. From 2028 to last season, his lowest OPS+ is 120, with a high of 150.

Early Interest: Several teams are already lining up to try to win Moreno's services, which, ironically, might drive away any 'value pick' possibilities.

SP Ken Farley
Age: 31
Previous Team: Astros
Salary Whisper: $23.8 M, 6 yrs
WAR Range Last 3 Seasons: 2.2 to 5.7

Farley has lowkey been one of the aces in the league. He was even a lowkey prospect, drafted in the 11th round. He never gets a lot of attention, no highlight-grabbing games, not the face of the Astros, even as they won it all, but a season ends and look who's getting another strikeouts crown in the AL - it's Ken Farley. That high WAR is actually not his highest. He had a whopping 7.3 WAR in 2028. He never has an eye-popping ERA, so that might be masking just how good he really is.

Early Interest: Teams are lining up for Farley also. Between him and Moreno, they both might be stealing some of the thunder from the high profile names on the market as teams look for value first once again.

Foxes to Chase Anyone?

The Foxes went after Kikuchi last season to round out their rotation. Now that the problems are on offense (and depth in general), the team looks for some players that might improve the situation.

SS Alexander Vargas might be the Foxes' main target. Not only does he play infield, his bat would be a tremendous upgrade over anyone else in the entire organization at middle infield, and, sadly, that's not even hyperbole. He's hit at least 30 home runs in each of the past six seasons...and that's about his contribution to the offense. But the power plus his defensive skills, easily capable of playing shortstop, might make him attractive to the Foxes.

While outfield might not be high on the team's list, LF Josh Harrison is a good fit for the squad. He would upgrade the team's situation at the position and at the same time take someone straight from a division rival as Harrison played for the Mets last season.

Of course, it's also possible that the Foxes don't look to add via free agency. Trading might be what the Foxes go after, especially during the Winter Meetings.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Cubs Sign Ace Pitcher

Sergio Rivera was the first big name free agent to choose a team. He will head to Wrigley, bringing a 7-year contract with a total value of $262 million. Last season Rivera posted a 11-7 record with a 2.22 ERA.

"We are ecstatic to welcome Rivera to lead our rotation into battle. We were searching for someone to really lead the charge and be someone to rally the entire pitching staff. Theo [Epstein] was very high on Sergio, and that gave us all the conviction we needed, " Cubs G.M. Andrew Freidman said.

The Cubs came up 6 games short in the division race last year. The Cubs will hope Rivera can make up that ground.

Bobby Thorne Head West

As the Cubs add one talent, one of their former talents heads to San Francisco.

Bobby Thorne will get $160 million in only a five year deal.

Thorne is a very well rounded hitter, plus in most areas at the plate. However, there is some concern about how, or if, he will handle hitting at Oracle Park, especially given the size of the contract.

"He's not such a strong hitter where he'd mitigate the park effect. He only had about 20 home runs and that seems like it's too low for him as it is, then he goes to a pitcher's park? I don't know, seems very risky to me, " one MLBN analyst commented.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Tigers Bring in Mekville
Controversial Deal Worth $35 Million Per Year

The debate rages on about the worth of Zachariah Mekville, fueled by the news of the Tigers signing him to the second largest deal so far of the offseason.

Mekville's $35 million per year salary is second only to the $37 million Rivera landed earlier.

The big difference is that there's no disputing Rivera's worth. Mekville, however, is a different story.

"I can't believe they actually went through with that, " one Tigers radio talk host said, "Scouts have no confidence that he's worth all this, but they did it anyway."

Others praise the signing as a "necessary cost" to help the Tigers get back in the mix in the AL playoff chase.

"It's expensive, but you have to spend to win and improve your team a lot of times. Sure, getting players for cheap is nice, but good luck, " one analyst said.

Mekville will have a lot riding on him to prove his worth and continue defying the naysayers. He welcomes the challenge, saying in a statement that he "can't wait to shut their mouths once again".

Phillies Trade Alainz

It's well known that the Phillies need pitching help. That's why this move to trade away a competent starting pitcher is raising some eyebrows.

Granted, Alainz, the pitcher in question, will make $20 million in the coming season, but he's the NL leader in wins and was one of the best pitchers on the team, one of the few to put up worthwhile numbers.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that the Phillies are not anywhere near financial trouble and Alainz is under control until 2037.

The Phillies would not commit on the trade or any other plans. The Yankees are rather thrilled about getting Alainz. With Yankee Stadium being a hitter haven and Alainz posting solid numbers in a similar environment, the Yankees feel as though their rotation will certainly improve.

Nate Lee Joins Indians

The Indians pick up of Lee potentially offsets the loss of Mekville.

"We needed to do something and this should help us not lose ground in the division, " the Indians G.M. commented.

Lee hit 42 home runs last season for the Generals, collecting a .907 OPS and 4.8 WAR along the way. The WAR total is less than Mekville, but the rest is on par with the departed outfielder.

Lee will make an average of $24.4 million per year for the next four years.

Cubs Start Winter Meetings with a Bang

Clearly not satisfied with the acquisition of Sergio Rivera, the Cubs made a second headline signing by bringing in Alfredo Montero.

The outfield slugger will average $25 million per year for the next seven seasons to hit bombs out of Wrigley Field.

"If there was any doubt that we're serious about staying strong in the NL, this should answer those doubts, " Cubs G.M. Andrew Freidman said.

The Cubs missed the playoffs by a few games due to a September collapse. That, combined with departures to free agency have spurred the organization to action.

Outfielder Savion Ravenell said, "I hope no one thought we were going away. I'm loving how aggressive our brass is being to get us back on top. I'll be doing my part firing the guys up in clubhouse."

Mariners Sign Troublemaker
Noted Clubhouse Disruption Gets Another Chance

"Some care about what you say. Some care about how you play. Clearly this team knows it's play that matters, " Juan Quintanar, the newest Mariner, said.

Indeed, Quintanar has gained a reputation for being a problem in clubhouses. Some players, speaking anonymously, commented on being upset at the addition of Quintanar, especially his influence on younger players.

The Mariners don't seem concerned. Manager Jose Pena spoke at the press conference saying that "no one gets out of line in my dugout" and that the expected behavior "will be made clear to everyone, new and old".

Mets Land Mike Jeffries

The Mets, who were first in bullpen ERA but 7th in starter ERA, took a big step to filling out their rotation.

Mike Jeffries, the highest touted pitcher in the market this offseason, signed a contract worth a total of $273 million if he serves the full seven years. Jeffries could opt out of the contract after the fifth season.

"We're coming for the NL East. This signing is out statement that we're coming and we're going to take it, " Mets G.M. Masato Takamura commented.

Takamura, taking his first job as a general manager, is looking to make a name for himself right at the start. Landing a big signing like this and then guiding the Mets to the top of the competitive NL East would be a great start to his career.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Casey Dill Joins Rival Marlins
New Challenge Indeed

Casey Dill helped put in place the strategies that made the Foxes a contender for his tenure with the team. He left stating that he wants "a new challenge". Well, that challenge, apparently, will be to defeat the team he helped build into a solid contender.

Dill joined the Marlins during the Winter Meetings, signing a five-year contract with the team.

Dill, who guided the Foxes to a World Series win and multiple appearances in his stint, will have a challenge with the Marlins. The Fish have struggled with the occasional flash of a turnaround where they hang with the big dogs in the NL East.

One of the reasons the Foxes did well under Dill is his usage of the pitching staff. Especially in the bullpen, he is not afraid to ride a hot arm during a game. Of course, this places more responsibility on the bullpen, but also a different kind of responsibility - to be good over multiple innings, often like a "secondary starter".

The Marlins lost their best pitcher to free agency and have a decent enough bullpen (5th in the NL last season). Dill has already hinted at using the Opener-Follower strategy with his new team, something he didn't do with the Foxes.

"Different teams and different rosters require different strategies, " Dill said at the press conference, "Believe me, I know what I'm up against. I did battle with the Mets, Phillies, and Braves, and managed the Foxes. I know what I'm up against...what this organization is up against."

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Juan Mojica Tears Rotator Cuff
28-Year-Old Reliever Will Retire

The Foxes received word of Mojica's rotator cuff injury, and then his decision to retire after hearing the news himself.

"I think it's just time to walk away. I hate to do it and I love this game, but I don't want to risk permanent damage to my shoulder. I'll just live life as a fan of the game and let my body try to mend itself, " Mojica said at the press conference.

The reliever suffered the injury during a spring training outing. He heard a pop in his shoulder on a follow through after a pitch. Then a sharp pain that prevented him from moving his right arm at all.

Mojica was entering his seventh season as a major leaguer, coming off a season with a career high 92 innings of work. He worked out of the bullpen most of the time during his stint with the Foxes, except for last season where he was a part of the opener-follower strategy due to injuries to the rotation.

He retires with a 21-11 record, 11 saves, and a 3.77 ERA in 236 1/3 innings of work. He was a part of the 2030 team that won the World Series.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

2034 Foxes

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Once again, the NL East is expected to be a tightly contested division between three teams. However, one of those teams is different. The Mets, who have been one of those three teams in recent years, are expected to be dead last in the NL East this year. Instead, it's the slugging Phillies who are expected to crack the top three on the strength of a prolific offensive attack. The Phillies are projected to score 951 runs, smacking 342 home runs in the process.

The Foxes are given the division by a slim margin over the Braves as the two teams are thought to have nearly identical production. The Foxes are more oriented to the stolen base while the Braves draw more walks, and both differences are thought to be a wash at the end of the day.

New manager Jerad Head will have some wrinkles in the lineup. Luis Brenes and his power+walks combo will bat second to start the year. Salas is bumped down to 5th, something he's not thrilled about. Last year's 2nd-spot hitter, Luis Berber, will bat 8th.

If the projections come true, these changes won't do a whole lot. Which, at least, means the Foxes won't slide backwards, something they can't afford to do. Arturo Bonilla will replace Jay Cuellar as the infield sub as the team looks to get some better bench production. Chris Barney takes the role in the outfield, replacing, at least for now, a couple other candidates for that spot, best among them being Juan Rosales.

On the pitching side, the consistency that has been a hallmark of the rotation remains in place. The same quintet of Castelles, Lerma, McIntyre, Matano, and Kikuchi will take the mound. Lavanche will remain the cornerstone of the bullpen along with Ben Dixon.

Injury forced the retirement of Juan Mojica, so Mike Harrist will be the first to try to hold down the long relief role. Harrist struggled with the small opportunity he got last year, but he'll get a chance to make amends to start the year. Should he falter, there's a long list of arms the team can try for the role.

As far as the farm goes, the Foxes' attempts to revitalize the farm system have failed thus far. The team's second best prospect, SS Keishi Murata is just now hitting the Dominican Summer League. Their best prospect, OF Jorge Rivera, is still dealing with post-concussion syndrome. Their third best prospect, 1B Luis Luna, is starting to raise concerns after starting in Class A for the third year in a row.

Beyond those three, Baseball America didn't find anyone worthy of the Top 200. Among those kids, SP Jimmy Barnhill is probably best. He's a sidearm finesse pitcher that scouts think will be deceptive and has great strikeout potential. But that's a lot of if-and-maybe...and what else he'll be good at...if anything...is up in the air.

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Lavache...200?
Reliever Seeing Even Higher Workload

To be clear, Casey Dill rode Eric Lavache's arm. The southpaw reliever broke 100 innings each and every one of Dill's years with the Foxes.

So, it's no secret Lavache is a the cornerstone of the bullpen.

However, under Jerad Head, Lavache's workload has jumped to another level. Already, as May begins, the reliever has seen 25 innings of work. He's leading the NL in ERA...both a testament as to why he gets so much work as well as the workload itself. Yes, Lavache is on pace to qualify for the ERA title.

The innings aren't garbage time innings either. In the last three seasons, Lavache's leverage index, which measures the "when" of a pitcher's performance in terms of game situation, has ranged between 1.20 and 1.34, which is on the higher end of "medium" leverage (1.0 is average).

This year, his leverage index is 1.14, probably the result of his expanded usage into a few less critical times in a game.

"I just take the ball whenever they give it to me and pitch until they take it from me, " Lavache said, "I don't see the big deal, honestly. It's what everyone does if they call themselves a real big league pitcher - you pitch while the little white ball is in your hand until they pat your butt and say 'good work, hit the showers'."

Lavache is currently on pace for 175 innings of work, picking up over 200 K's as well. He's on pace for more innings than Mitch McIntyre, the #3 starter in the rotation.

To also be fair, Lavache has always scouted as "a starter-type pitcher" who just prefers to master two pitches instead of learning a third or fourth.

"If he had a serviceable third pitch, he'd be in the rotation right now. So maybe this isn't too far off, " one scout commented.

Perhaps the Foxes have six starters. It's just one of them is a two-pitch pitcher that comes in midgame and is labeled a reliever.

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Draft Day Approaches
Fireballer J.J. Bell Early Top Prospect

The 2034 Draft will be here sooner than later, and the name on every scout's list is J.J. Bell, a hard-throwing pitcher from East Peoria HS.

Bell can reach near triple digits on his velocity, but the big draw is the fact that, at 18, he knows how to throw six pitches. That alone is grabbing attention and having scouts drool over the possibilities.

"He's so advanced for his age. If he keeps his head on straight, he'll be something, " one scout said.

If there's a knock on him, some think hey might progress slowly because of so many pitches. Some also think he'll have an issue figuring out adjustments and applying what he's taught. Still, these issues should not keep him from being a top 5 pick.

CL Nate Murphy is another hurler getting a lot of attention. Murphy has the classic power pitcher - sinker/slider combination. His pitches have a lot of late bite on them, which should help him be a good strikeout threat. His pitches tend to break down as well, so keep the ball in the yard shouldn't be an issue for him.

The big wart on his scouting report is command, though that's not normally a problem for a reliever. Most teams will take wildness if it leads to strikeouts and minimized home runs.

The big power threat in this year's class is 1B Tim Guinn, a 17-year-old out of Alaska. Scouts think he'll fill out very well as a matures and being so young gives him plenty of time to develop as a hitter and develop his plan at the plate.

"Guinn's swing already flies through the hitting zone, considering his size. As he adds power, his swing will naturally create lift, which should make him a sizable home run threat. I'm thinking around 40 should be no problem for Tim, " a scout spoke.

Guinn is looking like the best hitter on the board at this point, though we've seen in the past that draft stocks can change quickly.

One of the more controversial prospects is outfielder Jorge Aguilar. A lot of scouts are marking him down in their scouting reports for his intangibles.

"I do not like what I heard in my interviews with him. I think he'll not take seriously the challenge of becoming a big league hitter. So, I think what's between his ears will get in the way, " Tommy Wilson, Astros head scout, said.

"He [Aguilar] might get to whatever his current ability can give him, but I doubt he'll do much to improve, and I think a team will get tired of him for sure. His ability might be more than a fringe player, but that will be how organizations will view him, in my opinion, " Paul DePodesta, the Tigers head scout, said.

Aguilar might have a hard time getting noticed by teams. However, his ability for extra base hits might cause a team to take a shot on him.

Foxes Plans for Draft

The Foxes will likely take any solid talent that's on the board at their pick. But, of course, infielders remain a priority. The days being numbered for Reece McGuire will have the Foxes keeping an eye for catcher prospects, also.

2B Joe Hearvey is likely on the top of the Foxes board right now. He should play solid defense and be a capable hitter. He won't have plus power, but he should be solidly average and has a plus hit tool and a bat that produces hard line drives, making him a pretty well-rounded talent.

One of the top pitchers on the board fits in with the "against the grain" pitching style the Foxes seem to stick to in their prospects. Omari Ellis works mostly on keeping the ball down and changing speeds to upset hitters' timing. His sidearm delivery allows him to more easily change arm angles and give hitters different looks.

Most of this won't have him miss bats, but location and missing barrels will be his thing, and he'll need a defense to help him.

Best catcher on the board might be Ernie Barrett, who isn't the best prospect, but he might be one the Foxes will stretch for if there's no other talents that are compelling. Barrett could be a great defensive catcher, which is what caught the Foxes' attention. He might develop some bat, but most teams might see him as nothing but a back up.

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Anxiety in Montreal?
Foxes in Fourth as June Begins

There's still a long season to go, but fans in Montreal are getting a bit worried.

The Foxes are languishing in fourth place, 4 1/2 games back, a deficit down from a high of 7 1/2 games back.

The offense has been a problem. The team is just 12th in the NL in runs. The individual offensive metrics aren't as bad, most in the middle of the pack, but for whatever reason, the runs have not crossed the plate.

"We're trying to get things going - it's not working out, but we'll figure it out. I understand everyone is getting a little anxious, but we'll be fine, " 1B Ajani DeBouse said.

The Foxes struggles in May have come as Casteles is playing out of this world baseball. His ERA stands at 0.96 as June begins.

"I'm just amazing watching him work. It's a shame we can't take more advantage of what he's doing, " manager Jerad Head commented.

It's also scary to think what might happen if the Foxes don't pick up their play and Casteles returns to even his "regular" level of performance, as good as that would still be. He's already had four no decisions despite a sub-1.00 ERA.

Juan Salas is expected to return in a couple weeks, but that might not matter since Bob Kennedy is doing just fine. Plus, there's lingering concerns about Salas' production. He was doing fine on his last return, but eventually, his body might not hold up.

The Foxes can't get too discouraged because they are still well within striking distance.

"We have plenty of time. We do need to play better and we need to start playing better sooner than later, but it's not yet must-win time and we can't put that pressure on ourselves too soon, " manager Jerad Head commented.

[KBLover]

Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

All-Star Break Arrives
Foxes Deal Salas Just Before Game Begins

The Foxes must be happy with their outfield options, including the play of Bob Kennedy, who played right field while Juan Salas was on the mend because the team traded him to the Astros for catcher prospect Sergio Sierra. The Foxes dealt a minor prospect and retain a portion of Salas' salary as well.

"The fans will be shocked but we always have to stay cost conscious, " G.M. Lyle said, "I'm not going to go too much more into it but we always have to keep an eye on the wallet and the future - and somewhere in there the present will be taken care of."

Salas did see his usual starting time after the injury, but his batting average dipped near the Mendoza line and with no power or walks to go with it. The Foxes actually rejected a trade soon after Salas returned, but would not reject talks from the Astros, which eventually led to the trade in question.

The move comes as the Foxes are fighting in a 4-way dogfight atop the NL East, which has seen three different teams, the Marlins, Braves, and Foxes, all lead at some point. The Phillies are the fourth team in the mix, in fourth place but just 3 1/2 games out.

"What we need is some of our usual big dogs to start rising up. That would more than make up for someone who can't even get on the field, " a local sportswriter said in an article for the Montreal Gazette.

Arturo Oporto Eyes .400

The O's are shocking baseball right now with their contending ways this year, and one big reason for their success is Arturo Oporto, who is currently batting .378.

Not long ago, Oporto was over the mystical .400 mark, batting .403 midway through June. To go along with the lofty batting average he has 26 home runs and a 1.203 OPS, which leads the AL and is second in all of baseball.

"It [the batting average] is hyping up the guys and making them feel confident in our team's success. That's the most important part, making them feel positive and like we can go compete every day. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want .400, though, " Oporto said with a grin.

[KBLover]

Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Michael Contreras Slams 75th Home Run
Phillies' Slugger Drives Baseball's #2 Offense

The Phillies are not hurting for runs and most of those runs are from the long ball. Chief among them is 2nd-year player Michael Contreras...the 24-year-old hitter slammed his 75th home run on the final game of the regular season.

This amazing season follows up a rookie season where he hit 55 home runs, which didn't even lead his team, amazingly enough.

This season, though, there's no doubt who the king of the home run is.

"What can I say? I'm blessed with this talent and I'm going to use it to the fullest to help my team and bring excitement to the game, " Contreras commented.

What is also amazing is that his Phillies don't lead baseball in run production. That honor belongs to the Rockies, who, literally, came up one run short of scoring an even thousand on the season.

Still though, the Phillies were the home run kings. They slugged 407 on the season and Contreras was there leading the way.

"I'm hoping this becomes a regular thing. I could get used to this, hitting 70 home runs every year? Yeah, I can get used to that, " Contreras laughed.