Single-A Report #1

The Structure of the ABL consists of 4 Divisions. They are the AHL Phillie Phanatic, AHL Mr. Met Division, BOL Mariner Moose Division, and the BOL San Diego Chicken Division. Each of the 24 franchises has a single affiliate on this the lowest level of our minor league system.

The BOL San Diego Chicken Division will be looked at today with the focus primarily on team accomplishments, or lack thereof. Future Single-A reports may take this form or may be written from a different perspective. As the season progresses we'll focus on the up and coming stars who are performing well and those that may be disappointing.


Nichols Gnats (Eureka Hornets)
W-29  L-16  .644 PCT

PITCHING: The Gnats have an ERA of 2.46 which is the best in their division, edging out the Vikings (2.47). While their opponents are batting .207 (2nd best in division) the staff has control issues as they have issued 162 BB (2nd most in division). They have fanned 399 batters (3rd in the division). 17 year old Jake Nelson is only 4-3 but has allowed only 36 hits in 64.2 innings. His 1.01 WHIP has the Hornets excited about his future.

BATTING: The Gnats have a .682 OPS (2nd in division) and have scored 183 runs. Their .237 BA is third in the division as Júlio Sánchez at .288 leads the team. However, RF Martín Rivera leads the Gnats with 5 HR and 26 RBI. The 18 year old Rivera has walked 20 times and fanned 40.

TAKE NOTE OF: They have won 10 games in a row.


Victoria Vikings (Las Vegas Jokers)
W- 28  L- 16  .636 PCT

PITCHING: The 2.47 ERA is 2nd in the division with the staff recording a 154/368 BB/K ratio. SP Víctor López is 4-3 but has a 0.95 WHIP. Opponents are hitting a scant .187 and his 12/43 BB/K ratio is impressive.

BATTING: Ryoma Heida, a very underrated player by some scouts, is turning heads with his 102 Total Bases in 42 games. Perhaps his age of 22 years plays into it but the kid has a .951 OPS. The Vikes lead the division with a .752 OPS so these guys can hit.

TAKE NOTE OF: We know about the offense but did you know the Vikings have shutout 7 opponents in 44 games? And, Ryoma Heida won B.O.M. (Batter of the Month) Award.


Winfield Warriors (Mile High Mustangs)
W-24  L-19  .558 PCT

PITCHING: The Warriors are best in the division at silencing their opponent bats with an impressive .193 BA. A 148/413 BB/K with 4 CG and 3 shutouts pretty much sells you on the pitching staff, if BA did not. Check out the WHIP of the first 5 SP's: 0.91, 1.06, 0.99, 0.99, and 1.14 (who's that bum?) Brian Edwards, if you're curious.

BATTING: Aside from the best OPS the line-up can be described in one word.....power. Their 51 homers are 12 more than the closest other team. Centerfielder Wayne Russell has left the yard 7 times.

TAKE NOTE OF: SP Ramon Palacios (WHIP 1.06) has a 16/60 BB/K ratio.


San Angelo Mustangs (Kansas City Tornadoes)
W- 22  L- 21  .512 PCT

PITCHING: The good news is their 114 BB are the least allowed in the league. The bad news is too many center of the plate pitches have led to 35 gopher balls, one short of the worst record in the division. One must also take into account that some of the SP's are as senior as 29 and even 39. Love of the game or not knowing when to say good-bye?

BATTING: The Mustangs are middle of the pack with a .674 OPS. Their .243 B.A. is 2nd but power is not their strong suit as their 23 long balls are second worst in the division.

TAKE NOTE OF: Best overall defense in the division.


Chippewa River Chiefs (San Francisco Earthquakes)
W-12  L- 32  .273 PCT

PITCHING: There is no dressing it up: the pitching is not very good. The Chiefs have yielded 34 HR (2nd worst in the division), walked 192 (most in the division) and have allowed opponents to bat .251 (2nd worst in the division). The 3.90 ERA is the worst in the division. They are the only team in the league to have not recorded at least 1 shutout. OK, bright spots on the staff? What do you say we move on to the offense?

BATTING: The Chiefs walk the least and strike out the second most. Their OPS is .545 which is second lowest in the league. The Chiefs lead the division with 9 triples and 25 stolen bases which is less than the average. The Chippewa River Chiefs are trying to break a 9 game losing streak so Manager Ron Goyer will be asking his players to work deeper into the counts and start driving the ball.

TAKE NOTE OF: Young 16 year old José Gonzáles has not done much yet but scouts love his power. Keep your eye on this youngster from Santa Domingo.


Kingwood Knights (Maple Marauders)
W- 8  L- 37  .178 PCT

PITCHING: The Knights overall ERA of 3.79 is second worst in the division and the .266 B.AVG is dead last. They have yielded 36 gopher balls (most in the division) and have given up more hits than any other franchise in the division. However, their BB/K is 150/415 which is definitely decent. 26 year old "madder than a hatter" Tony Flores has a nice 0.83 WHIP and has been prodding management for a promotion. 20 year old Colby Hoffman has been turning heads with his 0.84 WHIP. He's highly regarded by the staff and we expect to see his name in the AA reports before not too long.

BATTING: The Knights have an OPS of .447. They have hit 17 HR in 45 games and are last in the division in all extra base hit categories. Bright spot? They run! Forty-three stolen bags translates to about a steal a game.

TAKE NOTE OF: David Picot, a 16 year old from Toronto, is batting .115 but the kid has tools. He's got blazing speed and power to go with it. Not much on D but this pull hitter will be interesting to watch as he matures.