S2 Updated Power Rankings

Richard Castle - contributing reporter

EDITOR NOTE - Apologies for the short and sweet update, but here are our initial power rankings for S2. I promise to get back to our standard quality of articles before long. 

• Best Record
• Boston 'Act As If' Afflects 
• 2nd Best
• Syracuse Firebirds
• 3rd Best
• St Louis Archers
• 4th Best
• Trenton Thunderbolts
• 5th Best
• New Orleans Voodoo

In future updates, we'll keep track of past power rankings, because what's the fun in rankings if we can't obsess over who's rising, who's falling, and who's spiraling into oblivion?  But work-life balance is limited at the moment...still. 

But for now, let's talk about expected wins - or, in other words, how teams SHOULD be playing. Are some squads punching above their weight class? Are others underperforming like a blockbuster flop? Time to separate reality from illusion. 

.706 - Trenton Thunderbolts (NL-N Champ)

.675 - Boston 'Act As If' Afflects (AL-E Champ)

.671 - Syracuse Firebirds (AL-N Champ)

.656 - St. Louis Archers (NL-E Champ)

.634 - New Orleans Voodoo (AL-S Champ)

.615 - Buffalo Bomb Squad 

.594 - Montgomery Fightins (AL Wildcard 1)

.594 - San Antonio Yo-Yo Bros Yo (NL Wildcard 2)

.568 - Indianapolis Speedsters (NL Wildcard 1)

.557 - Chicago Northsiders

.556 - Texas Toast (AL Wildcard 2)

.530 - Fresno Romans (NL-W Champ)

.523 - Mexico City Luchadors (NL-S Champ)

.519 - Salt Lake City Trappers (AL-W Champ)

.518 - Durham Corgis 

.505 - Baltimore IronBirds

.499 - Fargo Mud Dogs

.483 - Scottsdale Sazeracs 

.474 - New York Pizza Rats

.468 - Tacoma Armada

.468 - Tucson Road Runners

.456 - Rochester Mighty Flour Mills

.442 - Louisville Bourbon Chasers 

.434 - Arizona Canyon Kings

.431 - Charlotte Intimidators 

.423 - Helena Highlanders

.408 - Vancouver Blue Heron 

.373 - Cincinnati Redlegs

.355 - Colorado Springs Ranchers

.341 - Philadelphia Hooligans
.297 - Los Angeles Labradors

.295 - Nashville Hot

The dreaded watch list

 
Team                            On Pace Wins    Expect Win %

Nashville Hot                           55 W                48 W

Colorado Springs Ranchers     56 W                58 W

Los Angeles Labradors            58 W                48 W

S2 Updated Power rankings

Richard Castle - contributing reporter

EDITOR NOTE - Apologies for the short and sweet update, but here are our initial power rankings for S2. I promise to get back to our standard quality of articles before long. 

• Best Record
• Boston 'Act As If' Afflects 
• 2nd Best
• St Louis Archers
• 3rd Best
• Syracuse Firebirds
• 4th Best
• New Orleans Voodoo
• 5th Best
• Indianapolis Speedsters

In future updates, we'll keep track of past power rankings, because what's the fun in rankings if we can't obsess over who's rising, who's falling, and who's spiraling into oblivion?  

But for now, let's talk about expected wins - or, in other words, how teams SHOULD be playing. Are some squads punching above their weight class? Are others underperforming like a blockbuster flop? Time to separate reality from illusion. 

.667 - Syracuse Firebirds (AL-N Champ)

.652 - St. Louis Archers (NL-E Champ)

.641 - Trenton Thunderbolts (NL-N Champ)

.628 - New Orleans Voodoo (AL-S Champ)

.617 - Boston 'Act As If' Afflects (AL-E Champ)

.600 - Montgomery Fightins (AL Wildcard 1)

.595 - Indianapolis Speedsters (NL Wildcard 1)

.583 - Buffalo Bomb Squad 

.581 - San Antonio Yo-Yo Bros Yo (NL Wildcard 2)

.561 - Fresno Romans (NL-W Champ)

.541 - Mexico City Luchadors (NL-S Champ)

.537 - Chicago Northsiders

.535 - Texas Toast 

.532 - Scottsdale Sazeracs 

.526 - Durham Corgis (AL Wildcard 2)

.513 - Tacoma Armada

.511 - Baltimore IronBirds

.509 - Salt Lake City Trappers (AL-W Champ)

.504 - Fargo Mud Dogs

.482 - New York Pizza Rats

.477 - Louisville Bourbon Chasers 

.468 - Tucson Road Runners

.438 - Arizona Canyon Kings

.425 - Charlotte Intimidators 

.424 - Rochester Mighty Flour Mills

.417 - Helena Highlanders

.411 - Vancouver Blue Heron 

.399 - Cincinnati Redlegs

.353 - Philadelphia Hooligans

.343 - Colorado Springs Ranchers

.333 - Nashville Hot

.274 - Los Angeles Labradors

The dreaded list

 
Team                            On Pace Wins    Expect Win %

Los Angeles Labradors        51 W                44 W

Nashville Hot                       55 W                54 W

Colorado Springs Rachers   57 W                56 W

S2 - Initial Power Rankings

Richard Castle - contributing reporter

EDITOR NOTE - Apologies for the short and sweet update, but here are our initial power rankings for S2. I promise to get back to our standard quality of articles before long. 

• Best Record
• Boston 'Act As If' Afflects 
• 2nd Best
• Trenton Thunderbolts & Indianapolis Speedsters
• 3rd Best
• Syracuse Firebirds
• 4th Best
• Durham Corgis,  Salt Lake City Trappers, St Louis Archers
• 5th Best
• Tacoma Armada & San Antonio Yo-Yo Bros Yo

In future updates, we'll keep track of past power rankings, because what's the fun in rankings if we can't obsess over who's rising, who's falling, and who's spiraling into oblivion?  

But for now, let's talk about expected wins - or, in other words, how teams SHOULD be playing. Are some squads punching above their weight class? Are others underperforming like a blockbuster flop? Time to separate reality from illusion. 

.721 - Indianapolis Speedsters (NL-E Champ)

.662 - Boston 'Act As If' Afflects (AL-E Champ)

.651 - San Antonio Yo-Yo Bros Yo (NL-S Champ)

.626 - Trenton Thunderbolts (NL-N Champ)

.626 - Syracuse Firebirds (AL-N Champ)

.614 - Buffalo Bomb Squad (NL Wildcard 2)

.607 - St. Louis Archers (NL Wildcard 1)

.605 - Tacoma Armada (AL Wildcard 1)

.586 - Texas Toast 

.580 - Durham Corgis (AL-S Champ)

.565 - New Orleans Voodoo

.562 - Scottsdale Sazeracs (NL-W Champ)

.560 - Louisville Bourbon Chasers (AL Wildcard 2)

.528 - Salt Lake City Trappers (AL-W Champ)

.519 - Fresno Romans

.513 - Mexico City Luchadors

.505 - Montgomery Fightins

.495 - Tucson Road Runners

.480 - Baltimore IronBirds

.459 - Chicago Northsiders

.432 - Charlotte Intimidators 

.432 - New York Pizza Rats

.422 - Vancouver Blue Heron 

.411 - Arizona Canyon Kings

.397 - Philadelphia Hooligans

.392 - Rochester Mighty Flour Mills

.385 - Colorado Springs Ranchers

.363 - Cincinnati Redlegs

.351 - Helena Highlanders

.334 - Nashville Hot

.317 - Los Angeles Labradors

.294 - Fargo Mud Dogs

The dreaded list

 
Team                            On Pace Wins    Expect Win %

Fargo Mud Dogs                  47 W                48 W

Los Angeles Labradors        47 W                51 W

Colorado Springs Rachers   51 W                62 W

S2 Draft Order

Amy Amanda 'Triple A' Allen - contributing reporter

Alright Hardball Stitches fans, we have an updated draft order for Season 2 as it stands today. Current Round 1 and Comp Round as of the recent Type A/B signings. We've noted teams who have more than 2 picks. 

1. Cincinnati
2. Colorado Springs
3. Los Angeles
4. New York
5. Louisville
6. Baltimore - Type D
7. Mexico City
8. Nashville
9. Indianapolis - Type D
10. Rochester
11. Vancouver
12. Helena
13. Philadelphia
14. Fargo
15. Durham
16. San Antonio
17. Arizona
18. Tucson
19. Montgomery
20. Baltimore (2nd pick)
21. Chicago
22. Fresno
23. Tacoma
24. Charlotte
25. Louisville via Salt Lake City - Santiago Tapies (2nd pick)
26. Scottsdale
27. Indianapolis (2nd pick)
28. Scottsdale via Buffalo - Rajai Johnstone (2nd pick)
29. Texas
30. Boston
31. New Orleans
32. Syracuse
33. Nashville via St Louis - Jimmie Querecuto (2nd pick)
34. Trenton 
35. Nashville - A (3rd pick)
36. Louisville - A (3rd pick)
37. Philadelphia - A (2nd pick)
38. San Antonio - A (2nd pick)
39. Baltimore - A (2nd pick)
40. Charlotte - A (2nd pick)
41. Scottsdale - A (3rd pick)
42. Scottsdale - A (4th pick)
43. Nashville - B (4th pick)
44. Cincinnati - B (2nd pick)
45. Louisville - B (4th pick)
46. Vancouver - B (2nd pick)
47. Philadelphia - B (3rd pick)
48. Fargo - B (2nd pick)
49. Durham - B (2nd pick)
50. Arizona - B (2nd pick)
51. Tucson - B (2nd pick)
52. Scottsdale - B (5th pick)
53. Syracuse - B (2nd pick)
54. Nashville - B (5th pick)
55. Cincinnati - B (3rd pick)
56. Louisville - B (5th pick)
57. Tucson - B (3rd pick)

Remaining Type A/B players in Free Agency (I could be missing some)

• DH Ehire Arruebarrena - A - Chicago
• LF Lee Benningson - B - Salt Lake City
• LF Eugenio Flores - B - Salt Lake City
• CF Bip Sanders - B - St Louis
• CF Alan Bulger - B - Charlotte
• RP Danny Beverlin,  - B - Los Angeles

"Heat Check!" Season 2 Edition

 As we begin Season 2 here in Hardball Stitches, let's take a second to take the temperature of the room...I mean league! A full explanation of the methodology can be found here, but the quick recap is that you add points for a winning season, add even more for winning 95+ games and then get bonuses for playoff victories, pennants and World Series Rings. Teams with losing records don't earn any points and everyone, regardless of success last season, starts off a little cooler than they ended the previous season because the players spent a little while resting, recovering and getting a little rusty in the process. This is where everyone stands heading into our sophomore season: 

Boiling Hot (Above 212*F/100*C or better)

Steamy (Above 100*F/37.8*C)

Warm (Above Room Temperature, aka 72*F/?*C)

• St. Louis +8 for 110 win season, +25 for WS win ended at 105*F *.9085 = 95.4*F
• Texas +5 for 94 win season, +15 for Pennant, ended at 92*F *.9085 = 83.6*F
• Boston +8 for 95 win season,  +8 playoff wins ended at 88*F *.9085 = 79.9*F
• Trenton +8 for 113 wins, +4 playoff wins ended at 84*F *.9085 = 76.3*F
• New Orleans +8 for 96 wins, +2 playoff wins ended at 82*F * .9085 = 74.5*F
• Buffalo +5 for 90 wins, +5 playoff wins ended at 82*F *.9085 = 74.5*F
• Indianapolis +5 for 89 wins +5 playoffs wins ended at 82*F *.9085 = 74.5*F
• Syracuse +8 for 103 wins, +1 playoff win ended at 81*F *.9085 = 73.6*F

Cool (Below Room Temperature, aka 72*F/?*C) 

• Scottsdale +5 for 89 wins +2 playoff wins ended at 79*F *.9085 = 71.8*F
• Tacoma +5 for 88 wins +1 playoff win ended at 78*F *.9085 = 70.9*F
• Charlotte +5 for 88 wins +1 playoff win ended at 78*F *.9085 = 70.9*F
• Salt Lake City +5 for 88 wins +1 playoff win ended at 78*F *.9085 =  70.9*F
• Fresno +5 for 87 win season but no playoffs = 77*F * .9085 = 70.0*F
• Baltimore +5 for 87 win season but no playoffs = 77*F * .9085 =  70.0*F
• Chicago +5 for 85 win season but no playoffs = 77*F * .9085 =  70.0*F
• Montgomery losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Arizona losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Tucson  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Durham  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Fargo  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F 
• Philadelphia  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Mexico City  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• New York  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Vancouver  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Colorado Springs  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Helena  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Cleveland  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Scranton  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Cincinnati  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Nashville  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F
• Los Angeles  losing season earned no points and ended @ 72*F * .9085 = 65.4*F

Freezing Cold (Below 32*F/0*C)

Absolutely Frigid (Below 0*F/?*C)

Mexico City Luchadors Welcome Johnny Bland, Confuse and Concern Fans

 MEXICO CITY — The Mexico City Luchadors are thrilled to announce the signing of starting pitcher Johnny Bland, a right-hander known for his control, calm demeanor, and a fastball that’s been described as “respectably average.”

However, the announcement caused widespread confusion among fans, many of whom believed “Johnny Bland” was not a new player, but instead a new restaurant opening at the ballpark—one that serves only bland, flavorless food.

“I thought it was, like, one of those American-style concepts,” said longtime Luchadors fan Elena Márquez, shaking her head. “No spice, no flavor, everything beige. I was ready to protest. Turns out he’s a pitcher. I guess that’s better?”

The team’s signage didn’t help. With banners reading “The Future is Bland” and “Taste the Johnny Bland Experience”, many fans feared the club was abandoning its bold culinary and cultural roots in favor of pandering to tourists.

“I was expecting turkey sandwiches with no condiments,” said fan Carlos Jiménez. “I mean, Johnny Bland? That sounds like a guy who thinks black pepper is risky. Then I found out he throws a decent slider, and I was like, okay, that’s slightly spicy.”

The misunderstanding spread quickly online, with several memes featuring imagined “Bland Menu Specials” going viral. Among the top items: unsalted boiled potatoes, toast without butter, and water. Just water.

“This feels like the start of something worrying,” said local taco vendor Martín Rodríguez, grilling outside the park. “First they sign Johnny Bland, next thing you know, they’re putting raisins in the mole. We have to stay vigilant.”

Team officials stepped in late Friday to clarify. “Johnny Bland is, in fact, a person,” said GM Rafa Morales. “He throws strikes, not salads. He has never opened a restaurant. He does not own a food truck. He does enjoy grilled chicken, but that’s not a crime.”

Bland, for his part, seemed mildly amused by the attention. “I’ve been called bland before,” he said at a press conference. “Usually by my ex-girlfriends, not an entire city. But hey—I’m here to pitch, and I’m open to trying hot sauce.”

Mexico City Draft Day Controversy

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
HARD BALL STITCHES BASEBALL LEAGUE – DRAFT DAY CONTROVERSY

"SOMEBODY CALL THE COMMISH—SENOR PERRO JUST STOLE THE SHOW!"

Location: A smoky backroom somewhere beneath the roaring Estadio del Sol, post-draft chaos unfolding…

[CAMERA ZOOMS IN on a barely-hinged folding table surrounded by enraged reporters, dramatic lighting, and a very sweaty announcer with a foam microphone in hand.]

ANNOUNCER “MEAN DANE MENDOZA”:

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HOLD ON TO YOUR PELOTAS, 'CAUSE WE GOT A SCANDAL HOTTER THAN A SUMMER IN SONORA! THE MEXICO CITY LUCHADORS HAVE LEAPT FROM 10TH TO 6TH IN THE AMATEUR DRAFT—AND THE BASEBALL WORLD IS CALLING FOUL BALL!

AND AT THE CENTER OF THE STORM? THE MASKED MAVERICK HIMSELF… SENOR PERRO!!!"

[CAMERA WHIPS TO SENOR PERRO—clad in a diamond-studded Luchador mask, cape flowing in the AC draft, twirling a gold cane shaped like a baseball bat.]

SENOR PERRO (growling in a thick accent):

"Ay, papacito… You call it cheating? I call it DESTINY! I didn’t steal the 6th pick—I suplexed destiny and pinned it for the three count!"

[Crowd of press gasps—one reporter faints. Another drops his churro.]

MEAN DANE:

"NOW WAIT JUST ONE MINUTE, PERRO! Sources say league executives caught you slipping envelopes under the commissioner’s locker room door, each one smellin’ like hot sauce and corruption! You think you can just powerbomb your way up the draft board?!"

SENOR PERRO:

"You think I bribed the league? HAH! The only thing I’m guilty of is being the BADDEST BULL IN THE BARRIO! While other teams were cryin’ in their cleats, I was out there body slamming mediocrity and dropkicking doubt! Now the Luchadors got that 6th pick, and soon we’ll be dropping dingers like elbow drops from the top rope!"

[A chair flies across the room. Probably metaphorical. Maybe not.]

MEAN DANE:

"Are you saying this was all... legal?!"

SENOR PERRO (grinning beneath the mask):

"Legal? No.

LEGENDARY? Absolutely."

CUE EXPLOSTIONS AND METAL GUITAR SOLO. CUT TO BLACK

S2 Draft Lottery Results

 Amy Amanda 'Triple A' Allen - contributing reporter

Gone are the days when tanking guaranteed you a shot at the top pick. The era of the Draft Lottery has officially begun in Hardball Stitches—and if our first roll of the dice proved anything, it’s that no one’s spot is safe.

In a stunning debut, the lottery brought chaos, drama, and just a hint of poetic justice. Colorado Springs made the biggest leap of the night, vaulting up six spots to snag the No. 2 pick. Meanwhile, Nashville, once eyeing the top of the board, saw their hopes tumble—dropping five spots to land at No. 7.

The message is clear: fortune now favors the lucky, not just the losing. And with that, the draft landscape has officially changed.

Here’s how the rest of the chips fell...

S1 Recap

Jack Torrance - Contributing Reporter

Winner Winner....Chicken Dinner 

Should be no surprise that the team with the most regular season stolen bases stole the World Series from the Texas Toast after being down 3-0. Congrats to Pimpbotlove for winning the first ever Hardball Stitches World Series title.  

Playoff Hitting Stats: .251 avg, .709 ops, 19 HR, 79 RBI, 81 R, 38 SB
Playoff Pitching Stats: 11-6, 5/7 saves, 156 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 3.52 ERA, 33 bb, 127 k. 
Outstanding Position Player: Jacob Donald (LF) - .283 avg, .930 ops, 15 H, 11 R, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 3 SB
Outstanding Pitcher: Tex Richardson (RP) - 0.00 era, .097 oav, 0.47 whip, 21 k, 3 bb, 0-0, 3/3 sv in 10 relief appearances totaling 19 innings. 

Congrats again and let's get ready for the start of Season 2! 

Major League

All-Star Weekend

The American League took an early lead and didn't look back over the National League, 5-2
All Star Game Player of Game - 1B Matt Roberts (Baltimore) drove in 3 runs
Home Run Derby Champ - Dustan Nevin (Durham) - 9 - 8 - 9
Longest HR - 522' - Rubi Veras (Syracuse)
Futures Game Player of the Game: Tarrik McLemore (Indy)

American League 

Division Titles
AL North: Syracuse Firebirds
AL East: Boston 'Act As If' Afflects
AL South: New Orleans Voodoo
AL West:  Salt Lake City Trappers
Wildcards: Texas Toast & Tacoma Armada

League Leaders
Batting
Hits: AJ Jordan (Montgomery) - 222
Average: Vin Nunez (Syracuse) - .365
Home Runs: Benito Gonzales (Montgomery) - 59
Runs: Rubi Veras (Syracuse) - 139
Runs Batted In: Benito Gonzales (Montgomery) - 152
Stolen Bases: Keith Sowders (Salt Lake City) - 63
Longest Hit Streak: Vin Nunez (Syracuse) & Vern Ashley (Arizona) - 27

Pitching
Wins: Laynce Johnson (Boston) - 22
Quality Starts: Dayan Martin (Montgomery) - 26
Saves: Armando Ceda (Durham) - 42
ERA: Hideki Lim (Tacoma) - 2.56
Strikeout: Hideki Lim (Tacoma) - 208
OAV: Rando Rincon (Salt Lake City) - .209
WHIP: Rando Rincon (Salt Lake City) - 1.07

Fielding
Plus Plays: Omar Rodriguez (Texas) - 30
CS%: Jimmy Long (Fargo) - .36%
C ERA: Dan Key (New Orleans) - 3.89

Awards
MVP: 

1. Vin Nunez (Syracuse) - 18 votes
   
2. Juan Mota (Tacoma) - 6 votes
3. Matt Roberts (Augusta) - 5 votes (ROOKIE)
4. Mickey Villegas (Los Angeles) - 3 vote
5. Jim Smith (Boston) - 0 votes

Cy Young: 

1. Rando Rincon (Salt Lake City) - 14 votes
2. Ned Gaillard (Augusta) - 9 votes (ROOKIE)
3. Laynce Johnson (Boston) - 5 votes
4. Glenallen Cepicky (Boston) - 3 votes
5. Earl Bailey (Montgomery) - 1 vote (ROOKIE)

Rookie of the Year: 

1. Shin-Soo Ishii (Texas) - 18 votes
2. Ned Gaillard (Augusta) - 6 votes
3. Matt Roberts (Augusta) - 5 votes
4. Earl Bailey (Montgomery) - 3 votes
5. Dixon Perez (Arizona) - 0 votes

Fireman of the Year: Jose Rios (Texas)

National League

Division Titles
NL North: Trenton Thunderbolts
NL East: St Louis Archers
NL South: Charlotte Intimidators
NL West: Scottsdale Sazeracs
Wildcards: Buffalo Bomb Squad & Indianapolis Speedsters

League Leaders
Batting
Hits: Liam Steinbach (Fresno) - 191
Average: Vincente DeSoto (Charlotte) - .346
Home Runs: Liam Steinbach (Fresno) - 50
Runs: Len Priest (St Louis) - 154
Runs Batted In: Liam Steinbach (Fresno) - 142
Stolen Bases: Len Priest (St Louis) - 107
Longest Hit Streak: Phil Wallace (Scottsdale) - 20

Pitching
Wins: Polin Aceves (Trenton) - 26
Quality Starts: Magglio Mieses (Trenton) - 29
Saves: Roger Williams (Buffalo) & Steve Knecht (Chicago) - 46
ERA: Polin Aceves (Trenton) - 1.85
Strikeout: Harry DaSilva (Buffalo) - 239
OAV: George Avery (Colorado Springs) - .192
WHIP: Polin Aceves (Trenton) - 0.95

Fielding
Plus Plays: Richie Beltran (Tucson) - 29
CS%: Dustin Casanova (Fresno) - 39%
C ERA: Sammy Kelly (Trenton) - 2.85

Awards
MVP:

1. Liam Steinbach (Fresno) - 19 votes (ROOKIE)
2. Len Priest (St Louis) - 6 votes 
3. Harry Feliz (San Antonio) - 5 votes
4. Jason Bako (Trenton) - 2 vote
5. John Lansing (Chicago) - 0 votes

Cy Young:

1. Polis Aceves (Trenton) - 21 votes
2. Franchy Rolison (Trenton) - 9 votes
3. Magglio Mieses (Trenton) -  3 votes
4. Derrek Cone (St Louis) - 1 vote
5. Harry DaSilva (Buffalo) - 0 votes

Rookie of the Year:

1. Liam Steinbach (Fresno) - 21 votes 
2. Lyle Merrick (Indianapolis) - 5 votes
3. Glenallen Adams (St Louis) - 4 votes
4. Tony Sheehan (Trenton) - 2 votes
5. Roger Williams (Buffalo) - 0 votes

Fireman of the Year: Roger Williams (Buffalo)

Minor League

AAA: 

NL #6 Buffalo over AL #6 Fargo, 4-3.

Best Record: Los Angeles - 88-56

Worst Record: Philadelphia - 52-92

AA: 

NL #6 Scottsdale over AL #3 Texas, 4-3.

Best Record: Buffalo - 93-51

Worst Record: Helena - 42-102

A+: 

NL #3 Charlotte over AL #6 Boston, 4-2.

Best Record: Tucson - 101-43

Worst Record: Scranton - 44-100

A-: 

AL #5 Montgomery over NL #1 Tucson, 4-1.

Best Record: New Orleans - 101-43

Worst Record: St Louis - 42-102

Rookie: 

AL #2 Tacoma over NL #1 Nashville, 4-2.

Best Record: Boston - 55-21

Worst Record: Cleveland - 16-60

S1 Awards Log

Jack Torrance - Contributing Reporter

Award History
(* indicates Hall of Famer member) - running list of award winners

• MVP
• 1 Time
• Vin Nunez (AL - S1)
• Liam Steinbach  (NL - S1)
• Cy Young
• 1 Time
• Rando Rincon (AL - S1)
• Polin Aceves (NL - S1)
• Fireman of the Year
• 1 Time
• Jose Rios (AL)
• Roger Williams (NL)
  
• Gold Gloves
• 1 Time
• Kevin Bulger (C: AL)
• Benny Lee (C: NL)
• Dixon Perez (1B: AL)
• John Lansing (1B: NL)
• Avisail Nunez (2B: AL)
• Ben Jones (2B: NL)
• Omar Rodriguez (SS: AL)
• Yeico Feliz (SS: NL)
• Jim Smith (3B: AL)
• Richie Beltran (3B: NL)
• Charles Jung (LF: AL)
• Ender Vincete (LF: NL)
• Henderson Wheeler (CF: AL)
• LaTroy Crawford (CF: NL)
• Enny Guerrero (RF: AL)
• Alcides Martin (RF: NL)
• King Plouffe (P: AL)
• Allen Maysonet (P: NL)
• Silver Slugger
• 1 Time
• Mendy King (DH: AL)
• Shin-Soo Ishii (C: AL)
• Tyler Stull (C: NL)
• Matt Roberts (1B: AL)
• Liam Steinbach (1B: NL)
• Vin Nunez (2B: AL)
• Christy Winston (2B: NL)
• Chris Gutierrez (SS: AL)
• Arquimedes Villanueva (SS: NL)
• Jim Smith (3B: AL)
• Alex Gonzales (3B: NL)
• Mickey Villegas (LF: AL)
• Harry Feliz (LF: NL)
• Juan Mota (CF: AL)
• Adrian Sexson (CF: NL)
• Deven Bickerton (RF: AL)
• Radley Frazier (RF: NL)
• Polin Aceves (P: NL)
• Player of the Week
• 2 time
• Juan Mota
• 1 Time
• Liam Steinbach
• Andy Barker
• Dustan Nevin
• Rajai Johnstone
• Jim Smith
• Pitcher of the Week
• 1 Time
• Franchy Rolison
• Douglas Tomlinson
• Stewart Bryant
• Cristobal Rojas
• Polin Aceves
• Jonathon Houston
• Glenallen Cepicky

Franchise Titles

• 1 Title
• St Louis (S1)

World Series

S1: #2 NL St Louis v #S5 AL Texas; 4-3.

League Championships

• 1 Championship
• Texas (AL - S1)
• St Louis (NL - S1)

Division Titles

• 1 Titles
• Trenton (S1)
• St Louis (S1)
• Charlotte (S1)
• Scottsdale (S1)
• Syracuse (S1)
• Boston (S1)
• New Orleans (S1)
• Salt Lake City (S1)

Wildcards

• 1 Wildcard
• Buffalo (S1)
• Indianapolis (S1)
• Texas (S1)
• Tacoma (S1)

Rare Games
Running list of the rare games and seasons they were accomplished in, most recent will be at the top of the list. We've included their Game Score for pitchers and ESPN Rating.

• Perfect Games
• None
• No-Hitters
• 1
• Combined - Fresno Romans v Trenton Thunderbolts
• Jonathon Houston (6ip), Raimel Rodriguez (1ip), Kiki Candelario (1 1/3ip), Alexander McCallum (2/3ip)
• Hit for Cycle
• 1
• Felipe Tabata 
• Alcides Martin 
• Joe Winston 
• Conner Barker
• 4+ Home Run Games
• None
• 9 RBI Games
• 1
• John Lansing 
• Jim Smith 
• 8 RBI Games
• 1
• Jorge Flores 
• Tony Slowey 
• Tony Parnell 
• Josh Torres
• Danny Piper
• 7 RBI Games
• 1
• Benji Richardson 
• Darryl Sadler 
• Jim Smith 
• Jason Bako 
• Alcides Martin 
• Turner Vessella 
• Charles Robinson 
• Grayson Ryan 
• Lucas Bridges 
• Sidney Brock
• Radley Frazier
• Jorge Flores

Season 1 Awards Voting

As the inaugural season of Hardball Stitches draws to a close, it's time to take a look at the ballots for the end-of-season awards. The answers to future trivia questions are about to be established, so let's take a quick look at who might be able to lay claim to those. We will start with the MVP races and then move the mound before looking at the young guns. Here we go!

AL MVP

• Vin Nunez (2B-Syracuse), 7.55 oWAR + 0.58 dWAR = 8.12 total 
• Juan Mota (CF-Tacoma), 4.87 oWAR + 1.06 dWAR = 5.92 total
• Matt Roberts (1B-Baltimore), 5.62 oWAR -0.96 dWAR = 4.66 total
• Mickey Villegas (LF-Los Angeles), 6.20 oWAR -1.07 dWAR = 5.13 total
• Jim Smith (3B-Boston), 3.79 oWAR +1.40 dWAR = 5.19 total

NL MVP

• Liam Steinbach (1B-Fresno), 7.21 oWAR - 2.28 dWAR = 4.93 total
• Harry Feliz (LF-San Antonio), 3.11 oWAR -0.98 dWAR = 2.13 total
• Len Priest (1B-St. Louis), 3.17 oWAR -1.24 dWAR = 1.93 total
• Jason Bako (1B-Trenton), 4.67 oWAR - 1.30 dWAR = 3.37 total
• John Lansing (1B-Chicago), 2.92 oWAR - 0.14 dWAR = 2.78 total

AL Cy Young

• Rando Rincon (SP-Salt Lake City), 5.57 pWAR + 0 dWAR = 5.57 total
• Ned Gaillard (SP-Syracuse), 5.08 pWAR - 0.19 dWAR = 4.89 total
• Laynce Johnson (RP-Boston), 3.80 pWAR + 0 dWAR = 3.80 total
• Earl Bailey (SP-Montgomery), 5.18 pWAR -0.25 dWAR = 4.93 total
• Glenallen Cepicky (SP-Boston), 6.20 pWAR -0.12 dWAR = 6.08 total

NL Cy Young 

• Polin Aceves (SP-Trenton), 4.58 pWAR -0.12 dWAR = 4.46 total
• Franchy Rolison (SP-Trenton), 5.50 pWAR + 0.12 dWAR = 5.63 total
• Magglio Mieses (SP-Trenton), 4.76 pWAR + 0 dWAR = 4.76 total
• Derrek Cone (SP-St. Louis), 3.07 pWAR + 0 dWAR = 3.07 total
• Harry DaSilva (SP-Buffalo), 4.91 pWAR + 0 dWAR = 4.91 total

AL Rookie of the Year

• Shin-Soo Ishii (C-Texas), 5.86 oWAR + 0.91 dWAR = 6.77 total
• Ned Gaillard (SP-Syracuse), 5.08 pWAR - 0.19 dWAR = 4.89 total
• Matt Roberts (SS-Baltimore), 5.62 oWAR - 0.96 dWAR = 4.66 total
• Earl Bailey (SP-Montgomery), 5.18 pWAR - 0.25 dWAR = 4.93 total
• Dixon Perez (1B-Arizona), 1.85 oWAR - 0.54 dWAR = 1.31 total

NL Rookie of the Year 

Liam Steinbach (1B-Fresno), 7.21 oWAR - 2.28 dWAR = 4.93 total

Lyle Merrick (RP-Indianapolis), 1.76 pWAR + 0 dWAR = 1.76 total

Glenallen Adams (SP-St. Louis), 0.89 pWAR + 0 dWAR = 0.89 total

Tony Sheehan (SP-Trenton), 2.91 pWAR -0.31 dWAR = 2.60 total

Roger Williams (RP-Buffalo), 0.08 pWAR + 0 dWAR = 0.08 total

Honorable Mentions

• Jimmie Lee (2B-Los Angeles + Scottsdale), 0.61 oWAR - 0.94 dWAR = -0.32 total
• Leyson Ayala (SS-Salt Lake City), -1.59 oWAR + 0.66 dWAR = -0.92 total

S1 - How They Were Built - St Louis

Jack Torrance - contributing reporter

A baseball roster, much like a fine old hotel in the dead of winter, has a way of revealing the character of those who built it. Some teams are assembled with meticulous precision—carefully orchestrated trades, shrewd free-agent signings, and waiver-wire heists that border on grand larceny. Others? Well, they stumble through the offseason like a man lost in a hedge maze, their plans unraveling with each ill-fated contract and hasty deal. But whether by genius or madness, every roster tells a story—a tale of ambition, desperation, and the relentless pursuit of victory. So, let’s take a look at how this particular team, the St. Louis Archers came to be, piece by painstaking piece, and see if they’ve crafted a masterpiece… or something destined to collapse under its own weight.

The team started off to the hottest start we've ever seen (so what if it's only Season 1) in Hardball Stitches history, let's see how it was done. 

• C
• Philip McCartin - ORIGINAL - Arbitration 2 signing of $1.5M.
• Kenshin Choi - TRADE - with Bossman Bob (Fresno), gave up SP Shouta Tamura and SP Cy Ingram, who both received late season promotions while the Romans were fighting with the Sazeracs for the division title out West.  Choi took on Righties while McCartin took on Lefties. 
• Greg Harmon - ORIGINAL - Started on a $328K rookie level contract
• 1B
• Jacob Donald - WAIVER CLAIM - Donald went through Arbitration 3 with Buffalo but was waived shortly thereafter. Nearly had a 20 2B - 20 HR - 20 SB season.
• 2B
• Glenn Green - ORIGINAL - Started with a 2/$12.6M contract. Likely ends the season as the #2 SB leader in Hardball Stitches and behind teammate Len Priest. 
• SS
• Ron House - ORIGINAL - Started with a 2/$10.4M contract
• Grayson Ryan - FREE AGENT - Signed a 3/$17M contract this offseason - plus defender up the middle. 
• 3B
• Rylan Benson - ORIGINAL - Started with a 2/$10.4M contract
• LF
• Len Priest - ORIGINAL - Started with a 2/$9.2M contract. Solid 1-2 punch with Green, as mentioned the two lead the league in SBs. 
• Corey Smalley - ORIGINAL - Started with a 2/$13M contract. Doesn't get many ABs but when he does he's become a .300+ hitter. 
• CF
• Fred Sowders - TRADE - Another deal with New Orleans, this time giving up 1B Wayne Pennington who has above average contact, power, and eye; but his splits could use a good bit of improvement. 
• RF
• Koji Katou - FREE AGENT - This one is well documented, he signed a max contract this off-season. $30M this season for 87 runs, 34 hr, 92 rbi, on a .299 avg....through only 98 games played. Just wait for next season. 
• Sergei Fabregas - ORIGINAL - Started on a $328K rookie level contract

• Starters
• Alen Baldwin - TRADE - w/ New Orleans as first trade of the season. Gave up DH John Hearn and SP Bernie Rosado. Both players were promoted to the majors. Hearn a 2 year rookie hasn't improved this season, but his splits were already 97/94 with a 94 eye. Rosado has performed very similar to Baldwin this season.  
• Babe Rodgers - ORIGINAL - Arbitration 1 signing of $1.3M.
• Edgmer Wilfredo - ORIGINAL - Started with a 3/$16.8M contract
• Derrek Cone - TRADE - with Montgomery, gave up prospect RP Sherry Merrick and SP Dolf Hillenbrand. Hillenbrand looks to be the future of the Fightins rotation. 
• James Richardson - TRADE - with Salt Lake City. Easy add, was a salary dump for SLC. Been amazing since joining the team. 
• Bullpen
• LRA Pat Collins - TRADE - originally acquired by Cleveland from Baltimore but found himself dealt to St. Louis along with RP prospect Dan Buddie for 2B Santiago Tapies.
• LRA Glenallen Adams - PROMOTED - from within. 
• SuA Luis Martin - TRADE - acquired from Indianapolis but it took the 3 player prospect package of LF Bobby Joe Wise, RP Donnie Keppel, and RP Tony Durazo. Martin had just freshly inked a 5/$16M deal with WallyRez. Perhaps that's why Katou didn't resign with him, fear of being traded after signing the dotted line. 
• SuA Brant Schmidt - PROMOTED - from within. 
• SuA Tex Richardson - PROMOTED - from within. 
• SuB Mitch Lomasney - ORIGINAL - Started on a $328K rookie level contract
• SuB Darren Berger - TRADE - acquired from Vancouver for 3B Brendan Craig + $2M. Currently on a 2/$7.1M deal. 

All-in here's a recap of the moves

• 14 original contracts / arbitration / promotions
• 2 free agent signings
• 1 waiver claims
• 8 trades

S1 Smoke & Stitches - end of season

Catherine Trammell - contributing reporter

The dust has barely settled from Season 1, but in Hardball Stitches, there’s no such thing as downtime—only the quiet before the next storm. The air is thick with speculation, front offices playing their hands close to the vest while whispers slither through clubhouses like a late-night changeup that just won’t drop. Some teams are sharpening their knives, ready to cut dead weight. Others are already reaching for their checkbooks, desperate to turn promise into power. The trade block will heat up, the international market is expected to be another feeding frenzy, and somewhere in a dimly lit office, a GM is pouring a drink and wondering if they’re about to make the move that saves—or buries—their second season.

Rumors don’t stay rumors for long. Eventually, every fastball meets the barrel, every secret finds the light. So light that cigar, top off your glass, and lean in. The game behind the game is about to start all over again.

• The digital real estate vultures are circling, and Arizona baseball fans have noticed something… unsettling. Under the ever-watchful eye of homegrown bloggers, a few key names in the desert are quietly putting their houses on the market. Tucson listings now include the homes of catcher Benny Lee and ace James Henley. Meanwhile, Scottsdale’s housing market is suddenly flooded with properties linked to reliever Willie Blanco, second baseman Mark Harper, shortstop David Feldman, right fielder Phil Wallace, and starter Dillon Rupp. A coincidence? Maybe. But in this league, when the For Sale signs go up, the trade rumors aren’t far behind. Is it the front office shaking things up, or is the Arizona heat just getting a little too unbearable? Stay tuned—something’s brewing in the desert. 

• Rajai Johnstone doesn’t just play the game—he bends it to his will. Power, discipline, precision. A swing that sends pitchers into cold sweats and front offices into bidding wars. And now, as the ink dries on another season, his legal team is already sharpening their pens, crafting the kind of fine print and opt-out clauses that only a king can demand. The numbers tell the story. Forty-nine home runs, 85 walks, just 39 strikeouts—every plate appearance a calculated execution. But it was the trade from Durham to Scottsdale that truly set the stage, a .376 average and .847 slugging percent over 53 games, like a man proving a point with every crack of the bat. Now, the market holds its breath. The max deal is coming. The only question left is which franchise is willing to pay the price—not just in dollars, but in power. Because once Johnstone signs, the balance of the league shifts. And in Hardball Stitches, shifts like that are rarely subtle.

• Last season, the whispers were everywhere—fielding coaches across the league were living on borrowed time. Now, as we creep toward the offseason, the axe is finally set to fall. The question isn’t if nearly every team will be hiring a new fielding coach—it’s who’s left standing when the dust settles. From struggling defensive units to front offices looking for a scapegoat, the reckoning is near. Some teams will quietly part ways with their coaching staff, a handshake and a contract termination all that remains of their tenure. Others will make a spectacle of it, an execution played out in the headlines, a warning to the next man up. And then there’s the prize pool—the coaches who will have the luxury of choosing their next kingdom. Boston’s Derrek Warner and Nashville’s Jose Calvo sit atop that list, coveted by teams desperate to turn errors into outs and liabilities into gold gloves. The market is shifting. Power is being redistributed. One team’s discard is another team’s salvation. The only certainty? When the firings begin, the scramble for the best fielding minds in the game will follow. And in Hardball Stitches, hesitation is just another way to lose.

• The numbers said Syracuse was unstoppable. The only 100+ win team in the American League, a powerhouse built to steamroll the playoffs. But numbers lie. And in just four games, Texas sent them packing, turning a season of dominance into nothing more than a footnote. Maybe it was the bats going cold. Maybe it was the weight of expectations. Or maybe—just maybe—it was that one deal that never crossed the finish line. The trade that could have tipped the scales, the missing piece that stayed right where it was. A brand-new, used washing machine, still spinning in Texas, still holding secrets in its drum. Baseball is cruel. Sometimes, the championship hinges on a single swing, a single pitch. And sometimes… it’s a broken promise, a deal undone, a whisper of what could have been.

• Whispers have a way of turning into headlines, and this one is gaining traction fast. Word around the league is that the commissioner’s office is eyeing Fresno with more than just casual interest. Not just Rookie of the Year and NL MVP frontrunner Liam Steinbach—but the entire Romans franchise. Owner included. A routine check? Hardly. When baseball decides to start poking around, it’s never just for show. Maybe it’s Steinbach’s meteoric rise, the kind that makes statisticians double-check their math. Maybe it’s the way Fresno keeps defying expectations, as if they know something the rest of the league doesn’t. Steroid testing is being weighed, they say. Which means decisions haven’t been made—yet. But in a league built on power plays, nothing stays in limbo for long. If the rumors are true, the Romans might soon find themselves fighting something much tougher than a division race.

• The Draft Lottery is coming, and with it, the usual promises of fairness, luck, and integrity. But in Hardball Stitches, integrity is just another chip on the table, easily cashed in when the stakes get high enough. Los Angeles, Nashville, and Cincinnati are clinging to their spots in the top three, hoping the odds don’t betray them. But then there’s San Antonio—always watching, always waiting. A well-timed favor, a whisper in the right ear… and suddenly, the draft board looks different. Would they dare? Of course they would. History has a way of repeating itself, and if there’s one thing San Antonio is good at, it’s taking what they want. Remember the Alamo? Please. The real question is—who’s going to remember this lottery when the dust settles and the deals are already done?

• Los Angeles didn’t just limp across the finish line—they nearly tripped over it. The 55-win minimum, a number set in stone by the commissioner’s office, loomed over them like an executioner’s blade. And for a moment, it looked like they wouldn’t make it. The implications? Catastrophic. Their draft positioning, their reputation, their front office’s job security—all would have been thrown into chaos. Now, with the regular season in the rearview, the message is clear: survival isn’t enough. The GM is firmly on the hot seat, and the only way out is through the checkbook. Free agency, trades, whatever it takes to ensure they never flirt with the edge again. Expect moves, and expect them soon—because in Hardball Stitches, second chances are a luxury few can afford. 

• No updates coming from the Mormons in Salt Lake City - their lips are sealed....still!

• The Northsiders played it safe on draft night, taking the polished, pro-ready Bryant Lawson as the first college player off the board. But in Hardball Stitches, safety is an illusion—especially when the playoffs are just out of reach. Lawson has wasted no time making his presence known in the minors, his name creeping into conversations far beyond Chicago’s front office. So far, they haven’t put him on the market. But that hasn’t stopped other teams from circling, wondering if the Northsiders see him as their future—or the key to unlocking their present. A playoff push demands sacrifice. The right piece, the right price, and suddenly, a franchise cornerstone can become a trade chip. The question is: will Chicago take the risk, or will they hold tight and hope time is on their side? Because in this league, patience is rarely rewarded.

• Mexico City will be looking to make a big splash next season in Free Agency if our translation of their language is correct. With their pick protected and a lot of players coming off the books and don't forget about the rising value of the Peso, the owners have given management their full support to land a big time all star. But the big question, do tariffs apply? When asked for a comment, El Senor Perro had this to say: "Creemos plenamente en la construcción interna a través del draft. Eso no va a cambiar. Pero, con nuestra primera selección general protegida, estamos entusiasmados de potencialmente sumar un agente libre de gran nombre la próxima temporada" When asked who they would target El Senor Perro had to say: "Oh, probablemente alguien como Mil Mascaras o La Parka. jajaja. We had Hardball Stitches tried looking up a La Parka but couldn't find what position he played. 

• The Los Angeles Labradors are once again in the rumor mill, this time we hear they are holding a graphic design contest amongst their fan base to create a new team logo. A leak from inside the organization has provided what appear to be the two current front runners. #1 - #2. The writers at the blog appear to have a different opinion on what graphic design is than LA, but then again our writers have a different opinion on what winning baseball games look like too.