The Spainards are the Floyd Mayweather of the BBL

The Cocky Spainards decided that enough was enough and put 12 points between their top spot at 80 and The Sundance Kids in the second spot at 68.  The HooDooCats and Darcy Jay’s Crew round out the top four at 67 and 65.5 respectively.  The story of the Spainards rise to dominance is mostly about Bryce Harper this month (6 HR, 13 RBI, 0.520 OBP) but don’t forget about Wong (2 HR, 9 RBI, SB, 0.519 OBP), Vargas (HR, 5 RBI, 0.435 OBP) and Familia (3.2 INN, 4 K, ER, 2.455 ERA, 1.091 WHIP, 3 S).

The Sundance Kids moved up the standings this month on the back of King Felix (14 INN, 14 K, 3 ER, 1.929 ERA, 0.929 WHIP), Glenn Perkins (3 S), Adam Lind (2 HR, 4 RBI, 0.464 OBP) and Justin Turner (2 HR, 6 RBI, 0.571 OBP).  Justin Turner…really?  &#$%^@%#!

The Odum Waiver Wire Award Goes To….

We all know the story of Charlie Blackmon being plucked off the waiver wire last year and leading the Champ to victory.  So far this year, that award goes to the Sundance Kids picking up serious counting stats from the likes of:  Justin Turner, D. Espinosa, Zack Cozart, and Chris Young.  Apparently Justin Turner was quoted as saying:

“F the Quibbler.  I am no middling infielder.  F the Quibbler.”

Once again, this esteemed publication denies any and all relations with that fish wrap the Quibbler.  By the way, those middling infielders contributed 4 HR, 16 RBI, 1 SB and about a combined .380 OBP during Week 5.

Pitch Framing

Catchers remain a hot topic this season and it seems that this year in particular many young pitch framers are being called up quickly.  Week 5 waiver wire included James McCann going to the Champ for $11 and Austin Hedges going to Al’s Pals for $6. Team Al’s Pals joins the exclusive three catcher club with the Nitros, the Pastries and the Streak.  Other interesting, young catchers taken via the waiver wire are/were:  Susac, Plawecki, and Realmuto.

The good news for the other owners is that the Pals are sure to fall in the standings as a result of carrying three catchers.  When asked to comment, the Pals responded with:

“We like Hedgy.  We saw him take 25 hard, tough dry swings in the clubhouse yesterday. That was all we needed to see.”

Chasing Saves

Colorado

It is official that Adam Ottavino is done for the year.  BBL teams are scrambling chasing Colorado saves in the form of John Axeford (Pals) and Betancourt (HDC). Don’t forget about the “Old Man” of the club house.  Hawkins is set to return from the DL this week.  Both Axeford and Betancourt gave up an ER’s in each of their apperances during Week 5 (non-save situation).

Dodgers

Kenley Jansen is on rehad assignment and will return shortly.  It is doubtful that the Dodgers will be in this article next week.

Indians

Cody Allen is toast.  His Week 5 line – 2 INN, HA, 2 BBI, 3 K, ER, 4.500 ERA, 1.500 WHIP.  Oiy.

Diamondbacks

Did anyone else just realize Addison Reed only has two saves on the season?  The HooDoo Cats sure know it.  It was not an easy save for Reed in Week 5 posting 3 INN, 2 HA, 3 K, ER, 3.000 ERA, 0.667 WHIP, S.

Braves

How many times have we seen it?  A pitcher is out with a “minor injury” and is all of the sudden out for the year.  Enter Jason Grilli out with back spasms which are “minor”.  Jim Johnson went for $11 to Peep Rub chasing some saves.  By the way, $12 is the new $11 if you are trying to win a player.  Just saying.

Best Thief in the BBL?

Last week we looked at the HR MVP for each team.  This week let’s look at the best base stealer for each team.

Al’s Pals – Dee Gordon (12) – Of course.

Champ – Rajai Davis (8) – Purchased at Auction for $3

Presumed Champ – Gregory Polanco (9) – TPC loves him some Pirates (Alvarez and Polanco).

Darcy Jay’s Crew – Odubel Herrera and Matt Kemp (5).  Nice purchase with Adubel Herrera.

Squirrels – Anthony Rizzo (7) – The Big man can not only hit, but he can run.  Surely this will not last.

Pastries – Goldy (6) – Are you kidding me.  Rizzo and Goldy?

HooDoo Cats – Justin Upton (7) – Looking like a 30/30 season maybe?

Meat – Billy Hamilton (16) – Matching Cruz and Hamilton…watch out!

Nitros – Austin Jackson (5)

Paezans – Lorenzo Cain (6)

Peep Rub – Fowler (8)

Streak – Joey Votto (4)

Sundance Kids – Ben Revere (6)

Musings – The usual suspects in Revere, Gordon, Hamilton and Davis.  Amazing that Goldy, Rizzo and Votto lead their team.  Not only can those three hit for average, they hit for power…and run.  Don’t forget, Votto stole 16 in 2010.

Waiver Wire Notables

Probably the biggest news is that Justin Bour didn’t go this week.  Rumor was that he was taking over the starting gig.  Obviously, the savy owners in the BBL did not fall for that business.

Peter Bourjos goes for $21 to the Champ.  Did the Champ not realize the lanky white guy has already been caught stealing 3 times this year?  Not good.  I think you could have had him for $1.

Shane Greene ($9) trades his services from the Crew to the Pals after a solid 8 IP on Sunday.  So, did he adjust and will do fine or is he really a 5 ERA/1.30 WHIP pitcher?  We think the later.

The Nitros are desperately trying to get rid of their FAAB this year as always.  The Nitros purchased the services of Rosario at $7, Spagenberg for $11, Seth Maness $2 and Quackenbush for $2.  We are guessing Rosario and Quackenbush are sent down prior to Week 7.  We thought Spagenberg was what you did as a young adult male in a sock?

Is Freddy Galvis real or what?  The Squirrels think so and purchased him for $4 along with Lobstein for $0.  We like the flier on Lobstein.

View from the Cellar

Last week the Pastries, the Champ, the Streak and the Squirrels debuted in the View from the Cellar column.  The Champ moved from 11th all the way up to 6th place! The Champ gained 16 points this week.  Jason Kipnis went off with 3 RBI, 4 R, 3 SB/0.414 OBP.  Marlon Byrd finally woke up with 3 HR.  Salazar went 14 INN, 20 K, 3.214 ERA, 0.429 WHIP (purchased for $1).  Also, Lester and Lackey made strong starts for the Champ.

This week, the following teams are in the Cellar:

Peep Rub

Robinson Cano is killing the Rub.  Period.  One HR for the year is stupid bad.  Peep Rub must find some offense or this is going to be a really long season.

Squirrels

The Squirrels move up from 13th to 10th this week.  Great positive momentum.  You thought Peep Rub had a bad offense?  Check out the Squirrels.  16 total points on the offensive side of the ledger will make you waive off barefoot basketball for next year’s auction.  Unfortunately, relief does not appear on the horizon as Puig had a setback in his last rehab assignment.

Streak

Team Streak is consistent.  Staying in 12th place this week from last week.  The Streak purchased the services of Ruby de la Rosa for $2.  Streak needs some serious ERA help, but we are not sure Rosa is the ointment for that ailment.

Paezans

When they fall, they fall hard.  20 points on offense and 19.5 points in pitching will do that to you.  The Paezans lost an amazing 22.5 points in Week 5.  Pause…let that sink in.  The whole team exploded apparently despite the great effort from Brantley posting 7-23, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R, 2 SB, 4 BB, 0.407 OBP for the week.  Mean Potter made an apperance in the clubhouse and nothing could be heard over the loud rap music playing an muffled screams of the players.