Aurora Storialis - The Borealis Blog

[Borealis]

Borealis Snap Losing Spell with Sweep Of Evas
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

May 13, 2024: Aurora, Colorado - Fickle in deed, the game of baseball may be...

The Borealis continued to move through their early season, historic stretch of home games as they finished a short road series at Palm Springs - losing 2 of 3, and losing 9 of their past 13, and the schedule didn't look to get any easier - The Evil Evas came to town.

The Evas came to town with an SL best 18-7 record, while Aurora's bad spell turned a 9-1 start into a 13-10 record - though they maintained their lead in the Desert Hills at 2 games. But the way things progressed, you'd think it was Shin Seiki who had been struggling.

The opener of a 4-game series saw Chandler Wright - recent promotee to fill Mike Hale's roster spot, go 3-3, score two, drive in two and knock a pair of doubles to back up Eduardo Romano's excellent 8 inning effort: 5 H, 2 R. A 2-2 game was blown open by a 6-run 6th by Aurora, highlighted by back-toback homers by Juan Toro (a 3-run job) and Paul Carlisle.

Game 2 saw 'Terror' face off with the 'Onion' and neither were outstanding - Castro going 5+, giving up 4 runs and Diaz going 6 innings of 9 H, 5 R ball. On this day, Aurora would bludgeon the Evas with 11 singles and 3 doubles, coming from behind with a pair of 4-run innings in the 6th and 8th, offsetting Adrian Peterson's first bad outing - a 3-run 9th that turned a 9-5 win into a 9-8 save for Bryant Burris. Pablo Medrano was 2-4 with 3 runs scored. Takeuchi would garner PoG honors with a pair of HRs for Shin Seiki.

Arinori Mochizuki would be greeted rudely by Aurora in game three - and with Mike Provost pitching as well as ever, it didn't take much to send Aurora home with a third straight win. Mike Britt would hit his 5th HR and drive in his 20th run, while Rusty Butler continued his fine play, going 2-3, with 2 RS and 2 RBI - lifting his average to .270. Aurora would score 8-runs over innings 2, 3, 4 and 5, while Provost went 7 strong, allowing just 5 H and a run in Aurora's 9-1 victory.

With a sweep on the line in game 4, 'Tugboat' took the mound and he followed Provost's excellent effort with one of his own - 7 IP, 5 H and a run, while the Borealis batters would dial up another big inning late - fueled by a Phil Anderson error. Ferringo and Carlisle would knock three hits apiece.

Hitter of the Month: April
Most months, hitting .381 would seem like a lock for this kind of award, but for leadoff man River Pope, nada. Pedro Ferringo would swing it at a .344 pace with 11-2B, 14 R and 16 RBI, and add a 3B and a HR as well. Ferringo's .522 leads the team, edging out Mike Britt for the Aurora. Britt hit .303 with 4 homers, 17 RBI and 18 runs. Add in Paul Carlisle's 6 HR, 16 RBI and 19 runs and the top half of Aurora's order has been light's out thus far.

Pitcher of the Month: April
Really a no-brainer, easy decision: with a 3-2 record and a 1.11 ERA, 33 K and 5 BB, 19 H and only 4 ER over 32.1 IP, Mike Provost is this month's winner. The two losses? Both by a 2-1 score to the 'Gnats and Codgers during the 4-9 skid. Out of the 'pen, making 10 appearances - second to 'Javelin's 11, is John Gray, who earned 5 holds over 17.1 IP, with 23 K, 7 H and 2 R for a 1.04 ERA.

[Leones]

Aurora has really been on a tear in May. After the sweep of the Evas they went on to win 9 more straight. The dropped two just for a change of pace, and then ripped off on their 5 game win streak. Wow.

[Borealis]

Things have heated up for sure - though the key guys have been Pope and Ferringo at the top of the order - Pope is hitting .395 at the moment. Ray is trying to catch up in his blog, but he'd tell you that Britt and Carlisle - the Big Bats, are struggling average-wise, though Britt has 6 homers and Carlisle 8. It's the top starters - ok, Provost, and the 'pen who have been big leaders thus far.

Pleasantly, in 11 games back, Jesus Negrete is swinging a solid bat and already has 4 homers!!

[Borealis]

Starters Lead Aurora in 10-Game Win Streak
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

May 8, 2024: Aurora, Colorado - After blazing through the Evil Evas on this extended home stand, Toyama and Fargo had the unfortunate luck of being next in line for a pitching staff that was feeling it's oats.

In defeating Toyama by scores of 7-2, 7-0, and 6-3, Jimenez, Romano and Diaz worked a combined 22 innings, allowing 5 runs, and in their 1-0, 5-0, and 3-1 wins over Fargo, only Jimenez allowed a run in his 7-inning stint. Pena (3.1), Peterson (3), Burris (2), Holbrook and Gray (a third each) pitched scoreless ball with a combined 5 H and 2 BB, with 4 K.

Offensively, River Pope continues to lead the way out of the leadoff spot, with a 10-22 week that included 2-2B, 4 BB and 5 RBI. Paul Carlisle also looked to be warming up as he had 2-2B, 2 HR, 5 BB and 8 RBI in his 7-17 week. Teddy Loeetzsch, subbing for Nick Giles, was 7-21 with a pair of doubles and a homer. Lastly, Aurora welcomed back from his lengthy DL stint, Jesus Negrete, who had a pair of hits - one a HR, in his 5 AB.

And that's a 6-0 week with Britt hitting .182 with no XBH.

Of note for the week...

- In game 2 of the Win-D series, Eduardo Romano pitched into the 8th with 3 H and 7 K. Aurora Pounded Wantanabe for 4 runs in the first, with no outs before he left the game with an elbow injury that will keep one of Toyama's top arms (20-5, 2.62 in 2023) on the DL into next season. The Win-D bullpen held Aurora scoreless the rest of they way - until the 8th when former-aurorae HC Yong gave up 3 runs to close out Aurora's 7-0 win.
- Game 3 of the series with the former-Lupins had Edgar Diaz pitch 8 innings and allow 3-runs - three that lasted into the 7th when Aurora touched former-Duluthian Davis Sutherland for a run and reliever Francios Gosselin for another, and then they punched Victor Morgan for four in the 8th - Gabe McIntyre 2-RBI single being the key hit. For 'Terror', the Contraction Draftee from Tempe, he upped his record to 4-1, despite a 5.30 ERA that reflects his inconsistency.
-The Fargo series opened with Provost who went 8 innings with 3 H and 8 K, but he was matched by Roberto Miranda, who went 8 innings himself, and allowed just 1-run - Negrete's leadoff homer in the 8th that gave Provost his 5th win - a 1-0 game that lowered his league leading ERA to 0.95
- 'Tugboat' looked equally impressive in game 2 of the Fargo series, going 2-out into the 9th, giving up 4 H and 6 K. Ernesto Molina was not as effective, allowing 5 runs on 8 singles and 5 walks.
- In the weeks last game, 'Massacre' looked sharp in allowing 7 H over 7 IP, and 6 K in his best start of the year since being reinserted into the rotation. Miguel Vega was not as fortunate as he allowed two homers to Paul Carlisle - who had 3 of Aurora's 6 hits and all three RBIs in a 3-1 win.

Fans, who have been slow to get into the season over the past few seasons, have been coming out in droves as the team is averaging 7,000 more a game more that 2023 - a 14% increase, as solid play and a positive response to the offseason seating additions - a good portion of which reflects the 20% increase in season ticket sales.

The Borealis will see the 27-straight game stretch come to a close this week as the host Bakersfield before heading to Crystal Lake for only the second road series of the stretch.

[Borealis]

Bears End Aurora Streak at 13, 'Tugboat' Hits DL
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

May 12, 2024: Aurora, Colorado - After extending their win streak to 13-games, taking the first three games of the series with Bakersfield 3-2, 10-3 and 4-0, young Bears pitcher Bu-wei Dan held Aurora to 2 hits - walking 6, but giving up no runs in a Bears 3-0 victory to salvage something in the series.

But the big news for Aurora was Randy Smith leaving the game after an inning with what was later diagnosed as a rotator cuff strain and the trainers estimate he'll miss 4-5 weeks. This is of particular concern for the Borealis as 'Tugboat' missed 6 months in 2019 (while with San Antonio) with a torn labrum.

Smith has posted a 5-1 record so far with a stellar 1.90 ERA, continuing the outstanding body of work he's put together since his acquisition from the Calzones. The Borealis have initially announced that they expect 'Sawmill' to return to the rotation in his stead. Internet Insiders and radio heads alike seem to find Eric Perkins at AAA a more palatable choice.

Of note from the series, Mike Provost held the Bears to 3 H in a complete game shut-out to up his record to 6-2 and drop his PEBA leading ERA to 0.80. Teddy Loetzsch and Juan Toro each were 3-3 and combined for 3 R and 3 RBI. Edgar Diaz pitched into the 9th in his start, giving up 5 H and 3 R, striking out 8, with Pedro Ferringo (3-5, 4 RBI) and Toro (3-4, 3 R) providing the bulk of the support. Recently activated Jesus Negrete hit his second HR in the 10-3 win. Eduardo Romano threw 7, 4 hit innings, allowing two, and 'Javelin' picked up his 11th save. Mike Britt hit his 6th HR of the year.

[Borealis]

Provost Deal PEBA's Richest
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

May 24, 2024: Okinawa, Japan - Aurora management had hoped to resolve the negotiations before the season opener. They probably had hoped to bring the deal in for less. But when you're dealing with a player who's getting antsy over negotiations, threatened walking at season's end and is the best thing this side of the Rockies, well... Sometimes you've just got to give.

Michael Provost - 2-time 20-game winner, 3-time Golden Arm recipient, and arguably the best pitcher in the game today (as 'Firework's age slowly takes it's toll), has signed a 5-year deal that is potentially worth $175M and puts the team on the block for $35M over the next 3-years, minimum.

And when GM Will Topham made the announcement, as the team prepared to open their series in Okinawa this evening, players, fans, and team GMs alike starred at their cell phones, tablets and radios bug-eyed.

As for Aurora, the team has, mostly, historically shown some reluctance to the big contract. Sure, there was Jose Rivera's $19M deal, and then there's Randy Smith's current $171M deal over 7 years - not to mention Provost's current deal netting him $18.5M this year. With this contract, the team is now on the hook for whopping $58M a year for just their top two starting pitchers for at least the next three years - Provost will have an opt out clause after the '27 season. 'Tugboat's contract has a vesting clause for the '28 season.

Lest we forget, the team is also, in all likelihood, looking at a $17M payout for Gunner MacGruder in 2025, as one would expect he'll exercise his player option for 2025.

For Aurora, the deal would seem to make some sense. The recent expansion of Northern Lights Park - coupled with renewed fan interest that has the team nearly selling out games at a rate unseen in the past, and the League's new TV/Media deal that was designed to get the have-nots more cash, yet still filled Aurora's coffers with a few extra bucks, has put the team into a position where they could afford to keep their 'just-turned-32-year-old-pitcher'.

And why wouldn't they? Since Provost's breakout 2019 season, has there been a better pitcher? Provost may never have a season that reaches the magic of 2019 - although his current 0.87 ERA in 10 starts makes 2019's amazing 1.52 seem doable, but with 8 walks already this season, the single digit 9 of 2019 clearly ain't happening.

That said, Over the past five season's Mike has averaged over 200 IP and 200 K with just 15 BB. Those numbers may be impressive, but he's a few more years at this rate to begin approaching the pitching record of Markus Hancock.

Provost was signed as a highly speculative, yet highly rated - free agent in 2016 - the scouts raved about his potential despite his age (24) and his having no real organized ball in his background. At the time, his 5-year, $72.5M contract was shocking and up through 2018, the team began to question the decision. Expectations were high - that's what happens when potential meets high salary. After the 2018 season, when the team finished 92-70 and 7 GB of Reno and in third place in the Desert Hills, getting knocked out by Reno in the Division Series, 3-1 - Provost had a career record of 12-15, and a 4.70 ERA. Despite 168 K in 225 IP, he had walked a disconcerting 77 batters. Conversations within the organization after the 2018 season centered around trading him or letting him walk after 2019.

Then, 2019 happened, Aurora won the title, and Mike Provost won the Golden Arm for that historic year and was rewarded with a 4-year, $71M extension - which he's playing out this year. Over these past five seasons Provost is 90-29, 2.46 ERA with 1,073 K. The gamble that 2019 wasn't going to be an aberration has paid off for Aurora.

Currently, in 2024, he's 7-3, with that 0.87 ERA, a 0.65 WHIP and 66 K in 72 IP. In his 10 starts, he has allowed 0 R in five of them, has given up no more than 2 R in any game, and his two losses were by 2-1 (CL) and 2-0 (OKA) scores. Before surrendering a run in the 1st to Okinawa in his most recent start, he had gone 31-consecutive innings without allowing a run, including 2-consecutive complete game shut-outs.

[Borealis]

Romano Deal Leads to Fan Budget Concerns
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

May 27, 2024: Aurora, Colorado - Looks like long flights to and from Japan have become a popular place for Aurora GM Will Topham to get a lot of contract talk done.

After ironing out the details on Mike Provost's massive new deal as the team jetted westward to the Far East, the team landed in the early this morning at Denver International Airport and promptly announced the signing of an extension for starting pitcher Eduardo Romano.

And it didn't take the Twitter Fan Club long to speak out critically about the deal.

Romano, who signed a 4-year, $48.75M deal during the summer of 2022 - the 4th year being a team option for 2025, signed a 2-year extension that solidified a '25 salary of $14M while adding a $16.6M guaranteed for 2026 with a $16.6M team option for 2027. Should Romano complete the contract he'll be 37-years old.

Romano, who previously pitched for Leon of the Mexican League, was 10-3 in 2022 after 31 appearances that included 8 starts down the stretch, with a 2.70 ERA. Last year, firmly entrenched in the rotation, he was 11-7 with a 2.62 ERA in 30 starts and 145 K. Thus far in 2024 he is 5-2, 2.51 in 9 starts.

On paper, the deals keep a solid core of Aurora's rotation employed by the team potentially through 2027, but where problems come about is bluntly expressed by fans:

@Aurora4ever $220M over the next three years for 3 aging pitchers? #prayforhealth
@BorealisFanz at least provost has the stats romanos the oldest starter on staff
@BrittFever #fiscaldisaster is the direction this club is headed

Fans may have a point. Provost's new $35M a year looks to be in the 15% range of Aurora's future budget. Add in 'Tugboat's new deal and now Romano and near 30% of the budget is earmarked for 3/5 of the rotation. Aurora has won three straight titles on the backs of a strong rotation. Currently 7 of the teams top 10 salaries for next year are pitchers - although it's unlikely that Rivera's contract will be allowed to vest, and I suspect the team wouldn't be disappointed if MacGruder choose to opt out of his $17M final year (doubtful I'd think). So move Jesus Negrete up that list, as his arbitration salary for next year is likely to top $10M.

And position player salaries are very much a concern of the 4M bodies who filled Northern Lights Park last season:

@PopeMania Will there be $$$ for Pope down the line? The offense starts there - and that ain't even including Big Whiskey!
@StarBright looks like castro &/or gutierrez in 2026 - no way they pay negrete fair market value now
@AuroBoro Big Deal for Provost, but shackles the offense. Giles, Hale, Ferringo, Pope? Will the team be satisfied with their rings and start trading the names?

A lot of the concern from the fans no doubt settles around the dichotomy that is Aurora's finances v. minor league system. To stay competitive, the team needs to spend money, but if you let players walk, you better have players ready to step in and perform.

And what do the fans think of the next wave of players in a farm system that is responsible for the bulk of the current roster?

@RockieMtnStreaming They gotta pay da pitching - Perkins, Alarcon and Lagerveld not cutting it
@Provost4PM mercado is a #bust and wright and olivas are #nottheanswer look at the depth and you see no future answer
@ColoRockies 22nd best farm system? Bill Jones looks like the only potential star.

And then there are those who bluntly point fingers for change at the top:

@CRodriguez #CanTopham

One thing we can say about the Borealis is that they always seem a step ahead in the salary game, and we can only assume the same is true now - simply by virtue of the deals - their magnitude not withstanding. As we move closer to the fall, more shall no doubt be revealed - especially once we know the fates of Gunner and Gerardo.

[Borealis]

'20-'23 Draft Review
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

June 3, 2024: Fargo, North Dakota - As the first place Aurora Borealis boarded the team plane and jetted off to Fargo to begin a 3-city, 11-game road trip, GM Will Topham and the rest of the management team remained behind to polish up the team's draft plans in preparation for Wednesday's amateur draft. The unusually quiet Borealis - as far as swinging deals for extra picks may be concerned, short of a conditional pick from Okinawa as part of their stadium construction deal - pure business on that one, the Borealis will be in their customary last pick mode in each round.

What the Borealis may target has been debated amongst media-heads and fans alike. One may think they'd target pitching, though typically they've taken the 'best available' option. Instead of debating names, let's look back over the past four drafts - since the teams first title (2019) of this historic run they've been on.

2020:
The gem of the 2020 draft has thus far been 2B Pablo Medrano. One of two players from that draft to make it to the major league level, Medrano blitz through short A and A ball after the draft before struggling to a .246 at AA Gatineau in 2021 - although a .390 OBP, thanks to 105 BB, were a positive sign. After a successful 2022 at Thornton, Medrano split time with Aurora in 2023, hitting .279, and has begun 2024 as the starting 1B - hitting .309 thus far, with 4 HR and 25 RBI while mostly hitting down in the order.

Lawrence Justice was a 5th round pick who, like Medrano, pushed through the system in his draft year - playing 10 games at Gatineau - where he hit .292 in 2021, before shipping out to Thornton, where he had a healthy .280. A tremendous .330 in 2023 got him a shot at the big leagues - hitting .313 and playing a key role in Aurora's 'three-peat'. This year he opened the season on the Opening Day roster, but a .184 earned him a demotion after 15 starts, but since, he's hitting .302 for Thornton, while biding his time.

2nd round pick SP Jorge Garcia of San Carlos, CA - not to be confused with Jorge Garcia of Lompoc, CA, has bounced around A and AA since the draft - with mixed results, was a stellar 6-2, with a 1.78 ERA at Gatineau, before being promoted to Thornton with Eric Perkin's promotion with 'Tugboat's injury, has had two starts with the FasTrax and a 2.25 ERA. Jorge Diaz, also a 2nd round selection, has slowly - if not unimpressively, moved his way up the system's food chain, and is having his best season at .278 in 49 starts.

Aurora drafted a pair of catchers in the 3rd (Fernando Negrete) and 4th (Luis Villanueva) round. Luis had shown great offensive abilities as he moved all the way to Aurora last season - finishing the year on the post-season roster - thanks to Jesus Negrete's season-ending injury. He hit .267 in 17 starts for Aurora last year, and figured to challenge for the starting/back-up role in 2024 - which he earned, but his .206, not as stellar D got him a ticket up the freeway to Thornton when Negrete came off the DL. The other Negrete, Fernando, has never panned out like the club had hoped. 2023 looked to potentially be a break-out season - .286, 10 HR, 54 RBI at Gatineau, but a combination of poor play, being passed on the depth chart and the Contraction Draft arrival of Domingo Gutierrez has Fernando back at Gatineau and an unimpressive .233 average in 45 starts.

With Medrano already having solid success with Aurora and Lawrence Justice possibly being on the cusp, this class feels successful. Poor Villanueva - despite getting his feet wet at the end of last year and early this season, he seems to be at best #3 on the minor league depth chart - and his chance passing him by.

2021:
The Borealis traded their top selection in the 2021 draft and in the process collected a number of lower picks that included a day with three #2's and three #3's - the first five of which became pitchers for the Borealis. The first of which was SP Billy Taylor, whom Aurora had high hopes for - unfortunately so has the elbow surgeon, who has seen Billy twice over the last two seasons - first bone chips, then Tommy John. Prior to the latest injury, Taylor had42 starts for the Oceanic, Rapids Blancos, and Balloonists and was 25-8, with a combined 2.48 ERA. Doctors and trainers alike hope Billy will be able to get a month's worth of work in come August.

SP Orlando Alarcon was selected two spots after Taylor, and likewise Aurora has had big hopes. Although he hasn't had the stellar numbers that Taylor has, his professional ERAs have been under 4.00. Last year he was 9-10 for a poor Thornton club, with a 3.25 ERA and thus far he's 4-4, 3.50. It's unclear whether or not Orlando will be a difference maker for the Borealis.

SP Gustavo Cabrera was the third SP taken in the second round and has subsequently been traded to Okinawa, during the 2021 Winter Meetings as part of a deal for their 2022 #1 pick - who became C Manny Castro.

Tomas Moya was the first of the 3rd round picks and after spending his first three professional seasons as a starter, Aurora has decided to try him as a reliever after a pair of unsuccessful starts at AAA. An 8.10 AAA ERA in 2024 has him back at Gatineau, where in 11 relief appearances he's posted a 2.31 ERA in 11 IP - with 18 K and only 2 BB. The team hopes the hard working, smart Michigan State grad will pick up a little more control and find the kind of nasty movement that is needed to be a successful major leaguer.

CL Julio Martinez, the second of the three #3's, has had a lot of success pitching in the closer role in the minors. 1.93 and 18 saves at Mokule'ia after the draft. 36 saves and a 2.23 at Gatineau in 2022. Last year at Thornton he pitched in the set-up role and had a 3.29 ERA with 3 saves. Thus far, he has 15 saves and a 1.38 ERA pitching mostly as the FasTrax closer. Despite his high level of minor league success, the scouting department and coaching staffs feel he is still a few years away - and like Moya, maybe a bit of polishing up.

OF Joe Harris, a distant cousin of the GM, was the first position player drafted by Aurora in 2021 and after a strong 2021 season in Hawaii, he's bounced back and forth between Southern California and Quebec. He had been showing more success in A ball than AA, until this year where a fractured ankle killed an outstanding season - .284, 12-2B, 5 HR, 26 RBI and 10 SB over 51 games. For the Villanova grad, the outfield depth ahead of him may make it a tough haul to the Bigs.

2021 produced a peculiar class - Multiple arms could make it to Aurora, even if it ends up in MR. Billy Taylor still has the look of a potential starter of note. Martinez may note become the Borealis closer one day, but a cup of coffee is likely to be the bottomline minimum for him.

2022:
The 2022 draft has the potential to go down as one of the more successful ones for Aurora - particularly if the injury bug keeps it's dirty hands off it. C Manny Castro was the 10th pick in the draft and was hailed as the future of Aurora catching, and proof of that came with his spring training invite - which went uneventfully, but it's just a matter of time. After being drafted, Castro went straight to A ball where he hit 2.44 in 2022 and then in 2023 he was outstanding - .323, 14 HR and 51 RBI in 87 starts. After a promotion to AA, he hit .410 in 15 starts at the years end. He has been at AAA Thornton in 2024, splitting time behind the plate and at DH with the newly acquired Domingo Gutierrez (from Niihama-shi in the Contraction Draft). After a slow start, Manny has picked up the pace and is hitting .280, though the power numbers continue to mystify all by their absence.

SP Lando Lagerveld was a sandwich pick that Aurora had pegged to be on the big league roster by 2024 - 2025 for sure. He missed all of his senior season (ok, 1 GS, 1.2 IP for the picky) due to an elbow issue - but came back in time to have 8 starts and a 0.57 ERA for the Oceanic. He got the bump up to AA to begin 2023 and had a 3.41 ERA in 23 starts for the Balloonists, before another injury to his pitching elbow - this time requiring Tommy John's. He had struck out 145 while walking 42 and was looking to be on the way to meeting expectations. He is expected to miss virtually all of the minor league season - perhaps getting in a couple of starts. Land is on the 40-man roster, so perhaps - standings hopeful, he'll get a few innings at the major league level to get more work in, before continuing his winter rehab work.

In the 2nd round Aurora took 3B Bill Jones, a solid defender and a hitter with decent power - though he's failed to show any - his biggest power output being his draft season, 13-2B, 4 HR and 28 RBI while hitting .313 at Mokule'ia. He hit .270 at SLRC in 2023, then .332 in 62 games at Gatineau. Aurora still maintains high expectations for Bill and at Thornton this year he's hitting .271 - though he had started well, before sustaining an oblique strain, missing a month and struggling to re-find his stroke.

The speedy, high defense CF Nick Heath was the 72nd pick in the draft, in the 3rd round, and the first year and a half of pro ball has been most pedestrian - though his .267 at SLRC did include 20-2B and 14 HR. So far at Gatineau this year he's hitting .288 with 11-2B and a pair of homers. Coaches feel he has an upside that has yet to be sniffed, and the fact that he's an excellent CF will no doubt earn him those sniffs.

SP Hugh Jones was the 5th round selection for Aurora and he's marched each season a level up the system: 8-2, 2.33 at Mokule'ia, 9-5, 2.68 at SLRC and thus far in 11 starts he is 5-2, 3.18 at Gatineau. Everyone in the organization speaks highly of Hugh as a person, but few believe he has the make-up to be successful at the next level. Time shall tell - as a career best .253 BABIP suggests there is improvements happening.

The 2022 draft has the feel of a solid one - especially if Lando overcomes his elbow issues and continues to pitch as they expect. Castro (and Gutierrez) are expected to push Rusty Butler out of town next season - if not sooner, and may even for Aurora's hands when it comes to Jesus Negrete - sign him to a big number or trade him/let him walk. Jones and Heath both seem to have a higher upside than not.

2023:
Last years draft focus on a 'best available' approach to add both outfield and infield depth. That approach netted them OF Roberto 'Fudd' Martinez - a fast, powerful Spaniard out of Cienfuegos. Between last season at Hawaii and this year at SLRC Martinez is hitting .249 with 10 HR in 406 professional ABs - after hitting .312 with 24 HR in his last two college seasons combined. He had 18 SB last year, though he's only 4-8 on SBs thus far. Aurora has hm targeted to make the big club in 2027 - the year that River Pope and Paul Carlisle's contracts will have expired.

With their own round one selection, Aurora drafted 2B Guillermo Cavazos - a solid defender, speedy and what Aurora hopes works out to be a high on-base guy. Like 'Fudd' his 2023 SA stats and his 2024 A ball stats are very similar - in this case .204, with not a whole lot of punch. It's going to take a lot of growth over the next two seasons to even begin imagining Guillermo making a difference in the Borealis system.

Terri Ine, a speedy outfielder, was the second round selection who hit .269 last year in Hawaii, with 18-2B, 6-3B and 6 HR. Aurora had planned on his staying at Mokule'ia this year, but recently got promoted to SLRC, where he's 2-10 in a small sample size. Aurora is hopeful that his personal make-up will translate into an improved set of skills over the next couple of years.

In the 3rd round Aurora took a catcher - the best available was their thought, Shoraku Matsui; viewed at simply as a project, who didn't become a starter until his senior year. A strong armed catcher, he'll remain at Mokule'ia another year after hitting just .206 in 2023. With the large number of more than adequate backstops in the system ahead of him, Aurora can take their time with Shoraku.

OF Dave Burkett was the 5th round pick for Aurora - primarily a fine defensive LF, despite his top speed, he hit .346 in 8 games at Mokule'ia last year, before heading to SLRC where he finished the year at .212. This year he hit .200 at A ball and has since been demoted.

The 2023 draft appears to be the polar opposite of the 2022 draft. It has the feel of a 'one-hit' wonder - Roberto Martinez.

[Borealis]

Borealis Shining Bright Steaming into the Second Half
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

July 8, 2024: Kalamazoo, Michegan - As the Borealis have blazed down the championship path these past 4 of 5 years, one common theme has existed - they've struggled over the early part of the year, only to steam ahead of the Desert Hills pack on their way to the playoffs. In 2019 they topped 2nd place Reno by 18 games. In '22 it was the Yuman's turn to finish 15 games back, and last year the Bears finished 13 back. Only sneaking past Bakersfield on the final day of the 2021 season has the DH been close during this run.

Barring the unforeseen, 2024 doesn't look much different - except we find ourselves only 80 games into the season and Aurora has forged an 11 game lead over 2nd place Palm Springs - a lead that was much larger, until the Codgers went on a (their current) 14-game win streak.

As we sit on the penultimate game of the true mid-season point, the Borealis travel to K-Zoo to take on a 35-46 Badgers team that sits 14 GB of Crystal Lake. Aurora brings with them a 57-23 record that gives them that 11 game lead in the Desert Hills and puts them 8.5 up on Crystal Lake for the top mark in the Sovereign League.

What's been the force behind the Borealis' strong first half push?

River on Full Flow: Last year, River Pope followed up his SL Batting title .354 with just - just, a .318 average - though missing 7 weeks in the heat of the season may have had an influence after a slow start. Thus far in 2024, Pope has spent a fair amount of time above .400 and went into the All-Star break at .390 (though a rough two-week spell has his average at a still leading the PEBA .366) and already has 111 hits. He sit's 101 hits shy of the Aurora record of 212, set by Steve McDonald in 2008. 'Old' McDonald had 690 PA that season, which is right about what Pope is looking at - and McDonald hit .338 that year, so there is the potential that Pope challenges that long-standing Aurora mark - and if he stays healthy, perhaps sniffs former-Tenpinner Jeff Patterson's PEBA record of 229 - set in the League's Inaugural season. He hit .361 that year.

As a matter of fact, the top two hitters in Aurora's line-up have been setting a bountiful table for the Borealis. Pedro Ferringo has hit .323 in the two-hole (primarily) as the two have combined for over 200 hits and 84 runs. Ferrigno's .323 average is ironic as that is exactly the same as Pope's career mark that is the highest of any PEBA player with more than 2,260 AB in their career. It's interesting to note that Ferringo, who recently passed the 2,000 AB threshold, has a career .316 average since his rapid rise to the Big Leagues.

The beneficiary's of the bounty? Paul Carlisle and Mike Britt have a combined 101 RBI and 29 HRs - 17 of those belonging to Britt, who's on pace for another 30-homer season and possibly challenge his career mark of 37 set last year. For Britt, the 2023 Royal Raker winner, those HRs place him 3rd behind Ryozo Takeuchi's 19 and his 52 RBIs are third to Andres Hernandez' 56. HIs .262 average may be more in line with his career norm - 40-points below last season's .302, but should he get hot with the average, the team with the fewest HR in the SL (at 51, that's 10 behind Toyama for second worst) - and the 4th most runs, could get more dangerous - if that's even possible.

Provost Shown Money, Shows Prowess: When you have a pitcher who's won the Golden Arm 3 out of 5 years, you 'show him the money', and that's what Aurora did when Provost signed the dotted line after starting 7-2 with a 0.69 ERA. The new contract extension has fueled Mike's wining the SL Pitcher of the month Award for May and June - a month in which he was 3-0 and allowed only 2-runs (in a 6-2 win over Shin Seiki) in 37 IP. The Auroran Ace goes into tonights start with a 10-4 record and a PEBA-leading (by nearly a full run) 1.00 ERA.

But it hasn't just been the fine work of Provost - the entire staff has been, for the most part, as stellar as one could ask. 'Tugboat' is 6-2 with a 2.70, despite some injury time, and Eduardo Romano - who signed his own contract extension while Provost was getting the billing, sports his own 'not to be out done' 10-3 record and a 2.30 ERA that's in line to be a career best for a pitcher with a 31-13, 2.55 career mark on his resume.

Injuries and poor play has the starting five today taking the look of only 60% of the Opening Day 5. 'Sawmill's efforts were poor, leading Arturo Jimenez to fall back into the rotation - and his 8-4 record and 2.67 ERA for combined efforts (of which the last 14 appearances were starts) has him there for the long term (at this point). Eric Perkins, the 2016 2nd round draft pick (#44) for Aurora, has finally looked like he's found his potential after his recent call-up in Randy Smith's stead and in 7 starts is 4-0 with a nifty 1.83 ERA - so good that poor Edgardo Diaz, the Contraction pick from Tempe, was sent to the bullpen upon 'Tugboat's return.

Take that outstanding starting pitching and add a bullpen with numbers like 'Javelin's 1.63 ERA, 'Stork's 1.15, John Gray's 2.92, Burris' 2.96 and Felix Pena's 1.82 (who will sit out the rest of the season with a ruptured ulnar ligament) and you have a formula for a pitching staff that's tops in the SL in ERA (2nd in bullpen ERA), tops in runs allowed, hits allowed, homers - and backed up by the #1 ranked defense as measured by Defensive Efficiency.

Then There's The Not So Neat: Let's start with second base. 'Gypsy' John Foster started 843 games - mostly at second, for Aurora in the 7+ seasons he played in Aurora. Over the past two seasons Manny de los Santos, Gabe McIntyre, Juan Toro, Pablo Medrano and Teddy Loetzsch have tried to grab that bull by the horns and all have, mostly, failed. With Medrano mostly playing first (at a .266 pace), McIntyre (.225), Toro (.231) and Loetzsch (.259) have shared the spot with a mixed result. Currently Teddy has been manning the spot after a stint covering the other side of the bag in Nick Giles place as he battled his own injury - and at .232, Giles has been his own variety of Not So Neat

So where does that all put us? Well, it would seem a fair bet that, barring the unforeseen, the Borealis will be defending their title in October with the bigger question being - against whom? Crystal Lake has re-upped their attempts to finally win a title, after last season's devastating collapse in the playoffs, with an infusion of young talent and finely picked vets. The Rising Sun is the most competitive it's ever been since the absorption of the LRS, with Toyama and Okinawa challenging the Evil Evas in what promises to be a dog fight to the end. Could it be the toughest fight will come out of the California-based, Desert portion of the Desert Hills? The addition of Victor Carrillo - selected from Manchester in the Contraction Draft (and an Auroran target before settling on Diaz) has fortified the Codger rotation and thus far the Jim Ratzlaff experiment seems to be working - with the former-Bear and Fishermen closer moving from the 'pen to the rotation seamlessly (7-3, 2.62 ERA in 96 IP thus far - already blazing by his previous career high).

At the 80 game mark Aurora has played exactly half their schedule at home (30-10) and half away (23-13) and they begin the second half with a road heavy schedule with July road series at Kalamazoo, Palm Springs, Fargo, Bakersfield and Okinawa, then opening August up at Shin Seiki. Only a 4-game series with Duluth and a 3-gamer with the Yumans interrupt that string. The plus side is beginning August 5, 34 of their final 55 games are at home.

[Borealis]

Struggling Borealis Move Gunner in Deadline Deal
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

July 29, 2024: Okinawa, Japan - The past three weeks have been a particularly difficult stretch as the Borealis have posted an 8-12 mark and seen their lead in the Desert Hills drop from a cozy 12.5 games over the Codgers to 7.5 and 8 games over the 'Gnats for the top SL spot to just 5.5 over the Evil Evas. But as the team moves forward with the approaching trade deadline square in everyones vision, one question abounds - what will the team do to stop the slide and will it come in the form of a trade?

Well, it really doesn't answer that question, but one person won't be around to see the answer in person.

Gunner MacGruder has been dealt.

The former-Yuman Ace who had been dealt to Aurora prior to the 2023 season, only to end up on the DL just about this time last year with Tommy John surgery, has been shipped off to the IL and the West Virginia Alleghenies for their first round pick in next years draft.

MacGruder, the first overall selection in the 2012 draft, came to Aurora, along with Manny de los Santos for 'Gypsy' John Foster, Anastasio Lopez and 2nd and 3rd round picks in the 2023 draft after 6 outstanding seasons with the 'Dozers that included two 19 win seasons and two seasons leading the SL in K's - including 262 in 2019.

His time in Aurora - though brief, began shakily, but by the time his August 3rd injury came about he had posted an 8-6 record and a 3.39 ERA with 142 K in 138 IP. Then, 3.2 innings into his start against Palm Springs he walked off the mound, shaking his head, followed by surgery and rehab.

For Aurora, they found themselves between a rock and a hard place. The doctors announced after the surgery that all looked excellent for a full recovery, but you never know. MacGruder has a player option - at $17M, for next year and even in his time on the DL he has publicly been critical of manager Octavio RIos, leading to speculation that he would rehab, pitch well and hit the free agent market looking for Provost money.

Or pitch miserably and let the team pick up the option and hold Aurora hostage for that $17M. "Gunner pitching well and returning in 2025 seemed like the least likely outcome' was GM Will Topham's perspective on the situation. "When the Alleghenies came knocking on the door with inquiries, we figured it was time to seriously consider a move."

In acquiring the Alleghenies #1 selection Aurora picks up a pick that will likely range from 12-20 next June.

Gunner expressed 'surprise' upon being told of the trade. 'I was gearing up for my first start at Thornton and targeting a start at Duluth at the end of August. I guess it's off to Mansfield.'

[Simon]

I think the pick will be around 25th.

[Borealis]

I think the pick will be around 25th.

Maybe... I don't know how many comp picks there may be, but it'll depend on how the season plays out, of course...

[Alleghenies]

I think the pick will be around 25th.

Maybe... I don't know how many comp picks there may be, but it'll depend on how the season plays out, of course...

I know I didn't sign the 6th pick in the draft :-)...

[Alleghenies]

I think the pick will be around 25th.

That means good things for my team then :-)

[Borealis]

Borealis Treading Water as Stretch Drive Begins - and Not in a Good Way
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

September 2, 2024: Aurora, Colorado - It's not supposed to be this way. Come September the Borealis are supposed to have a comfy lead and coast into the post-season, with the only question being: Can they fend off Shin Seiki and Crystal Lake for the SL's Top Dog Spot.

Sure, their 10-game bulge over Palm Springs should feel comfy, but instead it feels tenuous at best and the upcoming 10-day stretch that begins on the 20th with 3-games at The Lake, 4-games at home with the Codgers, and than 3-games at furiously closing Toyama, feels less comfortable as each day passes.

June 24th saw the high-water mark of the Borealis' lead at 14.5 games, only to be whittled down to just 6.5 by August 7 by a rampaging Codger team in the midst of an 18-game win streak. Despite their upping the lead back to double-digits what has happened to the Borealis that has team and fans on pins and needles as the stretch drive begins? What has gone on and what needs to happen to turn things around and give the fans - who's interest in the team has begun to wane, despite what the turnstiles say, the belief that this team has yet one more title in their future.

Injuries
At the league level, the UCL injury suffered by Felix Pena that ended his season on June 18th may not have attracted much attention, but Pena's 1.82 ERA over the 34.2 IP - and 42 K, was not lost on Aurora supporters and created a ripple effect throughout the bullpen. Eric Perkins got the call-up after 'Tugboat's May injury and pitched well enough to stick - but he's had his own off and on injury issues that has compounded what has become a sudden malaise throughout the pitching staff.

Mike Hale missed three weeks in July, came back and missed another week, while his replacement call-up Augusto Hernandez promptly tweaked his shoulder and will miss the rest of the season. Then early August saw River Pope strain his back and miss a couple of weeks.

And that doesn't count Mike Britt's August 12th concussion that has him already ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Hitting
On June 1, the Borealis were hitting .284 as a team, but that dropped by the end of the month to .270 as the team struggled at the plate. (They are down to .265 on the year, which is the lowest since their 2020 4th place finish and would be their all-time lowest team average). Carried by a pitching staff that posted a 2.45 June ERA, Aurora was able to win 14 games by allowing 2 or fewer runs - plus a 1-0 defeat. This stretch included allowing Shin Seiki only 4-runs total in a 4-game series and a series win over a Palm Springs club that was just on the verge of their hot run. Three (or four) starters, depending on perspective, were at or below the Mendoza Line for June: Loetzsch (.158), Negrete (.159), Medrano (.175), Giles (.204) - and Mike Hale chipped in with a .220 for good measure.

The top of the order was doing it's job - Pope hit .323 and Ferringo lead all regulars with a .343. Britt sat at .256, but his 8 HR and team leading 16 RBI (tied with Carlisle, who hit .247) kinda carried the team. Of those 32 RBI's by Aurora's main 3 & 4 hitters, 19 were mostly Pope and Ferringo and 11 were themselves on HRs. Throw in Hale's 11 runs out of the '2nd lead-off spot' - the 9-hole, and nearly 60% of the run production came from the top four hitters.

And July didn't get better as Aurora scored 3 or fewer runs 15 times in July, losing 5 of their 12 losses by 3-1 scores, a pair of 3-2 games and a 1-0 shutout. Although some of the hitters began digging themselves out of their slumps, others began - Ferrigno cooled, though finished with a July .302 and Hale managed a tidy .293, but Pope dropped to .253 for the month and Britt managed just .188 with 3 HRs. But just as July started to show a glimmer of hope, August saw Britt fall off the map (.167) before his season ended, Hale followed suit down to .202, and Carlisle - thrust into picking up the slack of Britt's loss, struggled at .225.

But by then the pitching staff began to show cracks as well.

Pitching
By August, Aurora's famously stingy pitching staff began to lose it's luster. July saw a rise in the team ERA by a full run and August upped the ante to nearing 4.00 for the month. Teams were suddenly getting hits and walks inched upwards - even for Provost. By the end of the month the team had already lost more games after the All-Star game (27) than they did before (21) - in 10 fewer games, as the team was allowing a full earned run a game more. When you consider July and August had 8, 1-run loses alone - not to mention 7, 2-run loses, that one run made a profound difference.

If we look just at August we see where blame may lie. Provost was 1-3, with an ERA around 4.70 - and that one win was at the months end over Crystal Lake - giving up 4-runs over 6 IP. Jimenez, thanks to a 7-inning, 1-run performance over Duluth - also at months end, was over 4.00, finishing at 3.58, but walks suddenly became a problem for the oft-wild 'Massacre'. Eduardo Romano, 5.14 and Eric Perkins was 5.17 before injury struck him. The best of the lot was 'Tugboat' at 3.55.

The bullpen isn't without it's drama as 'Javelin' began to struggle and pitch himself into jams and blown saves and for now has lost his closers spot to Burris - who finds himself 14 saves shy of the record.

Actions
'Terror' has moved himself back into the rotation, thanks to his outstanding shutout performance over Duluth, with Perkins heading to the 'pen. Manual Galloca was called up and has pitched well in his four outings. Also getting the call is 2022 Supplemental pick Lando Lagerveld, who due to arcane contract rules, has run out of options during his year-long DL stint. He has not been too sharp, but Aurora maintains high expectations despite giving up 2 HR, 7 R and 7 BB in 4+ innings.

Once the AAA season is over, we can expect to see Manny Castro and Domingo Gutierrez called up and given some catching time, in the meantime, Luis Villanueva - who performed well last season as Negerte was injured, but has become the forgotten man, has been called up. How much time any AAA catcher gets is up for debate, as Rusty Butler is having a career season, hitting .287 in 44 games.

One intriguing - and controversial, move Aurora made at the roster deadline is signing 2B Harley Schneider to a 4-year, $20M contract - the 4th year is a team option. This move shows the extent of concern the Aurora brass have about the offense coming from the right-side of the infield. The controversy comes with the size of the salary and the irony that Schneider was a 13th round selection by Aurora in the 2017 draft (out of Cy-Fair High). He was promptly released and picked up the following spring by Kentucky, where he bided his time in their minors for 4-years - hitting .304 in 106 games at Parma in 2021. He was a Rule 5 pick by Charleston after the 2022 season and hit .236 for the Statesmen last year, with 8 HR. It is the promise of some power, better contact in what one assumes is a stronger line-up - and good defense at second, that lured Aurora into revisiting this long ago 13th rounder. What the move says about former 1st rounders Gabe McIntyre and Pablo Medrano - not to mention longtime Auroran Juan Toro, is unclear, but with basically there months of poor performance, maybe we are seeing a chink in the Champ's usually cool demeanor.

Of course, throw in the trade of Gunner MacGruder (who made his 2024 debut for West Virginia and pitched better than anytime in his short stint with Aurora) and fans are gripping about the loss of 'Gypsy' and how that might have impacted this summers offensive malaise.

What's on Tap
The moves at the trade deadline are not earth shattering and likely to make little difference. The team as a whole needs to play to their collective abilities - something that will be difficult offensively for a team that has lost it's heart (Britt) and already is dead last in HRs as a team (81, 20 behind next best Toyama with 101) - in the entire PEBA (London has 98). A team that has averaged 140 SB a year over the past three seasons has 'just' 84 (5th best in the SL) with a month to play, as manager Octavio Rios seems to have become less enamored with the tactic, causing a team that has relied on it's speed and high-average hitting to have neither of those and little way to generate runs otherwise.

We have seen the sudden decline of the Bears this year, and only time will tell if that is but a blip or a trend, but is it possible we are beginning to see the same for Aurora? September shall no doubt tell us more. The teams has funneled a lot of cash into some very hefty contracts of late, with the belief that their pitching will continue to perform at a high level - but should it fail far sooner than expected, the Borealis will have little wiggle room to dig themselves out of a hole - and their 22nd ranked farm system is in no apparent position to help in the immediacy.

Or so it seems.

Aurora is looking at a 4-day break, then they play 29-games in the last 31-days of the season. One of those off-days comes after the upcoming homestead with K-Zoo and Bakersfield, then the other before the season ending 2-game series with Okinawa at NLP. In-between Aurora faces Yuma and Reno, then has a stretch that includes Crystal Lake, Toyama and Palm Springs - all real possible playoff previews.

With the current 4-days off, Aurora will stay on line with the rotation and not re-adjust it, thus Eduardo Romano will start the home stretch against K-Zoo. Doing such will ensure that Provost & Smith will get maximum starts against their playoff - and top Dog honors, rivals, and, perhaps more importantly, be on target to pitch the final two games - if they have significance.