Aurora Storialis - The Borealis Blog

[Borealis]

Finally all is right in the world in that Aurora has caught the Bears

There is something I've been wondering. If you were a real owner owning the real Borealis, would you concede defeat and just pony up the money for Lilly? In the fictional sense, I think it is easier to give in the signing bonus and ML contract. The money is not really yours after all. But if this is the real world... not only would you factor in money but pride as well. How would one feel if some unproven kid started to call the shots against one of the more famed franchises out there? Just on pride alone, I may resist conceding if this is the real world I don't like how kids feel like they are entitled to things without proving themselves (wow, I am speaking like a codger now).

On a side note, I am often reminded that probably half of the signing bonuses I give out will be given to players who may never make a big contribution to the big leagues...

We'll see if we get a response from the kid tomorrow. I'm not sure what salary he wants, but if it's small we may just bite the bullet. We had main system needs in this draft: OF and SS (along with pitching... but who doesn't have that need?), and to lose that top pick in the OF would be kind of tough, especially when we could have drafted Tatsui Kouno instead...

I do feel Codgerish about those ML contract demands... show us something first!

[klewis]

and to lose that top pick in the OF would be kind of tough, especially when we could have drafted Tatsui Kouno instead...

I was jumping for joy when Aurora and West Virginia passed on Kouno. I was almost certain that Kouno would not have made it past either team. He was number one on my draft board when pinpointing players in the 'teens.

[Borealis]

and to lose that top pick in the OF would be kind of tough, especially when we could have drafted Tatsui Kouno instead...

I was jumping for joy when Aurora and West Virginia passed on Kouno. I was almost certain that Kouno would not have made it past either team. He was number one on my draft board when pinpointing players in the 'teens.

If we were looking for pitching at that first spot, we may very well have taken him, but we were looking for an OF or a SS at that spot. I was a little surprised Lilly didn't go higher myself.

[Borealis]

Aurora's Dogged Dog Days
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

August 24, 2014: Fargo, North Dakota - 34 games. That's what the 2014 PEBA season has come down to for the Aurora Borealis. In recent years the calendar would read August 24 and Aurora would have the Desert Hills sewn up and pretty much the top record in the Sovereign League - much less all of PEBA, as well. But not in 2014. With 34 games left the Borealis find themselves back of Bakersfield 5 games. Not a seemingly insurmountable lead until you realize that the Bears are 11-4 against Aurora here in 2014. Now the team will tell you that 6 of those losses have been by 1 run and only one of the 15 games have been decided by more than 3 runs. The standings will show that either way, Aurora is in a 5 game hole.

This is an Aurora team that is an odd study, for they lead the SL in many offensive categories: #1 in average (.303), OBP, OPS, runs (762), and steals, while #2 in SLG, #4 in XBH and the third lowest total of strikeouts. All that should point to a top record, if not for the feast or famine nature of this years team. 21 times they've scored 10 or more in a game! On 59 occasions this year Aurora has scored 6 or more runs in a game. Their record in those 59 games? 54-5. 36 times they've scored 3 or fewer, going 7-29 in those games. Those two categories comprise 74% of the total number of games played thus far, leaving their record when scoring 4 or 5 runs a tidy 21-14. Suffice it to say it is the low scoring games, and 28% of their contests so far have them scoring 3 or fewer, that they are struggling with.

When we digest those 35 low scoring games, 15 have been 1-run losses while only 5 have been 1-run wins - including losses to Bakersfield by scores of 1-0, 1-0, 2-1, 2-1, 4-3 and 4-3. There's your deficit right there, and nary a Hancock win in the bunch! Bakersfield and Aurora have a deep history of playing tight, close, low scoring games and Aurora has failed to win a single game v. the Bears without scoring 4 runs. Bakersfield has scored more than 4 three times - twice they've tallied 5 and the third game was a rare blow out: 8-1. So who do we blame (if we may) for the failures of the team? If we look at the pitching, only two losing decisions have come at the hands of the bullpen and Kojima has 3 loses. Chavez and Silva have two a piece. Want to talk about bad luck? Kojima is 0-3 in 4 starts. His ERA of 3.86 v. BAK is deceptive as he gave up 6 runs in one start that went 1.1 IP. The offense scored 3 runs for him in those starts while netting only 22 H. Despite that really bad start, the Bears are only hitting .209 v. Kojima with a nice .243 BABIP. Can somebody score me some runs? For you SaberGeeks out there, this poor showing in the low scoring games probably goes a long way to explaining Aurora's -10 Pythag mark.

Offensively Aurora has struggled, hitting only 2 HR off the Bears this year - an overall down year as far as dingers are concerned. But with numbers like this: Cory Pierce, .143, Ice Cold, .146, Brad Cain, .159, En-Guo, .179, John Knight, a pedestrian .250. That's some significant failure from the past three reigning Royal Rakers, last years Wunderkind and perhaps this years. What's that old saying about pitching? Who's given Aurora trouble, aside from Fireworks? Well Tetsuo Okazaki is one. Four starts and in three of them he's given up no runs.

Their success (or lack of) v. Tetsuo illustrates a disturbing trend for this years team - a lack of success v. lefties, with a 13-15 record this year. Aurora is scoring nearly a run and a half less v. lefties on the year, despite their reasonably balanced attack: Pierce, McDonald, En-guo from the left side and Keller, Cain and Knight from the right. Jose Rivera is a switch hitter and he's hitting .316 v. righties and .322 v. lefties, so that's basically a wash. If you were to look at the averages, three key RHB are hitting significantly lower v. LHP. Can we really expect that trend to continue? What we can wonder is how this may effect the post season? With only two LHP on their staff, and only one being a starter, one suspects that the Borealis are hoping to draw Crystal lake in the opening round - an outcome that's looking all to likely.

Minor Happenings
The AAA and AA post seasons are right around the corner and both Thornton and Gatineau have clinched spots. Thornton has the Global Brotherhoods best record, and far and away the top RML mark and will face off against either West Valley (BAK), Mansfield (WV) or Sioux Falls (FAR) - all three with a 77-56 mark, second best in the RML. Evansville (CL) at 74-59 has an outside shot. Gatineau is currently tied with Toronto (FAR) for top CAAL mark (Edmonton (PS) is 2 back), and with Beaufort (FLA) as well for the top AA record. It looks like Brampton will be the wild card team in the CAAL, but with the race for top mark as tight as it is, it's anyone's guess who'll play who. With Gatineau playing 3 of the four worst teams in the CAAL this last week, it's likely they'll take home the top spot.

The Class A NAFTA race has been a tight affair all season between Ensenada (NO), Mexicali (FLA) and San Luis Rio Colorado for the Mexican Division titles. Ensenada has won the first half title, and with 8 games left to play SLRC and Mexicali are deadlocked at 34-22 and the second half lead, with Ensenada a game back! Both the Florida and Aurora farm teams have a slight edge over Ensenada schedule wise. National City (PS) has been the class of the BCL all year long. Out on the Islands Mokule'ia has been having a fine season and at 44-20 they have won the first half Aloha Division championship and have the top mark in the Surf and Sand. They trail Ewa Beach (FLA) by 4 games in the second half standings.

Out of necessity of injuries, there've been a lot of motion upward and downward at the minor league level. Most notable this week, and a move that may significantly help SLRC's playoff push, is the promotion of CL Nolan Kuhn. The young lefty has been nails since his signing after the draft, posting a 2-0 record with 11 saves and a 0.87 ERA in 21 outings. The 21 year old flamethrower has struck out 34 and walked 9 in 20.2 IP. The move will hopefully help down the stretch as CL Chet Shick moves up to Gatineau. Shick's numbers are not as impressive as Kuhn's, but for the last week of the season it'll keep Shick working and give him a taste of AA - his likely 2015 home. Management has been looking for an excuse to give Sleepy a shot at A ball before the season ends, and that time has come. These moves are aimed at filling the hole due to the loss of Sixto Rodriguez. Their permanence is classified as TBD.

Shortly, as we move from the regular season to the postseason, we will be identifying the organizations top players, but today lets look at a couple of names who've been big surprises, beginning with Ricardo Cruz at AAA Thornton. Signed as a free agent in 2009 Cruz is a fleet, solid corner OF who has begun to show the power that scouts promised would come - 24 HR in 277 AB, and another in 10 AB at Aurora earlier this year. During his first four seasons he bounced around S A and A ball, with a brief stint at AA. Last year he began to show the pop that has become prevalent this year. With the crowded outfield situation at Aurora, Cruz may very well be moved during the offseason. He has the potential to be the next Ron Elmore, a former Aurora farm hand.

In September of 2012 Aurora signed a young 3B out of Tennessee who spent all of 2013 at S A and hit .221 in 76 games. The scouts assured management that this young guy only needed seasoning and would be a powerful force. Fast forward a year and Oak Ridge native Mike Britt has moved out of Hawaii after a .303 start at Mokule'ia - a move initiated by injuries up the chain, only to then continue his hot swinging with a .331 average at SLRC with 11 HR and 32 RBI in 34 games. Britt's future with the Borealis is clouded by the infield depth in Aurora's minors - young Bobby Watson may find himself beginning 2015 at Aurora, but at 19 years of age, he has time in his corner.

[Borealis]

Aurora Names Minor League Shining Stars on Eve of Playoffs
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

October 1, 2014: Fargo, North Dakota - The Borealis begin their quest for the Planetary Extreme Championship and their second Rodriguez Cup today as Kojima takes the hill v. the Dinosaurs, but in the minors the season has been completed with Mokule'ia's disappointing showing v. Lanai'i City in the Hawaiian League playoffs. That said, the Aurora farm clubs had a successful year with three of four clubs making the post-season, San Luis Rio Colorado being the only club that did not - and it missed by the narrowest of margins, and one team, Thornton (AAA), taking home a title.

Head Scout Joe Horn was joined by GM Will Topham and minor league managers Kata Hayagawa (THO), Shizue Komatsu (GAT), Shinichi Seki (SLRC), and Gary Scott (MOK) at Aurora headquarters in Northern Lights Park to announce the Organizational Players of the Year. Here are the results:

Hitter of the Year (AAA) - One can bet a pretty penny that Rod Johnson will begin 2015 at Aurora. The 2013 CAAL Outstanding Hitter - and Aurora's AA Hitter of the year, may become the 2014 RML Outstanding Hitter. All he did was rake at the tune of .325 with 38-2B, 28 HR and 120 RBI - HR and RBI totals that surpassed his AA numbers by 1 each for career highs. He lead all of the Global Brotherhood (AAA) with a .428 OBP, thanks to a leading 95 BB, he was tops in OPS at .994, and lead all of AAA in RBI, Runs (105) and EBX (69). He was third in the RML in average and was the RML leader in SLG, VORP, Hits and TB. Aurora fans have been waiting on this guy for the past four years with this years .325 his lowest average. When the GBB Awards are announced this week, don't be surprised if Rod Johnson's name appears.

Pitcher of the Year (AAA) - Chris Graves' 8 inning performance this week v. Reno was no surprise to those who've been following Aurora's minor league pitchers. Graves, a 6th round pick in 2010, has pitched well at all levels... just in the shadow of his more well know AAA teammates Nathan O'Reilly and Mike Lovell. Graves was 11-8 with a 3.55 ERA. He is one of those classic 'just gets it done' type of guys, with a 3:1 K:BB ratio and a 1.23 WHIP. We shall see if he gets a shot at a spot on the Aurora staff in 2015. A lot will have to do with the health of Slappy Bradley and what may be found on the free agent lists. If his start in Reno is any indication, he just might get the job done for the Borealis.

Hitter of the Year (AA) - Gatineau may have had a weak pitching staff that cost then in the CAAL post-season, but they had a plethora of hitters that could easily win top honors. Riley Cole continues to be a hitting machine where ever he's played (.342). Jose Lopez very quietly had another monster year (.310, 31 HR and 115 RBI). Roger Bruce came back from injury to post numbers (.314, 11 HR and 50 RBI in 61 games) that make him relevant in the systems catcher conversation, but perhaps the biggest news, and that which Aurora management finds most pleasing, is the progress and season John Foster put forward in winning the 2014 CAAL Outstanding Hitter Award. "Gypsy" hit .338 with 22 HR and 99 RBI on the season - 2nd in AVE, 1st in OPS and VORP and finishing top 5 in most categories. The current managements first selection in the 2011 draft had been slow developing, but Foster has shown great promise this past season and will begin the 2015 season at AAA.

Pitcher of the Year (AA) - Mike Peterson came to Aurora via San Antonio as part of the Stephen Longchamps deal in 2011. Since then he has an overall record of 37-12. This season he split time between SLRC, where he pitched in relief, and Gatineau, where he started 13 games. This year at AA he was 7-4 with a 2.70 ERA, striking out 70 in 80 IP, walking 30. Peterson held teams to a .185 average and a BABIP of only .228 - by far the best of his career! Aurora has a whole stable of arms drafted the past two seasons, so we may very well see Peterson given a shot at AAA next season, particularly if Graves or O'Reilly make the move to The Show.

Hitter of the Year (A) - Juan Toro was more a charity pick in the 5th round of the 2011 draft. Then-Manager Juan Toro's nephew was not expected to make many waves and be a career minor leaguer. As it turns out, the younger Toro has some ability with the bat. He may have struggled trying to learn the SS position, committing 23 E, but in his first full year at A ball he hit .323 with 7 HR and 62 RBI, good enough for 10th in BA in the BajaCali League with the third most hits in the league. Toro will begin 2015 in all likelihood at AA where, in a brief tryout, he was 9-18. Despite the defensive struggles, Aurora will probably continue to work him out at short, a position the team has a system wide weakness at.

Pitcher of the Year (A) - Chet Shick was a third round selection in the 2013 draft and instantly struggled at Mokule'ia . With the selection of Sleepy Kuhn and a handful of other relievers, Shick was sent to A ball to 'figure it out'. And figure it out he did. over 28 appearances Shick had 14 saves with a 5-2 record and a 3.64 ERA. Shicks K:BB ratio and WHIP are not very impressive, but he held teams to a respectable .236 average while blowing 'only' 4 save opportunities. Yes, he has a lot to learn, but when comparing this year to last, Chet showed tremendous growth and theirs the chance he'll continue that next year. Where is the obvious question.

Hitter of the Year (S A) - Palm Springs selected Pedro Diaz in the 5th round and he failed to sign with them. Aurora took Diaz with their 4th round pick and he signed with the Borealis quite quickly and once he got on the field he did not disappoint. Diaz hit .324 with 9 HR and 51 RBI, along with 24-2B - most out of the lead-off position. Those are numbers in keeping with his senior year at Southern Miss, so it looks as if the year off had little effect. Pedro's solid play this year takes some of the sting out of the failure to sign Lilly. Some improved work in the outfield and Pedro just might be making a statement at SLRC next year.

Pitcher of the Year (S A) - With the pick in the 5th round last year Aurora drafted out of Bishop Moore HS a tall, hunky SP by the name of Christian George. After a so-so senior year, George had a stellar freshman year in pro ball and an even better sophomore year. After a 4-4 season at Mokule'ia, George went 9-0 this year with a 2.72 ERA. He held teams to a .180 OAVE and even better a .205 BABIP. He tied Chris Graves with 4 complete games, tops in the organization. George is a finesse pitcher, despite his size and one would expect he'll get consideration for the Surf and Snow Outstanding Pitcher award - if it doesn't go to teammate Drake Fisher. Like Fisher, George is slated to begin 2015 at A ball.

Newcomer of the Year - A new award this year that will be given out to the player that is new to the organization and performs to a high level. This years selection has made such a huge impact that his arrival to Aurora may be as soon as next year! Aurora used their selection in the 1st round to take a powerful reliever out of Villanova, Nolan 'Sleepy' Kuhn. All Sleepy did was pitch 21.2 innings in 22 games and go 2-0 with 12 saves while striking out 35 and walking only 10. Opponents hit .114 with a .206 BABIP. It gets better: in four games at SLRC he picked up 4 saves and gave up 1 hit, striking out 8 and walking 1. With injuries plaguing Gatineau, Sleepy was promoted to AA! and all he did is save two games in two appearances, giving up one hit and having 1 K. The Borealis have a dilemma on their hands as to where Kuhn begins 2015. I think it's likely he'll begin at A and possibly move all the way to AAA by seasons end. With the Stork on the mend, it's comforting for Aurora to know that another dominant closer is not far away.

Keep an Eye On Him - Mike Britt came to Aurora as a free agent last season and though he didn't hit for average, he showed decent power with 24-2B, 2-3B and 5 HR at S A. This year in 26 games he hit .303 with 5 HR in just 99 AB. When Jeff Martin got hurt, Britt got the call and off to the BajaCali League he went. There he hit .325 with 10-2B and 15 HR. Already a decent corner infielder, Aurora is going to watch his progress closely. With Bobby Watson soon to make the move to Aurora, Britt has time to develop.

All-Organization Team
1B- Rod Johnson
2B - John Foster
SS - Ty Newell
3B - Bobby Watson
LF - Ricardo Cruz
CF - Luis Reyes
RF - Pedro Diaz
C - Scott Vinson
DH - Riley Cole
SP - Drake Fisher
SP - Christian George
SP - George Johnson
SP - Chris Graves
SP - Mike Petersen
MR - Mark Newton
MR - Bob Porter
MR - Terry Burns
CL - Nolan Kuhn

[Borealis]

Aurora's Mum as Winter Meetings Begin
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

December 11, 2014: Asheville, North Carolina - Whispers, hints, and innuendo swirl around the PEBA's most successful franchise - wins-wise, as the 2014 Winter Meetings begin here in Asheville at PEBA Headquarters. As we watched the GMs of many PEBA teams file into the conference room, one could almost gauge what was on their mind. Trader Matt Higgins sporting a wide grin and a cocky jaunt, suggesting that he has once again masterminded a bevy of trades before the meetings even begin. Newbie GM's James Mathis of Canton and Paul Moots of Gloucester seemed to be sporting a little sweat on their brows as they appeared to be thrown to the lions here at their first PEBA meetings.

Aurora GM Will Topham had no comment about Aurora's plans or whether they have made any other deals since acquiring "Sawmill" Francisco from Arlington. It's widely speculated that the Borealis are continuing to explore opportunities to improve their rotation as well as pick up a few more high draft choices for Junes amateur draft. Francis Ferry of Northern Lights News recently tweeted that Aurora has struck a deal involving a minor league pitcher, but was unclear to the details. Not exactly the kind of deal that'll excite the fan base, I'd think. Many sources have suggested that Aurora has made available Ken Coleman, Javier Munoz, Jesus Rangel, Jose Lopez, Stephan Mason and Kelly Burns available, and that they've been in discussion with many teams about Wilson Berry. One expert speculated that aside from Johnson, Foster, Watson and Kuhn, everyone in the Aurora farm system was available. Then there is the perplexing case of Mark Richardson. I believe that he could be moved in the right deal. Topham is on record saying as much, though as he conceded, he 'still has tremendous value on the field'. Rumor had it he was heading to a top IL club in a deal that fell apart at the last minute.

This is a team whose one true weakness seems to be hitting - in the post-season! I don't think you can find that in the trade market. Aside from the question of Bill Bradley's health (and hence the deal for Sawmill), perhaps the one piece the Borealis may be looking for is a solid left-handed arm in the bullpen to fill the spot vacated by Francisco Garza's walk to free agency.

Look for more moves from Aurora in what promises to be a wild four days.

[Borealis]

Aurora Welcomes Garza Back Into The Fold
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

December 26, 2014: Aurora, Colorado - Aurora got a late Christmas present today when they received word that reliever Francisco Garza had agreed to a two-year, $17M contract that will keep the 33 year-old lefty around through 2016.

The move was a big one for the Borealis for it not only brought back one of the top relievers in all of the PEBA, but a key member of a bullpen that has been at or near the top of the PEBA for many years. With Garza's departure to free agency, Aurora was left with a huge void in their 'pen - a lack of a healthy left-handed arm. With there speculation about the return of Ryan Holbrook from a rotator injury, the loss of Garza would have been huge. GM Will Topham was on record saying that, "There just isn't a suitable replacement out there in free agency, and the cost via trade was too great."

Garza, who had performed poorly in the first half of 2014, pitched a stellar second half, but it may have been a little too late to get an extension signed, and a poor showing in the post-season didn't help his cause any. But when it came down to it, Aurora felt better paying for a known commodity than over-paying for an unknown, or underpaying for a lesser product, so to speak.

With Bryant Burris at closer and Garza, Lara and a healthy (hopefully) Holbrook, Aurora has perhaps the strongest back-end to a bullpen in all the league. Now the task for the Borealis is to actually get to those arms with a lead - a feat they found shockingly difficult at times in 2014!

[Borealis]

Wheeling, Dealing Borealis Continue Winter Moves
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

January 10, 2015: Aurora, Colorado - A busy end to the 2014 calendar year slid into a busy start to the 2015 year as Aurora made a small - and controversial move today shipping MR Jeff Marable to Omaha for AA catcher Dan Glenn.

Marable has been a stable force in the bullpen for the past 2+ seasons with a 4-2 record and a 2.65 ERA in 68 appearances - including 9 starts. The righty has been very reliable during his time with the club and has held opponents to a .204 average, although it was up to .242 last season. One concern about Marable's performance has been his walks, averaging a walk every two innings, and a K/BB ration under 2:1.

It's believed what sealed Marable's fate with the team is not so much his performance but the resigning of Francisco Garza. That move, and the anticipation of moving Bill Bradley back to the 40-man roster and off the 60-day DL in the near future required a roster spot to open up.

Another factor, again a numbers game, may also have been that the recent trades of catchers Jeff Carroll (Manchester), Roger Bruce and Wilson Berry (both to Arlington) has left Aurora thin in the catching ranks and in need of a quality back stop in the minors who may be able to fill-in in a pinch. That man is Dan Glenn.

Glenn has had some offensive success the past two seasons at A and AA ball, but his main point of interest for the Borealis may be his stellar defense. The 22 year old Texan is slated to being 2015 at AAA Thornton.

[Borealis]

Spring Brings Questions, Calm to Aurora
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

March 7, 2015: Grand Junction, Colorado - It seems like yesterday when Aurora made it's improbable run through the Sovereign League playoffs to storm into the PEC, only to get swept aside by the Charleston Statesmen. Lost in those cruel, frustrating loses was the sweep over a tough Fargo club and not one, but two wins over Markus Hancock in the SL finals. Aurora's season may have been rough - a roller coaster ride of ups and downs that saw them lose their grip on the Desert Hills for the first time in six seasons, but as we begin 2015 they are still odd-on favorite to win in 2015.

And so Season 9 of the PEBA begins with visions of championships floating in the heads of many teams. Some, like the Borealis and Bears, F-Heads and Statesmen, have legit dreams. Others, the 'Dozers and Trendsetters, have none. But more so than ever in the short history of this league, there are many teams that have situated themselves as qualified contenders - Omaha, Fargo, Gloucester, even San Antonio has made huge strides towards respectability and a division title.

Spring games begin today, Ironically on owner Michael Topham's 55th birthday as Aurora begins it's 5th campaign under the control of the Topham family. Perhaps more so than any other year, this team is both settled and full of questions. Let's take a look at some:

Question #1: Bill Bradley. Slappy has begun his rehab, having been throwing for about a month and he is slated to be activated in another month. The early take on his work is that he appears to be a little wilder than his normally sharp self. Whether this is a symptom of his injury or not is to be seen. Aurora picked up Martin Francisco as insurance for the seasons start and will likely fill a swingman's role when Slappy finally makes it back to the Aurora rotation. Speaking of the rotation...

Question #2: The Rotation: Right now Aurora has 4 of the 5 starters from last year, with the fifth spot - held by Jose Reyes banished to the Mexican Leagues, and Kelly Burns, traded back to San Antonio, now belonging to Francisco. That alone makes the Aurora rotation more formidable than last year. Aurora's rotation is still pretty young, but there is some concern over the longevity of Artie Tillman, as the coaching staff feel he seems to be missing a little of that characteristic movement on his balls. One has to wonder if rumors centering around a trade of Mark Richardson for a top-line pitcher may spell the end of the line for the Tillerman. In the meantime, Franky Chavez is looking better than ever in early work-outs, and Kojima - the current All-Time Wins leader, seems to be throwing as if it were June - he looks as good as he did in the playoffs last year!

Question #3: What will the outfield look like? Well, this is by far the most stable part of the team, hosting 3 Royal Raker awards and a Wunderkind. Cory Pierce has come to camp and has been spraying balls all over. John Knight, determined to put a very disappointing 2014 follow-up to his 2013 RR campaign behind him, has been busting his ass on the field. There is some concern over En-Guo as word is he'd really like to get an extension signed before the season begins, but we're hearing reports that he is demanding more money than the contract that Pierce signed in June of last year. I'm guessing the Topham's aren't too pleased with that. Brad Cain looks somewhat content, if not thrilled, with the four-man rotation in the outfield that Aurora went with most of last year when everyone was healthy. 5th outfielder Michael Burton is hopeful that a job will be there for him full-time this year. Burton has one last option and his position (and fate) on the team will center around the answers to Question #4... In the meantime, he continues to have the look and feel of a more than competent replacement should any of the four go down.

Question #4: Johnson and Watson. Rod Johnson has torn up every level in the minor leagues, and at 22 years of age, is ready to do the same at Aurora. Going into camp Johnson has been handed the DH job, but expect him to play a lot of 1B as Aurora attempts to juggle a line-up potentially full of power. If spring practice is any sign, Johnson should do just fine. Bobby Watson started his minor league career slowly, but over the past two years has sky rocketed through the system. He'll get his first shot this year, and thus far has been a mixed bag. It is conceivable that he'll begin 2015 at AAA - Aurora has no need to rush him with Al Edwards, Orlando Lopez and Ice Cold all capable of playing 3B. A couple of other first time invitees to look at include Ty Newell and Jesus Rangel. Javier Munoz, who played well in a brief stint at Aurora last year will have to have a monster spring to remain in Colorado. Munoz is out of options and word is Aurora has had extreme difficulties trying to find a home for him. Jose Rivera and Steve McDonald look to be their same old selves thus far - McDonald, the pro that he is, has been spraying balls all over the field and staying late taking grounders at second. A natural segue to...

Question #5: Contracts for McDonald and Knight. Both of these long-standing members of the Aurora family are in contract years, and agents for both are looking for something in the $20M range - a value that Michael Topham has been on record saying Aurora would never pay. That said, looking at the history of this owners tactics, take a look at the farm system. Over the past four years Aurora has been more than willing to let an 'older player' go - not that either man is old, in favor of a young stud in the minors. For McDonald, that stud is John Foster who has scouts and coaches drooling over his abilities at the plate. His vastly improved defense at 2B can not be overlooked. That would suggest that "Old" McDonald may be playing his last season for the Borealis. McDonald's agent reports there have been no discussions yet with Aurora. John Knight is a different story. There is no stud waiting in the wings. Aurora has many good outfielders, but system wide there is no 'great' outfielder in the wings - unless you count Brad Cain. Like McDonald, though, Knight's agent has yet to hear from Aurora management.

[John]

I can't picture Steve McDonald in anything other than Borealis blue!

[Matt]

McDonald is simply pure stud, and he gets totally overshadowed in Aurora. Yet he's probably been as valuable to that team as any player in it's history. Just 28, I'll go on record now, San Antonio would cough up 20 mil per for 4 years of McDonald in his prime. They guy is Miyata Light. Lock for 45+ doubles and .400 obp every season, and if he plays 140+ games you likely get a 60+ VORP. We'll take that.

[John]

McDonald is simply pure stud, and he gets totally overshadowed in Aurora. Yet he's probably been as valuable to that team as any player in it's history. Just 28, I'll go on record now, San Antonio would cough up 20 mil per for 4 years of McDonald in his prime. They guy is Miyata Light. Lock for 45+ doubles and .400 obp every season, and if he plays 140+ games you likely get a 60+ VORP. We'll take that.

I couldn't agree with you more. I was talking about that with Michael C. and Dan a couple weeks ago. In my opinion, McDonald may be the most overlooked superstar in the PEBA. I suspect it's because of a few reasons:

• He doesn't mash home runs, and chicks dig the long ball.
• He's spent his whole career in Aurora.
• He's never really been shopped around.
• He's been surrounded by flashier teammates that have stolen the limelight.

Value is completely arbitrary. I can't definitively say what Steve McDonald is worth, and I completely accept the notion of a GM balking at a $20M/year demand, especially with cheaper alternatives waiting in the wings. I can say that I'd pay him $20M a year and never look back, alternatives be damned. I love me some Steve McDonald.

[Borealis]

Ageed fully! McDonald is the best player in the PEBA not to be tabbed a superstar or to win any accolades! Hands down. We may host the past four SL Royal Rakers, but over those four seasons no one has been more durable or consistent than Old Stevie McDonald.

It's a huge dilemma for Aurora. John Foster is Steve McD with less speed but far more power, and don't overlook his speed - his base stealing is part of what has made him so good. If either played 3B (or 1B) worth a lick, we might be having a different conversation. Unfortunately they don't. Foster was our first draft choice and so there's some special meaning there.

We shall see... Maybe he'll come down in his demand... Ya never know.

[Borealis]

Borealis, Codgers Strike Deal for Munoz
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

March 7, 2015: Grand Junction, Colorado - Shortly before game time today the Borealis struck yet another offseason deal as they sent 2B Javier Munoz to the California desert in exchange for the 7th round selection formally held by London.

Javier, 27, played six seasons for Aurora's AAA club in Thornton, where he was a .276 hitter with a .441 SLG - 146-2B and 91 HR. Last season he finally got a shot at the majors and in 47 games hit .282 with 3 HR and 22 RBI in 47 games, mostly at DH. It was a failure to make consistent contact - and a case of poor pitch selection, that doomed Munoz as he struck out 47 times in 47 games while only walking 7 times.

Munoz had the great misfortune to find himself in an organization in which he was stuck behind Steve McDonald and have draftees John Foster, Orlando Lopez and Riley Cole behind him. As Spring Training arrived in western Colorado, the realization that his time in Aurora was over came, as Javier found himself out of options and possessing a valuable roster spot that now becomes free for Bill Bradley's eminent return.

Aurora had been openly trying to deal Munoz and found it difficult to find any interested takers. Finally Palm Springs agreed to moving a 7th round pick (London's, the 8th of the round), a better option than having to waive the Dominican infielder when rosters return to 25 men for the season opener. It is suspected that Aurora may still have a move or two made before the opener, and should that involve the 40-man roster, we may just see 2011 #1 pick 'Gypsy' Foster getting an invite to join the big club for PEBA Spring Training.

[Borealis]

Aurora Continues Trade Frenzy as Spring Starts Slowly
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

March 16, 2015: Grand Junction, Colorado - Question: Does anyone know when this frenzy of activity will end for Aurora? GM Will Topham made another deal involving a player on the 40-man roster as he dealt 1B Ken Coleman, once a 'Golden Boy' of the farm system to Connecticut for their 2014 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, starter Clarence King.

Coleman, a two-time Minor League Outstanding Hitter of the Year, finally got a shot at the big leagues in 2014 and hit a respectable .264, but failed to show the power that everyone was waiting for. Scouts in the organization had soured on his abilities as winter work-outs proved increasingly that Coleman was just not going to be the man they thought he was, and with Rod Johnson believed to be set to make the jump, Coleman become expendable.

"We've had some off and on discussions with the 'Meggers about Ken since before the winter meetings." Will Topham said, "I think they were searching the market. When our people re-evaluated Ken, we felt compelled to lower our price a bit. We think in King we have a prospect with the potential to grow and add to the deep collection we're cultivating in Hi A and Short A."

King was drafted out of Seton Hall Prep in 2013 and was 7-5 last year at Pearl City (S A) with a 2.37 ERA and 95 K in 121 IP. Teams in the Hawaiian League hit .231 against him. It's believed he will be moved to San Luis Rio Colorado of the NAFTA.

In other news, The Vulture has landed and he's chosen New England as his home, signing with Manchester. In doing so Aurora receives compensation from the Maulers - a 6th round pick, they had traded their first five picks; numbers 2 and 4 to Aurora in the Jeff Carroll trade, and a sandwich pick. Suarez will be missed, and fan reaction has been rough on the radio shows, but The Vulture's time had come in Aurora. Bryant Burris was ready to close and Ryan Holbrook is right there as well. Suarez has a career 26-14 record and a 1.59 ERA with 190 saves in 318 appearances. The 36 year old struck out 410 in 346 IP and will no doubt provide great stability for Manchester's young staff.

Aurora has gone 5-4 in their first round of spring games. Amongst the highlights have been new starter Francisco Martin, who has picked up victories in both his starts, going 8 innings and giving up 1 run and striking out 7. Returning starters Kojima (8 IP, 15 H, 6 R) and Chavez (8 IP, 7 H, 4 R) have not been as sharp in their opening starts. Some interesting results from the pitching staff include first time invitee George Johnson throwing 7 scoreless innings in relief, striking out 6, and Tony Gordon's staff high 10 innings with 13 K, 5 hits and 2 runs allowed.

At the plate the man expected to be the first OF call-up, Ricardo Cruz, went 7-14 with 3-2B with 3 RBI. Newly depart Coleman was 5-12, as was Orlando Lopez (who's suffering from a sore foot and will miss a couple of days) and first time invitee Ty Newell. Bob Keller, 7-21 with 2 HR was Aurora's main power source. The lone other HR came off Ice Cold's bat, though he has started slowly at 3-27 - mostly in the DH spot as Aurora is letting the younger Lopez and Watson play at 3B. Richardson is not the only mainstay on the team to struggle early as 2014 Royal Raker Cory Pierce is 3-22, Al Edwards is 2-18, and Steve McDonald 3-23. Rookies Rod Johnson (0-6) and Watson (0-4) have been introduced slowly as Rosado has tried to get the veterans loosened up first.