Aurora Storialis - The Borealis Blog

[Borealis]

Near Top of Division, Does Mid-May Show Aurora's Pitching Staying Power?
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

May 19, 2018: Aurora, Colorado - By this date a year ago the writing was beginning to be on the wall. Aurora was already deep in a hole they would try to rally out of last September, but to no avail. As we sit today, Aurora has had a share of the division lead for a good portion of the season and currently sit only a game behind a red-hot Reno squad. The Borealis currently post the 4th best mark in the SL at 26-18, the game deficit in the Desert Hills coming from two more losses than the Zephyrs. Their 26 wins is second best, just a game behind Duluth's 27.

If the old adage, 'pitching win's championships', is true, then the Borealis should have the staying power to reach the playoff line ahead of the competition. The one-two punch of 'Quagmire' and 'Sawmill' seem to be pitching on all cylinders thus far in 2018. Lewis is tied with a PEBA high 7 wins (with Connecticut's 'Boy Scout' Gusman - both are 7-0) and has posted thus far a tidy 2.77 ERA to go along with a nifty 4:1 strikeout to walk ratio. Martin Francisco has been a bit of a tough luck starter as he has had three ND in which he gave up a single run in each of those starts! His 4-2 mark could just as easily be 7-2 to go along with his equally impressive 2.78 ERA and 3:1 K:BB ratio. Anastasio Lopez is the third 'leg' of Aurora's rotation and he has given up no earned runs in his last two starts, and watching his ERA drop a full run in the process to 3.29 and like 'Quagmire', posting a 4:1 ratio of strikeouts to walks. This trio has a proven track record to work upon and give Aurora fans hope as summer lies on the horizon and a tough stretch of games line-up on the march to the All-Star Break. Three times in the past Aurora has had two starters make the All-Star Game: 2009- Thompson and Kojima, 2010- Thompson and Roach, 2013- Kojima and Tillman. Will it happen in 2018 with the deep, talent pitching corp of the SL?

Is this trio enough to drive Aurora past Reno, Yuma and a struggling Bears team that gets 'Fireworks' back in a week? Only time will tell, to use another ancient cliche. A bullpen that is 4th in ERA (3.17) will have a lot to say about it. Aurora has turned to it's third closer in as many years, this time returning to the avian line and bringing in a 'Stork'. Ryan Holbrook has 11 saves (none blown) thus far to go along with a 3.13 ERA built upon three bad outings out of 20. Holbrook has 29 K and 6 BB over his 23 IP and has taken hold of the closer role, much to the chagrin of 2017 closer Jon Dykes (3.31, 12 K, 11 BB in 16.1 IP) and the closer for the previous two and a half seasons, Bryant Burris (2.00, 24 K, 9 BB). Statistically Aurora's bullpen hasn't been extremely effective, but Aurora is 21-2 when leading after 7 innings, so the 'pen is doing something right.

I'll point out that this is a team that has a struggling offense that the pitching has carried. Look at Aurora's 'Win When Leading After X Innings" numbers and this is a team that gets a lead and usually holds on. Yet if you look at the converse and we see a team whose offensive woes precludes comebacks - only one after losing in the 7th. But if Bob Keller (.201), Al Edwards (.203), Ronald McCall (.204), Orlando Lopez (.179), and John Foster (a meek .223) start hitting, the pressure on the pitching will certainly be less imposing and this team could begin to look like the Richardson-Pierce-Pexego-Quinones team of 2013 that won 126 games.

[Borealis]

Injury Bug Hits, Roster Shuffle Runs Deep
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

June 21, 2018: Aurora, Colorado - Aurora signed a young strapping 18 year-old infielder out of Oak Ridge, Tennessee in September of 2012 and then waited five years, watching him grow to the unlimited potential the scouts all said he had. Mike Britt hit .256 with 28 HR and 81 RBI in his first full season at Aurora in 2017, but after a slow April (.198), Britt shined in May, showing that potential and winning the SL Player of the Month Award. With 19 HR and 44 RBI well before the All-Star Break, Britt looked a cinch to 40/100 and certain Royal Raker consideration. That all came crashing down when Britt strained the biceps in his throwing arm will making an off balanced throw on a Roberto Rodriguez slow roller to end the game in Aurora's 5-1 win over Tempe. "What a devastating blow." Aurora manager Don James managed in depressed tones "Mike had finally seemed to click. Suddenly it was all so simple."

Aurora has struggled to score, and their current standing of first in the Desert HIlls centers squarely on Britt's shoulders. Nick Giles has been promoted and will immediately be thrown into the starting line-up at short, while Jose Rivera will shift to the hot corner during Britt's expected 5 week stay on the DL. Giles was hitting .299 - most of the season over .300, with a career high 17 HR - his previous high of 16 was during time split between Thornton and Aurora last year - in 170 more ABs. Giles was the 38th overall selection in 2014 and this is about the time Aurora had hoped the young New Mexican would appear to stay.

The loser in this move is one time star-turned dud Orlando Lopez. 'El Bebe' had been a double machine since his call-up in 2014 and narrowly missed the batting title in 2016, but since it's been all downhill. Currently he sits at .207 and his spot on the club may be hanging in the balance - or more succinctly, in Giles performance.

When Bryant Burris was placed on the DL on the 6th, the Borealis brass didn't hesitate to turn to Thornton starter Christian Murdoch - after allowing him the opportunity to pitch in the GBL All-Start Game - the first such honor in his career. After a relief single inning - no hits, a walk and a K, it appeared Aurora may have to send him back to AAA, but then Jonathan Dykes tore a muscle in his back and will miss the remainder of the season. Although Dykes lost the closer role after a slow start, overall he was having another fine season - 2.88 ERA and a .230 OAVG. That will keep the much sought after Murdoch in Aurora for the time. This year at Thornton, Murdoch was 7-4 with a 2.52 ERA with 100 K, 27 BB and an OAVG of .195.

Not all the organizational moves were due to injuries. Some were just deserved based on performance. The glowing star of the farm system may be last years top pick, OF Mike Hale. After hitting .379 in 22 games at Mokule'ia and .342 at SLRC in 21 games, Hale began 2018 at Gatineau and in 67 games he has hit .314 and was named a CAAL All-Star. After the loss of John Knight to free agency after the 2015 season, Aurora has struggled to find the right combination of players to complement Cory Pierce - the cornerstone of the team, but who could turn to free agency after 2019. Hale's promotion to Thornton may seem to indicate that he is on the fast track, and Hale looks to be very close to being ready and if not this year, we should expect him in 2019.

Quietly making a name for himself in the organization - and certainly lost in the hoopla of Gabriel McIntyre's signing, is 1B Richie Norman, the 24 year-old 4th round selection from 2015. Coming off a Single A season in which he hit .368 with 37-2B, 18 HR, and 97 RBI, Norman is hitting .307 with 18 HR thus far to go along with two Play of the Week awards and an All-Star selection (his second in a row). How Norman was not named Outstanding Hitter of the year in the BCL last season is a total mystery to me. A travesty of the highest order. One thing Richie has done is hit and he's going to get a shot at AAA pitching here during the remainder of the 2018 season. The loser in this story is 1B Tad King, the 38th overall selection in the 2012 draft who looked to have tremendous talent, but has yet to show that after three years at AAA. At 27, King's demotion to AA might be the practical end of his journey to the big leagues.

We'd be remiss if we failed to mention one last name - a name I think Aurora fans may hear for a while. That would be OF Wilson Mercado. The 18 year-old Cuban signed late in the season with Aurora in 2017 and in 22 games hit a paltry .207. The Borealis were content to let him work in the extended spring training program and get a full year in at Short A, but in late May it was decided to give him a shot at A ball and that looks to have been a wise decision - to the tune of .326, 5 HR and 17 RBI in 25 games. Like Britt - a very young free agent signing, Mercado also has a world of talent not unlike Britt. Scouts and Organizational leaders alike can talk all they want about the future of the outfield and Ferrell, Pope, Hale, Turner, etc, but this guy has the potential to make people forget Cory Pierce. And I'm a huge fan. That's saying a lot.

[Borealis]

2019 - The Year Transition Hits The Front Range
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

April 1, 2019: Aurora, Colorado - The PEBA season begins today, and, although the Borealis do not begin their PEC run until tomorrow as they face Gunner MacGruder and the Yumans, Aurora will take the field with a vastly different look from the past few years. Gone are Al Edwards, Bob Keller and 'Quagmire'. Here are a collection of youngsters whose time has come - with a bevy of body's waiting impatiently at Thornton.

Behind the dish, Scott Vinson will try to find the swing he brought to the table as a first time starter in 2017 when he hit 27 HR and drove in 73. He's served primarily as a DH the past two seasons, but with Keller's departure - and the 157 HR and 458 RBI he's generated the past 5 years as Aurora's starting back-stop, Vinson is the man behind the dish. Catcher has historically been a position of great production for Aurora - Wilson Berry put up very similar numbers from the time he joined Aurora in 2008 until his trade to Arlington in 2015. Vinson's work behind the plate rivals Keller's, so there should be no loss there, but many scouts feel there may be a bit of decline at the plate. For a team that struggled to score runs last year - and a pitching staff this year that looks like it may struggle, runs will be at a premium. Sergio Lopez will once more serve as the back-up catcher and in 32 games last year hit a very nice .351 in that role. For now, it's Lopez' gig, but Galvez (10th overall selection in 2016) is making noise in the minors and is a far superior defensive player, with more pop. One-time system darling Rusty Butler (19th overall in 2015) is shelved for 7 weeks with a bum ankle, but he, too, will be pushing Lopez for a roster spot should Lopez fail or Vinson disappear.

On the infield, the loss of Edwards to free agency (to the Trendsetters) opened up holes in the teams depth and flexibility as well as the spot at 1B. Despite playing Mike Britt there at times in the past, Richie Norman - a 4th round pick in 2015, will get the nod after an outstanding AAA season and September call-up last year (.302, 2 HR, 10 RBI in 14 games). Jose Rivera had a horrendous spring and for now has lost his starting SS spot to Nick Giles (supplemental pick in the 2014 draft) who has had a so-so first 100 games at the ML level, but had an outstanding spring. Also having a hot spring was Jeff Martin (3rd rounder in 2011) who has done nothing but hit in the minors - and turn himself into a half-way decent 3B. His spring earned him first shot at the DH spot vacated by Vinson's move behind the plate. Losing out are a pair of young players who had fine springs - Juan Toro (2011 draftee) and Josh Ligonier (2014 2nd round). Also taking a hard swat to AAA is one-time batting wonder Orlando Lopez, who, after three years of hitting well over .300 to start his career - and just missing a batting title, has fallen to Earth the past two seasons and had a horrid spring. Mike Britt will continue to mainly man 3rd, while the Borealis hope that the rosy spring numbers from 'Gypsy' John Foster are an indication of big things to come. More than one member of the organization has stated that it's time for him to 'put up or shut up'... so to speak. Norman may need more seasoning and Martin has not shown anything at the PEBA level as of yet, so they certainly are wildcards. I think Aurora is content on letting Giles blossom or completely fail at SS, so any changes to this opening day infield will happen through Martin and Norman's spots. Don't be shocked if 'El Bebe' isn't back by Mother's Day.

Martin and Giles are not the only youngsters who performed well during the spring and earned a shot at the Opening day roster. Kane Talley - whose had a couple of unmemorable stays in Aurora the past couple of seasons, had a strong spring and coupled by weak performances by Ronald McCall and River Pope - not to mention the lack of options for 'Dingus', earned Talley a shot. McCall and Pope both found themselves at AAA due to contract language standard to all PEBA contracts that cost Mike Hale - 2017 3rd overall selection, an option, forcing Aurora's hand. Matt Ferrell, Mike Burton and Cory Pierce will be the starters in the outfield as 2019 begins. Pierce is in the last year of his contract and will no doubt be looking for a deal that may be too rich for Aurora - rumors are his agent is asking for $15M per for 6 years. A contract-year run at the plate could go a long way to helping Aurora succeed this year, but would definitely price Aurora's 2-time Royal Raker out of their budget. Burton - one of the few remaining pieces from the Rodriguez years, had a career-year in 2018 - .292, 18 HR, and 63 RBI on a team that really struggled to drive in runs. Ferrell was a disappointment last year after a successful rookie 2017 campaign, and his spot this year was guaranteed primarily due to his defensive prowess in CF. Should he slip, expect Pope to come back from AAA and mind the vast CF at Northern Lights Park.

Aurora's biggest question marks are on the mound. For years the staff has wallowed in the offenses shadow, yet were amongst the SL's best. But in a matter of a year, Aurora's rotation has become one of the biggest question marks in the league. With Darryl Lewis now dealing his craft in Japan, Francisco Martin is once again the staff Ace. 'Sawmill' came back from an injury shortened 2017 to look much like his old self in 2018. Minimally Aurora needs another year of that. Francisco is in the last guaranteed year of his contract and his 2020 season is vested with 25 starts this year - so call this a salary-run year for him as well. Also with a vesting option for 2020 is Michael Provost - and the Big Canadian was by far the best pitcher during the spring. Full of potential, Provost has yet to meet that potential - including being dropped to the 'pen last year, and only had his contract extended to this year because of Edgardo Rojas' injury, returning Provost from bullpen banishment and garnering the needed starts. The enigmatic Anastasio Lopez will fill the 3rd rotation spot and Aurora will need an improved performance from the big left-hander. Big on strikeouts, big on HRs, and like 'Sawmill' and Provost, he'll be pitching for his 2020 salary. Rojas burst on the scene in 2017 with a 1.75 ERA in 9 starts, but injury cut his 2018 season short. No question about it - Rojas will strike people out, but he has struggled with his control, with walks reducing the effectiveness of his sub-.200 OAVG. Christian Murdoch earned the 5th spot in the rotation by virtue of being the least offensive during spring training. In his first shot in the rotation last year, Murdoch was a real mixed bag. The scouts still love his game, but the real question is: will Aurora fans love his game come June? Junior Cook, the expected 5th starter going into spring, begins the year at AAA as coaches hope he'll find a wee bit more control.

Aurora's bullpen is a talented group that at times have been extremely trying. Jon Dyke returns from injury after his first year and a half were very effective. Two highly drafted relievers - 'Stork' Holbrook and 'Sleepy' Kuhn have been both effective and disasters. Kuhn's struggles with his control have seem to grow over the past two years. Holbrook saved 20 in his stint as closer last year, but his propensity to fork up a gopher ball has caused trust issues. Holbrook and Dykes will open the year as the R/L set-up men. Pat MacComie has been a reliable long man and will continue in that role. 'Porker' Thompson has been one of the most consistent relievers for Aurora and he will lead the middle relief corp. Making the squad as the last pitcher is Juan Martinez - primarily because he's out of options. Jimmy Younger sits at Thornton working in the closer role and will likely be the first call-up should relief help be needed. Bryant Burris returns to the closer role after losing it in 2017, only to regain it towards the end of 2018. Once arguably the leagues top closer, Burris lost some control and his fastball became to flat and it showed in the blown saves. Will he have significant opportunities to earn saves this year? That is the big question.

[Borealis]

Poor Start Earns Demotion for Rojas
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

April 28, 2019: Aurora, Colorado - The Borealis are experiencing an unusually prosperous April, but not Edgardo Rojas. Aurora's young right-hander, whom they heaped plenty of expectation, has struggled mightily. With four pathetic starts out of five, Aurora brass have made the quick call - clearly he hasn't recovered completely from his elbow surgery that ended his 2018 season. With that, Rojas has been optioned out to AAA Thornton and promoted to the Big League club - making his third trip down The Interstate is Junior Cook.

Cook is currently 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA, striking out 44, walking 11 in 33 IP. Cook spent time in winter ball, learning a change, and it seems to have worked well for him. More importantly in his 33 innings he has yet to give up the long ball - after allowing 9 in 92 IP at Thornton in 2018, plus another 3 in 15 innings at Aurora.

Rojas went down with bone spurs on July 20th, with surgery ending a year in which he had been pitching well - 9-7, with a 3.50 ERA over 20 starts. His 2017 rookie campaign saw him make 9 starts and post a 1.75 ERA, suggesting the expectations from a solid run of minor league seasons were founded. Now, the Borealis hope he can work out the kinks in the minors and come back stronger.

[Borealis]

Murdoch Improves, Sets K Mark
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

May 8, 2019: Aurora, Colorado - The year was 2015, shortly after the Winter Meetings. Aurora was in desperate straits, in search for pitching. Gone were Kojima and 'Sugar Bear', to injury. Gone was George Thompson, lost to ineffective control - despite the strikeouts. Prior to the 2015 season they struck a deal with Arlington for 'Sawmill' and in those cold winter days of 2015 Aurora GM Will Topham returned to the Pan-Atlantic, in search of more pitching, and came away from Arlington's rival Manchester Maulers with Anastasio Lopez. At the time the deal was about two things - Lopez and the bevy of high picks (#1, #2 and a #4) that Aurora acquired for En-gou, Artie Tillman and Bobby Watson. Lopez was coming off elbow surgery that ended his 2015 season prematurely, and many viewed this as a win for Manchester - an All-Star CF, a pitcher who did nothing but win consistently, and a promising young, power hitting 3B. Overlooked at the time was a 22-year old, AA pitcher with a 4.35 ERA that came to the Front Range by the name of Christian Murdoch.

After a so-so year at AAA Thornton in 2016, Murdoch flourished in 2017 with a 2.56 ERA and after a 2.52 ERA after 13 starts in 2018, he earned a AAA All-Star spot. Those two seasons created a lot of interest in the diminutive, yet powerful right-hander. Murdoch earned a promotion after the 2018 All-Star game and got 13 starts - but struggles saw him shift to the bullpen and change the way he was thought of in the organization. Once viewed as a potential shoe-in for a future rotation spot, Aurora was suddenly considering moving him. When the numbers this spring looked inconsistent as he pitched in relief, poor performances elsewhere led the coaching staff to give him a shot starting anyway. April started equally bad, with a 9.88 ERA in three starts. Murdoch's future in Aurora started to become clouded.

Then it suddenly clicked. 8 innings, 5 H and 1 R v. Omaha. 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R v. Yuma. 7 IP, 4 H , 2 R v. Fargo. And then... History.

Kalamazoo came to the Front Range struggling. They struck out 18 times the previous night against Cook, Martinez and Dykes. This night they would cut back on their K's - by one.

The Badgers knocked Murdoch out of his first start of the season with one out in the 1st and they scored 6 runs on 2 H and 4 BB, leaving Christian with one of those uniquely opening day stats: a 162.02 ERA. The lone out? A strikeout. On this night Murdoch would set a PEBA single game strike-out record: 17 batters in 8 innings with 2 H and 1 BB as Aurora would top K-Zoo, 3-0. Guy, Sima, Lollar and Martin each earned hat tricks. Only lead-off hitter Hector Garcia failed to strikeout at least once.

"He made a lot of good pitches out there," Kalamazoo manager Víctor Bruno said. "He made some of our guys look bad. We didn't help matters by swinging at everything, but we really have to give him credit -- he didn't make many mistakes." Swing at everything, indeed as Murdoch needed only 101 pitches to record those 17 Ks. Why Murdoch didn't pitch a complete game and possibly increase the mark to 18, 19, or 20? Aurora manager Don James said, "I didn't want to see him push himself more while trying to hit 20. He's finally seemed to find a groove and I didn't want one inning to set him off that groove as he pushed unnaturally to reach a higher milestone."

Christian's rise as a highly effective starter is something Aurora craves, with the loss of 'Quagmire' to Japan. If these last four starts are any indication of what he has to offer the club, then Aurora's post-season hopes just got brighter.

[Borealis]

Hitters Hit, Pitchers Pitch, Northern Lights Shine
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

May 19, 2019: Fargo, North Dakota - May has traditionally shined upon the Borealis, and thus far in 2019, tradition has held form. After a 5-1 week where Aurora scored some runs, for a change, and solid pitching put W's on the board, the Lads from the Front Range have vaulted to the top of the Desert Hills - thanks to winless weeks by 2 of Aurora's 3 biggest rivals.

The week began quietly as Jon Dykes gave up a 9th inning run, blowing the hold in a 2-2 game in a 3-2 loss to the Codgers. Anastasio Lopez set the tone, though, as he allowed 6 H and struck out 8 in the ND. Set the tone, for Aurora continued a trend - lots of Ks, that has them heading the PEBA in team Ks.

Reno came to town, winners of 9 of their past 10, playing resurgent ball and looking to re-establish their spot in the SL playoff chase. This time it was the offense setting the tone for the week as Pierce and Hale jumped on 'Mustache' for a pair of 2-run HRs. Junior Cook took advantage of the early lead to overcome a wild night - 8 walks, including 3 in a 3-run Zephyr rally, to pick up a 6-3 win. Miguel Salinas jumped on 'The Fly' with a 2-run double in the first and Pierce and Ferrell added solo HRs as Murdoch followed his 17 K game with a 2 H, 11 K gem - giving up a 2-out in the 9th double to Murray that killed his CG shut-out bid. Reno reversed the early scoring trend by jumping all over a totally ineffective 'Sawmill' for 6 runs on 3 innings. Martinez, Thompson, Dykes and Holbrook held Reno to 2 more runs over the remaining 6 innings as the Borealis batters battered Rivera and Cook for 7 in the 33rd, 4th, and 5th. The game entered the 9th tied at 8. Giles leadoff 3B in the 9th would be the winning run as Aurora's comeback win would finish up the sweep of Reno.

The Borealis traveled to Fargo and Provost took the mound for a start in a season where he seems to finally be matching his promise. Fargo managed a pair in the first - that old former-'Gnat nemesis, Sok Yi, swatted a 2-run HR, but that would be it as Provost held Fargo to two more hits over 7 IP. Meanwhile, Danny Hendricks was no mystery to Aurora. Cory Pierce was 4-5, while Rivera and Ferrell had 3 hits and Foster had 2 - including his 8th HR, a 7th inning grand slam, as Aurora pummeled the Dinosaurs 13-2. Provost picked up his 5th win - half the total he had all of last season. Aurora continued pounding Fargo pitching as Saenz gave up 5 R on 8 H and Killy 3 R in the 4th in a 8-1 Borealis win. The top of the order - Hale (3-5), Rivera (2-5), Pierce (2-5) and Britt (3-5) combined to drive in 7 of the 8 runs to support a near record breaking performance by Lopez, who struck out 16 over 7 innings, giving up 6 H and no walks. The win, the 5th in a row, put Lopez' record at 4-2.

The streak leaves Aurora 3 games up on a surprising Palm Spring tea, and 5 up on the Bears and 6.6 up on the 'Dozers. At 28-15, Aurora sits a top the SL.

[Borealis]

Borealis Steam into Summer
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

June 1, 2019: Yuma, Arizona - A hallmark of Aurora's past top ranked teams reappeared in May - outstanding play in that month. Historically Aurora has posted huge numbers in the years 5th month, and 2019 was no different as Aurora posted a 21-6 mark that included a 12-game win streak. The formula was as simple a baseball solution as can be - hitting and pitching. During the month Aurora averaged 5.5 runs per game and their pitching surrendered 2.8. Compared to April's 108-107 RS/RA, double up your opponents typically is a good thing. Playing 21 of those 27 games at home certainly didn't hurt, either.

Aurora's pitchers gave the hitters a chance in May as they bored down, holding opponents to a .218 average and only 16 HR after a .243/33 HR April. The hitters responded with a .307 May average with 38 HR (.269 and 20 HR in April). Of the 10 hitters who've made up the bulk of the starting 9 throughout the month, 6 hit over .300 (Rivera .374, Vinson .357, Pierce .346, Talley .344, Burton .329, and Ferrell .304), and Britt (.299) and Hale (.295) just missed. Only Foster (.255) and Salinas (.218) struggled - and 'Gypsy' John led the team in HRs with 7.

On the mound, arguably one of the biggest differences came in the rotation as Junior Cook was promoted promoted over struggling Edgardo Rojas and Cook has responded. In going 5-0, Cook won his first 5 starts of the month, giving up on average 1.4 runs a start, before picking up a ND in a 5-4 loss to Yuma. Cook has struggled with his control some - 30 BB in 39.2 IP, but effectively so, as his OAVG sits at .164. Teams were hitting well over .300 v. Rojas and his 9.45 ERA was indicative that he wasn't fooling anyone.

Another difference on the mound has simply been the performance of Christian Murdoch. a 5.67 ERA in 5 starts (27 IP) in April, 2.29 in 5 May starts (and 35.1 IP). Arguably improved control has made the difference as he's reduced his walks and H/9 with his WHIP dropping .33, and picking up an additional 30 K over April, despite only working 8 more innings. Aurora has been waiting for Murdoch to have a break-out and it's looking like that's happening before our eyes.

Much has been said about Mike Provost's season thus far, and his abdominal strain that landed him on the DL as a precautionary measure will hopefully not slow him down. Aurora opted to take the opportunity of position in the standings to take a shot with HC Yong filling in for Provost, instead of recalling Rojas - who in all fairness has performed well at AAA. Yong is 8-1 with a 2.80 ERA with Thornton and in true Aurora mould, a strikeout arm with 118 in 80 IP.

No matter how Yong may perform in his one or two starts, Provost, Cook and Murdock will need to continue to perform as the teams two seasoned, veteran arms - Anastasio Lopez and 'Sawmill' Martin, have struggled. Lopez has mostly kept his team close, but he's won as many poor outing as he's lost stellar ones. At least he still has movement on his pitches and raking up the K's. Francisco Martin seems to have lost something over the past two weeks as he's given up 14 ER in 11.2 IP, covering 3 starts.

At the plate, the big story on the year continues to be Kane Talley as Dingus followed his .386 April with the full-time DH role in hand and a .344 average in May. His 10 HR leads the Borealis and 27 RBI are second best (behind Britt's 28). Since being acquired in a trade with New Orleans prior to the 2013 season (as Aurora tried to make room in the line-up for Al Edwards by trading Alex Poirier), Aurora kept waiting for 'Dingus' to earn his way into the line-up and he finally did just that after an excellent spring. With a talent-laden outfield and numerous youngsters chomping to get a chance at AAA, Talley should have ample motivation to keep it up.

Perhaps no place in the line-up has seen a greater 'Jekyll and Hyde' change than behind the plate as Scott Vinson - given the full-time catchers spot with Bob Keller's departure to Kentucky, no longer DH, turned a putrid .176/1 HR/4 RBI April into a .357/4 HR/17 RBI May. When your SLG is like a bad batting average (Vinson's .230 April mark fits the bill), your team is going to struggle scoring.

Aurora is sitting with an 8 game lead with 100 games to play, and 27 games to go before the all-star break. That stretch includes 3 with Crystal Lake and 4 with Reno (to end the coming weeks play) and 4 with Bakersfield and 3 with Yuma leading into the break. The Codgers, K-Zoo, Tempe and Fargo fill in the gap between. Those key divisional match-ups will all be on the road. Certainly a 27 game stretch that should allow the Borealis to head into the second half with a lead in the Desert Hills.

[Borealis]

Aurora Ships Two-Bagger to Far East
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball Blogger

July 7, 2019: Yuma, Arizona - It's not often that the teams west of the Pacific have dealings with those east of it - an occasional player is posted by teams of the League of the Rising Sun and his rights purchased by one of the teams of the PEBA, but Aurora GM Will Topham announced today a surprising move - surprising not for who was moved, but for the return the Borealis reaped.

Aurora sold the contract of 2B Takeichi Yamasaki to the Kawaguchi Transmitters of the Shining Star Group of the LRS for what is believed to be a record $7.1M. "We had very modest expectations going into the process," Topham explained "but you never know where theings will go once a bidding war starts."

And indeed, where it went. "We had heard early on in the process from a team inquiring about Take while he still was clearing waivers - something we never expected to happen; I totally figured Trader Matt would snatch him up!" The Boy Wonder GM detailed for the press "Once waivers cleared, we heard once more from that team with what we thought would be a solid offer. Doing our diligence, we waited out the clock to see what would happen."

What happened was a Bright Blade Group rival got involved, rumored to have 'cash to burn before it's lost', and then things exploded. By the time a third team entered the fray, the bid had blown by their offer. Later in the evening, the same for a fourth team. Finally Kawaguchi got involved and that's when 'all hell broke loose' with the bidding.

"I have to tell you, I felt like that old school emoticon, you know, the one with the 'colon and an o'? (for you youngsters out there, he meant ) "I could not believe where this was headed. Dad (Aurora owner Mike Topham) and I were at the Colorado Rapids match and were shaking our heads." Perhaps the shock comes from the fact that Posting fees are never divulged and though rumored to be in the millions, are just that - rumors.

Adding to the shock may be the fact that Takeichi is the second player this year to be transferred to the LRS as another 2B, Ikemoto Nakamura, was transferred to the LRS in early June - to Hyakujuu, from San Antonio, for $50,000. It's easy to see where Topham's low expectations may have come from.

Yamasaki was a 4th round pick in 2013, out of Wilson Classical HS, for Aurora and he has had a more than decent minor league career, hitting over .300 at all minor league levels, while sitting at .276 in 63 games at Thornton this year. His career .289 average in pro ball with 117 2B, 28 HR and 309 RBI in 615 games. He's committed 2 errors in 217 chances this year, all at 2B.

Kawaguchi has since, oddly enough, traded Yamasaki to the Hyakujuu Shinkansen - the team who began the bidding and who sits a game back of them in last place in the SSG.

[Borealis]

As Aurora Readies For Post-Season, Eyes on the Future
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

September 15, 2019: Canton, Ohio - The Borealis slide into the last two weeks of the 2019 season in a position that virtually all the experts did not predict - the familiarity of the Desert Hills and PEBA Penthouse. Will that translate into a second Rodriguez Cup, or will Aurora do as they have done 9 of the previous 10 post-season trips? That's to be seen, but one thing seems clear - the Boy Wonder GM of the Borealis has already set his eyes on the teams financial future and if rumors are true, Will Topham is looking at more than the bottom line.

Aurora have a bevy of key players lined-up for big pay days through arbitration and free-agency. This team, with $123M in salary this year, is already looking at the potential of $131M+ for 2020. With an eye on locking up young players and key veterans, Topham has struck deals with Mike Hale, Mike Britt, Ryan Holbrook, and Bryant Burris. Britt and Holbrook were looking at Arbitration, Burris Free Agency and Hale was a case of locking up a young player for the long term.

Rumors have it that Nolan Kuhn, Scott Vinson, Arnaud Thompson and Jon Dykes have received pre-arbitration offers. Bloggers across the land also suggest that Anastasio Lopez, who's contract for 2020 has vested, will be offered an extension to that contract to keep him in Aurora beyond 2020 and offer the Borealis some comfort about their rotation in the near future. There must be concern in Aurora's front office about Mike Provost's contract beyond 2020. He's still arbitration eligible, when his current deal expires after 2020, and it's likely he will receive the largest arbitration award in history - PEBA or MLB.

There's also been some whispers that Aurora may go after some pitching in the off-season, be it through trade or free agency, to offer some protection should they be forced to let Provost go. It's widely believed that as much as Topham would love to keep Provost in Aurora, it is not his intention to mortgage the teams competitiveness for the sake of keeping one player.

That may explain why we have not heard of any offers made to free-agent-to-be Cory Pierce and arbitration cases Mike Burton, Orlando Lopez and Tony Gordon. Oddly enough, there have been no whispers about John Foster, either. Burton's arby number is estimated at $9M, Gordon is estimated at $5M (though there's no reason to expect that Aurora is planning on keeping the former golden boy of the minors), and expectations on Pierce's future deal range between $15-20M. With an outfield full of young 20-somethings - Hale, Ferrell, Pope, with Carlisle ready at AAA, and recently drafted Ferringo, it seems reasonable to assume neither Burton or Pierce will be offered contracts.

That doesn't even include Miguel Salinas' $13M team option for 2020 that could be purged as well.

If all this is true, then arbitration will be a quiet process, and the off-season will be focused on player acquisition.

[Borealis]

Champs Begin Task of Moulding 2020 Roster
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

October 25, 2019: Aurora, Colorado - The confetti from the huge Victory Parade has hardly settled and the Aurora Borealis have begun shaping the roster for their defense run in 2020.

First things first: Aurora's top three pitchers - Francisco Martin, Anastasio Lopez and Michael Provost all saw contract options vest for the coming year. 'Sawmill', who will spend the first half of the season on the DL, will receive $9.6M and will have a 2021 team option that will put the Borealis in a bind if he does not pitch to form down the stretch in 2020. Lopez will take home $8.75M and is rumored to be seeking around $14M in early discussions for a 2021 extension. With a lack of strong options in the minors (outside of Arturo Jimenez, who has yet to really show he can throw strikes), it may behoove Aurora to re-sign their strong corp. Provost, who made $15.5M this year and will reap, in all likelihood, another $1M in bonus money for pitching 200 innings and winning the Golden Arm - where he is the favorite to win. He is schedule to make $16.5M next season - before hitting arbitration in 2021; certainly looking to be a record award there.

Miguel Salinas, who signed a 1-year deal, with a team option on a second, has had his option picked up and will return to the Front Range for a second campaign. Brought in for his bat and post-season experience, Salinas hit .303 on the year with 15 HR and 61 RBI, and was equally impressive in the post-season. His .281 post-season average may not seem impressive, but his 8 H in 21 AB v. Yuma are just as significant reason Aurora wins a title as any other - without his bat, Aurora is another first round loser.

Secondly, salary arbitration season has opened and five players are eligible: MR Tony Gordon, C Sergio Lopez, 2B 'Gypsy' John Foster, 3B Orlando Lopez and OF Mike Burton. This morning Aurora severed ties with Gordon and Burton by not tendering them an offer. The moves came from differing places. For Gordon, it has been a real failure to meet the high expectations the team has had - dating back to when he was viewed as a potential future starting star. He's spent most of the past two seasons in the minors where his numbers have been fine, but his numbers with Aurora have been horrendous. Burton has simply become a victim of age (33), playing time and depth. As the youngsters in their system have all arrived, the outfield has become crowded - and with the money needs to keep the pitching rotation happy, Burton becomes a casualty. "I wouldn't be surprised to see Mike back," GM Will Topham said "just not at that $9M price tag that he's asking for." Suggesting that if he hasn't signed with someone - and I'm pretty sure he will, he'd be a cheap spring signing.

That leaves S. Lopez, Foster and, oddly enough, O. Lopez as receiving offers. There was some speculation that 'El Bebe' would be let go, and 'it still may happen', Topham said. We tend to think that the roster spot could be put to better use.

Cory Pierce, the long time member of the Borealis, is a free agent and is rumored to be seeking $12.5M in a contract extension. Like Burton, Pierce is looking to be forced out for many of the same reasons - I guess being the PEC Hero doesn't earn you much. Aurora has offered him arbitration, though, so there's the chance he'd return - and perhaps even be a spring signing for less, if he's available. We can think of a number of places that Pierce could wind up once the free agent signing period begins, starting with Connecticut, who are losing Lowry, and San Antonio.

Speaking of the Calzones, in a minor move, Aurora traded Rule 5 eligible 3B Matt Ford to San Antonio for a 6th round pick in the coming draft. A 12th round pick in 2013, Ford has bounced around between Mokule'ia and SLRC with a modicum of success - mostly being the 'travel boy' to accommodate for injury or the need to move improving bodies up (or down). Moving a Rule 5 guy - and getting something in return? Always a good plan!

[Borealis]

Small Moves Mould 2020 Roster
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

November 15, 2019: Aurora, Colorado - Merchandise may be flying off the shelves, but that didn't slow the Borealis as they move towards the 2020 season - making small moves which will shape the 40-man roster with spring training still three and a half months away.

The first was an expected move - one that came a few days early, as reliever Tony Gordon was released prior to his arbitration hearing. Once a highly thought of starting pitcher prospect, Gordon never panned out at the PEBA level as a starter. After a few excellent seasons as a reliever, Gordon struggled to get outs and spent far more time at AAA than he did at the Big League level the past two years. With the prospect of a $5M salary award in arbitration and a platinum-like spot on the 40-man roster, GM Will Topham opted to save the cash and the spot by non-tendering Gordon and then, ultimately, releasing him. Gordon finishes his days on The Front Range with a deceptive 28-6 record with a 3.46 ERA and 5 saves. Gordon wasted no time finding a new home, signing with the Dorada of Puerto Plata Playas of the Dominican Winter League.

In turn, Topham wasted no time and moved AAA C Miguel Galvez onto the 40-man roster, removing the most valuable Rule 5 eligible player in the Aurora system from the coming draft. Galvez has been speculated for months to be a major challenge to Scott Vinson's tenure behind the plate - even rumored to have been promoted days prior to his gruesome ankle injury that ended his 2019 season with a .295 average with 19 HR and 79 RBI in 90 games at Thornton. It is widely expected that Galvez will unseat long-time back-up, Aurora native Sergio Lopez as the back-up catcher on the 25-man roster.

A second roster spot was opened up as Aurora made their first official trade with a team from the League of the Rising Sun as the PEBA champs and LRS Champion Shin Seiki Evas hooked up on a minor deal. The Evas sent $2M Stateside while Aurora sent minor league relievers Cristian Flores and Dave Coley to Japan. Flores has been a mixed bag despite impressing scouts time and time again. His 4.35 career ERA and 1.45 WHIP finally caught up to him - coupled with his highly valued spot on the 40-man roster, and The Boy Wonder GM was quick to act when Shin Seiki came knocking on the door. Coley eventually pitched better than was expected for a 7th round selection (2014), but he was clearly not looking very 'upwardly mobile' and his departing for the Far East allows Aurora to move bodies upward in the system. Topham has vowed to roll that cash right back into the roster.

At the same time, Topham completed a deal with long-time trade partner, San Antonio - the second deal between teams since the season's end, as he and Higgins teamed up to move a highly sought after Rule 5 eligible reliever Jorge Estrada to south Texas - along with former Calzone CF Luis Rodriguez, in exchange for the young 2B Jack Speed. Aurora had fielded a number of inquiries about the 2016 4th round selection and were facing his departure by the Rule 5 draft. With a career 82 saves and 3.34 ERA over 274 minor league appearances, and positive reports from scouts, it's understandable why. Rodriguez was part of the Ricardo Cruz/Nathan O'Reilly deal with San Antonio, prior to the 2017 season,that netted Aurora three draft picks, including a #1 that became Mike Hale. Rodriguez saw all of 75 games with Aurora in 2017, hitting only .210, ending the hope that he may be a future CF for Aurora. He bounced between A ball and AAA the past three years, hitting .326 with 17 HR at SLRC this year.

Speed, the Australian prospect signed by San Antonio prior to the 2018 season is known for his namesake trait - speed. The scouts say he has an amazing eye for a prospect trained outside the US and that he rarely wastes a swing. A second baseman by training - something Aurora has a bit of a glut at the moment, but he has some experience at 3B, where Topham has already announced will be his primary spot at AA Gatineau. The left-handed Speed hit .304 at Drumright and .264 at Monterey with 13 HR and 47 RBI overall in 102 games.

Lastly, 10-days ago, 2015 11th overall pick, Arturo Jimenez, was placed on the 40-man roster, in anticipation of his getting a shot at the 5th spot in the rotation - filling the opening left by 'Sawmill's injury. 'Massacre' was drafted out of high school with high hopes, but he has struggled nightly with his control - despite his crazy-good stuff and blazing fastball. Teams have inquired often about Jimenez, but Aurora has stood pat with their patience, and his trip to winter ball last year was a clear show of their faith in his ability. Many scouts in the system view 'Massacre's ability akin to Junior Cook's - a great sign, considering what Cook accomplished this year!

[Borealis]

Deals Rumored For Giles, Salinas
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

February 14, 2020: Aurora, Colorado - Aurora has been throwing money around this offseason in what some have described as a 'pre-emptive strike' towards keeping their championship roster intact - and in the stable at a reasonable cost, with the LRS merger and PEBA expansion draft looming, and word is that that goal is one step closer.

Word has come out of Borealis headquarters that GM Will Topham is in discussions with agents for Miguel Salinas and Nick Giles about extensions to their existing deals.

For Salinas, at 32-years of age, one can assume it is likely a guaranteed one-year deal for 2021, and based on Topham's past history, probably at least one team option year. There are no indications as to what salary the two sides would be discussing, but with Salinas due to make $13M this year, that seems like a likely starting place. Estimates floating about the social media world suggest that Miguel would likely command $15-$18M. Although Salinas is coming off a stellar season, it's hard to imagine Aurora going much beyond $15M for the DH/1B who'll turn 33 shortly after Opening Day, and their history has been to not stick with a guy as he approaches his mid-30's.

Giles, who had a break-out year in 2019, still looks at two seasons at the league minimum salary, but striking a deal now could potentially save Aurora millions down the road as a player of Giles ability could seek a contract of upward $8M by his second arbitration year. The PEBA contract rules set forth guidelines that suggest that a long-term deal for Giles would begin in the low $3M range starting in 2022, should Aurora buy-out his arbitration years. Media experts are suggesting that any deal for Giles would likely run in the $3-$6M range.

Aurora has had good luck this offseason in locking up their players for the near future - and have done so with little difficulty. Deals for Salinas and Giles will have Aurora set for the next two seasons, save a certain second baseman who has a pretty high opinion of himself - despite his comparatively mediocre numbers. In doing so, Aurora's 'Boy Wonder' GM is going out on a limb - betting on the core as it is being capable of repeating last season's success in the ever improving Desert Hills.

[Borealis]

Giles Signs Extension, Adios Arbitration
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

March 16, 2020: Grand Junction, Colorado - Aurora GM Will Topham has been laboriously working to solidify the long-term structure of the Borealis roster - both structurally and fiscally, since before the last pitch of the 2019 season came and confetti dazzled the late fall Auroran air. Today, the still-young GM hammered home what is all but the last nail in the proverbial coffin.

Nick Giles, the highly talented SS who was the 38th overall selection in the 2014 draft, signed a 3-year deal, with a 4th year team option, that will net him $9M guaranteed and a possible $15M should the contract run the full 4 years. The deal will take the 27-year old New Mexican through his 32nd birthday and keeps him locked in a what is likely to be a very team friendly deal - considering what arbitration numbers have looked like in the recent years. Should you have any doubts about that, just take a look at the locker next door where 'Gypsy' John Foster resides.

Giles had a monster season in 2019 - even if he only played in 97 games. Nick hit .325 with 16 HR and 35 doubles, which netted a very tidy 5.0 WAR (for all you Saber Jockey's). To put that in perspective, Arlington's Rob Raines lead the league with a 6.8 over a full 162 games. Although Giles finished 13th overall in that category, he played by far the fewest games of any of the top 57 players on the WAR list. Imagine what a full 162 game season would have wrought.

The extension will pay him a modest increase of $1.25M in 2021, to $1.75M and a similar raise in 2022 (to $3M) and 2023 ($4.25M). The potential fourth year - the team option, will net Giles $6M. Noting that in his second arbitration year netted Foster a $10M deal, Topham was 'tickled pink' to have struck such a positive deal with Giles. When asked if a deal could be expected for 'Gypsy' - the last 'non-guaranteed' salary for 2021 (aside from team options for Rivera and Francisco), Topham smirked and looking disgusted, said "When his agent went, 'How about $38M for 2024?' I just kind of shock my head and walked away from the table, speechless."

So, with three weeks before the season opener v. Reno at Northern Lights Park, Topham has taken a calculated gamble with the large number of contract deals he's struck with players already on the team. 12 members of the World Championship team have signed new deals since August. Barring an outrageous pay increase for Foster or the failure to pick-up team options for Francisco and Rivera, Topham has already committed $130M to the 2021 team - and we may still see deals for the likes of Junior Cook, Matt Ferrell and Christian Murdoch before it's all said and done. The good news is this team is still reasonably young, and some pieces will continue to receive league minimum salaries. The good news, that's not quite as exciting, is this team is good and will be looking to be compensated for that.

[Cole]

What a steal money wise that's looking like. Congrats.

[Borealis]

Borealis Spend Big to Sign Canadian
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

March 16, 2020: Grand Junction, Colorado - It was three and a half years ago, August 2016, that the Aurora Borealis out-bid numerous teams in a whirlwind war to ink the services of an unknown Canadian by the name of Michel Provost. The 5-year, $72.5M deal Aurora gave Provost was viewed as a huge gamble for a player with no tangible history and just the 'gut feelings' of a scouting staff to go by. It took 4 of those years for Provost to finally match the massive contract and immense expectations heaped upon him, but with Aurora's 2019 title and the 2019 Golden Arm in his back pocket, the investment is looking good.

Fast-forward to now and Aurora has found a new Canadian with an unproven history - who signed as a 17-year old with the Mexican League, only to be released by March of 2020 with nary an AB. Joe Kenny, of Toronto, may have hardly any professional experience to show, but Aurora scouts have that 'gut feeling' once more for a young Canadian and that seems to be enough for GM Will Topham.

Presenting his father with a one-day early 60th birthday present, the young GM inked Kenny to a minor league deal for a whopping $15M signing bonus. Opening the eyes of others, while leaving some GMs rolling their eyes in disgust, Topham simply stated, "We like the scouts reports and he was willing to take a minor league deal. There was no way we could have worked a major league contract into the mix - we have, like, 50 players on our 40-man roster. So we upped the ante on the signing bonus with the hope that would make the difference."

And a difference it seemed to make for the Toronto native.

What is known about Kenny? He excelled in high school and listening to others speak, he is considered by many to have a cool, calm collective manner about him. "He's as fast as the wind," Aurora Head Scout Joe Horn said, "and we've seen him hitting of some off our mid-minor league pitching and he sprays the ball around quite a bit. He's a strong arm, but he still has a ways to go when it comes to positioning in the field and comfort chasing down fly balls."

$15M may seem like a massive amount for a signing bonus, but as Topham put it, "We project a potential net profit of nearly $50M for 2020 (after last years $37M), and between revenue sharing and the cash caps the league institutes, we were going to lose that money anyway. May as well take the chance - we feel we are in a good place to gamble on this."

Gamble? Indeed. But the last time Aurora gambled on a young Canadian, it ultimately came up roses.