This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Maintain Close Lead in Division - May 2030 (30/2)
By: Stephanie Dole
May 31, 2020 at 11:55 PM CST

Presently the Gnats sit at 38-15 with a half game lead over Fargo for the Great Lakes Division lead. The Gnats posted an impressive 16-10 record for the month, but for a disappointing showing against rival Aurora - winning only one of the six games this month against the hated rival. Two of the losses would be extra innings games and the other 2 losses were shutouts against the inter-league rival. Most devastating was the complete game loss that Dean McNeal suffered at the hands of Aurora. Esquivel, Lagerveld, Powers and Burns would combine to hold the Gnats to only 4 hits and no runs on May 24th.

Clarence Carpenter continued his hot streak batting .390/.465/.510/.975 while notching 23 steals for the month. Jim "Nitro" MacCowan lead the month with a 4-0 record in 5 starts while striking out 23 verse only 5 walks for the month.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Suffer Loss of Second Basemen Hai-Liang Choe - June 2030 (30/3)
By: Stephanie Dole
June 30, 2030 at 11:59 PM CST

The bad news was felt around the Gnats Nation on June 4th when it was announced that the lovable second baseman, Hai-Liang Choe sustained a torn calf muscle while running the bases after hitting a double in the bottom of the 4th inning against Fargo. He will be out approximately 4 months and only available to return the last week of the season potentially. At the time of his injury Choe was batting .277/.293/.406 but will be sorely missed for his defensive abilities. The 28 year old Wynn Berry will place second base for the rest of the season. He was able to have an impressive May by batting: .293/.370/.366 with 13 stolen bases and caught only once.

During the month of June the Gnats increased its division lead in the Great Lakes to 5.5 games while posting a record of 17-11 for the month. The Gnats were able to increase its lead because of a 5-1 showing against Fargo. However, the teams was not able to continue a strong showing against potential playoff bound teams by being swept in a 3 game series by Shin Seiki.

Clarence Carpenter "cooled" off with batting stats of .300/.364/.427/.791 and 19 steals. Gabe Moran launched 8 home runs for the month and Tony Parker some how was able to run all the way around to 3rd base with 2 triples. Center Fielder, Freddy Hernandez made his PEBA debut on June 14th batting .277/.333/.468/.801 for the rest of the month. He hit his first major league home run on June 22nd against Neo-Tokyo with a 3-run shot in the bottom of the eighth. He went 2 for 4 for the game, including the 1 home run and 1 double.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Jim 'Nitro' MacCowan Goes Out For 10 weeks with Forearm Inflammation - July 2030 (30/4)
By: Stephanie Dole
July 31, 2030 at 11:55 PM CST

If the news regarding Choe was not bad enough last month, Gnats fans were devastated to learn that Jim 'Nitro' MacCowan sustained forearm inflammation that will keep him out for 10 weeks. Nitro was having a career season when the injury was announced when he departed early from the July 5th game against Palm Springs. At the time of the injury Nitro was 10-1 while posting stats of 1.63 ERA, 101 Ks and only 13 BBs and allowing an OAVG of .237. The organization is hopeful for a mid-September return to the rotation.

Despite this terrible injury to the anchor of the Gnats rotation, the team was able rocket ahead with a 16.5 game lead over Fargo in the Great Lakes Division with a 21-5 record for the month. Leading the way was rookie center fielder, Freddy Hernandez who batted .389/.415/.544/.959 for the month, while still bringing defensive prowess to the center field. Clarence Carpenter was finally snagged with only 10 steals and was caught 7 times, but it still on pace for 100 plus steals again this season. Dean McNeal was 5-0 in 6 starts with 36 strikeouts and only 3 walks. Tony Cuellar was 5-1 in 6 starts with a 1.66 ERA and .201 OAVG.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Lay Flat During August (30/5)
By: Stephanie Dole
August 30, 2030 at 11:55 PM CST

The Gnats pulled through August with injuries catching up to them for the month of August. The bats would continue to crack, but pitching performances would start to decline for the month. Team pitching stats skyrocketed to a team ERA of 3.98. Spot starter lefty, Jon Browning filling in for Nitro would get completely demolished for the month going 0-4 in 5 starts for the month with an ERA of 8.75.

The Gnats maintained a division lead of 14.5 games over Fargo at the end of the month despite a record of 14-14. They were able to split 6 games with Aurora and go 1-0 verse Shin Seiki for the month. The resurgent Duluth Warriors took 4 out of 7 games from the Gnats and the team ended up splitting 4 games with a surge from the power hitting Reno squad.

Clarence Carpenter rebounded with 17 steals for the month and batted .315/.333/.432. Gabe Moran hit 7 more home runs. Freddy Hernandez disappointed after being promoted to lead-off hitter with terrible stats of .195/.209/.333/.542. Veteran 3B Michael Lee joined the team but disappointed in his debut.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Clinch Second Straight Great Lakes Division Title - September 2030 (30/6)
By: Stephanie Dole
September 30, 2030 at 11:59 PM CST

The Gnats would rebound from a 7 game losing streak inclusive of sweeps by Fargo and Toyoma in the beginning of September to finish the month posting a 15-12 record. The Gnats capped off a strong finish with a two game sweep over Palm Springs inside of a 6 game winning streak and ended the season with 4 straight wins to win its second straight Great Lakes Division title. The Gnats also secured the number on seed in the SL playoffs and first round bye with a final record of 105-5 edging out Shin Seiki with 103 wins.

Hai-liang Choe returned from injury for the final 7 games of the season and impressively batted .296/.321/.481/.803. Clarence Carpenter stole 12 more bases for the month to lead all of PEBA with 100 steals for the season - only second best to his all-time PEBA record of 114 steals. The 100 mark places him now at 1st and 3rd in season steals. His career number is now 591 which leads all PEBA career numbers. Luis Cedeno is second all time and still active with 525 steals.

Jim MacCowan also returned from injury and posted 4 strong outings and Joe Arnold increased his Wunderkind stock finishing the season with a 1.78 ERA in September with an OAVG of .164.

The Gnats will face the winner of the Wild Card match up between Bakersfield and the team that has had their number all season Aurora.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Extend Contracts and Avoid Arbitration with Four Players (30/7)
By: Stephanie Dole
October 17, 2030 at 09:30 AM CST

The Gnats announced recent extensions today in a post-playoff press conference.

3B Ed Brown to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $6,651,000. Brown will be a free agent next season. His career batting stats are: .252/.307/.362/.669 and a career +20.2 ZR at 3rd base.

RP Joshua Hall to a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $14,550,000. The former Gnat closer has maintained a presence in the bullpen as a leader in the club house. His extension includes a team option for the 3rd year. Josh lowered his stats across the board with notably WHIP 1.15 , BABIP .215 and FIP 3.35. His K/9 went back up to 8.3 after falling for 3 consecutive seasons.

RP Nolan Kuhn to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $960,000. The 38 year old will enter his 15th PEBA season in 2031. He will continue to be a left-handed specialist in the bullpen. At 38 years old he is still throwing his fast ball at 96-98 MPH posting a K/9 of 10.0 this season. His veteran presence shows great leadership and he gets along with everyone.

SP Jon Browning to a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $8,820,000. Spot starter and long reliever will stay with the Gnats for 2 more seasons with a team option for the 3rd year. His K/9 went back up to 10.0 this season and he will remain the long reliever/lefty specialist in the bull pen. Here is hoping he does not need to start as much as he did last season.

GM RJ Ermola and Manager Joe Matterson quickly exited after the announcement and refused to take questions regarding the Aurora playoff series. Joe Matterson closed out the press conference by quoting his childhood idol Tommy Lasorda, " 'There are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens.' We plan on making it happen next season for the best fans in PEBA."

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Extend Contracts and Avoid Arbitration with Four Players (30/8)
By: Stephanie Dole
October 23, 2030 at 09:30 PM CST

With the off-season unfortunately in full swing for the Gnats earlier than we would like; GM RJ Ermola met with the press today to announce another round of contact extensions to avoid arbitration with a core unit of players. Still reeling from the divisional loss against Aurora, he read from a script and then walked out avoiding any questions from the press. As he exited the room, he could be heard muddling under his breath, "shutup Howard," in response to (@HowardHeskin1) yelling at a question about current negotiations with Catcher Tony Parker, who is entering his last year of team control.

LF Gabe Moran agreed to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $8,978,000 to avoid arbitration. Moran who will be free agent eligible next season has contributed with stellar offensive production since joining the Gnats mid-season in 2029. With 632 at bats this season, Moran batted with an average of .311; on base percentage of .320 and chipped in with 32 home runs, besting his mark of 31 last season. At 28 years of age he has been solid at left field with a +3.6ZR and a .976 fielding percentage.

2B Gareth Bugler agreed to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $625,000 to avoid arbitration. The defensive specialist and utility option is able to play all infield positions and added center-field back up to his abilities last season. The 25-year old Bugler is known as the young leader and popular in the club house; the glue that holds the bench together.

2B Wynn Berry agreed to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $3,620,000 to avoid arbitration. Berry who filled in for the half the season on behalf of 2B Choe, was stellar as a particular left handed pitching specialist while batting with an over all OPS plus of 106; slightly above league average. Berry was able to successfully play 3rd base upon Choe's return from injury and put up better numbers verse right handed pitching than 3B Ed Brown.

C Allen Wells agreed to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $903,000 to avoid arbitration. Wells has continued his steady presence on C Tony Parker's off days with particular strength pinch hitting verses left handed pitching. His presence over the last 2.5 seasons after being acquired from West Virginia has helped the Gnats win percentage verses left handed pitching significantly during that period.

RP Kyle Weaver agreed to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $1,650,000 to avoid arbitration. Setup-man Weaver, who was stellar during the Aurora series has proven himself to be an invaluable member of the bullpen since signing a minor league deal in 2027; where he quickly developed after earning a September call up that same season.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Avoid Arbitration With Catcher Tony Parker (30/9)
By: Stephanie Dole
October 26, 2030 at 09:40 PM CST

Gnats fans around the world were ecstatic when they learned today that star Catcher Tony Parker signed a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $15,533,000 to avoid arbitration. Parker will be free agent eligible at the end of 2031. Although a staple in the Gnats organization and key power hitter, Parker's numbers last season were his lowest since 2025. Home runs were down to 25 from 42 last season and OPS down to .807 from a career high of .896 in 2028. Known for his hard work ethic and moving into a free agency year, Gnats are hopeful for a rebound back into elite from Parker.

Also, announced today was that RP Luis Puente agreed to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $1,500,000. Puente pitched 9.1K/9 last season over 91 innings pitched.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Complete Signings of All Arbitration Eligible Players Before End of PEC (30/10)
By: Stephanie Dole
October 29, 2030 at 09:40 PM CST

The Gnats today announced the final extensions of players on the 40 man roster from 2030 who were arbitration eligible today. 1B António Vega was signed to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $3,150,000 and LF/CF Bob Blanchard to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $975,000.

Vega last season batted .237/.290/.496 with 30 home runs. Vega only hit only 7 less home runs than last season despite 211 few plate appearances. "Vega puts in long hours, has a good head on his shoulders and is well-respected by his teammates," per Manager Joe Matterson.

Blanchard on the other hand did not have a successful start to 2030 and was sent down to AAA where he redeemed himself batting .298/.359/.526 in 49 games at AAA Evansville. Blanchard will be invited to Spring Training this season where he will compete for an active roster spot against fellow Evansville teammate OF River McCausland.

The Gnats are certain to extend SP JIm MacCowan to a $15M team option extension and SP Tony Cuellar to a $6.5M team option extension. The only question mark left for next season's roster will be if 1B Carlos Sáenz will exercise his $1.1M player option. Most analysts agree that after two successful rebound seasons in a row Sáenz is likely to opt out and test free agency at 35 years of age.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Announce Promotion of Pepe Espinosa to Bench Coach (30/11)
By: Stephanie Dole
November 16, 2030 at 09:03 PM CST

GM RJ Ermola announced today that SA Mauna Loa Vulcans minor league manager Pepe Espinosa would be promoted to Bench Coach for the Sandgnats effective for the 2031 season. Pepe joined the Gnats organization at Mauna Loa in 2029 - earning accolades within the organization for his development talent. "We aren't really looking at the team record at that level, but rather individual development and personal relationships," stated Ermola. "Pepe has quickly earned the respect of our major league staff and in particular from Manager Joe Matterson, who personally requested he be brought up the major league club." Current Bench Coach Dan Stevens will be sent to manage AAA Evansville where he was successful in developing the players at that level. "This is not a knock on the job that Dan Stevens did for us, but rather placing individual talent at the right spots," expressed Ermola.

In his professional career Pepe Espinosa was a 3 time all-star, 2015 All-Leather winner at Catcher, and 2022 IL Plantium Stick award winner. He batted .253 with 305 home runs during his 14 year PEBA career. Pepe indicated in the conference today that he is looking forward to working with an excellent base-running major league team and to see what he can do to help them improve even further. He also was excited to work with his name sake, hitting coach Pepe Lorenzo.

[Lions]

Is Pepe going to teach Tony Parker how to play some defense?

[Sandgnats]

Is Pepe going to teach Tony Parker how to play some defense?

I think Tony is beyond help...

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Announce Trade for 3B Francisco Murillo and SS Barry Wallace (31/1)
By: Stephanie Dole
July 14, 2031 at 09:03 PM CST

The Gnats currently floundering with horrific fielding and pitching numbers made waves today with a trade sending 27-year-old second baseman Álex Flores, 23-year-old catcher Gustavo Cabrera, 24-year-old center fielder Freddy Hernández, a 1st Round Pick, a 2nd Round Pick and a 3rd Round Pick to the London Underground, getting 31-year-old third baseman Francisco Murillo and 28-year-old shortstop Barry Wallace in return.

This trade is the effective end of Hikaru Arai's reign at Shortstop. 35 year old Arai has struggled with his range this season resulting in a ZR -6.4 which has resulting in Crystal Lake sustaining some of the worst fielding ratings in the SL. Wallace is well known for his defensive prowess with career fielding numbers of +28 ZR and 1.0066 efficiency. He bats with a career .273 average. This move solidifies the defense and will help the pitchers increase those ground out numbers. This likely means Arai will be released to free agency this off-season. Arai moves now to a backup roll for the rest of the season.

Also notable is the acquisition of third baseman Francisco Murillo. The left handed batter will share time platooning verse RHP with Ed Brown who will start verse LHP. Murillo is also a solid defensive improvement over Brown.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats Sign 3B Ed Brown to 4-year Extension (31/2)
By: Stephanie Dole
July 14, 2031 at 09:03 PM CST

The Gnats announced today that they have come to terms with 3B Ed Brown with a 4-year contract extension keeping him under team control until 2035 with a team option for 2035. The contract is an affordable $6.651M per year.

Ed was drafted in the 2022 first-year player draft (Round 1, Pick 26, 26th overall pick) by the San Antonio Calzones of Laredo. He came to Crystal Lake via trade in exchange for 2B John Shoemaker in 2024 and has been a steady starter at 3B ever since.

Ed has been known for his strong performances verse left handed pitching and above average defense abilities. The question-mark remaining will be how he will share time with Francisco Murrillo who is still under contract next season for $5M.

[Sandgnats]

This Team Bites: Blog of the Crystal Lake Sandgnats

Gnats avoid Arbitration with Multiple Players (31/3)
By: Stephanie Dole
November 26, 2031 at 09:50 PM CST

Today the Gnats announced it has reached extensions with multiple players to avoid arbitration.

Signed 2B Gareth Bugler to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $1,150,000.
The defensive specialist and utility player finally gets his payday and will return for the 2032 season.

Signed 2B Wynn Berry to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $5,250,000.
The second baseman returns for 2032 with a ZR rating of negative five after posting plus five the season previously.

Signed 1B António Vega to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $7,500,000.
With power bat Tony Parker rumored to be entering free agency, Vega returns after 4 years in a row with over 30 home runs each season.

Signed SP Fred Womack to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $7,130,000.
The rumored departure of SP Tony Cullear makes Womack's return more critical.

Signed CL Kyle Weaver to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $2,300,000.
Retirements of key players make Weaver's extension necessary, but great at this price.

Signed RP Carlos Morales to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $650,000.
Will the power releaver make the active roster this season?

Still outstanding and questionable is if the Gnats will come to terms with catcher Allen Wells. Wells spent last season in AAA while Rule 5 pick Larry Lambright was backup catcher for 2031. Will Wells win his job back in 2031?