STUD SP DRAFT PICK HOLDOUTS

There are two teams that haven't had a whole lot to be excited about lately: the Jackson Rebels and the Montgomery DeepSouths. Both teams are third and fourth in their respective divisions. However, if you're a fan of either one of these teams, there's a reason for hope.

In an unusually deep draft for SPs, both these clubs were gift-wrapped SP studs.. Hideki Shin and Anderson Moss. They both are holding out, but for different reasons. Shin has scholarships from several D-I colleges, and has said from the very beginning that he could very well lean that way. Moss, on the other hand, wants the cash.. plain and simple. Jackson had the leverage in the negotiations, that is until the Montreal Olympians signed the #1 overall pick Bruce Payton to a $6.4M bonus. Now, Moss wants more.

These two negotiations are very important for these franchises, as getting a legit SP into their farm system will not only make them better in the long run, but it would send a message to the fan base that they are trying to compete. We wish both of these teams luck, and we hope to see both Shin and Moss in the minors this season.

SOURCES: HI PRIEST ON THE MOVE

WHERE IS PRIEST HEADED?

Monterrey, Mexico

Season eight of Shoeless Joe hasn't been exactly what the Monterrey franchise has been expecting. A down year has fans restless, and the franchise higher-ups anxious to do anything to reverse their poor luck. They want to shake things up, and if the reports are true, that's exactly what they're going to do.

Sources are saying that Monterrey SP Hi Priest is on the verge of being dealt. The sources won't divulge just who the other team is, but we have the top three receipients of Hi Priest's services:


This move makes the most sense, as the defending champs would do just about anything to stay on top. Securing the services of Hi Priest would only cement their spot in the playoffs, and beyond.

We're hearing rumblings that Milwaukee could be primed to make a major move. The Naturals have the slimmest of leads in the AL North, and getting Hi Priest into their rotation will definitely separate themselves from Cincinnati and the rest of the pack.

Vancouver had started this season on fire, earning a sizeable lead in the AL West. However, they now find themselves looking up at Salem once again. It's definitely not too late, and getting Hi Priest into a Vancouver uniform would certainly help things out for the VooDoo.


Of course, this is pure speculation.. but these teams are the best bet to land Hi Priest. Which ever of these teams that has the right prospects to deal Monterrey will land themselves one heck of a pitcher.

STUD WANTED IN ST. LOUIS!

St. Louis, MO

Sources have confirmed to the SJW Blog that the St. Louis Soul is actively seeing a 2B or CF to add to their ML club. And we aren't talking just any 2B/CF here... they're looking for a STUD. Guys, this is a legit offer here. The Soul are willing to give up 2 legit prospects OR 2 veteran SPs, plus possibly another hitter depending on the right deal. An unnamed source had this to say...

"We're sorta in a desperate situation here. We are in the bottom 5 in offense, and we could sure use the boost. We'll make the right deal on the right player, and that's the bottom line..."

If any of you are interested in making a deal with St. Louis, send Rcktchamp a TC or sitemail.

HOF-WORTHY STUD IN AMATEUR DRAFT?

We don't know much about this player, except for the fact that his name is "Shin". Word on the street is that he's got HOF-worthy stuff, which is a rarity in this world. They're already saying he's better than Bobby Reese, and he's arguably Shoeless Joe's best pitcher ever drafted. In less than a week, we all will find out just who gets this mystery player...

S8 BASEBALL CARDS UNVEILED!

HECTOR RODRIGUEZ CATCHES TREVINO!

RODRIGUEZ: 33 GAMES AND COUNTING

It's 6/17, and we're at the PM Cycle. Kansas City defeats Rochester 5-2, I know.. no big deal. Hector Rodriguez goes 2-4, again not a big deal.. However, this IS a big deal. A 4th inning line-drive single by Rodriguez puts him into the SJ record books, officially tying Luis Trevino's Hitting Streak record set last season. Tonight, we'll find out if he either takes the record all for himself, or continue to share with Mr. Trevino.

THE CHASE FOR TREVINO

TREVINO: 33 GAME HIT STREAK

Santa Fe's Luis Trevino currently holds the SJ record for longest hit streak at 33 games. He set the record last season, and everybody felt he had a decent chance of keeping the record for a while. We could be wrong...

RODRIGUEZ: 26 GAMES AND COUNTING

Enter Rochester's Hector Rodriguez, who currently has a 26 game hitting streak. Rodriguez has the talent to break this record, and then some. However, Rochester travels to Santa Cruz to start a 3-game series. Santa Cruz currently has some of the NL's most promising young arms. If Rodriguez can get through this series with the hit streak intact, then he's a legit threat to break Trevino's record.

HE'S AT IT AGAIN!!!!

NICHOLAS LANIER

The Shoeless Joe World hasn't been around that long, but we have a good idea of some players who we think will eventually end up in the SJ HOF.. and this man is definitely one of them. Nicholas Lanier has gone on a tear to begin S8. Here are his stats so far:

.462 BA, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 14 RUNS

Unbelievable numbers after only 10 games. What are his season pace numbers? Try 112 HR, 240 RBI, and 224 runs scored. Now obviously, he won't keep that pace up.. but the talent this man possesses is simply unreal. Expect the Player Of The Week award to come his way, and if he stays this course.. the NL MVP award.

S8 ROOKIE HIGHLIGHTS

BRANT JACKSON, CIN

Brant Jackson is absolutely tearing it up so far for Cincinnati, contributing 2 3-hit games and slamming home 3 HR. He also has scored 4 runs and knocked in 8 RBI in 4 total games.

BOBBY REESE, SJ

The No. 1 pick from two seasons ago finally had his long awaited debut. Bobby Reese pitched 5 scoreless innings and striking out 8 against the always-tough Philadelphia squad. Philadelphia went on to win the game 7-6.

VIC RIOS, LA

Another first rounder from a couple seasons back, Vic Rios has begun the season at a decent pace. He showed the league that he can be just as effective in the clutch, as he smacked home a solo HR in the 22nd inning to give the LA squad a 2-1 win over San Diego.

GUS KEAGLE, SAL

Another highly anticipated debut came in Salem, where Gus Keagle started against Oklahoma City. Keagle pitched 7 strong innings, giving up only 3 ER as the Lights defeated Oklahoma City 5-3.

S8 PREDICTIONS!

AL MVP: Geronimo Elcano, SAL

NL MVP: Nicholas Lanier, ARI

AL CY YOUNG: Hi Priest, MTY

NL CY YOUNG: Terrell McCartin, PHI

AL ROY: Mark Martin, LAS

NL ROY: Bobby Reese, SJ



AL NORTH: Syracuse Iriquois

AL SOUTH: Monterrey Ping The Rookies

AL EAST: Pawtucket Bombers

AL WEST: Salem Lights

WC: New York Nippers

WC: Vancouver VooDoo



NL NORTH: Rochester Mountain Dwellers

NL SOUTH: Little Rock Lightning

NL EAST: Philadelphia Cheese Steaks

NL WEST: San Diego Padres

WC: Kansas City Pine Tar

WC: St. Louis Soul



AL CHAMP: Monterrey Ping The Rookies


NL CHAMP: Philadelphia Cheese Steaks


WS CHAMP: Philadelphia Cheese Steaks

S8 OWNER PREDICTIONS

104 WINS

96 WINS

94 WINS

93 WINS

92 WINS

91 WINS

90 WINS

86 WINS

85 WINS

84 WINS

83 WINS

82 WINS

81 WINS

80 WINS

76 WINS

73 WINS

71 WINS

70 WINS

63 WINS

55 WINS