Los Angeles, CA - The Republic have announced the re-signing of Ken Forryan.
Forryan had a fantastic year this year, and will be finishing up the remainder of his 4YR 8M contract he signed just near 5 years ago.
Forryan has agreed to tack just a single year onto the end of his contract at the sum of 8M.
" I'm excited, " Forryan would go onto say " In So Cal, you have to play to get paid. I'll be the second highest paid player behind Mike (Bergeron) so I can't complain. It's a great day at the Forryan house hold. "
Some around the league are wondering why So Cal, and Forryan for that matter would re-up on a one year deal that would simply leave Forryan a few days from his 30th name day.
Forryan last year hit 287/349/591 with 37SB 24DBL 4TRPL 49HR 135RBI while posting crazy defense in centerfield at +16.5ZNR.
Last year was the first year Forryan even lived up to some of the hype that him taken 3rd by South Carolina many many moons ago. He has been pretty bad at points, but his contract being so cheap it's been more than doable.
The secret in this entire deal for the Republic is their financial situation. The team is currently sitting at one of the lowest payrolls in the league by far, and has one of the higher budgets. The Republic currently have maxed scouting, player development, cash and could simply cut Forryan at the end of the year, pay the 8M and be done with it.
" We could wait, " GM Brouillette would go onto say after being asked how come they didn't just wait to extend Forryan after the year " But if Ken has another huge year, well, he'd be in line for a huge raise... Which is fine, it's what we want. But 8M however you slice it, he's earned. He's been underpaid for quite a while. "
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Triad rising?
Los Angeles, CA - With the 117th Pick, in the 5th Rd of the 2015 Adult Baseball League draft - the So Cal Republic select 2B Lou Ramsey, Louisiana State University.
College Stats:
Minors Stats:
When Ramsey fell to the Republic in the 5th Round, the Republic looked through their paperwork frantically to see if someone was missed on Ramsey. Did he fail a drug test? Did he have family issues? Off-field issues? Was he too small? Too slow?
Sure, he wasn't a leader and his glove at 2B would be nothing special (if even a little below average) but he projected off the charts offensively and would he able to transition into a above average third basemen, at the very least a great first baseman (defensively).
The Republic went ahead and grabbed Ramsey and put him into the deep So Cal system, whose player developmental system who've churned out late round picks like it's cotton candy the last few years and the jet setter (48, and 58 steals his first two season's in the minors) and waited.
Ramsey blitzed through the minors at an insane rate going from college to the pro's in two years, breaking So Cal minor league records during his time in his minors. The Republic was sold on developing his glove at 2B (even though it's not elite) to utilize his depth, but when the team released former first baseman Rich 'Sooo' Sweet, and waived Mark Smith (Hunt also underperformed) the team through Ramsey into spring (a week late) with the intention on starting him every game at first.
Rasmsey didn't let them down, as he lit spring on fire and won the job outright out of spring.
Ramsey so far this season:
Aside from his K's (which are awful, but projects to be average at worse) Ramsey has played first base and played it well so far in the early parts of the season with his first base rating continuing to develop.
Only time will tell if Ramsey can be a starter for years or is one of those here today, gone tomorrow players - but so far, being a fifth round pick... So Cal surely feels like we've gotten our money's worth already!
College Stats:
Minors Stats:
When Ramsey fell to the Republic in the 5th Round, the Republic looked through their paperwork frantically to see if someone was missed on Ramsey. Did he fail a drug test? Did he have family issues? Off-field issues? Was he too small? Too slow?
Sure, he wasn't a leader and his glove at 2B would be nothing special (if even a little below average) but he projected off the charts offensively and would he able to transition into a above average third basemen, at the very least a great first baseman (defensively).
The Republic went ahead and grabbed Ramsey and put him into the deep So Cal system, whose player developmental system who've churned out late round picks like it's cotton candy the last few years and the jet setter (48, and 58 steals his first two season's in the minors) and waited.
Ramsey blitzed through the minors at an insane rate going from college to the pro's in two years, breaking So Cal minor league records during his time in his minors. The Republic was sold on developing his glove at 2B (even though it's not elite) to utilize his depth, but when the team released former first baseman Rich 'Sooo' Sweet, and waived Mark Smith (Hunt also underperformed) the team through Ramsey into spring (a week late) with the intention on starting him every game at first.
Rasmsey didn't let them down, as he lit spring on fire and won the job outright out of spring.
Ramsey so far this season:
Aside from his K's (which are awful, but projects to be average at worse) Ramsey has played first base and played it well so far in the early parts of the season with his first base rating continuing to develop.
Only time will tell if Ramsey can be a starter for years or is one of those here today, gone tomorrow players - but so far, being a fifth round pick... So Cal surely feels like we've gotten our money's worth already!
Thursday, February 27, 2014
200/200?
Los Angeles, CA - The Republic are out of the gates and running, and flexing their power for that matter and while many expected the franchise to be a good team this year - not even they could have expected this!
Last year the team made a lofty prediction of stealing 200 bases and hitting 200 homers. Through 20 games, the team has 32homers and 30steals already and appear to be lining up to take another shot at one of the more unique records in the history of the league.
Last year the franchise shattered the ABL record with 170 Steals and 234 Homers in the same season. The team likes to run, so much so they ran themselves out of many games this year but with the jet-setters the franchise has on the bases it always keeps the opposing team on edge so it's a risk and strategy we've went with (though ,I've never done it in any other league).
The fact that the team somehow leads in every category offensively is laughable, as the franchise has been known for it's arms (or have tried to have been known for this) so it should be only a matter of time before the runs come down. We'll enjoy it while it lasts though.
The team takes it show on the road with the next set of series versus divisional rival Carolina, and the upstart Jacks.
Good luck to both, this season is turning out to be an odd one at the start!
Last year the team made a lofty prediction of stealing 200 bases and hitting 200 homers. Through 20 games, the team has 32homers and 30steals already and appear to be lining up to take another shot at one of the more unique records in the history of the league.
Last year the franchise shattered the ABL record with 170 Steals and 234 Homers in the same season. The team likes to run, so much so they ran themselves out of many games this year but with the jet-setters the franchise has on the bases it always keeps the opposing team on edge so it's a risk and strategy we've went with (though ,I've never done it in any other league).
The fact that the team somehow leads in every category offensively is laughable, as the franchise has been known for it's arms (or have tried to have been known for this) so it should be only a matter of time before the runs come down. We'll enjoy it while it lasts though.
The team takes it show on the road with the next set of series versus divisional rival Carolina, and the upstart Jacks.
Good luck to both, this season is turning out to be an odd one at the start!
Sunday, January 26, 2014
How the Republic was built...
Los Angeles, CA - The So Cal Republic are have won the RCL Bobby Cox division for a third straight season after not making the playoffs for the first three with win totals of (34, 75 and 74). It's been discussed previously about the first year of the Republic selling off their massively overpaid innagurual draft talent prospects which caused them to be so bad but allowed them to play the kids.
Yes, the team got the first pick (Nottinghamshire had the #2 overall pick and had 52 wins). The Republic cleared years of Bauer, McGee and Luce and cleared over 100M in payroll over four years and set the franchise on the path they wanted to take in the ABL. The team developed tons of players who otherwise would have had no chance to develop given their so-so ratings.
But the Republic targeted players who did one thing great, even if the rest of their ability was so-so. The team grabbed the jet fast defenders, and batters who liked to get 'gappy' with it with a great eye. Going from first to second and scoring on singles from second, or on tons of hit-and-runs from first when the ball was hit into the gap.
A few weeks ago we broke down in an email thread the crazy success the team has had during the draft before the season ABL ever played a meaningful game. And the trend has continued, and been the back-bone for the Republic during the first six years of the league.
2012
1st - SP Cohen Brouillette, ABL, legit ace and last year's cy young winner. 5/5
2nd - Charlie Sutton, ABL/AAA, should be in ABL but the OF is packed. Will be a corner starter next year. 3/3
6th - C Dominque LePage, ABL, listed as #1 catcher in OSA (119G 21DBL 3TRPL 19HR 67RBI 72BB 39K 275/382/464 in his first full season starting) 4/4
2013
1st - SP Lincoln Brouillette, ABL, budding ace going forward - a year long injury set him back some but didn't take a hit in ratings and looks great going forward. 3.5/5
2nd - MR Dan Bowman, ABL, dominate bullpen arm for the Republic.. reached for another elite pen arm when otherwise could have went with a top shelf bat. Bowman was 2.5/5 and is now maxed.
This coupled with the recentee draftees (SP's Nakashima, SP Beard, SP Sato, SP Cannon, 3B Carder, 2B Ramsey, 1B Hunt, coupled with IFA' Menace Lopez and Odyssesus North) and the future looks good. So Cal has tons of youth already and this is only going to help going forward.
The team found North sitting in free agency, along with ABL/AAA catcher (and So Cal's only 19 contact, vs Nottinghamshires' 23 man 19+ contact roster) and also Ron Hutchins, who left via FA to Boston (where he signed a 3yr 56.M deal, which was too rich for our blood) was a huge deal as well. Hutchins stepped in from day one, starter, and put up gaudy numbers in three seasons where he hit 60hrs, 252 rbis - while walking 199x and striking out 305. He also put up a split of .297/.384/.499
So, as braggish as this sounds - the Republic have either done a great job at scouting/drafting or they've gotten very lucky since 2013. Again, it is of my opinion that having been allowed to play my kids early in the bigs and let them develop that they developed further than I think they otherwise may have.
The budget has also been great for us. We have a 60-70M payroll with a 136M budget. That means a full 22.5M is being poured into scouting and 25M into player development. It is also our opinion that this has helped the Republic max out all their draftees and allow them to compete versus the other great teams in the ABL. We have no coaches in the minors, as of ever - and don't believe in them... so we are saving a ton of money this way as well.
Obviously, it hasn't effected the development of my players - so I'm not sure. Just a quick plug, the team has won championships through-out the minors as well installing a winning atmosphere from the bottom up. (AAA=3 titles, and could have been 4 in a row if we didn't lose last year -- AA=2 titles, A=0 titles but a real shot again to actually win the entire thing this year).
Having a such a strong divisional rival in Seattle to aspire to catch and be as good as has really helped our develop our drive for greatness as well... never wanting to finish runner-up to them. So we thank Martin and Seattle for that.
All in all, this was another great season and while I'm not as much stat-minded as some of you, the Republic enjoyed the season and ready for OCTOBER! BRING ON WHOEVER!
Yes, the team got the first pick (Nottinghamshire had the #2 overall pick and had 52 wins). The Republic cleared years of Bauer, McGee and Luce and cleared over 100M in payroll over four years and set the franchise on the path they wanted to take in the ABL. The team developed tons of players who otherwise would have had no chance to develop given their so-so ratings.
But the Republic targeted players who did one thing great, even if the rest of their ability was so-so. The team grabbed the jet fast defenders, and batters who liked to get 'gappy' with it with a great eye. Going from first to second and scoring on singles from second, or on tons of hit-and-runs from first when the ball was hit into the gap.
A few weeks ago we broke down in an email thread the crazy success the team has had during the draft before the season ABL ever played a meaningful game. And the trend has continued, and been the back-bone for the Republic during the first six years of the league.
2012
1st - SP Cohen Brouillette, ABL, legit ace and last year's cy young winner. 5/5
2nd - Charlie Sutton, ABL/AAA, should be in ABL but the OF is packed. Will be a corner starter next year. 3/3
6th - C Dominque LePage, ABL, listed as #1 catcher in OSA (119G 21DBL 3TRPL 19HR 67RBI 72BB 39K 275/382/464 in his first full season starting) 4/4
2013
1st - SP Lincoln Brouillette, ABL, budding ace going forward - a year long injury set him back some but didn't take a hit in ratings and looks great going forward. 3.5/5
2nd - MR Dan Bowman, ABL, dominate bullpen arm for the Republic.. reached for another elite pen arm when otherwise could have went with a top shelf bat. Bowman was 2.5/5 and is now maxed.
This coupled with the recentee draftees (SP's Nakashima, SP Beard, SP Sato, SP Cannon, 3B Carder, 2B Ramsey, 1B Hunt, coupled with IFA' Menace Lopez and Odyssesus North) and the future looks good. So Cal has tons of youth already and this is only going to help going forward.
The team found North sitting in free agency, along with ABL/AAA catcher (and So Cal's only 19 contact, vs Nottinghamshires' 23 man 19+ contact roster) and also Ron Hutchins, who left via FA to Boston (where he signed a 3yr 56.M deal, which was too rich for our blood) was a huge deal as well. Hutchins stepped in from day one, starter, and put up gaudy numbers in three seasons where he hit 60hrs, 252 rbis - while walking 199x and striking out 305. He also put up a split of .297/.384/.499
So, as braggish as this sounds - the Republic have either done a great job at scouting/drafting or they've gotten very lucky since 2013. Again, it is of my opinion that having been allowed to play my kids early in the bigs and let them develop that they developed further than I think they otherwise may have.
The budget has also been great for us. We have a 60-70M payroll with a 136M budget. That means a full 22.5M is being poured into scouting and 25M into player development. It is also our opinion that this has helped the Republic max out all their draftees and allow them to compete versus the other great teams in the ABL. We have no coaches in the minors, as of ever - and don't believe in them... so we are saving a ton of money this way as well.
Obviously, it hasn't effected the development of my players - so I'm not sure. Just a quick plug, the team has won championships through-out the minors as well installing a winning atmosphere from the bottom up. (AAA=3 titles, and could have been 4 in a row if we didn't lose last year -- AA=2 titles, A=0 titles but a real shot again to actually win the entire thing this year).
Having a such a strong divisional rival in Seattle to aspire to catch and be as good as has really helped our develop our drive for greatness as well... never wanting to finish runner-up to them. So we thank Martin and Seattle for that.
All in all, this was another great season and while I'm not as much stat-minded as some of you, the Republic enjoyed the season and ready for OCTOBER! BRING ON WHOEVER!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
So Cal resigns 20% of it's team...
Los Angeles, CA - The Republic made three moves this off-season including the huge risk-huge reward deal with Sota' that saw the team ship Evan Warner and the team got back 'Cooter' Brooks and another potential ace in Jose 'I'm not from BSA' Ramos.
The team also dealt SP/MR De La Cruz for a roll of the dice on Jeremy Ladner, and also moved Jesse Hawkins for a three pitch middle reliever via South Carolina, Martinez.
After all that, the team currently sits as such:
40M Payroll for 2015
20M Dev Budget for 2015
Max Scouting for 2015
So the team needs to send some money, and what a better way than paying it's own.
The team has offered the following contracts:
CL Jack 'End Game' English, 27yrs, 6yrs 19M. - The teams CLOSER will remain that way for the forseeable future and probably ends up retiring in So Cal. The team went out on a limb to sign the guy with it's 7th rd pick initial draft. 92 saves in 3 years, 132 including AAA in 2012.
SU Joe 'Puff n' Huff, 23yrs, 4yrs 8M - One of the leagues premiere set-up man Huff provides the Republic with a Top-3 8th and 9th inning duo in the ABL. Huff is just 23, and before joining his buddy English on the Republic, saved 44 in 2012 and 26 in AAA (part time work) before meeting him full time on the big league squad in 2013.
CF Bob 'Bust' Osborn, 27yrs, 4yrs 10M - The 7th overall pick (in Rd1) in the initial ABL draft, Osborn was labeled as an bust. He rated out initially on Frendchise levels, but after the first re-scout he was listed as a bust. Still, Osborn rates out at 13/15/13/12/11 and plays every single outfield position super elite posting 8ish+ZNRs at multiple positions since being up. Stole 29 bases in 93 games last year, and Osborn can absolutely fly.
and the most important piece to the puzzle...
LF Alfredo 'Batman' Yanez, 28, 4yrs 37M (21M guarenteed... 11M 10M 8Mto 8Mto) - The teams second round pick in the initial ABL draft, Yanez holds every team record and is Top 10 in just about every single ABL category that matters. The info on Yanez is as follows: 157GMS a season, 128dbls 8trpls 129hrs 445rbis 393runs 251bb 436k with a career slash of 323/390/549. Basically, a stud. He's no Frendchise or Becker, but then again - they are super-human!
The team will talk to a few other guys, and has offered MR Grumbles Turner (4yrs 4.4M overall) but for now, this is the set of ext's offered.
A decent chunk of chain, at a price we can live with.
The team also dealt SP/MR De La Cruz for a roll of the dice on Jeremy Ladner, and also moved Jesse Hawkins for a three pitch middle reliever via South Carolina, Martinez.
After all that, the team currently sits as such:
40M Payroll for 2015
20M Dev Budget for 2015
Max Scouting for 2015
So the team needs to send some money, and what a better way than paying it's own.
The team has offered the following contracts:
CL Jack 'End Game' English, 27yrs, 6yrs 19M. - The teams CLOSER will remain that way for the forseeable future and probably ends up retiring in So Cal. The team went out on a limb to sign the guy with it's 7th rd pick initial draft. 92 saves in 3 years, 132 including AAA in 2012.
SU Joe 'Puff n' Huff, 23yrs, 4yrs 8M - One of the leagues premiere set-up man Huff provides the Republic with a Top-3 8th and 9th inning duo in the ABL. Huff is just 23, and before joining his buddy English on the Republic, saved 44 in 2012 and 26 in AAA (part time work) before meeting him full time on the big league squad in 2013.
CF Bob 'Bust' Osborn, 27yrs, 4yrs 10M - The 7th overall pick (in Rd1) in the initial ABL draft, Osborn was labeled as an bust. He rated out initially on Frendchise levels, but after the first re-scout he was listed as a bust. Still, Osborn rates out at 13/15/13/12/11 and plays every single outfield position super elite posting 8ish+ZNRs at multiple positions since being up. Stole 29 bases in 93 games last year, and Osborn can absolutely fly.
and the most important piece to the puzzle...
LF Alfredo 'Batman' Yanez, 28, 4yrs 37M (21M guarenteed... 11M 10M 8Mto 8Mto) - The teams second round pick in the initial ABL draft, Yanez holds every team record and is Top 10 in just about every single ABL category that matters. The info on Yanez is as follows: 157GMS a season, 128dbls 8trpls 129hrs 445rbis 393runs 251bb 436k with a career slash of 323/390/549. Basically, a stud. He's no Frendchise or Becker, but then again - they are super-human!
The team will talk to a few other guys, and has offered MR Grumbles Turner (4yrs 4.4M overall) but for now, this is the set of ext's offered.
A decent chunk of chain, at a price we can live with.
Monday, July 15, 2013
It's All The Game, And How You Play It...
Los Angeles, CA - The Republic have announced the playoff roster.
ARMS
SP1 Brouillette
SP2 Gutierrez
SP3 McNuir
SP4 Lopez
MR1 Pacheco
MR2 Johnson
MR3 Turner
SU1 Huff
SU2 Taylor
CL1 English
- - - - -
BATS
C Hirayama
C White
1B Smith
1B Sweet
2B Bingham
SS Lewis
SS Frost
3B Hensley
LF/RF Hutchins
LF/RF Sutton
LF/RF Yanez
LF/CF/RF Guzman
LF/CF/RF Forryan
LF/CF/RF Osborn
Saturday, July 13, 2013
There's Magic In The Air...
2.
The team won 2 games in the month of August in 2012.
How the hell did this happen?
The So Cal Republic are sitting at 91-65, and with the best record in the RCL.
Again...
What?
How the hell did this happen?
Not quite sure.
Even if this isn't the case, this is what I'm pointing to...
In May, the Republic decided to call up the owner/general manager Mike Brouillette's son, the first pick in a ABL draft (less the 'nagural) and the kid struggled. Awfully.
Cohen came up and went 0-1 with a 6.50ERA and 25BB 20K.
After having a talk with his father and being sent to the minors the injuries began to hit, and hit, and hit -- frequent and unforgiving.
Back up with the big league team after going back down and crushing the spirits of ABL hopefuls Cohen started to hit a stride.
The news hit Indian Wells, a first setback for Mr. Warner pushing him outward for the season and Cohen knew if the Republic had any chance of sniffing the playoff it was going to be on his supremely talented left arm.
Since the callup:
AUG: 3-0, 2.25ERA
SEPT: 3-0 1.30ERA
The news hit the locker room the other day of Warner having another set-back and being out for the playoffs and until next year and Cohen reportedly stepped up in the locker room.
His VERY HIGH leadership ability showed. The team has been playing very well since.
As importantly, the team is 40-27 since the All-Star break... the second best of the RCL sitting behind only the crazy Owls in Ann Arbor as the best since the break.
#NoJinx here, but it looks like So Cal could finally break through into ABL Playoff Baseball.
All the fans in Los Angeles sure hope so.
#CultOfPersonality
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