American Association Sunday Insider- East Division Mid Season Report Card and American Association Power Rankings.

 Last Sunday we took a look at the West Division which record wise is looking like the strongest of the two divisions. This week we look at the East Division.

Lake Country DockHounds 25-18

What's worked: The batting stats don't really pop out, strange considering the hitter friendly park the DockHounds they play in. The two that do stand out is Brian Rey who is hitting .314 and paces the DockHounds with nine home runs and 34 runs batted in. Daunte Stuart is batting .331 to lead the DockHounds with 22 runs batted in and fifteen stolen bases. The team ERA of 3.59 stands out as does the fact the Hounds have won 25 games but only one regular arm in the rotation has more than one win, Luke Hansel with four.

What's not worked: Justifiably a big deal was made when Ryan Hernandez came back to Lake Country, but Hernandez only has three home runs in 133 at bats while only hitting .233. Demetrius Sims has nearly matched his home run total from last season with seven but his batting average is .180, over .100 down form last year's average of .281. Outside of Rey and Stuart, no DockHound is hitting over .270



Chicago Dogs 25-20

What's worked: Austin Marozas was otherworldly in his time with the Dogs not allowing an earned run in 28.1 innings of work before being signed by the Reds last week. Brantley Bell seems to be on pace to come close to last year's numbers with seven home runs, 26 runs batted in to go with a .302 average. Jacob DeLabio has become this season's Jose Marciano racking up seven saves and a 1.14 ERA in 23.2 innings. 

What's gone wrong: In spite of five wins, John Baker who was considered the #1 starter coming into his fourth season with the Dogs is currently sporting a 5.59 ERA. Jacob Teter has seemingly lost his power stroke. He is still hitting for average batting .312 but has only four home runs and 28 RBI after 28 home runs and 95 runs batted in a year ago.  So if you're biggest problem is the team leader in wins and a batter hitting .328, you may just be all right. 

Cleburne Railroaders 22-23

What's worked: The acquisition of Kyle Martin raised eyebrows throughout the American Association and Martin has kept them raised with 16 home runs, currently on pace to break Adam Brett Walker III's single season record of 33. Steven Rivas is a player that has flown under the radar with seven home runs and 34 runs batted in while batting .282. Kade Mechals has been the top starter with four wins and a 3.72 ERA

What hasn't worked: For whatever reason, the Railroaders did NOT get the band back together that had an incredible regular season but was done in by the Dogs pitching in the playoffs. Outside of Shed Long, it's been a new lineup and there has been inconsistency with the bats. The pitching has not been good either as the staff currently sports a 5.34 team ERA. Including position players, 21 different players have taken the mound. The Railroaders are wrapping up a 12 game homestand on Sunday that has seen them lose seven of eight games after taking the first three from the Monarchs. The four losses to Lake Country have been doubly damaging.

Kane County 20-24

What's worked: Todd Lott in his third year in Geneva, has had arguably his best offensive season to date. Lott is batting .372. The power numbers are down as he has two home runs in 34 games opposed to eight in 40 games in 2023, but the average is up over 100 points. Konnor Ash has been the best starting pitcher in the league with five wins and a 1.76 ERA in nine starts totaling 56 innings of work. Vin Timpanelli and three relievers also combined for a no hitter.

What's not worked: I'm going to sound like a hypocrite here after questioning Cleburne not bringing many guys back from last year, but Kane County is suffering from players that are back from the Miles Wolff Cup championship team but are struggling. Josh Allen and Claudio Finol, two stalwarts from last year are hitting .228 and .227 respectively. Expect manager George Tsamis to work tirelessly to shore up the roster that has also been decimated with injuries. 

Milwaukee Milkmen 19-26

What's worked: They're in the East Division..... seriously though, there have been bright spots, in particular Erik Ostberg and Glenn Santiago. Ostberg leads or is tied for the team lead in every offensive category. Ostberg is batting .320 with 10 home runs and 27 runs batted in. Santiago is tied with Ostberg with 27 runs batted in of his own and reeled off a 23 game hitting streak and is batting .314. Jhordany Mezquita is having a solid sophomore season with the Milkmen with five wins and a 3.64 ERA. 

What's not working: I was told by someone that follows the Milkmen that "they are pretty nondescript". That seems to sum things up. The Milkmen have used nine different starting pitchers trying to find something beyond Matt Givin and Mezquita. The team ERA currently stands at 5.35 forcing the offense to have to be on if they're going to have a chance to win. Outside of Ostberg and Santiago, the Milkmen don't have the weapons to take on this sort of challenge.

Gary SouthShore RailCats 11-33

What has worked: Luckily Elvis has not left the building. Elvis Peralta has been the shining star of the RailCats offense batting .315 with 25 walks and 20 stolen bases. Jairus Richards was stealing bases with reckless abandon to begin the season but has slown down as of late with 31 for the season. Although he is only batting .236, he's starting to hit for power and has a .400 on base percentage. 

What hasn't worked: The RailCats are only batting .232 as a team. There was talk about why so many guys were brought back from a team that only won 33 games last season. The talk has been justified as the RailCats are on pace to only win 25 games. The RailCats are 3-16 in games decided by two or fewer runs. If they go 10-9 in those games we're looking at a team in the playoff chase if not a team in fourth place as some of those losses were against Kane County and Milwaukee. 

American Association Insider Power Rankings

1. Sioux Falls Canaries 33

2. Sioux City Explorers 33 

3. Lake Country DockHounds 32

4. Kansas City Monrachs 32

5. Chicago Dogs 31

6. Lincoln Saltdogs 29

7, Winnipeg Goldeyes 26

8. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 26

9. Kane County Cougars 25

10. Cleburne Railroaders 25

11. Milwaukee Milkmen 23

12. Gary SouthShore RailCats 13

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