American Association Insider: Tuesday May 19 Takeaways

 Kevin Luckow

(Non member of IBWAA)

Sorry to let you folks down by not having a Sunday Insider. I have been under the weather. Without going into TMI territory, let's just say buying stock in Kleenix would be a great idea with what I'm going through. But I'll try to get back on the horse here, especially now that my live hockey viewing season has come to a conclusion with my 75th game on Saturday. 

It's been real tough to transition into American Association Baseball. Lots of games have not been available on AABTV due to technical difficulties. I'm not going to go on a rant, as I know as the league expands to more outlets, they don't want to leave a bad first impression. I'm hoping patience pays off and I'll be able to zip through games on any given night without difficulties soon.

Lake Country 9 Sioux Falls 7 (first game of DH)

Game One was all about the Dockhounds' slugger Ryan Hernandez. Hernandez hit a grand slam in the first inning and a three run shot later in the game to lead the Hounds to a game one victory. Hernandez has hit 50 home runs in two years plus for the Dockhounds, yet he has not been able to break the glass ceiling of an MiLB deal outside of 17 games in 2022 in the Angels organization. If what he has done for Lake Country hasn't landed a contract, I don't know if it will ever come.

Sioux Falls 11 Lake Country 6 (Game 2 of DH)

TJ Racherbaumer made the most of his second start of the season blasting two home runs, the first two in his professional career, in leading the Canaries to a split of the doubleheader. The Canaries have an all star in Scott Combs behind the plate, but if Racherbaumer keeps up this kind of production, it'll be hard to keep the rookie out of the lineup. The Canaries released Drey Dirksen late in training camp. It may backfire if Racherbaumer keeps this production up and gets signed. A catcher with power is appealing to scouts. 

Milwaukee 4 Gary SouthShore 3

The Price is Right wasn't even over before they cranked this one up at Franklin Field. It was a school day game, the outfield was packed with school kids. The main grandstand, not so much. They did get to see the Milkmen defeat the RailCats 4-3. Griffin Doersching continues his hot start at the plate, batting .500 in 20 at bats. 

Sioux City 7 Lincoln 3

Explorers starting pitcher Peniel Otano had a rocky 2025 shuffling between the starting rotation and the bullpen. Yet manager Steve Montgomery never lost faith in Otano, offering him a chance to come back in 2026. In his first start of the season, Otano gave the Explorers a great boost, throwing six shutout innings to lead the Explorers to a matinee victory at Haymarket Park.

Kansas City 6 Chicago 1

After losing two of three at Kane County, the Monarchs came home for their home opener at Legends Field and treated their fans to a win over the Dogs. I think this is going to be an important season for the Monarchs franchise. In spite of a couple of Miles Wolff Cups, it hasn't moved the needle for attendance at Legends Field. It looked like a sparse crowd tonight, but with a 58 degree first pitch on a Tuesday night, that cannot be a gauge. The last time a new ownership group came in, the Monarchs won the Cup, so maybe this bodes well for this season. With growing potential of the Royals getting a new ballpark, it's important that the Monarchs remain contenders on the field, and find a way to increase attendance. I saw first hand how the first season of Target Field took a big bite out of St. Paul Saints attendance in 2010. I think we would see likewise in Kansas City, so let's hope the Monarchs can survive it. 

Kane County 12 Winnipeg 2

Fans of the American Association will never forget Game Five of the Miles Wolff Cup Final. Claudio Finol's grand slam was the big blow in the 10th inning as the Kane County Cougars took the Cup home. Finol had an average regular season but was the hero of the Final as he was named MVP of the series. Finol ruined the Goldeyes home opener on Tuesday night slugging two home runs and driving in seven runs as the Cougars won easily. Are we going to see Finol become a power hitter in his third season in the league?

Cleburne 5 Fargo-Moorhead 1

After being dominated in the first four games of the seven game set in Cleburne, the Railroaders have found a way to shut down the mighty RedHawks lineup for two days in a row. This time it was former Major leaguer Andrew Bellatti throwing four shutout innings, bumping up his total to nine shutout innings for the Railroaders. It's always a treat to have a former Major League pitcher anchoring your staff. But as the Railroaders have found out in previous, the luxury can be short lived if some Major League organization takes notice. 




















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