Owner Profile: leppykahn

We all know Leppykahn as the fearless commissioner of our beloved world. His record with the Colorado Blasters is impeccable putting up 100+ win seasons every year, except season 1, and he's on pace to do it again this season. Plus he has those two little World Series Championships to his name. He's also the commissioner of the Bo Jackson World and plays in 6 others (with another WS in Joey Belle). Clearly, he's not married.

Below, Leppy claims to be in Mensa but I'm skeptical. He can't be very smart if he agreed to answer my dumb questions, right? Decide for yourselves.

Is leppykahn your real name?
Yes, it is. Leppy D. Kahn. The D is for danger. Actually, my name is RJ. My user name is basically a combination of genetic background (Scotch, Irish) and my love of the mongols/conquering (Genghis). I think a little part of me hopes that every time someone sees it, they picture a leprechaun burning villages to the ground.

What are your vitals?
I'm about to turn the big 30 in June. Have been living in San Diego for about 4 years now. I have yet to be baited into marriage. Currently I'm working in computers (non interesting stuff), but have an idea to start my own company soon, could be big. I went to college at University of Nevada (Reno). I grew up in central Nevada. You might ask, what's in central Nevada? The answer, not much.

What are your favorite real-life sports teams or players?
I'm kind of a transplant of several places, and picked up teams as I went along. Love the A's, Diamondbacks, Padres, Suns, Raiders...It's funny how the locals hate Raider fans so, talking about some stabbing that happened years ago at a single game. My favorite player ever is Bo Jackson (hence the name of the other world I commish). Some of the others are Barry Sanders, Reggie Miller, Shaq, and of course, Kevin Johnson. An aunt of mine used to work for the Suns back in the day, and got me hooked on them. I have an autographed card around here somewhere. Hopefully this is the year for them!

Why WIS?
I heard about Gridiron Dynasty, and came by to check it out, only to find out that I'd already set up a user name and forgotten about it. Then, when HBD started, you'd have a hard time keeping me away. I've always fancied myself as a coach/scout/general manager, and the ability to do that in a baseball game really appealed to me.

Why did you create Hunter? Why do you stay?
I was trying to keep with the "last name of hall of famer" thing when I created it, and chose someone who I always respected. I stay because it's so fun to beat you all down season after season. When it comes down to it, this is probably my favorite team of all of them that I have, not coincidentally, it's also my first team.

How on earth do you manage 8 teams?
It gets a little difficult at times...like not having a good notification of when the draft pool is up and/or ready...I've missed a few of those. But, for the most part, I check every cycle, and the maintenance isn't too bad. My teams run pretty similarly, and I'm patient with my players unless I'm expecting them to do better than they are, and then I shuffle it up a bit. It's not so bad when the computer manages your minors.

Is there a team in Hunter you especially love to beat (or hate to lose to)?
Not really, I've been on the top so long, it's hard to form a rivalry. Nobody has consistently taken me out that I note. In other worlds, I have some rivalries, but the NL has 4-5 good teams a season, that we all take turns beating each other up.

What was your favorite (or least favorite) trade or transaction in Hunter?
My least favorite trade is easily the Andruw Allen for T.J Croushere trade in Season 5. I guess we all know the back story on that one, where bearclaws wanted an ace, and picked out Croushere to request. Later, after everyone threw a fit, I gave him Allen straight up for Croushere.

What's the deal with your team nickname?
We (the Colorado management) wanted something to demonstrate how many homeruns we were intending to hit.

When you aren't WISing, what do you do?
Video games, manage an adult kickball league (www.kickball.com), have an active role in Mensa. Other than that, I do a lot of things, spend a lot of time at the beach, love bowling, gambling, fantasy sports, video games, painting, pet projects, etc. Kind of silly I know, but I don't think I've turned on my TV other than to play video games or watch a sporting event for at least 2 years. I also don't really read, it tends to seem like a waste of time to me. Musically, I'm very diverse, even play a little bit.

Editor's Note: When you ask people for pictures of themselves, you must be prepared for what they might send.

Arizona Rattlers Top 5 Prospects

Sorry this took so long matrat, but here you go.

Sorry my wifes computer is messing up, so the links are not working, I will update that later.

1.  Wesley Shields - SP    Wesley could turn into a solid starting pitcher with great control, solid splits and a great ability to keep the ball in the park.   He looks to be about 3 years from becoming major league ready.

2.  Yorvit Alomar - RP    Yorvit is a closer in waiting.   He should be able to get the two inning save and still pitch the next night.   His great splits along with two solid pitches should allow him to be a top 10 closer.   He is in the majors to stay.

3.   Vin Maduro - SP   Vin could be a very good pitcher if his control could improve.   He has solid splits, along with two very solid pitches.   He should hit the majors in about two seasons.

4.   Walt Tucker - SP   Walt could be a good #3/4 pitcher but his splits are not great and his pitches are just average.   He could develop good control which could make him a decent pitcher.   If his control improves quickly, he could be in the majors in 3 years.

5.  Ray Becker - RP    Ray will never become great, but could become serviceable.   He has decent splits but no good pitches.   He could be ML ready by next season.

The Rattlers are pretty weak in position players, but do have some decent pitching depth.   They are going to need a lot of work to get the cupboard filled again.

New York Metropolitans top 10 prospects

1. Piper Torres SP - Piper is hands down the top rated prospect in the organization, ownership placed Torres on the "No Trade" list back in season 5 when he was only 19 y.o. Piper has ACE type stuff written all over him and is expected to crack the Mets starting rotation mid S9 or start of s10.

2. Gary Andrews RP - "One man bullpen" is the #2 prospect in the organization, at only 20 y.o. Gary is also on the "No Trade" list. He was a 1st round pick in S6 and is already pitching at AAA, in 4 games at AA this season he posted 0.13 WHIP. Andrews should develop into a superb ML closer with the ability to pitch 150+ innings per season.

3. Carlton York RP - This prospect is projected to have the entire package, there seems to be no weak spots that hitter could exploit. Carlton is 21 y.o. and has at least another full season of development but he is one of the main pieces in future plans.

4. Tony Martin RP - Tony was signed as a IFA back in S4 when he was only 18 y.o., since than he has developed into one the best relievers in AAA. Martin is almost where the coaches want him and he may even crack the ML pitching staff this season.

5. Emil Manzanillo 1B - Emil is the top hitting prospect on the list and has the talent to become a force at the ML level. He was signed as IFA in S6 with a 10M Bonus but if everything goes right he'll be worth every penny. Emil swings with a lot of power and is capable of hitting both R and L pitchers very well, he also has very good eye. At only 20 y.o. he has at least another full seasons in the minors before seeing any ML time.

6. Louie Cruz SS - Cruz was acquired this season and has already became a major piece for the future plans at SS. Louie displays a magical glove with good range and arm, he also has lightning speed, good eye and swing a better than average bat. Currently 21 y.o. playing at AAA he's at least a full season away from seeing any ML action.

7. Cesar Acevedo SS - Second SS on the list who will fight Cruz for the future ML SS position. Cesar was the 1st round pick last season but couldn't make up his mind to sign until there were only 2 weeks left in S7. With those defensive abilities and a very heavy bat it should be no surprise Acevedo is on list at 19 y.o., he should develop into a very good ML SS.

8. Rondell Brock SP - Brock was acquired via trade last season and quickly made a name for himself. He's 22 y.o. currently pitching at AAA but would be the next starter called up if that need arises. Rondell is scouted to be a good #3 or #4 type starter but if injury gods are good we won't see him at the ML level for another year.

9. Gregg Mecir RF - Gregg is the oldest on the list at 28 y.o., maybe he isn't even a prospect anymore but with no room at the ML level Mecir has to wait another year at AAA. He's currently hitting .340 in AAA and is more than ready to step up and play at the ML level.

10. Phil O'Leary C - Phil is a 25 y.o. catcher mostly know for his heavy bat, currently hitting .408 at AAA he's more than ready for ML. He has good defencive skills and has the talent to contribute to the ML team in the near future.

Season 8 Power Rankings - Top 10

Since we’re only 21 games into season 8 not much has changed from last season, I also used S7 as part of the equation. The next power rankings at the all star break will be based entirely on season 8 and will be much more in depth. This is just season introduction as it's really hard to base everything on 20 games.

1. San Francisco Night Demons (+1) – No surprises here, back to back champs are looking for their 3rd straight title. In the first 21 games of season 8 the Night Demons posted AL best 16-5 record and are the favorite by a mile to win the S8

WS.

2. New York Metropolitans (+1) – S7 NL Champs started season 8 with a 16-5 mark (best in NL) and look like they’re hungry for more than a WS visit. New York lost a huge piece of the puzzle when K. Coleman departed for Tucson but

the resent accusation of SP H. Wasdin makes it a lot less painful.

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3. Charlotte Fat Nasty (-2) – This team took NY to 7 games in last seasons NLCS and is looking to go even farther this season. This is one of the most talented teams in Hunter from top to bottom. Charlotte lost their ace D. O’Keefe to Arizona and slugger A. Hanley to Salt Lake but with the young talent available it may be a good thing.

4. Augusta Caesars (-1) – The move from STL to Augusta didn’t seem to affect how this team performs on the field, their 13-7 start shows that they’re back and hungry for more. As every previous season, this franchise is always there at the end and it doesn’t look like that will change any time soon.

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5. San Juan TCB (+1) – This team may challenge Charlotte for the NL South crown, yes they’re that good.

6. Louisville Sluggers (+3) – This team moved up the most spots since last seasons power ranking, posting a 15-6 mark in the first 21 games is what made it happen. Last season this team underperformed and it may be one of the biggest surprises this season.

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7. Washington D.C. Generals (E) – Washington is another franchise that seems to find a way to be one of the teams standing at the end of every single season. The Generals are already showing off their pitching staff in this young season and should be one of the favorites for the AL crown.

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8. Colorado Blasters (-3) – Just as last season, they're not to a great start but to count this team out a lot more will have to happen. The Blasters dropped 3 spots because of their weak start but they're packed from top to bottom, and I think everyone will agree when I say Colorado has one of the best if not the best offense in Hunter.

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9. Burlington Black Sox (-1) – Burlington posted 12-9 record so far this season dropping them 1 spot from last seasons PR. As in many previous seasons the Black Sox pitching staff is always good, this season they're posting a 1.22 WHIP so far.

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10. Pawtucket Patriots (F) – Pawtucket closes the top 10, new ownership and the franchise move seem to be working. So far the Patriots have a 15-6 record but will need to prove a lot more to stay or move up in the rankings.

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Buffalo Nickles and Tucson Shockers aren't far from cracking the top 10.

Atlanta Cheese Grits Top 10 Prospects

The Cheese Grits are in Year 2 of their rebuilding phase. During that time, the GM has spent a lot of effort attempting to assemble a core of players that will be ready to compete by Season 10-11. Let's take a look at the fruits of that effort:

1. Jamie Yoshii, ss : Jamie was signed as an 18 y.o. International F.A. out of Okinawa, Japan. Jamie is a defensive wiz with amazing range and a cannon for an arm. He won the AA AL Gold Glove Award in Season 7 and has been named to 2 Minor League All Star teams and won a Silver Slugger Award. Jamie's bat projects to be above average at the big league level, but with only average power. Jamie has great baserunning instincts as well. With the trade of Placido Camacho, he has inherited the Big League SS job in Season 8, making the jump from AA.

2. Felipe Espinosa, SP: Felipe was just acquired in the Season 8 offseason for the aforementioned Camacho from the Cleveland MooseDawgs. Felipe is just 21 y.o. and brings a wicked sinker/slider combo that results in a lot of strikeouts. Felipe has posted back to back 200+K seasons in the minors, which is rare in my experience. An IFA, Felipe has been named to 2 minor league All Star Teams and even won the Gold Glove in Season 7 at AA. Felipe projects as a #2 starter. Felipe is already at the AAA level and should crack Atlanta's rotation in Season 9.

3.Sherman Roosevelt, 2b: Sherman has played 2b in the minors, but projects as a RF at the Big League level. Sherman has a whip of a bat, capable of hitting for power and average. He was acquired in a trade with the Helena Hashies before Season 7 in a deal for 2 veteran relievers. Sherman will start Season 8 at the AA level after posting a .991 OPS at High A ball. He projects to start for Atlanta in RF in Season 10.

4. John Carter, SP: John Carter is a solid SP prospect who was acquired in a trade for SP Carlos James. Carter has an excellent fastball and complimentary curveball. He has a 37-11 career minor league record and was named the High A Cy Young Award winner for the AL in Season 7 after going 19-3 with a 2.76 ERA. He is durable and has solid L/R splits. He projects as a #3-#4 starter for Atlanta in season 10.

5. Tim Morton, 1b: Morton is your prototypical power hitting 1b. He is 21 y.o. and will spend Season 8 in AA after posting a 1.065 OPS in 3 minor league seasons. Morton was drafted by the Cheese Grits with the 24th overall pick in the Season 5 draft. He won't hit for as much average against RHP, but he crushes LHP and projects to a 75 power rating. He should start at 1b in Season 10 for the Grits after Willie Reagan's contract expires.

6. Frank Cunningham, SP: Frank is a big, strapping 6' 2" RHP who spent last year in rookie ball after being drafted #15 overall out of Macomb Christian HS in MI. Frank is a very strong and durable pitcher who should eat up a lot of innings. He projects to have pinpoint control and a good fastball. His projected splits are only slightly above average so he may project as a rotation innings eater, but not a #1 type starter. Given a good defense behind him, though, he could be quite successful. He projects to hit the bigs in Season 12-13.

7. Kevin Martin, LHRP: Kevin Martin is a bullpen horse who projects as a fine setup man in the Majors. Kevin has topped 100 IP from the bullpen in each of the last 2 seasons. Marin was signed by the Washington Generals as an IFA before being dealt to Atlanta in the Carlos James deal. He is durable with good stamina for a RP, and is a dominating GB pitcher. We should see Kevin in the Atlanta bullpen in either Season 8 or 9. He will start Season 8 in AAA.

8. Dusty Nation, LF: Dusty Nation has one of the best names in Hunter World. He was drafted as a 2B in the Supplemental 1st Round by Atlanta in Season 5. It was quickly determined that Dusty's future was in LF, where he is an above average defender. Nation has great power potential and has hit 29, 37 and 33 HR's the past 3 seasons. He is durable and has a solid eye at the plate. Nation will start Season 8 at AAA with an eye towards a late season callup and the full time LF job in Season 9.

9. David Molina, SP: David Molina was an IFA signed by Cleveland in Season 4 and subesequently dealt to Atlanta in Season 5 in a trade for Cesar Montanez. David has made two All Star Teams and the AL High A Cy Young Award in Season 6. He is 63-16 in 4 minor league seasons with an ERA of 3.49. He is highly durable but is limited to just 3 pitches. Molina projects to a #4-#5 starter for Atlanta. He's projected to hit the big league club in Season 9 after spending Season 8 at AAA.

10. Sam Rodgers, 2b: Sam was taken by Atlanta with the 27th overall pick in Season 6 out of Westover HS in NC. He's still just 20 y.o. and will spend Season 8 at High A. He projects as a durable, solid defender with decent pop, a good eye and above average splits. He should be a solid Major league starter for Atlanta by Season 11.

Honorable Mention:
Jerome Burke, C
Lon Howard, CF
Jerome Moore, LHRP
Amp Gibson, 2B
Cookie Guzman, SP
Manny Garciaparra, SP
Hector Leon, SP
Sean LaRue, RF
Ed Carr, 3B
Victor Benitez, C