MarcusE

Niko came back from the DL Friday to finish the regular season on a high-note: 3G | 15 PA | 2-1B/2-2B/0-3B/1-HR/3-RBI/2-R | 1-BB/4-SO | 0SB/0CS | 2E/1DP (as SS) Final regular season stats: 103G | 455PA | .260/.364/.369 | 45RBI/62R | 60-BB/105-SO | 20SB/4CS | 24E/49DP (as SS) Here's wishing Niko and the Kernels great luck in the playoffs! Will be back when they playoffs are finished for a season wrap up.

Niko is, unfortunately, still on the DL for a groin injury. So, no statistical update this week.

Buxton's last 23 games as the only 19 year old in the FSL: 105PA - 9EBH - 16BB - 20SO - 17SB - 5CS - .398/.495/.614 Fuhhhhhhhhhhh.............

On the week: 6G | 22 PA | 5-1B/0-2B/0-3B/0-HR/0-RBI/3-R | 1-BB/6-SO | 2SB/0CS | 1E/0DP (as SS) On the season: 97G | 426PA | .253/.359/.356 | 42RBI/57R | 18SB/4CS | 21E/48DP (as SS)

Another busy and relatively productive week for Niko. Most notably, Goodrum hit a 3-run homer on Wednesday which ended up being the difference in the Kernels' 7-4 victory over Beloit. Niko also continued his aggressiveness on the base paths, swiping 3 more bases in 4 chances. Strangely, Niko only stole 6 of 9 bases over the first 70 games. Then something flipped in mid July and he has gone 10 for 11 in the past 21 games. Project this stretch over a full season, and you've got a real terror on the base paths. 7G | 33 PA | 6-1B/0-2B/0-3B/1-HR/5-RBI/6R | 5-BB/8-SO | 3SB/1CS | 0E/4DP On the season: 91G | 404PA | .251/.360/.360 | 42RBI/54R | 16SB/4CS | 20E/48DP (as SS)

It appears young Mr. Buxton may have "figured out" High-A pitching. Check out his last 8 games: 40 PA | 12H (6-1B, 3-3B, 3-HR) | 8-BB 9-SO | .375/.500/.844 Overall A+ line is still a respectable .278/.348/.468 but his current stretch of dominance is remarkable.

Sorry, was out of town last week - so here's your 2 week update: 9G | 36 PA | 1-1B/3-2B/0-3B/1-HR/2-RBI/4R | 3-BB/11-SO | 2SB/0CS | 3E/5DP On the season: 84G | 371PA | .251/.358/.359 | 37RBI/48R | 13SB/3CS | 20E/44DP

Per my prediction, Niko got back on track this week by reaching base 16 times over 6 games. Interestingly, Niko nearly doubled his stolen bases on the season with 5 SBs in 6 attempts this week. Not sure what spurred the new found aggressiveness on the base paths, but I love it. Way to go, Niko! On the week: 6G | 29 PA | 10-1B/0-2B/0-3B/0-HR/2-RBI/0R | 6-BB/3-SO | 5SB/1CS | 0E/3DP On the season: 75G | 335PA | .262/.373/.362 | 35RBI/44R | 11SB/3CS | 17E/39DP

Another pedestrian week for Niko. This is the same kind of slump that he fell into towards the end of last season, which essentially derailed what was a great first 50-60 games. I predict the kid gets it right this week. On the week: 4G | 17 PA | 2-1B/0-2B/0-3B/0-HR/1-RBI/0R | 1-BB/5-SO | 1SB/0CS | 1E/4DP On the season: 69G | 306 PA | .247/.356/.355 | 33RBI/44R | 6SB/2CS | 17E/36DP

Tough week for Niko, going 2 for 25 over 7 games. This slump took a big bite out of his slash stats. Let's hope he gets the bat going again this week. On the week: 7G | 29 PA | 1-1B/0-2B/1-3B/0-HR/1-RBI/2R | 2-BB/6-SO | 0SB/0CS | 4E/5DP On the season: 65G | 289 PA | .255/.367/.370 | 32RBI/44R | 5SB/2CS | 16E/32DP

I know this is fun and everything, but the MN sports fan in me needs some pessimism in case Buxton stumbles between here and the HOF. We can't be this excited because then something major will go wrong. Can someone with more knowledge please throw a little water on this fire, please?

Another steady week for Niko. Only major change is that with the departure of Buxton, Niko has been the primary lead-off hitter, showing the kind of faith this club has in his on-base skills. Cool stat-line of the week, on 6/27 Niko reached base in all 5 of his plate appearances yet he only had 1 hit. That's right, your classic 4 walk game. Also, the on-base streak is now at 18 games which surpasses Niko's previous season-high of 17 consecutive games reaching base. On the week: 5G | 22 PA | 1-1B/3-2B/0-3B/0-HR/1-RBI/7R | 5-BB/5-SO | 0SB/0CS | 0E/3DP On the season: 58G | 260 PA | .275/.388/.394 | 31RBI/42R | 5SB/2CS | 12E/27DP

Niko's Back! After having a nice MWL All Star game going 1-1 with a walk and 2RBI after replacing Carlos Correa at SS for innings 5-9, Niko got a full weekend of game action. Fun stat, Niko's impressive OBP skills continue as he has reached base via hit or walk in 47 of 53 games this season and has done so in 13 consecutive games. On the week: 4G | 21 PA | 4-1B/1-2B/0-3B/0-HR/1-RBI/2R | 2-BB/7-SO | 0SB/0CS | 1E/5DP On the season: 53G | 238 PA | .279/.387/.393 | 30RBI/35R | 5SB/2CS | 12E/24DP

First half stats roundup: 49G | 217 PA | .280/.392/.401 | 29RBI/33R | 5SB/2CS | 10E/20DP

Niko was taken off the DL Saturday night, being cleared to play in Sunday's possible division-clinching game against Peoria. And play he did, going 3-4 with a double, walk, RBI and 3 runs scored. Unfortunately, The Kernel's relief pitching blew a big lead in the 9th and with it ended the team's chances at a first half title. Either way, great to see Niko back in action and wishing him much luck at the MWL All Star Game this Tuesday. Now they'll just have to go out and win the second half!