Minor League Tuesday (Monday)!: May 31, 2021

Author: Dawson Haywood

Last Weeks Standings
1. Down East Wood Ducks
2. Durham Bulls
3. Carolina Mudcats
4. Asheville Tourists
5. Greensboro Grasshoppers
6. Winston-Salem Dash
7. Hickory Crawdads
8. Charlotte Knights
9. Fayetteville Woodpeckers
10. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

#1 (+1) Durham Bulls (17-7) (Series: 3-1) 
Weekly Titles: 2

It is no surprise to see the Bulls back on top of these power rankings as they continue to prove that they are one of the best teams, not just in North Carolina, but in all of Minor League Baseball. Over their last 12 games they have only lost 1. Two weeks ago they swept the #8 Charlotte Knights and this past week they nearly swept the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, who they lost a series to a few weeks ago. It is likely that the Bulls stay high on this list because the next three series they will play the Norfolk Tides twice, and the Charlotte Knights once, both of which they have proven to be able to handle. 

#2 (+1) Carolina Mudcats (16-8) (Series: 2-1-1)
Weekly Titles: 1

The Mudcats move up as a result of the Wood Ducks losing to Fredericksburg. This previous week they swept the #10 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, which was expected. The Mudcats need to perform well this week against the Wood Ducks and hope that the Bulls for whatever reason find themselves on the losing end against the Tides to get pack to the top position. 

#3 (+1) Asheville Tourists (12-11) (Series: 3-1)
Weekly Titles: 0

The Tourists are creeping up in the standings and have been improving their position for the second week in a row. They have the best series record in these standings but have not won the series in dominating fashion the Mudcats and the Bulls. Asheville moves into this week looking forward to a series against the Greenville Drive, who they beat last series. A hiccup by the Mudcats and the Bulls could land the Tourist in their first Weekly Champion. 

#4 (-3) Down East Wood Ducks (15-9) (Series: 2-1-1) 
Weekly Titles: 1

After losing the the series to the Fredericksburg Nationals 2 games to 4 the Bulls, Mudcats, and Tourists are able to move up in the standings. The Nationals had previously only won a single game and the Wood Ducks had yet to of been defeated in a series. With this loss the Grasshoppers are the only team to technically be undefeated in a series. 

#5 (-) Greensboro Grasshoppers (12-12) (Series: 0-0-4)
Weekly Titles: 0

The Grasshoppers have proven quite literally that they can hang with anybody, but they have not won a series. Four weeks into the season and having tied every single series is pretty impressive. Greensboro needs to prove that they can win a series before moving up in the standings. This upcoming week they will square off against the #6 Winston-Salem Dash and a win could very well put them in a better position. 

#6T (-) Winston-Salem Dash (12-12) (1-1-2)
#6T (+1) Hickory Crawdads (10-14) (0-1-3)
Weekly Titles: 0

The Crawdads and the Dash ended up tying their series this week but the Crawdads scored more than the Dash. Because the Dash have proven to be able to win a series and have a better game record than the Crawdads, it is difficult to place the Crawdads above them. For the first time on this list we will have two teams sharing the same position in these power rankings. If the Crawdads can prove that they can win a series it is possible that they take the #6 spot for themselves and pass the Dash. 

#8 (-) Charlotte Knights (8-15) (Series: 1-3)
Weekly Titles: 0

The Knights are in struggle bus mode as they allowed the Norfolk Tides to win 4 games of the 5 game series. This series doubled the Tides' win count. Losing to weak opponents like this can bury a team and luckily for the Knights the Woodpeckers were swept, otherwise they could find themselves in that #9 spot while also being a Triple-A team.

#9 (-) Fayetteville Woodpeckers (9-15) (Series: 1-2-1)
Weekly Titles: 0

Last week, the Woodpeckers appeared to be gaining some momentum as they won 8 of their last 12 games before this week. Unfortunately for the Woodpeckers they were swept for the first time this season against the Charleston Riverdogs. Fortunately for Fayetteville they will go up against the #10 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers who they nearly swept in their last meeting. 

#10 (-) Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (2-22) (Series: 0-4)
Weekly Titles: 0

The Cannon Ballers continue to struggle as they were swept for a second time this week by the #2 Carolina Mudcats. The Cannon Ballers will move into this week against the #9 Fayetteville Woodpeckers, and as this is the second time they have faced off as #9 and #10 teams we will dub this series as the Carolina Bottom of the Barrel Series.  Even if the Cannon Ballers sweep the Woodpeckers this week, they are going to still be #10 next week that is how far of a hole they have dug themselves in.