Published On: August 8th, 2014

The latest installment of the Northwoods League follows the Big League Dreams Showcase, which featured the top 100 players in the league, as selected by scouts. The North and South split the showcase, with the North taking the first game, 8-5, and the South winning game two 11-6. Kenosha's Pat Porter remained atop the hitters for the fourth straight week, while Matt Kent led the pitchers for a second installment in a row.

To refresh your memories, I use a formula similar to what is used in fantasy baseball and rank the top five pitchers and the top five hitters. Here goes.

HITTERS

1. Pat Porter, Kenosha Kingfish (LW: 1)

Porter continued his reign over the Northwoods as one of the most dangerous hitters. Second in RBIs (57), third in total bases (134) and hits (80), the junior outfielder from Ohio State has the Kingfish knocking on the door of the second playoff spot in the South. He's hitting .325 on the season and is currently on a six-game hitting streak. He was 0-3 for the South in the All-Star game with a rare strikeout- he entered with just 36 in 246 at bats. 

2. Paul DeJong, Wisconsin Woodchucks (LW: 2)

The powerful sophomore slugger from Illinois State continued to hit the cover off the ball, hitting three home runs over the last three games to bring his total to 19 on the season- a league-high. DeJong also leads the league in RBIs with 59 and total bases with 143 as he's added 15 doubles and scored an impressive 54 runs. He's hitting .277 and slugged an impressive two home runs in front of the scouts at the showcase to drive in four runs . He also scored twice, and added a 1-4 line with a run at the All-Star game.

3. Pat MacKenzie, Waterloo Bucks (LW: UR)

After not being in the top five in the last installment, the league leader in average jumped all the way to No. 3. MacKenzie, a junior from Central Michigan, is hitting .389 on the summer in 203 at bats and has a 12-point edge on the second place hitter. He's yet to hit a home run, but has driven in 28 runs and added 15 doubles while ranking second in stolen bases with 26. The dangerous mutli-tool second basemen has two or more hits in five of his last six games and has done that in 25 of his 53 games.

4. Pete Alonso, Madison Mallards (LW: 4)
5. Tyler Sullivan, Mankato MoonDogs (LW: 3)


PITCHERS

1. Matt Kent, Rochester Honkers (LW: 1)

Kent took the top pitching spot for the second consecutive week as the Texas A&M southpaw has been a star for the Honkers. The 6'0" lefty leads the league in innings pitched (75.2) and has posted an amazing 2.09 ERA. He's also turned in two complete games and has 69 strikeouts- which lead the league- to just 10 walks. Nine of his 11 starts have been quality starts and five of them he's allowed just one earned run or less. He struck out two in a 1-2-3 inning for the North in the Big League Dreams showcase.

2. Reese Gregory, St. Cloud Rox (LW: 2)

Gregory, a sophomore from St. Cloud State, has been absolutely dominant. He has 62 strikeouts over 61 innings and has an incredbile 1.91 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. He struck out two in the All-Star game, a scoreless 1-2-3 inning of work. The Rox are 8-3 when he takes the hill, and he has won the last two starts- including one of seven shutout innings with five strikeouts. Gregory has allowed more then two earned runs just twice while he has seven quality starts, 70% of his starts.

3. Rico Garcia, Kenosha Kingfish (LW: 4)

A NWL Pitcher of the Night performance brought the Hawaii Pacific righthander up a spot to No. 3. He went seven shutout innings while allowing just three hits and striking out seven without issuing a walk in a no-deciscion. Garcia is 5-2 with a 1.89 ERA over 66.1 innings of work. He has 51 strikeouts and a 0.92 WHIP as he's allowed just 12 walks. He's turned in an impressive five starts in which he's gone six plus innings without allowing a run.

4. Ryan Smoyer, Kalamazoo Growlers (LW: 3)
5. Roberto Baroniel, Green Bay Bullfrogs (LW: UR)
 

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