August 28th, 2014 at 1:10 pm 
by Harold Uhlman Ogden Raptors
The Rookie League Raptors are one half game up on the second place Grand Junction Rockies after taking a double header from the Rockies yesterday. The first game was the completion of the rain delayed game from Tuesday, August 26. The Raptors have won eight of their last ten games, seven of them by one run.
The Raptors, who recently lost starting pitcher Jose De Leon and leading hitter outfielder Devan Ahart to promotion to the Great Lakes Loons, have eight games remaining in their schedule. Three of those games are with the Rockies with whom they are battling for first place and the other five are with the Idaho Falls Chukars. The Chukers were the 2013 Rookie League champions.
Since being promoted to the Great Lakes Loons, Jose De Leon has struck out 30 batters in 17 innings pitched. (Photo credit – Stephen Smith)
Great Lakes Loons (A)
The Midwest League Loons are in a do or die situation with the Dayton Dragons for a wildcard path into the playoffs. They are presently one half game behind the Dragons. They are 2-4 in their last six games having incurred losses of 4-2, 2-0, 3-1 in that stretch when a significant hit couldn’t be found. The Loons have five games to play. Two of those games are with the Kane County Captains who have already clinched a playoff berth. The other three are at the home of the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Eastern Division winner in the first half of the season.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A+)
The California League Quakes are presently one game behind the High Desert Mavericks in the wildcard hunt and two behind the division leading Lancaster JetHawks. They have one home game left in the schedule with the Inland Empire 66ers and four on the road with the Lake Elsinore Storm who have cliched a playoff spot. The Quakes are in a streak but not the one hoped for as the regular season draws to a close. They have lost eight of their last ten games.
Chris Jacobs continues to dominate Cal League pitching with his team-leading 25 home runs. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Chattanooga Lookouts (AA)
The Southern League Lookouts are tied for first place in the second half with the Tennessee Smokies. They have been getting some perhaps unexpectedly good starting pitching from Nick Struck, Jeremy Kehrt, and Steve Smith. The Lookouts have won four of their last six games. After having played ten straight games on the road they finish the season with their last five games at home. Those games are all against the Tennessee Smokies, the team they are battling for that playoff spot.
Even though top Dodgers prospect Corey Seager spent the entire second half of the season at Double-A Chattanooga, he was named the Cal League MVP earlier this week. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
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Man, I can’t wait to see Jose De Leon at Rancho next season – if he doesn’t go straight to Chattanooga, that is.
I expect Jose will go to RC as he will have only about five starts with the Loons. I also expect if he continues to throw as he is he will make it to the Lookouts in 2015.
All four teams have a chance to make the playoffs. The Lookouts are head- to-head with the Smokies. HCIT?
O’Koyea Dickson has not played since August 21st. He is one of the Lookouts best clutch hitters. Back to back he and Seager made a nice team – lefty, righty. He is still on the roster and not showing DL. Must be enough to keep him out of the lineup but not serious enough for the DL.
O’Koyea was always one of my favorites at RC. He always reminded me of a shorter Puig.