And now for the National League, and then a pot of coffee.
NL East
Wichita Wichitards
Wichita has come out of the gate hot, and they have done it with outstanding performances by their pitching staff. The 2.60 team ERA leads the NL. Staff ace and three-time All-Star Al Merced has boasted a 1.04 ERA and 32 Ks, and Miquel Mendoza and Howard Abbott have started strong early this season as well. The bats have been a mixed bag, as the team has shuffled lineups a great deal looking for a spark to go with the ridiculous performances of the pitching staff, and if the Wichitards can find the hitting to go with their pitching, they will be a major contender in the NL.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have staggered out of the blocks thus far as they attempt to defend their World Series title. Slow starts by shortstop Cal Maxwell and free-agent acquisition Max Rojas has left the Cubs looking for a spark on offense, although an eleven-game hitting streak by young outfielder Ruben Torres has given cause for optimism. The pitching staff has also had trouble keeping opposing teams off the scoreboard, although Dominican youngster Willie Santos has managed a 2.08 ERA and a 2-1 record in the early going, giving the Cubs a potential go-to guy if Garrett Niekro doesn’t settle down. The Cubs need to get more out of the main performers if they expect to be in it later this season.
Pittsburgh Gryphons
Pittsburgh has to expect more out of the second-highest payroll in the major leagues, but so far the team has struggled, particularly at the plate. A .239 team batting average and only fifteen longballs has put a serious burden on the pitching staff. Legendary slugger J.T. Crosby, claimed off waivers from Chicago, has only managed two homers so far this season, and centerfielder Earl Perez has started off horribly after a solid rookie campaign, batting only .102 thus far. This has squandered some good starts out of a solid pitching staff, particularly all-star Brian Brown, who is 2-0 in 4 starts despite a 1.16 ERA, including a three-hit complete-game shutout against Florida. Pittsburgh needs the bats to wake up if they stand a chance this season.
Toledo Illini
Toledo was primed for a poor season after being rebuffed for realignment into the “Ohio Divison”, but have come out in decent fashion thus far for a young team with only four players on the major league team older than 27. 23 year old catcher Ruben Duranzo leads the offense, batting .292 with five homers thus far, assisted by six homers by Christopher Bruske. The pitching staff, however, has left something to be desired. Austin, TX native Mack Sheldon has been the main man so far, with a 2-0 record and a 3.13 ERA. On the flip side has been the horrible start by Phil Mantei, who is 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA and is allowing opponents to bat .358 against him. The bullpen has been inconsistent, and Toledo needs to get that staff solidified for the bats to be able to make a difference.
NL North
Columbus Cannibals
After finally breaking through and capturing the division title last year, the Cannibals have come out of the gates with a eat all prisoners mentality. The offense has been led by the Venezuelan sensation Miquel Amaral. The slugger who has never hit less than thirty home runs in a season has eight already this year, to go along with 25 RBI. This has been assisted by the gap-toothed Francis Fordyce. The rookie leadoff hitter has swiped eleven bags already, and it another reason for the solid offense thus far. The trio of Tony Li, Orlando Oliva, and Quilvio Merced has covered for an inconsistent start from staff ace Warren Sisler, and if this team continues to click like they have, they have to be considered the favorite to win the division again.
Cleveland Keggers
However, Cleveland is going to have some very strong feelings about a Columbus repeat. The Keggers have a team batting average of .305, and have particularly relied on the hitting of young right fielder Ricardo Santiago, who is belting it at a league-leading .397 clip, with a 1.137 OPS. Derrin Gipson also contributes with a .343 average and had a ten-game hitting streak earlier this season. That has signaled game over when Don Trammel is on the mound. The two-time All-Star has gone 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 31 Ks to lead the team in those categories. The struggle for the Keggers has been the bottom half of the rotation, which has been fair at best. They need another starter to emerge as a shutdown player, and they can run down the maneaters ahead of them.
Cincinnati Red Doggs
The division’s “other” Ohio team is still attempting to break the two-team strangehold up top, but it’s going to be an uphill climb to do it. The bright spot on offense has been the rookie season of Rickey Terry, the former first round pick, who is batting .300 with five homers, and gives hope that after a couple of strong years in AAA that he will live up to his incredible potential. The rest of the offense has left much to be desired, with a .224 team batting average. The pitching staff is a similar story, with the rookie season of Rico Urbina. Urbina was the AAA Pitcher of the Year last year, posting a ridiculous 25-3 record, and so far has lived up to the hype, going 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA and a healthy 0.96 WHIP. If the youngsters can perform to their potential, the Ohio Division is going to be a three-horse race before long.
Philadelphia Phantoms
Contrary to world belief, Philadelphia is still in Pennsylvania, and the perennial NL North cellar dwellers do not appear to be ready to break out yet. The offense has been at best average, with no hitters particularly standing out, and only one everyday player, veteran Phillip Strickland, batting over .270. Ironically, contrary to general league trends, this has squandered a few solid starts from pitchers Floyd Tracy and Homer Andrews. This is still, for the most part, a young team, but they have to do something to find some bats to help out the young and talented pitchers at the top of the rotation, or the Phantoms are unlikely to match their twelve game improvement from last year.
NL South
Florida Fever
Last year’s NL South champions have come out of the gate well again this year, and they’ve done it with a balanced squad that hits for average and has been pitching well. The offense has been led by Will Arnold. The former rookie of the year is healthy again after missing last season with a damaged nerve, and has come out like gangbusters with a .293 average, seven homers and 18 RBI. The pitching staff has also been quite solid, but still could take another step up. Notable has been the play of pitcher Phil Chen. The veteran from Kansas has posted a 0.38 ERA thus far this year in four starts. If the top two starts can start to gain some consistency and Arnold can stay healthy, this team looks promising to repeat.
Atlanta Stars
The Atlanta Stars have come out hitting the ball, led by Albert Flores, who has been spraying the ball all over the field with a .375 average, six homers, 26 RBI, and with a fourteen-game hitting streak earlier this year. The team hits for average quite well, with five everyday players above .300 so far. The Achilles’ heel so far has been the pitching staff. Rookie Tom Edwards has been strong, going 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA, but the rest of the staff sports ERAs over 6.00, and they need to have a couple more options on the mound, including stronger play by number one starter Osvaldo Liriano. If the arms match the bats, Atlanta can make a run.
Durham Portland Sea Dogs
Money can’t buy everything, and that includes early season success. The highest payroll in the majors has been a bit flat out of the gate, especially for a team as talented as the Sea Dogs. There have been bright spots. The play of second baseman Kirk Green has led a solid offense, as he has posted a .324 average with seven homers. Free agent acquisition Ned Hartgraves has hit five homers, but needs to improve on his .237 average. On the mound, the Sea Dogs have been able to rely on ace Wolf Grace. The two-time All-Star has gone 3-0 with a 1.97 ERA to lead the team. The rest of the starters have been solid, but the bullpen has woefully underperformed, particularly closer Edwin Beck, who has been shelled in recent outings. If the bullpen can protect a very good rotation, the Sea Dogs have the tools to contend in the South.
San Antonio Slugs
Last year’s Durham franchise has now moved to San Antonio, but they still haven’t figured out how to get out of the NL South cellar. The team is last in the National League in many offensive categories, batting only .210 as a team, and that is with the great start by rookie left fielder Chris Chiasson, a rule 5 selection from Oakland, who is hitting .297 with seven homers. Several of the everyday players are not producing at the plate though, notably right fielder Peter Spivey. The Fall Creek, WI native is batting a pathetic .104 thus far. The staff has been adequate, but with the woeful performance on offense, the records have not shown it. Notable is Jeffrey Zambrano’s performance, clocking an admirable 2.92 ERA in four starts this season. Closer Turner Rose has converted all three save opportunities without surrendering a run. If the Slugs can start hitting, they can do some damage, but it looks like they are still a couple of years away.
NL West
Arizona Cocopahs
Arizona finished third in the West last year despite a record that was ten games over .500, and they have come out on fire this year, starting with the pitching staff. Free agent acquisition Darron Gordon has started off strong, with a 3-0 record and a 3.28 ERA. Rico Barajas has also been strong, going 2-2 with a 2.36 ERA and 30 Ks. The staff ends with rookie closer Henry Phillips. The righthander from Eastern Kentucky University has converted all six save opportunities without surrendering a run. This staff has made up for a weak start at the plate for Arizona. Veteran Will Thornton leads the team with 20 RBI. The Cocopahs need more production out of their lineup to support the pitching staff, or they will be faced with a struggle out in the desert.
Colorado Rocky Mountain Defenders
When we’re talking the Defenders, we’re talking the long ball. The mile high air has had its predictable results, with forty homers from Colorado as a team thus far, paced by seven each from Dave Cyr and Alex Toca. The team is batting over .300 as a squad, and is always going to be a force to be reckoned with at the plate, particularly at home. Of course, that same advantage has led to some high totals from the pitching staff, who have to battle with the same launching pad that the offense benefits from. All of the starters have ERAs over 4.00, and the staff as a whole have surrendered forty homers thus far. Marty Linden has been the strongest starter, holding opponents to a .186 batting average thus far. The big question is if Colorado can produce on the road this season. If they can, they can contend.
Las Vegas Jarshalls
Las Vegas has been inconsistent out of the gate, relying on some decent hitting to support a weak pitching staff. The offense has been paced by Haywood Myette. The third baseman from San Francisco has started batting .291 with six homers. Bobby McEnroe opened the season on a seventeen-game hitting streak to assist. The pitching staff has been inconsistent, although Edgardo Tejera has been a bright spot with a 3-1 record. If Vegas can get their bats and pitching on the same page, they can make some noise in the West.
Oakland Banjo Boys
Oakland is only two years removed from a World Series title, although it took place back in Tacoma, but they have come out of the blocks flat. The older lineup seems to be declining. None of the everyday starters are hitting above .275, led by right fielder Geoff Alexander right at that mark. The pitching staff has also been rocked early, with only ace Jose Marquez recording more than one win. The staff still has some sold players, but they are going to be pressured to produce with the lack of offensive firepower on the roster.
Coming soon: More Dorklike fun about players and such.
No comments:
Post a Comment