NL East
Louisville 84-78
New York 79-83
Charleston 79-83
Cleveland 74-88
NL North
Toronto 95-67
Cincinnati 90-72
Ottawa 85-77
Columbus 82-80
NL South
New Orleans 84-78
Little Rock 79-83
Jacksonville 77-85
Atlanta 69-93
NL West
Las Vegas 96-66
Anaheim 79-83
Arizona 72-90
Los Angeles 71-91
Playoff Seeds
1. Las Vegas
2. Toronto
3. Louisville
4. New Orleans
5. Cincinnati
6. Ottawa
Comments:
The NL North is absolutely loaded, as the defending NL Champs, Columbus, are rated as the worst team in the division. They would be competing for the division in the East or South, but the North is tough. Toronto has the second best pitching staff in the NL, and Cincinnati and Ottawa are not far behind. The team that could disappoint here is Louisville as they are very dependent on their pitching this season.
Friday, November 19, 2010
AL Predictions
AL East
Philadelphia 95-67
Florida 91-71
Richmond 81-81
Pittsburgh 65-97
AL North
New Britain 96-66
Rochester 90-72
Chicago 84-78
Syracuse 68-94
AL South
Texas 84-78
El Paso 81-81
Montgomery 79-83
Jackson 76-86
AL West
Seattle 88-74
Honolulu 79-83
Colorado Springs 72-90
Cheyenne 67-95
Playoff Seeds
1. New Britain
2. Philadelphia
3. Seattle
4. Texas
5. Florida
6. Rochester
Comments:
New Britain and Philadelphia are heads and shoulders better than anybody in the world, much less the AL. New Britain has a great offense and very good pitching, while Philly has a better balance, but still is very good. Seattle, the defending World Champions, can barely crack the top 5 this season. The team that could disappoint is Texas as they are skewed very heavily towards pitching.
**To come to these rankings, I took the overall ML pitching and hitting talent, added them together to come up with a value for the team talent. I used the "franchise rankings" page to get my numbers. This is just for fun, and I don't mean to offend anyone.**
Philadelphia 95-67
Florida 91-71
Richmond 81-81
Pittsburgh 65-97
AL North
New Britain 96-66
Rochester 90-72
Chicago 84-78
Syracuse 68-94
AL South
Texas 84-78
El Paso 81-81
Montgomery 79-83
Jackson 76-86
AL West
Seattle 88-74
Honolulu 79-83
Colorado Springs 72-90
Cheyenne 67-95
Playoff Seeds
1. New Britain
2. Philadelphia
3. Seattle
4. Texas
5. Florida
6. Rochester
Comments:
New Britain and Philadelphia are heads and shoulders better than anybody in the world, much less the AL. New Britain has a great offense and very good pitching, while Philly has a better balance, but still is very good. Seattle, the defending World Champions, can barely crack the top 5 this season. The team that could disappoint is Texas as they are skewed very heavily towards pitching.
**To come to these rankings, I took the overall ML pitching and hitting talent, added them together to come up with a value for the team talent. I used the "franchise rankings" page to get my numbers. This is just for fun, and I don't mean to offend anyone.**
Top RP
Full of good players, the reliever position is one of the most talented in the world.
1. Spud Clarke
Spud pitched in 69 games last season, posting a 2.11 ERA in 98.1 innings. He can close, he can be a 2 or 3 inning set-up man...he's versatile, and good. He's got great control, great velocity, a great pitch (along with 3 above average ones) and he does a great job of keeping the ball out of the hitting zone and down in the strike zone.
2. Caleb Duran
Caleb appeared in 72 games, last season, posting a 2.08 ERA in 138.2 innings. He was 7-1 with 4 saves. Another 2-inning closer, or 2-inning setup man, Duran has a lot of talent as well. He's got great control, great velocity, and a couple good pitches. He does a good job keeping the ball out of the strike zone, but isn't as adept at keeping the ball down in the zone as one would like.
3. Robb Stahoviak
Robb made 40 appearances last season, recording 11/13 saves while posting a 1.85 ERA in 43.2 innings. At 25 years old, Stahoviak has the potential to be one of the greatest, ever, but his current ratings make him a good pitcher. He's got good control. He's got 3 above average to good pitches to go along with great velocity. He does an excellent job of keeping the ball out of the hitting zone while also getting tons of groundballs. His durability could be an issue and could limit him to appearances of no more than an inning.
1. Spud Clarke
Spud pitched in 69 games last season, posting a 2.11 ERA in 98.1 innings. He can close, he can be a 2 or 3 inning set-up man...he's versatile, and good. He's got great control, great velocity, a great pitch (along with 3 above average ones) and he does a great job of keeping the ball out of the hitting zone and down in the strike zone.
2. Caleb Duran
Caleb appeared in 72 games, last season, posting a 2.08 ERA in 138.2 innings. He was 7-1 with 4 saves. Another 2-inning closer, or 2-inning setup man, Duran has a lot of talent as well. He's got great control, great velocity, and a couple good pitches. He does a good job keeping the ball out of the strike zone, but isn't as adept at keeping the ball down in the zone as one would like.
3. Robb Stahoviak
Robb made 40 appearances last season, recording 11/13 saves while posting a 1.85 ERA in 43.2 innings. At 25 years old, Stahoviak has the potential to be one of the greatest, ever, but his current ratings make him a good pitcher. He's got good control. He's got 3 above average to good pitches to go along with great velocity. He does an excellent job of keeping the ball out of the hitting zone while also getting tons of groundballs. His durability could be an issue and could limit him to appearances of no more than an inning.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Top SP
There are some very good pitchers in this world, but after the top 20 or so, the talent level really drops off.
1. Kenshin Ogawa
Two-time all-star and the season 2 AL Cy Young winner (34 GS, 15-7, 255.1 IP, 2.04 ERA, 183 K), Ogawa really cranked up his performance last season, leading Philadelphia to the ALCS. He's a workhorse, as he has ideal stamina/durability for an ace. He has top-notch control, dominates right-handed batters, has 2 great pitches, 2 good pitches and a fifth pitch that is slightly below average which allows him to mix it up while on the mound. Does a good job of keeping the ball down in the zone. Doesn't have high-end velocity, but that hasn't prevented him from striking out his fair share of batters.
2. Willie Oliva
Oliva had a down season in season 2 (34 GS, 14-6, 224.2 IP, 3.53 IP, 207 K) but it didn't stop him from making the all-star team. He's an equal opportunity dominator as he does a great job keeping the ball out of the hitting zone. He's not going to hurt himself with walks as he has very good control. He's a flyball pitcher which has led to him giving up a fair amount of home runs in his career. He has solid stamina and great durability to go along with with 3 good pitches, an average pitch, and a below average pitch. He has great velocity which helps to offset the fact that he doesn't have a dominating pitch. He is currently #2 on the career strikeout list.
3. Julian Tejeda
Young Mr. Tejeda mad his big league debut in season 1, where he struggled. He picked up the pace in season 2 (34GS, 15-10, 224.2 IP, 3.41 ERA, 169 K) and had a solid season. He's 23 years which means he has some room to improve. He has the ideal stamina/durability combo to get 35-40 starts, 220-260 innings each season. He is lacking in velocity, but does a great job keeping the ball down. He is good at keeping the ball out of the hitting zones and isn't going to walk many either. He has a great pitch, a good pitch and 3 above average pitches to go along with his other talents.
1. Kenshin Ogawa
Two-time all-star and the season 2 AL Cy Young winner (34 GS, 15-7, 255.1 IP, 2.04 ERA, 183 K), Ogawa really cranked up his performance last season, leading Philadelphia to the ALCS. He's a workhorse, as he has ideal stamina/durability for an ace. He has top-notch control, dominates right-handed batters, has 2 great pitches, 2 good pitches and a fifth pitch that is slightly below average which allows him to mix it up while on the mound. Does a good job of keeping the ball down in the zone. Doesn't have high-end velocity, but that hasn't prevented him from striking out his fair share of batters.
2. Willie Oliva
Oliva had a down season in season 2 (34 GS, 14-6, 224.2 IP, 3.53 IP, 207 K) but it didn't stop him from making the all-star team. He's an equal opportunity dominator as he does a great job keeping the ball out of the hitting zone. He's not going to hurt himself with walks as he has very good control. He's a flyball pitcher which has led to him giving up a fair amount of home runs in his career. He has solid stamina and great durability to go along with with 3 good pitches, an average pitch, and a below average pitch. He has great velocity which helps to offset the fact that he doesn't have a dominating pitch. He is currently #2 on the career strikeout list.
3. Julian Tejeda
Young Mr. Tejeda mad his big league debut in season 1, where he struggled. He picked up the pace in season 2 (34GS, 15-10, 224.2 IP, 3.41 ERA, 169 K) and had a solid season. He's 23 years which means he has some room to improve. He has the ideal stamina/durability combo to get 35-40 starts, 220-260 innings each season. He is lacking in velocity, but does a great job keeping the ball down. He is good at keeping the ball out of the hitting zones and isn't going to walk many either. He has a great pitch, a good pitch and 3 above average pitches to go along with his other talents.
Top RF
A solid group, there is definitely some talent at this position.
1. Hal Thompson
A very good player, Hal had a down season in season 2 (.288/.363/.572, 39 HR, 98 RBI). Only 25 years old, there is still room for improvement. As it stands now, he makes good contact, has great power, and a decent eye. He can really drive the ball well and has speed to stretch singles into doubles and even get the occasional triple. He's got good range and a good arm, and the only real weakness is his glove isn't even average for a RF.
2. Jamey Petkovsek
Another youngster with room to improve, Jamey did not have a good season in season 2 (.260/.344/.453, 30 HR, 74 RBI). He has solid contact, good power, a good eye, and sees the ball really well against righties, while not being a liability against lefties. Doesn't have the ideal speed, but just enough to get a few extra-base hits. Decent range, and a good arm do not make up for the fact that his glove is below average for a 1B, much less a RF.
3. Matty Bailey
There must have been something about RF and season 2 as Matty had a down season as well (.279/.394/.487, 22 HR, 82 RBI). He did win his 2nd straight NL RF Gold Glove, and that is no surprise given that his range and glove are more suitable for the hot corner than RF. To go along with this great defense, he has great speed, although coupled with mediocre baserunning ability, doesn't provide quite the help one would expect. Makes great contact and sees the ball well against righties while not struggling against lefties. Has a great eye. Good power.
1. Hal Thompson
A very good player, Hal had a down season in season 2 (.288/.363/.572, 39 HR, 98 RBI). Only 25 years old, there is still room for improvement. As it stands now, he makes good contact, has great power, and a decent eye. He can really drive the ball well and has speed to stretch singles into doubles and even get the occasional triple. He's got good range and a good arm, and the only real weakness is his glove isn't even average for a RF.
2. Jamey Petkovsek
Another youngster with room to improve, Jamey did not have a good season in season 2 (.260/.344/.453, 30 HR, 74 RBI). He has solid contact, good power, a good eye, and sees the ball really well against righties, while not being a liability against lefties. Doesn't have the ideal speed, but just enough to get a few extra-base hits. Decent range, and a good arm do not make up for the fact that his glove is below average for a 1B, much less a RF.
3. Matty Bailey
There must have been something about RF and season 2 as Matty had a down season as well (.279/.394/.487, 22 HR, 82 RBI). He did win his 2nd straight NL RF Gold Glove, and that is no surprise given that his range and glove are more suitable for the hot corner than RF. To go along with this great defense, he has great speed, although coupled with mediocre baserunning ability, doesn't provide quite the help one would expect. Makes great contact and sees the ball well against righties while not struggling against lefties. Has a great eye. Good power.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Top CF
This is a top-heavy group, with only 9 players in the world considered to be good players, but 4 of the highest rated players at any position.
T-1. Clarence Canseco
Canseco made the All-Star team and won the All-Star MVP in season 2 (.295/.659/.525, 29 HR, 102 RBI). He's got very good range, a great glove, and has excellent speed (28 SB). While he doesn't have any "elite" ratings, he doesn't have any rating that scares you away offensively. He's got good contact, power, drives the ball well, and has the ability to work the count and reach base a lot. He's a very good and very dangerous player to have to face.
T-1. Jaime Pierre
The season 2 AL silver slugger, Pierre (.301/.398/.616, 38 HR, 100 RBI) has no real weaknesses. His range is below average for a CF, but he has the glove to help make up for that. In addition, his offensive abilities make pitchers run for cover. While not the greatest at making contact, he makes up for that with elite power, the ability to drive the ball, and a great eye. On top of all of those talents, he also has top-not speed (22 SB).
3. Dummy Merrick
Dummy won the season 2 AL MVP to go along with the gold glove. He hit .311/.366/.631 with 41 HRs, and 122 RBI. While not as well-rounded as the top 2 players on this list, he has better top-end ratings than they do. He has great range to go along with a good glove. Season 2's batting average was an anomaly as he normally won't hit for a high average or much against lefties, but he has power to spare and combined with his ability to drive the ball exceptionally well against righties, he's a dangerous player. He'll work the count for walks and has speed to steal some bases but not the knowledge.
T-1. Clarence Canseco
Canseco made the All-Star team and won the All-Star MVP in season 2 (.295/.659/.525, 29 HR, 102 RBI). He's got very good range, a great glove, and has excellent speed (28 SB). While he doesn't have any "elite" ratings, he doesn't have any rating that scares you away offensively. He's got good contact, power, drives the ball well, and has the ability to work the count and reach base a lot. He's a very good and very dangerous player to have to face.
T-1. Jaime Pierre
The season 2 AL silver slugger, Pierre (.301/.398/.616, 38 HR, 100 RBI) has no real weaknesses. His range is below average for a CF, but he has the glove to help make up for that. In addition, his offensive abilities make pitchers run for cover. While not the greatest at making contact, he makes up for that with elite power, the ability to drive the ball, and a great eye. On top of all of those talents, he also has top-not speed (22 SB).
3. Dummy Merrick
Dummy won the season 2 AL MVP to go along with the gold glove. He hit .311/.366/.631 with 41 HRs, and 122 RBI. While not as well-rounded as the top 2 players on this list, he has better top-end ratings than they do. He has great range to go along with a good glove. Season 2's batting average was an anomaly as he normally won't hit for a high average or much against lefties, but he has power to spare and combined with his ability to drive the ball exceptionally well against righties, he's a dangerous player. He'll work the count for walks and has speed to steal some bases but not the knowledge.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Top LF
This position is skewed upwards by having a top 5 hitter in the group.
1. Livan Bocachica
Livan made is a very strong player, putting up some solid numbers (.333/.430/.610, 35 HR, 112 RBI) while winning the Silver Slugger in Season 2. Better suited for 1B, his OF defense is atrocious. He has good speed and a great eye. He makes good contact, has good power, dominates lefties, and is no slouch at hitting the ball hard against righties. Although he has good speed, he has no baserunning ability of which to speak.
2. Brian Malloy
A Silver Slugger RF in Season 2 (.268/.346/.490, 31 HR, 111 RBI), Malloy makes the switch to LF mostly due to his glove. He has solid range and a good arm for LF though. He is another one with good speed to go along with good abilities across the board. He makes good contact, has a good eye, good power, and is great at driving the ball against righties, while being merely good against lefties. Has produced a 30/30 season and a 30/25 season.
3. Bud Sobolewski
Bud had a solid season 2 (.283/.387/.451, 19 HR, 75 RBI) but could be so much more. He's a solid defender in LF. He is a bit of a health risk, although he has no DL stays in 2 seasons. No speed whatsoever. He makes great contact and does a good job driving the ball. He knows the strike zone very well. He has some power. He's a unique player in that he's performed well, but not as well as I'd expect, given his ratings. Spending his whole career in Florida isn't helping things either.
1. Livan Bocachica
Livan made is a very strong player, putting up some solid numbers (.333/.430/.610, 35 HR, 112 RBI) while winning the Silver Slugger in Season 2. Better suited for 1B, his OF defense is atrocious. He has good speed and a great eye. He makes good contact, has good power, dominates lefties, and is no slouch at hitting the ball hard against righties. Although he has good speed, he has no baserunning ability of which to speak.
2. Brian Malloy
A Silver Slugger RF in Season 2 (.268/.346/.490, 31 HR, 111 RBI), Malloy makes the switch to LF mostly due to his glove. He has solid range and a good arm for LF though. He is another one with good speed to go along with good abilities across the board. He makes good contact, has a good eye, good power, and is great at driving the ball against righties, while being merely good against lefties. Has produced a 30/30 season and a 30/25 season.
3. Bud Sobolewski
Bud had a solid season 2 (.283/.387/.451, 19 HR, 75 RBI) but could be so much more. He's a solid defender in LF. He is a bit of a health risk, although he has no DL stays in 2 seasons. No speed whatsoever. He makes great contact and does a good job driving the ball. He knows the strike zone very well. He has some power. He's a unique player in that he's performed well, but not as well as I'd expect, given his ratings. Spending his whole career in Florida isn't helping things either.
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