Season 21 NL North Preview

Trenton Thunders

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.271	3		Fielding %	.982	12		ERA	3.54	4
Home Runs	152	15		Double Plays	360	14		Opp. Avg.	.242	5
Ops.	.738	9		+ Plays	55	9		Strike Outs	1099	8
Runs	796	4		- Plays	29	7		Saves	66	1
Steals	332	1		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.401	12		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 Record: 106-60 (NL North Champs)
Last 5 Seasons: 489-321

Trenton has been dominating the league for a few seasons now and season 20 was no different. The Thunders finished with 102 wins and made it to the Divisional round of the playoffs where they lost to NL North rival, Iowa City. This club was very good offensively and was the best team in the league on the base paths finishing with 332 steals. Rich Pierce won the Silver Slugger at 1B and put up MVP type numbers. Pierce had a .306 average, 28 home runs, 129 RBI's and a .396 OPS. Pitching is were this team was excellent. Trenton continues to have a tremendous bullpen. David Ortiz, Victor James, and Virgil Montana are three guys that will lock down the end of a game. All-Star Rudy Parker had a great year and could of been on the Cy Young conversation last season. If Trenton has a weakness it is defense. Season 20 was a rough year for the Thunders defensively. They finished toward the bottom of the league in fielding percentage and double plays. Overall Trenton is one of the elite teams in the NL. I would be shocked if they don't make it back into the playoffs.


Iowa City Hawkeyes

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.242	15		Fielding %	.988	1		ERA	3.14	1
Home Runs	214	5		Double Plays	394	8		Opp. Avg.	.236	2
Ops.	.711	13		+ Plays	64	7		Strike Outs	1100	7
Runs	641	14		- Plays	23	4		Saves	45	9
Steals	81	9		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.409	10		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 Record: 90-72
Last 5 Seasons: 410-400

One of the biggest surprises last year was the Iowa City Hawkeyes. I don't think anyone picked this team as the winner of the whole National League. Owner tk21775 has put together a old school type of team focusing on pitching and defense. This club has the best ERA in the NL and held opponents to a .236 batting average, thats impressive. A pitchers best friend is a great defense and Iowa City definitely has that. They ranked first in fielding percentage with a .988. Fausto Espinoza has been promoted and will be a huge addition to the defense. Offensively Iowa City did just enough last year. With the exception of Kory Garland, no one really put up great numbers. The Iowa City Hawkeyes are a very good team and have the pitching to win it all. Expect this team to go deep into the playoffs again this season.


Montreal Leaf Blowers

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.261	9		Fielding %	.975	16		ERA	5.40	16
Home Runs	187	9		Double Plays	375	12		Opp. Avg.	.289	15
Ops.	.735	10		+ Plays	36	13		Strike Outs	1007	16
Runs	691	12		- Plays	69	16		Saves	29	16
Steals	66	12		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.409	9		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 Record: 56-106
Last 5 Seasons: 323-487

Season 20 was not a good one for Montreal. Finishing with a 56-106 record is the second worst in franchise history. Offensively this team could hit and it was the strength of the club.  Garland Easley had a solid season as a rookie and he should improve as the season continues. The one bright spot this team has is Rickey Masterson. Masterson had a great season last year and is someone to build around. Montreal has a solid bullpen with the addition of Tom Leonard this off season. The rotation needs a lot of work to get this team back to being a contender. The Leaf Blowers had a horrible defense in season 20 ranking last in fielding percentage and last in minus plays. I wouldn't expect much out of Montreal this season. This team is in desperate need of a top to bottom rebuild is they want to compete in a tough NL North.


Fargo Wood Chippers

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.241	16		Fielding %	.979	14		ERA	5.08	15
Home Runs	208	6		Double Plays	401	7		Opp. Avg.	.294	16
Ops.	.702	14		+ Plays	26	16		Strike Outs	1058	1
Runs	633	16		- Plays	65	15		Saves	32	15
Steals	30	16		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.395	14		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 Record: 55-107
Last 5 Seasons: 343-467

The Fargo Wood Chippers continued to rebuild in season 20. They finished with a franchise record 107 losses. Fargo is one of the most improved teams in all of Pine Tar heading into season 21. Offensively the Wood Chippers took a huge leap forward. Rookies Ruben Mangual, Alex Suzuki, Olmedo Johnson, Zip Sullivan, and Rafael Hernandez will all be major improvements. Eric Buckley was a nice waiver wire pick up and he can play any position. Olmedo Johnson is a great fielder who can play third or second base. The one problem with Fargo is the pitching staff. This club is going to struggle with the rotation. Orlando Nieves needs to become the ace of this team. He has the numbers to do it but hes continued to struggle since coming to the majors in season 18.


Predictions
The NL North is a hard division to predict since there are two season 20 playoff teams here. Trenton is a great team with very few flaws. They have the pitching to take them all the way to a championship. Iowa City  also has great pitching and is similar to Trenton. The Montreal Leaf Blowers are in shambles and could start the rebuilding this year. Fargo is the hardest team to describe and predict. They have an outstanding group of young players but lack any depth with the rotation and bullpen.

1.Trenton Thunders
2. Iowa City Hawkeyes
3. Fargo Wood Chippers
4 Montreal Leaf Blowers

Season 21 AL South Preview

Nashville Nalas

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.280	4		Fielding %	.984	7		ERA	4.14	3
Home Runs	208	11		Double Plays	386	12		Opp. Avg.	.259	4
Ops.	.804	4		+ Plays	77	3		Strike Outs	1057	7
Runs	892	3		- Plays	27	3		Saves	50	4
Steals	128	6		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.443	8		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 record- 99-63(AL South Champs, World Series Champs)
Last 5 seasons- 535-275

Nashville turned in quite an amazing season 20. They failed to reach 100 wins for a seventh straight time, but they did make quite a post season run to win their second World Series title. Management was thinking that last season was the start of the downfall, but the players had different ideas. This off season though brought about the departure of  some pretty good players for this franchise. We will have to see if that hurts their chances of repeating as champs. The offense was pretty good as usual last season. They did lack some good power, but that didn't stop them from hitting, stealing and scoring runs. The offense is lead by 2 time MVP Heinie Rice, Brian Sveum, 6 time allstar Juan Latos, Chris Young, 3 time Allstar Gustavo Medrano, and 4 time allstar Pedro Gomez. This team has a really good offense, but their biggest problem is that most of these guys are starting to get old and won't be around too much longer. For now though, this is one of the better offenses in the AL. The defense was above average last season. They really lack a true shortstop or centerfielder with range, but they have solid gloves all around. I wouldn't put them among the best in the league, but they are above average at the least. The pitching was really good last season. They lost a key starter in Jeremi Rice, but they still have a good rotation. Alex Martis, Dan Siebert, and Omar Siqueiros are a good top of the rotation. The bullpen is pretty solid as well. This pitching staff is just that though, solid. They aren't great, but they should be good enough to win them some games and remain in the upper half of the league. Nashville should have another pretty good season, but the days of them being a guaranteed 100 game winner are over. I still think they win over 90 games though and should at least challenge for the AL crown.


Tampa Bay Thunder

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.272	8		Fielding %	.979	15		ERA	4.63	8
Home Runs	253	4		Double Plays	395	10		Opp. Avg.	.268	7
Ops.	.790	6		+ Plays	40	14		Strike Outs	1077	5
Runs	818	9		- Plays	53	12		Saves	44	8
Steals	127	7		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.457	4		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 Record- 84-78
Last 5 Seasons- 396-414

Last season the Thunder just missed out on the playoffs. That now makes 8 of the last 9 seasons that they failed to make post season play. I actually feel like this team under achieved last season though and should bounce back. I like the trade they made to acquire Julio Silva as that should improve the club. The didn't really lose much in the off season either. Offensively this was an above average team last year that was well rounded. It helped that Alberto Machado had a career season. Sammy Buchanan also had a pretty good season with a .305 batting average. This season the add rookie Junior Yang to the mix. He has the bat to make a run at rookie of the year in the AL. Robert Wallace brings good power to the lineup as he hit 41 homers last season. Then when you add Victor Alexander and his 50 homeruns to the mix the team has plenty of power in its lineup. This team should be a force offensively. I think they can be even better than last season. The defense is a weakness for them. They finished near the bottom of the league defensively and it looks like they could be headed for that again. They lack a really good glove at shortstop and centerfield, but they have average gloves at other positions. This is not a good defensive team. The pitching was just above average last season. Claude Collins under performed and I'm sure he'll turn that around and become the ace that he is. Bo Carter is a good middle of the rotation starter. Jimmy Washington isn't great, but he's consistent and can be counted on for double digit victories. The bullpen has a few good arms in it as well. I think this is a pretty average pitching staff that Collins brings to the slightly above average group. This team should battle for a post season spot this season with the offense they have and should improve the victory total as well. I'm not sure I think they can take the division, but they should challenge.


San Juan Pollos Hermanos

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.272	7		Fielding %	.984	6		ERA	5.19	13
Home Runs	188	13		Double Plays	444	3		Opp. Avg.	.287	15
Ops.	.777	8		+ Plays	53	8		Strike Outs	1054	9
Runs	863	5		- Plays	42	9		Saves	46	5
Steals	126	8		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.435	11		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 Record- 77-85
Last 5 seasons- 381-429

After many seasons of being a bottom feeder in the AL this franchise has moved up to being just below average over the past 4 seasons. Feeling the need to mix things up and get the franchise to the next level, ownership did just that this off season. They traded away a couple big rotation pieces and a very good glove for a future star, Ralph Hatcher, a solid player in Desi Vasquez, and another very good young player in Fausto Espinosa. They made some good free agent signings in Benji Contreras, Polin Castillo, and Ryan Kennedy. Based on the moves they made it appears that this team has the future in mind rather than this season. At the same time they still signed some players to avoid falling to far off the pace they've been on. Offensively this team was pretty average last season. Houston Graves, Alexander Williamson, Ernie Jarvis, Harvey Merrick, Vicente Alfonzo, and Charles Yoshii are the guys that make this lineup dangerous. I think this is a good offense that may be lacking some power, but they make up for it with good contact. The defense was slightly above average last season. Efrain Matsumoto is a real good glove at short, but he lacks good range. Desi Vasquez makes for a gold glove corner outfielder, but lacks the range to play center. That is where the hole in this defense is. They are solid, but they lack good range and a real centerfielder. This defense could rank in the bottom half of the league. The team gutted the rotation in the off season is this is probably their biggest area of concern. Charles Hayashi is still a very good pitcher, but the rest of the rotation could use some help. Shane Osik is young and will be that help, but he needs more stamina to truly be effective for them. The bullpen is pretty good and should help this team close out games. This may not be the season that San Juan makes the move up the ladder, but they don't appear to be too far off from doing so. They have good pieces in place and young players that will help for quite some time. I don't see them challenging this season though.


New Orleans Nighthawks

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.265	10		Fielding %	.978	16		ERA	4.85	11
Home Runs	249	6		Double Plays	344	15		Opp. Avg.	.276	10
Ops.	.773	9		+ Plays	64	5		Strike Outs	1085	4
Runs	137	5		- Plays	76	14		Saves	41	10
Steals	137	5		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.445	7		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 Record- 75-87
Last 5 seasons- 359-451

New Orleans has been on an 11 season playoff drought now as of last season. They did take a small step forward though last season by improving their win total by 10 games. They didn't really make any major moves in the off season and did keep together most of the major players on this team. Offensively they were about average last season. Sam Slotnick won his second MVP award after hitting 62 homers. Braden Fussell is a great run producer and drove in 122 of them last season while scoring 111. Quinn Watson has some real good power. This offense is solid, but this is an offensive division. I rate them about average with good power that could swing that to slightly above average. The defense was pretty bad last season. The best and really only shortstop option, Vin Hernandez, spends most of his time on the bench. I think this is an area of concern again this season and could cost them some victories. The pitching staff was below average last season, but they don't look that bad to me. Jesus Amezaga has been a great bullpen pitcher throughout his career. George Eaton has been a pretty good closer. The rotation could use a lot of help, but the bullpen looks pretty good. I'd say this staff is at least average if used correctly. It looks like it will be another early off season for New Orleans. If they could get the defense fixed and add a little pitching then they could make a run at the post season because they have a good offense. I just think they have too many holes to make it this season.

Predictions
Nashville is looking like the team to beat again this season. They are the most complete team in this division and are the returning World Champs. Tampa Bay has a good team and have pieces in place to make a run at the division title. I think they'll end up battling for a wild card spot though. They have the talent to end up in the post season. San Juan is a pretty average team. They could surprise some teams and make a run at a post season spot. The pitching is a bit suspect, but a few breaks and this team could win 85 games and battle for a wild card. New Orleans has the offense to compete with the other teams, but that's it. The defense is really bad, and the pitching is just average. I don't think they are a bad team, but this division looks tough in front of them and it'll be tough for them to take the steps necessary to compete. 80 wins would be a nice mark for them to shoot for.

1. Nashville
2. Tampa Bay
3. San Juan
4. New Orleans

Season 21 AL East Preview

Durham Doormats

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.303	1		Fielding %	.982	12		ERA	3.74	1
Home Runs	307	1		Double Plays	438	5		Opp. Avg.	.245	1
Ops.	.900	1		+ Plays	44	13		Stike Outs	1136	3
Runs	1055	1		- Plays	33	6		Saves	55	1
Steals	56	13		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.521	1		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 record- 111-51(AL East Champ; ALCS runner up)
Last 5 seasons- 432-378

After a very successful regular season, this team couldn't get past Nashville in the ALCS. I guess the great regular season is nice, but with the way this franchise played last season, the playoff loss was a major letdown. They did have the best offense in the league last season and they were amazing. Led by silver sluggers Fred Inge, and Eric Lindsey, they also have Angel Faulk, who tied the team single season batting average record. Kazuhiro Kuroda also set the franchise single season record for OBP. The threats don't end there though. Julio Navarro is a clutch hitter, Billy Haynes has great contact, Willie Martinez has great power, as does Hector Janssen and Ernest Christiansen provides some pop. This offense is lethal. I'm expecting another great season from them. The defense was not very good last season. They really sacrifice the defense for offense and it works for them. Faulk is the shortstop, and his glove is solid, but he lacks good range. Lindsey is a solid centerfielder with range, but his glove isn't great. Besides them the defense just isn't very good at all. The pitching was pretty dominant last season. They are led by Cy Young winner Willie Jacquez and following him are some pretty good arms as well. Benny Bravo found himself and had a breakthrough season. The relief pitching is also pretty good on this team. I think they'll be one of the better pitching staffs again this season. I really like Durhams chances of repeating as the division champs and they should challenge for the AL title again this season.

Pittsburgh Psychics

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.281	3		Fielding %	.986	3		ERA	4.74	9
Home Runs	215	9		Double Plays	334	16		Opp. Avg.	270	8
Ops.	.791	5		+ Plays	48	12		Stike Outs	1138	2
Runs	879	4		- Plays	39	7		Saves	38	13
Steals	74	12		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.445	6		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 record- 84-78(Wild Card)
Last 5 seasons- 451-359

Taking the second wild card spot last season, this franchise has now been to 6 of the last 7 post seasons. It's been since season 13 that they have had a losing season. Offensively they were among the best in the league last season. The lineup is fueled by Joseph Bang, Alvin Reed, Reggie Creek, and Coco Stratton. Off season free agent signing Tanner Stephenson should be a nice addition to an already good lineup. They could use a little more power as Tony Dalrymple is the only true power threat they have. The defense was good last season. They didn't commit many errors, but they lacked good range. It looks like this team has taken a major step backwards in regards to defense this season. The lack a true shortstop, but Daniel Smith is a solid centerfielder. They really don't have much at other positions either though. The pitching staff was average last season and they really look about that again. The best arms are in the pen with Irv Coghlan and Rudy Jameson. The rotation should do fine, but they aren't among the best in the league. This team has a pretty good offense, but the pitching is only average and the defense is just bad. It could be a tough season for them, but I think they can finish with close to 80 wins.


Rochester Retards

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.274	6		Fielding %	.984	8		ERA	4.80	10
Home Runs	217	8		Double Plays	492	1		Opp. Avg.	.278	11
Ops.	.781	7		+ Plays	57	7		Stike Outs	1037	10
Runs	835	8		- Plays	27	4		Saves	43	9
Steals	156	4		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.440	9		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 record- 83-79
Last 5 seasons- 372-438

Rochester missed the post season for a 9th straight season, but they did end up with a winning record. The team has made strides the past couple seasons and look to continue moving forward. The offense was pretty average last season. Led by 3 time allstar Barney Taft, silver slugger 1B Russell Powell, Tomas Carrasco, and Samuel Wallace, this team could be a bit better than average this season. They have some power, they have some speed and they can get on base. I like this lineup they've built in Rochester. The defense was also about average last season. Shortstop McKay Payton is solid, but not spectacular. The defense has solid gloves at most positions and could end up better than last season, but I think they could use more range in centerfield. The pitching on this team was below average in season 20, but they are a solid group. Vinny Napoli is a pretty good ace and he's young. I like a few of the pitchers they have and appear to be heading in the right direction. Rochester is an all around solid team. They could use a bit better pitching, but they really look like they are only a few pieces away from being a real threat in the division.

Boston Pilgrims

Offense			1	Defense			1	Pitching
Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank		Category	Stat	Rank
Average	.260	13		Fielding %	.986	2		ERA	4.59	6
Home Runs	265	2		Double Plays	480	2		Opp. Avg.	.284	13
Ops.	.772	10		+ Plays	101	1		Stike Outs	1010	12
Runs	776	11		- Plays	27	2		Saves	39	11
Steals	42	15		1	1	1		1	1	1
Slugging	.448	5		1	1	1		1	1	1

Season 20 record- 79-83
Last 5 seasons- 382-428

It seems like this team just can't get over the hump. They've been stuck around .500 for the past four seasons now and have to be growing frustrated. This team was below average offensively last season but did have some good power. The lineup features, Pepper Sanders, Rico Tatis, Matt Jaha, and Houston Baptist. Just those guys alone can make any lineup dangerous. This team has the look of an offense that is close to taking that step to being above average. They do feature one of the best defenses in the league though. They were just amazing last season and they should be again. Yusmeiro Julio could contend for a gold glove at shortstop. Sammy Espinosa is a great 3B. Chun-Lim Li has been and could be again a gold glove centerfielder. If those guys can get some offense going then they will make for some very good pieces to the puzzle for Boston. The pitching was about average overall last season, but they gave up too many hits and couldn't close out games with a 62% save percentage. Hipolito Owen is a good young up and coming starter. Nash Casanova is a good young reliever that struggled last season, but he should turn it around. The pitching in Boston overall is pretty solid, but not quite among the best in the league. I really like this team altogether and think they could make a solid run at the post season, but they still may be a couple pieces away.

Prediction
This is a tough division. Durham obviously is the leader of the pack and they are quite stacked. I think they are the favorite in the AL right now and should at least make the ALCS again. That's not a knock against the other teams in this division. They all have strong pieces of their games, but they just aren't put together as solid as Durham is. Pittsburgh could be the team that takes a step back in this division. They aren't bad, but Rochester and Boston both look better. Rochester seems to be only a few pieces away from being a real contender, but they should at least challenge for a post season spot. Boston is the team I really think can improve the most. They have the offense and defense, and the pitching isn't too far behind them. Look for Boston to make a real challenge to get into the post season.

1. Durham
2. Boston
3. Rochester
4. Pittsburgh