TACOMA PIONEERS – tomjames
Team records
ML: 61-56
AAA: 64-53
AA: 65-52
HiA: 78-39
LowA: 61-56
Rookie: 22-30
GRADES
ML team: B- Despite a winning record, the Pioneers will likely miss the playoffs for the third straight season. Still, fans are happy with new management this season and a significant increase in wins.
Minors: A- Outside of a poor showing in the Rookie team, the Tacoma minor league teams are having excellent seasons. They are in the running for a playoff spot at every other level. The HiA team has been particularly good this season, and looks to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Draft: B- DRAFT GRADE REVIEW
Trades: B Tacoma has been one of the more active traders this season, seeing lots of players move in 9 different deals. Most of the deals have involved moving veterans for prospects, and a whole lot of money has come off the books. RP Lonnie Rizzo is the best addition to the club, and projects as a top closer.
Player acquisitions: A- Peter Baek is all smiles this season after going from the pitching wasteland in Santa Fe to the huge park in Tacoma. Baek was the top free agent off the board this offseason, and has delivered for Tacoma with excellent numbers this season. With a strong finish, he’ll be in the running for the Cy Young. Veteran closer Nicholas Fox was signed in the offseason, and has come out of nowhere to rank among the lead leaders in saves. International signee C/DH Miguel Marquez is a nice addition and projects to be a very good offensive catcher.
Player development: B+ CF Ray Hines has seen the ML club in parts of three seasons, and with his recent promotion, hopes he is up to stay. Hines tore up AAA pitching, and is off to a good start in the majors so far. While Baek got most of the attention in the off-season, young hurler Tommie Relaford has actually been the best starter for Tacoma this season, and he will be in the Cy Young race with a good finish. 25 year old SP Peter Webster has been a tough luck pitcher all season. Webster has posted a losing record, despite good peripheral numbers and great stuff. Tacoma fans expect Webster to be one of the top pitchers in their rotation for years to come. 3B Brook Diaz is having an excellent year in his first full season in the majors. 1B Victor Cruz has tormented pitchers his entire career in the minors. Fans are excited about his recent promotion to the ML club, and expect him to be in the middle of the order for a long time.
Record compared to talent: B Tomjames has been delivering all year in his first season for Tacoma, and has turned over the roster to young talented players. The future is bright for the Pioneers. Oh, and his work on the blog is pretty impressive as well.
Coach hot seat ranking: Green
SAN DIEGO FRIAR POWER – sidekicker
Team records
ML: 44-73
AAA: 67-50
AA: 58-59
HiA: 45-72
LowA: 54-63
Rookie: 14-39
GRADES
ML team: D- There have been a lot of struggles in San Diego this season, as the team has one of the worst records in the league. Closer Jesus Rodriguez is one of the bright spots for the Friar Power. Rodriguez is among the league leaders in saves this season.
Minors: C- The minor league teams for San Diego are struggling at most levels. Still, fans are excited about some of the talent in AAA, and look for that team to make a run in the playoffs.
Draft: B- DRAFT GRADE REVIEW
Trades: D+ San Diego has complete 3 trades this season. In their biggest move, they acquired 3B AJ West and SS Daryl Lawrence for SP Herbert Brandy. West and Lawrence are nice young additions for the Friar Power, but SP Herbert Brandt will be sorely missed. A few other players were added that should be solid additions. Pitcher Mak Nakamura will also be missed.
Player acquisitions: C- San Diego signed SP Scott Presley to a 3 year deal and put him straight into the rotation. Presley has struggled so far this season with a 4-10 record. SP Tim Archer got a 4 year deal and started out with the ML club, but struggled, and is currently trying to work through his troubles in AAA. Veteran SP Preston Wright got a 3 year deal with the Friar Power. Wright was injured for part of this year, and so far looks like a solid bottom of the rotation pitcher.
Player development: C+ In his rookie campaign, 21 year old SP Del Tavarez has come out of nowhere with a solid season. Fans are becoming more and more excited about his potential. Coming in with high expectations, 25 year old SS Sean Bird is struggling mightily this season. Friar Power fans are excited about the rookie season of Art Roskos. Roskos is hitting .300 and showing why many expect him to become one of the top hitters in the game. RP Raymond Garcia made his debut this season, and is expected to grow into the closer role in a few seasons.
Record compared to talent: C Under new management this season and without a ton of talent at the ML level, fans knew going in that this would be a rebuilding season for the Friar Power. With some young talent that is close to the ML level, it may not take too long for San Diego to make it back to the playoffs.
Coach hot seat ranking: Green
LAS VEGAS ZONE - lvrecsports
Team records
ML: 54-63
AAA: 19-98
AA: 29-88 (worst record in AA)
HiA: 50-67
LowA: 15-102 (worst record in LowA)
Rookie: 26-26
GRADES
ML team: C- Las Vegas looks to miss the playoffs for the 3rd straight season. On the bright side, veteran 3B Woody Garcia is having another huge season for the Zone, and is one of the top offensive 3b in the league. SP Midre Torres is also having another solid season.
Minors: F The minor league teams for the Zone are collectively the worst group of any team, with poor teams everywhere. They are seeing some absolutely dismal campaigns at AAA, AA, and LowA. Only an average rookie team has any shot at the playoffs.
Draft: A- DRAFT GRADE REVIEW
Trades: C Las Vegas completed two trades this season. C Davey Calvo is a great pick up for the Zone, and projects to be an excellent offensive and defensive catcher. 2B Odalis Montanez and RP Ernie Torres will be missed.
Player acquisitions: B- SP Carmine Taft was one of the biggest signings of the free agency season, and got a 4 year deal with the Zone. Taft has been ok this season, but probably hasn’t met fans expectations based on his deal. He will have to pitch well for many more years to make this a good signing. 2B Odell Hudson got a reasonable 2 year deal and is having an excellent season for the Zone. Free agent signee RP Ricky Jeffries may be having the best season of the bunch, and is signed through next season.
Player development: C+ 2B Rondell Lowe spent some time with the Big League club this season and struggled. Now back in AAA and playing well, he is on track to return to the ML team and fans expect big things from him. C Dave Riley is having a very good season at AAA, and is not too far from the ML. Fans are very excited about young prospect 1B Ryan Relaford. Relaford is the best prospect for the Zone, and projects to become a great slugger when he reaches the big leagues.
Record compared to talent: D+ With an $86.3 million payroll and an aging team, fans expected some struggles this season in Las Vegas. They are too far out of the race to make a run, and the team faces some important decisions this off-season with veteran players. Even with new management, fans are concerned about the terrible state of the minor league teams. An infusion of young talent may be needed next season for the Zone.
Coach hot seat ranking: Yellow
COLORADO SKY SOX – knucklebones
Team records
ML: 76-41 (top record in the league)
AAA: 59-58
AA: 55-62
HiA: 43-74
LowA: 39-78
Rookie: 32-21
GRADES
ML team: A Colorado is fighting with Atlanta for the top record in the ML. Veterans RF Earl Williams, 3B Vicente Domino, LF Tony Armas, and SS Gus Wilkins are all having monster seasons at the plate. Several of these guys will be in the running for the MVP. When you post an E.R.A. below 4.00 in Colorado, you’re doing something special. That’s exactly what SP Gil Henson is doing this season for the Sky Sox. While he may not get the hardware at the end of the season, Henson is having a Cy Young type season in Colorado.
Minors: D+ Colorado’s rookie team is the best of the bunch, and should make the playoffs with ease. AAA and AA clubs are having average seasons, and teams at HiA and LowA are among the worst teams at those levels.
Draft: A- DRAFT GRADE REVIEW
Trades: B+ Colorado has made several trades to help their team this season. C Ricardo Ramirez was off to an incredible start until he got injured. 2B Odalis Montanez was a huge addition and is having an excellent season all-around. SS Rickey Mitchell and C Davey Calvo will be missed.
Player acquisitions: Free agent C Max Ransom was signed to a small deal. In limited action, Ransom has performed admirably.
Player development: C- In his sophomore campaign, C Frank Cooper is having a huge season at the plate, and fans are excited about his potential. RF Manny Vanguri is having a solid rookie season.
Record compared to talent: A Ownership made a great decision to move the franchise to Colorado this season. With a veteran group of great hitters, the team is taking full advantage of the Rocky Mountain air. Colorado is among the most talented teams in the league this season. With their $84 million payroll, and $15 million invested in coaches, fans expected a good season and the team is delivering. Colorado can make a run in the playoffs if the pitching can hold up at all.
Coach hot seat ranking: Green
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