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Welcome to the Season 17 of the USMLB.

Monday, April 14, 2008

NL WEST PREVIEW

Colorado Sky Sox (knucklebones)
If most team win there division for the second straight year it would be considered a great success but not for the Sky Sox, as the team had to be disappointed in how last season turned out. Knucklebones then moved the team from Los Angles to Colorado in hope that the move would wake up his team. The team last year where the Arizona Diamondbacks of the USMLB giving up 11 runs then they scored but the weak NL West allowed them to still have a winning record. “In previous years this team was built on defense and pitching but with our offensive growing, I thought Colorado would be a perfect fit for them.” GM knucklebones had to say about his team, he also said, “it will be an interesting year but I still see use three-peating for the divisional title.” The team only lost Bill Abbott (1B) (.184, 3, 9), Philip Dunn (C) (.256, 22, 75) and Lonny Welch (P) (4GS) to free agency. The team only signed Max Ransom (C) (Minors) from the San Antonio Stars for 1yr/327k. The team also acquired Ricardo Ramirez (C) (.273, 21, 77) from the Tacoma Pioneers for two minor leaguers and acquired Odalis Montanez (2B) (.251, 23, 66) from the Las Vegas Zone for three minor leaguers.
Earl Williams (RF) (.240, 33, 117) is the big power bat in the lineup, for he won’t hit for much average, but that should improve in the thin air of Denver, as well as his homeruns. Khoury Glass (CF) (.279, 11, 49) is the prefect lead-off hitter for this lineup, as he will probably once again get over 50 stolen bases. Returning players Vicente Domingo (3B) (.289, 23, 110), Gus Wilkins (SS) (.298, 24, 64), AllStar Tony Armas (LF) (.326, 18, 76), Frank Cooper (C) (.270, 6, 64) and AllStar/Gold Glove 2B Benito Pineda (1B) (.273, 13, 70) needs to provide some offensive for this team. The offensive should be more powerful this year with some newly added additions but the biggest help is the thin air in Denver that will help this offensive the most.
The staff did struggle somewhat in Los Angeles last season and I belief with the move to Colorado that the pitching staff won’t get any better but with the offensive more of the center stage on this team now, the pitching won’t have to as perfect this season. AllStar Gil Henson (13-11, 4.04ERA) is without question the staff ace and mentor to the young arms in the rotation and bullpen as well. David Gao (14-13, 4.79ERA) will be looked upon to provide some big innings and starts for this team. Jolbert Johnson (11-6, 4.69ERA), Josh Kerr (5-12, 5.76ERA) and Rabbit Kennedy (4-2, 3.54ERA) will fill out the rest of the rotation. AllStar Robert Price (39SVS) coming off a great year last year is still the closer this season. With moving from the pitcher friendly ballpark in Los Angeles to Colorado have any kind of effect on the staff at all?
Projected Lineup
Khoury Glass
Gus Wilkins
Tony Armas
Earl Williams
Ricardo Ramirez
Odalis Montanez
Benito Pineda
Vicente Domingo
Rotation
Gil Henson
David Gao
Jolbert Johnson
Josh Kerr
Rabbit Kennedy
Closer
Robert Price
Projected Record – 90-72

Las Vegas Zone (lvrecsports)
The Zone have found themselves with there third different owner and third different that they have played in. They improved one game last season for the year before this team should improve a slight bit like that this season as well. With this team being one of the oldest in the National League, it’s time for there expectations to finally show themselves. The team lost Emil Nunez (P) (3GP) and Duane Werth (1B) (.268, 5, 20) to free agency. The team signed Odell Hudson (2B) (.278, 27, 58) from the Durham Bulls for 2yrs/10.4mil, Ricky Jefferies (P) (1.24WHIP) from the Louisville Colonels for 2yrs/6.6mil and Carmine Taft (P) (10-11, 3.13) from the Toledo Holy Men for 4yrs/37.5mil. The team also traded Ernie Torres (P) (43GP) to the Texas Talley Whackers for a minor leaguer and Odalis Montanez (2B) (.251, 23, 66) to the Colorado Sky Sox for three minor leaguers.
Jim Wilkinson (RF) (.255, 17, 45) saw his playing time diminished after hitting 30 homeruns the previous so he’s looking for one last chance to prove that he can be a great player for this team. AllStar Woody Garcia (3B) (.296, 54, 130) without question is the best player on the team and another 50 homerun’s is not out of the question from this guy. Returning players AllStar Haywood Matthews (CF) (.290, 17, 70) and Nolan Jordan (SS) (.293, 22, 71) will need to mix well with the new players to have the offensive succeed. With the offensive young no one really knows how this team will go.
The pitching staff gave up 5.20 runs per game last season, which in the National League isn’t that great. The rotation and bullpen are pretty much the same as last year, but the young arms have some experience behind them and should be able to improve from last years numbers. Keith Donovan (6-8, 4.26ERA) had a lot of problems with injuries last season and he’s hoping that season will me a fresh start for him. Julian Ingram (9-11, 5.52ERA) needs to show the ability that he truly has this season. Carmine Taft (10-11, 3.13ERA), Travis Messmer (8-4, 3.82ERA) and Marvin Sparks (6-7, 4.59ERA) are filling the remaining spots in the rotation. Alex Bagley (70GP) didn’t have a single save last season but the team in confident in his abilities that he can be a great closer this season and many season to come. Just like the offensive there a lot of talent with the pitching staff, it’s just that for what ever reason the players haven’t been able bring it to the field.
Projected Lineup
Haywood Matthews
Nolan Jordan
Todd Griffin
Antonio Frye
Odell Hudson
Jim Wilkinson
Woody Garcia
Donald Kwon
Rotation
Keith Donovan
Julian Ingram
Carmine Taft
Travis Messmer
Marvin Sparks
Closer
Alex Bagley
Projected Record – 73-89

San Diego Friar Power (sidekicker)
The Friar Power are looking at there third different owner in three years and its third name change as well. After making the playoffs there first year and missed last season and didn’t finish above .500. When you offensive is tied for the worst in the National League things like that will happen but the team didn’t address this issue with the off-season market or make any trades for some offensive fire power. The team only lost Ruben Ortiz (P) (43GP) and Pat Herndon (P) (46GP) to free agency. The team signed Preston Wright (P) (15-12, 5.92ERA) from the Santa Fe Sidewinders for 3yrs/15.0mil plus a 3.2mil bonus, Scott Presley (P) (14-9, 4.04ERA) from the New Britain Fisher Cats for 3yrs/14.7mil plus 1.3mil bonus and Tim Archer (P) (Minors) from the St. Louis Cornerstone 4yrs/14.0mil plus 1.2mil bonus.
If there was a serious weakest that any team could show there opponents, offensive would be the reason for the Friar Power, as the offensive will probably be in last place again this season. Andre Hyzdu (3B) (.273, 29, 74) is trying to become one of the top young hitters in the league this season. Gold Glove LF Joel McMasters (CF) (.238, 43, 97) can hit the ball a mile away but his average is a real concern for the team about McMasters. Returning players Sean Bird (SS) (.266, 9, 56) will try to mix in perfectly with the young talent on this team. With this offensive can they once again become a playoffs team?
The pitching staff pitched well last year, keeping them in game that they shouldn’t have been in last season. The strength of the staff had to be the bullpen, holding done leads and allowing the offensive come back all season long. Juan Matos (11-6, 3.94ERA) didn’t produce the numbers of wins that you expect from an ace but he has the abilities to become that ace this season. Herbert Brandt (Minors) have never pitched in the majors but the team thinks that he’s ready to make to jump. Tim Archer (Minors), Arthur Duffy (5-11, 4.26ERA) and Scott Presley (Minors) should fill out the rest of the rotation. AllStar Jesus Rodriguez (44SVS) impressed a lot of people collecting 44 saves last season after saving 43 the year before and I can bet that he will once again be above 40 saves this season. The starting rotation is young, with the bullpen mostly having veterans but bullpens don’t win you games, starting pitching does and does this team have enough starting pitching to get back to the playoffs?
Projected Lineup
Art Roskos
Enrique Rincon
Sean Bird
Andre Hyzdu
Rafael Pineda
Harry Julio
Joel McMasters
Jay Moss
Rotation
Juan Matos
Herbert Brandt
Arthur Duffy
Tim Archer
Scott Presley
Closer
Jesus Rodriguez
Projected Record – 75-87

Tacoma Pioneers (tomjames)
Read the Tacoma Preview earlier in the blog.

AL WEST PREVIEW

Anaheim Beefpound (beefpac)
The Beefpound has won the AL West the last two years but beefpac has moved the team from Sacramento to Anaheim this year, maybe the change of scenery will allow the team to win the World Series this year. After looking through the team I don’t see any reason why the Beefpound will not win the division again this year. The team only lost Matthew Small (3B) (.271, 19, 72) and Craig Rivers (P) (42GP) to free agency. The team only signed Francisco Manto (SS) (.312, 47, 142) from the Houston Kings of Kumbia for 2yrs/12.7mil and Harold Morton (1B) (.347, 30, 102) from the Texas Talley Whackers for 1yr/4.4mil. The team also acquired Pat Sugawara (3B) (.236, 11, 49) for Nomar Ramirez (1B) (.251, 38, 110) and a minor leaguer.
Zip Wirth (C) (.272, 32, 97) knees may be catching up with him as his playing time was cut a little bit at catcher last year, but with more rest this year he should have no problem producing numbers that the team needs from him once again. Silver Slugger SS Junior Lui (SS) (.291, 29, 102) is the prefect combination of speed and power but I wouldn’t expect over 100 RBI’s this year batting from the leadoff spot. Returning players A.J. West (RF) (.258, 25, 78), Karim Lee (2B) (.269, 27, 80), Keith Winston (1B) (.294, 12, 90) and Bud Jackson (CF) (.281, 5, 65) needs to provide some offensive for this team. With the new additions of Manto, Morton and Sugawara will definitely help the offensive this year.
The staff was one of only three teams in the American League to hold there opponents below 5 runs a game. With the pitching staff intact they should once again be one of the best in the American League. Benito Garces (14-9, 4.02ERA) has been asked to be a big veteran leader and number one starter from the steady performance from last year. Miguel Martinez (11-6, 4.26ERA) is a very young pitcher that pitched very well his rookie year and is looking to improve with Garces teaching him the way. Paulie Yarnall (15-9, 3.93ERA), AllStar Delino Maduro (10-8, 3.64ERA) and Daisuke Lui (14-8, 4.54ERA) will fill out the rest of the rotation. AL Fireman of the Year/AllStar Hank Epstein (46SVS) coming off a great year last year is still the closer this season. With the pitching staff still the same last year, there really isn’t any questions mark as they should improve a little and not take any steps backwards.
Anaheim Beefpound (beefpac)
The Beefpound has won the AL West the last two years but beefpac has moved the team from Sacramento to Anaheim this year, maybe the change of scenery will allow the team to win the World Series this year. After looking through the team I don’t see any reason why the Beefpound will not win the division again this year. The team only lost Matthew Small (3B) (.271, 19, 72) and Craig Rivers (P) (42GP) to free agency. The team only signed Francisco Manto (SS) (.312, 47, 142) from the Houston Kings of Kumbia for 2yrs/12.7mil and Harold Morton (1B) (.347, 30, 102) from the Texas Talley Whackers for 1yr/4.4mil. The team also acquired Pat Sugawara (3B) (.236, 11, 49) for Nomar Ramirez (1B) (.251, 38, 110) and a minor leaguer.
Zip Wirth (C) (.272, 32, 97) knees may be catching up with him as his playing time was cut a little bit at catcher last year, but with more rest this year he should have no problem producing numbers that the team needs from him once again. Silver Slugger SS Junior Lui (SS) (.291, 29, 102) is the prefect combination of speed and power but I wouldn’t expect over 100 RBI’s this year batting from the leadoff spot. Returning players A.J. West (RF) (.258, 25, 78), Karim Lee (2B) (.269, 27, 80), Keith Winston (1B) (.294, 12, 90) and Bud Jackson (CF) (.281, 5, 65) needs to provide some offensive for this team. With the new additions of Manto, Morton and Sugawara will definitely help the offensive this year.
The staff was one of only three teams in the American League to hold there opponents below 5 runs a game. With the pitching staff intact they should once again be one of the best in the American League. Benito Garces (14-9, 4.02ERA) has been asked to be a big veteran leader and number one starter from the steady performance from last year. Miguel Martinez (11-6, 4.26ERA) is a very young pitcher that pitched very well his rookie year and is looking to improve with Garces teaching him the way. Paulie Yarnall (15-9, 3.93ERA), AllStar Delino Maduro (10-8, 3.64ERA) and Daisuke Lui (14-8, 4.54ERA) will fill out the rest of the rotation. AL Fireman of the Year/AllStar Hank Epstein (46SVS) coming off a great year last year is still the closer this season. With the pitching staff still the same last year, there really isn’t any questions mark as they should improve a little and not take any steps backwards.
Projected Lineup
Junior Lui
Pat Sugawara
Francisco Manto
Karim Lee
Keith Winston
Zip Wirth
Harold Morton
Bud Jackson
A.J. West
Rotation
Benito Garces
Miguel Martinez
Paulie Yarnall
Delino Maduro
Daisuke Lui
Closer
Hank Epstein
Projected Record – 98-64

Cheyenne Featherwound (weirdterd456)
The Featherwounds have found themselves there third different owner in three years and with weirdterd456 thinking that there bad luck was in Salem moved the team to Cheyenne to start fresh. A lofty goal for this team is the win it’s first .500 season. The team lost Randall Spiers (P) (13GP) and Hugh Parkers (P) (8GS) to free agency. The team resigned Anthony Jacobs (3B) (.277, 7, 41), Anthony Jacobs (3B) (Minors) and Ben Ward (2B) (.292, 12, 77). The team also signed Cliff Adkinsson (C) (.241, 26, 59) from the New York Highlanders for 2yrs/4.0mil.
AllStar/Gold Glove LF Irv Jensen (LF) (.304, 27, 127) has reach the prime of his career and you should see his power numbers improve this season and reach 100 RBI’s once again. Silver Slugger 2B Adrian Duncan (2B) (.309, 20, 68) is a young hitter that produced well in a limited roll last year and will be needed this in the middle of the order this year. Returning players Ron Frazier (CF) (.289, 5, 60) will need to mix well with the young rookies coming into the lineup this year. The team had no problems scoring runs last year, but that will be a big question mark to put up those same number this year.
The pitching staff for the Featherwounds was the worst in baseball last season, giving up 1061 runs (6.54runs per game) and a lot of that had to do with there young pitching staff. The pitching staff is still young, but the team and fans should see an improvement and maybe an ace will emerge from the ashes that were last season. Toby Jodie (10-13, 6.53ERA) is a young pitcher that got beat up last year, but it might have been a great experience as he should improve his ERA this year from it. Rip Brown (8-17, 5.09ERA) needs to get his walk count done if he’s going to improve his record and ERA from a year ago. Jorge Guzman (9-11, 6.38ERA), Edgar Perez (12-14, 5.68ERA) and Gold Glove P Ben Canseco (10-12, 6.19ERA) are filling the remaining spots in the rotation. Louie Gibson (22SVS) didn’t pitch to badly his first year as a closer, so he should improve his performance from a year ago. The pitching couldn’t get any worse then what they where last season, but the improvement will be small this year as the team still isn’t going to scare anyone with the pitching staff.
Projected Lineup
Emmanuel Carrasco
Carmen Garcia
Irv Jensen
Adrian Duncan
Cliff Adkinsson
Chris Juden
Ron Frazier
Anthony Jacobs
Edgar Seguignol
Rotation
Toby Jodie
Rip Brown
Jorge Guzman
Edgar Perez
Ben Canseco
Closer
Louie Gibson
Projected Record – 70-92

San Jose SaberCats (texanboiler)
The SaberCats have had the same record for the last two years at 80-82, falling just short of the .500 record both years. The offensive had let them down last season only scoring 4.56 runs per game, which was dead, last in the American League. The pitching staff picked up the slack only allowing 4.98 runs per game, which in the American League is a big achievement. The pitching staff should once again be the strength of this team. The team only lost Hersh Garland (P) (51GP) to free agency. The team didn’t sign any one in the free agent market or in a trade during the off-season. Was this a smart move, especially considering that the offensive needed someone to provide a bat that other team might fear.
If there is one offensive that can keep up with the Sidewinders it would be the Talley Whackers. They have a great mix of young and veteran hitters, each one protecting each other in the lineup. Jose Espinoza (3B) (.286, 26, 71) is one of the many young hitters in this lineup and should improve a little this year as he’s about to enter his prime. AllStar Malcolm Lanier (1B) (.296, 33, 88) is another hitter that is entering his prime and with last years performance, he should approach the 100 RBI plateau this season. Returning players Jeremi Jones (SS) (.274, 14, 47), Will Randolph (C) (.297, 16, 62), Edgar Suarez (1B) (.273, 38, 102), Marvin Stark (CF) (.280, 14, 52), Glen Lewis (LF) (.238, 37, 100), Gold Glove C Randy Montgomery (C) (.198, 7, 30) and Michael Watkins (2B) (.263, 36, 83) will try to provide enough runs to give there pitching staff a break once and a while. .500 is within hear shot of this team; will this be the year they finally get over that hump?
The pitching staff pitched well last year, keeping them in game that they shouldn’t have been in last season. The strength of the staff had to be the bullpen, holding done leads and allowing the offensive come back all season long. Tito Ramirez (16-12, 4.03ERA) is the ace, elder statesmen and leader of the pitching staff; he’s almost like a second pitching coach to many of the young pitchers in the organization. Marino Mendez (5-10, 4.54ERA) is a young pitcher that the team is looking for to improve and provide quality innings every game. Carmen McPherson (10-14, 6.48ERA), Ricky Bennett (3-8, 4.20ERA) and Orlando Segui (10-9, 5.57ERA) should fill out the rest of the rotation. Shane Haad (37SVS) saw his first year as the closer a great success and more of the same should be indicated this season as well. With the mix of young and veteran pitchers in the staff can they reproduce the same numbers as last season, or will the power hitting American League final catch up with them?
Projected Lineup
Jeremi Jones
Will Randolph
Jose Espinoza
Malcolm Lanier
Edgar Suarez
Marvin Stark
Wilfredo Aybar
Michael Watkins
Glen Lewis
Rotation
Tito Ramirez
Marino Mendez
Carmen McPherson
Ricky Bennett
Orlando Segui
Closer
Shane Haad
Projected Record – 81-81

Tucson Xpress (powercats22)
The Xpress saw there team fall in the win column last season but move up to third place in the west as well. With the average age of the team at 26.3 years old, you know that this team is once again going to be young; the only question is how good will they be. Will this team fall in the win column again or will they see improvement? The team only lost Damaso Nieves (3B) (.267, 5, 28) and AllStar Ellie Ashley (P) (61GP) to free agency. The team resigned Vasco Amaro (2B) (.301, 2, 59). The also signed Hector Coleman (C) (.143, 0, 0). The team also traded away Tony Maduro (C) (.287, 6, 31) to the Tacoma Pioneers for a minor leaguer.
With the two losing to of the best offensive players during the off season, young players have come up from the minors to try and fill those holes. Michael Long (2B) (.284, 2, 39) is the single season record holder for stolen bases that he set at 77 last season, I believe that he will break the record once again this season. Butch Halter (LF) (.287, 35, 118) is the power in this lineup that is needed for this team. Returning players Willie Garces (SS) (.268, 3, 56), Juan Amaro (SS) (.316, 17, 91), Cy Ryan (SS) (.281, 20, 84), Bob Ulrich (3B) (.285, 7, 62), Donn Bergman (.257, 16, 61), Vasco Amaro (2B) (.301, 2, 59) and Myron Nichols (DH) (.304, 10, 76) has a lot of speed in the lineup but they also need to produce runs. With one true power hitter in the lineup the team will need to play small ball and produce there own runs, which sometimes doesn’t always work out for the best.
The pitching staff is very young, which was evident with the team giving up 6.22 runs per game last season. The staff is still young but should improve a little this season, with the goal of the team probably being to hold there opponents under 6 runs a game this season. Vic Sanchez (5-14, 6.10ERA) will be asked to be the staff ace this season, which will hopefully help him improve his numbers from last year. Don Gilkey (9-11, 5.70) is one of the many young pitchers in the rotation that should once again have some growing pains this season. Esteban Fernandez (7-15, 6.43ERA), Victor Sojo (12-6, 4.67ERA) and Rip Knowles (Minors) fill out the rest of the rotation that is young but should improve. Lonnie Rizzo (2SVS) after losing his closer job a year ago, he will once again get a chance to be the closer for this team. Can the pitching staff duplicate there performance from last year or will teams begin to figure them out.
Projected Lineup
Michael Long
Juan Amaro
Bob Ulrich
Donn Bergman
Butch Halter
Vasco Amaro
Dave Roberts
Hector Coleman
Myron Nichols
Rotation
Vic Sanchez
Don Gilkey
Esteban Fernandez
Victor Sojo
Rip Knowles
Closer
Lonnie Rizzo
Projected Record – 70-92