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Season 48 Preseason Predictions

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Provided by bigtuna5 and bbartel

American League Predictions

  • 16. Austin-Zmeisel is doing a nice job giving this franchise some direction but this was always a multi-year rebuild.
  • 15. Sioux Falls-Cricket did a nice job setting up this franchise for the future and the lineup is pretty solid but the pitchers are still in the minors.
  • 14. Cleveland- dcbove is in the process and building a monster again but most of the prospects will stay in the minors this year.
  • 13. Burlington-On to the rebuilding teams. Burlington takes a jump forward with veterans like the signing of Matos and trade for Flier while the prospects continue to come up
  • 12. Huntington-Formerly Columbus team which pitching staff will show up this year. The season 46 staff that led them to the division title or season 47 with almost the same staff that gave up 200 runs more. Moving to hitters park in Huntington makes me vote for 47 but could go either way.
  • 11. Chicago-Transitioning team that felt the loss of Zumaya last year and Bradford this year. Beamer and Campbell keep offense strong as they challenge for division until end.
  • 10. Jacksonville-Decent team that added some veteran pitching in trades and free agency to try to go back to back in division.
  • 9. Atlanta-A very involved owner who I have no idea what his plan is. Solid team keeps him in the middle of the pack which he even admitted in the podcast is the last place he wants to be.
  • 8. Augusta-Strong pitching in a pitchers ballpark keeps Augusta competitive to the last day but lack of offense and running out of tie-breaker luck keeps them out.
  • 7. Hartford-Deer will love this but I am picking Hartford to pick the AL North again. Maybe I spent too long talking to jrny about our trade and understand his strategy better. Maybe I don't think Prado will have a 4+ ERA again (if he is not traded). Maybe I like Javier too much. Maybe he should pitch Prado against Augusta every game to finally win a tiebreaker. A good rated defense is undermined by a bad FI but there is a lot of talent on that team to win a weaker division.
  • 6. Oakland-sticking with the slow and steady improving approach especially with the young SP's. Continues strong team with arrow pointing up but not enough of a jump to push through in WIS's most difficult division.
  • 5. San Diego-Because of the division issues with WIS my number 5 team I am predicting not to make the playoffs. Is last years late season swoon a sign of things to come? With most of his key players in their 30's now and a tough division a 90 win team misses the playoffs.
  • 4. Iowa City-This season's big jumper into the playoffs. The rebuild took a big step forward with veterans like Slocumb and Kang being added. Full seasons of Hudson and McClellan will improve offense even with move to pitchers park.
  • 3. Vancouver-Focus on playoffs will lessen regular season success. Top offense pulls back with less depth. Hope that Livingstone, Perez and Sierra and top of rotation makes us a tough out in the playoffs.
  • 2. Arizona-Former Honolulu franchise moves to the mainland and more of a hitters park. An offense right in its prime will be able to take advantage of it. Adding Cortez to an already strong bullpen will help the pitching staff adjust.
  • 1. San Juan-Back to Back World Series champ gets a full season of Douglas with a top offense and top stamina bullpen.

National League Predictions

  • 16: SCRANTON - Tough times in Scranton. They’re hoping for a good haul in this year’s draft. Stars: Angel Matos (LF)
  • 15: LITTLE ROCK - This once-proud franchise is looking for their next young star to build around. Stars: Dude Pendleton (P)
  • 14: BUFFALO - A very quiet offseason points to the Savres bidding their time and building through the draft. Some decent vets should keep the team afloat through the process. Stars: Butch Causey (RF) , Brad Campbell (P)
  • 13: FLORIDA - They seem to be stuck in rebuilding mode However, glimpses of young talent can give fans some hope for the future. Stars: Danys Machado (RF) , Duke Wise (2B)
  • 12: LOS ANGELES - The beleaguered franchise got a breath of fresh air with new ownership coming in. Some smart vet FA signings should keep the team near .500 while they rebuild. Stars: Dweezil Brown (RF) , Ehire Castro (3B)
  • 11: KANSAS CITY - The team was decimated by the loss of Lavarnway. Management quickly responded by jump starting the rebuild with a series of big trade. Some good talent remains, however. Stars: Charlie Jenkins (RF) , Darrin Bere (P)
  • 10: WITCHITA - Slowly collecting some young talent, but more likely to be around .500 this season. Stars: Darrel Lohman (2B) , Johnnie Winn (P)
  • 9: TACOMA - My pick for sleeper team this season. Improvements over the offseason could push them to challenge for the division. Stars: Fautino Tabata (RF) , Peter Carter (2B)
  • 8: SYRACUSE- They’ve owned their division for years. Now, expect them to keep things interesting against a loaded Boston team. Stars: Robin Brush (P) , Todd Forrester (P) , Calvin Yoshii (3B)
  • 7: TORONTO- They have one of the best hitters in Capra. They always seem to get great pitching performances out of castoffs from other teams. They’ll be in the thick of things once again for the East. Stars: Kazuki Sugawara (LF) , Daniel Ellis (RF)
  • 6: MINNESOTA- Solid starting pitching and some vet bats might be enough to win the NL East. Stars: Emil Martinez (P) , Harry Ramirez (P)
  • 5: SEATTLE- We’re held back with a lack of star talent, but we’ve got a well-rounded, veteran team that should challenge for a playoff spot again. Stars: Albert Espinoza (C) , Nigel Yamaguchi (P)
  • 4: ANT NATION - My arch rivals had a epic collapse last season. Expect a big bounce back season from this team. Loaded up with pitching and a few explosive bats. Stars: Gregory Roth (P) , Morris Heredia (LF)
  • 3: DURHAM - Amazing offense and sneaky good pitching. But will they be able to keep pace with Nashville? A certain wild card team. Stars: Del Bogaerts (3B) , Harvey Bowie (LF) , Justin Rapada (P)
  • 2: NASHVILLE - Another team that’s totally loaded with top talent that went out and and added to their all star crop with a huge trade with Vancouver. Stars: Dorssys Arcia (P) , Javier Iglesias (P) , Thom Joseph (RF) , Maicer Guerrero (LF)
  • 1: BOSTON - All the reigning NL did this offseason was just go out an sign arguably Capra’s top player on FA.

DIVISION WINNERS: Minn, Bos, Nash, Ana... WC: Dur, Sea... 
NL Pennant: Boston over Nashville in an epic 7 game series... 
AWARDS: mvp = Thom Joseph (RF) , cy young = Gregory Roth (P) , roy = Willie Jose (1B)

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