2044 FINISH: 96-66, 1st(+14), Def Libyan(4-1), Def Manama(4-1)The Bucharest Impalers are UMEBA playoff regulars. Just one time in the eight year history of the league has Bucharest not made the playoffs. In 2044 they won their first ever United Cup defeating Manama 4-1 and they are the favorites to do it again in 2045.
The big news in the UMBA in 2044 was the ultra talented draft class, especially the pitchers. Bucharest did what no other team did and almost immediately sent their top draft picks to the majors. That strategy led them to a 96 win season and, as I mentioned before, their very first UMEBA Championship. The Impalers' first three picks in the draft all went into the rotation and pitched at least 156 innings each. First round pick Owen Geddes racked up 3.9 WAR at just 18 years old and should be one of the top pitchers in the Bancroft in 2045. Second rounder Neill Fenomore(3.3 WAR) and third rounder Ajanidha Praveen(3.6 WAR) will join veteran Cesar Aguilar(2.1 BBA WAR) to form one of the best rotations in the UMEBA. Aguilar joins the Impalers after spending 10 years in Phoenix of the BBA.
At the plate Bucharest will rely on a group of veterans that include last season's Bancroft batting champion, Mitch Dalrymple. Dalrymple's first season in the UMEBA saw him hit 34 homers and break 100 RBI, numbers which will be tough to improve on with the infusion of good, young pitching from the draft. Joining Dalrymple in the outfield are Rafael Mullett and Ricardo Esparza who each knocked in at least 90 RBI last season. After seven pretty unsuccessful seasons in the BBA, DH Mahdi Kojo takes his shot at the UMEBA. He did hit 10 homers in just 166 at bats last season with Montreal but he has managed to hit over .250 just once in his BBA career.
There is no reason to believe that Bucharest will not finish on top of the Bancroft again this season. Seeing how the young pitchers reacted to life in the UMEBA last season I expect them to pick off where they left off and win 90 games and take a second consecutive UMEBA Championship.