2060 TOLEDO LIBERTY
What happened last year?
Everyone knows how good the Liberty are. Toledo is likely the greatest team at any level ever in MBBA/BBA history (sorry, Vegas). Was that due to the Talons Reclusive GM packing the roster with 30 year olds? Yes. Yes, it was. But it sure was cool.
And you know what? It still IS cool. Let's go back a few years, when the entire league collectively shouted for joy about Minor League Age Limits. No, not the player, dummy! Actual age caps for every level below AAA. Surely, after 2054, those pesky Liberty teams would not single-handedly ruin other clubs' prospects by the simple act of playing against them (yes, that was an actual argument at the time!). Now mighty Toledo would be forced back to earth, and the league's most un-popular GM would receive his rightful payback as he would be forced to watch his beloved team crash and burn.
But guess what happened? In the 5 seasons of the Age Limits Era, the Liberty, forced to rely on actual, real-life Talons 'prospects', just kept on winning.Yep, 5 straight division titles, two 100 win seasons, and their 11th overall Championship. Last year's squad may not have won as many games as the Liberty of yore, but they still made the playoffs, as well as sweeping every major end-of-season player award, two of them unanimously (something that will never happen in the BBA due to a certain GM's voting habits!).
For 2060, the Liberty will once again be loaded up, with the Talons' top three hitting prospects leading the way. So let's take a look, shall we?
The Rotation:
Ok, admittedly this rotation is not a strength. But seriously when is the last time the Talons drafted and developed a real-life starting pitcher? Nick Rivers a decade ago? Yeah.
Still, its not like the staff is full of bums. There are a couple of standouts: Leslie Hawkins was 14-3 with a 2.43 ERA last year. Edgardo Ramirez was 14-8 with a 2.53. But other guys like Ryan Bolton and Emilio Cisneros, while decent for A ball, have yet to prove themselves in Toledo. As was true last year, the rotation will continue to be shuffled at the back end with whomever the Talons can find, all season long. But, in reality, the starting staff is probably the least important aspect of this team.
Which is a roundabout way of saying "yeah some of them suck, but it won't matter anyway."
The Bullpen:
The Liberty 'pen is led by Dan Wilson, already a legend who ascended to another level last season with a 40 save, 2.7 WAR, 0.97 ERA masterpiece performance. Swingman Stuart Kneeshaw returns after a 10-4, 2.93 performance of his own. Art Lacey and Dan Gore hold down the left side of the bullpen, while valuable innings will be expected from Urge Lamaalam and Juan Najera as well. What's more, many relievers can also start as necessary, giving flexibility to the entire staff.
The Infield:
Ok, now we're on to the hitters. Here is where it gets good!
Last year's catcher Tony Lopez was called up by some BBA club in Arizona, so who cares about that guy. Late last season, Tom Trevelyan was claimed from some team in Nevada, and will provide good plate discipline and burgeoning power. First base is manned by last seasons' Baxter League MVP Micah Murphy, who led the Pegler league in home runs last season. Second base is Platinum Stick Jose Molina, coming off a .342/.388/.475 campaign. Third base will be the domain of BBA #4 prospect and future HR champ Ma'sud bin Salah al Din, who had a 2.2 WAR in 55 games last year. Shortstop is an admitted weak spot, with Zakiy Shadi fulfilling the "there was no one better" role. The infield also has 8-rated contact hitter Floyd Denton, who will surely find his way into the lineup at some point.
The Outfield:
It even better out here than in the infield. Ok, ok, yeah Center field is a weak spot, with Juan Cabrera being called up to the BBA as an injury replacement (Jorge Baca will take his place for now). Left field will be the domain of Na'il Hisham, another good eye/power combo. The talented Taisuke Kamimura (.360 last year) will man the DH spot,while slugger Tarald Langli will backup the corners.
But the real star of the team is right fielder Adrien Tallent, the 20 year old #62-ranked prospect who has benefitted greatly from the last two offseasons in the development complex. The youngster posesses amazing speed and instincts, to go along with an otherworldly workout routine and a true zest for the game. He is reportedly the Reclusive GM's favorite player, and Tallent backs it up with amazing results wherever he goes, as evidenced by 2.5 WAR for Daytona in 31 games last year, and 3.0 WAR in only 48 games for Toledo.
The Farm System:
Farm system? Sure. There are a number of prospects down in S A and Rookie ball who will undoubtedly ply their trade for Toledo before too long. Trenton Riddel will be the LF in 2061, while Run-Ming Fong will likely take over at 3B once Salah al Din gets called up. 2059 second round pick Sergio Leon is slated for the Toledo outfield in the next couple years, and the same can be said for starter Fransisco Moreno. Add this to the numerous prospects in the International Complex, as well as the franchise's three 1st round picks this year, and the future of the Liberty is secure. Despite all the haters!
Outlook:
Duh. The Liberty will absolutely win 140 games, silly! Stop hating and just enjoy the ride!
Go Liberty!
