Offense: This year’s Monarchs offense will be led by Lucio Vazquez and Dale Bunker. Vazquez is only 23 years old, but he already has a fantastic mustache and he also has the potential to become one of the top International Free Agents in the MBBA’s history. Last year, as a rookie, Vazques hit 14 home runs in only 50 games. This year, Vazquez will enter the season as the entrenched starter, and the sky is the limit for what he can produce. Dale Bunker is a very solid player who provides terrific defense and a solid bat at third base. In the outfield, Jim Wilson and Tim Wallace will provide more offensive firepower, which should help to ensure that Baltimore’s lineup remains one of the most dangerous in the MBBA. Juan Lopez will be playing shortstop for the Monarchs, and although he derives most of his value from his defense, any contributions he can make at the plate will be welcomed.
It's a great mustache
Pitching: Baltimore’s rotation will be headlined by James Endres. Although it’s difficult to rely on Endres to throw more than five innings in any given game, he is still incredibly difficult to hit when he’s on the mound. David Lewis gave Baltimore solid contributions last year, and the Monarchs will be counting on him once again this season to strengthen the rotation. Both Juan Rivera and Stanley Price will round out the Monarchs’ rotation, and although their ceilings appear to be quite limited, they can still be counted on to be solid every time they come out. Jeffrey Baeza will likely be the closer this season, where his limited stamina and four-pitch repertoire make him an unconventional, and intriguing, closer.
Prediction: Baltimore remains in first place, and finishes with a 88-74 record.
Louisville Sluggers
Offense: The Sluggers were the third team in the Atlantic Division to have an offense accumulate less than 10 WAR, but things might be looking up in Louisville. First and foremost, the Sluggers made one of the more exciting trades of the offseason, as they acquired Ed Mansfield, who will immediately step in as the team’s top outfielder. Mansfield will pair with the eminently solid catching duo of Jorge Diaz and Hank Sharp, along with Devin Clark to form a very solid middle of the order. Although there are still some holes in this lineup, the offense should certainly produce more than 633 runs.
If no one's going to challenge Vazquez's mustache superiority, I'll have to make the mustache myself via MS Paint. Here's Devin Clark with a mustache.
Pitching: Louisville’s rotation is headed by the well-traveled Abe Colbert, and the second spot is occupied by Zach Bauer. Bauer is a talented pitcher who put up very good numbers last season, but who has the ability to become a star. If he can take that proverbial leap, Louisville’s rotation could jump from decent to very good. The bullpen will be anchored by Luis Villa and Iestyn Pilgrim will likely be the team’s closer. Although Pilgrim is certainly overpaid, he adds a level of stability to the team’s pen that will be welcome.
Prediction: Louisville, fresh off a 94 loss season, surprises a lot of people with their solid pitching and improved lineup. Although the team won’t catch Baltimore, they will surprise a lot of people and finish with a record of 82-80.
WASHINGTON BOBWHITES
Offense: Last year, Washington’s top hitter might have been Mike Roberts. This year, if Washington is to compete for the division title, Roberts will need to duplicate his success from last season and become a force in the middle of the order. Joseph Drew was Washington’s top player by WAR last season, but much of his value derives from his stellar defensive play. If the Bobwhites do make a run at the divisional crown this season, don’t be surprised if Lonnie Morrill plays a big role in that success; although Morrill missed extensive time due to injury last season, he has the most power of anyone on the team, and he has the ability to be a star. Even if everything breaks right, however, the Washington offense will not be great. Instead, it will be counted upon to do just enough, and the team’s pitching will be relied upon to carry the team.
Pitching: Last year Washington’s hitters only accounted for 7.4 WAR. Christopher Pump Jr. accounted for 7.7 WAR by himself, which should tell you all you need to know about both Pump’s season, and the offense’s struggles. Pump, a local boy from the nation’s capital, struck out an incredible 255 hitters last season. Although it seems unlikely that he will be able to repeat those numbers, because honestly, who could, there’s no reason to think that Pump will be anything but a superstar. Behind Pump, Richard Mazzola is a terrific #2 starter. One interesting storyline to watch will be Norm Young’s transition back to the starting rotation. Young is coming off a fantastic year as the Crusaders’ closer, but after signing a massive contract with Washington, the Bobwhites are determined to move Young back to the rotation. Although Young has all of the physical tools necessary for this move to work, some analysts speculate that the new role could lead to some unforeseen problems for Young. If Washington gets a lead into the late innings, the game is effectively over, because Chad Jordan is as good of a closer as there is in the MBBA.
Here's Christopher Pump with a handlebar mustache!
Prediction: Norm Young’s conversion to the starting rotation goes better than many cynics expect, but the offense continues to struggle, and the Bobwhites finish with a 79-83 record.
GREENVILLE MOONSHINERS
Offense: Much like Washington’s offense, Greenville’s offense struggled mightily all of last season. The entire offense only put up 7.7 WAR. Not surprisingly, the offense only put up 682 runs. It’s interesting to note that although Greenville’s offense didn’t produce great numbers last season, several players had very good years. Martin Felix had a terrific rookie year, and he appears poised to be a mainstay in Greenville’s offense for the foreseeable future. Miguel Toro added some excellent power, while Jeff Washington provided competent hitting and superior defense. The problem for Greenville is that a few players, like David Tovar and Bill Burkholder, were downright terrible. If those players can be merely average this season, better things might be in store for the Moonshiners. One wild-card that could determine the team’s success is shortstop Doug Glover. Glover was the 3rd pick in the 2010 draft, and although he hasn’t turned into the player that he was projected to become, he is still very talented, and many observers are hoping for a breakthrough.
Pitching: The Moonshiners rotation is anchored by two respected veterans: Mack Milholm and Vincente Martinez. Both of these pitcher do a terrific job every time their name is called, and both can be counted on to do more of the same this season. Aaron Livingston is an exciting prospect whose stuff labels him as a potential impact starting pitcher. In the bullpen, Wally Walker will be expected to return as closer. If he can even come close to his fantastic 2012 numbers, Greenville fans will be thrilled. Walker was just rewarded for his terrific service with an 8 year, 48 million dollar contract.
He spent $20 million on a "grow your own muttonchops" kit!
Prediction: Martin Felix continues to excel, and he’s joined in the lineup by Doug Glover, which leaves fans salivating about the Greenville lineup of the future. In the present, however, the team still has too many holes, and the team finishes 76-86.
