This post will review the National League Central teams: Bloomington, Fleetwood, Maine and Texas. To see each team's roster and win share totals, click on the images below.
To see my preview of the AL East, click here.
To see my preview of the AL Central, click here.
To see my preview of the AL West, click here.
To see my preview of the NL East, click here.
Bloomington BeesBatting Win Shares: 211.3 (1st of 24)
Pitching Win Shares: 118.5 (5th of 24)
Fielding Win Shares: 51.2 (8th of 24)
Total Win Shares: 381.0 (3rd of 24)
Expected 2008 Record: 108-54
Bloomington, a founding BRASSball franchise, has a long history of success. In looking at its roster for 2008, it appears primed for another pennant run.
The Bees feature a formidable pitching staff, headed by three ace starters: Josh Beckett (19 win shares), Johan Santana (18), and Roy Halladay (17). Youngsters Matt Cain (14) and Chris Young (13) round out the stellar rotation. Also on the staff is relief ace J.J. Putz. His 18 win shares led all relief pitchers in 2007. (Takashi Saito was second with 16.)
But as strong as its pitching is, Bloomington's real strength is its lineup. The most dangerous hitter is Magglio Ordonez (33 batting win shares), followed closely by Ichiro Suzuki (30). Also posting 20+ batting win shares are Hanley Ramirez (25) and Jim Thome (24). Nick Swisher (16), Alfonso Soriano (16), and Adrian Beltre (15) provide additional run-scoring support.
In terms of defense, catcher Pudge Rodriguez led the team with 7 fielding win shares. His 2 fielding rating is consistent with that score. More surprising was the team's second highest fielding score: Alfonso Soriano (6 fielding win shares). Strat-O-Matic was less kind, giving him a 4 range in LF. However, they also give him a 4 range at 2B due to 1 inning of MLB play. At the very least, this gives him extra flexibility. At best, it may provide Bloomington with a chance to play "Strat-ball" and sneak a powerful bat into this infield position.
Fleetwood WalkersBatting Win Shares: 195.7 (3rd of 24)
Pitching Win Shares: 144.2 (2nd of 24)
Fielding Win Shares: 50.4 (9th of 24)
Total Win Shares: 390.3 (2nd of 24)
Expected 2008 Record: 111-51
Fleetwood made the BRASSball playoffs in 2007 as a Wild Card only to fall to Bloomington in the Divisional Series. The two teams may very well face each other again in the 2008 playoffs, as Fleetwood also has a strong, well-balanced roster.
Its pitching staff lacks the star power of other teams, but is deep. Its rotation consists of Kelvim Escobar (18 pitching win shares), Chad Billingsley (14), Daisuke Matsuzaka (13), A.J. Burnett (12), and Greg Maddux (11). The bullpen is even stronger, featuring Heath Bell (13), Manny Corpas (13), Zack Greinke (10), Casey Janssen (9) and Scott Downs (8).
Fleetwood's lineup boasts star power in the form of David Wright (29 batting win shares), Miguel Cabrera (28), and Carlos Pena (28). Other key hitters are Carlos Beltran (21), Barry Bonds (19), and Nick Markakis (19).
In terms of defense, Carlos Beltran (7 fielding win shares; 1 range in CF), David Wright (5 fielding win shares; 2 range at 3B), Nick Markakis (3 fielding win shares; 2 range in RF), and Carlos Pena (2 win shares; 2 range at 1B) give the Walkers a host of solid defenders. However, despite earning nearly 7 fielding runs, shortstop Jason Bartlett earned only a 3 range from Strat-O-Matic. Coupled with Howie Kendrick's 3 range at second base, Fleetwood could suffer from mediocre defense at the important up-the-middle infield positions.
Maine Black FliesBatting Win Shares: 177.7 (7th of 24)
Pitching Win Shares: 84.9 (17th of 24)
Fielding Win Shares: 53.5 (6th of 24)
Total Win Shares: 316.1 (9th of 24)
Expected 2008 Record: 90-72
Maine won just 73 games last season in a rebuilding year, but the Black Flies look to be much stronger in 2008.
Its pitching staff may be a bit thin to make an immediate playoff run, but its future upside is undeniable. Chien-Ming Wang (16 win shares) has already established himself as a top-flight starting pitcher. Yovani Gallardo (9) and Phil Hughes (4) will both begin making contributions in 2008, and Francisco Liriano should provide even more star power when he returns from Tommy John surgery in 2009.
Maine's lineup is already playoff-caliber. Jimmy Rollins (23 batting win shares) and B.J. Upton (20) provide an exciting core, with Jose Guillen (18) and Dmitri Young (16) providing power. Robinson Cano (15) also provides long-term stability at second base.
In the feild, Brad Ausmus led the team with 7 fielding win shares. His 2 range at catcher will help him achieve similar success in BRASSball. Robinson Cano also earned almost 7 fielding win shares, but only received a 3 range at 2B from Strat-O-Matic for his efforts. Other key defenders will be Jimmy Rollins (5 fielding win shares; 1 range at SS) and David DeJesus (5 fielding win shares; 2 range in CF).
Texas ChickenHawksBatting Win Shares: 142.2 (12th of 24)
Pitching Win Shares: 89.5 (12th of 24)
Fielding Win Shares: 42.2 (16th of 24)
Total Win Shares: 273.9 (14th of 24)
Expected 2008 Record: 78-84
Texas suffered through a 50-win season in 2007, but opened up its checkbook in the off-season. The shopping spree looks effective, as the team has a great chance of posting a winning record in 2008.
Free agent signee Gil Meche (15 win shares) will top the rotation, with knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (10) and groundball pitcher Aaron Cook (10) also providing significant innings. The team's best pitcher may very well be reliever Rafael Betancourt, though, with nearly 15 pitching win shares to his credit.
The ChickenHawks lineup holds a nice mix of speed and power. Chone Figgins (19 batting win shares) and Edgar Renteria (15) will set the table, with Frank Thomas (17) and Jeff Kent (13) on hand to drive them in. Kenny Lofton (12), Jose Bautista (11), and Shannon Stewart (11) will help fill out the lineup.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz posted 7 win shares, continuing the trend of high fielding win-share scores for catchers. Despite this score, he received just a 3 range from Strat-O-Matic. Backup Mike Redmond (5 fielding win shares; 2 range at C) fared better. Jose Castillo (3 fielding win shares; 2 range at 3B) and part-time outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (1 fielding win share; 2 range in OF) are the team's other top defenders.
Summary
The NL Central crown will likely go to either Bloomington or Fleetwood, with the second-place team holding an excellent chance at earning an NL Wild Card berth. Both Maine and Texas are also on the upswing, making this the strongest division in all of BRASSball.
1 comment:
The concept Win Shares is effective and encouraging. I would definitely take part in upcoming baseball season to grab win shopping spree deals.
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