National League North Preview

National League North

Toronto Brigands

Prediction – 96-66

Offensive Rank – 5th             Defensive Rank – 1st             Pitching Rank – 6th

Best Position Player –   

Benjamin Buford (2B) 17th overall position player – 2nd overall Second Basemen

Best Pitcher –       

Valerio Espinosa (SP) 32nd overall pitcher – 21st overall Starting Pitcher

Added Players -        

Danys Suarez (P) 2 years 10.8 million (no trade clause) {201st Ranked Pitcher}

Sean Andrelczyk (P) 2 years 4.6 million {120th Ranked Pitcher}

Departed Players –

Cookie Sakamoto (C) Released

Shouhei Sugawara (P) Declined Option

Adam Cohen (C) Traded to Rochester

Luis Rodriguez (P) Left for Free Agency, Juan Lee (P) Left for Free Agency

Preview

The Toronto Brigands last season had the best record in Ricky for the third straight year but once again fell short of the ultimate goal of winning the World Series for the third straight year.  The questions that the league is asking, is the Toronto Dynasty coming to an end or is it just a small dry spell for the team?

The one constant for Toronto on this run has been its pitching but its GM rquiin9 admitted, “Our starting pitching won't be as strong as it has been for the past six or seven seasons, but it should compete for one of the better rotations in the league this season.  The leaving of Juan Lee and Luis Rodriguez will hurt but we are confident that Danys Suarez and Sean Andrelczyk will take their place,”

There will be a new look behind the plate this season in Toronto as all-star Adam Cohen was traded away so that young catcher Wilmer Chavez will be taking his place.  Rquin9 added, “Wilmer Chavez will be an impact rookie behind the plate with his strong ability to call a game.”

Expected Lineup:

Wilmer Chavez – Catcher

Harry Cruz – First Basemen

Benjamin Buford – Second Basemen

Alex Accardo – Third Basemen

Matty Guzman – Shortstop

Jerome Jackson – Leftfield

Kiki Lee – Centerfield

Alex James – Rightfield

Expected Pitchers:

Shouhei Sugawara

Benji Lee

Valerio Espinosa

Cesar Colomep

Danys Suarez

Bullpen

Freddy McMichael

And the Six Shooters

The Brigands should have no problems making the playoffs once again and should be seen as one of the favorites to win the World Series, well that is if they do not face Fresno in the playoffs, rquin9 said he hates facing Fresno as they always seem play extremely well against them.  The Brigands do not look like they will be given up the title of best in the league anytime soon, as they are merely reloading this season.  That is just a very scary thought in the long term for the National League.

       Buffalo Stampeding Herd

Prediction – 83-79

Offensive Rank – 17th             Defensive Rank – 21st             Pitching Rank – 4th  

Best Position Player –   

Jimmy Towers (C) 20th overall position player – 1st overall Catcher

Best Pitcher –       

Nick Barfield (SP) 5th overall pitcher – 4th overall Starting Pitcher

Added Players -       

Calvin Dawley (P) 4 years 13.2 million (mutual option) {133rd Ranked Pitcher}

Milt Andrews (P) 2 years 7.8 million (mutual option) {154th Ranked Pitcher}

Philip Boyd (C) 2 years 1.5 million (mutual option)

Kent Ward (CF) 3 years 12.3 million (mutual option) {186th Ranked Position Pitcher}

Edgmer Estrada (RF) 2 years 4.4 million (mutual option)

Polin Salinas (LF) – Acquired from Omaha {143rd Ranked Position Player}

Aramis Domingo (SS) – Rule-5 Draftee

Alcides Espada (RF) – Claimed off Waivers

Marc Payton (LF) – Claimed off Waivers

Departed Players -   

Ray Hernandez (1B) Declined Option, Ron Cloud (P) Declined Option, Juan Alvarez (P) Declined Option, Junior Escuela (LF) Declined Option

Dummy Wells (CF) Left for Free Agency, Sadie Hodges (P) Left for Free Agency

Ottawa Fat Cats

Prediction – 72-90

Offensive Rank – 22nd             Defensive Rank – 24th              Pitching Rank – 28th   

Best Position Player –   

Yeico Rosado (SS) 73rd overall position player – 3rd overall Shortstop

Best Pitcher –       

Fausto Casilla (SP) 81st overall pitcher – 47th overall Starting Pitcher

Added Players -       

Gene Alexander (3B) 3 years 15 million {235th Ranked Position Player}

Esmerling James (2B) 5 years 37.7 million (mutual option) {310th Ranked Position Player}

Yeico Rosado (SS) 5 years 36.0 million (mutual option) {73rd Ranked Position Player}

Don Wagner (P) 1 year 2.0 million {248th Ranked Pitcher}

Gary Shannon (P) – Rule-5 Draftee {126th Ranked Pitcher}

Departed Players –   

Dennis Servais (1B) Released, Jung-Lee Chen (P) Released, Victor Montero (P) Released

Ariel Estrella (C) Left for Free Agency, Ezdra Sanchez (3B) Left for Free Agency

Madison Mxyzptlks

Prediction – 70-92

Offensive Rank – 25th             Defensive Rank – 17th             Pitching Rank – 21st

Best Position Player –   

James Bagley (3B) 81st overall position player – 12th overall Third Basemen

Best Pitcher –       

Rudy Witt (SP) 12th overall pitcher – 9th overall Starting Pitcher

Added Players -       

Juan Rosales (P) 1 year 3.2 million {no trade clause) {303rd Ranked Pitcher}

Rob Stetter (P) 1 year 2.8 million {237th Ranked Pitcher}

Rey Jang (SS) 1 year .890 million {245th Ranked Position Player}

Harvey Serrano (LF) 2 years 4.2 million {372nd Ranked Position Player}

Allen Thielman (P) – Rule-5 Draftee {240th Ranked Pitcher}

Tommy Parnell (P) – Rule-5 Draftee

Joaquin Terrero (C) – Rule-5 Draftee {278th Ranked Position Player}

Departed Players –

Juan Dotel (3B) Released, Clark Benson (RF) Released, Sean Law (LF) Released, Ismael Jacquez (P) Released, Robinzon Marquez (P) Released

Dewayne Pickett (3B) Left for Free Agency, Cristian Jiang (RF) Left for Free Agency, Hi Piper (P) Left for Free Agency, Jonathan Roberts (P) Left for Free Agency, Artie Power (P) Left for Free Agency