Tuesday, December 15, 2015

S35 Power Rankings - Playoff Push Edition

Honolulu Jackwagons
Current: 1 Last: 1

Will get a bye and a great shot at the title.  Awards should pile up as well, with Daniel Mulder and Ben Perez in the running for MVP and Cy Young respectively.


Wichita Rocks
Current: 2  Last: 2

Is the front runner for the other AL bye.  Great shot at a return to the World Series.  Alexi Arenado could be the second player in three seasons to nab the ROY and MVP award in his first year.


Iowa City Johnsons
Current: 3  Last: 3

Is in great shape to earn a bye and make a run for their third title, and first since season 23's repeat.  Sherman Curtis and Diego Alvarez could split MVP votes, but both are certainly worthy.


Los Angeles Colemans
Current: 4  Last: 5

The division, and most likely the other NL bye is at stake, and they're playing some of their best ball of the season right now.  21 year old Seop Jiang is eyeing the MVP and Harry Arias the Cy Young.


Syracuse Barking Spiders
Current: 5  Last: 11

They've shed the "storybook-turnaround-feel good story" image, and are making a case for being one of the elite teams.  Joe Cooper is definitely the leader, but they have 12 guys with at least 250 AB's making winning contributions.  Wichita looking over their shoulder at 'Cuse for the bye.

Tacoma Tornadoes
Current: 6  Last: 6

Pushing the red hot LA for the division title and the possible bye, but the wild card is a fall back option, barring disaster.    Former 16th round draft pick Victor Santana locks down the the 9th inning leads.


Monterrey Minutemen
Current: 7  Last: 12

Looks like it will be another tough battle for a playoff berth, but are currently 4 games up for a wild card.  Goose King earned his 9th All-Star nod, and is leading the charge.


Pittsburgh Appalachians
Current: 8  Last: 9

Currently hold a four game lead in the division.  But the pressure is on Cy Young candidate Karim Izquierdo and the rest of the staff to fend off the bunched up NL East and wild card wanna be's.


Richmond Confederates
Current: 9  Last: 7

Their recent hot streak may be too little, too late to catch Iowa, but are three games up for a wild card.  Never under estimate the heart of a champion (and the bat of Tony Rodriguez.)


Colorado Surf Riders III
Current: 10  Last: 13

Have played solid ball down the stretch to become one of the wild card favorites.   Steady Sammy Elster leads the rotation and ROY candidate David Hudson locks down leads. 



St. Louis Cardinals
Current: 11  Last: 8

Have fallen out of the running for the division, but are only three games off the pace for a wild card.  If they can make it, the one-two punch of Jose Leon and Julio Martin at the top of the rotation would look good in a short series.


Louisville Nightmare
Current: 12  Last: 10

Four games off the pace for the division, five for a wild card.  Jimmy Elarton having a career year.


Santa Fe Brooks
Current: 13  Last: 19

Being several games back of a playoff spot at this point last season didn't phase them.  They're only three games behind Colorado for the wild card.  Vicente Vasquez having a monster rookie season. 


Burlington Bookworms
Current: 14  Last: 14

Took charge of the division at mid season, and are now trying to hang onto a six game lead. If they can, they're capable of knocking off a big gun with both Jackson and Melville pitching twice in a short series.   Carlton Hines putting up big numbers in a big park.



Philadelphia Phoenix
Current: 15  Last: 15

Fell just short of a playoff berth last season.  Newcomer Edgardo Cruz hopes to be difference maker this season in a crowded NL mix.


Hartford Hippopotamus Dance Party
Current: 16  Last: 23

Started coming on strong again down the stretch as they did last season, but could ill afford the recent rough patch that has put them nine games out of a spot.  Newcomer Felipe Mercado has been a welcome addition.


Trenton Thunder
Current: 17  Last: 21

Can't be counted out with the likes of Nick Jacquez and Lou Torre having tremendous seasons, but it will be tough to make up nine games.


Washington D.C. Senators
Current: 18  Last: 28

Have quietly been one of the the better teams during the second half, and are about a game away from showing up in the wild card standings.  Braxton Wayne is in the ROY mix with his power and sold D at 2B.


Scranton Railraiders
Current: 19  Last: 4

Gave up the early division lead to streaking Burlington, but the door is definitely still open to claim it back.  Only five games out with a series against their rivals still on the schedule.  Al Gardner's season sums up the 'Raiders fate;  he won his first 13 starts, then proceeded to lose his next 5.  He is back on track though, and ready to lead the charge.



Tampa Bay Don Cesars
Current: 20  Last: 17

Looking ahead to next year.  Arthur Collier have a nice season at the back of the rotation.


Charlotte Charlatans
Current: 21  Last: 18

Building nicely on last years nine win improvement.  Should be part of the playoff hunt by next season, with Julius Ramirez and Anibal Espada set to be around for the long haul.


Fargo Marlboro Men
Current: 22  Last: 27

They say all you need to do is make the tournament and it's a whole new season.  Will probably win the division with a sub .500 record, but Denny Jung et al, are the championship driven type.  Could be a sleeper in the playoff mix.


Montreal Stars
Current: 23  Last: 26

Tons of talent on the offensive side of things, with Robert Browning set to be in the middle of the line up for years to come.


San Francisco Lockdown
Current: 24  Last: 22

They were hovering around .500 and in the hunt until their recent skid.  If they can get more leads to Sidney Little next season, they could make a run.



Anaheim Arte Morenos
Current: 25  Last: 24

Write them off as simply having a bad year.  A.J. Sheffield and this talented crew will most likely be back with a vengeance next season.


Durham Bulls
Current: 26  Last: 16

  The reset button seemed to be hit around mid season.   They have a beast to build around in Doug Shannon.


Buffalo Blues
Current: 27  Last: 32

Too bad they can't throw away their 0-10 start.  They've actually had several solid stretches during the second half and seem to be turning the corner.  Dingo Robinson should be around for the long haul, and Wellington Rijo is locked up for three more seasons.

Chicago Blagos
Current: 28  Last: 20

It's rare to see the Blagos in rebuild mode, as they're been a consistent contender for so long.  Even so, they were still in the division race until just a few weeks ago.  Sparky Knight is having a nice rookie campaign.


San Antonio Wildcats
Current: 29  Last: 31

It's another rarity to see the 'Cats rebuilding too.  The San Antonio experiment may be close to an end, as a return to Arlington could be what the doctor ( Donn Jones) ordered.

Detroit Chippewas
Current: 30  Last: 29

They were in the mix as well in the weak NL North, but it is more about the future with these guys.  Can't wait to see what up and comers Julian Guerrero and Aramis Javier will do at the big league level.


Milwaukee Boomers
Current: 31  Last: 25

The reset button seemed be hit when Robin Walter went down with an injury.  Stud of the future Alexei Ferrer fits the Boomer mode to a tee.



Las Vegas Point Shavers
Current: 32  Last: 30

They were able to nab a solid pitcher in Diego Medrano, and power hitting catcher in Albert James to help set up the rebuild.  But it's all about the future with this franchise.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Season 35 Power Rankings (Through 60 Games)


Honolulu Jackwagons
Current: 1 Last: 7
Looks like Ben Perez has finally cemented his place in the starting rotation.  Perhaps newcomer Daniel Mulder will be the piece that keeps the ship afloat the entire season.

Wichita Rocks
Current: 2  Last: 2
After transitioning from the bullpen last season, Aurelio Romero has become a bona-fide ace.  23 year old Alexi Arenado is definitely one of the front runners for ROY.



Iowa City Johnsons
Current: 3  Last: 6
Sherman Curtis is performing like the super star he is, and William Tolberg is on pace to eclipse his power numbers from last season, while defending his Gold Glove in CF.



Scranton Railraiders
Current: 4  Last: 16
13 starts, 13 W's for Al Gardner, including 4 CG's.  If he and slugger Mike Durrington can keep up their current paces, look out.


Los Angeles Colemans
Current: 5  Last: 9
A balanced offensive attack, outstanding defense, and two studs in Harry Arias and Pablo Figureoa at the top of the rotation, is a recipe for a title.


Tacoma Tornadoes
Current: 6  Last: 22
The pitching has been outstanding, with Louie Frias coming on board to join the rotation.    Career years so far from Jolbert Saenz and another newcomer, Skeeter Tanner, have been the difference.


Richmond Confederates
Current: 7  Last: 1
Tony Rodriguez is raking once again, and playoff hero Dude Blake is on pace to outshine last season's performance. 


St. Louis Cardinals
Current: 8  Last: 12
They're getting an MVP caliber season so far from Cristobal Chavez and Cy Young season from Julio Martin.


Pittsburgh Appalachians
Current: 9  Last: 14
Cam Moustakas should make his first All-Star appearance, and Karim Izquierdo with his 10-1 mark has been lights out.


Louisville Nightmare
Current: 10  Last: 3
Newcomer Placido Sierra is doing a great job setting the table for David Sisk...the offense hasn't missed a beat.


Syracuse Barking Spiders
Current: 11  Last: 25
A franchise with a history of fielding futility now leads the league in team defense.  Having Joe Cooper around to lead the offense has also contributed to the team's remarkable turnaround.


Monterrey Minutemen
Current: 12  Last: 5
Stefan Redondo has only been remarkable instead of other-worldly, and the pitching has under performed to this point.  Andrew Turner has been a nice addition.  Plan on this club being near the top by the time we're done.

Colorado Surf Riders III
Current: 13  Last: 13
Elroy Leonard took advantage of getting a full time job last season by hitting 41 bombs and driving in 106.  He's on pace to better that this season.

Burlington Bookworms
Current: 14  Last: 20
The big guns brought in for the turnaround, Corky Jackson and Delanor Melville, have done their part.  But they are a combined 8-7, as the offense and defense needs some refining.  The two aces have thrust them into the mix in the tightly knit AL.

Philadelphia Phoenix
Current: 15  Last: 11
The starters Kenley Skinner, Stu McCurry, Edgardo Cruz, and Robb Lockwood are elite, but they get  very little run support.  They are in the playoff hunt, but the offense needs to get in gear, and the bullpen needs to protect more leads to vault them into the next tier.

Durham Bulls
Current: 16  Last: 27
Nicky Oquist  is having an MVP type season so far, and is keeping them relevant.  Their normally strong bullpen has been ordinary to this point, but expect them to pick it up.

Tampa Bay Don Cesars
Current: 17  Last: 24
Utility man Ajax Jones is having a surprise offensive season while playing excellent D all around the diamond.   Anibal Olivares is having a solid season too.  They'll need the rest of their offense to step it up if they plan to compete.

Charlotte Charlatans
Current: 18  Last: 31
The pitching and defense are both near the top of the league, which accounts for most of the turnaround.  Anibel Espada,  rookie Gerry Morse,  and Miguel Park have been the impact arms giving them a shot at the post season.

Santa Fe Brooks
Current: 19  Last: 8
Iron man Samuel Merrick should make it 4 for 4 in All-Star appearances, and he hasn't even gotten really hot yet.  When, not if, it happens, the Brooks will be a force.

Chicago Blagos
Current: 20  Last: 23
Offensive production isn't an issue, but the pitching staff needs a remodel.  They do have a couple solid young arms in Jonny Yerkes and Gerardo Lopez to build around.  Being in a weak division, they are a contender for a title this season.

Trenton Thunder
Current: 21  Last: 15
Horacio DeLeon just saw his 21 game hitting streak end, and has been on a tear.  Nick Jacquez, even at 38, and still raking.  But they are second to last in run prevention so far.

San Francisco Lockdown
Current: 22  Last: 28
A well-balaced, speedy offense featuring Taijuan Hughes, has gotten some timely hitting to generate decent run production.  They're getting ace production from Harold Durham, and have a great back of the 'pen to nail down games.  With a little more pitching depth, they could compete.

Hartford Hippopotamus Dance Party
Current: 23  Last: 10
A couple of the key replacements for the off season losses, Yorvit Rodiguez and Horacio Ortiz, haven't produced yet.  Felipe Mercado has, and Kevin Hatteberg just keeps slugging.  If they can get production from the rest, it's not too late for another late season charge.

Anaheim Arte Morenos
Current: 24  Last: 4
It's tough to figure how the pitching just fell off from last season.  Stud Anthony Aven is doing his thing, but the bullpen has been horrible.  They'll need to get the staff squared away to get back into the mix.

Milwaukee Boomers
Current: 25  Last: 17
After starting the season at 12-2, they have fallen on hard times. Jeremy Sauveur has been locking down the games he's been handed.  If they can keep close in a weak division, they get  Robin Walters back for the final two months.

Montreal Stars
Current: 26  Last: 21
Sophomores  Robert Browning and Hideki Sano  are slugging above  their rookie seasons, but the top four starters have ERA's over 5.  

Fargo Marlboro Men
Current: 27  Last: 19
Two stints on the DL for Denny Jung, and an extended stay for ace Fausto Villerreal have caused a substantial set back.  They still have a chance to win a weak division if they have a run in them.

Washington D.C. Senators
Current: 28  Last: 30
The pitching has improved since last season, but besides Johnnie Averill and, Ken Drese, the bullpen lacks depth.  Oleg D'Amico is being asked once again to shoulder an offense that otherwise lacks punch.

Detroit Chippewas
Current: 29  Last: 29
Getting nice contributions from journeyman Paul Barry and part-timer Cliff Carey on the offensive side, and from Wladimir Aceves and Willie Velazquez on the mound.  They'll most likely improve on last season's 63 wins in stage two of the rebuild.


Las Vegas Point Shavers
Current: 30  Last: 32
Veteran catcher DJ Ross seems to have regained his 30 home run stroke from his first two seasons in the league.  They're on pace to improve from last season's horrific 44 win season by about 15 games.  Avoiding 100 losses would be an accomplishment for this rebuilding club.  


San Antonio Wildcats
Current: 31  Last: 18
The San Antonio Sh!t Cats.


Buffalo Blues
Current: 32  Last: 26
Once Wellington Rijo gets on track, we should see some improvement.