2012 Preseason Rankings

Ok I used CBS sportsline as a guide on projections and then I factored in divisional play and depth into how I expect it to play out.


1. South Texas Heat - While I don't see their pitching as a all around solid staff they have a plan and it's looking like they will use the more starts then their opponent to make up for quality. Lester and Shields will be the steady guys while Moore should be solid while he’s in there. I still think he either loses starts down stretch or gets shutdown if Rays out of it. Heat's pen is solid and good depth. Hitting has nice balance with speed and power. I think 1B and 2B will be issues as I don’t think Kipnis is ready. Bay and Scott are real question marks.. I think LaHair might surprise..

2. Oviedo Knights - I drafted a little different this year going for an all around solid team. I'm tired of the revolving SP. I feel I got some good breaks during draft as many of the guys drafted "upside" over talent and guys like Konerko slipped to far. Even with injuries I can field a solid hitting team. SP will be anchored by Hamels and Beckett. Also, like the Heat 2 very good SP. Then a few question marks. I have a solid pen but no RP depth. Good SP depth. Hitting is very good all around with good depth. If damon is able to sign a full time gig it will only add to that. I will need to look at SB in the future unless Altuve takes over for Walker which is possible.

3. Rochester Red Sox - Sox should be battling the Knights all year With a good all around power team and nice balance of speed. Some of the question marks on the hitting side are how well Montero handles a full time gig and in a pitchers park how productive he will be.. Does Goldschmidt step it up?? I have my doubts with the low BA.. Reynolds needs to do more then hit HR's. Like the staff overall. Kershaw/Haren/Johnson anchor them even their supporting cast is solid. RP is very good also. Team will most likely make playoffs unless they hit rash of injuries.

4. Hackensack Bulls - The more I look at this team the more I like what they have and if Howard can come back and I have serious doubts he will.. They will have decent depth. Best staff in the league. Strasburg will be limited though and I expect Darvish to wear down and the league catch up. Crow back to pen hurts a little but I think finding holds will be an early season priority. Still battling in Texas division will be tough but should get a wild card position.

5. Arizona Desert Swarm - I think Berg is overreacting with the injuries. They have great offensive balance and solid depth. I think they will have to move one for some pitching. If they make a few moves to give some pitching depth I see them winning the West without much of a problem.
Right now they need to work on adding another SP or 2 and acquiring a closer will help them make a serious impact in the playoffs. The good news is the division overall is weak which will help them add some wins.

6. Olivet Killer Eagles - Larry did a great job of drafting and trading to really give him the top team in the Lakes division.. Team is overall in great shape with hitting leading the way.. there is some solid depth in place and that will help when injuries strike and trades are needed.. SP should have no problem competing each week in every stat except Saves. Facing Broskey and his brother a lot will give him a lot of wins while Wagner will give him a run. Larry I see will make some moves to acquire closers.

7. Michigan Miracles - Got to give Renner some credit for the aggressive moves he made winter meetings. He wants to win but to go from lottery to championship playoffs isn't easy. That along with having 2 other teams I am figuring to be in the playoffs I can't see them getting in. They also have some question marks IMO.. Power is very light. No real elite SB guys. His staff is decent all around but K's very light pen is great and best closers in the league. Still they are decent yet given their division I can't see them making playoffs.

8. Gaylord Dingers - A few weeks ago I had them in the playoffs but they had some injuries that raise red flags. I told Wagner back in Jan about Crawford wrist said that’s not a good injury because it zaps the strength in the hand. OF is really below avg with Crawford out and depth is light. Grienke is their one proven SP. Rest I worry about. Norris is already having issues. Floyd is avg at best and Jackson is innings filler. They have 3 closers right now and K-Rod good holds. If Wagner makes some moves and catches some breaks he could push towards playoffs.


9. Julian Javelina - Hoyle has a good team and is going to make a push for the division if he stays on top of his team. Hoyle over the last few years has done that well and I expect him to be active. His offense is solid and I like that he has some depth for injuries. Weaver and Wilson will hold down the SP and then be going with hot hands for the rest. They have no closer and will need something for playoff run. The RP they do have will be ok but questions are about how many holds they will get. I see that a constant mix and match all year. Still expect Hoyle make moves to keep them in it but I think they fall short...



10. Dallas RedBirds - I like to pick on Doyel when he's down but he's not going to be as bad as some think. He has limited upside due to lack of depth but he has a lot of very good players. One thing hurting him he has to face his division so much and I have 2 of those teams in the playoffs. Team hitting is solid when healthy could use a better 2B and not a fan of Dejesus or Morneau but they could be worse I guess. Pitching is going to be solid overall. The need for a 2nd closer will be there if he wants to take saves but holds will be good. Overall I think Doyel did a good job given what he was given. He still needs to grow a set and make moves before players contracts expire along with draft trades to get more quality.


11. North Texas Rangers - This is a typical Adrian team. Rangers occupy their starting team and big names with fringe players filling in rest. Revere?? Not even sure he starts. Aza?? Cruz how many AB's he gives them? Figgins at DH?? Has to be better.. Staff has Halladay and then a patch fill rest. Closers are pot luck. Most likely none hold it long. This will be another typical season for Adrian start out hot and fade away. I don't see them having enough quality to last all season or depth.

12. Mid Michigan Tigers - Keith keeps making consolidation playoffs but never puts it all together for a championship run. Some think it’s his lack of activity. I think it’s his choices and picks he makes doesn't draft going after the 12 stats you need. He has some very good hitting guys but a few marginal guys. Rolen and Escobar and Ross. Not a lot of depth and will be hard to improve via trades. Staff anchored by Gio and Lewis isn't bad. Wandy is a ??? Fister should be good for ERA/WHIP. They have 2 current Closers but most likely not all year. Street will be injured and Gregg can't close all year. Chapman might give him some trade value but overall I don't see Keith being able to make a push.

13. Springfield Flying Squirrels - Another team in for a long season.. Team is playing for next year and really has not a lot going for it. I put them in the same class as Atlantic. They have a few solid guys from draft but need to make some moves if they want to do something for 2013. Cano and Wainwright and Lawrie should help next year and a quick turn around is very possible. They should look to help some contenders and get another contract or 2.


14. San Antonio Fire Ants - Looking to rebuild they are going to have some growing pains this year. Not a lot to like on them. Marginal power and no real depth. They will most likely be one of the first teams to move some players for contracts. If they can add another contract or 2 they could set themselves up well for next year. SP won't kill them but no K's either. Not a lot to like this season.

15. Charlotte Orios - Ok Broskey says he won't be lottery but I can't see them fielding a completive team all year. Still if he trades some contracts away which he will. He might move out of the lottery spots. This team has injury written all over him and overrated players. It is even hard to figure out who will be where. I see this team being different by midseason. Not for the better. Staff is headed by Liriano.. No K's so I don't care if he has 10 starts. Most won't get more then 3-4 each start. Pen is solid and their only bright spot. Going to be a long year..


16. Atlantic Surge - Well somebody has to be last. Playing in a tough division and some questionable drafting picks will have them quickly packing it in. Team really doesn't have a lot going for it.. After Justin Upton the talent level falls fast. BJ going to start on DL and I like Weeks but he’s far from impact players. Staff is ok with Verlander and Kennedy and Hudson But their RP looking like a big question mark. Squire should be active and making some moves for 2013. Question is will it be the right ones??


Ok there you have it. My projected results. Take them for what they are which is my opinion.