Season 35 Preview

AL Power Rankings with Key Players listed (*players under 30 years old)

1. Washington-WS Champ
Defending Champs led by strong starting pitching, top notch bullpen and very deep offense with room to grow.
*LF-Olivo-WSx1
CF-White-ASx3,SSx2, WSx1
*2b-Sequi-rising star, WSx1
*DH-Brooks-ASx2, WSx1
*SP-Mancusco-CYx1, ASx1, WSx1-one of the best pitchers in the game
*SP-Pendelton-ASx1, WSx1
*Closer-Melcancon-ASx2, WSx1

2. Phildelphia-AL East Champ
Very deep starting pitching, elite closer, and deep effective offense looking to breakthru this season.
*SS-Mercedes ASx3, SSx1
*LF-Price ASx4, GGx1-one of the best players in the game
*2b-Terry ASx1, GGx1
3b-Wallace ASx3
*SP-Martin-future ace
SP-Winchester-ASx1
*SP-Chang-rising rookie of year candidate
SP-Duran CYx3, ASx10- future hall famer
*SP-Pineda-best #5 starter in game?
*Closer-Rodriquez ASx5-one of the best closers in the game

3. Syracuse
Very deep starting pitching, elite closer, and deep offense looking to end Dover's Division reign.  Phildelphia or Syracuse is the deep team?
*DH-Willamson ASx3, SSx2
*LF-Leon-power hitter
1b-Myers-ASx9, SSx5, WSx2
*3b-Hunter-very good hitter
*2b-Bailey-power hitter
*RF-Kutter-another young piece to lineup
SP-Gomez ASx2, WSx1
SP-Byrne ASx3-via trade from Arizona
*SP-Matthews-future ace
Closer-Jacquez-ASx9, FYx6- one of the best closers in the game

4. Dover-AL North Champ
Led by their young star CF and SP this veteran group looking for another run.
*CF-Pizzaro ASx4, SSx2, WSx1-one of the best players in the game
2b-Henry ASz2, GGx3, SSx1-FA signing
1b-Ramsasy MVPx3, ASx7, SSx7-one of the best players in the game
*SS-Pescado-rising defensive whiz
*1b-Manship-FA signing
3b-Duran-provides more power
*SP-Guzman-CYx3, ASx3, WSx1-one of the best pitchers in the game

5.Oklahoma City-AL West Champ
Led by their starting pitching and powerful LF looking to win another AL West title
 *LF-Aybar-MVPx1, ASx4, SSx2, WSx1-one of the best players in the game
*2b-Sandoval-rising young player
*3b-Cabrera-ASx1
*SP-Fried-young future ace
*SP-Lecuona-rising pitcher
SP-Gabriel-ASx3

6. Richmond-AL South Champ
This veteran group is led by their offense
C-Maradona ASx2, SSx1, WSx1
SS-Mota ASx3, SSx2, GGx1
1b-Jensen-veteran hitter
LF-Jensen-MVPx1, ASx6, SSx5, WSx1
3b-Santiago-MVPx3, ASx10, SSx11, GGx2-one of the best players in the game
SP-Carey-ASx2

7. Tampa-AL Runner Up
Young team with strong bullpen looking to take over the AL South after their run to the ALCS
*SS-Pierzynski ASx1
*RF-Dewitt-rising rookie of year candidate
*SS-Sanchez-another young piece
*3b-Pence-ASx1
*LF-Tanka ASx1
Closer-Champman ASx2

8. Milwaukee
This good mix of vets and young players looking to make noise again in AL
3b-Coles-ASx6 SSx2
RF-Godfrey ASx2, GGx2 SSx1
*1b-Dunston-rising young power hitter
2b-Crosby-ASx2, SSx1 WSx4
*C-Kane ASx1
*CF-Iglesias GGx1
SP-Bravo ASx1

9. San Antiono
Young improving team looking to make the next jump as a team
*2b-Mitchell-rising rookie of year candidate
*RF-Brush-ASx2
3b-Bolick-ASx3 SSx3
*SP-Sanchez ASx2-one of the best pitchers in the game
*Closer-Ferrer ASx2, FYx1-one of the best closers in the game
*SP-Stewart-young rising pitcher

10. Salem
Led by their starting pitchers and SS
3b-Johnston-solid vet
*SS-Martin ASx3 GGx2
*SP-Kotchman-one of the best pitchers in the game
*SP-Guiterrez-ASx1

11. Columbus
Led by very deep young starting pitching and CF
*CF-Story-ASx1 SSx1-one of the best players in the game
*2b-Espinosa-rising young player
*SP-Balboa-rising young ace
*SP-Sanchez-another young pitcher
*SP-Cook-rising young ace
*SP-Pascual-best of their young pitchers?

12. Baltimore
Led by their young starting pitchers
*1b-Tomlinson ASx1
*SP-Rios-rising young ace
*SP-Carreon-rising rookie of year candidate

13. Jackson
Led by veteran offense
3B-Molina-MVPx1, ASx1 SSx2- FA signing
DH-Eveland-ASx2

14. Boise
Look to be on a rebuilding project
3b-Sutton WSx1-FA signing

15. Vancouver
Continuing their rebuild with young pitching in ML and AAA
*SP-Holmes-rising rookie of year candidate

16. Rochester
Alot of young pitching in AAA
*LF-Conroy-young leader

Playoff Predictions:
1. Washington
2. Syracuse
3. Oklahoma City
4. Richmond
5. Phildephia
6. Dover

Darkhorses: Tampa, Milwaukee, Columbus, and San Antiono

NL Rankings

1. Scottsdale-NL Champ
Veteran team lead by a powerful offense and starting pitching.
*C-Carew-WSx1
1b-Ramirez ASx4 SSx2 WSx1
*RF-Burke ASx1 WSx1
*2b-Barry MVPx3 ASx4 SSx3 WSx1-one of the best players in the game
CF-Bush Wsx1
SP-Willamson CYx1 ASx1 WSx1
SP-Gose ASx1 WSx5
SP-Martin ASx2 WSx1

2. Colorado Springs-Wild Card
This very deep team lead by a powerful offense and deep starting pitching looking to overtake Scottsdale in the West
1b-Hamilton-SSx2 WSx2
3b-Cortez SSx4 ASx1-FA signing
LF-Nathan ASx4 SSx1 Wsx3-FA signing
*CF-Fife ASx1-one of the best players in the game
2b-Herandez ASx5 GGx2
SP-Soto-Cyx1 ASx3
SP-Toca ASx2 GGx2
*SP-Ferandez-rising young pitcher
*Closer-Spencer-rising young closer

3. Pittsburgh-NL Runner Up
This very deep team offense and pitching staff continues to grow as a group
3b-Maddox ASx1 SSx1
SS-Witasick ASx1 GGx4
*2b-Neugebauer ASx1 SSx1
1b-Howard-Complete Vet hitter
*CF-Rando-young power hitter
*RF-Fernandez-ASx1-one of the best players in the game
*SP-Bonham ASx1
SP-Montana-ASx4

4. St Louis-Wild Card
Led by star RF, C, and closer in a very tough division
*CF-Newfield-good all around CF
*RF-Esposito-rising young player
*C-Houston- ASx3 SSx3
*RF-Hatcher ASx2 SSx5-one of the best players in the game
*2b-Vazquez ASx1
Closer-Ackley-ASx8 FYx5- one of the best closers in the game
*SP-Pinzon-rising rookie of year candidate

5. New Orleans-NL South Champ
Veteran Team led by their offense for one last run
*1b-Moore-SSx1
CF-Brinkley MVPx1 ASx5 SSx6
3b-Jackson ASx4 SSx1 GGx2
*LF-Mateo ASx2 GGx1
SP-Medina WSx3
SP-Kearns CYx1 ASx4 WSx1

6. Cleveland-NL North Champ
Complete team led by their stars in a good division
*SS-Nicholas ASx1 SSx1
LF-Lopez ASx2 SSx2
*SP-Valenzuela ASx2 SSx1
SP-Post-good vet

7. Chicago
Veteran team led by their deep starting pitching
2b-Terry ASx1
*SP-Christansen ASx1-one of the best pitchers in the game
SP-Beneitz-good vet
SP-Holloway ASx1

8.Charlotte
Good mix of vets and good players looking to make a push in the NL South
SS-Hutch MVPx1 ASx6 SSx6-best FA signing ever?
3b-Peguero ASx5 SSx1 GGx1
*CF-Good-rising young player
*RF Murton ASx1 SSx1
LF-Silva ASx4
SS-Coombs-good vet
SP-Gabriel Cyx1 ASx3 GGx2-FA signing
*Closer-Sukamp-rising rookie of year candidate

9.Scranton
Led by their star 1b and closer in a good division
*1b-Stull SSx1-one of the best players in the game
SP-Tillman-CYx1 ASx5 GGx1 WSx4
*Closer-Jacquez ASx1 FYx1-one of the best closers in the game

10. Atlanta
Led by their young outfield
*2b-Ruf-young piece
*3b-Baker-rising player
*RF-Withem-ASx1
*LF-Reyes-rising player
*CF-Wickman ASx2 SSx2

11. Hartford
Led by their powerful offense
*C-Miley-rising power hitter
1b-Hukata-MVPx1 ASx5 SSx4 GGx1 WSx1-one of the best players in the game
*RF-Brinkey-ASx1
*2b-Pearson-young rising player
*3b-Lopez-GGx3

12. Toronto
Veteran team with alot of good pieces to win
*2b-Stull-ASx1
C-Kingland ASx3 SSx3 WSx1
3b-Jaso ASx1 SSx1
*SP-Henriquez ASx1
P-DiMaggio Asx1
Closer-Aoki ASx4 WSx1

13. Arizona
Led by their young players on offense
*LF Campbell ASx2
*LF Chang ASx1
*SS Mori-rising rookie of year candidate
*2b-Mulholland-solid hitter

14. Helena
Led by their young pieces
*LF Conway rising rookie of year candidate
*3b-Ruiz-young piece
*SP-Reyes-rising young pitcher

15. Cincinnati
Continuing their rebuild
*RF Vanguri-solid hitter
SP-Lee ASx5 WSx1-FA signing

16. Pawtucket
Continuing their rebuild
*SP Boctheler-rising rookie of year candidate

Playoff Predictions;
1. Scottsdale
2. Pittsburgh
3. St Louis
4. Cleveland
5. Colorado Springs
6. New Orleans

Darkhorses: Chicago, Charlotte, Toronto