Start of the NL preview

OK fellers, here's what you've been anticipating since before you were born. the one, the only, the immortal, the new smash hit, the whambabaloombop-awhampbamboom NL Preview.

So without further ado:

Let's get ready to stummblllllllllllllllllllllleeeeee!

NL North

New Britain Rock Cats (NL) macwetherbee View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Guess what! The Dallas Cheerleaders just performed at MBPark in New Britain! That's the best thing I can say about this team. Ha. Actually I am seeing some improvement over last season. Too bad Stephen Watson can't pitch 800 innings, but the pitching isn't awful, and has some nice control type arms. There will be opposition hits though, and that defense is pre-Tatum O'Neal Bad News Bearish. Some power in the line-up to generate offense, but not sure enough to really make a difference. Remember, when I'm not predicting much, I love to be proven wrong. Still don't know where the fuck New Britain is. Google it and you get some island in the sun, somewhere.

Iowa City Corn-ish Hens (NL) hshack View Hardball Dynasty Profile

I predicted another title for Iowa City, and damned if I wasn't right. In fact, this team went all the way to the NLCS. That's the BPF NL, just make the playoffs, anything can happen, unlike the AL which is the ol' same old, same old. Haven't looked at the other two NL North teams, but I'm not seeing Iowa as having a lock on the division this season. Weak on defense, not a scary line up, though Steven Ogeacontinues to put guys like the Chief to shame. Pitching is in the same caliber as the D and O. Seeing I. City's division dominance coming to an end unless Wichita and Sioux Falls are really awful, and New Britain doesn't pull through .

Wichita Jack Straws (NL) dhomard View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Ok, will Wichita challenge Iowa City? Ya, I think so, possibly, maybe. Not a lot of power in the line-up, but some blazers on basepaths (alliteration, fuckers!). Pitching, which doesn't look super, will get some badly needed help in field. Not sure if there's enough on the team, to catch either I. City or N. Britain, but there's not a lot separating the teams. Looking, so far, like the best sub .500 team wins the NL North.

Sioux Falls Canaries (NL) jibe View Hardball Dynasty Profile

South Dakota's favourite sons are back under the courageous leadership of jibe. Seems almost a carbon copy of Iowa city, except worse. defense will get to a lot of balls, unfortunately they will boot and/or drop a high number of them. Speedy guys abound, but hits and, especially home runs, don't. Pitching is what it is, which isn't much. Hoping you land a stud or two this season, jibe.

PREDICTIONS:

IOWA CITY 76-86
NEW BRITAIN 72-90
WICHITA  70-92
SIOUX FALLS 61-101
 

AL Season 22 - Parto Uno

AL North
Fargo - 65-97 last season, quickly approaching 20 seasons of missing the playoffs.  Eight top 10 picks in the last ten seasons, shouldn't they be good at some point?  Well four of those picks are not on the team today, so that might be an issue.  Pitching looks quite average, with Radinsky, Campbell and Snyder leading the way.  Who?  Exactly.  The bats are slightly more lively, with Latos and Allensworth and Aguilar being the best of that lot.  The defense won't win any games for them, but hopefully won't lose too many for them either.  Potential for 28M in prospect money, but only 9M in IFA scouting.  Hmmmmmmm.  Prediction: 69 wins

Montreal - 104 wins last year, and the death of our good friend mira.  What?  He's not dead?  Oh.  Carry on.  Paranoid walked in and saw the ratings on these guys and the number of 100+ win seasons over the last decade, and he had to go get a doctor to check out his hard-on, even without taking viagra.  Anything more than a few hours, and you're in trouble.  Right Cam?  I don't think I've ever seen vR splits on a pitching staff like this one.  Joel, Vic, Benny, Curtis, they've got four guys who would be #1's on a lot of staffs.  Defensively, they're a top 5 squad too.  At least their offense sucks.......goddammit, you AL teams better just start throwing it at their heads, because these guys are going to be yet again tough to beat.  But with that kind of budget, I guess they'd better be good.  Prediction: 104 wins

Milwaukee - 95 wins last year, and ousted in the first round, muahahahahaha.  No really massive signings during the offseason, and relatively quiet on the trading front, this team looks similar to last year's squad.  Pep is still an MVP candidate, although Jarvis will probably hold that title for a while.  The pitching is still pretty solid, but not great.  And the defense is acceptable, but it's not going to wow anyone.  Will Milwaukee take another step back this year?  I do believe so.  Prediction: 85 wins

Minnesota - 79 wins last year, down from 94 the season before.  Throwing money at the problem this season, I like the approach.  A couple of Type A's and B's, they should move forward this year, and might even jump over Milwaukee.  What?!?  They don't really have that many studs, but they are quite deep.  Ramirez, Polcovich, Vazquez, it's a pretty decent pitching staff.  The defense is great, it's just the hitting that leaves a little to be desired.  So as long as they don't try to get into any 8-5 slugfests, and just keep the games more in the 2-1 range, they might do okay.  Prediction: 86 wins

AL East
Chicago - 71 wins, up from 54 the season before.  I guess up is really the only direction they could have gone.  But this franchise is still an unmitigated disaster.  The pitching is a mess.  Some decent hitters, but nobody that scares you.  The defense is adequate at best.  Another team that will have a ton of money to throw around at prospects this year (potentially $35M), but only 8M in IFA scouting.  Yikes.  Prediction: 64 wins

Syracuse - 87 wins, third division title in a row, and still my favorite name in BPF.  Joe and Casey lead a much above average pitching staff, while the hitting is nothing to sneeze at either.  The defense is all that worries me, as just about anything put into play could wind up being an in-the-park HR.  I'm not sure if scaling back player $ is the way to move forward with your win tally, but maybe blue will prove me wrong.  Why he's still messing around with advanced scouting, I'll never know.  Prediction: 87 wins again

Cincinnati - 69 wins, 4th in the division last year.  Just trade away Uribe for some prospects, and call it a season.  Do I need to go into detail?  The pitching sucks, the offense is slightly above average, and the defense is suspect.  Maybe next year when all of those guys in AAA can get moved up to the ML roster, but for now.......hold your nose.  Prediction: 60 wins

Louisville - 84 wins, jubs finally starts to do something after losing 100+ games three of the previous four seasons.  Andino, Taylor, and now with R.J. in the mix, they might move farther up the food chain.  They might give Syracuse a run for their money even.  Pitching is above average.  Hitting has some big bats like Manuel and the aforementioned Taylor.  The defense might have just enough glove to get it done.  Can R.J. be enough to get them another 3 wins and move beyond Syracuse?  I think so.  Prediction: 88 wins

nyaggie rates the franchises.

nyaggie, being the fine, upstanding young man he is, has taken the time to rank our franchises based on a points formula. The formula is such:wins minus losses, 2 pts for wildcard, 3 pts for division title, 3 pts for DCS winner, 5 pts for LCS winner and 7 pts for WS title. Took him an hour or so, which would suggest this is some form of spreadsheet. I'm very appreciative, and you should be too.

1.       Milwaukee – 1886 – 1516 WC – 8 Division Title – 5 DCS Win – 9 LCS Win – 3 WS Win – 1 = 450

2.       Atlanta – 1863 – 1539 WC – 4 Division Title – 7 DCS Win – 5 LCS Win – 3 WS Win – 1 = 390

3.       Houston – 1859 – 1543 WC – 5 Division Title – 8 DCS Win – 2 LCS Win – 2 WS Win – 2 = 380

4.       Oklahoma City – 1852 – 1550 WC – 5 Division Title – 11 DCS Win – 3 LCS Win – 3 WS Win – 1 = 376

5.       Montreal – 1839 – 1563 WC – 2 Division Title – 11 DCS Win – 6 LCS Win – 3 WS Win – 2 = 360

6.       Santa Fe – 1830 – 1572 WC – 4 Division Title – 6 DCS Win – 8 LCS Win – 4 WS Win – 2 = 342

7.       Vancouver – 1844 – 1558 WC – 1 Division Title – 7 DCS Win – 2 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = 315

8.       Chicago – 1825 – 1577 WC – 7 Division Title – 6 DCS Win – 3 LCS Win – 1 WS Win – 0 = 294

9.       Jacksonville – 1771 – 1631 WC – 4 Division Title – 5 DCS Win – 5 LCS Win – 2 WS Win – 1 = 195

10.   Jackson – 1778 – 1624 WC – 2 Division Title – 7 DCS Win – 3 LCS Win – 1 WS Win – 0 = 193

11.   Iowa City – 1759 – 1643 WC – 2 Division Title – 9 DCS Win – 3 LCS Win – 1 WS Win – 0 = 161

12.   Syracuse – 1731 – 1671 WC – 1 Division Title – 8 DCS Win – 8 LCS Win – 6 WS Win – 3 = 161

13.   Salem – 1745 – 1657 WC – 2 Division Title – 8 DCS Win – 4 LCS Win – 2 WS Win – 1 = 145

14.   Kansas City – 1737 – 1665 WC – 5 Division Title – 3 DCS Win – 1 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = 100

15.   Colorado Springs – 1727 – 1675 WC – 2 Division Title – 6 DCS Win – 1 LCS Win – 1 WS Win – 1 = 89

16.   Baltimore – 1707 – 1695 WC – 0 Division Title – 9 DCS Win – 4 LCS Win – 3 WS Win – 1 = 73

17.   Scottsdale – 1711 – 1691 WC – 1 Division Title – 8 DCS Win – 1 LCS Win – 1 WS Win – 1 = 61

18.   Sioux Falls – 1690 – 1712 WC – 2 Division Title – 7 DCS Win – 4 LCS Win – 2 WS Win – 1 = 32

19.   Buffalo – 1665 – 1737 WC – 6 Division Title – 3 DCS Win – 3 LCS Win – 1 WS Win – 1 = -30

20.   Arizona – 1647 – 1755 WC – 1 Division Title – 2 DCS Win – 1 LCS Win – 1 WS Win – 1 = -85

21.   Louisville – 1648 – 1754 WC – 5 Division Title – 1 DCS Win – 0 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = -93

22.   Honolulu – 1647 – 1755 WC – 4 Division Title – 0 DCS Win – 0 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = -100

23.   Minnesota – 1619 – 1783 WC – 4 Division Title – 3 DCS Win – 1 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = -147

24.   Chicago – 1606 – 1796 WC – 0 Division Title – 9 DCS Win – 2 LCS Win – 1 WS Win – 0 =-152

25.   San Francisco – 1601 – 1801 WC – 2 Division Title – 0 DCS Win – 1 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = -193

26.   New Britain – 1587 – 1815 WC – 2 Division Title – 4 DCS Win – 2 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = -206

27.   Wichita – 1582 – 1820 WC – 2 Division Title – 1 DCS Win – 0 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = -231

28.   Cincinnati – 1581 – 1821 WC – 0 Division Title – 0 DCS Win – 0 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = -240

29.   Richmond – 1564 – 1838 WC – 0 Division Title – 4 DCS Win – 0 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = -262

30.   San Juan – 1524 – 1878 WC – 1 Division Title – 3 DCS Win – 1 LCS Win – 1 WS Win – 1 = -328

31.   Fargo – 1510 – 1892 WC – 0 Division Title – 2 DCS Win – 0 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = -376

32.   Tampa Bay – 1497 - 1905 WC – 0 Division Title – 2 DCS Win – 0 LCS Win – 0 WS Win – 0 = -402

Your Franchise's Best Draft Pick

Anaheim:
Season 1
Julius Neal
 2nd Pick

Arizona:
Season 3
Max Singleton
3rd Pick

Atlanta:
Season 14
Joel Harvey
7th Pick

Baltimore:
Season 1
Delino Ryan
18th Pick

Boston:
Season 8
Bud Perez
1st Pick

Buffalo:
Season 12
Ryan Crawford
4th Pick

Chicago (AL):
Season 6
Buck Cain
1st Pick

Chicago (NL):
Season 3
Davy Matthews
17th Pick

Cincinnati:
Season 2
Alex Cubillan
14th Pick

Fargo:
Season 1
Dave Wilkerson
13th Pick

Honolulu:
Season 5
Phil Elder
8th Pick

Houston:
Season 12
Robert Slaughter
6th Pick

Iowa City
Season 5
Willy Lyons
22nd Pick

Jackson:
Season 11
Jack Bergen
7th Pick

Jacksonville:
Season 15
Mr BPF
2nd Pick
(author's note: great trade, bnags) 

Kansas City:
Season 14
Roy Moorhouse
5th Pick

Louisville:
Season 18
Walter Atkins
2nd Pick

Milwaukee:
Season 7
Rick Reynolds
1st Pick

Minnesota:
Season 12
Donte Westmoreland
1st Pick

Montgomery:
Season 12
Pep Choo
2nd Pick

Montreal:
Season 3:
Tim Collins
5th Pick

New Britain:
Season 6
Rudy Hendricksen
33rd Pick

Oklahoma City
Season 12
Junior Hoffman
21st Pick

Richmond:
Season 8
Alex Vazquez
5th Pick

Salt Lake City:
Season 1
Dizzy Allen
1st Pick
(author's note: a serious case could be made for Wascar Rosado, going on length of service)

San Francisco:
Season 3
 Curtis McMillon
1st pick

Scottsdale:
Season 8
Daryl Hawksworth
6th Pick

Sioux Falls:
Season 9
Stuart Taylor
1st Pick

Syracuse:
Season 14
Joe Stewart
2nd Pick

Tampa Bay:
Season 9
Craig Allensworth
2nd Pick

Vancouver:
Season 2
Lance Morris
6th Pick

Wichita:
Season 3
Flash Bass
2nd Pick

And in honour of Summer, short shorts!

India Reynolds, never heard of her, but wow...just, wow.

All Timey BPF Team

Well it's been an exhaustive search but here is my updated All Time All BPF team. This is one helluva team, I would put it up against any other worlds, which like I said would be fun to do. I put the team together in a speculative batting order. Feel free to discuss, or just shut up and accept it.

 Designated Hitter:
Albert Cairo
The man, the legend. First in career home runs with 726, RBIs with 2012. Second in stolen bases at 894, third in secondary average with a lofty .498.  Currently Wascar Rosado is the best DH, and will, most likely, claim Cairo's spot on the historic squad.

Centerfielder:
Eugenio Sojo*
In a few seasons Sojo has already usurped the title from Lance Morris. Putting up astonishing number in SLC, and very solid defensively. Maybe the best IFA signing in BPF history.

Rightfielder:
Buck Cain*
The decline is on, but still a formidable presence in the Victory Dolls line-up. The only active player in the top 5 of OPS. Three time MVP. Was briefly acquired by Milwaukee in season 7 for extremely little, but was traded soon after for a little more, but not much. Helluva player.

Catcher:
Here we have a pretty tough decision, really it's difficult.
Geronimo Cruz
or
Julius Neal
Cruz has 10 all star games, a RoY, 2 MVPs, 8 silver sluggers, and three World Series titles to brag about. Neal also 10 all star appearances, a RoY, 8 silver sluggers, but just 1 MVP and WS title. Did win a GG however, so there. Also fifth all time in home runs with 639. I say it's a wash offensively, and Neal has the advantage defensively, so my choice for the All Timey team is Neal.

Leftfielder:
Pep Choo*
Haven't looked it up but Choo must have the best runs per game ratio in BPF.

Firstbase:
Dizzy Allen*
5, count 'em 5, MVPs. At one point the most feared hitter in BPF.  Mostly played rightfield, but spent enough time at first and had to be included. Alfredo Jarvis will son be making the case, if he hasn't already.

Thirdbase:
Stuart Taylor
First overall pick in season 9 is now 2 time MVP, a bunch of Silver Sluggers and even a Gold Glove, and still has 6-7 productive seasons left.

Secondbase:
Alejandro Lee
8 Silver Sluggers at 2B, 2 time MVP.  Third All Time in batting average and the only active player in the Top 5.


Shortstop:
Max Andino*
Best combination of bat and glove at this position in BPF history, by far. Had a shot at landing Andino and Choo a few season back, but wound up with Matt Lunsford. Fuck.


Left Handed Starter:
Curtis McMillon
His decline seems to have begun, in earnest, this season, but what a career. Currently ranked first in ERA, WHIP, SO/9, OBA, and second in wins, winning %, and strikeouts. Rookie of the Year, 3 time CY, and a World Series Ring. All despite a devastating injury in his first pro year at HiA which, essentially, cost him up to 10 points of pertinent ratings, and an entire season of development. Imagine what could have been. Dummy Wayne is a close runner up, and some would argue, based on wins and strikeouts that he might be the best.

Right Handed Starter:
Jumbo Long
Not even close, six time CY winner, no hitter in season 13, and a Series title on his prodigous resume. Spent one season in the same rotation with McMillon, the season in which Vancouver got swept by a domi team, probably the worst kick in the testicles HBD has handed me. Still throbs, and I still sing an octave higher, but was still able to impregnate a crazy lady 17 years younger than me. I'm almost her Mom's age for gawdsakes. Anyways, yay Jumbo Long, a man with a most genitally descriptive name. 

*-indicate having been part of Milwaukee's franchise