AL Preview - North

AL North

Milwaukee - I think this is the fifth season in a row that fg has said he's selling everyone and rebuilding, yet they win 85+ games every year and last season was the first that they didn't make the playoffs since 1992.  Now, I need to act as if we haven't played 20 games already, and this "preview" is being written before the season started, but I can't ignore the fact that these guys have both the player and pitcher of the week for the first week of Season 24.  Seriously, fuck this team.  How did they end up with Aldridge?!?  Who approved this?  Jarvis.  Roque.  Castillo.  Did I mention I hate this team?  The pitching is good, but not good for long innings.  The defense is well above average.  And the offense gives me a boner.  Like for serious.  Come here and feel this.

Minnesota - They haven't made the playoffs since S20, and they won't this year either.  Oooooooo, big predictions early in the....um......prediction post.  So I'm supposed to make big predictions?  Dammit.  I'm writing all of this while watching The Walking Dead.  So it's likely that nothing I write will make sense.  Sorry ruffles and everyone after this section.  Pretty decent pitching staff here, but much like Milwaukee, there aren't many inning eaters.  The offense is pretty decent.  Nathan is a stud, and there are a few other guys that can hang.  The defense isn't going to win any games for them, but it's enough to maybe keep it close.  They're missing a few pieces, but it's a valiant effort.

Madison - They won the division last year after paranoid tried to destroy the gift he was given.  blapo is following suit by putting together a truly horrible team.  I just looked at ratings and threw up in my mouth a little bit.  Did I mention I've been drinking?  Take nothing personally.  Unless I don't like you, then take it very personally.  The defense is bad.  The pitching is equally bad.  The hitting is nothing impressive either, since their best hitter can only muster maybe 40 games before getting tired.  Bad News Bears.

Fargo - They haven't been good in a long time, but after enough top 10 picks, don't they have to eventually do something?  They have some guys in the pipeline, but it feels like they should be better at this point.  Oh well.  #ALisweek The defense is decent, the pitching is atrocious, but thank god Junior Hoffman is still banging around.  The rest of the offense is pretty average.

Division: Milwaukee, Minny, Madison, then Fargo

But here's a pretty girl:

AL Preview - East

Cincy - I'm 35 years old and still don't know how to spell that city correctly.  So we'll just call them Cincy.  I'll say it again, this franchise has NEVER made the playoffs.  Ever.  23 seasons and no playoff appearances.  You can still count on one hand how many times they've finished second in the division.  Granted, they had a rough start in terms of owner turnover, and a rough patch before mwhelan.  They have a decent squad, maybe enough to contend for a playoff spot.  History in the making!!  Defense is decent, a couple of good pitchers, Vic is going to be an all-star, but that's about all they've got.

New York - Wait, when did we invite back devon?  And how did he end up with domi's old team?  Am I the only one laughing at the irony here?  I am?  Fine, fuck you guys.  The Genesis is/are pretty decent, devon inherited a good squad.  Decent defense, decent pitching, above average hitting, I guess they'll win a few games.  It's always a weak division, so anything can happen.

Syracuse - Did I just say it's a weak division?  I always forget about these guys.  They spend a lot of money, and have a decent amount of talent.  The defense is solid, the pitching is quite great, and the hitting is more than enough to win this division.  The question is whether or not they can advance to the big time and make a WS appearance.  Probably not, but it's good to dream.

Chicago - The tanking, er, rebuilding continues.  Less than $30M in salary, we're looking at $45M in prospect this year, which might be a new record.  The defense is good enough to not draw attention, but the pitching is horrendous, and the offense is equally bad.

Can we just fold this division?  Just close it up.  Pretend it never existed.

Prediction: Syracuse, NY, Sinsinatee, then Chicago

Pretty girl:

NL West

Arizona Outlaws
Aims to repeat as division champ with two big free agent signings.
Back Ended: Jack Bergen
Fading Legend: Buck Cain
Best Hitter: Daryl Hawksworth 
Best Pitcher: Aaron Chatwood 
Defense:     7.25 Would be an 8.25, but glove work behind the plate is Piazza-like.    
Offense:     7.25 Dangerous, but not necessarily dominating.    
Pitching:    6.75  Good control and power, but not loaded in splits.   
Total:           21


Oklahoma City Victory Dolls
The Buck-less era is upon us, what can be done when 20 million is off the books.
WTF?!: Max Belliard
(sure it's only 59 innings, but how does a guy like that have those stats?)
By Far the Team MVP: Lance Foster
Best Pitcher: Thomas Freeman 
Defense:     6.75 Good at some positions, not great at more critical ones.
Offense:     6.5 Excellent eye at the plate, and some power, but will swing and miss a lot.
Pitching:    6.75 Will keep the team in games, but won't outright win many, on it's own.
Total:        20


San Francisco Barking Seals
Always a wildcard threat, looks to step up and claim the title using, mainly, their gloves.
Still Playing: Donaldo Escobar
Highest Paid: Tyrone Howard 
Brightest Light in the System: Andrea McCartney 
Best Pitcher: Peter Bennett 
Defense:     8.25 Very much the team strength
Offense:     6.25 Similar to OKC, but without the power and more speed.
Pitching:    6.5  No top line pitching, but many competent arms. Not deep, though.
Total:       21

Las Vegas Corn Dogs
If this team finishes the season in fourth place, again, I'm sending a tersely worded missive to somebody.
Mr. Barking Seal (and Best NL Pitcher): Midre Brandt
Best Hitter (or Should Be): Ismael Lunar
Best Hitter Against Lefties: Juan Sosa 
The Other Great Starter: Ivan Barcelo 
Defense:     8.25 Aside from a couple, essentially, DHs having to play, extremely good in the field.
Offense:     7 Plenty of contact and power, but a little weak vs righties, and not patient, as a whole.
Pitching:    8 More than just Brandt and Barcelo
Total:        23


 

 Mascot: Emily


Well, that's it.

 THE END

 

NL South

NL SOUTH

Jacksonville Jimmies
Came back from being down 3-0 to your author, to pilfer last season's World Series title. I'm still bitter, what a pile of shit, I'm certain bnags performed oral favours on whatif staff (or somebody, don't know if anyone works here anymore)
Best Hitter: Yamil James
Best Pitcher: Yamid Estalella
Can't Break the ML Line-up: Hiram Donald 
Big Bucks: Sherman Riley
Defense:  8.25 A bunch of rangey hoovers.
Offense:   8.5 No huge power threat, but contact and splits ago-go.
Pitching:  8.25 As a staff, a little weak on lefties, but otherwise, dominant
Total:    24.75

Atlanta Bullochs
Perennial contender and endless developer of talent, still with a fairly meager payroll. Son of a bitch.
Best Hitter: Joel Harvey
Ready for the Call: Albert Salinas and Clayton Hamilton
Best Shortstop in BPF History, Fading: Delmon Patterson
Defense:   7 Not deep with the glove rating, but still good.
Offense:   8.75 Huge top end power bats, with contact, splits and eye.
Pitching: 7.25 Not the greatest collection of control pitchers, but very effective
Total:    23

Tampa Bay Grays 
Maybe starting to turn things around, but doubt there's any chance threatening Atlanta and J-ville.
Best Hitter: Jesus Gabriel
In the System: Harry Castro
Big Bucks: Curtis Hernandez
Savvy Signing: Gerardo Callaspo 
Defense:   8 Excellent up the middle, very good across the infield.
Offense:   5.75 Not very intimidating despite a few big power bats.
Pitching:  6.75 Capable staff overall, but no Cy Young candidate.
Total:    20.5

Jackson Generals 
Looks like there's been some money spent in Jackson, maybe 70 wins can be achieved.
Best Hitter: Alejandro Gonzalez
Best Free Agent Get: See above
Big Bucks: Nicky Sherman
On the Farm: Trevor Shannon
Defense:  7 Much improved from the last few seasons.
Offense:  6.75 Very effective against lefties, but not blessed with top end hitters.
Pitching:  7 Also much improved, both in quality and quantity.
Total:    20.75

Mascot: Candace Swanepoel (or something like that)

Season 24 NL Preview

NL NORTH

Rochester Mountain Dwellers 
bobkordecki received the OotY for his excellent job of winning the division, now it's time to see if it  was a fluke, a one off, or a sustained period of divisional dominance
MVP Candidate: Pep Choo
Big FA Gets: Louis Christman and R.J. Jacquez 
Best Pitcher: See Above
Defense:   7.25 Very good where it counts.
Offense:   7.25 Lacking in power bats, but very good splits and eye, with high contact.
Pitching:  6.75 Almost a 7, just not as much control as I would like, and a little short on splits.
Total:    21.75

Boston Brewers 
Progress continues to be made in Boston, but is there more in the tank, to challenge the Mountain Dwellers?
I'll Take "Unlikely BPF Birthplaces", Alex: John Kuo
Highest Paid:Kyle Bryne
Best Pitcher: Julio Manzanillo
Defense:   6 Will not lead BPF in fielding percentage. No. no they won't.
Offense:   6.25 Some boppers, but not exactly the '27 Yanks.
Pitching:  7.25 Definitely the team strength, but is it enough to challenge for the division?
Total:    19.50

 Chicago Wet Bandits
A drop of 13 wins from the previous season could mean the start of leaner times in the Windy City. Actually, no. Last season was a fluke crap out.
Hello Season 22: Heinie Cormier 
Best Hitter: Renyel Volquez 
Highest Paid Player: Brian King
Best Pitcher/Trade Get: Jerry Perez 
Defense:   7.75 Very good all around defense.
Offense:   7.75 Very good all around offense.

Pitching:  7.75 Very good all around pitching.

Total:    23.25

Charlotte Stone Crabs 
A team struggling to emerge from the swamp of non-success. Here's hoping a 90 mil payroll can achieve more than the 66 wins of last season.

Wrong League: Juan Frieri
Still Around: Max Gonzalez
Hope For The Future: Gordon Maranville
And Arthur Washington
Highest Paid: Bud Perez
Defense:   4.75 Not exactly confidence building if you're a Crab Pitcher.
Offense:   7.25 No real weakness in the line-up..

Pitching:  7   Lots of control, and will, by and large keep the ball down
Total:    19

Division mascot, Megan Fox
 

Season 24 NL North Preview

Round 2.

NL North

Wichita Jack Straws
78 wins were enough for Wichita to win it's second straight division title, but represented a sizable drop-off from the 90 posted in season 22.
Best Player: Randy Matthews
Most Expensive: Bob Roberts
Best Hitter: Tony Nomura
Defense:   7.25. Rangey up the middle, with good gloves
Offense:   6.75  Speed and contact, but no power threat
Pitching:   7   Fairly good control, and some fireballers in the pen
Total:       21

New Britain Rock Cats
Looks like a turnaround is occurring, wherever the fuck New Britain is, after an eon of robust losing.
Best Player: Stephen Watson
Most Expensive/Big Free Agent Get: Billy Black
Big Trade Get: Carlos Gonzalez
Defense:   5.25. Decent ranges, but no glove studs
Offense:   6.75  Power and speed, otherwise, kinda meh
Pitching:  8.25   Control and heat abound!
Total:       20.25

 Sioux Falls Canaries
Another team on the ascendant path if they get enough pitching. A miniscule 40 million payroll, combined with some talent, means modest success now and better times later.

Best Player: Ricky Harang
Stolen from me in last season's rule 5/ Best Hitter: Al Montero
All BPF Bench Team: Willis Fisher
Future Star: Francisco Ramirez
Defense:  7 Great at SS, little weak at C and CF.

Offense:  7 Nothing remarkable, but will get the job done enough to compete. Excellent speed. Good splits.
Pitching:  5 Or 4.5, not great, to put it mildly. I will be generous.
Total:      19

St. Louis Serial Killerz
tomhighway comes full circle, and retakes possession of his original BPF founding franchise.
Best Player: Christopher Garcia
Thatsa Alotta Meatballs: Slash Burns
Wow, Look At His Overall, Oh, Nevermind: Kennie Charlton

Defense:  7 SS and CF are covered, but not deep, good the rest of the way.

Offense:  6 No one stands out as a major award, or even Silver Slugger, contender. More speed in the NL North.
Pitching:  5.75 Weak control will present a problem. Tougher against righties, as a whole.
Total:      18.75

And just for the ol' "why not":

And this division's celebrity mascot is:

Miranda Kerr. Congratulations.

Oh, Emily, the lines aren't blurred.

My BabyMama says if Emily did porn, it would be the only porn she'd watch.

The Something Annual Owner of the Year Award, the OotY!

Normally I've held a poll to determine the OotY, but this season, as I was coming up with the candidates, one performance just stood out from all the others and that is the job done by bobkordecki in Rochester, congrats, you get a $25 dollar GC sometime in the near future, once we've filled.

I'm very impressed with how bobkordecki and Rochester made me look like a freakin' moron in my Preview Prediction. A) I contradicted myself in the 76 win prediction because in the blurb I say something about improving on the previous seasons 81 wins, d'oh. And B) I predict a fourth place finish, despite saying they are a wildcard possibility, double d'oh. The acquisition of Pep Choo mid-season, other trades and some savvy FA signings, turned the Mountain Dwellers into a 94 win team and division champ.

Pictured: bobkordecki

Holiday Babes

Merry Christmas, Assholes

And a happy new year!!!

Season 23 Prospect Report!

I'm in the doghouse, yet again, so might as well kill some time before the Walking Dead and go through the teams and see who make my top 10 list of BPF's top current prospects (spoiler alert: I got the best hitting kid). Interesting in how few pitchers there are on the way up, of any value. This used to be a very pitching rich world, and kind of is currently. I also, firmly believe that Whatif has watered down the quality of prospects. When I first started playing HBD, drafts seemed more consistently stack, at least at the top 10 or so, and there were more top line IFAs coming down the pike. We're seeing some of our world, former stud prospects, now fade into glory and legend, and there's not a lot coming up behind them. But there are these guys, though.

Number One:

Hardball Dynasty's

Rico Guerrero

Future monster masher, except he's my guy so expect a chronic .250 hitter with 20 homers in a good year. Seriously though, this kid will put up huge numbers, play less than stellar defense at catcher, or, hopefully, DH. Could play and contribute now, at 19, but, knowing me, will get three full seasons of minor league seasoning.

The rest, in no particular order:

Hardball Dynasty's

Raul Johnson

Great hitting 2B prospect. Defense might translate more to corner outfield, or a GG type firstbagger. Should get a couple of years in the minors before making the bigs

Hardball Dynasty's

Jolbert Neruda

Damn fine firstbase htting type kid. Won't b a huge overall type kid, and should probably be a DH, but will be a silver slugger type kid.

Hardball Dynasty's

Bubba Aldridge

Not outstanding in anyone category but solid in all. Won't win a gold glove at short, but will generate enough offense to be a good number two hitter at second or third.

Hardball Dynasty's

Arthur Washington

Will be a CY candidate in a couple seasons.

Hardball Dynasty's

Clayton Hamilton

While control is an issue, splits aren't and there's a little heat on the pitch. Pitching in the NL will help Hamilton put up some gaudy stats.

Hardball Dynasty's

Kory Carson

While he may not be another Ozzie Smith, his bat puts him at short, if his defense can get close enough. Otherwise a nice 2B/3B type prospect.

Hardball Dynasty's

Diory Figureoa

While his splits may not be too impressive, this kid has a nice combination of power and eye, and will give pitchers fits in upcoming seasons.


*EDIT*

How I missed this kid, I dunno:

Hardball Dynasty's

Albert Salinas

Dynamite late inning type kid, that I overlooked. Bluegrey has a deep system.



Ok, here's the thing: I said a top ten, but I lost a pitcher and, in the highly likely event I've overlooked other candidates, send a trade chat in regards to a prospect you feel I missed. I will update this thang.