OK, now that the NL is done it's on to the American League. We start our trip around the league in the east, where currently we have New York New York out in front at 8-1. The Huntington Beachcombers and Louisville Legends sit dead even at 4-4, and the Baltimore Iron Birds are at the back of the pack at 3-6. Will the standings stay this way for the year?
We'll start by breaking down the offenses. I think the offensive stats at the current moment are misleading- New York leads the majors in runs by a mile, but I think that may be more a function of facing the same starting pitcher 4 straight games against Baltimore to start the season than of having a truly dominant offense. I think all 4 offenses are pretty close and I will probably receive flak from fans in the Big Apple, but we start in Baltimore.
- The Iron Birds have a fairly deep offense. CF Javier Tavarez, an offseason pickup from Pawtucket, solidifies the 2 spot. He's got big-time hitters behind him is C Al Bautista, LF Miguel Rios, 3B Greg Whitaker, and SS Kurt Christenson. I think they will eventually get on track.
- Louisville's lineup is also solid, jumpstarted by one of the few leadoff third basemen I've ever sen in Kareem Raines. He should get on base enough for guys like 1B Arnold Hunter and Ernest Montgomery, a guy really searching for a defensive position. Former Trenton 2B Bernard Young, RF Stewart Reese, and C Cy Hughes help make this a deep lineup.
- Huntington has 5 big time hitters at the 1-5 spot. CF Steven Leonard, 1B Anthony Bernard, RF Orel MacFarlane, slugging 2B Bob Koplove, and DH Randy Fergeson should combine to score plenty of runs this year.
- New York may not continue at their current pace, but they can score runs. CF Scott Diaz and Brandon Rhodes are a very solid 1-2 combination. C King Winn is very solid at the 3 spot, a good professional hitter. Very interesting to see Rodriguez and Soriano in a New York lineup together, but it's not Alex and Alfonso but Vladimir and Bernie. Vladimir Rodriugez bats cleanup- he's an interesting player as he will definitely help New York this year but a year in AAA might have helped his development more- it's an interesting dilemma. Bernie Soriano happens to play 2B and hit well like his real-life ML namesake- maybe not on an MVP level, but he'll put up numbers.
On to the pitching staffs. Again, I don't think any team here is head and shoulders above the others.
- We will begin the roundup here in Louisville. The rotation begins with Max Jacquez, who if he is not a legitimate ace would be a very good number 2 starter. Behind him there is depth in Tom Beltran, Lance Stevens, and Danny Little. Setup may be a bit of a question, but Justin Lawrence should nail down most of his opportunities.
- Huntington isn't too far behind, having a decent starting staff of its own. Clinton Skrmetta may need to buy a vowel but he's a solid starter. He's got Sadre Witt and Daryl Cashman, a young pitcher with a lot of talent, behind him. Olmedo James rounds out the top 4. Davey Guzman is a capable closer.
- New York may not have the starting pitching of Louisville or Huntington, but the bullpen is fairly strong. Bo Rekar currently sits at #2 and should fit that role nicely. Miguel Benitez, Dustin Parnell, and Joey Hubbard will definitely eat innings but whether they can get hitters out may be a question mark. In the bullpen they not only have Jose Martin to closer but Wesley Cora and Hugh Ross have potential at the setup positions.
- Baltimore has some question marks. Their top three are fairly solid in Ringo Walsh, Clarence Forsch, and Stan Thompson, but they'll need innings from guys outside of those three. That being said, the biggest question marks could be closer Frank Wilkins and catcher Al Bautista, who is in the lineup for his offense.
Predictions (don't hold me to any of this):
1. I think it will come down to New York, Louisville, and Huntington, as Baltimore has too many question marks on the pitching staff. Huntington's defense might end up costing them some games, which I don't think they can afford to do. I'm not sure New York can keep up what they have been doing, so it looks like Louisville by process of elimination. By no means do I see a clear-cut favorite here.
2. The 2nd and 3rd place teams finish within 10 games of 1st. Not sure if that gets them a wild card.
3. If he stays in Huntington all year Bob Koplove will hit at least 60 home runs.
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