1900 INTERNATIONAL ROOKIE LEAGUE SEASON PREVIEW
LEAGUE PREVIEW
Code:
1899 STANDINGS
Washington League East Division
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Billings Mustangs 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Idaho Falls Chukers 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Missoula Osprey 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Ogden Raptors 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Orem Owlz 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Team To Watch: Billings Mustangs
- Much like their MLB parent team Baltimore, the Mustangs are predicted to win their division. They have the best staff in the WL East, maybe in all of the IRL. With some MLB ready vets like (SP Chris Bischoff & CL Gabe Velasquez) mixed in with promising rookies (SP Carlos Marias & MR Kevin Hicks), they have a great staff from top to bottom. Offensively, they do lack alot of HR power threat, but they have plenty of high avg/opb guys, most notably a pair of vets in CF Ken Hallett & C Christofor Tovaz.
Pitcher To Watch: SP Dan Grays (Miss)
- Dan is a towering specimen on the mound at 6'6, but he doesn't pitch like it. He uses more of the finesse/control type game, but does it very effectively. His fastball only tops at 89mph, but mixed in with his off-speed pitches, all with plenty of movement, he is extremely tough to hit. This future White Sox starter should be up with the big league team late this year, or next year at the latest.
Hitter To Watch: RF John Eastman (IF)
- The future rightfielder for Anaheim, Eastman possesses a ton of HR power. At only 18, and still no where near his full potential, he projects as a 30-40 HR hitter in the MLB, and should be one of the league leaders here in IRL as he develops. He needs to improve his contact and eye, but the power potential is enough to make him a sure-fire MLB porspect.
Newcomer To Watch: n/a
Code:
1899 STANDINGS
Washington League Central Division
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Boise Hawks 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Eugene Emeralds 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Jupiter Hammerheads 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Tri City Valley Cats 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Yakima Bears 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Team To Watch: Boise Hawks
- Boston's minor league team is the best in the WL Central, combining tons of speed and OPB (small ball) on offense with above avg SP and the best pen in the IRL, including can't miss MLB star closer Quique Requejo, who right now at 25 could be the closer for 1/2 the MLB teams, and will be a fixture in the Red Sox pen in the near future.
Pitcher To Watch: CL Quique Requejo (Boi)
- Requejo, as stated above, is the best closer prospect in the IRL and a sure-fire MLB stud in the pen. At 25 yo, and ratins of 11/10/9, he is just about ready for the promotion, but the big excitement conerning him comes in his potential ratings of 13/12/11 including 16/14/13 vs. RH hitters. While only topping out at 90mph, he might not be a closer in the bigs, he will at the very least be an excellent MR/set up man.
Hitter To Watch: RF Bill Monroe (Jup)
- Monroe doesn't excel in any 1 area, but he projects to be a solid all around OF for Arizona. He projects to a player who can hit .275, with 20 hr and 25 sb along with above avg defense. Not numbers that will blow you away, but at only 18yo, he still has time to improve into an even better 5 tool player.
Newcomer To Watch: n/a
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Washington League Western Division
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Aberdeen Ironbirds 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Brooklyn Cyclones 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Everett Aquasox 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Vancouver Canadians 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Team To Watch: Aberdeen Ironbirds
- The Yankees rookie team is built around offense, led by a trio of OF's who all have MLB starter caliber talents. CF Garcia projects to a 40sb leadoff man, LF Graciano to a .280-320 linedrive hitter, and RF Kirby a 30-40 hr threat in the middle of the lineup. And all are 20yo or younger. They are backed up by a 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation in 24yo Ceara and 28 yo Yandell, both of which are capable of winning 15 games in the IRL.
Pitcher To Watch: SP Vito Ceara (Abe)
- At 24yo, Ceara is close to MLB ready, and should be up with the Yankees soon. He is a solid SP across the board, with above avg stuff/movement and control potential ratings. He does have to improve his endurance with only a 10/20 rating, but he will be a solid ace for Aberdeen for the time being, and will probably start in long relief for the Yanks when he is promoted.
Hitter To Watch: 1b Dustin Cloud (Van)
- Dustin is a 17yo power hitter star in the making. Picture Adam Dunn. Plenty of K's, not the highest of averages, but one of the most dangerous and powerful cleanup hitters in the league. He will really strikeout alot (1/20 in avoid K's), but at 17 is young enough to improve his eye significantly before being a fixture at 1b for the Rockies.
Newcomer To Watch: n/a
Code:
Lincoln League Eastern Division
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Auburn Doubledays 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Batavia Muck Dogs 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Hudson Valley Renegades 0 0 .000 - 0-0
State College Spikes 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Williamsport Crosscutters 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Team To Watch: Hudson Valley Renegades
- The Renegades are a strange team for a rookie league. While not having many prospects for the Mariners, they might be the best team in all of the IRL with a team made up of mostly all vets who aren't quite good enough for the majors. With 4 32yo+ hitters in their lineup and 2 top SPs and a Closer all over 30yo, they have the makeup of a team to win now, but not provide much help for the future.
Pitcher To Watch: SP Tommy Henshall (Bat)
- TB's #1 prospect is an oddity in terms of pitching talent. He has a rubber arm (15/20 endurance) and great movement (16/20) potential ratings, but his stuff and control are only projected at 6/20. But he is only 17yo, and if he can figure out how to balance out his game and improve his control, he should be a top starter in Tampa Bay's rotation in a few short years.
Hitter To Watch: RF Nathan Wilcox (Wil)
- A prospect Nathan is not at 35yo. But he might be the best all-around hitter in the IRL. With ratings across the board in the 9-13 range, he can do it all while providing the Crosscutters with veteran leadership. He is probably the 26th man on the Astros roster and will surely get called up at some point, but while he is in the IRL, he is an MVP candidate and maybe even a triple crown threat.
Newcomer To Watch: n/a
Code:
Lincoln League Central Division
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Delmarva Shorebirds 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Hagerstown Suns 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Hickory Crawdads 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Lowell Spinners 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Mahoning Valley Scappers 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Vermont Lake Monsters 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Team To Watch: Delmarva Shorebirds
- The Brewers minor league team is loaded with young talented players. With a lineup that featuers 6 of the 8 everyday players under 21 yo, and a starting rotation with 3 19yo's, the Brewers should have plenty of help in the future from their farm system. Their best spect is an 18yo RF by the name of Romano Charana, a middle of the order type power hitter who has a great eye and knack for drawing the free pass.
Pitcher To Watch: SP Geraldo Palmier (Hick)
- Palmier is a 25yo SP prospect with unbelievable stuff. He has a heavy fastball (94mph) with 3 other quality pitches, and he is a pure strikeout pitcher. However he still lacks the control to be effective in the bigs, but Toronto is hoping he can develop his control and join the Blue Jays' rotation next year.
Hitter To Watch: CF Joe Cubero (Del)
- While most of the hype on Delmarva centers around RF Charana, 18yo CF Cubero might be the better prospect. The one thing you can't teach is speed, and Joe is oozing with it (20/20, 20/20). He still struggles a bit with his hitting and eye, but when he gets on, he's always a threat to steal. If he can improve each of those attributes slightly, he is sure to be Milwaukee's leadoff hitter in the near future.
Newcomer To Watch: n/a
Code:
Lincoln League Western Division
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec
Asheville Tourists 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Kannapolis Intimidators 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Lake County Captains 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Lakewood Blueclaws 0 0 .000 - 0-0
West Virginia Power 0 0 .000 - 0-0
Team To Watch: Lake County Captains
- Lake County features a nice mix of hungry vets and promising rookies and look like the class of the LL West. Led by 32yo RF Chico Alvarez, who is the best pure avg hitter in the IRL, they have an offense capable of scoring some runs. And with solid starters solidified by a great 1-2 closer/setup veteran combo, they have the pitching needed to win as well. Washington was predicted as the best in the NL East, and their minor league affiliate is the same in the LL West.
Pitcher To Watch: CL Manuel Delallera (Lak)
- At 28, Delallera will probable never get much better, but at current talent level, his is pretty darn good. With literally 9's across the board in both current and potential ratings, and a 96mph fastball, he is a very capable closer and should challenge for the fireman of the year award barring a promotion to Pittsburgh.
Hitter To Watch: RF Chico Alvares (LC)
- The 32 yo leader of the Captains is the prototypical #3 hitter. With a 11/20 contact, 12/20 gap power and 14/20 eye, he puts the ball in play and should have good avg and opb numbers. Surprised that he wasn't with Washington after camp, Chico is hungry and looks to put up big numbers early in the year and earn the trip to the majors he feels he deserves.
Newcomer To Watch: n/a
TEAM PREVIEW
VANCOUVER CANADIANS
Pitching
Starters: The biggest strength of our team is in our starting rotation. Not many young prospects, but with 29yo Shayne McWalrick, 29yo Eichiro Akamatsu & 28yo Wally Belcher, we have 3 solid #1 type SPs. Our best young starter would be #4 SP Ben Grim at 25yo
Bullpen: Again, not much young talent, but there is definitely talent in the pen, especially at the back end. Closer Justin Grill is 38 yo, but still throws very hard and has the best stuff on the team. Ahead of him are 2 dependable set-up men in RH Gabriel Valdovinos & LH Mike Hammons.
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Pitching Staff
STARTERS BULLPEN
1. RH S. McWalrick CL - J. Grill (RH)
2. RH E. Akamatsu SU - G. Valdovinos (RH)
3. RH W. Belcher SU - M. Hammons (LH)
4. RH B. Grim MR - D. Holden (LH)
5. RH M. Plasencia MR - L. Flinn (RH)
MR - F. Perez (LH)
MR - V. Eslaquit (LH)
Mopup - A. Gallegos (RH)
LR/Spot Starter - Y. Pinyochon (RH)
Hitting
Catchers: Neither starter Juan Vaides or backup Vicenter Herrera are much at the plate, but Vaides got the starting nod because he is a much better defensive catcher, which with our starting staff, we like what he can do for us more.
Infield: Our corner IFs are our best power hitter (17yo 1b Dustin Cloud) and best contact hitter (33yo 3b Federico Colomes) and will bat 3/4 in our lineup and be needed to produce. Our middle IFs are mostly defensive players who we hope can solidfy our up the middle defense and turn some DPs.
Outfield: CF Emeril Calabrese is our only semi-fast player, so we need him to be a table setter as our leadoff hitter. Our corner OFs (Derek McInally & Lorenzo Manriguez) both are ok hitters who can't play much defense. McInally is only 17 though and one of the organizations better prospects.
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LINEUP BENCH
1. CF E. Calabrese (R) C V. Herrera (R)
2. SS T. Iizuka (S) IF J. Gill (R)
3. 3b F. Colomes (R) OF L. Gargiola (L)
4. 1b D. Cloud (R)
5. RF L. Manriguez (R)
6. LF D. McInally (R)
7. DH L. Gargiola (L) / J. Gill (R)
8. 2b T. Harford (S)
9. C J. Vaides (R)
Team Info
Payroll/Budget: n/a
Cash: n/a
Team Market: n/a
Fan Loyalty/Interest: n/a
Available Money: n/a
Planning on starting up the season sometime late tonite/tommorrow. Will only play a game once in awhile with "my teams" and more so be GM/Manager than an in-game decision maker. I'm not sure how I am going to work the mid-season reports (either post them as they happen or wait for all 4 leagues to reach the mid way point and put them up together), but those should be the next batch of reports, hopefully in a day or 2