[Elendil]

2013 Previews



The Pilots could be the big surprise out of the Seward Division. They aren't likely to unseat the Jets as favorites, but they have improved offensively. However, they are likely to have one of the worst pitching staffs in the entire league.

The Pilots' major stars are 1B Tanner Bourque (career .281/.393/.507), 1B-2B-3B Tim Arnold (career .245/.334/.368 at A ball), SS Sherman Ferris (career .268/.355/.361), LF Tommy Okawa (career .284/.382/.385 at A ball), CF Elvis O'Halloran (career .249/.347/.403 at A ball), and RF Doug Beard (career .294/.393/.493).

However, their #1 starter is Newt Langille (career 4.27 ERA), and their closer is John Adams (career 3.01 ERA, but now 34 and in decline), acquired in the offseason from Peninsula in exchange for a minor leaguer.

Predicted finish: 2nd in Seward.



The Bucs really disappointed last year and lost a lot of money. Accordingly, they also lost a couple of marquee free agents, and are likely to fall further this year.

Catcher and Rookie of the Year Julien LaFlamme (.277/.354/.533 last year), third baseman John Brown (career .307/.393/.483), and right fielder Mark O'Feeney (career .256/.306/.400 in limited action, just 23 years old) will buttress the offense, while the rotation will again be anchored by veteran Jack Hatt (career 3.56 ERA). The rest of the rotation looks iffy, although the team hopes that recent acquisition Tom Pick will return to form.

Predicted finish: 5th in the Seward.



Life is never easy for a small-market club, and the Mushers evince that. On the one hand, they seem to have done most things right to stay within budget and keep a quality product on the field, but they seem to be treading water, losing players to free agency just after they've started to develop their potential.

Their key hitters will be C Greg Britton (career .263/.298/.448, age 26), 1B Adam Joly (career .320/.413/.520), and LF Sean Heath (career .293/.387/.524, age 26). Their rotation is weak, with 22-year-old Shane Russell (10-9, 3.51 last year) at the top. A 37-year-old Loren Coleman, pilfered from Juneau, will get another chance to close (66 career saves, 3.43 ERA).

Predicted finish: 4th in Seward.



The Jets have to be considered the favorites in the Seward Division again, but they look to be weaker this year.

Their key offensive contributors look to be: rookie infielder Brett Small, LF Phil Botfield (career .309/.370/.488, age 24), and CF Francis Ikarashi (career .270/.396/.373 at A ball).

Despite the loss of Pond, pitching will likely continue to be a strength, with Monzaemon Mihashi (career 2.71 ERA), Martin Gagnon (career 2.91 ERA), Louis Mays (career 2.68 ERA), and Ryan Dye (career 3.66 ERA) providing a formidable 1-2-3-4 punch. Their closer will once again be former major league cup of coffee Jason Hilton (42 career saves, 2.54 ERA in AKL).

Predicted finish: 1st in the Seward.



The Goldpanners remain the laughingstock of the league. They actually did make a little money last year, but their attendance was by far the worst in the league and if it continues to decline, they won't be able to keep making money. What they need is to get Gary Johnson off the payroll finally. Almost everyone else is making league minimum.

The Panners actually do have a couple of prospects and young players that could contribute if they, err, pan out. Third baseman Mark Beach (.329/.357/.380 last year at age 19), rookie right fielder Colin Garrett, and starting pitchers Tim Myers (1-12, 5.09 last year at age 19) and Sawao Kawano (6-11, 3.68 last year at age 20) are key examples.

If they continue building through the draft, they could eventually be decent - if the franchise lasts that long.

Predicted finish: 6th in the Denali.



The Senators had money to spend in the offseason, and they spent it. They look to be strong contenders once again.

On offense, they expect big contributions from 1B Ralph Collette (.276/.361/.475 career), SS Gates Matkin (career .290/.335/.364, age 22), CF Olivier Theriault (career .250/.324/.397), and RF Wynn Dunsmore (.320/.401/.551 career, age 26).

Their pitching isn't as good as it used to be, but the 1-2 punch in the rotation is still great: Don Taggart (47-34, 2.97 ERA lifetime) and Anthony Sonier (3.33 career ERA, 23 years old). The inconsistent Bill Colwill (118 career saves, 3.85 ERA) will close.

Prediction: 2nd in the Denali.



The Grizzlies are forced to go into another rebuild due to finances. The team isn't terrible but isn't expected to do anything much this year.

On offense the main stars are C Bob Russo (.264/.346/.434 career), 3B Doug Griffin (.279/.347/.376 career, age 26), and SS Scott Wilkinson (.258/.348/.436 career, just awarded a 6-year contract extension). Tom Robbins, the Alabama Slamma, is still with the club but has been plagued by injury and will probably retire after this season. He hit a more than respectable .297/.393/.651 last year in 212 AB, though.

The pitching looks to be pretty bad with Gagnon's departure. Stephen Hill (47-48, 3.80 lifetime, now 35) will be the #1 starter.

Predicted finish: 6th in the Seward.



The Miners were good last year, continue to enjoy great fan support, and may have even improved over the offseason.

Their big stars on offense are C Pierre-Alexandre Langlois (.321/.418/.533 career, now 41!), 1B Don Goodyear (.272/.366/.489 career), 2B Dave Colwell (.232/.313/.360 career, but just 24 and has big upside), LF Greg Trudel (.306/.393/.552 career), CF Bryce Payne (.283/.331/.397 career), and RF Mike Collette (.251/.343/.377 career).

The pitching will be a problem, however. They have a collection of veterans, most of them past their due date. Number one starter John Dewitt (59-49, 4.06 lifetime) has always been reliable, except for his ill-fated stint with Sitka, but hardly dominant. Closer Bryant Brenton (85 career SV, 3.68 ERA) is now 40.

Predicted finish: 3rd in the Denali.



The Nicks confounded the pundits last year and they might do it again this year. However, they will be missing both Bob Horton and Eugene Pond to start the season, both of whom were injured in training camp.

Their big hitters are: C Alan Sellick (.285/.374/.511 lifetime), 2B John Abston (.296/.361/.537 lifetime, still just 26), and of course Horton (.337/.424/.604 all-time).

The starting rotation could be the most formidable in the division, with Pond, Becker (63-36, 3.26), and Major (41-30, 3.28). However, the bullpen got even weaker, as Mike Watanabe has become closer (4.61 career ERA).

Predicted finish: 5th in the Denali.



The Oilers have finally gotten out of their financial rut after going through a quick rebuild immediately after their championship. It might still be a bit early for them to contend, but they're putting a strong emphasis on good defense.

On offense the major contributors are 1B Dale Robison (.259/.341/.389 career but just 23 and has major upside) and LF Dave Bonnar (.311/.404/.491).

They have a pretty solid 1-2 punch in the rotation with Mike Rancourt (54-44, 3.84 career, now 36) and Bryan Kendall (54-51, 3.63 career, now 34). Lefty Braedon MacDonald will be their closer. He's highly touted but as a rookie last year put up a 4.54 ERA and more walks than K's.

Predicted finish: 3rd in the Seward but below .500.



The Sentinels made a big push last year and almost got into the top slot. They have almost everyone back this year and even made some improvements. This looks like a well-rounded, deep club that won't knock your socks off, but should contend.

On offense they expect big things from 3B Nick Bedford (.287/.349/.497 career) and SS Jack Hussey (.328/.412/.391 career, still just 21). Of course, they have Vincent Leroux as well, but no one is quite sure what he'll do, whether last year was a fluke.

Their rotation is reasonably strong, with Al Simmons (19-14, 3.60 in two years, age 24), former Miner Will Blain (38-24, 3.48 lifetime but 4.79 last year), and Harvey Romanov (7-10, 4.49 over short stints covering 4 years, just 23) fighting for respect. Brad Morris (80 career SV, 3.25 ERA) will close.

Predicted finish: 1st in the Denali.



The Yukoners this year remind me of the Sentinels last year. They bought some high-priced free agents and made some surprising trades last year, breaking with the franchise tradition of keeping their players year after year.

Offensively, they look pretty good, with 1B-2B Zander Sabin (.265/.337/.402), 2B Charley Logan (.239/.333/.325 career at single-A), SS Sloan Starr (.260/.348/.439), CF John Dugles (.295/.360/.400 and just 24), and RF Kisei Suto (.313/.397/.461 and just 23). The rotation is more problematic and will be led by John Mack (54-56, 3.34), entering his 7th season with the club, and Rick Sonier (40-36, 3.51), entering his 5th season with the club. Ron Yuke will close (77 career SV, 3.29 ERA).

Predicted finish: 4th in the Denali.

The Denali appears to be more up in the air than the Seward. Any of the teams ranked 1-5 in the eastern division could end up walking away with it, while the winner of the western group seems pre-ordained. But that's why you play the games, because you never know...