Challenger League Offseason Team Overview
Argentum Silverstars – The Challenger League champs are a solid overall team, and should probably fair pretty well in the Premier League next season. Their pitching is top notch, but the tougher hitters in the higher league may prove to be a bit more of a challenge. It certainly wouldn’t hurt if the Silverstars could add another solid, veteran arm to their rotation, despite the fact that the pitching market looks to be pretty competitive this year. Argentum’s biggest free agency loss will be most likely be a prospect. Ian Boykin is the #1 prospect in the Silverstar’s system, and is up for free agency. The Picon native right handed starter went 14-9 with an ERA of 3.11 in the developmental league this season.
Dust Valley Riders – The Riders made their charge into the Premier League on the back of the men on the mound. Their offensive numbers left something to be desired, and will need to be worked on if they want to compete in the Premier League. The Riders will also potentially be losing two of their regular starters, with both John Covey and Lloyd Fry eligible for free agency this offseason. Covey was 11-5 with a 2.96 ERA and 110 Ks, while Fry had a bit of a rougher season, going just 5-9 with a ERA a hair under 5. Still, it’s a body the Riders will have to replace this offseason.
Pailyn Panthers – Despite a disappointing finish in the Promotion playoffs, the Panthers are primed to make another run at the Premier League next season. Pailyn features one of the most consistent pitching staffs in the entire Challenger League, as well as an offense that while not overpowering, does enough to win those close games. The Panthers do have the potential to be hit pretty hard by free agency, however, as their top starter, Manus Emery, is up for free agency. Emery went 10-6 with a 2.52 ERA in 19 starts for the Panthers this season. He was hung with the loss for game 2 of the playoff, but only allowed 1 run. The Panthers could also lose their 2nd starter, Gary Wilson, who when 9-6 with a 3.12 ERA.
Promethea Pirates – The Pirates had the best starting rotation in the Challenger League this season, with a combined 3.09 ERA. They also had the best batting average in the league, despite scoring the fewest amount of runs. The Pirates should be looking to add another bat into the middle of the lineup to help drive home some of those base hits. The Pirates won’t be losing any major role players to free agency, in fact only one player on the major league roster is eligible at all, so the Pirates can be buyers this offseason to try and make another run at promotion.
Opadea Galaxy – Despite having the league’s MVP in Michael Attril, the Galaxy failed to make the top 4 and play for promotion. It is hard to find a glaring weakness on this Galaxy team, but if any exists it would be in the starting 4. The starting rotation average a 3.7 ERA. A new solid 3rd or 4th starter would help plug the one weakness this team seems to have. Left Fielder Andrew MacMillan looks to be the biggest loss for the team in free agency. The Tauron native hit .338/.383/.448 this season, with seven home runs and 31 driven in. Russ Galbreath, the everyday SS, is also up for free agency.
Hades Vice – The Vice put up great offensive numbers this season, but struggled on the mound, especially in the later innings. Their bullpen showed and ERA over 4. Expect the Vice to be looking around the free agent market for pitching, but at the major and minor league levels. Unfortunate news for the Vice, as two of their top pitching prospects will be out for the majority of next season with injuries. The Vice won’t be losing any every day starters to free agency, so they can focus on rebuilding their pitching depth throughout the organization.
Spatiu Gol Thunder – The men in purple led the league in most pitching categories, but couldn’t get the work done at the plate to propel them into the top 4. That should be the Thunder’s biggest need this offseason – finding a bat that can hit the ball over the fence. They will lose some of that pitching to the free agent market, but most from the bullpen. The starting 4 will stay in tact.
Tawa Archers – The Archers didn’t put a lot of men on base last season, but when they did make contact they hit the ball hard. Despite being in the bottom quarter of the league in hits, the Archers were in the top quarter in extra bas hits, and second in home runs. Their pitching left a lot to be desired as well, as stats wise the Archers were in the bottom half of the league in most categories. Fortunately for the Archers, no one on the major league roster has an expiring contract this season.
Mangala Krill – The Krill’s starting 4 were one of the best rotation in the league, unfortunately their bullpen and offense let them down. The Krill finished at the bottom of the league in all but 1 offensive category. Finding offense needs to be the Krill’s number one priority if they want to contend for the Premier League next season, but unfortunately, the Krill don’t have a large bank to go after that talent this offseason, so if they want to find that bat, they’ll have to do it through the draft.
Olympia Racers – The Racers were a middle of pack team in almost every respect this season. Not the worst at anything, but they didn’t excel in any stat either. The Racers will be losing their starting first baseman, Rodolphe Velona, along with his 40 runs batted in last year.
Delphi Legion – The Legion mirror the Racers in a lot of ways, as all of their stat categories fall more or less right in the middle of the league. Unlike the Racers, though, the Legion are in a bit of a budget crisis right now, and probably can’t afford to go out and get any big names this offseason. They will most likely be losing closer Sullivan O’Gormley to free agency. While on one hand, that does free up 11 million dollars, on the other, the Legion lose one of the better closers in the league. Despite the financial hit, the Legion will most likely be looking to exend O’Gormley’s contract before he can file for free agency.
Celeste Lightning The Lightning’s pitching staff kept them in many of the their contests, but the offense really let the team down this season. They hit the long ball decently well, but small ball escaped them. A good top of the lineup bat could help propel the Lightning to a better record next season. All of the free agents potentially leaving the organization are from the minor league system, so depth may be the biggest issue of the Lightning this offseason.
Kyros Storm – The Storm have the lowest payroll in the league, and despite that, finished in the middle of the pack this season. Statistically, the Storm were unimpressive, but they did what they had to do to win games. Despite the low payroll, the Storm have a good amount of money in the bank, and could potentially reach for a big name or two to try and facilitate the rebuild and propel themselves up to the Premier League. Their first order of business needs to be replacing closer Callum MacDougall, who saved 18 games for the Storm this season, with a ERA of 2.91. MacDougall is expected to file for free agency. 3rd baseman Charlie Mcinnis will also be departing Kyros. He hit 11 homers and drove in 37 runs for the Storm.
Hidden Bay Arrows – The Arrows had one of the best pitching staffs in the Challenger League, but like the Lightning, couldn’t buy enough runs to support their pitchers. With the second lowest budget in the league, it may be difficult for the Arrows to buy their way into contention. Instead, they will be looking to grow through the draft. The Arrows will get a bit of salary relief, but it means that a number of their major league contracts are ending, and will need to be replaced from the minors. The biggest loss is at second base, as Riley Milburn will be heading for greener pastures. Milburn hit .313 this season.
Gaiam Wolves – The Wolves had the opposite problem as the Arrows; a good offense and a not so great pitching staff. The one bright spot of the staff, closer Woody Thomas, will be leaving in free agency. Thomas had 19 saves and a 3.79 ERA.
Heim Blizzard – Another small market team, the Blizzard will most likely not be as active this offseason, as the budget just isn’t there for a major free agent pick up. The Blizzard will need to draft for pitching, specifically starters, as they had the worst ERA among starting 4s in the league. They will also lose workhorse John Ridenhour to free agency. Ridenhour appeared in 32 games out of the bullpen for the Blizzard, finishing with 33 Ks and a 3.72 ERA.
Hedon Lions – Despite their low finish in the table, the Lions did a lot of things right in 2020. They hit the ball well, and pitched to an acceptable, if not a bit underachieving level. Pitching should be on the free agency agenda for the Lions, and they do have a bit of a bank to go get some.
Boskirk Brewers – Take away April, and the Brewers had a pretty good season. Unfortunately, a 3-14 record in the first month of the season put the Brewers in a hole they couldn’t dig out of. Once they found their swing, the beermakers put up some of the better offensive numbers in the Challenger League. The focus this offseason will be on pitching, and left field, as Oscar Reimer will be seeking employment elsewhere. Reimer, the every day left fielder, hit .348 with 8 homers and 38 driven in. He will be a key piece for the Brewers to replace if they want to move up in the standings.
Ionian Islanders – The Islanders finished last in the Challenger League in every single offensive stat. Despite the fact that they have one of the lowest payrolls and budgets in the league, the Islanders do have a bit of money banked up to go after maybe 1 star player to try and add some pop to the lineup. The biggest free agency loss will be second baseman Angelo Hernandez, who hit .263 and drove in 22 runs.
Jonoel Scorpions – The Scorpions need to figure out the pitching situation, and that should be the focus this offseason. Jonoel will get the first overall pick in the draft, and reports are they are keeping any options open, but are looking at pitching. Closer Martin West will most likely be leaving the team in free agency, as his contract demands are expected to far exceed what Jonoel can offer.