Cogitations by Josh
Josh has analyzed each team's pre-draft status and produced this fearless analysis, ranking teams judiciously from 1 (sure contender) to 5 (rebuilder).
And based on this analysis, the pressure has fallen squarely on... Larry Zeller, whose Quaoar squad earns the only 1 rating. Last year Josh was more generous, bestowing his top rating on 6 teams, including the eventual champs from Mass.
As always, if you don't like what he says, take it up with the man himself...
| Team: | Blue Mountain Warthogs |
| Offense: | Has A Strong Starting Outfield With Power That Is Good Offencefly Against Lefties And Righties As For The Infield Most Power Is Just Cano But The Others Can Produce Power Too |
| Pitching: | If I Had To Say His Weak Point Is His Starting Rotation And Bullpen Except For His Set Up Man |
| Defense: | His Out Field Is Very Strong Defenivly From Starting To Back Up Players As For The Infield First Base And 2nd Base Are Good But 3rd And Ss Are Subpar |
| Draft Needs: | He Can Use Some Bull Pen Help, A Backup Or Starting Ss ThatÕs Strong Against Righties And At Least 3 Starting Pitchers |
| Power Rating: | I think this team could contend but only if the starters and bullpen can rebound and the infield can produce I think offfence could produce and defence is good for outfield and somewhat in infield so I give it a 3 |
| Team: | Bull Mountain Huskies |
| Offense: | Both Infield And Out Field Strong Against Righties And Lefties |
| Pitching: | His Starters Will Give You At Least 6 Innings Per Start But There Bull Pen Is Also Great So If You Are In A Jam Late In A Game You Can Count On Them To Get You Out Of It |
| Defense: | His Every Day Starters Are Well On Defence Except For 1st Base And Catchers |
| Draft Needs: | Not Much This Team Needs One More Starting Pitcher And Mostly Just Depth But Probly A Releafe Pitcher And A Defenceve Catcher |
| Power Rating: | this team is very good. A good offenfence, strong starting rotation with a good bullpen the only weakness I see is at catcher and 1st base defenceivly other than that it is a strong contending team so I give it a 2 |
| Team: | Ferengenar Suspenders |
| Offense: | Has A Balenced Hitting Lineup Some Strong Against Righties And Some Against Lefties Plus A Few Good Young Players |
| Pitching: | 3 Top Noch Aces And 3 Other Starters That Can Go 6 Innings Plus A Very Good Bullepn With A Good Closer |
| Defense: | His Defence Is Good Both In The The Infield And Outfield At Least The Starters Are |
| Draft Needs: | This Team Can Get A Couple Relievers For Depth And A Backup Catcher Other Than That Get Prospecs For The Future |
| Power Rating: | this team is a strong contender with the pitching offence it has a good shot so I give it a 2 |
| Team: | Germantown Generals |
| Offense: | Has Some Power In The Lineup Mostly In The Infield |
| Pitching: | Two Top Aces In Kershaw And Hendricks And Two Quality Starters In Duffy And Moore Despite The High Era And For The Bullpen Is Very Strong |
| Defense: | His Infield Defence Is Pretty Good At Most Except For Catcher And 1b With Santana As For The Outfield Is Very Good On Defence |
| Draft Needs: | A Ss ThatÕs Strong Against Righties Cuz Iglesias Is Weak Against Righties It Wont Hurt To Get A Couple More Relievers Other Than That Get Players For The Future |
| Power Rating: | this team is a contender my only concern is offfence which is why I give it a 3 |
| Team: | Hailey's Comet |
| Offense: | Not A Lot Of Power Just 3 Power Hitters |
| Pitching: | His Starting Rotation Is A Little Subpar As They All Have A 5era And There Weak Against Lefties And For His Bullpen Is Young But Is Not That Good Either |
| Defense: | The Infield Defemce Is Pretty Good And The Outfield Defence Is Ok |
| Draft Needs: | Some Relievers To Help The Bullpen And A Right Fielder Weather To Start Or Backup |
| Power Rating: | the only way this team could contend is if the pitching can be better and if the offence can produce more as well so ill give this team a long shot so 4 |
| Team: | Houston Wildcatters |
| Offense: | Strong Hitters Good Against Both Righties And Lefties |
| Pitching: | Well He Only Has 1 Starters Due To That Strasburg And Feldman's DonÕt Have Enough Innings And His Bullpen Is Strong That They Both Can Match Up Against Lefties And Righties |
| Defense: | Both Infield And Outfield Are Strong On Defence |
| Draft Needs: | This Team Can Use A Starter Or Two Weather By Trade Or Draft, For Depth Perhaps A Closer Too Other Than That Keep Drafting Prospecs For The Future |
| Power Rating: | I think this team is a contender but my only concern would be cuz of the rotation so ill give it a 3 |
| Team: | Machias Clam Diggers |
| Offense: | Not Loaded With Power But Has A Few Superstars Some Good Vs Righties Some Good Gainst Lefties And A Few Of Talented Rookies And Rookie Prospects Too |
| Pitching: | Only Has 2 Starters For His Rotation In Lacky And Perez, As For The Bullpen Its Decent But Not A Lot Of Usuage Except For Ramirez |
| Defense: | Some Positions Are Better Than Others For Example In The Infield The Best 2 Fielders Are Baes And Machado And In The Out Field Are Cf Blackman And Grichuk And In Rf You Got Judge And Then Lf You Got Upton And Guyer |
| Draft Needs: | A Staring Pitcher Or 2 In Case And Then Some Relief Pitchers With A Lot Of Innngs And Then Look For A Starting First Basemen Despite That You Have A Player That Can Play It But They Struggle At It |
| Power Rating: | once again I think the team has a few holes with the pitching and some defenceive issuses with some possitions but he has a lot of young talented players though so he could contend 3 |
| Team: | Maine Black Bears |
| Offense: | Has A Mixed Balenced Lineup That Has Some Players That Are Good Against Righties And Some Against Lefties Others Are Both |
| Pitching: | Has 5 Starters But 3 Have Enough Innings But His Bullpen Is Kind Of Weak Except For 3 Which Is Giles,Smith,And Romo |
| Defense: | His Infield Is Very Strong On Defence And The Outfield Is Good Too Except For Conforto |
| Draft Needs: | This Team Can Use A Starter, A Couple Relivres, A Backup Outfielder For Depth Just Incase |
| Power Rating: | I feel like this teams only weakness would be the pitching and bullpen othre than that his team is good offence and defence so itÕs a 3 |
| Team: | Mass Mayhem |
| Offense: | Not A Lot Of Power Especially Now That Ortiz Retired But Has A Couple Of Guys |
| Pitching: | His Rotation Is Decent With The Ace In Scherzer And The Ageless Wonder In Big Bart As For The Bullpen The Relievers Are Subpar But Has Some Good Closers |
| Defense: | Starting Infielders Are Very Strong On Defence Center Field Starters Are Good |
| Draft Needs: | He Needs A 1b, Starting Letf Fielder And A Couple Of Reliver To Boost The Bullpen |
| Power Rating: | I feel like this team has a a slight chance to contend with the amount of holes like offence and missing starters positions and lack of offence and only one good pitcher so I give it a 4 |
| Team: | Miami Naranjeros |
| Offense: | Only 4 Power Hitters |
| Pitching: | 2 Starters And The Bullpen His Not Good At All |
| Defense: | The Only Godd Defence He Has Is Molina And Outfielder Matt Sczur |
| Draft Needs: | Well He Needs 2 Starting Pitchers,A Few Relievers Plus A Closer, And A Few Offence Players To Help The Lineup |
| Power Rating: | this team is far from contending so its no doubt its in a rebuild so itÕs a nobrainer to give it a 5 |
| Team: | Milford Moles |
| Offense: | Not A Lot Of Power In The Line Up Only 3 Super Stars |
| Pitching: | Hes Has A Young Rotation ThatÕs Subpar With 2 Starters, Hasent Got Lot Of Relievers But Has One Good Setup Man In Siegrist And Closer In Kimbrel |
| Defense: | His Starting Defence Is Only Good At Catcher,3b As For The Outfield Starters Are Very Good |
| Draft Needs: | A Couple Of Relievers, And A Couple Position Players For Depth |
| Power Rating: | this team has a lot of young players so itÕs a long shot to contend but if you draft well you never know 4 |
| Team: | New York Knights |
| Offense: | Not A Lot Of Power In The Line Up |
| Pitching: | 4 Man Rotation Is Decent, As The Bullpen Not A Lot Of Relivers |
| Defense: | Only Has 2 Good Defenceve Starters In Agon And Flowers The Rest Are 4, The Outfield Starters Are Decent |
| Draft Needs: | This Team Needs Relivers, A Backup 1b ThatÕs Good Against Lefties, A Backup 2b ThatÕs Good Against Righties And Keep The Prospecs |
| Power Rating: | I feel like this team is in a rebuild so it coming along well hopefully harvy and degrome stay healthy the team will be better |
| Team: | Newark Warpigs |
| Offense: | Not A Major Power Hittting Lineup But Has 5 All Stars |
| Pitching: | Not A Strong Rotation But Has 3 Starters But Nost Of Them Are Young And Not A Lot Of Experience And Same With The Bullpen As Well |
| Defense: | Both Infield And Outfield Are Strong On Defence |
| Draft Needs: | Uncle Claw Can Use Another Starting Pitcher Plus A Couple Other Offenceive Hitters And Get Some Relivers To Bulk Up The Bullpen Ither Than That Get Some Prospecs |
| Power Rating: | to be a stronger contender this team needs better pitching and bullpen can get better and hopefully the lineup can get more production too so ill give it a 4 |
| Team: | North Pole Polar Bears |
| Offense: | Has A Young Lineup With Some Power |
| Pitching: | Has A Young Rotation That Has 3 Pitchers That Can Give You Enough Starts In The Season The Rest Can Give You A Quarter Of The Season But That Depends How You Use Them,As For The Bullpen Is Very Strong As His Relivers Are Good Against Righties And Lefties |
| Defense: | The Starting Infield's Defence Is Only Good At Ss,2b, And Catcher. As For His Outfield All Of The Postions Starters And Backups Are Good On Deence |
| Draft Needs: | Some Relievers For More Depth, Look For An Offenceve Catcher, And A Defenceve 1basemen With Some Power |
| Power Rating: | I think this team is up an coming team with a young rotation a decent bullpen hopefully the offence can be more productive so I think itÕs a long shot to contend so I give this team a 4 |
| Team: | Ocean State Stripers |
| Offense: | A Weak But Young Lineup In The Future |
| Pitching: | He Has 2 Staretrs But Most Of His Pitchers Are Weak Against Lefties And Righties |
| Defense: | As For The Infield Defence The Only Good Is At Catching And Ss As For The Outfield The Only Area Is Yelich And Benintendi |
| Draft Needs: | He Can Use Some More Offence Players I Guess In A Trade He Has Pretty Good Young Players Already Plus He Wants To Rebuild Too And Try To Trade A Starter Or 2 For Either Prospecs Like Outfield Or Pitching |
| Power Rating: | since his team is in rebuild it could take a year or 3 but I see a lot of potential with the young players this roster has and can be with who he drafts and trades so thatÕs why hes a 5 |
| Team: | Quaoar Crickets |
| Offense: | Hes Got A Mixed Power Lineup With Power Hitters That Some Are Good Against Righties And Some Are Good Aginst Lefties |
| Pitching: | He Has A Strong 5 Man Rotation With A Killer Bullpen ThatÕs Strong Against Righties And Lefties |
| Defense: | His Infield Has Great Defence Plus His Outfield Too Is Great As Well |
| Draft Needs: | Not Much Players To Help This Team This Year With The Talwnt He Has Plus With The Rookies He Has Now I Mean I Guess A Back Up Rightfielder To Help Beltran Would Help Late In The Game Cuz His Defence Rating Is A 5 Other Than That Draft For The Future |
| Power Rating: | this team is a no doubt strong contender 1 for sure |
| Team: | Red Bank 24s |
| Offense: | Not A Lot Of Power But Has A Few Superstars With Power |
| Pitching: | Has Two Aces With Price And Cueto That Can Give You 7 Plus And Two Other Quality Starters With Pomeranz And Pineda , And His Bullpen Is Pretty Good To Not To Metion His Closer Betances |
| Defense: | His Infield Starters Are Good Except At Catcher And 3b, As For The Outfield Starters Are Good Too With Desmond And Bourjos |
| Draft Needs: | A Starting Leftfielder A Leftie Reliever Or 2 A Backup 1b Cuz Teixeira Retired And A Backup 3b Too And Than A Backup Catcherand ThatÕs It Draft Prospecs For Future |
| Power Rating: | this team has a few holes at a few positions to his linep but his pitching staff is good and his bullpen is good to but offencevly so ill give it a 4 |
| Team: | Red Bank Jints |
| Offense: | His Power Mostly Comes From His Infield Other Than That Theres Not A Lot Of Power In This Lineup |
| Pitching: | He Has 3 Bonifide Satrters Like Thor, King Felix And Teheran ThatÕs Good Against Righties And Lefties.As For His Bulpen His Relivers Are Good But His 2 Closers Are Weak |
| Defense: | His Startiing Positions Are Strong In The Infield As For The Outfield The Only Position ThatÕs Strong Is Cf And The Backup Rf |
| Draft Needs: | Due To Some Pitching Injuries You Should Draft A Couple Pitchers And Relivers, And A More Experienced Catcher With Some Power To |
| Power Rating: | this team could contend but it has some holes so itÕs a 3 |
| Team: | Seattle Steelheads |
| Offense: | Power Comes From The Infield Not Much From The Outfield |
| Pitching: | Has 4man Rotation With 2 Young Pitchers For The Future And His Bullpen Is Pretty Good Especially The Closer And Setup Man |
| Defense: | The Infield Is Decent But The Best Is At Catcher And Ss As For The Outfield Is Very Srong For The Every Day Players The Back Up Are Not As Good |
| Draft Needs: | This Team Can Use Some Relievers To Add More Depth To The Bullpen Plus A Lefty Starter Or Trade To Get An Offenceive Outfielder To Make The Lineup More Productive Its Just A Thought |
| Power Rating: | I see this team being a contender but they only have a couple holeswhich are, not enough offence and not a lot of relivers but if you can get that in the draft it will make the team much better so ill give it a 3 |
| Team: | Shiawassee Sharks |
| Offense: | DoesnÕt Have A Strong Power Lineup But 3 Superstar Hitters In Abreu,Davis, And Correa |
| Pitching: | His Starting Rotation Is Avreage Despite Having 2 Good Ones In Archer And Porcello, At Least His Bullpen Is Good Too Especially With Familia As The Closer |
| Defense: | The Starting Defence Is Good In Some Areas Like Ss,2b Now For His Outfield Defence Starters Are Good At All Ther Positions |
| Draft Needs: | Look To Get A Right Handed Defenceve Catcher And A Couple Righty Relivers |
| Power Rating: | I feel like this team might contend but have a couple of holes like the lack of offence and some of the defenceve positions lacking strong defence and last but not least and the middle of the starting rotation after your two aces so il give it a 4 |
| Team: | South Shore Shibas |
| Offense: | He DoesnÕt Have A Powerhitting Lineup But Some Power From Some Hitters |
| Pitching: | His Starting Rotation Has 2 Young Guys In Matz And Foltynewicz That Have A Lot Of Potentiontal Plus The Rest Of His Rotation Are Veterens Who Had Good Years Last Year. As For His Bullpen Is Not As Good |
| Defense: | The Starting Defence In The Infield Is Pretty Good As For The Outfield Its Mixed Some Are Good Some Arent Cf Is Very Good But Leftfield And Rightfield Is Not Good |
| Draft Needs: | This Team Can Use Some Relivers To Make His Bullpen Better Than It Is. Then Get Better Defenceive Leftfield And Rightfielld |
| Power Rating: | I feel like this team is not a contender this year for a couple reasons 1 offence 2.pitching 3. bullpen .4 defence so I also give it a 4 but keep your prospects and keep getting them |
| Team: | Southboro Killer E's |
| Offense: | Hes Got A Few Superstar Hitters In His Lineup Infield And Outfield To Build Upon And Upandcoming Rookies As Well |
| Pitching: | His Rotation Woud Have Been Great But Its Too Bad That One Of The Pitchers Was Killed So With The Loss He Still Has Other Young Starters But Not With A Lot Of Innings But He Still Has Hellickson And Hammel And Phelps And Ross. As For The Bullpen His 3 Relievers Are Very Good Including His Strong Closer In Allen |
| Defense: | His Starting Defence In The Infield Is Very Good Except For Ss. His Outfield Defence Is Avreage Cf Is Very Good In Buxton, Lf Is Good With Werth To Start Then Dhal Can Back Him Up Or Even Rasmus To And Rf Trumbo Is Nat As Good But You Can Move Rasmus Or Dhal To Replace Him Late Which Is Good To, |
| Draft Needs: | A Starting Pitcher To Replace Fernandez, A Couple Lefty Relievers To Even Out The Bullpen That Is Strong With The 3 Other Relievers That Are Strong Against Righthanded To Other Than That Keep Drafting For The Future Cuz This Team Is Good Plus Its Prospects Are Very Good |
| Power Rating: | this I feel like is a contender just with a couple holes mostly pitching and one defenceive area at ss so this team is a 3 |
| Team: | Sunnydale Slayers |
| Offense: | Not A Lot Of Power Hitters In This Lineup |
| Pitching: | 3 Aces That Are Work Horses That Can Keep You In The Game, As For The Bullpen His 3 Relivers Are Okay Plus His Closers Are Mostly Strong Against Righties |
| Defense: | His Starting Infield Is Spotty At 3b And C The Rest Of The Infield Is Fine And The Starting Outfield Is Good At All Ther Positions |
| Draft Needs: | He Can Use An Extra Starter For Depth As Well As A Few Relivers To Boost The Bullpen |
| Power Rating: | this team can contend but has a couple of holes so I give them a 3 |
| Team: | Syracuse Express |
| Offense: | Has A Good Hitting Lineup With Super Star Hitters Like Trout,Seager,Upton, And Pujols |
| Pitching: | Has A Pretty Good Starting Rotation Along With Al Rookie Of The Year Avard Winner In Fulmer, And A Strong Aaron Sanchez With Quality Others Too That Come In Handy Like Gausman And Peralta. As For His Bullpen Is Very Strong Except For Miller |
| Defense: | The Starting Infielders Are Good In Some Areas Like Ss,3b,2b The Not Good Are 1b And Catcher. For The Outfield Is Very Strong Especially With Trout,Upton,Grandy And Even The Back Ups Too Are Strong |
| Draft Needs: | Not Much This Team Needs Perhaps A Couple Relivers To Boost The Bullpen, A Backup 1b And Just Maybe A Backup 3b Even Though Seager Is A Everyday Player Other Than That Draft For The Future |
| Power Rating: | this team is a contender with only one hole the bullpen thatÕs it for me so this team is a 2 |
| Team: | Union Lake Owls |
| Offense: | Has A Few Strong Power Hitters With 20 To 30 Hr And A Couple Between 10 And 20 Hr So ItÕs A Decent Linup |
| Pitching: | No Aces But Has A 4 Man Rotation But Its Real Streanth Is A Killer Amout Of Closers That Can Match Up Against The Best Of The Best In The League |
| Defense: | The Defence In The Infield Is Very Good When It Comes To The Starters Just Like The Out Field To Are Very Strong As Well |
| Draft Needs: | The Most Important Thing This Team Needs Are Relievers Cuz The Fact That You Have All Those Good Closers You Cant Keep Them All On Your Starting Roster So Boost Your Bullpen And Also Gwt One Extra Starter For Depth Just In Case And Get A Back Up 3b For Nunez For Defence Pluz Nunez Seemes To Get Hurt |
| Power Rating: | this team can contend but has a couple of holes so I give them a 3 too |
| Team: | Wisconsin Woodchucks |
| Offense: | Not Tons Of Power But A Few Young Talented Hitters In The Lineup |
| Pitching: | A Young Rotation With The Veteran Peavy Which Struggled Last Year That Goes The Same With The Bullpen Too Except For Treinen |
| Defense: | His Starters In The Infield May Make An Error Or 2 As For The Outfield All The Starters Are Good Except For Lf With Dickerson Whoes A 4 |
| Draft Needs: | First For Offence This Team Can Use A Catcher For Depth With An Injury, And Another First Basemen To Backup Zimmerman Cuz Bour Is Not Good Defencevly. For Pitching He Can Use A Closer And Get A Better Lefty Reliver To Replace Hann |
| Power Rating: | the holes for this team is mostly the pitching with some injuries and some of the innings the team may struggle this year but he has talented porspects coming soon so it will be hard for this team to contend but I think theres a slight chance so ill give it a 4 |