PitchingWith the 8th pick in the draft, the Splinters got D'Amico (15GZ) and Hampton (L13H) to start their rotation. Sele (8GZ), Rogers (L6GZ), and Rekar (6Z) added their Zs to the mix for decent depth, but the rotation isn't exactly overpowering.
Rivera (16HZ), Veres (15GZ) and Wunsch (L15G) give the Splinters a very solid top of the 'pen, but none of the top rated relievers. Adams (12G), Miller (L11H), and Santiago (11GZ) give Gilt Edge lots of innings, but how good will those innings be?
Overall, the pitching the Splinters have is above average. Only Rekar prevented an all-G/H staff, and a majority of the innings will be done by Z pitching.
Grade: B
Offense
A handful of preplays has shown that the Splinters will be in the bottom third of the league in HR, if not dead last. They also seem certain to finish in the bottom third in walks. Can these deficiencies be overcome? Well, they appear set to hit for a high average, one of the tops in the league, and might have the best speed in the league. Will this dead ball style work in a bash-o-rama era?
With none of the league's big boppers in the lineup, this task appears tough. Jeter and Alfonzo will provide a great 1-2 punch, but the 3-4-5 holes will probably be the weakest in the league. Vander Wal, Ochoa, and Hundley will be the sluggers in the lineup, if you can call them that. The bottom of the order will be as good as any in the league, but can balance create runs as well as the power laden lineups of some of the other squads? I doubt it.
Grade: D (the speed might make it a C-)
Defense
The Splinters have an interesting defense. Their outfield will frequently be Jones (3-36) in CF, Ochoa (2-38) in RF, and Mags (2-32) in LF. Strong at the corners (Fryman 3B5, Segui 1B5) and solid in the middle (Jeter SS8, Alfonzo 2B8) of the infield. Atrocious behind the plate (Hundley 7-3, Cross* 7+1, Zaun 7-3). The OF has good subs (Mondesi 3-39 and Goodwin 3-30), but the infield has Damian Jackson (SS7/2B7) and Konerko (1B3/3B3) as the top subs. Overall, they have some very good players, and some very bad ones.
Grade: B
Overall
Is the pitching, speed, and defense enough to overcome the lack of firepower? Lets see if this Nims kid can manage. If anything, this is the type of roster required to win some Manager of the Year votes.
Grade: B-
PitchingKeith went with the solid if unspectacular rotation for the second straight year, with Sirotka (L12), Ankiel (L11), Castillo (11), Moose (11Z), and Elarton (8). Will the lack of Zs hold up?
His 'pen is one of the tops in the league, with Nen (23GZ), GWhite (L17GZ), and Ryhrie (15GZ) as its leaders. Rincon (L15HW), Garces (13GZ), and Shiggy (12Z) providing Zs to come to the aid of non-Z rotation.
While the pen could be great, the nearly non-Z and totally non-G/H rotation could underacheive. The G/H thing may not matter, but in this day and age it might.
Grade: B+
Offense
A-Rod gives any offense a big stick, at short no less. But other than him, the Asps also lack the big stick. Justice and Griff will provide some power to the middle of the order, but like the Splinters, will balance do the trick? The Asps are balanced and deep, with Hansen and Hammonds on the bench.
Grade: B
Defense The Asps have a solid defense, built around A-Rod at short (SS9). The infield is just solid (Clark 1B4, Castillo 2B7, Lowell 3B4). The outfield is also just solid (Justice RF2-34, Griff CF3-36, Floyd LF2-30). Posada is, incredibly, one of the better catchers in the league at 8+1, plus he won't be getting pinch hit for. With the possibility of a lot of walks, can they turn enough DPs?
Grade: B-
Overall
This team seems reminiscent of last year's Corsica Red Devils, altho stronger in spots. I think Keith can outdo 82 wins, but not a huge increase on that.
Grade: B
PitchingWith a rotation anchored by Chan Ho Park (14GW), anything can happen. Graham did himself well with Zs Kile (11Z), Rusch (L7Z), Lieber (6Z) and Weaver (6Z), but how good are a bunch of low rated Zs? Also note the lack of HR control grades.
The pen is topped by Foulke (15Z) who provides a lot of innings, but its downhill after that. Not sure why a mostly-Z rotation was complimented with a practically non-Z pen, but Mecir (15H), Howry (14G), Wickman (14H), Hawkins (13G), and Plesac (L14GW) do all have HR control grades. The Sac-man is the only lefty, lets see how the W can handle this role.
Grade: C
Offense
Any offense built around Todd Helton is gonna run well, but Graham managed to surround Todd with Kent, Piazza, Burks and a bunch of other fine hitters. The bottom of the order will be Tejada, Cirillo, and Santiago when he starts. Not a bad bottom of the order. The one thing lacking is some players who can run, but the bench does include some PRers in Womack and Lawton. I still forsee a lot of GIDPs from this squad.
Grade: A-
Defense
I'm gonna run wild on a team like this. The infield of Cirillo 3B4, Tejada SS8, Kent 2B7, and Helton 1B4 is pretty weak, and the outfield with Erstad 3-30, Bernie 3-32, and Burks 2-32 won't scare many baserunners. The catching platoon of Fletcher 8-2, Santiago 7+3, and occasionally Piazza 7-4 is almost as weak as the Splinters.
Grade: D
Overall
Can the bats carry everything else? This team could pile up the wins with some good managing, does Graham have it in him? If anything, the Molsen division is a tossup.
Grade: B-
PitchingThe sophomore stud took Brown (16Z) with the second pick, and rounded out the rotation with Livan (10GZ), Pettitte (L10G), Wells (L10Z) and Radke (6Z). The Zs are evident, and Brown should give Basler close to 300 IP.
The pen is a big improvement from Wooluum, with Pearl* (17HZ), Strickland (14GZ), Speier (14), Hoffman (13Z), Swindell (L13Z), and Karsay (11GZ). Once again, the Zs are all there, but did the Rust sell their soul for a lot of Zs? Moderate HR control grades.
Nonetheless, preplays have shown the Rust to be one of the best staffs in the league when it comes to ERA, and should easily allow the fewest walks in the league.
Grade: A-
Offense
The Rust feature Jason Giambi, who slid to the 17th pick in the draft, as their stud. Jenkins and Everett add 5 power numbers to the heart of the order, and Dave did pretty good in snagging Sweeney and Colbrunn as additional firepower. But the train wreck at 2B and SS make the bottom of the order weak. When Jenkins and Higgy-Baby are your base stealers, you could have trouble.
Grade: B-
Defense
The outfield is solid with Higgy RF2-37, Everett CF3-36, and Jenkins LF2-31. The infield is solid up the middle with Deivi SS9 and Furcal 2B8/SS8, but the use of Quilvio 2B7 will somewhat negate that. Choose your poison, Deivi's bat or the Q's glove? Kendall C8+0 won't do much to stop baserunners, at least he can hit. The corners of Giambi 1B3 and Colbrunn 3B3 are suspect at best.
Grade: C-
Overall
The bench is pretty weak, and Dave will be needing a bunch of starts out of them. Other than that, the squad is pretty solid. Solid enough that he is probably the slight favorite in the Frank-and-a-James.
Grade: B
PitchingThe Big Unit (L16XY) isn't a bad start, but the rotation is downhill after that. Colon (13W), Ohka (11), Burba (8G), and Hunt* (7LZ) are pretty weak. Good luck with Hunt*, Astacio drove me nuts last year.
The pen is also fairly weak, with King (L22H) having good ratings, but a maximum of 43 IP. Benitez (16), Kohlmeier (15H and 39 IP), Shetter* (13G), Kline (L11Z) and The 'Fro (L11HZ) aren't much to write home about.
The low number of Zs, not much HR control, and limited IP could spell trouble in Black River Falls.
Grade: D
Offense
Always the hallmark of the franchise, this team can hit. Ramirez, Vlad, Glaus, and Edmonds give the squad a huge heart to the order. Damon, Klesko, and Vizquel compliment with their speed. Ken did well snagging ChuckJ in the 9th round. While a whiff-o-rama won't be great for advancing runners, this squad could easily top the circuit in dongs. Not many scrubs in the bunch, and Glenallen's 1-1-1 off the bench is nice.
Grade: A
Defense
Viquel's SS10 gives them something to build around, but there isn't much infield around him. Glaus 3B4, Biggio 2B8, and Klesko 1B3 are ok. The outfield is solid with Vlad RF2-37, Edmonds CF3-31, and Manny LF2-36. Damon is a little weak at 2-28, but prob won't see a whole lot of PT in left. ChuckJ C9+0 won't throw out a ton of guys, but he won't make mistakes.
Grade: B-
Overall
The franchise recipe of hitting, hitting, and more hitting is in place. Can it carry the load? I don't know if its enough to win the division.
Grade: B-
PitchingJoe snagged Glavine (L14Z) and Maddux (13GZ) in his first swing, then ignored the rotation for 8 rounds. He ended up with Person (12GW), Schilling (9Z) and Stephenson (7LZ).
Koch (17GZ) anchors the pen, with Leskanic (17GW), Graves (16G, 76.7 RC/G), Rocker (L15GW) and Jimenez (13GZ) rounding it out. One of the few 5 man pens in today's SL has as many Ws as Zs.
On a whole, the staff isn't too impressive. Glavine, Maddux and Koch should do well, but there isn't much after that. The all-G pen might help.
Grade: C+
Offense
Giles and Alou give some middle of the order punch, but the lineup has some holes. Alomar, Dye, and Finley are solid, but Le Gato, Chavez, Larkin, and Ausmus don't exactly put fear in the heart of pitchers. The bench has more punch than the bottom of the order, with Casey, Meluskey, Caminiti, and even Ramon E looking pretty impressive. Can Joe mold this motley crew into a high scoring offense? I don't see it happening.
Grade: B-
Defense
Ausmus C9+5 anchors the D, with a solid infield of Chavez 3B4, Larkin SS8, Alomar 2B8, and Galarraga 1B4. The OF of Dye RF3-36, Finley CF3-33, and Alou LF2-34 is very good. The bench can hit, but it fields like a softball team. Ramon E will have his hands full.
Grade: B-
Overall
While I can't put my finger on it, there is just something holding this team back. While a quality team, I'm not sure if they can win the division.
Grade: C+
PitchingThe Maverick built a staff of Moehler (7Z), Vazquez (7Z), Halama (L6Z), Redman (L6Z) and Estes (9GW). Great job, mav. Taking his 6th starter first was a sign of things to come.
The pen is deep with TONS of IP, can it make up for the rotation? Nelson (19HW), Myers (L18H) and Roberto (14Z) are good, but after that its mostly just a bunch of guys who aren't 7Zs. Franco (L12), Izzy (12G), Simas (12Z), Sullivan (11Z), and Doug Jones (10GZ) sure have innings.
Can Chris cobble together a quality performance out of this staff? If anyone can, its him.
Grade: C
Offense
5 power number city. Nomar, Delgado, Sosa, and Hidalgo can slug. Abreu and Green aren't too shabby. But the bottom of the order could be weak with Hocking/Velarde and Matheny/Paul getting a decent amount of at bats. The bench is weak, with Kenny Lofton expected to do everything.
Grade: B
Defense
The outfield of Abreu RF2-36, Hidalgo CF3-37, and Green LF3-35 with Lofton 3-32 getting lots of PT is very good. The infield has Nomar's SS9 which is a good start, then it has Hocking 2B8/SS8/3B4/1B3/OF2-34 to fill in everywhere. Outside of that, its ok with Batista 3B4, Delgado 1B3, and Velarde 2B8. Matheny, Kreuter and Paul will shut down the running game.
Grade: B+
Overall
The trade and the 5 power number draft has surely made an interesting team. I'm sure Chris will at least have fun with the squad. I give him the slight nod as division favorite. But not by much.
Grade: B
PitchingBob got the Ace, and Pedro (22GZ) makes things easy on a manager. Not only his performance, but 30+ complete games always helps. After that, Clemens (12), Woody (9Z), Finley (L8), and Parque (L8) aren't great. But everything looks better with Pedro.
After being stuck with Lou Pote last year, Bob snagged Derek Lowe (18GZ) to head up the pen. Rodriguez (16G), Worrell (14Z), Shuey (12G), Beck (12HZ) and Remlinger (L12G) create a staff that should be enough for 4 days out of 5.
Like I said, everything looks better with Pedro. The Simpsons should contend for the ERA title on his back alone, and are in good shape.
Grade: A-
Offense
Bagwell and Edgar aren't bad to build around, and Bob added some other quality in Vidro, Salmon, Luis, and Nevin. But the bottom of the order will have Bordick and Cameron getting lots of at bats, and the bench isn't much after whiff machine Jim Thome. Not a whole lot of speed in the lineup, but Bob did snag league-best PR Eric Young to up the running game.
Grade: C+
Defense
The D is led by stalwarts like Bordick SS9, Salmon RF3-34, Cameron CF3-32, and Ivan C9+4. However, Ivan plays only 91 games with Javy's 8-2 as the only other option, and Vidro 2B7, Nevin 3B3, and Luis LF2-28 aren't great.
Grade: B-
Overall
With Pedro, any team will contend. If he wins 25, you only need to go 60-70 in your remaining games to reach 85 wins and a probable playoff spot. But if he struggles to top 20, the Simpsons could be in trouble.
Grade: B-
PitchingThe rotation is Leiter (L13G), Dempster (12), Hudson (11), Benson (9), and Rueter (L7Z). One Z in the bunch, and no real spectacular grades either. One G.
Backing his weak rotation with 5 relievers, Steve snagged Todd Jones (14G) as his stopper. The rest of the pen is Weathers (14), Sasaki (14L), Paniagua (13G) and White (13G). Not a Z in the bunch, nary a lefty, and no one over a 14.
Steve did a good job with his staff last year, but he has severely limited what he has to work with.
Grade: D-
Offense
The offense is solid with Barry Bonds and a bunch of DH types. Sheff, the Skirt, McGwire, and Palmeiro provide some big sticks, and with Chipper slotted at short, Steve will get lots of power from the position. The bottom of the order will be filled out by the likes of Lieberthal, Jose Cruz, and occasionally Damion Easley. While the lineup has sock, it is also thin on baserunning, and will have the Skirt and Mac to clog things up. Shannon Stewart is the PR off the bench. While it has a lot of talent, the offense is not incredible.
Grade: B+
Defense
A double play combo of Chipper SS6 and Stynes 2B7 will surely hurt the Good Kids. A wing OFer rotation of Bonds and Sheff will make opponents love playing Bridgeport. The Kids are solid at third (Rolen's 5) and has Henry Blanco C8+6. Loretta is a SS9 off the bench, but how much time will he see the field? Rumor has it that Deivi Cruz is available for a trade.
Grade: F+
Overall
Steve ditched his old formula and sold his soul for offense. I don't think its nearly enough to make up for the Kids other shortcomings. I will go out on a limb and predict Steve as the only team I think can't make the playoffs. Lets see if the reigning Manager of the Year can prove me wrong.
Grade: C-
by Greg Nims, 02/15/2001