Future Hall of Famers - Part 3 of 5

HOF Potential:

Britt Swindell (Austin) – At only 26 years of age, Swindell has amassed 79 wins with a career 3.65 ERA. He is the season 3 & 4 Cy Young Award Winner, and went 72-20 from seasons 3-6.

Yamil Pulido (Cincinnati) – 88 wins and 29 saves with a 2.65 ERA for his career. He is also only 26 years of age and has already captured the season 2 NL Fireman of the Year Award, and he was the season 4 & 5 NL Cy Young Award winner.

Mel Wagner (Cincinnati) – Wagner came into his own last year with a record of 26-3 while winning the season 6 NL Cy Young Award. At 30 years of age and 105 wins, he may not be able to reach 250 career wins, but he is on the right team to accomplish it.

Jorge Navarro (Florida) – At 27 years of age, Navarro has amassed 87 wins with a 3.78 career ERA.

Jesus Cruz(Florida) – At 30 years of age; Cruz has 1,298 Hits, 928 Runs, 188 HR’s, 672 RBI’s, 171 SB’s, and a .338 Batting Average.

Ramon Dong (Milwaukee) – Dong needs to regain his season 1-4 form in order to make the HOF. He has amassed 1,185 Hits, 813 Runs, 146 HR’s, 656 RBI’s, and a .332 Batting Average.

Dallas Payton (Minnesota) – At the age of 28; Payton has amassed 948 Hits, 659 Runs, 233 HR’s, 711 RBI’s, and a .318 Batting Average. He was the season 6 AL MVP.

Chan Yang (Monterrey) – Only 27 years of age, Yang already has 1,044 Hits, 663 Runs, 262 HR’s, 803 RBI’s, and a .299 Batting Average. One more strong season and he will be almost there.

Orlando Ozuna (Monterrey) – 74 wins at the tender age of 26, Ozuna needs to lower his career ERA of 4.17 in order to be considered one of the best.

John Swann (NYY) – A great hitting catcher and still only 29 years of age. Swann has 997 Hits, 705 Runs, 232 HR’s, 732 RBI’s, and a .304 Batting Average.

Jim Edmonds (Austin) – At the age of 27, he has amassed 841 Runs, 941 Hits, 164 HR’s, 652 RBI’s, 138 SB’s, and a .296 Batting Average.

Future Hall of Famers - Part 2 of 5

Could make HOF if they reach the 500 HR Plateau:

Virgil Harris (Monterrey) – At one time thought to be a lock for the HOF, Harris’s career started to nosedive in season 6. He has 1,140 Hits, 731 Runs, 252 HR’s, 846 RBI’s, and a .311 Batting Average.

Clarence McPherson (San Francisco) – At the age of 28, McPherson has 210 HR’s and 568 RBI’s with a .268 Batting Average. He has an outside chance at 500 career HR’s.

Randy Lamb(NYM) – Already 208 HR’s and 533 RBI’s at the age of 26. The only reason that Lamb is not listed as part of the future is his .258 Batting Average.

Harry Delgado (Atlanta) – At the age of 29, Delgado has put up 982 Hits, 641 Runs, 288 HR’s, 875 RBI’s, and a .283 Batting Average.

Quinton Schilling (Philadelphia) – Schilling has a great chance at the age of 32 to reach the plateau. He has 1,004 Hits, 678 Runs, 354 HR’s, 882 RBI’s, and a .270 Batting Average.

Abraham Jordan (Salem) – At 33 years of age, Jordan needs 4 more good years to reach the plateau. He has amassed 1,181 Hits, 877 Runs, 314 HR’s, 948 RBI’s and a .326 Batting Average.

Carlos Santiago (Cincinnati) – Just 29 years of age, Santiago has 1,093 Hits, 678 Runs, 257 HR’s, 861 RBI’s, and a .298 Batting Average.

Juan Castro (San Jose) – At 28 years of age, Castro has 614 Runs, 256 HR’s, 668 RBI’s, 137 SB’s, and a .275 Batting Average.

Bill Douglas (Washington D.C.) – At 27 years of age, Douglas needs to step up his production to reach the plateau. He currently has 717 Hits, 429 Runs, 180 HR’s, 568 RBI’s, and a .300 Batting Average.

Power Rankings

1. Florida Marlins – The Marlins recently went on a 14 game winning streak to bring them within 1 game of the Reds for the best record in the league. They just beat the Reds in the first game of a 3 game series. Previous Ranking: 8. Current Record: 31 – 13.

2. Cincinnati Reds – The impossible the Reds are ranked #2. The dominating Reds still have the best record in the league though. They are still currently ranked #1 in team era and #2 in team batting average. Its probably just a matter of time before the Reds a atop the rankings again. Yorvit Castillo looks to be back on track winning 2 games in his last 4 appearances. Previous Ranking: 1. Current Record: 32 - 12.

3. Austin Deuce Droppers – The DD’s still have the best record in the AL. Fernando Armas is flirting with another .400 season and is looking like the player that won 4 MVPs. Previous Ranking: 2. Current Record: 30 -14.

4. Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers are 9 – 1 over their last 10 games. They recently swept the Pork n Beans in a 3 games series. The Brewers have one the youngest teams in the league, so they should be a contender for many years to come. Previous Ranking: Unranked. Current Record: 28 – 16.

5. Minnesota Twins – The Twins have played some tough teams lately with 2 series against the Corn Dogs, and a series against the Yankees. Andres Domingo has been crushing the ball lately with 4 HRs in his last 4 games. For the season he has 15 HRs, and 41 RBIs. Previous Ranking: 6. Current Record: 28 - 16.

6. Houston Astros – The Astros look more and more like a playoff team. They currently have the fourth best team era in the NL. The Astros young 1B Rocky Spencer is having a stellar season with 15 HRs, 38 RBIs, and a .352 average. Previous Ranking: 5. Current Record: 28 - 16.

7. Monterrey Corn Dogs – The Corn Dogs are a team that many in the AL will fear come playoff time. They recently managed to take 4 of 7 in back to back series against the Twins, and swept the Blue Jays in a 3 game series. Previous Ranking: 7. Current Record: 26 - 18.

8. New York Yankees – The AL East leading Yankees continue to fall in the rankings after starting off the season in the number 1 position. John Oliver is having a great season with 7 wins, and a 3.06 era in 9 starts. Previous Ranking: 4. Current Record: 27 - 17.

9. Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays recently took 2 of 3 against the Deuce Droppers. Willis Ulrich is having a great season with 13 HRs, 50 RBIs and a .322 BA. Previous Ranking: 10. Current Record: 26 - 18.

10. Louisville Swingers – The Swingers have had one the toughest schedules in the league over the past week. They recently had a series against the Reds, 2 against the Cubs, and a series against the Brewers. It is highly doubtful they will remain in the 10 spot for too long. Previous Ranking: 3. Current Record: 25 - 19.

Future Hall of Famers - Part 1 of 5

The Future:

Joey Tracy (Chicago) – At the tender age of 23, Tracy already has amassed 193 HR’s, 475 RBI’s, and a .301 Batting Average.

Bernie Diaz (Dover) – Only 26 years of age, Diaz has amassed 190 HR’s and 555 RBI’s.

Rocky Spencer (Houston) – At 24 years of age, Spencer already has 130 HR’s, 324 RBI’s, and a .326 Batting Average.

Albert Johnson (Louisville) – Johnson has not yet reached his full potential, but the future looks bright. At 25 years of age; he has 762 Hits, 523 Runs, 113 HR’s, 466 RBI’s, 85 SB’s, and a .325 Batting Average.

Donald Satou (Milwaukee) – Already 47 career wins at the age of 24, Satou should be a quality pitcher for many years to come.

Zoltan Mercedes (Atlanta) – Mercede’s career stats are not that impressive, but he finally started to put it all together at the end of last year and is still only 24 years old. He has 88 HR’s, 281 RBI’s and a .342 Batting Average.

Max Crede (Pittsburgh) – At 26 years of age, Crede has amassed 706 Hits, 425 Runs, 182 HR’s, 532 RBI’s, and a .270 Batting Average.

Harry Brown (Salem) – At 26 years of age, Brown has amassed 691 Hits, 502 Runs, 163 HR’s, 503 RBI’s, and a .263 Batting Average.

Louie Martinez(NYY) – Only 26 years of age, Martinez has converted 104 of 128 save opportunities and has a career 3.63 ERA.

Yorrick Robinson (St. Louis) – At only 25 years of age, Robinson is becoming one of the best hitting catchers in the league. He has amassed 647 Hits, 414 Runs, 153 HR’s, 483 RBI’s, and a .297 Batting Average.

Javier Santayana (Toronto) – Santayana makes this list because he still has an outside chance of reaching the 3,000 hit mark. At age 27, he has 1,165 Hits, 754 Runs, 161 HR’s, 657 RBI’s, 233 SB’s, and a .320 Batting Average.

Dwight Hall (Washington D.C.) – At only 22 years of age, Hall is the youngest person to make the list. He has already converted 57 of 75 save opportunities, but needs to lower his career 4.23 ERA.

Surprise Teams (so far)

Pittsburgh Pirates - The Pirates are trying to bring respectability back to the NL East. They are currently leading the division 38 games into the season. Recently they took 2 of 3 against the Brewers and Marlins. After winning only 68 games last season the Pirates look poised to make a playoff run in Firesigns third season with the team.

Texas Rangers - Although they are a probably long shot to make the playoffs, sox2424 looks to have turned this team around. They recently swept the AL East leading Yankees, and are on pace for record over .500. This is a great turn around for team that only won 54 games last season.

Houston Astros - Like or hate him kingjohndeville has turned the Astros into a contender. The Astros are only 2 games out of NL South. They recently swept the Brewers and took 2 out of 3 against the Mayhem. The real question is whether they can this pace up all season. A division title could be tough in a division that contains teams like the Swingers and Marlins. A wild card spot could be just as difficult with teams like the surging Brewers and Cubs in the NL.

Austin Deuce Droppers - It may be a stretch to call them a surprise team after their 4 straight titles, but after a disappointing last season they are back on top of the AL. Last season they missed the playoffs, this season their on pace to win over 110 games. An injury to key player could stop their quest for a fifth title, but right now they are the team to beat in the AL.

Power Rankings - Week 2

1) Cincinnati Reds – Dominating again in season 7. The Reds are on an 8 game winning streak. Pitching has been stellar. Offense has been great. Not much else to say about the Reds. Yorvit Castillo is having an absolutely horrible season. Reds fans are beginning to wonder why they continue to hold onto this sub-par pitcher. For the season he has a 17.47 era and 2 losses. (As a new feature of the power rankings we will only feature the Reds who having bad seasons. Unfortunately this is probably it.)
Previous Ranking: 5
Record: 21 – 4

2) Austin Deuce Droppers – Won 9 games in a row. They are beginning to look like the team that won 4 straight titles. Last seasons most disappointing player Blake Mathews continues to impress. Matthews has 12 homeruns and 33 RBIs this season.
Previous Ranking: 8
Record: 18 – 7

3) Louisville Swingers – They are beginning to resemble last season’s team that won 103 games. They won 5 straight, including 3 of 4 against the Mayhem. They have a tough schedule ahead with a series against the Reds, 2 series against the Cubs, and then the Brewers. Starting pitchers Greg Brown, Frank Tamura, and Paulie Sanders are all having great seasons for the Swingers.
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Record: 17 – 8

4) New York Yankees – Started off the season hot, but have cooled off a bit. There pitching has been solid. The Yankess are third in the league in team era with a 4.05. Patrick Neal is having a great season for the Yankees with 4 wins and a 2.73 era in 5 starts.
Previous Ranking: 1
Record: 17 – 8

5) Houston Astros – Winners of 6 in a row including 2 of 3 against the Cubs, a sweep of the Brewers, and 2 in a row against the Mayhem. Willie Espinosa looks like the real deal, with 5 wins in 5 starts.
Previous Ranking: 10
Record: 16 – 9

6) Minnesota Twins – Recently the Twins recently went on a 7 game winning streak. Dallas Payton has been crushing the ball with 4 homeruns over the Twins last 10 games and is serious candidate for an MVP award this season. Former Pork N Bean Cap Cromer has been the Twins top starter with 4 wins in 5 starts.
Previous Ranking: 9
Record: 16 – 9

7) Monterrey Corn Dogs – Monterrey has been one of the top hitting teams in the league. The CDs are second in the league in team batting average with a .309, and third in the league in homeruns with 50. Chan Yang has 5 homeruns and 15 RBIs over the last 10 games.
Previous Ranking: 4
Record: 15 – 10

8) Florida Marlins – The Marlins are 8 – 2 over their last 10 games. They recently took 2 of 3 against the NL East leading Pork N Beans. Omar Elcano is beginning to look like a serious contender for a CY Young this season. He has 3 wins and a 1.69 era in 5 starts this season.
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Record: 15 – 10

9) Atlanta Pork N Beans – The PnBs have had a tough schedule recently that has left them with a 5 – 5 record over their past 10 games. Young closer Willard Farley is a having a great season for the PnBs with 6 saves in 6 opportunities with a .68 era.
Previous Ranking: 6
Record: 15 – 10

10) Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays recently ran into a rough patch after a great start to the season. They took the first 2 games of a 3 game series against the #4 ranked Yankees. Willis Ulrich is having a great season with 11 homeruns and 33 RBIs.
Previous Ranking: 2
Record: 16 - 9

American League Rookie of the Year Preview

Hardball Dynasty's

Vince Cummings

Arizona - DH

Although a DH Vince should get some serious consideration for the AL rookie of the year award. He's always been a terrific hitter and so far has shown that with 3 home runs, 13 rbi and a .291 average through 86 at bats. He'll have some stiff competition though and one wonders if not playing a defensive position will hurt in the eyes of the voters.

Hardball Dynasty's

Douglas Crudale

Las Vegas - LF

Douglass Crudale had a wicked september last year as a late season call-up and has continued that into this year. Already with 6 home runs and 13 rbi through 79 at bats he's shown he can definitely hit Major League hitting. He'll likely need to raise his .266 batting average some to seriously contend however which isn't inconcievable as he's never hit below .300 throughout his minor league career.

Hardball Dynasty's

Reggie Kreuter

Los Angeles - DH/C

Not much has ever been expected from Reggie Krueter which is most likely the reason LA was able to pick him up in the rule 5 draft. He has so far surprised everyone by crushing 4 homers driving in 13 runs and hitting at a .365 clip in 74 at bats. Although a DH Reggie can fill in as a back-up catcher when needed and has been valuable for LA so far and likely a reason they are tied for first place thus far.

Hardball Dynasty's

Jeff Brooks

Salt Lake - CF

Jeff Brooks can hit bombs. Combine that with his ability to roam centerfield with ease, swipe some bags and just plain put the bat on the ball and you have a star in the making. 9 home runs and 17 rbi so far make Jeff a serious contender for the AL ROY. Hitting .284 won't hurt and he'll likely raise that average as the year goes on. This Cincy scout's early money is on Jeff to win the award and it's not surprising that Cincy had inquired about Jeff in the off-season. Salt Lakes wily GM would have none of it though and rightly so.

Hardball Dynasty's

Louis Hiljus

St. Louis - LF

Louis Hiljus has the makings of a solid major leaguer but he just hasn't shown it yet. Unless he can drastically improve upon his .246 batting average and his paltry power numbers (1 dinger and 7 rbi) he'll likely drop off the ROY list sooner rather than later. St. Louis management believes he can turn it around however. The world will wait and see.



Current Standings (based on a sober Cincinnati scouts observations)

1. Jeff Brooks
2. Reggie Krueter
3. Douglass Crudale
4. Vince Cummings
5. Louis Hiljus