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Lager Division
Divisional Rank: #3 in Domestic League (#6 in BLB)
Los Lunas Javelinas
Finish: 1<sup>st</sup> in Lager
Shavermetrics Rank (DL): #7
What We Like: Black Out – The “furry pigs” have the ultimate shutdown Closer in 22 year old J.J. “Crackpot” Black. A steal at 2.12 in the ’88 draft, Black passed on a football scholarship to the University of Georgia to enter the Los Lunas system. In ’91, he sported an unbelievable 28 game, 28.2 inning season where he allowed just 4 hits and no runs (earned or otherwise). The kid throws flames and should shut the door for Los Lunas for the next 15 years.
What We Fear: Shavermetrics History – For whatever reason, Shavermetrics seems to always like Los Lunas. That hasn’t always translated to on-the-field success.
What To Watch: Knocking at the “Door” - Ramao Cavadas, who was just named the #1 prospect in the BLB this week, might be the most exciting young player in the BLB. The early favorite for DL New Brew, one General Manager this off-season called him “the next Mel Woodbury.” In fact, sources close to both teams tell us that Los Lunas and Virginia had brief conversations this off-season about the reigning Stout Slugger (x4) being traded to Los Lunas for a newer model.
Mississippi Storm
Finish: 2<sup>nd</sup> in Lager
Shavermetrics Rank (DL): #8
What We Like: Backstop – The BLB has always had a storied history of great Catchers and the next one may be in Mississippi. Anibal Calderon may finally get the love he deserves in the DL with Kyoden Kubota’s move to Baltimore. Calderon is an “on-base machine” and is showing steady improvement defensively as well.
What We Fear: Out of Rotation – Mississippi’s Starting Five looks suspect at best. While Don Leonard looks like he may finally “get it”, the next four feature a smattering of unproven youth and aging Vets. A questionable rotation is not the way you want to enter the season in a bat heavy Domestic League.
What To Watch: Big Stick – Joe Rojas has hit 100 HRs and made the All-Star game in all three of his BLB seasons – an achievement that puts in the conversation of perennial power bats like Dani Alvarez and Don McGuire. The Arbiters were very rewarding to Rojas giving him $12.0 this off-season. Is Rojas ready to be the face of the organization?
Sin City Gamblers
Finish: 3<sup>rd</sup> in Ale
Shavermetrics Rank (DL): #10
What We Like: Big Fly – With team leader Pancho Perez leading the way in HRs with just 28, the Gamblers posted a disappointing total for a DL team in a division with weak pitching. This season, Sin City is banking on more production with the addition of Raul De Jesus, Kenchi Sato and Don Alexander.
What We Fear: Bullpen or Playpen – The Gamblers will enter the ’92 season with one of the youngest bullpens in the BLB. While the talent appears to be there, the youth movement is always a gamble.
What To Watch: U-Haul Trucks – Rumors are swirling around the BLB offices that Sin City management may be announcing a franchise move in 1993. While nothing is official, court documents in Las Vegas seem to show that the city is attempting to obtain an injunction that will prevent the owner from relocating. Will an announcement of this magnitude effect last year’s Lager champions?
Hyundai Dinos
Finish: 4th in Ale
Shavermetrics Rank (DL): #12
What We Like: Not Much – Outside of the Top 2 of Keppel and Kinsey, there’s not much to be excited about for the Dinos this season. Another high pick in the ’92 Draft is on the way and, based on our rankings, they’ll battle for the #1 in 1993.
What We Fear: Crowded Outfield – Hyundai brought 10 OFs to Spring Training and their Top Prospect list features two more at the top of the list. With Finley Kinsey a lock at the DH position, Hyundai may just have more players than spots.
What To Watch: Keppel’s Legs – The man that the DL Stout Slugger may eventually be named for and the owner of a truck full of BLB records, Harry Keppel enters his 15<sup>th</sup> season with at least minor concern from Dino fans. Keppel, still only 34, has had four lower body injuries since August of last year. Though all of the injuries have been minor and “Link” has been amazingly healthy for his 2100+ game career – rumblings around the Dinos’ training room is that Keppel is seeking extra treatment before and after each game.
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