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Bock Division
Divisional Rank: #3 in Import League (#5 in BLB)
Davenport Brawlers
Finish: 1st in Bock (Tie) – One Game Playoff
Shavermetrics Rank (IL): #5 (t)
What We Like: Something To Prove – The Brawlers took a lot of heat in 1991 for “backing into the playoffs” after claiming the Bock division despite being 4 games under .500 and boasting a -126 run differential. Though some “experts” made them a chic pick perform in the playoffs, they were unceremoniously swept out by the eventual Champions. In ’92, the Brawlers will be looking to prove they deserve to be a playoff team and a team to contend with.
What We Fear: Sitting in Neutral – Davenport basically stood pat this off-season, turning over very little of their BLB roster. Veteran Harry Elliott is out, but his presence will be replaced by Wilton Harcourt. The rest of the team will be largely unchanged other than some development and a few prospects that will get a chance. While development alone may get them back to the .500 mark, will .500 be enough for another Bock crown?
What To Watch: “Nickell Ain’t Worth a Dime” – What happened to Adam Nickell in 1991? Though he stayed healthy overall and chipped in a steady 181 hits, his .335 OBP is not the kind of production you expect out of Nickell or any player cashing a paycheck of his size. Now 30, the slick fielding Centerfielder needs to set the table for the bigger bats for there to be any hope in D’Port.
Los Alamos Bandits
Finish: 1st in Bock (Tie) – One Game Playoff
Shavermetrics Rank (IL): #5 (t)
What We Like: Armed and Dangerous – Los Alamos gets so little pomp and circumstance from the mainstream BLB media, the Bandits may sneak up on a few teams. Though it’s been years since LA has been appointment viewing, we expect sellouts all season at least every 5th day. 1989 1st overall pick Pat Dimmick has taken his rightful place as the ACE of this staff and looks like he’s bringing Veteran stuff after allowing no runs in his four Spring Training starts. The knock against him will be his ability to get deep into ball games – a fear that should be quelled by the emergence of the new Bandits’ Closer of the Future. Seinosuke Sakuma was drafted out of HS back in ’88. Now just 22, the Kansas born lefty has unbelievable stuff and should be a lockdown gun out of the bullpen.
What We Fear: Nice Pond, But Where Are The Ducks? – The Bandits have unbelievable power in their lineup and should hit an astronomical number of HRs if healthy. What they lack, however, are players to get themselves on-base in front of the big bangers like Bovey, Dudley and Hidalgo.
What To Watch: The Leap – Los Alamos looks to be the logical next team to make the leap through good drafting. Seven of their top eight prospects are all starting pitchers that are either already BLB ready or working their way quickly. Baseball America will be watching this team and their #2 rated system very closely. It will be interesting to see if they continue to groom these young hurlers or attempt to parlay them into high-end BLB talent.
Windy City Playboys
Finish: 3rd in Bock
Shavermetrics Rank (IL): #7
What We Like: Going OF – The Playboys are coming into the ’92 season with an unsung, but potentially potent trio of Outfielders. With Free Agent signing Cesaro Campoveroe and up and comer Gerard Wouters flanking Doug Bryant – the man recently voted “Ugliest Man in the BLB” – this appears to be the strength of the team offensively.
What We Fear: Ya Down OBP? – Not in Chicago! While guys sporting a high OBP has become the “in” barometer for measuring the worth of hitters in the BLB, Windy City seems to have almost gone the other way. Even their top players – guys like Dyck, Toiguchi and Wouters – are big swingers who don’t take a lot of pitches or, consequently, walks. Can this feast or famine style of offense actually compete in today’s Brewer’s League?
What To Watch: “Colm”ing Force – The Playboys are not strangers to great Closers. Colm Engle may be the next in an impressive list. After a devastating elbow injury in ’91, Engles health and performance will be imperative to Windy City’s success. A 1-2 punch of “Kit Kat” Mills and a healthy Engle could prove to be a lockdown 8th and 9th and could be enough for the ‘Boys to sneak into Bock contention.
Carolina Tobs
Finish: 4th in Bock
Shavermetrics Rank (IL): #12
What We Like: Talent Boost – The Tobs, who took home the Co-Commissioner’s Cup last season, could have stood still and simply waited for their prospects and high picks to develop. Instead, they decided to be, at least somewhat, bold and make some moves this off-season. Veteran Jared Kirby and ’91 Brewmaster’s Cup Champions Joshua Poling and Florian Tosselli join the Tobs and should immediately improve their offense. They also acquired young arms from the Dallas organization (via Virginia) who look like they will take immediate spots in the rotation.
What We Fear: Something To Prove – Literally. The Tobs’ pitching staff is almost entirely unproved. With some of the big bats populating the Bock and the IL as a whole, these young, untested Pitchers could be in for a long ’92 season.
What To Watch: Down On The Farm – Baseball America has had the Tobs at the top of their “Top Systems” list for quite some time now. They have some legitimate top-end talent in the low minors right now, guys that should be household names in the not to distant future. The development of guys like Ivan Martinez and Al Hamilton may be what writes the script for Carolina’s future.
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