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Wilmington Wildcats: This free-spirited young bunch might just laugh it’s way to another Stout title
Have you ever been waiting at the station and your train actually arrives early? And said train is full of dancing strippers and cute puppies?!
That's kind of like the Wilmington Wildcats.
This club surprised everyone in the BLB, especially those in the Stout, by taking the division by a pretty wide margin, 7.5 games. After finishing dead last in 10 of 11 seasons, the Wildcats had built a farm system for the ages. In 2015, the roster was filled with former blue chip prospects. The surprise season was however derailed by a former Stout divisional foe, a more veteran club, the Morgantown Mohawks. The team was able to hold their heads high, despite losing in five games.
In 2016 they should be even better. Their median age of their 40-man roster (not 25) is 26-years-old. Leading the charge is SP Jaylen "Beanpole" Mitchell (8.2 WAR) and C Norm Deiwart (37 HR), 25 and 24-years-old, respectively. And that's after adding veterans RP Fred Mattison, OF DJ Nelson, 3B Micah Falfan and P Micah Bunting to an already loaded roster. The veterans should provide the experience and leadership last years club was clearly lacking in the playoffs.
Unfortunately for the Stout, this is just the beginning. The Baseball News Network ranks the Wildcats farm system at #1 with 205 points. For reference, #2 is at 159 points. #10 is at 76 points. #20 is 23 points. They also have just a projected payroll, even after spending in FA, of just $65M.
That's kind of like the train picking up some blow and even more strippers.
Around The Horn (5-Star Rankings):
Offense: 4
Defense: 3
Starting Rotation: 5
Bullpen: 5
Keep on eye on:
SP AJ Hightower
Acquired in a mid-season trade with Pittsburgh the 32-year-old flame thrower seems a bit out of place. Not only is he much older than most of the pitchers on the roster but his makeup and attitude doesn’t fit in either. Hightower can hit 101 on the gun but is prone to giving up the long ball. In 12 regular season starts for Wilmington, he gave up 15. In the playoffs he went 0-2, giving up 11 ER in just 7.1 innings. He’s had trouble fitting in with the younger players and with only one season remaining on his deal, might not stay around too much longer.
Washington Bats: After some firings, the Bats are the only team in the BLB with a trainer on the hot seat
For those who didn’t watch last years ILCS or those who drank so much they forgot, it was an epic showdown. Fast forward to Game Six. Down 3-2, the Bats received the announcement that season holds leader and top setup man Troy Martin was diagnosed with a year ending arm injury. Many on the club knew that with an impending contract situation, Martin might have thrown his last pitch for DC. The team rallied to a comeback 5-4 win in Morgantown to force a Game 7.
In Game 7 the Bats jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Nursing that lead into the later innings, disaster struck when Tyler Salzman was chosen to pitch in a key situation, a Martin-type situation, despite a 8.71 ERA. Salzman took the loss and the blown save and the Mohawks won the series.
This off-season GM Mathew Pittman not only sent Salzman packing he also brought in “iron man” Manny Ochao for the setup role but he also took over managerial duties by firing legendary manager and two time Brewmaster’s champion, Bao “Big Stick” Cahn. Gone is the manager who brought in Salzman. Gone is Salzman. If the 2016 Bats have another big injury don’t be surprised to see an angry GM fire someone else… watch out team trainer Jiong Kum.
Around The Horn (5-Star Rankings):
Offense: 3.5
Defense: 2.5
Starting Rotation: 5
Bullpen: 4.5
Keep on eye on:
OF Pat Ladd
Arguably the most famous hitter in DC history, Ladd turns 37 this June. Currently 2nd on the Bats All-Time WAR list behind Mike Murdock by 3.1 points. Last season Ladd posted his lowest mark (2.8) in five year span. His impending Team Option of $8.75, plus incentives, seems a bit steep for a player clearly in decline.
Philadelphia Freedom: Make or break season seems like an understatement
The Freedom have had it rough the past few years. In 2013, they won 100 games, but finished 2nd. In 2014, they won 80 games, but finished 3rd. In 2015, they won 85 games but finished 4th. Going 85-77 has got some teams to the playoffs…in the Stout, you get shit.
Enter the off-season where GM Brad Zabel had to make changes. A flurry of trades later and the Freedom have a new look and a bunch of new names.
Gone are two of their most popular players in outfielders Oscar Sanchez and Israel Morales. While a hard pill for fans to swallow, many around the league believe the moves were for the best to go a different route with the outfield.
Rumors are swirling the Freedom are still working the phones and making late calls in Free-Agency. For this team to keep up in the Stout, they have to get creative. They have definitely been creative this off-season but will it work this time?
Around The Horn (5-Star Rankings):
Offense: 4
Defense: 4
Starting Rotation: 3.5
Bullpen: 2
Keep on eye on:
IF AJ Bonifield
Acquired just this week in a deal with divisional rival Washington, Bonfield represents the commitment to defense the Freedom are trying to take. DC, normally a franchise that prides themselves on defense, has changed philosophies with the departure of their long-time GM Pat M. In 2012, he raised a few eyebrows by selecting Bonifield 17th overall. A infield defensive wiz who has hit .300 everywhere he has been, but has never been regarded as a top prospect. It will be interesting to see how he does in Philadelphia this season.
Baltimore Bulldogs: A very busy off-season in Charm City, but are they any better
The Bulldogs were a surprise Wild Card team in 2015, even their own GM will admit. To try and keep that momentum going GM Delandis D made a glut of Free-Agent signings and maybe the most headline grabbing trade.
Enter OF Ricky Murillo. Some say his bat has slowed. Some say he wasn’t familiar with DL pitching. Some say his swing was made for Phillips Field. The 30-year-old lefty hit is lowest OPS and WAR in six years and is eager to show he still has a lot left in the tank. He had better because Baltimore gave up a solid return and the veteran is still due over $60M.
Murillo joins a team desperate for an offensive boost. The pitching staff is an ever revolving door of experienced veterans and while the bullpen is new, a lot remains from the group that finished #2 in ERA.
If Murillo can revert back to his Carolina days, the Bulldogs will be reminded of the cities nickname…probably too often.
Around The Horn (5-Star Rankings):
Offense: 3
Defense: 4
Starting Rotation: 3.5
Bullpen: 3.5
Keep on eye on:
CL Robby Scriber and CL Troy Martin
Part of the Murillo deal sent veteran closer Fred Evers to Pittsburgh, with the intention of committing to Scriber as the full-time closer. In free-agency however, the Bulldogs surprised a few people when they signed DC setup man and promised him the closer role too. This is a situation that could lead to a divided locker room.
STOUT PREDICTIONS
1. Wilmington (96-66)
2. Washington (94-68)
3. Philadelphia (86-76)
4. Baltimore (83-79)
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