AL East Preview-2016

AL East

Pawtucket Privateers

harkov (16^th season)

Last Season 100-62 (1^st)

Key Additions: P Jesse Holliday (FA),

Key Subtractions: P Harry Valenzuela (FA), OF Sun Abe (Waivers)

Projected Starters

C – PT Brow (.278, 10, 39)

1B – Ivan Trevino (.313, 12, 70)

2B – Dave Phillips (.284, 40, 120, 29 SB)

3B – Raul Guerrero (.331, 32, 105, 23 SB)

SS – Bronson Kim (.255, 22, 80)

LF – Matt Little (.275, 24, 82)

CF – Pablo Mercado (.276, 19, 89)

RF – Butch Davis (.309, 17, 58)

DH – Don Wilkins (.293, 27, 81)

Key Pitchers

SP – Chris Costello (17-8, 3.71, 1.31)

SP – Larry Franklin (16-8, 4.81, 1.37)

SP – Kordell Forbes (19-6, 3.24, 1.12)

RP – Hee Chang (2-1, 2.36, 1.19)

RP – Dennys Chang (0-2, 40 SV, 2.37, .91)

S16 Outlook:

I actually vomited a little when I reviewed this roster.

Its almost unfair when a projected lineup doesn’t even leave space for slugger Jolbert Telemaco, but that’s the case in Pawtucket. The Fighting Harkovs showcase talent all over the diamond. 2B Dave Phillips is a perennial MVP candidate and 3B Raul Guerrero has put together a silent and spectacular career. Watch out for rookie outfield Butch Davis – who is my pick as “Next Big Thing.”

A pitching staff that features 3 top tier starters – all under 30 years old – returns everyone. The Privateer bullpen, aka Chinatown, is highlighted by the Changs – Dennys and Hee.

Pawtucket will have enough juice and the right schedule to hold the pole position come playoff time. Will they capitalize and make their first WS appearance?

Prediction: 103-59 (1^st)

Charlotte Chokers

willemijn (14^th season)

Last Season 78-84 (2^nd)

Key Additions: P Barry Hall (FA), C Yamil Sosa (FA), P Felipe Solano (FA), P Willie Tatis (FA), P Carlos DeSoto (FA)

Key Subtractions: C Bing Adams (FA), OF Julian West (FA), 3B/OF Willard Richards (FA)

Projected Starters

C – Ross Griffey (.259, 6, 27)

1B – Albert Moreno (.248, 6, 64)

2B – Andrea Kerr (.272, 22, 90)

3B – Adam Boyd (.265, 17, 78)

SS – Babe Ryan (.266, 9, 59)

LF – Keith Patrick (.296, 22, 94, 66 SB)

CF – Mateo Maduro (.279, 7, 29)

RF – Charles Miyakazi (.282, 25, 89)

DH – Rafael Martin (.276, 19, 83)

Key Pitchers

SP – Charles Wright (10-7, 4.61, 1.31)

SP – Danny Borbon (13-7, 5.26, 1.38)

SP – David Galvez (11.-4, 4.05, 1.12)

P – Barry Hall (9-6, 2.72, 1.19)

RP – Yannick Eaton (0-5, 23 SV, 4.38, 1.49

S16 Outlook:

Charlotte (which used to be Boston…which now plays Boston in its division…which is confusing the hell out of me) owner willemijn did a great job addressing the Chokers pitching woes in the off-season. The additions of Barry Hall, Felipe Solano, Willie Tatis and Carlos DeSoto could reap big dividends.

Unfortunately, while improving the pitching staff the Chokers said “goodbye” to two mashers in C Bing Adams and 3B/OF Willard Richards who’s big bats will be missed. Keith Patrick is my new favorite offensive player in the league. He’s a speed burner who hits .300 and can drive in 100.

The Chokers are improving but aren’t being done any favors sharing a division with Pawtucket. Another 2^nd place finish is in their future.

Prediction: 74-88 (2^nd)

Boston BearSharks (formerly Columbus Hammers)

lccooler (1^st season)

Last Season 65-97 (3^rd)

Key Additions: P Wilfredo Lugo (FA), P Kennie Moss (FA), P Joey Romero (FA), P Hugh Catalanotto (FA), P Rodrigo Seanez (FA), OF Bert Hughes (Trade – NY)

Key Subtractions: SS Albert McGowan (FA), P Harry Uribe (FA), P Raymond Kelly (FA)

Projected Starters

C – John Chang (.266, 20, 98)

1B – Nick Regan (.274, 51, 131)

2B – Trevor Moreno (.277, 28, 103, 29 SB)

3B – Matty Javier (.233, 11, 52)

SS – Crash Hermanson (.313, 33, 108…AA/HiA)

LF – Hootie Bennett (.294, 46, 145…AAA)

CF – Fausto Martinez (.252, 14, 46, 22 SB)

RF – Bert Hughes (.243, 4, 19)

DH – Pedro De La Vega (.299, 17, 57)

Key Pitchers

SP – Geoff Lawrence (9-18, 5.19, 1.52)

SP – Kennie Moss (6-8, 5.96, 1.73)

SP – Esteban Borges (6-14, 4.89, 1.48)

RP – Billy Ratliff (6-2, 5 SV, 3.50, 1.08)

CL – Wilfredo Lugo (5-3, 37 SV, 2.17, 1.00)

S16 Outlook:

No team has been more active in the off-season (in the AL, at least) than the new kids – the Boston BearSharks. This year’s pitching staff will be greatly improved as they return uber-talented Geoff Lawrence and solid lefty Esteban Borges and add starters Kennie Moss, Hugh Catalanotto, Joey Romero and Rodrigo Seanez. The holy grail of the free agent market, closer Wilfredo Lugo, also settled on becoming a BearShark…whatever the hell that is.

Lccooler’s first lineup will include a plethora of young position prospects. Will guys like OF Hootie Bennett and SS Crash Hermanson live up to the hype? Will they continue to improve?

The young guys should play well enough and the pitching staff should account for a few more wins on their own. In another season or two, the BearSharks will be a force

Prediction: 73-89 (3^rd)

Rochester Rockin Robins

eclipse33 (2^nd season)

Last Season 59-103 (4^th)

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: DH Bud Johnston (Trade – CHR), P Damian Inouoe (Trade – SLC)

Projected Starters

C – Quinn Smith (.285, 10, 33)

1B – Malcolm Adams (.286, 7, 43)

2B – Moises Rosario (.296, 14, 57)

3B – Calvin Uchida (.270, 13, 70, 29 SB)

SS – Mateo Johnson (.254, 6, 49)

LF – Sun Abe (.283, 8, 27)

CF – Groucho Richardson (.262, 10, 68, 20 SB)

RF – Matt Weatherford (.295, 12, 65…AAA)

DH – Louis Wagner (.279, 35, 109…AA)

Key Pitchers

SP – Albert White (6-19, 5.59, 1.58)

SP – Greg Murray (13-14, 5.49, 1.56)

SP – Geraldo Borbon (10-16, 4.65, 1.35)

RP – Desi Vazquez (0-7, 1 SV, 4.64, 1.41)

RP – Adrian Jordan (1-2, 10 SV, 2.48, .93

S16 Outlook:

The Rockin’ Robins are coming off a 59 win season and prospects don’t look good to improve that win total this season.

Eclipse33 moved a couple big leaguers this off-season in exchange for prospects to piece together in a couple seasons with current ML youngsters. OF Groucho Richardson and 3B Calvin Uchida have high ceilings and starters Greg Murray and Geraldo Borbon should be serviceable.

Patience is a virtue in this case, so at season’s end the Robins’ season won’t be judged on wins and losses, but on what talented pieces they’ve added to the organization.

Prediction: 54-108 (4^th)