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Lineup
C: Star backstop David Joseph is a terrific hitter posting three consecutive .300/30/100 seasons. The younger brother of Mordecai superstar Rogers Joseph has also been lauded for pitch calling and defense as well.
1B: Lineup mainstay Donovan Forbes is another phenomenal hitter for the War Eagles. Forbes has a career .317 average and has never hit less than 26 home runs or driven in less than 106 runs in a season. He’s backed up by youngster Orlando Rivera an all or nothing type of power hitter.
2B: One of the brightest stars in the league shines at second base for
3B: Third baseman Mike Carson adds even more power to an already powerful lineup as well as a solid glove at the hot corner. The 6-6
SS: 24 year old B.C. Ugueto is a very good hitter and an adequate defender with some room to grow. Ugueto’s numbers have only gotten better as he’s gained experience in his short time in the big leagues.
OF: Management favorite Victor Aparicio at the ripe old age of 21 will man left field for Texas. Aparicio is a terrific young hitter who put up solid numbers in his rookie season and looks to be a developing terror for NL south pitchers. Right field is a place near and dear to the heart of
RATING: 9
Starting Pitching
The rotation is very strong as Richard Kim, Vin Gandarilla and Victor Machado have all proven themselves as consistent all-star type pitchers.
Richard Kim is an opposing figure on the mound. His 18-4, 2.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP last year exemplify why. Kim’s 3.44 career ERA and 114-38 career record illustrate all the more why he is one of Mordecai’s greatest pitchers.
Vin Gandarilla will enter season 8 with exactly 100 career wins, he’ll also enter with a 3.86 career ERA and an ability to eat up innings and dominate hitters. Gandarilla has compiled over 1400 innings pitched and is approaching 1000 strikeouts.
Victor Machado, at 24, has established himself as one of the bright young stars in Mordecai. Machado showed his development last year by pitching 4 complete games and going more than 200 innings for the second consecutive season.
Ruben Calvo does not have the boatload of talent that his rotation mates do but he gets the job done nonetheless. He is coming off his best season going 14-6 with a terrific 3.57 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.
Rounding out the rotation is rookie Ernie Andrews. The towering 6-7 Andrews possesses average control but his height allows him to dominate opposing right handers. He is also looking to develop a strikeout pitch but in limited time last year he posted a 3.32 ERA and looks to fit in to a strong rotation.
RATING: 8
Bullpen
It will be interesting to see where Clint McIntosh fits in to jimromes plans, whether that be the bullpen or as a spot starter. Otherwise there’s plenty of talent here, just like everywhere else on the War Eagles squad.
There may not be a set, proven closer but players like Oscar Ramirez, Willie Torres and Brad Benoit could all do the job if needed. Good youngsters Nick Kirkland, P.T. Costilla and Jeremy Keeler are also solid contributors to the pen. Much maligned, much traveled Clint McIntosh has been signed and it will be very interesting to see his role.
RATING: 8
Overall
One of Mordecai’s most storied and respected franchises is that of the Texas War Eagles. Having reached the playoffs every year and winning the division 6 of 7 years as well as bringing home the World Series trophy in seasons 4 and 5 has GM jimrome and the War Eagles a much feared team every year. 103 wins.
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Lineup
C: Robert Powell is an above average defensive catcher as well as a good hitter with good power. Powell is backed by Josh Haynes, a solid backup but not the type of player that the Jalapenos would want to start more than 50 games.
1B: David Gonzalez is a very good, well rounded hitter at first base for
2B: Edgar Mendoza has his share of shortcomings defensively but getting 170 home runs over four seasons from a second baseman is not easy to come by.
3B: Jerry Evans is a very strong defensive third baseman as well as a terrific hitter. The youngster has a bevy of good young hitters behind him, some of whom will also vie for corner outfield spots.
SS:
OF: Center fielder Davey Baker is one of the megastars of Mordecai. Baker is superb defensively with terrific range and tremendous power at the plate. Baker is the driving force in the
RATING: 8
Starting Pitching
The rotation is anchored by the 18 million dollar man, Rafael Martin and features some nice talent. This area of the team, like it is for many teams, will be exceedingly key to the team’s success.
Rafael Martin has a 10 million dollar bonus and a ton of talent but has had a pair of average seasons since a terrific debut year in season 5. Martin is especially tough against good lefties but can be vulnerable to right handed hitters. He also has fabulous control and the ability to punch out most hitters.
One of two Bip’s on the staff Bip Rhodes is the rock of the rotation, a great pitcher in his own right. With a career 4.80 ERA and a tremendous ability to strikeout hitters and a delivery that allows him to beat both left and right handed hitters
Ajax Beckett, the younger brother of Mordecai legend Matthew Beckett, gives
Rueben Uribe is a decent number four starter with great control and a good curveball. His fastball however is miserable and he is not very deceptive as both left and right handed hitters have success against him.
Willie Rios is a boom or bust number five. Rios struggles mightily with his control but has an incredible arsenal of pitches at his control. With five above average pitches, Rios continually keeps hitters on their toes.
RATING: 8
Bullpen
Last year’s closer Ariel Ordonez gets a new setup guy with the signing of former
Closer Ariel Ordonez had a terrific season 7 converting 32 of 37 saves and really making his mark on the Jalapenos wild card season. Ordonez could be pushed by newly signed Ricky Beimel if he does not continue his dominance.
Beimel gives the Jalapenos a needed setup man and a guy who can close if Ordonez falters. Ross Stein is also a very good setup man, making the back of the Monterrey Bullpen a nightmare. Andruw Lee and Butch Blume are two good long relievers in case the starters don’t show up.
RATING: 7.5
Overall
The Jalapenos under GM cocodingle are coming off their first ever post season birth and franchise best 88-74 record. The Jalapenos are still a young team and they benefited from some tough seasons in the early stages of the world to stock the talent they have today. 95 wins.
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Lineup
C: Manning the
1B: Greg Banks is all about consistency. Since coming up in Season 5, the Death Dealer first baseman has been a very good hitter despite not having overwhelming power for the position. The switch-hitter had his best season last year, hitting .337 with 28 home runs and driving in 134, all career highs.
2B: Alvin Winchester has been one of the driving forces behind the
3B: Damaso Seneca received his call to the majors in season 4 and hit .316 with 9 home runs in only 64 games. Since then however, his numbers have not surpassed those and in season 8, he looks to be
SS: Fernando Molina is known more for his defense than his offense but the diminutive shortstop doesn’t embarrass himself at the plate as a career .287 hitter.
OF: Superstar Desi Beltran needs no introduction with over 1000 career RBI, 300 home runs and just short of 200 stolen bases. Newly signed Tony Castillo will patrol center field for
RATING: 5.5
Starting Pitching
The
Gregory Jeter is one of the better pitchers in the league posting a career 4.45 ERA and over 200 starts. He’s also just short of 1000 career strikeouts and he’s eclipsed 200 innings in 6 of 7 seasons (well 199.2 in season 2 counts as 200 in my book).
One of the highest paid pitchers in the league Ed Flanagan could also be considered one of the most wildly overpaid. Flanagan has a losing career percentage and has been extremely up and down his entire career. He does have the ability to dominate whenever he takes the mound though, something not very many pitchers in the league can say.
Ivan Mantalban on the other side of the coin has put up consecutive sub 4.00 ERA’s since joining
Del Espinoza has lost his ability to go deep into games as he’s gotten older but he’s still a tough guy to face every fifth day. Espinoza has a career 3.73 ERA and proven track record.
Jaime Ramirez is the youngest starter at the age of 27 and is coming off a tough 5-15 season. Ramirez has the tools to dominate left handed hitters but struggles against opposing righties and has yet to develop an out pitch, making him the number 5 starter in the rotation.
RATING: 7
Bullpen
The bullpen is anchored by closer Oleg Washburn who is a good one. His save numbers have gone down recently but his ERA has stayed low giving
Setup men Tony Pena and Jimmy Fernandez are both adequate but have struggled in the recent past. Pena has the ability to dominate lefties if he corral his stuff and Fernandez has a great sinker which helps him keep the ball in the ballpark. The rest of the bullpen looks to be decided in the spring.
RATING: 6.5
Overall
The Death Dealers of Austin head into season 8 after back to back losing seasons for the first time under GM nosferatu. A team and a GM not afraid to give money to proven players,
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Lineup
C: “The Animal” Wolf Jackson is a definite presence behind the plate. An adequate defender as well as a good hitter at the dish,
1B: Powerful Byung-Hyun Ramirez is a monster at the plate. While hitting 61 homers last year and driving in 134, Ramirez did only manage to hit .243. In the Slim McDowell mold, Ramirez is an all-or-nothing type but is good enough to warrant an everyday spot in just about any lineup.
2B: Very young second baseman Edgar Mangual is an exciting talent. Without a true hole in his approach at the plate he also projects to be a very good defensive second baseman.
3B: Hector McGuire was acquired in a trade with the Colorado Springs Micheladas. A superior defender at third he is also a good hitter with 30 homer potential. McGuire should be a big boost to the
SS: Hope springs eternal in
OF: Center fielder Luis Maduro is an intriguing player. As a superior defensive center fielder he also possesses awesome power but he does lack the ability to hit well against righties. The corner outfield spots give two players with very different skill sets. Geraldo Espinoza is an incredible speedster on the basepaths with 396 stolen bases. Clarence Merloni on the other hand is a big time power hitter looking to build on the 36 he hit last year.
RATING: 5
Starting Pitching
The rotation is strong point for
Julio Delgado is a very good starter who has continually put up good numbers for
Lonnie Maranville was a definite surprise for
Emil Morales comes over from rival
Rob Conine, one of the better Mordecai Rule V picks, is poised to build on a good season 7. His ability to keep his ERA under 5 will be determined by his control. Shaky at times, when he gets it together he can be very tough.
Number 5 starter Bubba Spencer is a pitcher with good splits and great control but doesn’t have any pitches that scare opposing hitters. He’s trying to fit into a developing rotation and his success this year may be key.
RATING:5
Bullpen
The bullpen is not the most talented but has proven itself to do an adequate job.
Rudy Hinch is the closer and he posted a solid 3.83 ERA despite blowing 7 of 33 save opportunities. His setup men are good led by Greg Christianson and Andre Fick. The rest of the bullpen can be vulnerable but they also have enough talent to hold leads. The pitching staff as a hole seems to be good but not great and has a number of players that have put together good seasons in the past despite not having obvious talent.
RATING: 5
Overall
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