NL South Preview

This could be the year that the South rises again. In the early days of the MiLB the division consistently had two teams in the playoffs. Last year, Little Rock rose to the top in season 13 and has won the division for three straight years. Oak City (now Memphis) has been three games back the last two years with New Orleans and Iowa City (now San Antonio) falling further behind in their efforts to rebuild.


Little Rock Travelers
Last year: 90-72
RS 702, RA 674, 20-10 division
Key Losses: Ben Hanson (FA - Charl)
Key Additions: Matty Adams (FA - Trenton), Patrick Rueter (FA - Rich), Vic Marrero (promoted), Vic Villa (FA - SWB), BC Morris (promoted)
Outlook: Can't argue with success. The Travelers have a solid defense and pitching staff. The addition of Villa might help the offense more than anyone thinks. However, will it be enough to repeat in a divison that suddenly got better over night?
Prediction: 85-77, 2nd in Division


Memphis RedBirds
Last year: 87-75
RS 703, RA 693, 16-14 division
Key Losses: Beamer Towers (FA -Norf), Grant Smith (FA - Indy), Mac Hong (traded - Norf), Marvin Gagne (FA)
Key Additions: Doug Parrish (FA - Rich), Yamil Cueto (FA - Boi), Steve Bradley (FA)
Outlook: A lot of young players just got a whole lot better in Memphis. Hal Fowler is really the wildcard for the team after he missed half of last season with a foot injury. Last years big signing, Tomas Rios, hope to have a better season. Rios hit 40 homeruns, but only had a slash line of .276/.334/.516 for an OPS of .850. 24 year old David Romero could be a 30-30 guy this year and should OPS over .900 to improve on last years slash of .257/.363/.442.
Prediction: 90-72, Division Winner


New Orleans Zephyrs
Last year: 73-89
RS 683, RA 743, 12-18 division
Key Losses: Hipolito Vazquez (FA), Pedro Martinez (released - Van), Stephen Camilli (released - Boise)
Key Additions: ?
Outlook: It doesn't appear that New Orleans did anything in the offseason. Looks can be deceiving. Total player payroll is a measly $29 million (with 65 budgeted). The Zephyrs are quietly amassing a minor league system that will return them to prominence and keep them their for a very long time. Don't count on them being able to compete in a suddenly strong division.
Prediction: 62-100, last in division


San Antonio Missions
Last year: 68-94
RS 651, RA 808, 12-18 division
Key Losses: Benito Cruz (FA), Carlton Easley (FA), Edge Cloud (FA), Hugh Clyburn (FA), Nicholas Coco (released), Nigel Becker (released)
Key Additions: Craig Bowen (trade - Paw), Germany Jones (trade - Paw), Karim Baerga (FA - Omaha), Sammy Beckwith (FA - New Brit), Shea DeHart (promoted), Tomas Maduro (trade - Port)
Outlook: The Cubs said "Screw waiting til next year, we're moving and getting out from under this rain cloud of rebuilding." The offense that has been historically weak is suddenly a juggernaut with the addition of Bowen and Jones. The maturation of Gleason, Buckley, Holdridge, and Garrido gives the Missions six of eight position players that should OPS well over .800 and improve on their measly 651 runs scored from last year. Expect them to score over 800 runs. From there it is all in the hands of the pitching. It still isn't great, and the defense is still suspect, but they should reach beyond .500 for the first time since season six. It should also be noted they did win the division in season 10 with a LOSING record.
Prediction: 84-78, 3rd in division