1.
New Britain
The RockCats have the most wins in
the MiLB, and have earned the top spot in the rankings. They have scored the 4th
most runs by hitting the most homeruns in the league. Their pitching has also
been great as they have the #3 Whip, and are 3rd in saves. Keith
Carver is leading the way for the offense, but six players already have double
digits in homers. Dewey Halter and Delanor Estes are setting the table with
.370+ obp. This team is hot right now.
2.
Scranton
The little Yankees really on their
excellent pitching staff. The starters are led by Julio Guillen, whom despite
his 4-2 record has 64 k’s in 63 innings, only given up 1 homer, and holds a
whip of 1.07. Jorge Espinoza has also been solid with a 1.10 whip. The team is
3rd in runs allowed, and 4th in WHIP. Their offense is
also very good, being 8th in runs scored. Pedro Montanez has been
one of the many valuable Yankees, but perennial all-star Mo Glanville has 15
stolen bases to go with 9 homers, and 40 runs scored.
3.
Syracuse
The Chiefs have the best offense
in the entire MilB, and a big part of that is that rate at which they are
slapping doubles into the gap. It seems as if they are taking walks or taking
two bases. Then they steal bases (64, and only caught 15). They have the #3
overall OPS. James Bates is having an MVP type season with a .325/.409/.651
slash with 17 homers. Ben Mayne has already scored 52 runs despite only a .310
obp, but he has 17 stolen bases. Wow. The pitching staff has given up 266 runs
(compared to Louisville who’s number one at 179). They have to make a move
before the post season to clear that up.
4.
Vancouver
A lot of people feel Vancouver
should be higher being the NL team with the most wins at 33. They have the
third ranked offense in the league, 5th in homeruns, and 4th
in OPS. Speaking of MVP candidates, Bobby Joe Owings is in the discussion with
his .336/.407/.768 slash and 15 homers. RJ Lira isn’t far behind with
.365/.433/.572 with 10 homers. If anything, they need bullpen help to solidify
the pitching staff.
5.
Salem
Another team that could make a
case as being the top team, is Salem. Led by MVP candidate Jackson Wagner (I
drafted him), who holds a .304/.382/.660 with 19 homers. Salem has the number
five OPS, but their pitching has set them apart being 5th in runs
allowed, and 5th in WHIP. Three of the four starters are on fire…but
the other two (Martin and Buchanan) have been garbage. The Volcanoes haven’t
blown a save all season.
6.
Salt Lake City
The Bees are off to a good start
this season. They sport the 2nd best Run scoring team in the MiLB.
They got there by being 5th in doubles, 3rd in homers,
and number ONE overall in OPS. No one member is over 1.0, but nearly everyone
with regular playing time is over .800 or better OPS. This is a slugging team
(.476 overall) and they hit a ton of homeruns (84, six with 10+, 3rd
in MiLB). They would probably score more runs if they would stop trying to
steal (24 sb vs 22 cs). The pitching staff hasn’t been good outside of Del
Flier (6-0, 1.02 whip, 2.45 era). The bullpen is a serious strength.
7.
Louisville
Don’t expect the Bats to stay this
far down for long. They are 6th in runs scored, and FIRST in runs
allowed with the best WHIP. They also have the third best fielding. They are
due for a big run, soon.
8.
New Orleans
New Orleans probably shouldn’t be
ranked this high since they have a negative runs scored to runs allowed. But
they do lead their division and have a team that can score at will. The only
problem is the pitching which has been horrific.
9.
Iowa
My little Cubs from Iowa are
exceeding expectations yet again. With the best fielding team in the league,
they help a mediocre pitching staff. There has been a lot of turnover trying to
find the right balance on this team and they are dangling Esteban Cedeno to get
a right handed reliever.
10. Charleston/Dover
This is kind of a cop out to have
a tie, but I just couldn’t leave one out. These teams both have high
expectations, and have yet to produce. Dovers pitching has let them down, while
the offense has been solid. Charleston is just the reverse having good pitching
but struggling on offense. Maybe they should discuss a trade? Just saying…
Honorable mentions:
Wichita 26-25 257/229, #5 RS, #4 sb
Durham 26-25 245/243, #10 RS, 4th doubles
El Paso 26-25 215/249, #1 sb, #2 fielding
Little Rock 28-23 213/196, #8 RA
Toledo 26-25 200/188 , #4 RA
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