1/3 Analysis
1/3 Analysis
Well, here we are, one third of the way through with the season. Time to see how things stack up, and make more predictions about what to expect in the weeks ahead. I first list the standings through week 9 and then my predicted order of finish (posted after the draft).
Current Standings:
1. Dahlonega Disastros
2. Blue Ridge Chiliheads
3. GoofBalls
4. Mystery Hill II
5. Oaktown Stars
6. DiamondCutters
7. Yellowfin Tuna
8. Mudslingers
9. BarleyMalts
10. Razorbacks
11. DNAPhreaks
Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Disastros
2. Chiliheads
3. Mudslingers
4. Tuna
5. Mystery Hill II
6. DiamondCutters
7. DNAPhreaks
8. GoofBalls
9. Razorbacks
10. Oaktown Stars
11. BarleyMalts
Goof balls, Steve Clarke
It didn't take a genius to see that the GoofBalls had a strong offensive
club, but raise your hands if you anticipated Ryan Klesko being an early
season MVP. Put your hand down, Clarke, if you had thought he would be
this good you wouldn't have waited so long to draft his ass. The GoofSters
lucked out on several late round pitcher selections, most notably Wade
Miller (18th) and Kevin Tapani (19th).
I recognize that Miller is a stud, but Tapani (and Moyer for that matter)
will have to fall out of his tree eventually. I see the GoofBalls falling
a couple of slots to 5th. Still, better than I thought.
California DiamondCutters, Irv Culpepper
Thanks for making me look good, Irv. Picked to finish 6th, and currently
in 6th. Gotta figure Colon will eventually start to win, but on the other
hand Schoeneweis is due for some bombings.
Mudslingers, Rick Milleman
Not that it really bothers anyone, but Rick has probably had the worst
luck of anyone as far as on-the-field performance. Maddux has been
getting hosed more often than my lawn, and Rick has had a knack for always
having the wrong guys in his lineup each week. Bret Boone has been the
surprise of baseball, but several other Slinger sticks are underproducing
(e.g., Bagwell, Kent, Damon).
Probably s bit of a rally in the second half, but it is now hard to
see the Slingers contending for the overall title in 2001.
Yellowfin Tuna, Richard Smith
Other than John Smoltz, every risk Rich took in the draft, it came
up smelling like day old tuna that has been sitting in the Houston sun.
Rick Ankiel. Jose Ortiz. Kerry Wood. All taken way early, none worth anywhere
near their draft position. Sasaki has kept the Tuna out of the cellar by
himself.
Prognosis for the remaining 2/3: still see this team rising up and contending.
Mussina, Hampton, Garcia, Smoltz and Wood still looks pretty impressive
on paper.
Mystery Hill II, Tim Ludwig
The 2000 champs are once again "in the hunt" using the same formula
-- pick up a slew of mediocre pitchers, slot them when they have double
starts, and cross your fingers. More often than not, it seems like Tim's
pitchers are much better during those double start weeks than they are
the rest of the time. To the annoyance of many (especially Rick), those
mediocrities seem to come up with a large number of wins every week. I
didn't think it would happen again -- wrong, Smith. It's happening again.
Blue Ridge Chiliheads, Doug Waring
This is another squad that is making my predictions look good, but
this squad is making me a bit anxious about hanging on to first. No weaknesses,
and nobody in a tree. A very strong team that will stay in the hunt till
the end.
BarleyMalts, Tim Huelsman
Despite numerous attempts by the Commish to make mutually beneficial
trades, the Malts remain an uncompetitive squad with one great pitcher
(Pedro) and whole bunch of duds around him. Thanks to the surprisingly
effective Albert Pujols, Ichiro Suzuki, and Lance Berkman, the Malts
have escaped the cellar, but not by much.
I still predict an 11th place finish, Tim!
DNAPhreaks, Julian Jolly
Still missing his #1 pick (Nomar), Julian's squad has been beset by
injuries all season long. Despite sliding through the trap door and into
the cellar, the Phreaks show some promise of improvement. Not only is Nomar
closer to returning, but Leiter is back in form, and Armas is suddenly
on a roll. Hidalgo is bound to start mashing soon, and this team will ultimately
finish where I predicted in the first place - 7th.
Oaktown Stars, Art Sandoval
Art is determined to end up with a roster that bears no resemblance
whatsoever to the one he drafted. And his strategy appears to be working:
he is far ahead of the other "rookies" and has shot up into the first half
of the standings. Brad Radke was obviously a steal.
Runnin Razorbacks, Kyle Waring
Kyle has had an up and down first 9 weeks, winning once and finishing
last twice. Led by Curt Schilling (DAMN, why didn't I freeze him???), his
pitching has exceeded (my) expectations, but his hitters (with the major
exception of Barry Bonds) have largely underachieved (or been hurt), leaving
him close to where I expected him to be.
Dahlonega Disastros
Even though I've gotten next to nothing from
Sexson, Vidro, Rolen, the catcher position (Javy Lopez = wasted 6th round
pick) and Griffey, the pitching has been outstanding. I admit that Sele
going 8-0 through May was not part of my plan. But then again, Brown and
Wagner going DL on the same day wasn't either. I still like my team, but
having SEVEN guys on the DL doesn't make me feel very comfortable with
my lead.
--Steve S.
