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Joined: Sun May 27, 2012 5:39 pm
Posts: 7709
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Favorite Team: Red Sox
Console '07: Nintendo Wii
Console '08: Wii and PS2
Favorite Japanese title: Don't Own
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As with all drafts, the critics were quick to point out the strengths and weaknesses of each team, even before a single game had yet to be played! After some long thinking and discussion, this is how they broke it down. Syracuse Spartans (SkittleMonster)Despite having to do some adjustments on the fly early in the draft, the Spartans ended up with a very solid offense. They secured three top-12 outfielders, with power machines Stanton and Bruce, and Jones, who has 30-20 potential. To compliment those studs, solid veterans Victorino and Beltran were brought in to fill the fourth and fifth spots, and young prospects Meyers and Eaton who can, with a bit of luck, can try and be the Trout and Harper of 2013. They also nailed down the corner infield with the reigning Triple Crown winner and MVP Cabrera at third, and elite yet enigmatic Gonzalez at first.
Their pitching is full of good, not great starters, such as Moore, Morrow, and Haren, with Cueto leading the charge. Harvey, Milone, and Cahill are youthful players full of upside and pretty low risk. Their closers are headed by the Sandman (Rivera) playing his swan song and injury-prone Street, who plays in the most pitcher friendly park in the league. With a pretty sound team and a experienced owner with an attention to detail, look for the Spartans to be in the running come September.Atomic Pickles (AgentP)Despite having a very talented roster, the one word that comes to mind here is reach. Halladay 41 spots early, Teixeira 49 spots early, Middlebrooks 70 spots early, and McCarthy 96 spots early. That's not to say this team is bad though, because it isn't. They have stars in McCutchen (Does a MLB: The Show curse exist?), Pedroia, Beltre, and Lee. Along with those guys, there are quiet, productive players such as Wieters, Shields, and Pence. The team also relies on older, proven players like Utley, Young, Nathan, and Berkman. Despite their age, these players are still going strong, and will need to continue. This team is talented, no doubt. But without a couple breaks and breakouts, this team might just be middle of the road.Aggressive Ducklings (Zumikaku)As the owner of the Ducklings was absent for the first half of the draft, he had the toughest time, since his strategy changed once he arrived. This team has a dominant outfield, but each player comes with risk, whether is be injuries, a new team, or hatred of odd numbered years, each player comes with some sort of baggage. The infield is also above average, even if it does suffer from a lack of steals.
The thing about this team is just the awful pitching staff. Weaver is pretty good, but when your #2 is Niese, and your #3 is Lynn, you know there's an issue there. They say that you can never really predict pitching, but these are guys where what you see is what you get. And that's not much. If it's any consolation, there closers are decent. You can never count out a team in March, but the Duckling are definitely in for an uphill battle.Wisconsin River Bandits (BrewersFuzz)As new comer to fantasy baseball, the owner of the River Bandits did great for his first time, even if some of his picks were made in panic. If there's one thing that's apparent here, it's the speed. Trout, Gardner, and Bonifacio look to each try and top 40 steals, and all seven infielders could be in the 10-20 steal range. The other important thing about this squad are the strikeouts. Half of the starters will easily best 200 (barring injury, of course), and the other 3 are projected to position themselves between 150-175. Too bad the bullpen won't rack up the K's at as quick of a pace as the starters. All in all, if this new owner is capable of making the right moves during the season, we could be calling these players champions in October.Vancouver Mendenhals (dishnetkid)In a period where mediocre averages are now the norm, it's remarkable that the Mendenhals avoided a single starter under a .267 average. But in return, the team looks to have just average run and RBI production, and just awful steal numbers, with only 6 of 15 likely to reach double digits on the year. But, home runs are great. 9 of 15 players are looking at over 15, and another two looking at just below that.
The pitching staff can also hold its own, with Kershaw as the number one, and three more top-25 pitchers on the staff. The only real negative of these hurlers is a pretty high WHIP, although the ERA can possibly be seen as an issue as well. But the ERA is sorts negated by a group of pretty high quality closers. Maybe the smartest owner in the field, the Mendenhals owner will keep this team around late in the season.Massachusetts Massacres (maccrash21)Currently the favorite the win the league, it may be because it's probably the most balanced. The focuses on no one stat, but instead, the team does everything well. The outfield finds a nice balance of homers, steals, and average. The infield also has great homers and average, but settles for RBI's and runs more so than steals. The pitching has two of the games elite, and then some "oldies but goldies" for the rest of the rotation, such as Hudson and Vogelsong. The Massacres are a great all-around team, but the fact that have little chance of dominating a category may hurt them late season.Sacramento Zombie Pigmen (ZeroGibson13)The first of the three owners that never showed up, this team is probably a little bit better than you'd think. With Pujols, Altuve, Zimmerman, and Tulowitzki, there is certainly potential there. But the offense suffers from multiple issues. The outfield is weak, with injury-prone Ellsbury as your top dog, and then 36th ranked De Aza as the second in line. But the more glaring issue here is the catcher. Currently, McCann will be missing the first two weeks of the season, and once he does return, look for him to tank your batting average. The teams owner could try and look for a replacement, but I don't think guys like Arencibia and Saltalamacchia will quite do the trick.
However, this team leans more so towards pitching. All six starters are ranked in the top 45, and four of them are in the top 20. Of course, not everything is perfect for the pitching here, as evident once you look at the relievers. If the names Broxton, Wilhelmsen, and Frieri don't strike you as big names, it's because they aren't. None of them are in the top 20, with the second and third barely squeaking into the top 30. For the Zombie Pigmen to be successful, this owner will need to keep his eyes peeled for any free agent outfielders or closers with potential. If not, then kiss a title goodbye.Orange Peanuts (PowerPro Jr)The second of the three absent owners, the Peanuts are pretty stacked from top to bottom on offense. With Cano, Ramirez, and Upton, this team could sweep offense. They're that good. Simmons is the only guy unlikely to hit double digit bombs. But, like some other teams, pitching is their Kryptonite. Not even with Greinke leading the charge will they compete in strikeouts, ERA, or WHIP. And theire relievers are nearly as bad as the Zombie Pigmen. Reed is in the top 15, but League and Rondon are not even in the top 30. I believe the owner can push the pitching to, at the very least, respectable levels. But without this years Gonzalez or Dickey, 1st place may be out of reachChocolate Pigeons (MrLiamcar)The third of the three absent owners, the owner of the Pigeons may have fallen into the best outfield, even better than the Spartans and Ducklings. With 5 of the top-24, this is definitely the strength of the team. Although, two guys from the Braves hinders them a tad. The infield is just okay, having Votto and Reyes taking charge, and Freese and Weeks sorta there. The two aren't elite at they're positions, but you can do worse.
Unlike the Zombie Pigmen and the Peanuts, these guys actually feature solid pitching. Gonzalez and Sale lock down the #1 and 2 spots, while Medlen and Kennedy are solid #3 and 4 guys. Another advantage they have is the ability to punt saves. With the format currently, you are required three relievers. But Medlen and Iwakuma are both starters with reliever eligibility, potentially letting the Pigeons have 8 starters going at a time. This team has potential. They just need an active owner and some luck.NJ Eagles (philliesfan134)Another rookie on the fantasy baseball scene, the owner of the Eagles also suffered from panic at times. And yet, they put together a okay team. The one thing that could hold back this team is injuries. Four of the teams biggest hitters (Mauer, Longoria, Hamilton, and Cruz) are DL constants. In fact, the offense as a whole is pretty underwhelming. Even though the pitchers are solid, the choice of Verlander over guys like Cabrera is nearly inexcusable. However, Hamels and Chapman are great additions, and Kimbrel and Jansen are strikeout kings when it comes to closers. This team may look underwhelming at first, but they could be a dark horse. The owner is likely to take the time needed to turn these guys into a contender.Currently, it looks as though the Massacres, River Bandits, and Spartans will all be in serious contention for the title, with the Mendenhals, Eagles, and Pigeons as strong threats too. And of course, the Peanuts, Zombie Pigmen, Pickles, and Ducklings can't be counted out. It is only March, after all. Just remember though, it's a long season folks. Teams will change, players will change, and owners will change. And as those change, so will opinions. But as things change, check here for all your news and analysis about the MLBPPWORLD Fantasy Baseball League. 
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PowerPro Jr wrote: Zumikaku wrote: ...and a bag of Skittles having a conversation. Are you saying it's wrong to talk to a bag of Skittles? Because if so, I'm going to need to rethink a lot of things.  BrewersFuzz wrote: Powerprosfan31 wrote: What do twelve year olds do with girlfriends? Give them ringpops and let them cut up to their spot in line during lunch.
Dishnetkid is a heretic who must be burned
Last edited by SkittleMonster on Sat Mar 16, 2013 9:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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