May is not the typical time when teams start designing their playoff tickets and getting ready for the playoffs. But, let’s be honest, there are to be some sort of expectations right? “Is WAR right?”, “Shouldn’t I be winning by 20 games right now?” Every owner has their own expectations.
However, there are some owners who don’t really have high hopes for 2021. They know, by virtue of injuries, bad trades, horrible draft picks, that things just aren’t in the cards for now. So, what keeps an owner so interested in BDB through the trying years? Of course, we all know the answer to this, how are my players doing now in MLB. This is the question, this is what gives owners hope, that they too can be like the winners of 2021, 2020, 2019 etc. When will their time come.
So starting this season, I will post each team’s current WAR on the first of every month. If not for interests sake, but to see who have the highest chance of repeating, or seizing on a unique opportunity in the coming year.
In case you were wondering, WAR seems to be coming true regarding the current seasons… Bristol holds a 3 game lead, Langley a 2.5 game lead, and Nassau a half game lead over Yorkshire.
So, all stats are taken up to May 1, 2022.
Robinson Division:
Beaconsfield: 15.5 WAR – Beaconsfield looks to be back in action after a year’s hiatus. With the return of Mike Trout, Aaron Judge and Tommy Edman lead the team offensively. On the pitching side, its not the veterans leading the way, but the youngsters. Skubal, McKenzie and the teams best pitcher — Michael King are giving this team hope.
Bristol: 14 WAR – Bristol is not a one dance kind of team. Lopez, Ohtani, Woodruff and Manoah are a secure as ever foursome as there is in BDB. Offensively, newly acquired Jose Ramirez leads the way, Byron “Finally Showing Up” Buxton and infielders Jazz Chisholm and Xander Bogaerts form in incredible leading four.
Montreal: 9 WAR – Things are not the best in the French “Capital”. Top two hitters are J Crawford and Joey Wendle. They will need a few more top bats to show up. Pitching wise, Bieber and Verlander seem to be back. After that, lets see what happens.
Ottawa: 8 WAR – Things are not looking good for the defending champions. Some big names are still on the team, but they may be simply slow cookers… Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt are grinding it out for the Nationals. And who leads the Nationals in hitting? One time MudHen throw away, Ian Happ. Happ is supported by Realmuto and Ozzie Albies. The big bats have to show up sometime right?
Jenkins Division
Langley: 13.2 WAR – The draft has been kind to Langley. Juan Soto, Kyle Tucker, Joey Bart and Vladimir Guerrero are all paying big dividends. George Springer couldn’t ask for better players to mentor. Waiting on Kyle Wright, Max Fried, Frankie Montas, Tyler Mahle and Michael Kopech is paying off big for the Spartans. Mike Sambrook couldn’t be prouder.
North Bay: 12.8 WAR – Is North Bay finally coming around? #1 Choices Wander Franco, Luis Robert seem to be paying off. Throw in Rafeal Devers, Andrew Benintendi and Kyle Scwarber give the team a good mix. Youngsters Logan Webb, Jesus Lazardo, Logan Gilbert give the North Bay faithful hope. Maybe its no longer a rebuild…. stay tuned.
Hamilton: 9.7 WAR – Hamilton is waiting on some sluggers (here is talking to you Joey Gallo), but Max Kepler, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Matt Chapman and Harrison Bader are keeping things competitive. Rodon, Cease, Beuehler and Max Scherzer give the team great pitching.
Madawaska: 7.9 WAR -Madawaska still going through some growing pains. The only arm worth mentioning is the never really considered, Nestor Lopez, kind of gives you thoughts of Sid Fernandez. Not the hardest of throwing, but crazy lefty with unique windup gets the job done. Offensively, Brandon Nimmo, Isiah – KF (last year’s #1) along with newly acquired Austin Meadows leads the way. Nobody knows what happened to Trevor Story.
Walker Division
Nassau: 11.2 WAR – Nassau is on a roll. Used to being a one and done type of NCAA Basketball team, Nassau seems to be showing some staying power. MacPhail doesn’t rely on young help he trades it away for veterans. Nolan Arenado, Anthony Rizzo, Eduardo Escobar and Giancarlo Stanton have all four second chances in Nassau. On the pitching front, Kevin Gausoman leads a surprising cast of no names — Adrian Houser, Joe Ryan and Garret Whitlock. The veterans will have every opportunity to warm up and drive this time to higher heights.
Yorkshire: 10.8 WAR – Machado, McNeil, Cron, Freeman – all still studs. Acuna Jr recovering from injuries, this team still has teeth. Musgrove, Gonsolin — well there not much more after that.
Stittsville: 10.7 WAR – Stittsville, not even a year into present ownership, is showing some chops. Well, maybe it’s not all him. Ty France, Jake Cronenworth and Alec Bohm are carryovers from the last ownership. However, Willy Adames is a product of new ownership. Pitching wise, Clayton Kershaw is showing he still has the arm, Zach Elfin is finally coming around and what about Eric Lauer. Throw in Shane McClanahan and this team has some potential.
Sacramento: 8.4 WAR – Sacramento seemed to be rebuilding, but once they acquired Lindor and Bregman, waiting on Betts and Swanson, this team won’t be down for long. Pitching is the weakness. Veterans Kluber and Nola are still capable, but beyond that there remains some waiting to do on the younger talent.