Jenkins Division
- North Bay
- Hamilton or Madawaska
- Madawaska or Hamilton
- Langley
North Bay Trappers — 54 WAR — Division Favourite
The Trappers have been on a run of late, after winning the BDB Championship two seasons ago, they went to the final dance once again. This year, they are favoured to push for another turn on the dance floor.
North Bay is in the talk because of hitting, featuring the second best offense in the league. Anthony Rendon (6.9) — yes you read the right — along with Paul Goldschmidt (5.3) and Carlos Correa (5.2) lead the way. They also feature two near misses in Bryce Harper (4.8) and Christian Yelich (4.5) so things are okay there. The greatest team need is at Catcher, however there are enough at bats to go with what they have.
North Bay is the unfortunate victim of the loss of Jose Fernandez, one of the brightest young arms of MLB. With Jose’s sudden departure, the team is left to depend on Alex Wood (3.4), Robbie Ray (3.2), Michael Wacha (3.2) and Trevor Bauer (3.2) to see them through the season. None of these guys will strike fear into your heart, but they’ll keep you concentrating. The other good thing is that they are all young and ownership is hoping to see improvement. The pen is in need of a complete overhaul.
Hamilton Splitterz (oops Red Birds) — 42.8 WAR — Wild Card Contender — Division Favourite in Owner’s Mind
Out of the gate, this writer didn’t have too high of hopes for the Red Birds. A few years ago, the Red Birds were a team to be feared, now, they are like crows on a morning where you are hoping to sleep in. They had four first round picks … but were all traded for … we are not sure yet.
Now, to be fair, Hamilton does feature one of the most imposing rookies BDB has ever seen in Aaron Judge (8.2) The guy is a monster and has a chance to really do some damage. However, the next two guys following him in the lineup are Elvis Andrus (4.1) and Matt Carpenter (2.9). Let’s be honest, its not any version of Murderer’s Row unless you happen to be on some Co-Ed softball team … Even if Spoelstra manages to land a top ranked bat, I don’t believe its going to make that much of a difference on this team.
When ones takes a quick glance at the pitching staff, there’s reason to get excited… besides off-kilter from Arbitration Marcus Stroman (3.4), the rotation features names like Arrieta (2.4), Lynn (1.4), Sonny Gray (2.8) and Ervin Santana (2.9). The bad news is, Santana is the second best arm in this rotation.
Experts, pundits and the writers over at Deadspin have no idea what Spoelstra has planned. There has been suspicion that Harrison has taken over the reigns of the team at an early age and is using his “Trouble” pop up dice game to make selections … but nobody can seem to get a straight answer out of Hamilton.
Madawaska Mud Hens — 41.7 WAR — Wild Card Contender
The league is more than excited to welcome new owner Todd Kuiack although it comes at a bittersweet moment in BDB, with the loss of the most detailed manager we have ever had in Scott Beauchamp.
Kuiack has wasted no time making an imprint on his team, and an impression on league owners. In acquiring arguably the league’s best shortstop in Corey Seager (5.7) (North Bay’s Carlos Correa and Langley’s Francisco Lindor might beg to differ) but it at the very least united the Seager Brothers, Kyle (3.5) on the left side of the infield and a possible reunion with Step Brother Bob and his buddies the Silver Bullet Band.
The offense features one other All-Star in Brian Dozier and a few near misses in Marcel Ozuna (4.8), Eric Hosmer (4.1) and Jose Abreu (4.1).
Madawaska has some early picks, so look to them to select an impact player which may give Hamilton pause in their aspirations.
As you are undoubtedly noticing, there is no discussion about the pitching staff. That is because there, really is no pitching staff …
Langley Spartans — 38.9 WAR – Run for the #1 pick in BDB 2018
Langley made a HUGE run at it last year, and almost had it all, except for his little brother who pushed him around like a drunk kitten in last year’s playoffs. Gone are too many players to name, and in are too many players, not worth naming. Okay, maybe that isn’t that true. Langley is still the home to Kris Bryant (6.7) and Francisco Lindor (5.9) and Trea Turner (3.0 although no position). Langley is happy to sit on youngsters Jorge Soler, “Much Passed Around” Jurickson Profar, Joc Pederson and Kyle Schwarber as well as several picks in the first and second round of next year’s draft.
The pitching isn’t horrible with Danny Duffy (3.4) , Jameson Taillon (2.9) and Zack Davies (2.8), but it looks like Sambrook will collect Draft Picks like the guys in Hamilton collect excuses and we will see how next year goes.