The Jenkins Division is home to last year\u2019s BDB Champions the Hamilton Splitterz and the league\u2019s weakest division.<\/p>\n
Hamilton should have no trouble repeating as Division Champions, but repeating as BDB Champions will be a whole other challenge.\u00a0 Hamilton\u2019s offense is not as strong as other contenders and their pitching not as sharp.\u00a0 However, one knows that all it takes is a few mid season trades to fix any glaring weaknesses.<\/p>\n
The offense is sparked by youngster McCutchen and the top of the lineup and anchored by late bloomer Chase Headley and Albert Pujols in the middle of the lineup.\u00a0 Ben Zobrist and Jay Bruce produce middle of the order power which should keep any staff on its toes throughout the duration of the lineup.<\/p>\n
The starting staff although functional lack the depth of other contenders.\u00a0 Social Struggling Zack Grienke leads the way followed by Jordan Zimmerman.\u00a0 After that \u2026 it\u2019s anybody\u2019s guess who will stand out.\u00a0 However, in this division that might be enough to contend.\u00a0 Jimmy Johnson is a capable closer, who relies more on ground ball outs than strikeouts as most closers do.\u00a0 Backing up Johnson is a bevy of arms of no particular importance.\u00a0 If there is a weakness on this team, it\u2019s the arms.\u00a0 Look for a possible late season collapse by Hamilton.<\/p>\n
Waterloo Wrath:\u00a0 Scott Beauchamp is in the unique position of doing what no other owner since Cam Lee managed since the early 2000\u2019s is to be a legitimate contender.\u00a0 If Waterloo can manage to steal five wins from Hamilton and the rest of the division, it will be them playing in the league\u2019s Championship rounds.\u00a0 Their pitching staff is stronger than Hamilton\u2019s and their offense a few runs short.<\/p>\n
Fernando Rodney should prove to be almost a guarantee close in the final innings of any game and he is adequately supported by nine other relievers unlike Hamilton\u2019s four!<\/p>\n
The rotation is led by knuckleballer RA Dickey followed by veteran Dempster and\u00a0 youngsters Miley and Diamond.\u00a0 It could be a dogfight in the Jenkins Division \u2026 with inter division games playing of particular importance.<\/p>\n
The offense is no where near as talented as other teams, with not near as much long ball talent.\u00a0 However there are plenty of players who have the ability to get on base.\u00a0 It will be interesting to see of this offense can keep the team in the hunt of the playoffs\u2026 or will they wilt in the Dog Days of August.\u00a0 What this division will come down to is how long will Hamilton\u2019s bullpen last?\u00a0 If they falter quickly, look for a consistent competitor to overtake.<\/p>\n
Langley enters the season with an offense that rivals contenders like Sao Paulo, but a pitching staff appears to be as solid as North Bay\u2019s \u2026 close to worst in the league.\u00a0 This could prove to be in Langley\u2019s favor should they be out of contention in the early goings with such veteran hitters such as Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Ludwick, Matt Holliday and Curtis Granderson could be made available to those teams looking to get a but more punch to get over the hump.\u00a0 Look for owner Sambrook to do no favors for BDB Champion Jordan Spoelstra as Spoelstra spoiled Langley\u2019s chances last year of being a contender.<\/p>\n
The top pitcher on this team is James Shields with his 3.52 ERA \u2026 not a strong start, especially when followed by Chris Capuano at 3.72.\u00a0 The bullpen is strong though and could also provide needy teams with plenty of trade opportunities in the mid season.\u00a0 Langley is an after thought<\/p>\n
North Bay:\u00a0 Once the strongest team in the league for years, the Trapper ownership seems committed to setting a new trend by rebuilding through the draft.\u00a0 This season the Trappers shipped out two of the top hitters in the league in Robinson Cano and Miguel Cabrera for several draft picks and plenty of young arms.<\/p>\n
North Bay is banking on youngsters Paul Goldschmidt, Brandon Belt, Bryce Harper, Sterling Marte and Mike Mosuatkas to evolve into true Major League talent.\u00a0 North Bay features 13 players under the age of 25, so committed they are.<\/p>\n
Pitching wise, it\u2019s the same story.\u00a0 Shelby Miller leads an impressive young group of pitchers who would take two to three years to evolve into solid major league talent.\u00a0 North Bay is also sitting on plenty of missed opportunity pitchers who might finally break out\u2026 including Brandon Morrow, James MacDonald and Clay Buchholz.\u00a0 The anticipation for this season will be watching how these players do in MLB 2013<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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