Season 13 Division Predictions: A.L. South

Jacksonville Seminoles (AL) mbooker View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Season 12: 1st Place (89-73)
Season 13 Prediction: 1st Place

The Skinny:
mbooker's club finally won the coveted World Series championship last season so there's no better place to start the predictions than in Jacksonville.
The Seminoles return the great pitching staff that led them to their first championships and it seems like this core might be together for a couple more seasons as Ahmed Sanford is the only starter over the age of 30. Cesar Urbina should be an MVP candidate this season.

Breakout Performer: SP Rodney Hurst

Jackson Bootleggers (AL) rwright View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Season 12: T-2nd Place (79-83)
Season 13 Prediction: 2nd Place

The Skinny:
We've been patiently waiting on the Bootleggers and think this might be the season they climb another rung on the ladder. Carmine Byrd and Sam Atchley are a great 1-2 punch on the hill and Todd Webster is a superb closer. If Pablo Ordonez can take his game to the next level and improve upon his OPS, Jackson might be a playoff contender.

Breakout Performer: SP Sam Atchley

Richmond Generals (AL) dgtrache View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Season 12: T-2nd Place (79-83)
Season 13 Prediction: 3rd Place

The Skinny:
Richmond is going to rely heavily on Sammy DaSilva to win games this season as the pitching staff is not very deep with the departures of Richmond stalwart Gerald Krause, JP McEnroe and Clay Runyan. The Generals offense will be led by building-block Marino Tejera, but it's pretty apparent that the Generals are looking to rebuild for the future. That could make Tejera trade-bait later in the season.

Breakout Performer: LF Marino Tejera

Charlotte Moose Hunters (AL) jmil397 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Season 12: 4th Place (56-106)
Season 13 Prediction: 4th Place

The Skinny:
After 3 straight seasons at the bottom of the division, the Moose Hunters should have a chance to climb out of the cellar this season. In order to do so, Charlotte is going to have to swing the bats better this season. There aren't any superstarts, but they've got a handful of pretty solid players including 25-year old Warren Gibson. 23-year old Juan Fernandez will lead the staff and hope to improve upon his 10 wins last season.

Breakout Performer: RP Goose Pickering

Tec's Useless Trivia . . . Updated!!!

Thought I would update this since two seasons have gone by since the first time I posted this. Here are cumulative standings for each division through Mantle World's first 12 seasons:

AL North	W	L	Pct	GB
Detroit Bad Seeds	1165	779	0.599	0
Wichita Wranglers	1149	795	0.591	16
Chicago Black Sox	1113	831	0.573	52
Scranton Apollos	1038	906	0.534	127
AL East	W	L	Pct	GB
Buffalo Blizzard	1049	895	0.540	0
Norfolk Tobacco Farmers	890	1054	0.458	159
Baltimore Blast	863	1081	0.444	186
Durham Bulls	854	1090	0.439	195
AL South	W	L	Pct	GB
Richmond Generals	1030	914	0.530	0
Jacksonville Seminoles	912	1032	0.469	118
Jackson Bootleggers	890	1054	0.458	140
Charlotte Moose Hunters	867	1077	0.446	163
AL West	W	L	Pct	GB
Portland Poltergeists	1106	838	0.569	0
Salem Oles	1033	911	0.531	73
Colorado Springs Mile High Marines	962	982	0.495	144
San Diego Seagulls	739	1205	0.380	367
NL North	W	L	Pct	GB
Minnesota Mighty Men	1029	915	0.529	0
Trenton Titans	1019	925	0.524	10
Boise Spuds	1009	935	0.519	20
New York BullDog	935	1009	0.481	94
NL East	W	L	Pct	GB
Syracuse Sluggers	923	1021	0.475	0
Kansas City Monarchs	913	1031	0.470	10
Chicago Old Style	851	1093	0.438	72
Rochester North Stars	840	1104	0.432	83
NL South	W	L	Pct	GB
Florida Lockdown	1227	717	0.631	0
Texas Long Horns	992	952	0.510	235
Louisville Beaners	944	1000	0.486	283
Oklahoma City Power Failure	910	1034	0.468	317
NL West	W	L	Pct	GB
Anaheim angeldynasty	982	962	0.505	0
Arizona Wildcats	966	978	0.497	16
Vancouver Fighting Skeletons	956	988	0.492	26
Oakland Polish Hammers	940	1004	0.484	42

And if that's not enough trivia to digest at one sitting, lets also take a look at the post season history of each team in Mantle through it's first 12 seasons. The following lists number of division titles, number of wild card appearances, number of LCS titles, number of WS titles, and the number of different owners that each franchise has been managed by:

AL North	Div	WC	LCS	WS	Owners
Detroit Bad Seeds	6	5	1	1	1
Wichita Wranglers	2	8	1	1	2
Chicago Black Sox	2	3	1	1	1
Scranton Apollos	2	1	0	0	1
AL East	Div	WC	LCS	WS	Owners
Buffalo Blizzard	9	0	1	1	1
Norfolk Tobacco Farmers	1	1	0	0	5
Baltimore Blast	1	0	0	0	1
Durham Bulls	1	0	0	0	1
AL South	Div	WC	LCS	WS	Owners
Richmond Generals	5	1	1	1	1
Jacksonville Seminoles	2	1	2	1	3
Jackson Bootleggers	4	0	1	1	1
Charlotte Moose Hunters	1	0	0	0	7
AL West	Div	WC	LCS	WS	Owners
Portland Poltergeists	8	1	2	0	2
Salem Oles	4	1	2	1	1
Colorado Springs Mile High Marines	0	2	0	0	1
San Diego Seagulls	0	0	0	0	4
NL North	Div	WC	LCS	WS	Owners
Minnesota Mighty Men	4	2	0	0	1
Trenton Titans	3	3	0	0	2
Boise Spuds	5	2	1	1	5
New York BullDog	0	1	0	0	3
NL East	Div	WC	LCS	WS	Owners
Syracuse Sluggers	3	1	0	0	3
Kansas City Monarchs	5	1	2	0	4
Chicago Old Style	1	0	0	0	3
Rochester North Stars	3	1	0	0	8
NL South	Div	WC	LCS	WS	Owners
Florida Lockdown	10	2	7	3	1
Texas Long Horns	2	2	0	0	3
Louisville Beaners	0	3	0	0	1
Oklahoma City Power Failure	0	1	0	0	5
NL West	Div	WC	LCS	WS	Owners
Anaheim angeldynasty	4	0	1	0	2
Arizona Wildcats	4	1	0	0	3
Vancouver Fighting Skeletons	1	4	0	0	6
Oakland Polish Hammers	3	0	1	0	2

Mantle World Season 12 World Series Prediction

Jacksonville Seminoles vs. Forida Lockdown

Initially, I was prepared to put my prediction behind the Jacksonville Seminoles. I've always appreciated their pitching and stand by the belief that pitching wins championships. However, with the ease that the Florida Lockdown have carved up their opponents, I'm going to have to take the Lockdown to win their 4th championship. Florida is just locked in right now, they have a good balance of offense and pitching and I think it may be a little too much for the Seminoles. If Jacksonville is going to win the series, again, it's going to have to be on the shoulders of their pitching staff. However, they can't have any offensive lapses in games like they had against Norfolk.

Prediction: Florida wins series, 4-2.

League Championship Series Playoff Predictions

American League

Jacksonville Seminoles vs. Norfolk Tobacco Farmers

I'm very impressed with what the Norfolk Tobacco Farmers have done so far in the playoffs. I thought they'd get through the first round, but I didn't think they would take out Portland in round 2. After dropping a close game 1 in the series, they went on to win the next 3 games by a total of 5 runs. I'd have to go with Pablo Rodriguez as the MVP of the last round as he was the winner of game 2 and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings to earn the save in game 4.

As for Norfolk's opponent, the Jacksonville Seminoles did exactly what I thought they'd do to this point. They won both of their series by a total of 3 games to 1, just like I predicted. As I noted early on, Jacksonville's pitching is the difference maker. In their 8 playoff games, the Seminoles have given up 20 runs for a 2.5 runs per game average. They won't lose too many games giving up just 2 to 3 runs a game. Now, Jacksonville's offense hasn't been piling it on, but they are averaging 4.75 runs per game thus far in the playoffs. Luther Taylor really took it to the Apollos in the DCS as he was 7-15 with 4 runs scored and 5 runs batted in.

As much as I'd like to see my division rival Norfolk get to the World Series, I have a lot of respect for mbooker and his club and I think it simply might be his time to get a ring.

Prediction: Jacksonville wins series, 4-2.

National League

Florida Lockdown vs. Kansas City Monarchs

Here's an interesting fact: If the Florida Lockdown don't win the World Series this season, this will be the club's longest drought without winning it in their history. Hard to believe, but true. With 3 rings in 11 seasons, the Lockdown make sure they don't lease out their stadium for other events come playoff time. While they hadn't reached the LCS since season 9 until now, they hope history repeats itself because that was the last time they won the whole thing.

Meanwhile, neilcor and his Kansas City Monarchs are hoping and praying that I pick Florida to advance. I've tried my best to get rid of the Monarchs by picking against them in each of the first 2 rounds, but they just keep pinning my predictions up on the bulletin board and Patsy Owens has taken it personally. Owens lit up the Mighty Men going 10-20 with 6 runs scored and 12 runs batted in (in only 4 games)!

Unfortunately for the Monarchs, their defying run stops here. When welsh5 and the Lockdown smell blood, it's as good as done. I'm predicting an all-Florida final, just as it was in season 9. Will Jacksonville get revenge or will the Lockdown continue to own the Sunshine State? We will soon find out...unless my predictions are WRONG!

Prediction: Florida wins series, 4-3.

Division Championship Series Playoff Predictions

American League

Jacksonville Seminoles vs. Scranton Apollos

Scranton has risen from the dead this year to finish with the best record in the American League (102-60) after 6 straight 4th place finishes followed by a 3rd place finish last season (although 91 wins in season 11 proves they were on the right track). In this Championship Series, however, offensive leaders Pat Masao and Dan King will have their work cut out for them though with the Seminoles pitching staff (previously discussed). While Luther Taylor and Alex Maradona didn't have the offensive numbers they had last season, I still expect piching to trump hitting and believe Jacksonville will advance.

Prediction: Jacksonville wins series, 3-1.


Norfolk Tobacco Farmers vs. Portland Poltergeists

Norfolk has done a great job advancing through the first round of the playoffs after their first ever division title. Nash Phillips went 7 strong innings to shut the door on the Mile High Marines in Game 5 of the opening series. In Portland, the Poltergeists are foaming at the mouth waiting for their first series to get underway. The Poltergeists offense may simply be too much for the Tobacco Farmers to handle. 5-time Most Valuable Player, Kevin Mullins and Felix Ellis are just two names out of an offense that scored the 2nd most runs in the American League this season.


Prediction: Portland wins series, 3-2.

National League

Anaheim angeldynasty vs. Florida Lockdown

Whenever I see that the Florida Lockdown are in the playoffs, I feel like the World Series trophy sort of gravitates toward them. They have the most dominant pitcher in the league this year in Ned McInerney and they had 4 guys drive in over 100 runs with 2 others that missed by just 2 and 3 RBI. The Anaheim angeldynasty rolled through the first round of the playoffs, but I struggle to believe they can take the Lockdown. Harry Holzemer is going to have to have a better showing than he did in round 1 and Emmanuel Montanez is going to need to stay hot in the lineup if they want to have any chance to advance.

Prediction: Florida wins series, 3-0.


Kansas City Monarchs vs. Minnesota Mighty Men

The Mighty Men continue their dominance of the NL North with their 4th straight division title. The Mighties had 7 pitchers win at least 10 games, including Cristian Torres who was just 12-10, but had little run support as his ERA was a solid 3.11. The offense was led by 24 year-old MVP candidate Bill Hewson who drove in 164 runs while clubbing 63 home runs. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Monarchs advanced through the first round on the strength of their pitching which was magnificent in holding the Louisville Beaners to just 6 runs in their 3 1st round wins. We know how good 19-game winner Jim Aurilia is, but if the rest of the pitching staff holds up like they did in the first round, Kansas City will be a tough out.


Prediction: Minnesota wins series, 3-2.

We're Baaaack! Playoff Predictions Round-By-Round

A.L. Division Play-in Series:

Jacksonville Seminoles vs. Chicago Black Sox

The key to this series is very simple. Can Rob Becker and Chicago's offense score enough runs against Jacksonville's big 3 starting pitchers? In a short playoff series, there are no breaks when you're facing Ahmed Sanford, Vance Collier and Gene Hayes. If Chicago can stay in games late, the Seminoles bullpen has been shaky, blowing 20 saves this season.

Prediction: Jacksonville wins series, 3-1.


Norfolk Tobacco Farmers vs. Colorado Springs Mile High Marines

This is a really intriguing matchup. Colorado Springs scored 100 more runs than Norfolk during the regular season, led by MVP candidate Alfredo Valentin who crushed 72 home runs and was three shy of 200 RBI. However, the Tobacco Farmers offense was far from anemic and I give the edge to their pitching staff as all five Norfolk starters won at least 13 games and Peter Pong saved 37 of 40.

Prediction: Norfolk wins series, 3-2.


N.L. Division Play-in Series:

Anaheim Angeldynasty vs. Oklahoma City Power Failure

Two teams. Identical records. Neither team closed out the season well. Both teams are fairly even in offense and pitching. The one statistic that sticks with me though is the Power Failure's league-leading 30 wins in 1-run games. I'm guessing that Harry Holzemer and Sammy Piedra will be the Game 1 starters and I'm predicting the team that wins this game will win the series, 3-2.

Prediction: Oklahoma City wins series, 3-2.


Kansas City Monarchs vs. Louisville Beaners

The only thing that may prevent the Beaners from getting to the Division Championship Series are the 6th, 7th and 8th innings. The Beaners middle relievers make Paula Abdul look stable. The starters need to eat up innings and hand the ball directly to Joseph Yoshii. By the way, is it just me or did everyone else think J.R. Barkley retired like 6 seasons ago? Kansas City needs either Jim Aurilia or Hector Cordero to win two games to advance to the next round.

Prediction: Louisville wins series, 3-2.

Looking Out for Number One

With the season 11 draft just around the corner, I thought this would be a good opportunity to take a look back on the number one draft picks for the first ten seasons of Mantle with a brief synopsis of the career to date of each pick and my grade. Dissenting opinions are welcome to comment.

Season 1: Mike Florie, 2B - selected by vachedawg, Cheyenne Fighting Bovines (now Portland Poltergeists)

Hardball Dynasty's

Mike Florie

Mike Florie was the first ever draft pick in Mantle world. He was given his first taste of big league action in season 2 by Portland, and spent season 3 split between AAA and the majors before being traded in season 4 to San Antonio. He's been a very durable though unspectacular major league player ever since. Since first seeing full time action with the Soggy Bottom Boys, he's been traded two more times: first to Tacoma in season 6, and then to Salem in season 11. He's made one All-Star team, in season 9 for Tacoma. In over 1200 games to date, he's a lifetime .281 hitter with 141 home runs and 610 RBI. He's also stolen 191 bases in his major league career. He's been a solid major league player, but for a number one draft pick more should have been expected from him.

Grade: B

Season 2: Al Ramirez, SP - selected by lefty32, Seattle Geoducks (now Vancouver Fighting Skeletons)

Hardball Dynasty's

Al Ramirez

Despite a number of franchise changes, Ramirez has spent his entire career with the now Fighting Skeletons. He made it to the majors at the end of season 3, and has been there ever since as the anchor of the pitching staff. With 244 career starts under his belt, he has a lifetime record of 102-75, with an ERA of 3.81, OAV of .258 and WHIP of 1.31. He also has one 20-win season on his record (21-8 in season 9) and three All-Star appearances. He's certainly lived up to his expectations as a number one pick.

Grade: A

Season 3: Jim Aurilia, SP - selected by nova20147, Charlotte Miners (now Kansas City Monarchs)

Hardball Dynasty's

Jim Aurilia

Like Ramirez, Aurilia has spent his entire career with the franchise that drafted him. Unlike Ramirez, Aurilia has not exactly lived up to his billing as a number one draft pick. In 229 appearances (181 starts), he's only amassed a career record of 69-54 with a 4.35 ERA, .250 OAV and 1.38 WHIP. He has yet to make an All-Star appearance, but is still relatively young at age 26 and still has a number of seasons ahead of him. One could say that the jury is still out as he still has potential for a very solid and productive career.

Grade: B

Season 4: Vance Collier, SP - selected by mbooker, Jacksonville Seminoles

Hardball Dynasty's

Vance Collier

After a brief but impressive minor league career, Collier was promoted to the majors in season 6 to stay. He struggled a bit in his rookie season, but has been spectacular ever since. Only 26 years old, he has already compiled a record of 84-36 in 163 career starts, with a 3.52 ERA, .241 OAV and 1.23 WHIP. He's made one All-Star appearance in season 9, and has posted three consecutive 18+ win seasons for the Seminoles. His current numbers in season 11 are his best to date. The Seminoles certainly cannot be disappointed with their number one pick.

Grade: A+

Season 5: John Blake, SS - selected by brendanjod, Colorado Springs Mile High Marines

Hardball Dynasty's

John Blake

Blake made an immediate impact in his rookie season in season 6, when he crashed upon the scene with a .335 AVG, .404 OBP and .598 SLG performance in 53 games upon his promotion from AAA. He also contributed 12 home runs and 45 RBI's in that span. He's settled down some in the following 4+ seasons, but still has compiled career numbers of (.288 AVG, 128 HR, 394 RBI) in almost 700 major league games. Still only 26 years old, he's made two All-Star appearances and has a long and bright career still in front of him. He looks like a keeper.

Grade: A

Season 6: Louis Haney, RF - selected by rwright, San Antonio Soggy Bottom Boys (now Jackson Bootleggers)

Hardball Dynasty's

Louis Haney

Haney was rushed to the major leagues after a brief but hugely spectacular career in San Antonio's minor league system. He struggled greatly in his first 3+ seasons in the majors, including season 9 when he inexplicably appeared in only 25 games despite not being injured. One can only speculate that inactivity of that nature can only have stunted his development. Now in season 11 he seems to be coming into his own, but still only has lifetime numbers of .235 AVG, 64 home runs and 201 RBI's in 363 games. He's also stolen 90 bases in 111 lifetime attempts. Only 25 years old, the jury is still out on him as to whether he will live up to the expectations that rwight may have had when he made Haney his number one pick.

Grade: B

Season 7: Edgardo Cortes, SP - selected by rwright, San Antonio Soggy Bottom Boys (now Jackson Bootleggers)

Hardball Dynasty's

Edgardo Cortes

Another victim of rwright's mismanagement of his minor leagues, Cortes spent three seasons in the Jackson farm system and stuggled due to apparent misuse. Promoted to the majors in season 10, he's struggled even more at the big league level, posting an 8-8 record despite a 6.46 ERA, .280 OAV and 1.52 WHIP. He's only 22 years old and has plenty of time to right the ship. Whether he ever does depends on how he's used going forward. A change of scenery may be the best option for him to reach his potential.

Grade: C

Season 8: Bill Hewson, SS - selected by ardthomp, Tucson Plateau (now Colorado Ligers)

Hardball Dynasty's

Bill Hewson

Traded by Colorado to Minnesota after only one season in the minors, including a brief but impressive stint in the majors, Hewson quickly rose through the Mighty Men's farm system and made it to the majors in season 10 at age 22. He's immediately made a nice contribution to Minnesota's offense. In 187 career games at the major league level, he's posted numbers of (.290 AVG, 49 HR, 146 RBI) with a .548 SLG. Drafted as a shortstop, he's now successfully splitting his time between 2B and 3B. He looks like he is destined to have a very production major league career in front of him.

Grade: A

Season 9: Tyrone Hamilton, SS - selected by ericsomsel, Colorado Ligers

Hardball Dynasty's

Tyrone Hamilton

Much like Hewson, Hamilton had a brief and very successful taste of major league action with the Ligers before being traded to Florida. In 54 career major league games in season 10, he posted numbers of (.322 AVG, 10 HR, 51 RBI) with a .395 OBP and .576 SLG. He's now spending his time in AAA for the Lockdown where he is tearing it up. It will be difficult for welsh5 to keep him in the minors if he continues to tear the cover off the ball. Overall, Hamilton looks to be a superstar in waiting.

Grade: A+

Season 10: Rob Tomlinson, C - selected by Reps, Baltimore Blast

Not signed. A wasted selection. For his efforts, Reps gets compensated with the 47th pick in the season 11 draft.

Grade: F

Season 11: ???, selected by ericsomsel, Colorado Ligers