2003 CFOD PREVIEW "Your mileage may vary!" MANTLE DIVISION *************************************************************************** 1ST - Angry Candy Team Records: Most Wins: 21 (Kevin Ritz, 1995) Most Saves: 35 (Mariano Rivera, 1996) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.84 (Kevin Ritz, 1995) Highest Average (regular): 0.342 (Chipper Jones, 1998) Most Runs scored: 139 (Chipper Jones, 1999) Most RBI's: 152 (Todd Helton, 2001) Most home runs: 52 (Chipper Jones, 1999) Most steals: 39 (John Valentin, 1995) The Angry Candy seem to be listed at the top of these previews year after year. 2003 is no different. The trio of Bobby Abreu, Todd Helton and Chipper Jones continue to inspire fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers. Center fielder Torii Hunter, shortstop Jose Valentin and catcher AJ Pierzynski fill out the lineup rather nicely. The Candy gambled on Kevin Brown springing back by drafting him last year, and are rewarded this year with a bonafide ace. Youngster Josh Beckett won't be a full time starter, but will be plenty capable in the #2 starter role. Carl Pavano is a workhorse at #3. John Smoltz will be unhittable in the closer spot this year and is a favorite for Fireman of the Year. OVERALL: The Candy are packed to the gills with talent, and are one of the elite teams in the CFOD. 2nd - Mechan Syndicate Team Records: Most Wins: 18 (Pete Schourek, 1995) Most Saves: 34 (Bill Risley, 1994) (Jim Poole, 1993) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.67 (Justin Thompson, 1997) Highest Average (regular): 0.394 (Tony Gwynn, 1994) Most Runs scored: 201 (Barry Bonds, 2001) Most RBI's: 184 (Rafael Palmeiro, 2001) Most home runs: 81 (Barry Bonds, 2001) Most steals: 68 (Roberto Alomar, 1992) It all starts with Barry Bonds. Now 2 years removed from his record setting 2001 season, pitchers are still scared of him. So much so that it may hurt his overall RBI numbers this year. But he could set a new league record for on base average. Backing up Bonds is 3B Eric Chavez, one of the best in the league at his position. The outfield and first base positions are stocked (perhaps overstocked) with the likes of Adam Dunn, Jay Gibbons, Raul Mondesi, Shawn Green, Miguel Cabrera and Josh Phelps. Someone (or some three) talented is going to sit. With the talented lineup, SS Jack Wilson sticks out like a sore thumb. But the opposing pitchers have to get a break sometime! The Syndicate will score plenty of runs, and that's good, because the starting pitching will be suspect. Lots of #3 pitchers here, with Adam Eaton and Tim Wakefield being their best starters. One thing that is not in doubt is the 9th inning, where closer supreme Eric Gagne guarantees a scoreless 9th. OVERALL: Great hitting in the outfield and at first, and Eric Gagne has the closer role nailed down. Everything else is a bit shaky. But the good far outweighs the bad, and expect the Syndicate to contend. 3rd - San Francisco Shriners Team Records: Most Wins: 19 (Randy Johnson, 1995) Most Saves: 33 (John Wetteland, 1992) Lowest ERA (starter): 1.66 (Randy Johnson, 1995) Highest Average (regular): 0.368 (Mark Loretta, 1998) Most Runs scored: 142 (Sammy Sosa, 2001) Most RBI's: 151 (Sammy Sosa, 1998) Most home runs: 63 (Sammy Sosa, 2001) Most steals: 75 (Eric Young, 2000) Was it really that long ago that the legendary Randy Johnson for Sammy Sosa happened? And the fact that the trade has been mentioned in every single preview for the Shriners since then? OK, OK, last time it will be mentioned, especially now that Randy Johnson has come back. But make no mistake, this is still Sammy's team. Sammy has a pretty good supporting cast, with 3B Bill Mueller slated for an all-star year, and 1B Kevin Millar providing some pop. Cliff Floyd and import Ray Durham are walking wounded this year, but when they play, they're good. Vicente Padilla, Brian Lawrence, Ted Lilly and the '03 edition of Randy Johnson won't remind anyone of Johnson in his prime, but they get the job done. No bonafide closers on the staff, unless they want to mak Johan Santana into a Willie Hernandez-esque stopper. OVERALL: As long as Sammy can crank out 40 homers a year, the Shriners will be winners. If the Syndicate's pitching collapses, San Fran could find themselves in wild card territory. 4th - Arlington Arthropods Team Records: Most Wins: 22 (Kevin Brown, 1992) Most Saves: 30 (Bob Wickman, 2000) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.65 (Randy Tomlin, 1992) Highest Average (regular): 0.365 (Sean Casey, 1999) Most Runs scored: 141 (Gary Sheffield, 2000) Most RBI's: 150 (Juan Gonzalez, 1996) Most home runs: 59 (Gary Sheffield, 2000) Most steals: 64 (Luis Castillo, 2000) It's hard to go wrong with a team that features Gary Sheffield and Manny Ramirez. Both are on top of their games this year. Luis Castillo is a classic leadoff hitter who can steal a base or two. Luis Matos, Aramis Ramirez and Eric Karros fill out a lineup that will put some runs on the board. Expect Jason Schmidt to have a breakout year, and will be a bonafide ace. Brad Penny and David Wells hold up well in the 2nd & 3rd slots in the rotation. After that, it gets a bit ... dodgy. There's a few potential closer candidates in the bunch, but nobody to remind anyone of Eric Gagne. OVERALL: Gary Sheffield, Manny Ramirez and Jason Schmidt will sell plenty of tickets. But it will be up to the role-players to determine whether Arlington finishes higher or lower in the standings. 5th - Springfield 'Topes Team Records: Most Wins: 20 (Mark Buehrle, 2001) Most Saves: 38 (Kyle Farnsworth, 2001) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.23 (Kevin Brown, 1998) Highest Average (regular): 0.353 (Luis Gonzalez, 1999) Most Runs scored: 134 (Bernie Williams, 1999) Most RBI's: 125 (Tino Martinez, 1999) Most home runs: 39 (Tino Martinez, 1999) (Bernie Williams, 2000) Most steals: 58 (Otis Nixon, 1992) Consistency is the name of the game for the '03 edition of the 'Topes. They're not going to dominate, but they're not going to be bad, either. The lineup is led by 2B Jose Vidro and 3B Joe Randa. Lots of guys who slug .450 with 20 homers and a .350 on base average. No one other than Vidro is a threat to make the all-star squad, but they will do OK on hitting. With some platooning their whole may be greater than the sum of their parts. Their pitching is going to be .. consistent. Maybe even better than that. Steve Trachsl, Andy Pettitte and Mark Buehrle form a workhorse trio in the rotation. Between Brendan Donnelly and Damasco Marte, the closer role is solid. OVERALL: Springfield has been fielding some competitive teams in the past several years. With a capable lineup and a few starters that know how to win, Springfield should do OK this year. 6th - Bakersfield RamJets Team Records: Most Wins: 19 (Rick Reed, 1997) Most Saves: 24 (Steve Kline, 2001) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.67 (Rick Reed, 1997) Highest Average (regular): 0.374 (Kenny Lofton, 1994) Most Runs scored: 137 (Kenny Lofton, 1994) Most RBI's: 120 (Ryan Klesko, 2000) Most home runs: 39 (Jose Canseco, 1991) Most steals: 91 (Kenny Lofton, 1994) Bakersfield certainly have some good hitters. They arguably have a top three shortstop (Miguel Tejada) and catcher (Ivan Rodriguez). Derrick Lee provides plenty of pop at first base. Unfortunately for the RamJets, Ryan Klesko and Edgardo Alfonzo are slumping this year. Will 3 great players be enough to generate runs? Darrell May isn't a name typically associated with staff aces, but his performance this year could surprise. The rest of the starters are not much to write home about. Who is home-writable are Danny Kolb and Eddie Guardado, two excellent closer candidates. If the RamJets can get a lead into the 8th inning, they should do OK. OVERALL: A few good players, but the non-performers on the team could hurt Bakersfield's chances this year. KOUFAX DIVISION *************************************************************************** 1st - Cincinnati Rock Team Records: Most Wins: 21 (Bartolo Colon, 2002) Most Saves: 36 (Jeff Brantley, 1996) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.39 (Mike Mussina, 1995) Highest Average (regular): 0.344 (John VanderWal, 2000) Most Runs scored: 122 (Carlos Beltran, 2001) Most RBI's: 144 (Troy Glaus, 2000) Most home runs: 52 (Troy Glaus, 2001) Most steals: 42 (Carlos Beltran, 2001) (Felix Jose, 1993) The Rock were last year's CFOD champs, and there's no reason why they won't be able to repeat. The Rock moved away from the "shock and awe" batting approach to a more refined hitting approach, and it worked. Jorge Posada and Geoff Jenkins can smack the ball out of the park, but they can just as easily single or draw a walk. Infielders Mark Loretta and Doug Mientkiewicz also fit the new Rock mold. Curt Schilling and Roy Oswalt are two of the best pitchers in the league, and are again in '03. Problem for Cincinnati is that both are injured and can't put up full seasons. But the rotation is still OK. Bartolo Colon is effective with mega-workhorse innings, and Wade Miller and Victor Zambrano round out one of the overall better rotations in the league. Shigetoshi Hasegawa will do fine at closer. OVERALL: Schilling and Oswalt not running at peak performance will hurt, but the Rock have enough depth to make another championship run. 2nd - Boston Brewins Team Records: Most Wins: 17 (Joe Mays, 2001) (Tommy Greene, 1993) Most Saves: 35 (Trevor Hoffman, 1993) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.68 (Vicente Palacios, 1994) Highest Average (regular): 0.318 (Brad Fullmer, 2002) Most Runs scored: 130 (Shannon Stewart, 2002) Most RBI's: 153 (Phil Nevin, 2001) Most home runs: 60 (Greg Vaughn, 1998) Most steals: 75 (Brian Hunter, 1997) The talent on this team just gets scarier and scarier. The team is loaded with all-star candidates, from OF Albert Pujols and Vernon Wells to 2B Alfonzo Soriano and catcher Javy Lopez. That doesn't even count OF Shannon Stewart or infielder Erubiel Durazo. Simply incredible. The pitching is not half bad, either. The Brewins traded for the #1 overall pick, and nabbed rookie phenom Brandon Webb. Combined with Ryan Franklin, Roger Clemens and Kazuhisa Ishii, the Brewins have one of the best rotations in the league. It's only the combination of Terry Adams and Dan Miceli at closer that could be the weak point. Someone as good as Jorge Julio was in '02 would make this the perfect team. OVERALL: This team is loaded with talent. The Brewins had one of their best years last year, and this year should be even better. Cincinnati has their work cut out for them this year for the Koufax divison pennant. 3rd - Oregon Wet Sox Team Records: Most Wins: 23 (Charles Nagy, 1992) Most Saves: 40 (Rob Nen, 1998) Lowest ERA (starter): 1.83 (Charles Nagy, 1992) Highest Average (regular): 0.392 (Larry Walker, 1998) Most Runs scored: 164 (Larry Walker, 1997) Most RBI's: 171 (Jeff Bagwell, 1994) Most home runs: 67 (Jeff Bagwell, 1994) Most steals: 59 (Rickey Henderson, 1992) Nomahh. Bagwell. Andrew Jones. The cornerstones of the franchise continue to be so, and the support cast fills out the lineup nicely. Vet 2B Mark Grudzielanek has a good year at 2B, while Moises Alou and Shea Hillenbrand are good for 20 dingers each. It's usually Mike Mussina who gets the nod as the best pitcher on the staff, but not this year. Not that Mussina is bad this year, but the Wet Sox expect a big year out of Esteban Loaiza. Sydney Ponson could be an ace on many teams, but gets the benefit of being the #3 starter. Ugueth Urbina fits the classic closer profile, and Brian Fuentes can step in as well in the late innings. OVERALL: Oregon's stars are all healthy, and they've got plenty of talent surrounding them. Time to talk playoff contention. 4th - Hillsborough Regulators Team Records: Most Wins: 22 (Roger Clemens, 1997) Most Saves: 29 (Trevor Hoffman, 2000) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.24 (Roger Clemens, 1997) Highest Average (regular): 0.397 (Jason Giambi, 2001) Most Runs scored: 162 (Jason Giambi, 2001) Most RBI's: 148 (Jason Giambi, 2001) Most home runs: 51 (Jason Giambi, 2001) Most steals: 43 (Alex Cole, 1994) In '02, the Regulators bid goodbye to all-franchise slugger Jason Giambi, and in return, got all-franchise slugger Frank Thomas from the Coneheads. Thomas actually puts in a pretty good year in '03, and they also got Marlon Byrd, a table setting center fielder. surrounding these two are Garrett Anderson, Carl Everett, Aaron Boone and Shane Helms, all legit power threats. Hillsborough had the top pick this year, but traded it. In return, they got Garrett Anderson and Randy Wolf, who should throw some quality innings. Tomokazu Ohka was acquired in the draft to help rebuild a burned out rotation. The other guys in the rotation are still in need of rebuilding. Danys Baez should do OK in the closer role, but the reliever corps doesn't really stand out. OVERALL: The Regulators had the worst record in the league last year. It will be very hard to dupliate that feat this year. 5th - LA Zippys Team Records: Most Wins: 19 (Jamie Moyer, 1999) Most Saves: 22 (Tim Spooneybarger, 2002) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.90 (Jamie Moyer, 1999) Highest Average (regular): 0.367 (Mike Kingery, 1994) Most Runs scored: 150 (Derek Jeter, 1999) Most RBI's: 134 (Geoff Jenkins, 2000) (Kevin Mitchell, 1994) Most home runs: 50 (Kevin Mitchell, 1994) Most steals: 52 (Derek Jeter, 1998) Derek Jeter has been the the franchise for many a year, and is once again in '03. Jeter hits for average, gets on base, and has a little pop. Carlos Lee is one of the more underappreciated outfielders in the game, and is good for 30 homers. Infielder Placido Polanco will put up some good sabrmetric stats, and youngster Rocco Baldelli is one to watch in future years. One of the more exciting pitchers in the game is Barry Zito, and he's the ace of the staff. None of the other starters are going to be an all-star, but they're OK. The bullpen of the Zippys is extremely deep, one of the deepest in the league. Matt Herges or Francisco Rodriguez are leading candidates for closer, but any number of relievers can close effectively. OVERALL: The Zippys could use some more big bats, but they will be fun to watch this year. 6th - Somerville Sluggers Team Records: Most Wins: 20 (Curt Schilling, 1997) Most Saves: 37 (Derek Lowe, 1999) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.82 (Curt Schilling, 1997) Highest Average (regular): 0.357 (Manny Ramirez, 2000) Most Runs scored: 153 (Chuck Knoblauch, 1995) Most RBI's: 146 (Robin Ventura, 1999) Most home runs: 49 (Henry Rodriguez, 1998) Most steals: 78 (Chuck Knoblauch, 1997) Trot Nixon represents Somerville's best hitter this year, hitting for average, hovering near the .400 mark for on base and a 30 homer power threat. Frank Catalanotto and Vinny Castilla represent the heart of the order. Young star Austin Kearns took a step back this year, being injured for most of the season. The Sluggers acquired pitcher Freddy Garcia from the Coneheads this year, who is more of a building block for the future than a star performer for this year. Just who happens to be a star performer is Roy Halladay, who throws a ton of innings, and good innings at that. Tim Redding is a decent #2, but the other guys, including Garcia, are merely "eh". Latroy Hawkins, Oscar Villarreal and Aquilino Lopez are not "eh" in the bullpen, but "eh-xellent'. OVERALL: Give them a few years. They'll be back. RUTH DIVISION *************************************************************************** 1st - Paxtang Pitbulls Team Records: Most Wins: 22 (Mark Mulder, 2001) Most Saves: 40 (Duane Ward, 1991) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.69 (Doug Drabek, 1992) Highest Average (regular): 0.372 (Carlos Delgado, 2000) Most Runs scored: 192 (Alex Rodriguez, 2000) Most RBI's: 181 (Carlos Delgado, 2000) Most home runs: 62 (Alex Rodriguez, 2001) Most steals: 66 (Rickey Henderson, 1993) Ah, Paxtang. Expectations are running high these days. How can it not, with mega talents like Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Delgado and Brian Giles? Added to that is 2B Marcus Giles, who will put in a season worthy of mention among the usual franchise players. The rest of the lineup is filled with above average hitters. Paxtang is going to give opposing pitchers nightmares. Mark Mulder and Javier Vazquez anchor a pennant-worthy rotation. Jake Peavy should do well as the #3 starter. David Riske should contend for fireman of the year honors, and the Pitbulls feature multiple relievers (BJ Ryan, Brad Lidge, Chad Bradford) who will do well in the middle innings. OVERALL: The hitting's still here, the pitching's here, they're a lock, right? Only if they get their team chemistry down. They were picked #1 last year, too, and only won 85 games. 2nd - California Coneheads Team Records: Most Wins: 24 (Tom Glavine, 1996) Most Saves: 45 (Mariano Rivera, 2000) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.71 (Tim Hudson, 2002) (Mark Langston, 1993) Highest Average (regular): 0.367 (Frank Thomas, 1996) Most Runs scored: 150 (Craig Biggio, 1997) Most RBI's: 162 (Frank Thomas, 1994) Most home runs: 55 (Mike Piazza, 1997) Most steals: 60 (Craig Biggio, 1994) Scott Rolen is still one of the better hitters at third, and mid-season acquisition Jason Giambi can still hit for power and draw the walk. That's about it for full time players. Larry Walker, Juan Gonzalez, JD Drew, and Mike Piazza are all walking wounded this year. Milton Bradley shows a lot of promise, but his attitude may hurt his future. Tim Hudson anchors the rotation again, putting in another ace season. In 2nd is Matt Clement, who should do OK. After that, options get iffy. Scot Shields might start, but would draw depth away from the bullpen. Not that the Coneheads need much depth in the bullpen. Jose Valverde and Octavio Dotel give California two good closer choices. OVERALL: If everyone was healthy, California would be a runaway choice for the Ruth division pennant. But with so many injuries, it's going to make for an interesting race. They were picked 2nd last year, but handily won the pennant and 100 regular season games. Go figure. 3rd - Topeka MooseDogs Team Records: Most Wins: 17 (Kenny Rogers, 2002) Most Saves: 31 (Jason Isringhausen, 2002) (Dave Veres, 1995) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.31 (Joey Hamilton, 1994) Highest Average (regular): 0.342 (Brett Butler, 1994) Most Runs scored: 120 (Brett Butler, 1994) (Howard Johnson, 1991) Most RBI's: 136 (Richie Sexson, 2001) Most home runs: 56 (Richie Sexson, 2001) Most steals: 71 (Quilvio Veras, 1995) Things are getting interesting in Topekaland. In the off-season, the MooseDogs traded their best player, Richie Sexson, for a trio of players, one being rookie phenom Mark Teixeira. Their depth was improved, and the acquired platoon of Paul Konerko and Travis Hafner should make up for most of the power lost by Sexson. Jason Kendall is back in form, hitting for average and nabbing the walk. Aubrey Huff and Dmitri Young add power for this surprisingly deep lineup. If there's a potential weak spot, it's in pitching. Joel Pineiro, Mike Hampton, Kelvim Escobar and Derek Lowe are good pitchers, but none of them are Mark Prior. Topeka should make up for average starters with some dominant relievers. Mark Quantril could be fireman of the year, and Ben Weber and Luis Ayala provide excellent support in relief. OVERALL: Topeka continues to grow its talent base. If the ball bounces right, they could make the playoffs this year. 4th - Miami Mangos Team Records: Most Wins: 17 (Jose Rijo, 1993) Most Saves: 36 (Dennis Eckersley, 1992) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.59 (Jose Rijo, 1993) Highest Average (regular): 0.331 (Darrin Fletcher, 2000) (Garrett Anderson, 1995) Most Runs scored: 112 (Ray Durham, 2000) Most RBI's: 119 (Eric Karros, 1995) Most home runs: 39 (Eric Karros, 1995) Most steals: 66 (Ozzie Smith, 1992) The Mangos brought in Veteran slugger Rafael Palmeiro in the off-season, and he instantly becomes their best hitter. Palmeiro can still hit the longball. OF Jeromy Burnitz and Reggie Sanders may be underappreciated by most, but they are also deep threats. In fact, with Jay Payton, Joe Crede and Geoff Blum, the Mangos are one of the better home run hitting teams in the league. Veteran hurler Hideo Nomo is joined by rookie Dontrelle Willis to give the Mangos one of their best rotations in years .. perhaps ever. Kurt Leskanic and Kyle Farnsworth give the Mangos a few options at closer. OVERALL: Look for the Mangos to surprise a lot of people this year. 5th - Carolina Lightning Team Records: Most Wins: 20 (David Cone, 1994) Most Saves: 35 (Steve Reed, 1998) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.74 (David Cone, 1994) Highest Average (regular): 0.339 (Mo Vaughn, 1997) Most Runs scored: 130 (Jim Edmonds, 2001) Most RBI's: 134 (Pat Burrell, 2002) Most home runs: 57 (Matt Williams, 1994) Most steals: 49 (Ray Lankford, 1991) What happened to Pat Burrell? Burrell was progressing into the next Jose Canseco. This year he's Jose Lind. Well, at least Jim Edmonds and Mike Lowell are still in top form, as is catcher Mike Lieberthal. 2B Junior Spivey and 1B Carlos Pena help fill out a lineup that will score runs .. but it would have been nice to have a dominant Burrell in the middle of it all. On the pitching side, Kevin Millwood is OK as the ace starter. But Tom Glavine has seen better days, and will be expected to go against other #2's in the league. The others .. well, best not to ask. Joe Nathan and Tom Gordon give the Lightning some options in the bullpen. OVERALL: Some nice hitters, but they need a full power Pat Burrell to try and break the California-Paxtang stranglehold on the Ruth division. 6th - San Diego Termites Team Records: Most Wins: 19 (David Wells, 1998) Most Saves: 29 (Jeff Nelson, 1995) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.66 (Ismael Valdes, 1997) Highest Average (regular): 0.357 (Mike Sweeney, 2000) Most Runs scored: 134 (Mike Sweeney, 2000) Most RBI's: 161 (Mike Sweeney, 2000) Most home runs: 55 (Andres Galarraga, 1998) Most steals: 43 (Omar Vizquel, 1999) (Mike Lansing, 1993) (Otis Nixon, 1993) Jeff Kent remains the Termites' best hitter at 2nd base, and this year he's joined by draftee power hitter Jose Guillen and vet Steve Finley. Much of the offense is not geared towards the home run, but getting on base and hitting a key double with the tandem of Kenny Lofton and Craig Biggio. Kip Wells should have an ace-esque season, and Woody Williams is a decent #2. After Zach Day in the 3rd spot in the rotation, it gets really iffy, really, really fast. Matt Mantei and Tim Worrell lead a well stocked bullpen. OVERALL: Some of the hitters are getting a bit long in the tooth, and the back end of the rotation is going to make things a bit rough for San Diego this year. YOUNG DIVISION *************************************************************************** 1st - Seattle Moshers Team Records: Most Wins: 30 (Greg Maddux, 1994) Most Saves: 44 (Keith Foulke, 2002) Lowest ERA (starter): 1.63 (Greg Maddux, 1992) Highest Average (regular): 0.354 (Magglio Ordonez, 2001) Most Runs scored: 140 (Ray Lankford, 1998) (Albert Bele, 1994) Most RBI's: 155 (Magglio Ordonez, 2001) Most home runs: 58 (Jay Buhner, 1995) Most steals: 63 (Delino DeSheilds, 1997) Last year was pretty good for Seattle, giving them their first ever world series appearance. This year could give them a repeat. Magglio Ordonez continues to be one of the upper echelon outfielders in the game, and shortstop Edgar Renteria raises his game a notch, hitting for average, power, walks, steals bases, you name it. David Ortiz adds muscle at first. Overall, a very deep lineup. This looks to be the year CC Sabathia takes over the role of ace from longtime ace Greg Maddux. The rest of the rotation, Horatio Ramirez, Pat Hentgen and Jarrod Washburn, are serviceable. Keith Foulke was fireman of the year last year, and this year, he could be even better in the closer role. OVERALL: A deep hitting lineup and a stellar closer make Seattle favorites to repeat as Young division champs. 2nd - Park City Climbers Team Records: Most Wins: 23 (Pedro Martinez, 1997) Most Saves: 34 (Billy Brewer, 1994) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.04 (Pedro Martinez, 2002) Highest Average (regular): 0.362 (John Valentin, 1997) Most Runs scored: 133 (Jim Thome, 2002) Most RBI's: 136 (Dave Justice, 1993) Most home runs: 50 (Jim Thome, 2002) Most steals: 42 (Lance Johnson, 1992) The Climbers eeked their way into the playoffs last year, and are building on positive momentum. Last year's MVP, Jim Thome, is still at the top of his game. Partnered with him is OF Preston Wilson, another elite slugger. Morgan Ensberg, Orlando Cabrera and catcher Jason Varitek compliment an above average lineup. Speaking of above average lineups, the top two pitchers in the rotation don't get much better than Pedro Martinez and Mark Prior. Nobody has it better than Park City. 3rd starter Carlos Zambrano would be an ace on many a team. Add a capable Brian Anderson to the mix, and you have the league's best rotation. All that and Mariano Rivera, one of the best closers in the game, and you've got the league's best pitching staff. OVERALL: Awesome pitching and great hitting will make Park City contenders for the pennant and beyond. 3rd - Arizona Thunder Team Records: Most Wins: 19 (Tom Glavine, 1992) Most Saves: 56 (Tom Henke, 1993) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.53 (Tom Glavine, 1991) Highest Average (regular): 0.378 (Mike Sweeney, 2002) Most Runs scored: 150 (Mark McGwire, 1999) Most RBI's: 177 (Mark McGwire, 1999) Most home runs: 76 (Mark McGwire, 1999) Most steals: 70 (Luis Polonia, 1993) The Thunder made the first blockbuster trade of the season, acquiring 1B Richie Sexson from the MooseDogs. With Sexon, 2B Bret Boone and OF Luis Gonzalez, the Thunder have 3 players who could knock it out of the park in any at bat. Juan Pierre is a throwback to the classic leadoff hitter, who hits for average, gets on base, and steals a ton. Livan Hernandez gets ace duties this year, and will be able to shoulder the burden. Brad Radke, Jeff Suppan and Al Leiter are veteran hurlers who know how to win. Closing up the 9th is Billy Wagner, who is simply unhitable. OVERALL: They've got some big bats and some decent pitching. If Seattle or Park City falter, Arizona could step in. 4th - Brookfield Brouhaha Team Records: Most Wins: 21 (Bobby J Jones, 1994) Most Saves: 30 (Billy Wagner, 1999) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.88 (Zane Smith, 1994) Highest Average (regular): 0.358 (Edgar Martinez, 1997) Most Runs scored: 128 (Edgar Martinez, 1996) Most RBI's: 127 (Edgar Martinez, 1997) Most home runs: 46 (Edgar Martinez, 2000) Most steals: 41 (Randy Winn, 2002) Edgar Martinez has been a cornerstone of Brookfield since the beginning, and is once again the cornerstone of the lineup, hitting for power and average. Richard Hidalgo has been up and down over the years, but it's an up year for 2003. Jacque Jones puts in another decent year in the outfield. Russ Ortiz, Miguel Batista, and Jae Weong Seo lead a rotation that can hold their own. Guillermo MOta, Joe Borowski and Francisco Cordero lead an above average bullpen. All in all, there are no real stinkers in the bunch. OVERALL: Brookfield has hitting. Brookfield has pitching. How they mesh will tell how far they go in the standings. 5th - San Francisco Piazza's Team Records: Most Wins: 17 (Mike Moore, 1991) Most Saves: 34 (Lee Smith, 1991) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.19 (Jose Guzman, 1991) Highest Average (regular): 0.355 (Ichiro Suzuki, 2001) Most Runs scored: 122 (Ichiro Suzuki, 2001) Most RBI's: 137 (Andre Dawson, 2001) Most home runs: 45 (Javy Lopez, 1998) Most steals: 66 (Otis Nixon, 1997) San Francisco is going to make a run using singles and smart base running this year. Ichiro Suzuki and Rafael Furcal are triple hitting speedsters who can hit for average. Hideki Matsui will have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs, as will OF Marquis Grissom. Last year's rookie star Eric Hinske has slumped a bit this year. One thing about the lineup: Nobody is in danger of hitting 30 homers, which could hurt in this home run happy era. The Piazza's have two ace pitchers at the top of the order in Kerry Wood and Jamie Moyer. They'll keep San Fran in the game during their stars. The starting pitching quality drops off pretty rapidly after that. Through part time closers Troy Percival, Jason Isringhausen and Rod Beck, The Piazza's should be able to assume a super-cyborg closer. Or just go with a re-emergine Wilson Alvarez. Either way. OVERALL: The hitting lineup could use some more power, and the pitching could use some more starters to follow Wood and Moyer. This might be a year they pause to see what happens. 6th - Sacramento Fish Team Records: Most Wins: 19 (Chris Bosio, 1991) Most Saves: 26 (Troy Percival, 1997) Lowest ERA (starter): 2.56 (Scott Sanderson, 1991) Highest Average (regular): 0.350 (Vladimir Guerrero, 2000) Most Runs scored: 138 (Vladimir Guerrero, 2000) Most RBI's: 147 (Vladimir Guerrero, 1999) Most home runs: 53 (Lance Berkman, 2002) Most steals: 62 (Marquis Grissom, 1994) A great deal of consistency in the hitting lineup this year. No 50 home run threats, but plenty of 20-30 homer power players. Lance Berkman and Vladimir Guerrero anchor the lineup, and will be joined for years to come by 3B Hank Blalock, who puts in a stellar sophomore season. Scott Spiezio, Brad Wilkerson and Adrian Beltre are also mentionables in the lineup. As good as the hitters could be, the pitching is going to be atrocious. Matt Morris is a legit ace pitcher, but the rest of the starters simply stink. There's a few decent relievers in the bullpen , and they're going to be used quite a bit. OVERALL: Some nice hitting, but the lack of starting pitching will hurt Sacramento's chances this year.