2012 CFOD SEASON PREVIEW "Your Mileage May Vary!" Predicted Playoff Teams: Mechan Syndicate (Koufax division winner) Walcott Walruses (Mantle division winner) Paxtang Pitbulls (Ruth division winner) Rocklin Thunder (Young division winner) Angry Candy (MK conference wildcard) California Coneheads (RY conference wildcard) Arlington Arthropods (#1 league wildcard) Topeka MooseDogs (#2 league wildcard) World Series - Mechan Syndicate over Rocklin Thunder ********************************************************************************** Koufax Division Preview - ********************************************************************************** 1st - Mechan Syndicate (Last Year: 93-69, 1st place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Barry Bonds, 8304 All-time leader in innings pitched: Tim Wakefield, 1292 1/3 The Syndicate have been operating at an elite level for years, winning 3 pennants and 2 CFOD championships in 4 years. 2012 should be no different. Buster Posey will have a banner year at catcher, and David Wright, Aaron Hill, Alex Gordon, and Adam LaRoche will all have great years. That doesn't even count the injured Troy Tulowitzki, "3-true-outcomes" poster boy Adam Dunn and "will he ever be a superstar" Justin Upton. On pitching, David Price and Stephen Strasburg are staff aces anyone would love to have, and Ryan Dempster, Zach Greinke and Chad Billingsley could all be the #1 pitcher on many a CFOD team. The bullpen doesn't have name brand closers in it, but it is still decent, particularly considering the Syndicate won't be facing many close games in the 8th & 9th innings. 2nd - Angry Candy (Last Year: 90-72, 3rd place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Chipper Jones, 9032 All-time leader in innings pitched: Josh Beckett, 811 1/3 Perpetual contenders AC are contenders yet again in 2012. Pablo Sandoval and David Murphy lead a lineup of no-names that will play some "moneyball" this year, getting on base (and in Michael Bourn's case, swiping them) and manufacturing runs without relying on the long ball. Jordan Zimmerman is a legit staff ace, and veteran Tim Hudson and a few spare parts round out the rotation. Kris Medlin is comfortable in the rotation or the bullpen, and Rafael Soriano leads a strong and deep bullpen. 3rd - Arlington Arthropods (Last Year: 89-73, 4th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Gary Sheffield, 6275 All-time leader in innings pitched: Jason Schmidt, 1187 With rookie phenom Mike Trout, Prince Fielder, Matt Kemp, Elvis Andrus, Corey Hart, Ryan Zimmerman and Carlos Santana the Arthropods features one of the strongest hitting lineups in the majors. The bench is a bit weak, but it won't matter when their starters play most games. Ross Detwiler and Yovani Gallardo lead a rotation that will try to keep the score down and let the offense win games. Arlington has a lot of part time relievers who hope that the team is up by several runs by the time the 8th inning rolls around. 4th - Bakersfield RamJets (Last Year: 72-90, T-5th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Miguel Tejada, 7907 All-time leader in innings pitched: John Lackey, 1261 1/3 With the likes of Shane Victorino, Juan Pierre and Coco Crisp, the Ramjets are going to be a team built on speed. David Freese is healthy enough to have a strong year at the plate, and Torii Hunter provides a veteran presence in the outfield. Ike Davis should hit plenty of home runs, but at the cost of batting average. Last year's CFOD Cy young winner James Shields joins the rotation as the ace, but the rotation is a bit thin after that. What isn't thin is the bullpen. Craig Kimbrel and Tom Wilhelmsen lead a murderer's row of a reliever corps. 5th - San Francisco Organization (Last Year: 91-71, 2nd place, CFOD champs) All-time leader in plate appearances: Eric Young, 4780 All-time leader in innings pitched: Randy Johnson, 2189 The Organization reached the summit in 2011, capturing their first ever CFOD championship. So whatever happens in 2012 is just gravy. Nick Swisher, Yadier Molina, Adrian Gonzalez will provide some offense, as will Dexter Fowler and Chris Johnson. Johnny Cueto is the staff ace, and Chris Capuano and Edwin Jackson round out the rotation. Ernesto Frieri and Wilton Lopez lead a capable bullpen. 6th - Springfield 'Topes (Last Year: 72-90, T-5th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Bernie Williams, 6901 All-time leader in innings pitched: Mark Buehrle, 2365 What will Mr. Burns have up his sleeve this year? Edwin Encarnacion is a monster in the middle, bashing home runs like there's no tomorrow. Dustin Pedroia should have another good year near the top of the order, and Mike Morse is a quality outfielder. The hitting lineup gets a bit thin after that. Mark Buehrle's veteran presence anchors the rotation, and is joined by Scott Diamond, Clayton Richard and Kevin Millwood going for one last year. Ryan Cook leads a capable bullpen. They may be picked last, but they're not your typical last place team. ********************************************************************************** Koufax Division Preview - ********************************************************************************** 1st - Walcott Walruses (Last Year: 85-77, 3rd place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Jason Giambi, 4361 All-time leader in innings pitched: Roger Clemens, 1735 Off-season acquisition Ryan Braun joins up with Albert Pujols to lead one of the stronger offenses in the league. Veteran Derek Jeter is still good at the top of the order, and Shin Soo-Choo, Angel Pagan, and AJ Pierzynski add to the lineup. Justin Verlander anchors the rotation, and Yu Darvish and Wandy Rodriguez should win some games with the Walrus hitting lineup. Craig Stammen and Tyler Clippard lead a deep bullpen. The question isn't whether Walcott will win the division in 2012, but by how many games? 2nd - Minneapolis Malice (Last Year: 77-85, 5th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Jeff Bagwell, 8590 All-time leader in innings pitched: Mike Mussina, 2052 2/3 Joey Votto is going to be struggle with injuries this year, so that's bad. But Chase Headley has a breakout year and Alfonso Soriano is still good for 30 home runs, so that's good. But the hitting gets thin after that, so that's bad. But so does everyone else's hitting in the division, so that's good. The back half of the rotation is iffy, so that's bad. But Bartolo Colon and Paul Maholm are decent, so that's good. And Sergio Romo and Casey Janssen lead a capable bullpen, so that's good too. 3rd - Somerville Sluggers (Last Year: 87-75, 2nd place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Mark Grace, 6242 All-time leader in innings pitched: Roy Halladay, 2161 Perpetually underrated, a 3rd place prediction probably means Somerville's going to win it all in 2012. Josh Reddick and Mark Reynolds will do their best to do the "three true outcomes" at the plate, and Manny Machado will be a force to be reckoned with (in 2014), but the rest of the hitters will have to pull a "Brookfield Brouhaha" and be better as a whole than the sum of their parts. Jeremy Hellickson is the ace this year in place of a struggling Roy Halladay, and Ryan Vogelsong and Edinson Volquez round out the rotation. Grant Balfour leads an "OK" bullpen. 4th - Missouri Mudfish (Last Year: 78-84, 4th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Derek Jeter, 5795 All-time leader in innings pitched: Barry Zito, 1189 1/3 One can never count the Mudfish to be out, and they should be competitive in 2012. Matt Holliday, Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman all have some punch in their bats, and Alcides Escobar can swipe plenty of bases. Adam Wainwright is a #2 starter shoved into the ace role, while Max Scherzer, Jaime Garcia and Alex Cobb will try to flush out the rotation. Compared to a lot of team's bullpen's, the Mudfish may struggle to hold on to those 8th & 9th inning leads. 5th - Cincinnati Rock (Last Year: 74-88, 6th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Ryan Braun, 3396 All-time leader in innings pitched: Roy Oswalt, 2133 1/3 2011 wasn't much fun for the Rock, and 2012 may not be so much fun either. Miguel Montero provides plate discipline, and BJ Upton can be a 30/30 guy, but the lineup overall will struggle to get on base. Felix Hernandez was acquired in the off-season, and could be a team ace for many more years. Cincinnati fans will likely buy their tickets every 5th day, as the rest of the staff isn't much to write home about. 6th - Pig's Eye Pirates (Last Year: 97-65, 1st place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Shane Victorino, 3617 All-time leader in innings pitched: Brandon Webb, 1027 1/3 The Pirates posted the best record in the majors in 2011, but 2012 looks to be a rebuilding year. Jose Bautista is still good when healthy, as is Evan Longoria. Jose Altuve provides some walks and stolen bases at the top of the order, but overall the team will struggle to manufacture runs. David Robertson is a good reliever, but the rest of the pitching staff will have trouble keeping the score down. ********************************************************************************** Ruth Division Preview - ********************************************************************************** 1st - Paxtang Pitbulls (Last Year: 80-82, 3rd place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Alex Rodriguez, 8942 All-time leader in innings pitched: Jake Peavy, 1540 The Pitbulls are looking to put the hurt on the competition in 2012. Led by MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera, the lineup also features Andrew McCutchen, Allen Craig, Jose Reyes, Ben Zobrist, Matt Wieters, Jayson Werth and Bret Lawrie. Runs galore! On the pitching front, Gio Gonzalez should win plenty of games in the ace position, and Jake Peavy, Jarrod Parker and Anibal Sanchez fill out a formidable rotation. Greg Holland and Mitchell Boggs lead a deep and capable bullpen. 2nd - California Coneheads (Last Year: 85-77, 2nd place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Frank Thomas, 7116 All-time leader in innings pitched: Tim Hudson, 1394 1/3 Always in contention, the Coneheads look to do the same in 2012. Josh Hamilton and Billy Butler should bring the thunder & lightning to the lineup. Melky Cabrera is an excellent table setter (for when he isn't serving PED related suspensions), and Chipper Jones will wind up an excellent career at third. Chris Nelson and Ryan Doumit add to the lineup. The rotation features Cole Hamels, Kyle Lohse, Brandon McCarthy and Jason Hammel (although the back end of the rotation looks a little like a hospital ward!) Joe Nathan leads a capable bullpen. 3rd - Topeka MooseDogs (Last Year: 72-90, T-4th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Johnny Damon, 6514 All-time leader in innings pitched: Andy Pettitte, 1187 1/3 The MooseDogs talent level is a good team-coehsion-event away from capturing the pennant. Adrian Beltre and Carlos Anchor the middle of the lineup, and Austin Jackson will be a great table setter. Andre Ethier, Justin Morneau and Cody Ross will add to the offense. On the pitching side, Clayton Kershaw, AJ Burnett, Homey Bailey and Trevor Cahill form a strong rotation. Draftee Fernando Rodney should be a lights out closer, and the rest of the bullpen isn't bad either. 4th - Miami Mangos (Last Year: 68-94, 6th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Kirby Puckett, 3196 All-time leader in innings pitched: Hideo Nomo, 956 The Mangos are assembling some talent that will make them exciting to watch. Adam Jones and Wilin Rosario provide the punch, and Starlin Castro and Chris Denorfia provide the base running. Matt Harrison is the staff ace, but the rotation gets a bit thin after that. Jason Motte and Steve Cishek leads an unusually deep bullpen. 5th - San Diego Termites (Last Year: 720-90, T-4th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Jeff Kent, 5897 All-time leader in innings pitched: David Wells, 1569 1/3 The veteran Termites will try to prove that they've still got it in 2012. Paul Konerko remains a hitting presence, and Jason Kubel will bring the dingers. After Howard Kendrick, the offense gets a bit weak. Wade Miley anchors the rotation, and is joined by Bronson Arroyo and Shaun Marcum. Aroldis Chapman is an elite closer, and the rest of the bullpen can hold a lead in the 8th inning. 6th - Pismo Breach Drunken Clams (Last Year: 91-71, 1st place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Cal Ripken, 4312 All-time leader in innings pitched: David Cone, 1189 2/3 The 2011 Ruth division pennant will always fly for the Drunken Clams. Mike Napoli should hit some home runs, and Carlos Gomez, Alejandro De Aza, Cameron Maybin and Quintin Berry should swipe plenty of bases, but the offense will struggle to generate runs. Brandon Marrow, Doug Fister, Tom Milone and Lucas Harrell form a capable rotation. The bullpen is a bit of a patchwork. ********************************************************************************** Young Division Preview - ********************************************************************************** 1st - Rocklin Thunder (Last Year: 60-102, 6th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Carlos Beltran, 6409 All-time leader in innings pitched: Jered Weaver, 1168 The feast or famine Thunder were famine last year, and that was parlayed into #1 pick and next great rookie phenom Bryce Harper. Harper is surrounded by fellow sluggers Carlos Beltran and Jay Bruce in the outfield, plus the dynamic catching combo of AJ Ellis and Carlos Ruiz. Plus lots of part time veterans with punch like David Ortiz and Eric Chavez. As good as the hitting is, the pitching is even better. Jared Weaver, Chris Sale and Lance Lynn lead a deep and talented rotation, and Kenley Jansen leads a capable (if slightly thin) bullpen. 2nd - Tualatin Pioneers (Last Year: 69-93, 5th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Vladimir Guerrero, 7883 All-time leader in innings pitched: Wilson Alvarez, 1226 1/3 Year 3 of the Giancarlo Stanton era should see the Pioneers gain great strides in the standings. Despite being injury plagued, Stanton should continue to improve, and he'll be surrounded by the likes of Alex Rios, an improved Ian Desmond, a resurgent Kendrys Morales, and several other players good for 20 home runs. Madison Bumgarner is a legit ace, and Mat Latos, CJ Wilson and Josh Johnson are quality starters. Jonathan Papelbon and Jonathan Broxton leads a lights-out bullpen. 3rd - Seattle Moshers (Last Year: 88-74, 2nd place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Michael Young, 6522 All-time leader in innings pitched: Greg Maddux, 4121 1/3 The Moshers made their 2nd world series in 3 years in 2011, and should contend for a playoff spot in 2012. The lineup features sluggers such as Mark Trumbo, Hunter Pence, Mark Teixeira, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ryan Ludwick. The starting rotation can compete with anyone, with Matt Cain, CC Sabathia, Jonathon Niese and Matt Moore filling out the rotation. Darren O'Day and David Hernandez anchor a capable bullpen. 4th - Brookfield Brouhaha (Last Year: 95-67, 1st place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Edgar Martinez, 6856 All-time leader in innings pitched: Russ Ortiz, 1077 2/3 Never count out the Brouhaha - last year they had the best record in the RY conference. Acquisition Aramis Ramirez joins upstart Chris Davis to pack some punch in the middle. Tyler Colvin, Nick Markakis, Brandon Phillips and Martin Prado add to the potent lineup. RA Dickey is should have a monster year on the mound, and Hiroki Kuroda is a #1 starter in his own right. The rotation gets a bit thin after that. Once the 8th inning rolls around, Jim Johnson, Glen Perkins and the rest of the bullpen will seal the win. 5th - San Francisco Piazza's (Last Year: 76-86, 4th place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Ichiro Suzuki, 7458 All-time leader in innings pitched: Jamie Moyer, 1229 2/3 The Piazza's feature a punishing batting lineup, led by 2011 CFOD MVP runner up Curtis Granderson. Granderson is joined by the league's best 2B, Robinson Cano, Garrett Jones, Nelson Cruz and Joe Mauer. After rookie Will Middlebrooks, depth drops quickly. The pitching staff features capable hurlers like Aaron Harang, Barry Zito and Jason Vargas (if only there was a legit ace among them!). Relievers Rafael Betancourt and JJ Putz lead an above average bullpen 6th - Park City Climbers (Last Year: 83-79, 3rd place) All-time leader in plate appearances: Rusty Greer, 3913 All-time leader in innings pitched: Pedro Martinez, 2725 1/3 Park City has had a tendency to field competitive teams, and 2012 will be no different. Josh Willingham is joined in the outfield with rookie Yoenis Cespedes, and both should put up some nice stats. Pedro Alvarez is good for 30 home runs. The lineup features several other players capable of hitting 20 home runs, but also of hitting .240. Cliff Lee is the staff ace, and Kyle Kendrick and Jake Westbrook add to the rotation. Joel Hanrahan and Santiago Casilla lead a strong bullpen.