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The Feathered Serpents are the team to beat in the the NL West. Coolio4433 already has two world series titles in his trophy case and has tried to make enough improvements to the FS roster to make a run for a third.
Position Players
Coolio inherited a roster with a farily solid position infield: Brad Ramsay, Aaron Coles, Rob Koch, and Bud Terry. All of them are under 30 and none of them have atrocious contacts--something not all teams in GW2 can say. Unfortuantely the FS outfield isn't as talented, could hold the franchise back from making any real progress, so much so that management took a rule 5 flier on Mike Cedeno.
Pitching Staff
GM Coolio recognized that to make his team viable he needed to make some moves to improve his staff. The first step in the process was acquiring Juan Manzanillo from the Anteaters of Irvine, who were in sell mode before they even set their budget. The deal forced the Feathered Serpents to move their best assest, Adam Ducey, which they could regret down the road. However, combined with their $60 MM FA signing Sean Benson the Feather Serpents aren't looking ahead to the future, because the future is now. Mix in Ben Gose and Michael Kobayashi and you've got a pretty nice rotation going, maybe even a good playoff rotation considering the talent level in GW2.
In the System
Pat McGee might be one of the better prospects in the system since they've already moved Ducey, but there don't appear to be any players immediately ready to step up to the bigs. With the 24th pick in the draft, $16MM in prospect money, and $13MM in college and high school scouting--GM Coolio is hoping that he can add a few more players in season one.
Prediction: 92-70 NL South Champs
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Predicted to finish a close second to Mexico City is GM Scottie3234's Lugnuts. Wasting no time in changing the roster, the Lugnuts brought up three players from its minor league system, signed two free agents, and added two players via trade. It's hard to say whether the prospects have been rushed too soon into action or whether it'll be enough. Either way it'll be fun to watch.
Position Players
Dan Healy was brought over to be a threat at the top of the order in a trade with August for Octavio Cordero. The young arm might be a contributor down the road, but Louisville does need help in their lineup now which is why they also added Dan Healy with a four year $16MM deal. Those two join Lance Jenkins and Hal Price to form a decent top half of the order.
Pitching Staff
Bucky Kelly is the headline act of a staff that depends on its starting pitching and Gary Hawkins is the man coming out of the pen--the only man as there isn't much else for Sparky to go to back there. Tom Kraemer, Earl Lofton, Al Osuna, and Darby Butler round out the staff. It's a good mix of young and old, but the cupboards might be too bare in the bullpen to make it through the season.
In the System
Lucas Spence is the future star in waitng within the Lugnuts system. It'll be tough to hold back the young left fielder who is in his second year of pro ball.
Prediction: 88-74 NL Wildcard contender
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It's time for a youth movement in Wichita. Illinidrew avoided the free agent market and the trade market, and promoted from within. The Worgs brought up seven players from the minors and have parted ways with five veterans. It looks like with Mexico City and Louisville making moves that Wichita will have to wait a season or two before making an impact.
Position Players
Raul Flores is the big threat in the Worg lineup and Jose Gonzalez is a nice SS to have, but there isn't much to make opponents worry when seeing WIC on the schedule.
Pitching Staff
Michael Brennan is the ace of the staff, but Sparky will be going to the bullpen pretty quickly considering the talent of the other four projected starters. Luckily the bullpen is fairly decent. Denny Floyd, Zoltan Perez, and Rob Hayes make up a pretty competive trio of arms to turn to this season.
In the System
Alfredo Vega might just be a future fireman for the Worgs if they stay patient with the youngester. The second year pro hasn't officially been promoted to the LoA squad, but time will tell if the 20-year-old develops. Wichita has maxed their scouting budgets for the season, had the 14th and 56th picks in the draft, and has $18 MM to spend on prospects--time will tell how many quality players they can add.
Prediction: 70-92 3rd place in NL South
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Austin will be anything but a paradise in season one of GW2, and sl_72 hasn't done much to change that so far. The team has some pretty good prospects in the system who have a chance to develop faster than expected, and maybe a few potential all-stars.
Position Players
Chad Skinner looks like the best player on the Austin roster and the only question seems to be how long will he stay in Austin. Younger postion players Happy Thurman and Armando Tatis will probably still be with the team for the future, but this squad will definitely go through some growing pains.
Pitching Staff
The Paradise don't have their official staff quite figured out yet as only eight arms are currently on the roster, and fans might want to follow the advice of Theo Ransom and wear shades before watching the Austin staff take the field. There aren't many brightspots to focus on here, so lets move on to the minors.
In the System
Sam Ganzel is one to watch this season. The 22-year-old is in his fourth season of pro ball and is scheduled to start the season in High A. Ganzel has tremendous control, velocity, and two great out pitches. Lucky for Austin they get to add to their system with the 15th, 40th, and 57th picks in the draft. GM sl_72 has set aside $20 MM to spend on propsects for which they've invested $12 MM in their high school and college scouting, and $8 MM on international scouting.
Prediction: 50-112 NL Cellar Dweller
