Season 26 WAR Leaders
National League:
1. Branch Gardner RF, New Orleans - 6.9 WAR. Gardner is a solid RF who carries a lethal bat. He punished pitchers to the tune of .343/.437/.591. His split time with two teams almost fooled me into thinking he was further down on this list. Glad I noticed.
2. Kennie Henderson 3B, Philadelphia - 5.9 WAR. Kennie is a dominant third sacker, a full 35%+ better than the next best 3B. He adds more than a full win on defense. He adds a .272/.335/.530 slash line with 26 SB to boot.
3. Victor Guzman 3B, Baltimore - 5.8 WAR. What is it with 3B in S26? It's quite the bumper crop. Victor is basically neutral on defense, he doesn't hurt but he isn't better than average either. What he does bring is a .285/.341/.618 slash line. Lots and lots of power.
4. Asdrubal Tarasco 1B, Philadelphia, - 5.6 WAR. Tarasco is an above average defender at 1B who also happens to hit a little, as his .308/.369/.585 line demonstrates.
5. Luis Rijo C, Philadelphia - 5.4 WAR. Rijo is a solid backstop who provides value behind the plate as well as at the plate. He hit .299/.399/.529 in S26.
6. Ken Shoppach CF, San Jose - 5.3 WAR. Shoppach creates value on defense (16 + plays), with his legs (75 SB) and with a decent stick (.283/.362/.417). He's a true all-around player.
7. Steve Murphy C, San Jose - 5.3 WAR. It's interesting how Murphy can create so much value in only 96 games. That just goes to show how good catching is hard to find. He delivered solid results behind the plate in terms of throwing at runners and CERA. He hit .281/.356/.574. Great power for a good defensive C.
8.Ren Pong 2B, Salt Lake City - 5.0 WAR. Pong doesn't really add much on defense as he is slightly below average. His bat makes up for it, with a .328/.405/.491 line.
9. Eddie Patterson 1B, New Orleans - 4.9 WAR. Yes more smooth Jazz, as another of New Orleans S26 group makes the list. Eddie rocked to the tune of .314/.375/.612 and threw in above average defense to boot.
10. Orlando Cruz LF, New Orleans - 4.9 WAR. Let's make it a Jazz trio with Cruz rounding out the list. Cruz hit .299/.382/.493 with 26 SB and good D in LF.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
WAR -Season 26 Leaders
I've recently loaded all of the hitting and fielding stats for Hunter's position players from Season 26. I will posting a few items of interest from the spreadsheet, starting with Season 26's league leaders in WAR.
American League:
1. Felipe Sosa 3B, Richmond - 8.3 WAR. Sosa, who manned 3b for Richmond, was far and away the WAR leader for Hunter. He the only player above 8 WAR. With above average defense (4th in Hunter) and a .334/.428/.581 slash line, it's a wonder he did not win the MVP award
2.Tim Ryan DH, San Juan- 7.3 WAR. Ryan was a DH, so he did all his damage with his bat, and boy was it a lot. He had a .376/.467/.644 line and was the leader in wOBA at .454. The AL MVP was a force to be reckoned with, but with a 1+ WAR difference from WAR leader Sosa, you could argue he should have been the runner up.
3. Gary Morton 3B, Tacoma- 6.2 WAR. Gary is a fine all around player that created good defensive value at 3B (3rd best in Hunter) and put up a .275/.331/.549 slash line.
4. Carl Ford 3B,St. Louis - 6.1 WAR. Carl was a middling 3B in the field, but he was a sterling batsman, posting a .318/.384/.517 line. Third base is a very deep position in the AL, capturing 3 of the top 4 spots.
5. Art Ackley 2B, Charlotte - 6.0 WAR. Ackley delivered above average D (10th in Hunter overall) and a .301/.386/.536 slash line for the Smokies.
6. Bingo Thames LF/2B, Chicago - 5.9 WAR. Thames is an oddity in the sense that he played 60 games at 2B, where he had no business playing (he is LH). He created a good amount of negative defensive value, which offset his bat to an extent. When he played LF, he played well, but interestingly, LF must have been deep defensively, because he comes up short compared to other LF. But his bat more than made up for this, as he hit .354/.435/.507
7. Derrik Tucker 2B, Norfolk - 5.9 WAR. Tucker is a natural 2B and produced slightly above average defensive value, which helped give him a small boost. His hitting line of .330/.392/.576 is where he made his largest contribution.
8. John Yoshii CF, San Francisco - 5.8 WAR. No surprise that SF had one of their own in the Top 5. Yoshii produced a lot of value with his glove to go along with a .292/.361/.516 line. He had the single biggest boost from defense of anyone in the Top 10, posting a 50% higher defensive value than the next closest CF (Esteban Gomez of SLC).
9. Mickey Webster RF, Richmond - 5.7 WAR. Mickey, if we looked back, would surely be a perennial occupant of this list. Mickey does a lot of damage with the bat, posting a .300/.386/.552 in S26. Mickey is a brutal RF, costing his team a full win in the field (he ranked dead last among all RF in Hunter). He truly is a DH playing the field, evoking memories of Dave Kingman in the Wrigley OF.
10. Rondell Sadowski DH, Kansas City - 5.6 WAR. A second DH (or 3rd if you count Webster) to round out the top 10, Sadowski brutalizes pitching to the tune of .293/.390/.590.
American League:
1. Felipe Sosa 3B, Richmond - 8.3 WAR. Sosa, who manned 3b for Richmond, was far and away the WAR leader for Hunter. He the only player above 8 WAR. With above average defense (4th in Hunter) and a .334/.428/.581 slash line, it's a wonder he did not win the MVP award
2.Tim Ryan DH, San Juan- 7.3 WAR. Ryan was a DH, so he did all his damage with his bat, and boy was it a lot. He had a .376/.467/.644 line and was the leader in wOBA at .454. The AL MVP was a force to be reckoned with, but with a 1+ WAR difference from WAR leader Sosa, you could argue he should have been the runner up.
3. Gary Morton 3B, Tacoma- 6.2 WAR. Gary is a fine all around player that created good defensive value at 3B (3rd best in Hunter) and put up a .275/.331/.549 slash line.
4. Carl Ford 3B,St. Louis - 6.1 WAR. Carl was a middling 3B in the field, but he was a sterling batsman, posting a .318/.384/.517 line. Third base is a very deep position in the AL, capturing 3 of the top 4 spots.
5. Art Ackley 2B, Charlotte - 6.0 WAR. Ackley delivered above average D (10th in Hunter overall) and a .301/.386/.536 slash line for the Smokies.
6. Bingo Thames LF/2B, Chicago - 5.9 WAR. Thames is an oddity in the sense that he played 60 games at 2B, where he had no business playing (he is LH). He created a good amount of negative defensive value, which offset his bat to an extent. When he played LF, he played well, but interestingly, LF must have been deep defensively, because he comes up short compared to other LF. But his bat more than made up for this, as he hit .354/.435/.507
7. Derrik Tucker 2B, Norfolk - 5.9 WAR. Tucker is a natural 2B and produced slightly above average defensive value, which helped give him a small boost. His hitting line of .330/.392/.576 is where he made his largest contribution.
8. John Yoshii CF, San Francisco - 5.8 WAR. No surprise that SF had one of their own in the Top 5. Yoshii produced a lot of value with his glove to go along with a .292/.361/.516 line. He had the single biggest boost from defense of anyone in the Top 10, posting a 50% higher defensive value than the next closest CF (Esteban Gomez of SLC).
9. Mickey Webster RF, Richmond - 5.7 WAR. Mickey, if we looked back, would surely be a perennial occupant of this list. Mickey does a lot of damage with the bat, posting a .300/.386/.552 in S26. Mickey is a brutal RF, costing his team a full win in the field (he ranked dead last among all RF in Hunter). He truly is a DH playing the field, evoking memories of Dave Kingman in the Wrigley OF.
10. Rondell Sadowski DH, Kansas City - 5.6 WAR. A second DH (or 3rd if you count Webster) to round out the top 10, Sadowski brutalizes pitching to the tune of .293/.390/.590.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Hunter Power Ranks S26-End of Season
All I apologize for only 2 updates this season. Below are the rankings I had written out at the time of the playoffs starting. The startling thing is the lack of movement in the rankings from Game 12 to Game 162 (I think I'm starting to get the hang of this).
1. San Fransisco (Previous Rank: 1)
I have a feeling at some point I'm going to end up with "1.San Fransisco" burned into my screen because I've typed it so many times. Once again the Night Demons are the team to beat headed into the playoffs. They are looking for their 5th World Series Title and have inherited the longest active playoff streak in Hunter
2. St. Louis (Previous Rank: 2)
I've been commenting in the Power Ranks for the last 3 seasons that it was only a matter of time until my Louisville Sluggers ceded the AL South throne to the Browns and for good cause. Jceffai has been patiently building his team via draft and international FA since his arrival. Browns v. Night Demons would be a heavyweight show down
3. New Britian (Previous Rank:3)
At the beginning of the season Djbradford call me crazy when I ranked the Yorkies 3rd. It's now apparent he was trying to throw off the "Power Ranks" curse. The Yorkies are the #1 seed in the NL and the defending NL Champs. Based on roster composition just from development alone this team should be 5% better than last year's version
4. Pittsburgh (Previous Rank: NR)
For years Dizz has yelled at me for over-rating his team. For the first time in years I listed to him and look what happens. Pittsburgh sports the 2nd best record in the NL but has to go the "Hard way" or as we in Hunter know it the "KC Way". Luckily for Dizz he sports a deep team with an incredibly deep rotation. His is one of the playoff teams that could legitimately roll a 5-man rotation and not really lose anything
5. Kansas City (Previous Rank: 5)
In the first power ranks of the year I said that this might be KC's last hurray as a title contender given the age of the roster. Part way through the season it looked like the charge might not come. I WAS NOT FOOLED!!!!!!!!! I knew they were a sleeping giant, you can ask Bjb I traded trade chats where I said I was trying to make trades to weaken KC's current roster so I could slip into the #6 seed. Unfortunately for me Ptowner also believed in his team and was rewarded with a playoff spot
6. Salt Lake City (Previous rank: 6)
The #2 seed in the NL provides the huge advantage of the bye. Shmish has proven over the years that he can successfully navigate the gauntlet that is the post-season. It wouldn't surprise me to see SLC back in the World Series
7. New Orleans (Previous Rank: 4)
I believe this is one of the cases where the talent on the roster did not equal the win total. The race for the NL pennant will be more interesting than it has in years as I see any of SLC, NO, NB or Pitts giving the AL a run for it's money
8. Tacoma (Previous Rank: 7)
Tacoma wins their 3rd division title in 4 years and takes home the #3 seed and is rewarded with........KC in the first round. The Narrows are a strong team but have had an unlucky run of first round opponents. With KC & Louisville fading I see Tacoma moving to #3 in the AL power ranks next season.
9. Charlotte (Previous Rank: HM)
I commented to myself prior to the season that I was going to have to beat Charlotte out to get the AL #6 seed. As I figured KC had #5 locked up. It turns out I was incorrect Charlotte had the #5 seed locked up going away and is a good young roster. I expect to improve over the coming years and potentially push St. Louis for the AL South title
10. Philedephia (Previous Rank: NR)
The NL North was the most competitive divison in Hunter this season sending 3 teams to the playoffs. Hineiii managed to avoid the Power Rankings curse because of the lack of mid-season update. At the time of the post Philly has been eliminated by NO, but a great season none the less as I had thought Philly was too old.
Honorable Mention:
Louisville, Augusta & Cleveland
1. San Fransisco (Previous Rank: 1)
I have a feeling at some point I'm going to end up with "1.San Fransisco" burned into my screen because I've typed it so many times. Once again the Night Demons are the team to beat headed into the playoffs. They are looking for their 5th World Series Title and have inherited the longest active playoff streak in Hunter
2. St. Louis (Previous Rank: 2)
I've been commenting in the Power Ranks for the last 3 seasons that it was only a matter of time until my Louisville Sluggers ceded the AL South throne to the Browns and for good cause. Jceffai has been patiently building his team via draft and international FA since his arrival. Browns v. Night Demons would be a heavyweight show down
3. New Britian (Previous Rank:3)
At the beginning of the season Djbradford call me crazy when I ranked the Yorkies 3rd. It's now apparent he was trying to throw off the "Power Ranks" curse. The Yorkies are the #1 seed in the NL and the defending NL Champs. Based on roster composition just from development alone this team should be 5% better than last year's version
4. Pittsburgh (Previous Rank: NR)
For years Dizz has yelled at me for over-rating his team. For the first time in years I listed to him and look what happens. Pittsburgh sports the 2nd best record in the NL but has to go the "Hard way" or as we in Hunter know it the "KC Way". Luckily for Dizz he sports a deep team with an incredibly deep rotation. His is one of the playoff teams that could legitimately roll a 5-man rotation and not really lose anything
5. Kansas City (Previous Rank: 5)
In the first power ranks of the year I said that this might be KC's last hurray as a title contender given the age of the roster. Part way through the season it looked like the charge might not come. I WAS NOT FOOLED!!!!!!!!! I knew they were a sleeping giant, you can ask Bjb I traded trade chats where I said I was trying to make trades to weaken KC's current roster so I could slip into the #6 seed. Unfortunately for me Ptowner also believed in his team and was rewarded with a playoff spot
6. Salt Lake City (Previous rank: 6)
The #2 seed in the NL provides the huge advantage of the bye. Shmish has proven over the years that he can successfully navigate the gauntlet that is the post-season. It wouldn't surprise me to see SLC back in the World Series
7. New Orleans (Previous Rank: 4)
I believe this is one of the cases where the talent on the roster did not equal the win total. The race for the NL pennant will be more interesting than it has in years as I see any of SLC, NO, NB or Pitts giving the AL a run for it's money
8. Tacoma (Previous Rank: 7)
Tacoma wins their 3rd division title in 4 years and takes home the #3 seed and is rewarded with........KC in the first round. The Narrows are a strong team but have had an unlucky run of first round opponents. With KC & Louisville fading I see Tacoma moving to #3 in the AL power ranks next season.
9. Charlotte (Previous Rank: HM)
I commented to myself prior to the season that I was going to have to beat Charlotte out to get the AL #6 seed. As I figured KC had #5 locked up. It turns out I was incorrect Charlotte had the #5 seed locked up going away and is a good young roster. I expect to improve over the coming years and potentially push St. Louis for the AL South title
10. Philedephia (Previous Rank: NR)
The NL North was the most competitive divison in Hunter this season sending 3 teams to the playoffs. Hineiii managed to avoid the Power Rankings curse because of the lack of mid-season update. At the time of the post Philly has been eliminated by NO, but a great season none the less as I had thought Philly was too old.
Honorable Mention:
Louisville, Augusta & Cleveland
Sunday, March 10, 2013
S26- Power Ranks (6-10)
6. Salt Lake City
The S25 Champs are off to a great start at 10-2. Shmish has a long successful history in Hunter having made 8 straight playoffs from S12-S19 (including a title). After that run the Mormons went into a rebuild mode and rejoined the playoff picture in S23 and has made the playoffs 3 consecutive years including a 2nd WS title. SLC will make it 4 straight playoffs this season.
7. Louisville
Prior to the playoffs last season I commented in the final power ranks that the Sluggers were a team better suited for the playoffs (short bench & short rotation), it turned out to be prophetic as the Sluggers took home their 4th title. For the first time in Sluggers history I don't believe my team as currently constructed is capable of a championship, this is a transition years all of my vets are one year older with diminished skill and the young players aren't quite ready to come up.......Best case scenario the 6th seed in the AL with the chance for a round 1 upset
8. Tacoma
I made a comment last season that it was a shame Minnesota wasn't able to push Tacoma for the divison title which was somehow construed into Tacoma= awful. Well this season Minnesota will push Tacoma for the divison which must mean Tacoma = great :). All kidding aside New Orleans and Tacoma pulled off on of the biggest trades thus far this season a true strength for strength deal. Tacoma shipped All-Star Caliber Hitter to Cruz to NO for new #1SP Bryan Parrish. If asked I am sure Csher would have stated his #1 weakness was SP.........now that has been address.
9. Baltimore
After a few down seasons it looks like the Baydogs are ready to re-insert themselves into the playoff picture. The team is very similar to last year roster except the young talent is one year older, the one notable exception was the signing of V. Guzman. Guzman boasts and All-Star caliber (40+ HR bat) to anchor the middle of the order.
10. Norfolk
Norfolk returns the majority of the roster that won 89 games last season and won their first divison title since S13. The notatable changes in the off-season were the defection of aforementioned V. Guzman to Baltimore and the signing of D. Isringhausen to improve the middle of their rotation
Honorable Mention:
Durham, San Jose, Minnesota & Charlotte
The S25 Champs are off to a great start at 10-2. Shmish has a long successful history in Hunter having made 8 straight playoffs from S12-S19 (including a title). After that run the Mormons went into a rebuild mode and rejoined the playoff picture in S23 and has made the playoffs 3 consecutive years including a 2nd WS title. SLC will make it 4 straight playoffs this season.
7. Louisville
Prior to the playoffs last season I commented in the final power ranks that the Sluggers were a team better suited for the playoffs (short bench & short rotation), it turned out to be prophetic as the Sluggers took home their 4th title. For the first time in Sluggers history I don't believe my team as currently constructed is capable of a championship, this is a transition years all of my vets are one year older with diminished skill and the young players aren't quite ready to come up.......Best case scenario the 6th seed in the AL with the chance for a round 1 upset
8. Tacoma
I made a comment last season that it was a shame Minnesota wasn't able to push Tacoma for the divison title which was somehow construed into Tacoma= awful. Well this season Minnesota will push Tacoma for the divison which must mean Tacoma = great :). All kidding aside New Orleans and Tacoma pulled off on of the biggest trades thus far this season a true strength for strength deal. Tacoma shipped All-Star Caliber Hitter to Cruz to NO for new #1SP Bryan Parrish. If asked I am sure Csher would have stated his #1 weakness was SP.........now that has been address.
9. Baltimore
After a few down seasons it looks like the Baydogs are ready to re-insert themselves into the playoff picture. The team is very similar to last year roster except the young talent is one year older, the one notable exception was the signing of V. Guzman. Guzman boasts and All-Star caliber (40+ HR bat) to anchor the middle of the order.
10. Norfolk
Norfolk returns the majority of the roster that won 89 games last season and won their first divison title since S13. The notatable changes in the off-season were the defection of aforementioned V. Guzman to Baltimore and the signing of D. Isringhausen to improve the middle of their rotation
Honorable Mention:
Durham, San Jose, Minnesota & Charlotte
Monday, March 4, 2013
S26- Power Ranks (1-5)
1. San Fransisco
Another season and another Power Rankings with San Fransisco on top. During FA of S24 I marvelled at SF stealing Bo Gragg for a rock bottom price. Wondering aloud how a great franchise could get so lucky. Well I have to do the same thing again in S26. SF locked up the best FA SP Glenn Kerr for a below market contact. I estimate that Gragg & Kerr are worth about 30M in the open market & San Fran has them for 18M. An Elite team with an Elite farm system and Elite FA deals = #1 Power Ranks
2. St. Louis
I've been carefully watching the Browns given the division they reside in. For the last few years I've viewed the franchise as a sleeping giant waiting to awake. Well the alarm went off in S25 to the tune of a 108W (24W jump). The Browns are a young team and one year older and better. Don't expect the top 2 seeds in the AL to change this season
3. New Britain
Speaking of sleeping giants........Djbradford jumped to NL taking over a terrible franchise in S22. I had been waiting for the season when the Yorkies would rise again. I think Dj would be the first to admit that his World Series run was likely a season or 2 early, which is scary because his team is only going to get better. I expect that NB & the next team in the Power Ranks will be locking horns for the NL penant for the next 3-4 seasons.
4. New Orleans
Bigtex1 build to a contender was slow and methodical and the patience has paid off the last 2 season (99 & 97W). At this point the regular season success hasn't translated to the playoffs however I attribute that more to the randomness of a short series than the caliber of the team. New Orleans is a strong team with a balanced offense and pitching staff. If there was a flaw to the Jazz it would be the lack of a true cornerstone MVP caliber hitter.
5. Kansas City
I've made the analogy before but it does always seem adapt, the Charlie Brown of the AL faces an uphill battle having traded away B. Thames in the off-season and lost G. Kerr to divison rival SF. I have considered SF and KC over the past 3 seasons to be 1a & 1b in terms of talent for the first time in a few seasons there is a noticeable gap. Despite the gap KC is one of the 5-6 team that I see with a legitimate title shot. With a talented roster KC will have a date to the playoff dance
Another season and another Power Rankings with San Fransisco on top. During FA of S24 I marvelled at SF stealing Bo Gragg for a rock bottom price. Wondering aloud how a great franchise could get so lucky. Well I have to do the same thing again in S26. SF locked up the best FA SP Glenn Kerr for a below market contact. I estimate that Gragg & Kerr are worth about 30M in the open market & San Fran has them for 18M. An Elite team with an Elite farm system and Elite FA deals = #1 Power Ranks
2. St. Louis
I've been carefully watching the Browns given the division they reside in. For the last few years I've viewed the franchise as a sleeping giant waiting to awake. Well the alarm went off in S25 to the tune of a 108W (24W jump). The Browns are a young team and one year older and better. Don't expect the top 2 seeds in the AL to change this season
3. New Britain
Speaking of sleeping giants........Djbradford jumped to NL taking over a terrible franchise in S22. I had been waiting for the season when the Yorkies would rise again. I think Dj would be the first to admit that his World Series run was likely a season or 2 early, which is scary because his team is only going to get better. I expect that NB & the next team in the Power Ranks will be locking horns for the NL penant for the next 3-4 seasons.
4. New Orleans
Bigtex1 build to a contender was slow and methodical and the patience has paid off the last 2 season (99 & 97W). At this point the regular season success hasn't translated to the playoffs however I attribute that more to the randomness of a short series than the caliber of the team. New Orleans is a strong team with a balanced offense and pitching staff. If there was a flaw to the Jazz it would be the lack of a true cornerstone MVP caliber hitter.
5. Kansas City
I've made the analogy before but it does always seem adapt, the Charlie Brown of the AL faces an uphill battle having traded away B. Thames in the off-season and lost G. Kerr to divison rival SF. I have considered SF and KC over the past 3 seasons to be 1a & 1b in terms of talent for the first time in a few seasons there is a noticeable gap. Despite the gap KC is one of the 5-6 team that I see with a legitimate title shot. With a talented roster KC will have a date to the playoff dance
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