Power Ranks: Mid-Season (1-5)

1. Kansas City: Previous Rank (1)

The #1 team in the pre-season is still the #1 team at the 2/3 mark. Kansas City has the best record in Hunter and sits 3 games clear of San Fran in the AL West. The Comets have been streaking all-season having scored 50 more runs than their closest competition.  It would be one thing of they were all hit but no pitch but they also own the 7th best world ERA.

I glad Pt stuck around because he is a great owner....... although it certainly hurt Louisvilles chance's at a title defense

2. San Fransisco: Previous Rank (2)

The Night Demons are probably facing the most serious threat to their division title since S12. That said they are still the 2nd best team in Hunter. I am very glad I'm not a member of the AL West.

Bjb's boys boast the world's best ERA and the 3rd best offense and 3rd best defense....... yeah they are good at EVERYTHING.  The only solace the rest of the AL can take is given KC and SF dominance with the way the seeding works they will play prior to the ALCS.

3. Louisville: Previous Rank (3)

Well thus far, things have been pretty consistent. I am happy with the title defense that my team has put together, barring a collaspse the Sluggers should claim the #2 seed and avoid SF and KC until the ALCS.

The Sluggers are living up to their moniker with the 2nd most runs, 2nd best defense & 4th best team ERA..........it's a little disheartening to have that level of success and have to look in the mirror and say "You only deserve a bronze"

4. Salt Lake City: Previous Rank (4)

Trust me, a shake up is coming soon, I do eventually change the order. I don't want you to think because I was under the gun time-wise I just reposted the same power ranks :)

Salt Lake City last year's NL World Series Rep is once again the class of the NL. 67 Wins puts the Mormans 3 wins clear of the 2nd best NL team and gives them the 4th best record in Hunter. I joked in the first power ranks that last season was Step #1 in their rebuilding plan and they made the World Series. I'm still worried about Step #2

5. New Orleans: Previous Rank (7)

At the start of the season I stated I thought New Orleans had the best rotation outside of SF, KC & Lou. I still believe that statement and the numbers come close to bearing it out (NO is 6th in ERA). I also like the moxie of BigTex. He put me on notice before the first Power Ranks not to overlook his roster.

I thought I was giving NO a strong ranking given the 12 year playoff drought, obviously I needed to be more aggressive with my ranking

Power Ranks (6-10)

6.  Tacoma 

It was S23 before Tacoma/Chicago made the franchise's first playoff appearance and it will likely be a few seasons before they are out of the playoffs again. Csher has slowly built a contender in the Pacific North-West. 

The line-up is anchored by MVP caliber bat Alex DeLeon acquired from New Orleans. The rotation while it lacks a true ace runs 5 deep with above average arms (Sojo, Martin, Kinney, Simpson and Hardtke)

7. New Orleans

Since joining Hunter bigtex has been slowly improving his team season by season. It looks like S24 that the Jazz make the jump to NL Pennant contender.

Top to bottom New Orlean's rotation may be the best in the NL and not that far off the top AL counterparts (SF, KC & Lou). To give perspective on the talent and depth of rotation Luis Vizcanio is the 5th starter and sports an ERA of 4.00 in 600 ML IP. To give perspective the average NL era last season was 4.36.

I would be shocked if New Orleans didn't end the franchise 14 season playoff drought this year

8. Augusta

It's apparent that Cincybang had no issue taking over where jsturggis left off, the Nationals are off to a 10-3 start as they look to defend their division NL East Title.

The strength of the Nationals lies in their rotation specifically their top 3 (Mesa, Clark & Bulter)\

9. Atlanta

For pfontaine over the last few seasons these Power Rankings must feel like the movie Groundhog Day. Check everytime only to see Atlanta in the honourable mention category. To be fair I always underestimate the management of the owner in this case.

Every year on paper Atlanta looks like a .500 team, however every single season, there is a point where Louisville is looking up at Atltanta in the standings. The team is 2 year removed from a ALCS appearance and this organization has won 86+  since S14 and only has 1 losing season dating all the way back to S10.

It's shrewd off-season signings like Derrin Blake to a cap freight 4M deal that keeps their division rivals on their toes.

10. Minnesota

Stazrunner has been a model of consistancy since joining Hunter winning 88, 89 & 88 games respectively over the last 3 seasons. Last year the Twinkees lost a tight divison battle to Tacoma but won't give up the divison without a fight.

The Minny lineup is built around 3-MVP Ty Langston and Max Money Man-Estaban Fernadez. Last year they combined like Volrton to post 97HR 150 RBI .302 AVG .945 OPS

Honourable Mentions:
Jacksonville, Washington, Boise & Baltimore

Power Ranks Start of Season (1-5)

1. Kansas City

The Comets would like to erase last year's ALCS from their memory, they were 1 out away from a trip to the World Series when the Sluggers pulled off an unprobable Game 6 (5 runs) and Game 7 (2 run) 9th inning comebacks. The loss in the ALCS aside Kansas City deserves the rise to number 1. They return the majority of the team that knocked off SF in the 2nd round of the playoffs and added D. Manto a potential 40HR guy cheap at 2M year.

I think this might finally be the year where KC knocks SF off for the division.

2. San Fransico

The Night Demon missed the ALCS for the first time since S20. The perinnennial World Series Contenders face one of the toughest roads to the World Series for years to come. With the Comets rises to the top of the tower ranks and Boise's steady improvement the AL West may be the toughest division in Hunter.

All of the above said the San Fransico Night Demons keep getting better. In the off-season SF added the best FA pitcher Bo Gragg at a rock bottom price of 6M a year. As several joked in the World Chat it was nice to finally see Bjb catch a break :). Unfortunately for the rest of Hunter the SF farm is just as good as the parent club.

3. Louisville

Normally I like to provide a professional courtesty to the defending champ by ranking them #1 in the following season's luckily I don't have to worry about stepping on my own toes. Going into the playoffs last season I viewed my team as the 3rd best team in Hunter with a pitching staff capable of winning any series it turned out that assestment wsa correct.

A familiar group is back for the title defense Bo Gragg is the only player who didn't return that pitched more than 50 innings or had more than 150 at-bats. If I was asked to assess my team I would use the same assesment as last year.....3rd best team in the league with a pitching staff that could beat anyone

4. Salt Lake City

The Mormons as are storied francise in Hunter with 10 playoff appearances, 4 World Series Appearances & 1 World Series title before they fell on hard times S20-S22. However, if last year was any indication SLC is back.  The Mormons were relatively quiet in FA, deciding to build from within. If S23 was Step 1........ 22 win improvement and a trip to the WS, the entire AL should be scared about Step 2.

5. Phildelphia

Sorry, Hineiii I am putting the stink of the power ranks on your team early this season. The Phillies boast the highest payrooll in Hunter. Over the last 2 years it's apparent that Philly has spent well as they have posted 100W & 99W seasons over the last 2 years.

With Little Rock falling back to the pack it's time for a new "Big Dog" to step up in the NL.

MTO Dawiseguy

Dawiseguy joined Hunter in S23 as a replacement for Iain

Age: 26 (COMMISH EDIT: Might be the youngest member of Hunter, I know we have a few in the 28-30 year old group)

Job:  professional wrestler professional gambler (COMMISH EDIT: Well if he's not the youngest, he hands down has the most interesting job in Hunter)

Location:  fresno california

Favorite moment: just learning the game. havent really had a favorite moment yet. but hopefully this will be my first playoff team. even though i took it over. i have a wost moment though. picking top 3 in one league with 18 million in college and hs scouting budgets. I didnt see 7 of the top 10 projected picks.

Favorite sports teams: 49ers and giants.

Power Ranks- End of Season (1-10)

1. San Fransico (117-45), Previous Ranks (1, 2)

2. Kansas City  (105-57), Previous Rank (2, 3)

3. Little Rock (88-74), Previous Rank (3, 1)

4. Louisville (99-63), Previous Rank (5, 10)

5. Philly (99-63), Previous Rank (6, 6)

6. Salt Lake City (96-66), Previous Rank (4, 4)

7. Tacoma (91-71), Previous Rank (10, NR)

8. Boston (95-67), Previous Rank (7, NR)

9. Jacksonville (91-71),  Previous Rank (8, NR)

10. Minnesota (89-73), Previous Rank  (NR, 5)

Honorable Mentions: Washington, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh