Power Ranks (S48) - Midseason (5-1)

As popularized in the TV show "The League" we are now down to the vinegar strokes...….


5. Louisville Sluggers (53-36) Last Rank: 7

The Sluggers are a balanced overall team currently sitting 3rd in runs and 6th in ERA, with the 2nd highest Exp. Win % in Hunter. Ownership has solved the bullpen woes that plagued it's team last season but early injures to the pitching staff has shown just how susceptible this team is to key pitching injuries. The battle for the Thunderdome and likely  first round bye could  come down to game 162.

4. Atlanta Cheesegrits (53-37) Last Rank: 5

I will admit I missed on the Cheesegrits….. I had put them 5th out of respect to for the defending champs but expected to be moving them back down to the 8-10 range in this update. The Champs are showing why they should not be doubted. Kevin Fujikawa has turned back to clock to support an already potent Cheesegrits offense. Plus Atlanta attendance has spiked even more than usual for a title defense due to the number of career milestones they have to celebrate for Fujikawa this year. Having already reached 3000 hits and 700HR  and 800 SB all in this season. Oh yeah.... their pitching staff is very good as well. The callback to a joke I made in the first power ranks...….insert Ric Flair WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! here.

3. Scottsdale Dawgs(55-35) Last Rank: 6

The Dawgs have flipped flop offensive spots with Monterrey this season, last season's number 2 offense currently sits at top the league by 20 plus runs. This balanced lineup currently boasts 5 of the NL's top 20 players in runs created. Phillip Goodwin may slow in the 2nd half of the season as unsubstantiated rumors have him flying to Iowa on his off days to rip Baerga's face off water towers and pull his picture from wallets. In all seriousness Goodwin is posting an MVP caliber year but looks likely to run into the human embodiment of actual Cornpicker

2. Vancouver Lumberjacks (54-36) Last Rank: 10

After I posted the first rankings I got a message from timf saying that I had undervalued his team. I responded saying "Agreed, but only if the manager doesn't go on a mid seasons sabbatical like last season". This season the management hasn't fallen asleep at the wheel and instead has kept the hammer down. The biggest challenge that the Lumberjacks are going to face this season is that they play in Thunderdome Jr and the Dawgs aren't going to sit, roll-over or play dead (Dad jokes I got them). I see from the world chat that I have sent a few people down the Carlos Baerga rabbit hole...…. now I only recommend this if you can handle it, dig into the Lumberjacks top player Hector Peters but be careful as your will walk away confused and questioning everything you know about HBD

1. San Francisco Night Demons (53-37) Last Rank: 2

The more things change the more things stay the same. Let me harken back to the year 2013....it was a simpler time: legends Nelson Mandela and Paul Walker were both still alive, Breaking Bad was still on TV and we were in the Iron Man 3 portion of the MCU (foreshadowing). This also happened to be the last year that power rankings were done.... below are quotes from the year end power ranks for S26 and S27 about the Night Demons (ranked 1 both times).

"I might as well write this in permanent marker another year another top spot"

"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."

Quotes by legendary & historic commissioner Jahu43

So much like Thanos at the end of End Game, I think Bjb sits behind his computer and states "I am inevitable", he's made the playoffs 46 of 47 seasons and has 8 titles. This years teams is once again high on talent and deep on pitching and leads the world in expected win %. 

The biggest question will be if anyone gets to be Iron Man and upset the mad Titan (I guess spoiler alert but it's literally the biggest movie of all-time and came out months ago...….if I ruined it, I'm sorry but only the kind of sorry where you feel you have to apologize). 

Power Ranks S48 - Midseason (10-6)

Once again time for feelings to get hurt and noses to get bent...….welcome to the top 10...….

10. Boston Minuteman (51-38) Last Rank: Honourable Mention

In the first Power Ranks I mentioned that Boston based on some off-season tweaks should make a push for the playoffs....and right now they sit with the 4th best record in the NL but cling to the final playoff spot with Iowa and Baltimore nipping at their heels. Led by Lou Lindor and a strong pitching staff Boston should battle for the playoffs and potentially the NL East.

9. Jacksonville Juicers (49-40) Last Rank: 3

The Juicers drop from 3 to 9, is very similar to Washington's drop from 1-11. Not necessarily an indictment on the team. More a reflection of how razor thing the margins are for the top teams in Hunter. As per usual the Juicers are lead by perennial MVP candidate Eruibel Belliard and an elite pitching staff. The Juicers are the favorite to win the NL south and would not be shocked to see them jump back into the top 3 before the season is over.

8. New York Yankees (58-31) Last Rank: 9

So if dropping Jacksonville and Washington wasn't controversial enough the Yankees check in at 8 despite the fact they have the best record in all of Hunter. The Yankees are a very good team hence is why they are 8th in what's a razor thing rankings. Looking at some of the underlying numbers the Yankees are currently 51pts above their expect win % and currently have a 16-9 record in 1run games. NY does have a very strong bullpen, which is normally a key factor in 1 run record. I expect the Yanks to win the AL East but fall back to the pack in terms of win total.

7. Montreal Rippers (50-39) Last Rank: 4

Expected win total as a tale of two cities while NYY have been outplaying their pythagorean number, Montreal has been dramatically underplaying theirs. Montreal is playing below by 50 pts and 11-18 in 1 run games, however their expected number which edges NYY .612 to .600.  It looked as though this might be the season that Montreal rose to be a dominant force but lack of support for the Rippers all world trio of Cooke, Wood and Griffin has left them short of expectations. Closer Tomas Delgado has reached Brad Lidge versus the Cardinals with Socks Bennett of the Louisville sluggers playing the role of Albert Pujols, 17 for 25 and a .5.01 ERA isn't going to cut it as a closer for a WS contender. Montreal has the talent to make a big run in the 2nd half but also has a couple question marks.

6. Monterrey (56-33) Last Rank: 8 

Current leader in the Thunderdome which if the season ended today would send 3 teams to the playoffs again and boasts the top 3 AL records. Monterrey's heavy investment in improved their pitching staff has not shown the dividends one would have expected at this point in the season, only resulting in a modest improvement from 4.42 ERA (S47) to 4.37 ERA (S48). That said the Monterrey pitchers talent wise are better than .05 improvement which should concern any AL team in the 2nd half as they should only get better. Monterrey offense continues to be among the leagues best, finishing first in runs last season and currently sits 2nd so far this year.

Power Ranks S48-Mid-Season Update- Honourable Mentions

So would just like to start with the reminder that the Power Ranks are  an indicator of who has the best chance at winning the World Series.

Before I get a series of messages why am I, number 9? I have more wins than number 6. If you want to see a listing of the teams in the order of wins click on World----Standings-----League Standings


Now is where I take a self-congratulatory lap, the original top 10 power rankings represented 9 of the top 10 records in Hunter so far and the team not in the top 10, is one win short. This is to say the top 10 stays pretty static in terms of the teams but the order does get shaken up.


Honourable Mentions: (In no particular order)

Washington General: Record 48-40, Last Rank (LR): 1

The King is dead. Long live the King. The original power rankings king has fallen. Mdukes has blamed the curse of the Power Rankings on his failures and there may be something to it as his pitching staff is cruising towards a teams ERA more than have a run higher than last year and it's most apparent in Jacob Kalish who sports a 4.01 ERA which for most pitchers would be fine but I suspect that ownership expects that ERA start with a 3 and then a low number next to it or perhaps even a two. While I say the honourable mentions are in no particular order Washington is the number 11 team I really struggled over spots 10 and 11 but ultimately Washington Exp Win % matched their wins so something is going on in DC.

Iowa Cornpickers: Record 47-41, LR: Honourable Mention

So I joked in the first power ranks that Cristobel Baerga face was going to plastered all over the Water Towers in the Iowa countryside. It turns out that might not have been enough...….it's likely Cornpicker fans carry pictures of him as if he was a son. Baerga leads Hunter in HR and OPS and the runner up in OPS isn't even close (1.200 OPS compared to runner up Phillip Goodwin 1.073). For perspective the gap between Baerga and Goodwin is the same as the gap between Goodwin and the 18th best player in Hunter. The Cornpickers will go as far as Baerga  carries them which will likely be the playoffs at least.


New Britian Yorkies: Record 47-41, LR: Honourable Mention

In my first set of Power Rankings I said I saw a roster that was going to miss the playoffs but because Djbradford is the Bill Belicheck of HBD he was going to make the playoffs and go on a run..... Here we are NB leads the NL north and looks set to continue their 24 season streak of playoff appearance. Dj's ears were likely burning Sunday afternoon as myself and timf discussed his uncanny ability to pull all the right strings to get wins out his franchise. We decided at the end of the conversation that he must have a cheat code it's the only rationale explanation.

Scraton Tailgaters: Record 47-41, LR: Not Ranked

I will admit to start the season I thought it was a forgone conclusion that Montreal was going to win the AL North but 88 games into the Tailgaters have lived up to their name and sit right on the bumper of the Rippers. Scraton has been riding a dominant bullpen headlined by likely All-Star Dan Tomilson and a magical career year from Max Leon. My concern for the underdog Tailgaters is the magic runs out in the 2nd half.

Boise Bombers: Record 45-43, LR: Honourable Mention

The Bomber started the season like they were shot out of a cannon racing out a 17-7 record but have scuffled along since with a particularly bad stretch of 7-21 ball which wiped away the Bombers good start. Young catcher Raymond Houston and veteran pitcher Hal Sheldon have been particular bright spots for the Bombers. Expect Boise to potentially push for the AL 6 seed.

Baltimore Baydogs: Record: 47-41, LR: Not Ranked

The Baydogs look poised to improve their record for the 3rd consecutive season and are one year ahead of schedule in terms of their eventual playoff push. The team's push has keyed off of pitching and defence especially Ace Hughie Kohn and closer Wladimir Cervelli both just entering their prime. To continue to grow the Baydogs will need to add some additional firepower to their lineup.

Power Rankings S48- Start of Season (5-1)

As the prophetic band Europe once espoused this is the "Final Countdown". We have reached the top 5 the cream of the crop and you will notice a heavy lean towards one league.

Sample: 

Team Name (Last Season Record)

Hitting (Subjective Ranking Current Season)- (Last Season Rank by Run)

Pitching (Subjective Ranking Current Season)- (Last Season Rank by ER)

Fielding (Last Season Rank Fielding Percentage)-(Net Fielding plays (+ plays less - plays)

5. Atlanta Cheese Grits (96-66)
Hitting (B+)- (7)
Pitching (A-)- (7)
Fielding (15) (+43)

When you look at the overall grades you may wonder why Atlanta cracks the top 5...….. well as Rick Flair once said to be the man you have to beat the man...… Woooooooooooooooooo!!!. The Cheese Grits are the defending champs and a solid overall team. It will be interesting to see if they suffer from the championship hangover of delivery the first title in 47 seasons to Atlanta. The Cheese Grits for the most part are looking to run it back but key pieces on the roster are a year older and Kevin Fujikawa has now reached the point in his career where he is good.... but the sands of time have zapped most of his greatness. Father time remains undefeated. Expect Atlanta to be back in the playoffs and challenging for the Thunderdome title  (AL South)


4. Montreal Rippers (107-55)
Hitting (A+)- (4)
Pitching (B+)- (4)
Fielding (11) (+63)

In season 47, Montreal ownership announced their presence on the title contention scene winning their 3rd division title but with a 18 win jump. Before losing to the eventual champions in the ALCS. Gatesfanelli has been one of the most active owners on the trade market since joining the league and has amassed an amazing collection of talent especially hitters. His core of Terrance Wood, Jonathan Griffin, Wendall Cooke is likely the best trio combination in Hunter, the three have combined for 5 MVPs, 17 All- Star games & 17 silver sluggers. I think the Rippers will continue to outhit the competition the jury is still out on whether they have the pitching to go all the way.

3. Jacksonville (97-65)
Hitting (A-) (9)
Pitching (A+) (6) 
Fielding (6) (+20)

They say that pitching and defense wins championships which is what drives Jacksonville to the position as the top NL team. Jacksonville's pitching staff in my estimation is the best in Hunter with Jim Morandi, Bret Gyorko, Ivan Posada and David Pineda all at ace level. That level of pitching depth should have delivered a title but the Juicers seem snake bitten in the playoffs. On top of elite pitching the Juicers do boast a fearsome lineup headlined by S45 NL MVP Erubiel Belliard and S42 MVP Albert Ibanez. Jacksonville's depth of pitching and hitting makes them the favourite to represent the NL this year

2. San Francisco Night Demons (106-56)
Hitting (A) (8)
Pitching (A-) (1)
Fielding (4) (+50)

The Night Demons are one of the most successful franchises in Hunter history with 8 World Series Titles and 46 trips to the playoffs in 47 seasons, they have made the playoffs every season since season 12 and expect that streak to continue. The Night Demons were upset last year by the Louisville Sluggers in the first round (SF now 7-6 in playoff matchups versus Lou), they return in S48 with a great roster top to bottom, pitching, fielding, hitting, minor league talent stream and management infrastructure.  San Fran is lead Yadina Molina, an ace in a long line of Night Demon aces, who has racked up 7 Cy Youngs with the skill to add more. Expect the road to the World Series to go through San Francisco.

1. Washington Generals (107-55)
Hitting (A) (5)
Pitching (A-)(3)
Fielding (3) (+41)

I was very happy when Mdukes returned to Hunter after a 21 season hiatus in S39, as world get better when you add strong owners...…I was also very wary about Washington's return to dominance. Mdukes sent 4 seasons rebuilding a broken franchise and has now made the playoffs 4 consecutive years with back to back 107+ win seasons. Similar to San Francisco there are no holes in Washington they are great in all facets of the game (Pitching, Hitting and Fielding).  As of today Mdukes is 4th in Hunter Championships with four (NB-11, SF-8, Lou-5), despite the aforementioned hiatus. I believe this is the season that the title returns to Washington for the first time since season 16.

Season 48- Power Rankings Start of Season (10-6)

New start getting down to the nitty gritty. Feelings will be hurt, people will feel shunned, heads will likely be shaken in disagreement with my assessment but that part of the fun.

Sample: 

Team Name (Last Season Record)

Hitting (Subjective Ranking Current Season)- (Last Season Rank by Run)

Pitching (Subjective Ranking Current Season)- (Last Season Rank by ER)

Fielding (Last Season Rank Fielding Percentage)-(Net Fielding plays (+ plays less - plays)

10. Vancouver Lumberjacks (88-74)
Hitting (A)- (8)
Pitching (A)- (14)
Fielding (26)- (+25)

Timf is on his 2nd tour of duty in Hunter and have been a very competitive owner in both runs (almost became the Buffalo Bills losing 4 straight World Series before winning the 5th in Season 22). Last season pulled a first round upset on Jacksonville who we will be seeing later in this list.... that's called foreshadowing. Vancouver lost Charley Pettyjohn in the off-season but has been active in the trade market adding two high caliber starters in Oscar Tomlin and Raphael Rodriguez. A disappearance mid-season last year hurt his overall record and pitching staff. If the manager pays attention for the full season this is a team likely to rise in the rankings

9. New York Yankees (99-63)
Hitting (A)- (15)
Pitching (B+)- (2)
Fielding (12)- (+14)

Last season the Yanks came within one win of the championship. The Yankees are a well rounded team whose pitching staff likely slightly overperformed last season and owner shucky must have thought so as well. As it's big off-season additions are two useful arms Albert Heisler and Torey Witt from the type B bargain bin. NY is likely a lock to return to the playoffs having won their division by 18 games last season. We will see if game 7 season 47 was the best opportunity for the Yankees to take home a championship

8. Monterrey (97-65)
Hitting (A)- (1)
Pitching (A)- (17)
Fielding (20) (-3)

Welcome to Thunderdome…..wait I'm being told this isn't Thunderdome it's the AL South...….Monterry is the defending AL South Champion but two other AL South teams progressed further last post-season and the title resides in Atlanta. The AL South lead all divisons in total wins and 358 wins (.552 Win percentage as a divison) and playoff teams (3). Last year the Heat knocked the cover off the ball and look poised to do so again. Their weakness was pitching which mjs22 has aggressively addressed this off-season with the additions of three elite pitchers in Jiovanni Guyer, Apollo Mitchell and Al Oviedo. I think it's safe to the say the AL South will rise again

7. Louisville Sluggers (90-62)
Hitting (A)- (3)
Pitching (A-) - (14)
Fielding (7)- (+42)

The Sluggers finished 3rd in the AL South but were able to upset the Night Demons round 1 before falling to the Rippers of Montreal. The Sluggers return all key members of their 3rd rank offence and add Enrico Amaro to bolster their pitching staff. The majority of the improvement for the S48 Sluggers was made during season 47 as jahu43 addressed a major team issue. No team in S47 underperformed relative to exp. win percentage more than the Sluggers (full 10 games under expectation). This was due to an abomination of a bullpen which was over hauled last season with the addition of Jason Blackmon, Yan Guzman and Angel May, which took a weakness to perhaps the best in Hunter. This writer (who also happens to be Jahu43), will be very interested in how the bullpen performs over the full season.

6. Scottsdale Dawgs (99-63)
Hitting (A)- (2)
Pitching (A-) - (12)
Fielding (14) (+14)

Last year's NL South winner looks poised to repeat however is likely going to face a stiffer challenge from Vancouver this season. The end of last season a sweep at the hands of the Yorkies likely left a our taste in Rocky's mouth. He returns a very balanced team lead by a fearsome lineup which included 5 players with more than 100 runs created last season. The Dawgs have only made minor tweaks to a winning formula signing Mike Roberts a solid reliever to help shore up their bullpen. I expect Scottsdale to have World Series intentions and challenge again to lead Hunter in runs scored.