S49 Power Ranks Start of Season:

10. Montreal Rippers: Last Season (96-66) Last Rank: 2

As Ferris Bueller once said life comes at your fast...… Life has definitely came at the Rippers quickly. This is an extremely talented roster but has an unbelievable 14 players on their ML roster that are 33 or older. The plus side for the Rippers is these are still talented players but the Rippers farm is bare and they are up against the cap. Unless the GM can get very creative this might be the Rippers last ride. 

9. Iowa Cornhuskers: Last Season (88-74) Last Rank: Honourable Mention (HM)

The Cornhuskers crack the top 10 for the first time. Last season they rode the HM train start to finish but manage to jump Atlanta and Montreal's aging teams. Once again this team will go as Cristobel Baerga goes who unbelievably didn't win the MVP last season with a 1.126 OPS. The NL MVP race last season was historic. Following two first round exits Iowa looks poised to make a deeper run

8. Jacksonville Juicers: Last Season (97-66) Last Rank: 5

The Juices won their division for the 8th straight time last year and advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs. This team still boosts one of the top rotations in Hunter however while not as dramatic as Montreal who has installed oxygen tanks on the bench this season, the Juicers average age is drifting up north of 30. This Juicers team every time I look at it I'm shocked they haven't won the championship. The window isn't closed yet but father time is undefeated. 

7. Louisville Sluggers: Last Season (94-68) Last Rank: 7

Expect more of the same from Louisville this season, returning almost an identical roster. The next wave of Sluggers won't be arriving until end of season call-ups. With half the roster under 30, any progression this season will have to come from within.

6. Monterrey Heat: Last Season (105-57) Last Rank: 6

The Heat finished last season with the best record in Hunter but for the 2nd straight season did not manage to win a playoff round. The Heat's roster from last season returns mostly in tact however they did lose Jionvanni Guyer to Scranton, while he was probably the top FA pitcher he did not manage to crack the Heat playoff rotation. For the first season since joining Hunter Mjs22 has had a quiet off-season. It likely he's confident in a team that managed to win 105 games last season

5.Vancouver Lumberjacks: Last Season (97-65) Last Rank: 4

Vancouver's lineup in absolutely loaded and Duster Lester pickedup a Co-MVP but perhaps the Lumberjacks best player wasn't even nominated.....Hector Peters hit 60 HR and had 140 RBIs while playing 2nd best and could not find his way on to the ballot. If Peters comes into the season with a chip on his shoulder the NL should be very worried. 

4. Scottsdale Dawgs: Last Season (101-61) Last Rank: 3

The Dawgs made a nice run to the NLCS last season before eventually falling in 6 to the eventual champions NY. The Dawgs look to build on that success from last season and is the same for most of the top teams they return virtually the same roster. I joked last season that Phillip Goodwin spent his off days flying to Iowa to rip Cristol Baegara posters off water towers. It turns out this was an effective strategy because at the tender age of 25 Goodwin picked up his first MVP

3. New York Yankees: Last Season (101-61) Last Rank: 10

It's a good thing I'm hungry because it's time to eat crow. This is what I wrote just before the playoffs started

"Sooo you know it's going to get spicy when a 100W team is the 10th spot...… I predicted that New York would fade in the 2nd half but they didn't. Just when I look at the roster I see a deep roster that is very good but doesn't make the "jump" when the roster gets trimmed down. " 

Well it's clear I don't know anything as the Yanks went on to the World series. Hat tip Shucky. I won't make the same mistake this season. Welcome to the top 3 :)

2. Washington DC Generals: Last Season (95-67) Last Rank: 9

The Generals in the Power Ranks have been a lot like the elevator industry..... it has it's ups and downs. Last season the Generals started as the 1 team and then stumbled out of the gate only to rebound and make a run to the ALCS. So the talent I saw on the roster came to play once weight of lofty Power Rank expectations were removed. Let's see if they are better able to handle the pressure this season. 

1. San Francisco Night Demons: Last Seaon (100-62) Last Rank; 1

Despite losing the 7th game of the World Series I still have to give SF the top spot. The Night Demons rotation is truly frightening. This rotation will continue to anchor the team for the next 3-4 season. The light at the end of the tunnel is Yadeil Molina and his 7 Cy Youngs has turned 36....the downside is he has a makeup of 89 and hasn't started to fade yet.

Beginning of Season 49: Honourable Mention

Sorry for the delay in getting these up have been traveling the last two weeks. Without further ado

Honourable Mentions:

New Britain Yorkies: Last Season (79-83) Last Rank: Honourable Mention (HM)

Believe in the infrastructure Dj has been able to reload and retool on the fly and has been a model of success every since moving his team to the NL in season S22 and hasn't missed the playoff since season 25.  He also picked up 3 WS titles before jumping to the NL. Having reviewed this years roster it appears the Yorkies last season was there bottom and they are about to begin what will likely be a long cycle up.

Altanta Cheesgrits: Last Season (91-71) Last Rank: 8

Early in the off-season Atlanta announced that they were open to trading their veteran players however in an uncharacteristic pre-season the trade market stayed relative quiet. Atlanta comes into the season with a strong team full of grizzled but still good veterans who are currently looking to make once last run together after their S47 championship. This remains a dangerous team that will be hunting for a playoff spot.

Boston Minutemen: Last Season (81-81) Last Rank: Not Ranked (NR)

The Minutemen have been lurking around the fringes of the NL playoff race for the last 2-3 seasons I suspect this will be the season they jump into full blown contention. They are off to a great start in S49 and their lineupe is lead by perennial All-Star Lou Lindor and Dean Zeid. Most importantly they will have a full season of future ace Tito Donald.

Scranton Tailgaters: Last Season (85-77) Last Rank: HM

Last season the Tailgators kept all AL playoff teams on their toes until the final week of the season. While it has been a quiet off season for most of Hunter. The Tailgators have been sneakily shopping in the free agency bargain bin. In all the Tailgators signed 3 type A FA and 3 type B FA, included in this haul was in my opinion the best FA available Jioyer Guyer who along with Benji Thornton bolsters the rotation. The remaining for signings were all good stick flexible defenders. I don't rank the Honourable Mentions but Scranton was my number 11 and I fully expect them to battle the Rippers for the AL North title.

Power Ranks- Top 10 End of season

This is being done following game 159...…. the only mystery left in the season is whether Montreal or Washington will finish 3rd in the AL and who will grab the 5-seed in the AL, Atlanta or Lousiville. 

This is not intended to shoot sunshine up anyone's ass but it would not surprise me if any of the top 10 took home the title this year. It's been a long time since I felt the playoff field was this deep. When I did these rankings I had a team drop 5 spots when looking into underlying stats...…. and another jump 3..... It's going to be a very tight playoff. 

10. New York Yankees: 100-59, Last Rank: 8, First Rank 9

Sooo you know it's going to get spicy when a 100W team is the 10th spot...… I predicted that New York would fade in the 2nd half but they didn't. Just when I look at the roster I see a deep roster that is very good but doesn't make the "jump" when the roster gets trimmed down. 

This is a good time to point out that this is shucky's 7th divison title in 8 seasons since joining Hunter

9. Washington Generals:  93-66, Last Rank: HM, First Rank 1

Well the Generals have been the most interesting Power Ranking team...… they re-enter the top 10 as they cruise to their 4th straight division crown and with a 22 game division lead. With three games left they will end the season with the 3rd to 6th best AL record which highlights the parity in the AL

8. Altanta Cheese Grits: 90-69, Last Rank: 4, First Rank: 5

The defending champs faded a bit in the 2nd half but still posses a roster that will DEFEND their title. No one will be happy when they see the Cheese Grits on their schedule. Also I mentioned 2 NL divisons that may have all 4 teams finish .500 or above. Which would make most think those were the top 2 divisions in Hunter...… I've been making Thunderdome jokes all year and the AL South leads all other divisions by a cumulative 20 wins and is sending 3 teams to the playoffs for the 3nd straight year.  If your in the AL better win your division. 

7. Louisville Sluggers: 92-67, Last Rank: 5, First Rank: 7

This is a roster built more for the playoffs than the regular season. The delta between pitchers to who in the regular season but disappear for the playoffs may not be larger. 

6. Monterray Heat: 104-55, Last Rank: 6, First Rank: 8

Mjs22 entered Hunter by kicking down the door to the playoffs and Thunderdome. This season marks the 3rd straight playoffs and 2nd straight division title. At this point in the standing you need to pick nits. While the pitching is improved I still see a team that's better suited for the regular season than the playoffs but I could also be very wrong. 

5. Jacksonville Juicers: 92-67   Last Rank: 9, First Rank: 3

Had a strong second half and lead the NL in expected win %. The Juicers pitching staff is likely the top staff in all of Hunter. Will be a formidable playoff opponent to face. 

4. Vancouver Lumberjacks:95-64    Last Rank: 3, First Rank: 10

Ownership stayed engaged all season. Hector Peters the Hunter man of mystery ends the season with 60 HR and 140 RBIs which may not be enough for the NL MVP buy losing the division the Lumberjacks have to chop a lot more wood to win the series

3. Scottsdale Dawgs: 100-58  Last Rank: 2, First Rank: 6

Philip Goodin decided he was sick of Cristobel Baerga mug and put together a historic 2nd half. The Dawgs held off the Lumberjacks to win their 2nd straight NL West title. Scottsdale enters the playoff as the favorite from the NL

2. Montreal Rippers: 95-64 Last Rank: 7, First Rank: 4

For a large portion of the 2nd half the AL MVP was dominated by Rippers with their holy trinity. Jonathan Griffin is looking to add his 2nd World Series ring to his overstuffed trophy case. The Rippers path likely includes a stop the next town.

1. San Francisco: 99- 60 Last Rank: 1, First Rank: 2

So permeant marker it is...…… will anyone stop the mad titan or is he truly inevitable  

S48- Season End Honourable Mentions

So gents I promised 3 sets and I will deliver but this one is going to be abbreviated. It's my wife's birthday weekend, my son has hockey 4x (insert Canada joke) and I have my end of year beer league ball tourney.... so below please see honourable mentions


Before I get into the Honourable mentions I do want to deliver praise to two of the most competitive divisions in Hunter. With 3 games left there is a chance that the worst record in the NL South and NL East is 81-81. Good seasons to Boston, Baltimore, Memphis and New Orleans who all just missed making the sections below. They represent the Honourable Honourable Mentions

New Britain, Record: 79-80. Current Rank: HM Last Rank: HM   (Honourable Mention), First Rank: HM

So I stated in my first power rankings talent wise I didn't see a playoff team but put New Britian in Honourable mentions because he had made the playoffs every year since S25.... Well that streak will continue. For those that think this might be the demise of New Britian sorry but his next Tsunami of titles is about to hit land. His AAA, AA and Hi A minors have a combined win percentage of .715 which is equivalent to 115W season in the majors.

St. Louis Pounders: 81-76. Current Rank: HM, Last Rank: NR (Not Rated), First Rank: NR

The Pounders with 3 games left look to improve upon last year's win total of 81 wins. Ktryan has stepped in admirably and guided a ship that had hit an ice berg to a 1-3 win improvement.

Iowa Cornpickers:  88-71 Current Rank: HM, Last Rank: HM, First Rank: HM

I always say Honourable Mention thank they are in no particular order, but Iowa came in at number 11. Cristobel Baerga had an amazing season and his chiselled chin is the pride of Iowa water towers but the NL has perhaps one of the most hotly contested MVP races of all time. To the point there will be one MVP and 3 player cards that will be very confusing to future owners on how they didn't win MVP.

I do want to give a hat tip to Tbook for his 3 playoff appearance in the last 4 season and a kudos for returning to Hunter as he was one of the world's charter owners

Scranton Tailgaters 84-75 Current Rank: HM, Last Rank: HM, First Rank: NR

If you are an AL playoff team you will find the gritty Tailgaters wildly annoying...… they lingered in the playoff picture to game 155...… which means limited rest for the playoff teams headed into the playoffs. A kudos to Aaronwayne for a minimum of a 22W improvement and while it's small consolation the best record for a non-playoff team

Boise Bombers 80-79 Current Rank: HM, Last Rank: HM, First Rank: HM

I fully expected the Bombers to be playing for the AL 6th seed this season at they had average approx. 90W for the 5 seasons prior to last year.... Then they started like a rocket only to fade. I struggle to figure out if this is a 2 year aberration or a decline prior to the rebirth of a model franchise..... Selfish note...… glad they aren't in the playoffs because they are Kryptonite to my team

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).