Season 14 Preview - American League

Lars the Greek - Cobb Times Herald

American League

Overview: The American League has been dominated by the Cleveland Steamers for the past four seasons, as the controversial franchise has been to four straight World Series, winning in season 12, but failing in all three tries against the mighty Omaha Sluggers. Battling for the right to lose to Cleveland in the playoffs has become much more competitive lately, outside of the easily predictable AL North, with several playoff newcomers last season. This year looks to be the same, as the Steamers will again in all probability take the AL East, the #2 seed will likely go again to Pawtucket, and the rest of the race will be a crap shoot.

Projected Cy Young: Dean Hernandez - Pawtucket G-Maniacs
Projected MVP: Lyle Crudale - Cleveland Steamers
Projected Fireman of the Year: Jared Jacobsen - Anaheim Sharks
Projected Rookie of the Year: Matty Palmer - Boston Loggers

Top Five Rotations in the American League
1. Toronto Blue Jays
2. Pawtucket G-Maniacs
3. Cleveland Steamers
4. Florida Almendares
5. Tacoma Jerry Gang

Top Five Lineups in the American League
1. Cleveland Steamers
2. Anaheim Sharks
3. Louisville Dogs
4. Vancouver Grizzlies
5. Pawtucket G-Maniacs

Top Three Offseason Free Agent Signings
1. Corey Green - Louisville Dogs
2. Vernon Jones - Louisville Dogs
3. Kip Zeile - Arizona Tigers

Four Teams on the Rise:
1. Tacoma Jerry Gang
2. Vancouver Grizzlies
3. Chicago Sabercats
4. Nashville Rebel Riders

Three Teams on the Decline
1. Anaheim Sharks
2. Dover Dingos
3. Pittsburgh SSP

Five prospects who could make a difference if called up this season
1. Patrick Ramirez - Boston Loggers
2. Hugh Clark - Tacoma Jerry Gang
3. King Gonzalez - Pawtucket G-Maniacs
4. Thurman Tresh - Kansas City Express
5. Roosevelt Fox - Kansas City Express

Projected finishes, by division:

AL North
Pawtucket G-Maniacs - 96-66
Toronto Blue Jays - 85-77
Chicago Sabercats - 82-80
Seattle Pilots - 64-98

AL East
Cleveland Steamers - 97-65
Dover Dingos - 82-80
Pittsburgh SSP - 72-90
Boston Loggers - 68-94

AL South
Louisville Dogs - 91-71
Nashville Rebel Riders - 90-72
Florida Almendares - 87-75
Kansas City Express - 61-101

AL West
Tacoma Jerry Gang - 96-66
Vancouver Grizzlies - 94-68
Anaheim Sharks - 89-73
Arizona Tigers - 71-91