Season 15 Preview - American League

Lars the Greek - Cobb Times Herald

American League

Overview: The American League has been the playground of the Cleveland Steamers for the past five seasons, as the Steamers squad has made the World Series every time during that span and won two championships, including season 14.  But if there is a weakness in the Cleveland Armor, it is their regular season play, as they have only once been the #1 seed during their run of postseason dominance.  With several teams bringing on some major talent through trades and free agency, and the continued maturation of the tough young AL West squads, the road for Cleveland looks much tougher this season.  But as Syracuse knows, and now Tacoma as well, winning a bunch of games in the regular season doesn't mean jack when you lose in a short series.  So who has made some moves to challenge?  Lars takes a look.

Projected Cy Young: Dean Hernandez - Pawtucket G-Maniacs
--Other Contenders: Kazuhiro Ong (NAS), Benito Beltre (TOR), Tommy Wakeland (VAN), Darren Howry (TAC), Eric Collins (FLA)
Projected MVP: Pedro Franco (NAS)
--Other Contenders: Lyle Crudale (CLE), Kory Arnold (ANA), Craig Lake (FLA), Vinny Jang (CLE)
Projected Fireman of the Year: Jared Jacobsen - Anaheim Sharks
--Other Contenders: Geoffrey Knight (FLA)
Projected Rookie of the Year: Thurman Tresh - Kansas City Express
--Other Contenders: Patrick Ramirez (BOS), Roosevelt Fox (KC), King Gonzalez (PAW), Hulk Boone (PAW), Sean Holt (SEA), Stan Wilkerson (TOR), Les Ingram (VAN)

Top Five Rotations in the American League

1. Pawtucket G-Maniacs
2. Toronto Blue Jays
3. Florida Almendares
4. Tacoma Jerry Gang
5. Vancouver Grizzlies

Top Five Lineups in the American League
1. Nashville Rebel Riders
2. Anaheim Sharks
3. Vancouver Grizzlies
4. Florida Almendares
5. Cleveland Steamers

Top Three Offseason Free Agent Signings
1. Craig Lake - Florida Almendares
2. Emmanuel Castillo - Nashville Rebel Riders
3. Apollo Houston - Florida Almendares

Four Teams on the Rise:
1. Kansas City Express
2. Toronto Blue Jays
3. Vancouver Grizzlies
4. Nashville Rebel Riders

Three Teams on the Decline
1. New York Expos
2. Louisville Dogs
3. Cleveland Steamers

Five prospects who could make a difference if called up this season
1. Jerome Mancuso - Cleveland Steamers
2. Mariano Ramirez - Nashville Rebel Riders
3. Russell Walker - Toronto Blue Jays
4. Enos French - Vancouver Grizzlies
5. Dan Mottola - Anaheim Sharks

Projected finishes, by division:

AL North
Pawtucket G-Maniacs - 96-66
Chicago Sabercats - 85-77
Toronto Blue Jays - 78-84
Seattle Pilots - 64-98

AL East
Dover Dingos - 94-68
Cleveland Steamers-89-73
Boston Loggers - 72-90
New York Expos - 68-94

AL South
Nashville Rebel Riders - 98-64
Florida Almendares - 97-63
Kansas City Express - 65-97
Louisville Dogs - 61-101

AL West
Tacoma Jerry Gang -100-62
Anaheim Sharks - 90-72
Vancouver Grizzlies - 90-72
Arizona Tigers - 68-94