1. New Orleans Canes (AL) - 101-61
Wins second title as Turner era winds down.
2. Tacoma Fightin' Ichiros (NL) - 107-55
Won't be the last time they challenge for title.
3. Toledo Illini (NL) - 109-53
The Illini's day is long overdue, right?
4. Rochester Rumrunners (AL) - 99-63
Finally reached potential last season.
5. San Fran Interior Designers (NL) - 113-49
Regular season champs fizzle in post.
6. Philadelphia Phantoms (NL) - 92-70
Formidable pitching core leads the way.
7.Kansas City Royal Flush(AL) - 92-70
Challenged champs for most of the year.
8.Portland Wet Streaks (AL) - 90-72
Always solid, but not quite fearsome.
9.Arizona Cocopahs(NL) - 104-58
An extremely disappointing finish in post.
10. Little Rock Writer's Block (NL) - 87-75
Highest division finish in team history.
Team Preview: Tacoma Fightin' Ichiros
(4/6/2011, by bbartel)
After coming off a 107-win campaign, you would think the defending NL champs would have their sights set on a return trip to the World Series. However, with management’s failure to make any significant off-season moves to address the team’s weaknesses, the goal this season is to just try to make it back to the playoffs.
Pitching
Tacoma’s strength is definitely their pitching staff. Led by workhorse Ray Little (251 IP, 1.13 WHIP) and followed by solid vets Wascar Gongora, Jumbo Mieses and Dale Morton; the rotation is able to keep the Ichiros in most games. Newcomers Miguel Colon and David Cortazar will battle it out in spring training for the last rotation spot.
The late innings are handled capably by young closer Pedro Soriano and set-up men Raul Navarro and Bernard Morton.
Offense
If the team’s strength is pitching, its weakness is hitting. Lead-off hitter 2B David Espinoza led the league in SB, but had a paltry .308 OBP. Trinadad Polanco, Marvin Henderson, Joseph Kondou and Yamid Torrealba give Tacoma a respectable middle of the lineup; but each player comes with significant shortcomings. Kondou, in particular, had a rough season last year (.231 AVG, .306 OBP).
IF’s Alex Iglesias, Lloyd Creek and CF Ivan Santiago offer little offense outside of their ability to draw the occasional walk.
Defense
While several position players have subpar gloves, the Ichiros compensate this weakness by finding players with excellent range (Espinoza, Santiago, SS Clayton Spencer). That strategy seemed to work last year, as Tacoma finished first in Lasorda with 115 plus plays. Veteran Willie Wells was brought in to help solidify the team defense.
Overall
Despite a few intriguing available free agents; Tacoma came up empty on landing a big bat this off-season. And with several other NL teams improving, including division rivals San Francisco and Arizona, expect the Ichiros to take a big step backward this season. A 3rd place finish and possible last WC playoff spot are what Tacoma fans are hoping for in S19.
