TBA 2012 Predictions: Vander Wal Division

This is the final part of a IV part series. For Part I please click here, Part II here, and Part III here

Vander Wal Division


1) Oahu

The Glorious Wonders were denied a playoff spot for the first time in history last year and are determined to be back this season. It won't be easy. Oahu will have to compete with three other very good teams in the division and any one of them could take the division. Having said that, Oahu's pitching should put them over the top. Doug Fister, Josh Collmenter, and Guillermo Moscoso form the best top three in the league. Outspoken closer Jonathan Papelbon struggled last year but should bounce back nicely. Prince Fielder and Pablo Sandoval bring the power to the lineup while the two Ramirez's once again will split time at shortstop. 

Projected Lineup:

C: Nick Hundley/AJ Pierzynski
1B: Prince Fielder
2B: Neil Walker/Angel Sanchez
3B: Pablo Sandoval
SS: Alexei Ramirez/Hanley Ramirez
LF: Bryan Peterson/Reed Johnson
CF: Alex Presley/Denard Span
RF: Garrett Jones/Carlos Quentin

Projected Rotation/Closer:


SP: Doug Fister
SP: Josh Collmenter
SP: Guillermo Moscoso
SP: Anibal Sanchez
SP: Tim Stauffer
CL: Jonathan Papelbon


2) Delaware Valley

The former Bartonville Bombers have moved over to the Lenny Harris League but their road back to the playoffs will not get any easier. Two time EML MVP and last year's Triple Crown Winner Adrian Gonzalez will continue to destroy pitching, even if he's never seen most of these guys before. Jose Reyes will continue to set the table for him and Hunter Pence will take the right handed power spot in the lineup. Starting pitching is the main problem here but even then the lineup should be enough to overcome that. Rookie Ivan Nova and Jair Jurrjens are expected to lead the team's staff with quality veteran arms behind them. The bullpen is lead by Sergio Santos and Sean Marshall and should provide a strong help when the starting pitching falters.

Projected Lineup:

C: John Jaso/Geovanny Soto
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
2B: Danny Espinosa
3B: Jerry Hairston/Ty Wigginton
SS: Jose Reyes
LF: Seth Smith/Jerry Sands
CF: Nyjer Morgan/Jayson Werth
RF: Hunter Pence

Projected Rotation/Closer:

SP: Ivan Nova
SP: Jair Jurrjens
SP: Brett Myers
SP: John Danks
SP: Roy Oswalt
CL: Sergio Santos


3) Reno

The Aces won 118 games last season but were rudely defeated in the first round of the playoffs by the eventual champion Bearcats. This year the team will not be as good but that doesn't change their goal of a TBA Championship. A strong lineup features such stars as Carlos Santana, Josh Hamilton, and Jay Bruce. The pitching staff is led by Tim Lincecum and Mat Latos. However the strength of the team is the bullpen. Jonny Venters, Jose Valverde, and Greg Holland make up the best relief trio in the TBA.

Projected Lineup:

C: Carlos Santana
1B: Nick Swisher
2B: Jamey Carroll
3B: Kevin Youkilis
SS: Marco Scutaro
LF: Chris Heisey/Melky Cabrera
CF: Josh Hamilton
RF: Jay Bruce


Projected Rotation/Closer:


SP: Tim Lincecum
SP: Mat Latos
SP: Ubaldo Jimenez
SP: Jeremy Guthrie
SP: Vance Worley
CL: Jose Valverde


4) Edgewater

Only a month into Rocko Caputi's ownership, Edgewater shocked the world last year by taking down the powerhouse Booze Hounds in the first round of the playoffs last season. Now they won't be able to take anyone by surprise. Post-season standouts Michael Bourn and JJ Hardy return to set the table for Ryan Howard and the newly acquired Alex Rodriguez. The pitching staff will return Trevor Cahill, Wandy Rodriguez, and Scott Baker. Koji Uehara once again is the main relief ace on the team. A wild card spot is once again in view for the Giants and a division title is not out of the question. 


Projected Lineup:

C: Ramon Hernandez
1B: Ryan Howard
2B: Alexi Casilla/Maicer Izturis
3B: Alex Rodriguez
SS: JJ Hardy
LF: Bobby Abreu/Allen Craig
CF: Michael Bourn
RF: Kosuke Fukudome


Projected Rotation/Closer:

SP: Scott Baker
SP: Erik Bedard
SP: Wandy Rodriguez
SP: Trevor Cahill
SP: Anthony Swarzak
CL: Kyle Farnsworth


5) London

Last but not least in this four part preview is the London Badgers. The rebuilding of this team is coming nicely although they are not yet ready to compete. Mike Trout, the first overall pick in the draft, is still a year or two away from helping out the big club but just his presence on the team in enough to envision London winning a division title in the near future. They have also added Freddie Freeman, who was already named the starting first baseman for the team. Despite this they will struggle to score runs this season but a young nucleus is in place to turn this around. You can't talk about London without mentioning their starting pitching. Even in a year where the Badgers are not expected to win often the pitching is good once again. Dan Haren, David Price, Madison Bumgarner, and Jordan Zimmermann are an excellent young first four in the rotation. Josh Johnson and former first round pick Brett Anderson will share the fifth spot. As long as Johnson can stay healthy this rotation will only continue to get better. 

Projected Lineup:

C: Yadier Molina
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Freddy Sanchez
3B: Casey McGehee/Todd Frazier
SS: Yuniesky Betancourt
LF: Michael Brantley/Delmon Young
CF: Ben Revere/Casper Wells
RF: Jason Kubel


Projected Rotation/Closer:


SP: Dan Haren
SP: David Price
SP: Madison Bumgarner
SP: Jordan Zimmermann
SP: Brett Anderson
CL: Drew Storen