Erik's Power Rankings

If you can trust Ricky Clemons, then you can trust Erik Johnson...maybe.

It took alomost two full months, but FINALLY someone other than me sent in a post. This one is courtesy Erik Johnson. His words are after the jump.

By the way, if you want to write a post - write it and then e-mail it to me. That simple.



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Quarter-year Review

We are one-fourth of the way through our inaugural fantasy baseball season, and there has already been a ton of action. Pujols (the obvious #1 overall pick) has been traded twice and the likes of David Wright, C.C. Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, etc. have been dropped and claimed. Now, I will take a look back at the initial Power Rankings put out by our beloved Ben Nielsen and see where everybody sits with a quarter of the season in our rear-view mirror.

Post-draft Power Rankings (courtesy of Ben Nielsen)

Blackhawks a.k.a Royals/Cubs (Current record: 2-5, Last in KC) – There’s a kick in the balls. Pick your own team to be the best, and have the worst record through one-fourth of the season (I know the Schilbies’ record is the same, but the Schilbies won the head to head). The Royals/Cubs did have a solid draft, but their owner inexplicably had a mental breakdown and managed to rid his team of players like Sabathia, Ordonez, Maine, Rich Hill, David Wright, Jered Weaver, and the list goes on. After getting out of the loony bin, Nielsen regained his sanity and has rebounded to form a solid nucleus on which he can build.
Ben’s Prediction Grade: F


Krunk Smurfs (Current record: 4-3, tied for second in KC) – Probably has the most potent line-up in the league, but injuries and inconsistent starting pitching has led to three game losing streak. Needs to get back a healthy Roy Halladay and have A-Rod return to his super-human April form.
Grade: B-; Pretty close


Tones (Current record: 5-2, first in StL) – Started the year by riding the coattails of King Felix, but maintained the pace when Hernandez went down with arm injury. Has upgraded line-up to include two all-stars in Pujols and Wright. Also has two more strikeout kings in J. Santana and Dice-K. Could be the team to beat if Hernandez returns to form, and Carpenter is able to make a solid recovery.
Grade: B; Maybe the best team in the league


300 (Current record: 4-3, tied for second in KC) – The team that had the best starting pitching is now relying on their offense. With V. Martinez, Helton, K. Johnson, Reyes and Holliday, not many teams can hit with 300. The big question is whether or not Andrew can get sustained success from his band of no-name pitchers.
Grade: A; Pretty much right on


Schilbies (Current record: 2-5, last in StL) – Solidified his line-up by adding the reigning AL MVP Justin Morneau and Carlos Lee. Lackey and Smoltz have been solid at the top of the rotation but the rest of the pitching is a question mark.
Grade: C-; Best Pick – Jose Lopez?


KC (Current record: 3-4, tied for second in StL) – On paper, this team doesn’t look overly strong at any position. But when you take into account Peavy, Guerrero and the possible increase in production from D. Lee and Clemens, this team could be dangerous … they could also end up in the geriatrics ward. They are still relying on Clemens, R. Johnson, Byrd and Griffey.
Grade: B+; Pretty much nailed it except for not naming Peavy as the best pick ever.
The Zou (Current record: 5-2, first in KC) – And I quote, “Would be a great AAA Team. Too bad this is a Major League Fantasy Baseball League. Guess Erik missed the memo.” Okay, he might have been a bit off. The Zou’s line-up isn’t great; it boasts the likes of waiver-wire pick-ups like Hunter Pence, Jack Cust, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada and Mark Teahen. However, the starting pitching has been outstanding so far and carried the Zou to first place so far.
Grade: F; way off; plus the worst pick was listed as Tim Hudson


Phantom Menaces (Current record: 3-4, tied for second in StL) – Now that Kimball is here, he has put together a pretty solid team. J.J Hardy is the fantasy surprise of the year and waiver-wire pick-up Magglio Ordonez is raking. If the senior citizens like Glavine, Maddux and Lieber hold up, this is a team that might be one player away.
Grade: C; Despite not having any say in the draft, his team wasn’t that bad.

NOW THE REAL POWER RANKINGS

1. Tones – Santana, Dice-K and King Felix (if healthy) along with Pujols and Wright make this the team to beat.


2. The Zou – The ingredients are there but can the young pitching of Verlander, Weaver, Hill, Maine, Baker, Shields and Lincecum hold-up over a full season?


3. Royals/Cubs – No, I’m not completely insane. McCann, Prince, Manny, Hanley and Bonds can carry the offense and it’s best pick (Garret Atkins) while Hamels, Escobar, Oswalt and Sheets try to carry Zambrano. There’s talent on this team, but Nielsen might drop Hamels tomorrow to pick-up Ryan Braun or Andrew Miller so keep your eyes on the transaction list.


4. KC – Somehow you dropped David Wright. Wow. Still, if the old pitchers hold up, there could be playoffs at the end of the year.


5. 300 – The rest of the season depends on the unsung pitchers such as Looper, Blanton, Marquis, Sosa, James, etc.


6. Smurfs – Gay name. Anyway, if Halladay returns to form, the team with an amazing line-up could rise quickly.


7. Phantom Menaces – Should probably be higher, but there are just too many questions. Will the old pitchers hold up, can Hardy keep going and can Chipper stay healthy for a full year?


8. Schilbies – Arguably will have the best line-up when Mauer returns, but is very thin on starting pitching. Moseley could pay off though with E. Santana ready to be shipped somewhere.