Opening Day 1944 has finally arrived! In preparation, here is a look a the results of the ‘Coconut Leagues’. Leading off is the Eastern League:
A common thread in both the Coconut Eastern League standings and projections are the Braeland City Monarchs. The fact that they are expected to be led by last year's Babe Ruth winner 1B Dean Bishop and perennial all-star RHP Lenne Freke is not at all surprising. However, the prediction that former 1st overall pick and enigmatic 2B Trevor Bolen will have a terrific season is. In his defense though, Bolen did earn an all-star selection last season, just his second, so perhaps he has finally figured things out.
Although, they finished last in the Coconut Leagues, the Queensland Eagles are being pegged as a serious playoff contender, edging out the Brunswick Legends and Stratford Barons, last season's playoff qualifiers. The Eastern League projections last season got the top three teams right. If that holds true this season, then the Monarchs will finish in first place for the fist time since 1939-40, when they also went 96-58.
It's also interesting to see that the Legends, despite projecting to have a nicely balanced team, may not have enough offense to return to the playoffs.
---------
There's no mystery this year in the Western League as to who is the head of the class. Last season, the projections teased us with the possibility of the Kingston Pelicans just missing the playoffs. Of course, they went on to win 100 games and capture their third United Cup. This season, they are projected to finish comfortably in first place again. It would appear that pitching will be their strength, as four Pelican starters occupy the top four spots in the Top 10 Pitchers category. Interestingly, only one Pelican player, namely SS Katsunan Chikafuji makes an appearance in the Top 10 Hitters list.
The Cambria Cannons are projected to be the top offensive team in the West, with four players making the Top 10 Hitters list. That includes recently signed free agent, 1B Hao Wang. Will that be enough to finish ahead of the Balmoral Giants or the surprising Pulberry Trolleys, who are both projected to challenge Cambria for the wild card? Of course, there's only one way to find out.
---------
To round out the snapshot of the United Leagues on Opening Day, here are the updated lists of the top players and pitchers and top prospects.
With the Second World War raging in the Pacific and European continent, its time to keep moral high and play some ball. Opening Day couldn't have come soon enough!
