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THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, April 5, 2048
SUN SOX BEST CLUB IN TU SOUTH
For the sixth time in the last seven seasons the vaunted Southport Sun Sox are predicted to take the Tycobbian South flag in spite of a number of solid contenders. Turon and San Alejo are the prime challengers with Summerland rated the fourth-best in the division. The Ginza Ninjas are not too far behind in the fifth spot in the division standings. As per usual, the race in the TU South will be a close one.
None of the other clubs in the division are given much support in the preseason surveys. Arroyo Grande was selected to finish sixth, Cape Coral seventh with Colchester pulling up in last place.
Southport is the defending Pro Cup trophy holders and has won it twice since 2044... they will be gunning for number three this season... the Sun Sox sport very good pitching and adequate scoring... three rookies could make them better... RF Tony Pastrano has super potential and power at the plate... 1B Leon Woodson could help the offense a bit... and Troy Hill is a budding talent for the bullpen.
In the second half of the season last year the Turon Typhoons were the best team in the IPA... if that carries over to this year, Southport had better be wary... the Typhoons can hit with the best of them, but they are only average on the mound... rookie CF Sheldon Tate is the only newcomer on the squad, but may have a tough time breaking into the starting line-up... he is a solid fielder and good contact hitter with some punch.
San Alejo has often been a bridesmail in recent years, often pressuring Southport in the runner-up spot... the Montaneros feature good starting pitching, a so-so bullpen and solid hitting... three rookies should make an uplifting contribution this season... RF Erik Landau could be a gifted batter... SS Benito Clemente has a good glove, makes good contact, but has no power... and RP Raul Argona has impressive credentials and could help in the bullpen.
The Summerland Sunsets won the division in 2046 with great pitching and weak hitting... they still have a very good starting rotation, but are still hampered by poor offense and poor bullpen... not much help from newcomers... only one rookie is expected to make a dent in the line-up... 2B Zane Howe has a strong glove, but is weak at the plate... Summerland is destined for fourth place... the Sunsets just can't come close to the top three contenders in scoring runs.
The Ginza Ninjas have good bats, but are only average on the hill... they could sneak past Summerland for fourth place... two new rookies could contribute... SP Juzo Mori may help in the bullpen and as a spot starter... and SS Banzuki Minoru has a pretty good glove and is a standout at the plate with good power.
The Arroyo Grande Suns have finished in last place six times in the last decade and haven't put a good team on the field since 2032... and haven't made the postseason since 2024... 2048 will not likely be any better... sixth place seems to be too high for them... the Suns have no hitting or pitching... and no rookies likely to help... it's another long season for the long-suffering Arroyo Grande fans and supporters.
The Cape Coral Hurricanes can score with the best of them, but they only have fair pitching... they have a fine new rookie in 1B Derrian Bunyan, but no room in the line-up for him... he will just have to wait in the wings for a while... it may be tough to keep his powerful bat out of the batting order... the Hurricanes could rise up as high as fourth or fifth with its potent attack.
The Colchester Elites have very little pitching and don't hit very well either... the Elites usually fight it out with Arroyo Grande for the cellar rights... the rookie prospects are few... however, Denzel Durant will be in the starting rotation and Haden Fraser may help the relief corps... CF Ken Peters can play defense well, but is mediocre with the bat... another gloomy year in Colchester.
TYCOBBIAN SOUTH DIVISION PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
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