OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

reds1 · 11-15-2015, 03:23 PM

October 6, 1941

Opening Day Forecasts

Opening Day is here and it’s time to check out the results of the “Coconut Leagues” as well as the projected finishes for both the Eastern and Western Leagues. We’ll start as we usually do with the East:

---------

The Embro Suns finished on top, just like they did last season, 3 games up on the defending United Cup champions, Stratford Barons. There really are no surprises here, as both the Downie Chiefs and Cobourg Red Stockings are at the bottom of the standings, just as they are expected to be during the regular season. The usual suspects, the Sun, Barons, Queensland Eagles and Braeland City Monarchs were expected to be competitive this season.

It’s the predicted standings were things get a little interesting. The Brunswick Legends, guided by second year manager Babe Ruth, are on top with 96 wins, five games up on the Embro Suns and six up on the Stratford Barons. But perhaps the biggest item to be gleaned is that four teams are predicted to finish with 90 or more wins, with two more with 80+ victories. That speaks of the highly competitive East, in stark contrast with Western League.

During the course of the Coconut Leagues, the Stratford Barons were involved in two significant trades; one with the Queensland Eagles and the other with the Kingston Pelicans.

Trade #1: On September 15, the Barons and Eagles completed a three-player deal. Stratford receives 25-year old CF Ben Watson (65/66). Going to Queensland are 26-year old LHP Justin Hayhurst (36/36) and 20-year old minor league C Young-pil Pak (25/74).

Knee-jerk Analysis: Stratford looks to add a bit more punch to its outfield by adding Watson, who has tape-measure power, great speed on the base paths and solid defense. He will be Stratford’s new lead-off hitter. However, he did have an off year in Queensland and perhaps that dropped his value as all the Eagles get in return is a washed up junk-ball relief pitcher and a 3rd-round pick from last season’s draft. Pak has the potential to be something special at the plate but really need to improve his defense.

---------

And now the Western League:

---------

Once again, the results of the Coconut Leagues look promising for the West, as only six games separated first from last place. The Cambria Cannons finished on top, followed by the Fort Richmond Generals and the Hespeler Stars.

However, the predicted standings see the Kingston Pelicans right back in the mix of things, 3 games back of Cambria. Despite the loss of SS Okura Ito, the Pelicans are still a talented club. So while two teams are predicted to finish with above .500 records, it won’t be a runaway. Will this be the year that the Generals, Stars or Balmoral Giants manage to sneak into the playoffs?

Trade #2: On September 4, the Barons and Pelicans completed a three-player deal. Kingston receives 29-year old 3B Terry Maxwell (74/76). In return, Stratford receives 32-year old RHP Darwin Monday (61/61) and 22-year old minor league RHP Luke Woodward (72/80).

Knee-jerk Analysis: A very interesting trade for both sides. With the earlier acquisition of Steven Winstanley, the Barons obviously felt that they could afford to part with the talented Maxwell in order to beef up their pitching staff. Getting SP Monday and RP Woodward does exactly that. Monday, along with Ryan Borden (77/77) and Joel Fearn (77/77) will form an enviable 1-2-3 punch in the rotation. Woodward appears ready for prime time and will complement arguably the strongest bullpen in the United Leagues.
For Kingston, getting Maxwell could help offset the loss of Okura Ito, adding a bit more punch in the lineup. As for the loss of Monday, the Pelicans are banking on a couple of younsters (Harley Bracher – 46/58 and Charlie Gilbert – 37/68) to step in and step up in the back end of the rotation.

---------

To round out the snapshot of the United Leagues, here are the top players and pitchers and top prospects as updated on Opening Day. Play ball!!

11-15-2015, 03:23 PM	#190
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,925	October 6, 1941 Opening Day Forecasts Opening Day is here and it’s time to check out the results of the “Coconut Leagues” as well as the projected finishes for both the Eastern and Western Leagues. We’ll start as we usually do with the East: --------- The Embro Suns finished on top, just like they did last season, 3 games up on the defending United Cup champions, Stratford Barons. There really are no surprises here, as both the Downie Chiefs and Cobourg Red Stockings are at the bottom of the standings, just as they are expected to be during the regular season. The usual suspects, the Sun, Barons, Queensland Eagles and Braeland City Monarchs were expected to be competitive this season. It’s the predicted standings were things get a little interesting. The Brunswick Legends, guided by second year manager Babe Ruth, are on top with 96 wins, five games up on the Embro Suns and six up on the Stratford Barons. But perhaps the biggest item to be gleaned is that four teams are predicted to finish with 90 or more wins, with two more with 80+ victories. That speaks of the highly competitive East, in stark contrast with Western League. During the course of the Coconut Leagues, the Stratford Barons were involved in two significant trades; one with the Queensland Eagles and the other with the Kingston Pelicans. Trade #1: On September 15, the Barons and Eagles completed a three-player deal. Stratford receives 25-year old CF Ben Watson (65/66). Going to Queensland are 26-year old LHP Justin Hayhurst (36/36) and 20-year old minor league C Young-pil Pak (25/74). *Knee-jerk Analysis:* Stratford looks to add a bit more punch to its outfield by adding Watson, who has tape-measure power, great speed on the base paths and solid defense. He will be Stratford’s new lead-off hitter. However, he did have an off year in Queensland and perhaps that dropped his value as all the Eagles get in return is a washed up junk-ball relief pitcher and a 3rd-round pick from last season’s draft. Pak has the potential to be something special at the plate but really need to improve his defense. --------- And now the Western League: --------- Once again, the results of the Coconut Leagues look promising for the West, as only six games separated first from last place. The Cambria Cannons finished on top, followed by the Fort Richmond Generals and the Hespeler Stars. However, the predicted standings see the Kingston Pelicans right back in the mix of things, 3 games back of Cambria. Despite the loss of SS Okura Ito, the Pelicans are still a talented club. So while two teams are predicted to finish with above .500 records, it won’t be a runaway. Will this be the year that the Generals, Stars or Balmoral Giants manage to sneak into the playoffs? Trade #2: On September 4, the Barons and Pelicans completed a three-player deal. Kingston receives 29-year old 3B Terry Maxwell (74/76). In return, Stratford receives 32-year old RHP Darwin Monday (61/61) and 22-year old minor league RHP Luke Woodward (72/80). *Knee-jerk Analysis:* A very interesting trade for both sides. With the earlier acquisition of Steven Winstanley, the Barons obviously felt that they could afford to part with the talented Maxwell in order to beef up their pitching staff. Getting SP Monday and RP Woodward does exactly that. Monday, along with Ryan Borden (77/77) and Joel Fearn (77/77) will form an enviable 1-2-3 punch in the rotation. Woodward appears ready for prime time and will complement arguably the strongest bullpen in the United Leagues. For Kingston, getting Maxwell could help offset the loss of Okura Ito, adding a bit more punch in the lineup. As for the loss of Monday, the Pelicans are banking on a couple of younsters (Harley Bracher – 46/58 and Charlie Gilbert – 37/68) to step in and step up in the back end of the rotation. --------- To round out the snapshot of the United Leagues, here are the top players and pitchers and top prospects as updated on Opening Day. Play ball!! __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-04-2017 at 01:37 AM.