The United Leagues embark on their second decade of organized baseball in the South Pacific, as the Leagues have just completed Spring Training and finalized their regular season rosters.
This overview will be spread over two posts. The first will provide a review of the Coconut League results and projections for the up-coming season, along with player and farm team rankings.
The second will offer some history accumulated over the past 10 seasons and upcoming milestones.
Here’s a look at the Eastern League:
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What stood out to me was the fact that only 6 games separated the top club from the bottom. The Braeland City Monarchs started off the pre-season strong, but cooled off considerably in the second half.
As far as the projections go, one thing I’ve learned is to take these things with more than one grain of salt. But the Monarchs, who finished in last place last season, are projected to be a player this year, along with the Downie Chiefs. Conversely, the defending United Cup Champions Queensland Eagles are not given much respect. No Eagles player appears in the Top 10 in this simulation either. Whether the conversion to OOTP18 played a role in this, I’m not sure. But it appears OOTP18 does not like young pitchers, as we will see later in the Prospects listing. But I do hope the projections are right about the increase in overall offense this season. Last season saw an all-time low in league averages, especially in the West. I would love to see someone reach 40 HRs, 150 RBIs milestones for the first time.
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Just like last season, the Balmoral Giants dominated the Coconut Leagues (12-3 in the first half). They cooled off just a little in the second half, but still finished with the best overall record. But the projections show that it won’t account for much in the regular season, as they are predicted to finish in the second division. Wolseley and Fort Richmond are both up-and-coming clubs, and the projections bear that out. The Unions won the Western League Pennant last season, while the Generals are still searching for their first post-season appearance. One name to keep an eye on will be Shinzo Okamoto, Fort Richmond’s 23-year old RHP who was the 16th overall pick back in 1942-43, originally by Embro. He is entering his third season in the ULB and if the projections hold true, the Wellington-born Okamoto may find himself in the Satchel Paige discussion by year’s end. But that’s still a long way off. However, he will be Fort Richmond’s Opening Day starter.
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One trade was made during Spring Training:
September 4:
The Kingston Pelicans trade for 26-year old 2B
Salvador Bañuelos (63/80) from the Downie Chiefs. In return, the Chiefs receive 27-year old RHP
Bernie Knowles (59/60).
Knee-jerk reaction: It might seem counter-productive for a club that has had trouble escaping the basement to give up highly-rated player such as Bañuelos. But Bañuelos appears to have faced a roadblock to getting regular playing time in Downie. At every position Bañuelos can play, the Chiefs already have a 1st round pick establishing themselves. In fact, Downie has six 1st round draft picks and a 2nd round pick in their lineup. So, springing for Knowles, a capable but overlooked starter for the Kingston Pelicans over the past two seasons is not a bad move. Knowles’ stuff isn’t all that impressive, but his movement and command are very good. He becomes Downie’s No. 3 starter, the same as he was with the Pelicans.
Bañuelos takes over 2B from 37-year old Mo Symes (23/23). Mo is a 7-time all-star but is not the player he once was. This move also allows Kingston to return 23-year old IF/OF Ryoma Hakui (26/78), a 2nd round pick from last season, back to AA for further seasoning. Bañuelos is not the most disciplined hitter and has no power, but is an Award Winning defender at 2B with a ton of speed. He will bat 2nd in the lineup.
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Two teams updated their uniforms for this season: the Cobourg Red Stockings and Wellington Athletics.
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To round out this first snapshot of the United Leagues, here are the top players and pitchers, top prospects and farm systems, as well as the current injuries as of Opening Day.
