2023 Season Preview - Part 1
In reverse order of the preseason predictions, let's line up the clubs that will play for the Elite League title in 2023. So, we'll start with those who are expected to be relegated:
SITACHE BC
Sitache, CA
2022: 78-112 (17th)
Seasons in EL: 15
Best finish: 4th (2018)
Payroll: $82.2 million (13th)
The EL's northernmost team also find themselves on the north end of this preview. It's only been 3 years since Sitache finished 5th, but most of that team's big contributors are gone, especially on the pitching side. Aro Ipo leaving for Pasataki especially stings - he didn't really get a sendoff due to his injury in June 2022 that cut his season short. #2 starter Mesa Tselsiko also left, going to now-2L club Mithazni.
Lineup (12th):
1B Fomo Tirma - CF Tsusenu Shiyetsorisu - 2B Rypa Riali
3B Fumiecho Sahiu - LF Shesho Yutepe - RF Monisho Hefie
SS Komake Tanipa - C Chise Koslu
I'm slightly guessing here - star CF Rolupi Shekesu is out until May, and they actually only have two outfielders on the roster at the moment. Yutepe should be the starting catcher, but what he really is is the one guy who is capable of sliding into the outfield. Thank goodness Fomo Tirma is here, having been lured in from Kupore in the offseason. Sahiu is the only other player of note, a former two-time RBI champ.
Rotation (18th):
Eshan Kohopa - Chapeo Mematsa - Rari Asi - Neshofa Koleshaparo - Hecho Nikera
Limited upside here, although at least the top three starters are still teenagers & might grow into something.
Closer: Filashe Tsarosha (12th)
Tsarosha is not bad, but I'd bet that Tsario Nufeka is closing by the end of the season - I just expect him to improve quite a bit.
2023 prediction: 67-123 (20th)
As currently constructed, yeah, I do think Sitache are likely to get relegated. But if Shekesu is back soon, and they can find 1-2 really reliable starters out of this group, then survival is on the table.
FAMPALO BC
Fampalo, CA
2022: 93-97 (11th)
Seasons in EL: 20
Best finish: 3rd (2015)
Payroll: $80.3 million (15th)
Fampalo BC have been in the EL since 2007, one of only 5 teams that have been in the league for that whole period. They finished in the top 6 in both 2020 and 2021, but slipped last year and lost quite a bit over the offseason. Last year's two top hitters, SS Wyku Tofpalts and RF Santa Chewefa, are gone, so this team that ranked 12th in runs scored last year will struggle to reach that level.
Lineup (20th):
1B Rykitopa Tufsu - 2B Sysak Tisoki - C Tupae Pufosa
SS Ynyce Elemi - LF Sashem Sofiulo - 3B Feli Tyxite
RF Lala Kishawua - CF Tofe Uyeshu
Yeah, the cupboard is pretty bare. Pufosa is a good get, coming over from Keleri, but wasn't even a full-time starter until last year, and derives a lot of his value from being a good catcher. Elemi was their other acquisition, in a trade with Mighty Oaks, and was a below average hitter last year while mostly coming off the bench. He's also not really a shortstop anymore, having mostly played 3B and not starting a game at shortstop in three years.
Rotation (11th):
Kimyu Mekuri - Shutsichei Tinatashale - Wokyo Nuchipasora - Filashe Sikepo - Wyshuo Rainai
Fampalo will be quite good on the days that Mekuri pitches, and very beatable the other four games of the series. Tinatashale is a good prospect, but making his pro debut. Rainai could be decent with a full complement of starts.
Closer: Nene Asi (9th)
A former Second League Pitcher of the Year as a starter, Asi is surprisingly crafty for a modern closer. The bullpen should be improved, with last year's closer Latsor Sofiulo relegated to a 7th-inning role.
2023 prediction: 69-121 (19th)
Fampalo will struggle to score at all this year, and the best pitchers in the world can't save you if you don't score. Also, they don't have the best pitchers in the world.
AROKETSIL SPIRITS
Aroketsil, KX
2022: 105-85 (6th)
Seasons in EL: 15
Best finish: 3rd (2021)
Payroll: $81.8 million (14th)
I'm quite surprised to see the Spirits this far down, although the offseason moves that they made were questionable. They have finished in the top 7 in each of the top six seasons, and a step back does seem likely from what has been the club's most successful era.
Lineup (18th):
SS Wasi Tsewayo - LF Selo Sisilu - 1B Peku Karwo
3B Rolana Rekesu - 2B Okitso Womoipo - RF Fapasile Lumafi
CF Roshuere Nesapatame - C Feko Kuishuchutso
This seems to be the source of OOTP's pessimism compared to what I think will happen. This should be an average-or-better offense this year, as the Spirits scored the 4th-most runs in the EL last year and brought back almost everyone. Only LF Lia Tsesahem moved on from the everyday starters, and Sisilu is a pretty similar player. They are, as you may recall, also returning the top two MVP finishers in Karwo and Rekesu. The bottom of the lineup is quite weak, but the top 5 is the league's best half-a-lineup.
Rotation (20th):
Loroche Awia - Maho Rirto - Olf Fochaeki - Sefi Roshopufo - Teshuye Sekao
This is pretty bad, though. Loroche Awia does not even make the leaguewide top three of "starting pitchers named L. Awia" and he's supposed to be the ace. Roshopufo and Sekao are not really EL caliber, so there could be some long nights.
Closer: Yipomo Wesiti (17th)
The bullpen is not as much of a dumpster fire as the rotation, but it's also not a strength. Wesiti, acquired in a trade from Semyof, is not miscast as a shutdown reliever with strong strikeout stuff, but he's unproven in that big role.
2023 prediction: 74-116 (18th)
I would really, really be surprised if the Spirits were relegated - their offense simply has too many actual great players. But as low as 12th-14th would not be that surprising.
AKASHEMO UNITED
Akashemo, RP
2022: 91-99 (12th)
Seasons in EL: 20
Best finish: 7th (2014)
Payroll: $87.0 million (12th)
With between 91-93 wins each of the last three years, Akashemo are starting to feel like mid-table fixtures. Their top two hitters have moved on, though (catcher Kiposo Hatsalicho and RF Maho Tsimpese). For Rupakare's sake, I hope they have a place in this league for as long as possible, it's easy to root for the islander teams.
Lineup (15th):
RF Puta Faseltsa - 2B Kypo Oifi - LF Tseiriki Tushifo
C Kawachu Tan - 1B Takipuse Chyshane - 2B Shati Ushineye
SS Chosyshire Pochayi - CF Hypuse Toyerno
Tushifo and Chyshane are the replacement players for the two mentioned above, with Kawachu Tan moving from 1st back to his natural position behind the dish. Tushifo tore up the 3rd tier last year, but is unproven at this level; Chyshane was a bench player for Tsapna who is only getting his first crack at an everyday EL lineup aged 25.
Rotation (13th):
Tsarase Roshoshe - Moshiwa Satyre - Lumekatse Merefife - Tsol Chanesha - Mesopi Salama
A mixed bag. Roshoshe is great, and Satyre would pitch for most of the top-half teams, but Chanesha and Salama are effectively warm bodies out there.
Closer: Chitipa Fyhy (4th)
One of the game's top relievers; the bullpen overall is a pretty strong unit.
2023 prediction: 76-114 (17th)
The loss of Hatsalicho probably means Akashemo will take a slight dip in 2023 - whether that means relegation is going to be up in the air.
OTAHEL CITY
Otahel, FH
2022: 78-112 (16th)
Seasons in EL: 3
Best finish: 16th (2022)
Payroll: $64.9 million (19th)
Otahel City survived an EL season for the first time in club history in 2022, in their second attempt. This is also the first team on the list that looks better than they were last year.
Lineup (17th):
SS Sashe Pipasu - RF Kiposo Posheni - 3B Taoma Otukatsa
1B Riroi Toyerno - C Kiowu Salama - CF Toyeseshi Shocheye
LF Chitipa Petosa - 2B Hekewi Faseltsa
Last year's lineup was 15th in run-scoring, and this looks a bit better. Salama and Shocheye did most of the heavy lifting in 2022, and Otukatsa/Toyerno should help to cover that. The top-end talent isn't really there, but the depth of the lineup is improved by a good bit.
Rotation (16th):
Hiatoa Neyopet - Yatil Mesha - Lasha Chuotsa - Elpim Merefife - Roshana Chileros
Probably actually the weakest unit, though again through lack of star power rather than lack of depth. Otahel are starting the year with three more starters on the IL, but all about the same quality as these guys. That is to say, none of their starting pitchers are great but there sure are a lot of them.
Closer: Turoa Roshirmi (10th)
The bullpen is the strongest of these three units, probably, though not as good as Akashemo's. Average to above across the board. Roshirmi doesn't strike out nearly as many batters as you would expect of someone with his skillset, I'll have to look into what's up with that.
2023 prediction: 80-110 (16th)
Otahel's ceiling is lower than some of the other teams in the bottom half, but their floor is higher. Pretty good chance for this prediction to be right on the money.