NABO48 w/ MLBPA ... Updated for '26

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Windy City, predicted to finish last, leads the division after the 1st month of the '34 season.

Looks like it will be another close division race among Windy City, St Louis, and Oklahoma.

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The pattern last season was an offense that struggled in batting average and on base percentage, but won a lot of games in the 6-th through 8th innings ... and this season starts off with the team hitting and pitching like crazy, but at times, not being able to drive runners in.

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The most impressive series of the month was a home sweep against 1st place Texas, outscoring them 23-5 over the 3 games.

AAA Memphis 3-26, Peoria 3-20 ... the minor league system is suffering. I'm not too worried about it. I spent drafts drafting a ton of relievers (Yeah, I said that) that were close to ML ready ... and it's paid off with having the best bullpen in the game 2y in a row. But, we do need to add some quality prospects. We added another 1st round pick with the Romo trade to NYN ... but with the success at the ML level, we're constantly drafting late.

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Getting 1.5 WAR and a 1.000+ OPS from the catcher duo of Isais Chavez and William Contreras is, by far, the biggest surprise of the season. Realistically, there will be regression, let's just hope it's not a fall off a cliff type of normalization.

1B Steve Baker continues to hit very well, being more of a doubles and average type 1B (maybe like Keith Hernandez) and not the typical power first type. Jason Avitabile has had a very interesting 1st month, with 18 RBI in 15 games on just 14 hits.

2B Adael Amador has struggled, with backup Christian Hernandez producing how one would expect the backup 2B to produce.

The shortstop position was a disaster in April. Jayson Kellam surged to the front as an MVP candidate in April of last year, but this year he has been below average, with no relief from either Tim Norberg or Jon Munday. Kellam has the track record to believe that he will respond in May and continue to be an All-Star caliber SS.

After Isais Chavez, Eric Leonard has been the most pleasant surprise in April. The 3B leads the West with a .394 average and a .914 OPS, despite not hitting a single HR in the month.

LF Kemp Alderman has been very good with 6 HR and a .900+ OPS. He still has his tendency to be the "King of the Solo HR", but his production is welcome. Backup Alec Blair has also been productive. It's weird, Alderman's defensive scouting touts him as an above average defender (60 and 60), but his negative ZR kills his WAR and value. He'll be back to DH in May, and hopefully the hitting continues.

CF Jackson Merrill started off incredibly hot, at one point leading the West with 5 HR (to go along with 7 SB), and was among the league leaders in both RBI and RS. He tailed off near the end of the month, but is still incredibly valuable to the team.

RF Robert Arias is likely over performing with his .811 OPS and .337 AVG, or this could be him stepping up his development from better than league average to All-Star quality ... it'll be something to watch as the season progresses. Chase DeLauter returned from the IL, returned to his starting position in RF (Arias to LF, Alderman to DH), and was productive .... allowing Alec Blair to return to his role as 4th OF and late game LHB PH.

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So far, the transition of Joel Lara from closer to starting pitcher has been a huge success. Most of his P9 rates have held despite the increase in IP.

Lefty Tony Cruz stole the show from Lara, winning the April Pitcher of the Month Award, on the strength of his 5-0 record and outrageous 1.27 ERA.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto returned from injury and had a very good 1st month of the season.

4th SP Sam Aldegheri struggled a lot in April, both with control and allowed HR. After going 2-0 0.60 in last season's LDS, the team was hopeful that he was regaining his All-Star caliber form, but the start of the 2034 season has been rough.

5th SP Evan Bailey made 2 starts before getting injured and suffering a setback in his recovery. Nate Berardi stepped in and has been outstanding over 3 starts. The extreme groundballer was able to pitch around his high walk rate.

RP Nick Gwyn has been very effective, except when he's not. The lefty is blowing hitters away with his strike out rate, but occassionally pitches into big rallies (allowed 5 ER in one outine, with 2 of those being IR that the next guy allowed in). Silvano Carnini has been effective in his rookie season, effectively pitching around some spotty control. Somehow Jayden Everhart got through the month of April without allowing a run, despite 8 BB to go with 4 K, in just 10 IP.

The late game bullpen trio has been outstanding as usual. Renier Lopez, Ankielly Feliz and new closer Dan McGinnis combined for 28 IP and sub 2.00 ERA.

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1st place New York Naturals are going to have to dig deep to overcome the injury to 5x MVP Elly De La Cruz. Cruz may return near the start of September, end of September if a rehab period is needed.

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