How the West was Won

Quick Overview: Teams will be judged based on several categories: Ownership, Starting Pitching, Bullpen, Lineup, Depth and intangibles. Therefore, the Wild West will be one team's. Yuma wins the division in a landslide because of organizational depth, talent, and experience.

1. Yuma:

A. Ownership: Yuma's owner, Chris Melkonian, is among the strongest Barb has ever seen and has a clear-cut expectation to win and win now. Exemplified most by the courageous deal of Latos and Hanson for Doc Halladay. Melkonian has built a stellar organization with talent in all phases including that of the organization's depth. Power arms in the bullpen, high ceiling starters (including potentially the top two picks in June's draft), and a dynamic versatile lineup.

B. Starting Pitching: With two clear cut aces in LHPs CC Sabathia and David Price, Yuma looks to have the deepest rotation in the league. To compliment the lefties, RHPs Matt Cain, Clay Bucholz, Mat Latos and Tommy Hanson. Guesses are that Price, Sabathia, Cain, Hanson and Bucholz will enter the season as the starters with Latos getting spot starts and perhaps tough ground ball double plays in later stages of the game. Either way having six starters entering the season is a reasonable issue. What to look for is the second season of Mat Latos and the durability of Clay Bucholz. Both seem to have more than enough talent to overcome the issues other youngster must deal.

C. Bullpen: With Thorton, Kuo, Soriano and Gregerson, Yuma also has one of the deepest bullpens. Certainly the most balanced with two late inning lefties and a power closer. Gregerson is a key for his ability to get crucial game changing ground balls. Kuo's health must be a constant concern, however. And Thorton must prove he can duplicate last year's success and keep the ball in the strike zone. The depth is accentuated with RHP Drew Storen, who may end up as the most effective member of the bullpen within a season or two.

D. Lineup: Loaded. Posey behind the play is the key. Hanigan is a nice backup but if anything happens to Busty then issues for this lineup may arise. The lineup is extremely balanced with power from Votto and Zimmerman, Braun and Markakis. The key to me will be the health of SS Rafy Furcal and Brian Roberts. They are the two most consistent leadoff men on the roster and without a successful 2011 campaign, then the team will have many solo HRs. Still a very dangerous lineup though.

E. Depth/Intangibles: As previously stated, this is probably the deepest organization in Barb with perhaps two exceptions in the East. Injuries to any player can be overcome due to the team's versatility. Posey and Zimmerman's health is vital to the field. In addition to their bat, both have tremendous leadership and defense which will be difficult to replace. Moreover, the team has greatly improved its defense and speed in which many teams will find base hits difficult to come by.

Jason Castro Promoted

The Houston Astros have promoted one of their very few young prospects, Jason Castro. Castro, who will catch Roy Oswalt in his debut, will bat seventh and look to get on base. His overall game resembles AJ Pierzeinski in that both are physically tall, left-handed, intelligent, and good team leaders. To say the least, the Moabs are excited with Castro's future as one of the game's best catching prospects.

Jose, can you sing?

The Pittsburgh Pirates have attempted to sell some tickets by exploring the potential lineup of young hitters. Following the footsteps of burgeoning star Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates promoted Brooklyn Moab Jose Tabata. The outfielder has been an instant sparkplug in the lineup with six runs scored in ten games. Although his average is bordering the infamous Mendoza Line, Tabata has been getting on-base setting the table for McCutchen.

The Moabs have very few plans for Tabata this season joining McCutchen and Victorino in the outfield, but are delighted to see him getting an opportunity. "We expect him to step in and get some doubles and use his speed to turn singles into doubles by stealing second base. And it's because of that speed that we are so intrigued with his potential as he will get his base hits, extra-base hits and steals culminating in runs scored," commented a Moab official. "This is especially exciting considering that A-Mc will be the one driving him in."

Say it isn't Tulo!

What all die-hard Brooklyn Moab fan's feared most has occurred, a long-term injury to the Moab's team leader, Troy Tulowitzki. Tulowitzki who was batting fifth for most of the year while playing Gold Glove caliber defense was hit with a high heater on the backside of his wrist. The pitch effectively ended Tulo's summer with some optimism that he may return come post-season. The issue for management is that the post-season seems an awful distant hope considering the lack of run support with Tulo in the lineup. Now take out one of its best, seems bleak from the bleachers.

King Julio?

The Atlanta Braves have promoted their most impressive young prospect, Julio Teheran. The Moabs' fifth round pick in this season's 2010 draft, Teheran has been almost unhittable in low A ball. But with seven starts under his belt, the Braves felt it was past his time to be promoted to high class A ball. He had an ERA of 1.14, 41 K in 35.1 IP. Most impressively, JT surrendered only 23 hits and walked on 10 resulting in a WHIP of .84. Teheran's progressed will be closely monitored by the Brooklyn organization that will dictate when JT will be promoted to Double A Flint.

Free Agents to Compliment

Brooklyn added organizational depth on the first day of free agent signings. Two of the team's seven additions will be on the team's 25 man roster, if they have a good, healthy spring. Lefty Billy Wagner will add strike out potential and consistency along with Francisco Rodriguez in stabilizing a young pen. Many believe that its the organization's hope that Wagner will mentor Jose Mijares, who had rubbed management the wrong way after reporting late to camp after missing a flight. "Well missing a flight is certainly not professional behavior," commented manager Mike Scioscia. "I sat him down to have a quick talk. I got the point, which the media does not need to know. We're good though."

The Moabs added another character guy in Mike Cameron. Although the outfield appears stacked, rumors have it that the team may be shopping Shane Victorino. Another hope is that Cameron will mentor the fantastic rookie, Andrew McCutchen. "Young Cam's game resembles that of Andrew's. Both men have wheels, defensive awareness, power, and ability to hit for strong average," stated GM Caskey.

Filling out the organization's roster is UTL Brandon Inge, C Dioner Navarro, OF Melky Cabrera, and RHPs JJ Putz and Jeremy Accardo. Clearly the Moabs are suited for a serious run at October: "Now we have two backup catchers (Inge and Navarro), utility player (Inge), an outfielder who can play all three positions (Melk man) and two power arms who have low cost but potentially pennant changing rewards in Putz and Accardo."

What doesn't need to be stated is that the team now has the depth to move a package of players to acquire a player to fill a hole in the lineup, bullpen, or rotation.

Draft 2010

The Brooklyn front office came away ecstatic with the results of the draft. The organization came away with a sure-fire ace in Justin Verlander. In exchange for staple Roy Oswalt, catching prospect JP Arencibia, and a couple of eighth round picks, Brooklyn added a frontline pitcher that has a manageable salary over the next few seasons. He will immediately team up with Jon Lester, Scott Baker, James Shields, and Ubaldo Jimenez to form a very talented, young, experienced, rotation.

The Moabs drafted several key members moving forward and added to its organizational depth.
1) Casey Kelly, RHP
2) Sean Rodriguez, 2B/UTL
3) Francisco Liriano, SP
4) Compensated to Frostbite Falls for loss of Liriano
5) Julio Teheran, RHP
6) Jose Iglesias, SS
7) Alex Avila, C
8) Traded to St. Francis
8) Acquired via Worcester (loss of Saltalamacchia) Traded to St. Francis
Comp) Madison Youninger, RHP
Comp) Edward Salcedo, SS/3B

Clearly the organizational scouting spent time on hard throwing, high potential arms and toolsy, but gritty position players. Madison Youninger is described as extremely raw and unique for his powerful arm, good offspeed curve, and good feel despite relative inexperience. The organization is extremely high on Youninger and expect him to be a key in a couple of years. It is likely that the organization will take it slow with him. However, Kelly could impact the roster as early as September or next season, which is amazing considering his age and relative inexperience after giving up shortstop. One reason Kelly gave up playing everyday was Cuban Defector Jose Iglesias, who's glove is absolutely major league ready. He may not hit enough to be everyday BARB leaguer but simply can catch the ball enough to be extremely valuable. Potentially in Triple A Flint, Iglesias' double play partner may be Sean Rodriguez. If Rodriguez does not make the big league Brooklyn squad as a "super sub," his powerful bat should be an asset in Brooklyn soon enough.

Joining Kelly in the Flint rotation will be Julio Teheran. The organization has made it known that they try to avoid drafting Atlanta Braves prospects due to the management's deep feelings for the deep South's club, but Teheran was a Panamanian arm that could not be resisted. He has possibly the highest upside of any arm in the organization and to get him in the fifth round was an absolute steal. Fellow Brave, Edward Salcedo will compete to man the hot corner in Flint, but more likely will be reassigned to Double A Syracuse. He is a young powerful man who is expected to hit for serious power. Scouts have likened him similarly to a young Alex Rodriguez or Manny Ramirez for his lanky frame, quick bat speed from quick wrists and strong hands. Although drafted as a shortstop, he is likely to slide over to play 3B.

Alex Avila is another bulldog character type that will fit nicely in the system. He has tremendous upside after converting to catcher. He will be in competition along with non-roster invitees to be Brian McCann's primary backup. Lastly, the Moabs selected Liriano from the Frostbite organization. Although his stats do not stand out alone, he is a fierce competitor that can be truly filthy. He had a great winter and spring, and his value could not be ignored.