AL South Preview

Mexico City Gallos Grandes -- (Formally Santa Fe Gallos Grandes (113-49))

Last years top team is back and in a new location! This team is talented. But what will the location change hurt them? The team also has their 3 top position players up for arbitration. While they are expected to return, it will be costly for the team.

Mexico City has 2 dominating starting Pitchers. Including last years AL Cy Young Winner Steve Cornelius. In a spectacular trade move by their GM before the season even started last year they traded 2 prospects to the Iowa City Black Lightning in return for their Ace. Joe Cohen is the teams #2 pitcher and is the 2nd of their dominating rotation. Harold Blake, their All-Star Closer, returns as their closer and is the youngest pitcher on their ML staff at age 25 and is one of only two pitchers under the age of 30.

The team sports a plethora of dominating position players, but again they are an older bunch. Domingo Fernandez last years Silver Slugger winner at 3b is eligible for arbitration this year, but is expected to be signed to a long-term deal. Mikey Robbins, another Silver Slugger from Mexico City, returns at LF assuming a resigning which form a source close to the team is their first priority this offseason. Carlos Zurbaran is also up for arbitration this season but is expected to return.

The teams cupboards are kinda bare. Their AAA team doesn't have any ML ready players and neither does their AA team. Kevin Lee is their best prospect at or above the AA team. Vic Bennett is a potential ML relief arm down the line and is currently playing at High A. Red Benton is a few years away, currently at Low A, but is a ML caliber C prospect. Pedro Lorenzo is young but has plenty of time to grow into a solid relief arm also.


Tampa Bay Thunderbirds -- (Formerly the Florida Hurricanes (65-97))

Tampa Bay is loaded with young stud pitchers. On the other hand they are very lacking in quality position players.

Sandy Murphy is a stud and the Ace of the staff at the young age of 23. Last season he posted a 3.00 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 34 starts. Rick Richardson is the teams #2 returning pitcher while Anthony Post and Mario Dyer round out the returning rotation. Andres Guzman looks to be the early favorite to take the final rotation spot baring a trade or signing. The team also returns 24 year old closer Harold Williams and 21 year old Andres Marquez their #1 set-up guy. Although Marquez wants to battle for the closer spot, no official word has been given as to whether it is actually up for grabs.

The line-up is a completely different story. While they are young also there really isn't any young stars on their ML roster. Lou Gumbert is their starting CF and while he will be a solid ML player, he is not ML ready now at age 22. Benny Melton is another example of a solid prospect who is not yet ML ready.

In their Farm System they have a few quality prospects. Ismael Dali is a solid SP prospect at AAA. Quentin Randa and Len Knott are both Good ML Relief Prospects. After these guys their Farm system is very weak. They don't have any Good Position Prospects as their best potential prospects are already in the ML.


Houston texans -- (Formally Houston Astros (70-92))

The 2nd place finisher in the South last season returns a top-notch starting rotation and solid position players.

Their rotation is very solid, with 2 #1 starters in Richard Bruske and Davey Johnson. Both are still on top of their game and are the leaders of this Houston team. Junior Rios is their #3 starter, but is getting old and is on the downside of his career. Larry Eischen is eligible for arbitration but should return as their leading setup arm.

The team has a solid, yet not spectacular line-up. SS Benji Harvey is their #1 position player and will need to carry the load this season. He gets help from 23 year old OF Roger Jackson and 27 year old 2b Kirk Brede. The team relies on Teddy Schoendienst behind the plate. Schoendienst is a solid all around catcher.

Doc Hunter is the teams #1 prospect and he could be starting in most rotations around the league this season and in my mind will be starting somewhere, whether it be in Houston or not. Brendan Riley is another young arm currently pitching at their AAA level. Junior Leon is the teams top position prospect in AAA ball. The teams AA team is lacking of any ML talent but playing High A ball is Donn Forrest a well rounded 3b who should see ML time in his future. Josh Donnelly is the real stud here and he should see time at the Major League level this season baring some unforseen derailment. Playing on their Rookie League team is 20 year old Miguel Aparicio. Aparicio is going to be a star some day at the ML level.