2012 Pre-Season Predictions

Let the 2012 Marlboro Softball season begin! These predictions are just for fun and apologies to anyone who has their feelings hurt. I try to keep things as positive as possible, but honesty is important as well. I’m going to post one division every day or two. Feel free to make comments on the blog.

NL East

Team Jacoby

What’s To Like: Just like Pollock’s first two rounds last year, Jacoby was able to get a perennial MVP candidate despite not having the first selection and then get one of the most consistently great hitters, Brock Hor, in the second round. This formula worked well with our team last year, so the same may be true for another rookie captain this year.

Team Questions: I’m usually wary of taking rookies, and Team Jacoby has more first year players than any other team this year. There is usually an adjustment period needed for players coming into the league, and if they all stumble out of the gate then offense can be a problem.
Best Draft Pick: That being said about rookies, the Fradkin pick can end up being the best in the draft. Ed is by far the best offensive player in the league, and after seeing Mike’s tryout, I wouldn’t be surprised if they both end up playing like first rounders.

Prediction- 10-12

Team Schefkind

What’s To Like: This is a very well-balanced team that should have a lot of intensity. There’s not one bad pick in the bunch and a few players can catapult this team to one of the elite if they have the seasons they are capable of having.

Team Questions: I’m not sure who the shortstop is going to be, but it doesn’t seem like there is a proven answer yet.

Best Draft Pick: Malayz hit close to .600 as a rookie and can prove himself to be worthy of a first round pick with a similar season this year. It was only 2 years ago that Mark Persily hit .597. If he can find that stroke again then he’ll be one of the league’s biggest steal as an 8th rounder.

Prediction- 13-9

Team Applebaum

What’s To Like: Last year Team Applebaum won only five games so this squad should be better almost by default. Their outfield defense should be very strong and the bottom half of this lineup can match up with anybody else’s. Marter, Gershman, and Glassman all provide excellent offensive upside for where they were drafted.

Team Questions: While Team Applebaum’s outfield defense is very sound, I suspect that the infield may have a few more problems. While Jessie Cytryn is undebiably a great player, his missed games (5) will definitely affect the team’s win/loss record.

Best Draft Pick: As mentioned before, Applebaum got very good value during the second half of the draft. Out of this group, I think Ricky Marter will end up helping the team the most.

Prediction: 9-13

Team Granese

What’s To Like: This team packs a great 1-2 punch with Granese/Pargament. Paul Ritchie is a wild card, like any rookie, but has a decent chance of giving this team a trio of players that is tough to navigate through the lineup without giving up some runs. With Ritchie, Pargament, and Barbesh in the OF, this team will make it tough on teams trying to hit fly balls.

Team Questions: A running theme through this preview will be the impact of missed games. The noteworthy missed games list include Pargament(6-7), Marrone(4 not including 1 playoff game), and Zimmerman(6 not including 1 playoff game). The bottom of this lineup might be particularly weak since they had to use a 12th round pick on a player who usually goes in the 13th in addition to a rookie drafted in the 11th. Once again, rookies may succeed but I always expect there to be an adjustment period.

Best Draft Pick: Jeff Turtz it a great hitter for the 9th round. He’ll give this team a much needed boost, especially for the games when Pargament misses.

Prediction: 8-14