Miracle Post Draft and Pre-Season Power Rankings

The Michigan Miracles went into the 2012 draft with a plan in mind for his team. With only two closers and a handful of position players under contract going into the winter meetings the Miracles had their work cut out for them after an extremely disappointing 2011 campaign. The first part of the revamped team came by trading away their lottery pick for four years of Prince Fielder. Assorted other moves and the Miracles were ready for the draft. The main plan was to draft a solid OF with their first pick and then take the next best hitter with their second pick. That second pick turned into Matt Cain. Cain being available was totally unexpected at the end of the second round and taking him was necessary. That pick was followed by two more SP's and a third closer in Jonathan Papelbon after which the rest of the lineup was filled out. For the most part the Miracle braintrust was happy with their picks but would have liked one more impact bat. That being said the Miracles feel that they will be very competitive in the Texas Division this year and with a little bit of good fortune can make their first appearance in the Championship Playoffs. Big goal considering the track record of the team the past few seasons.


GM Chris Renner has ranked the 16 teams based on how he feels they stack up at this point of the year. Renner will release his rankings two at a time beginning here.....

At number 16-----Charlotte Orios

Above Average Categories---None
Below Average Categories---Average, RBI, ERA, Strikeouts, WHIP, Wins

A questionable draft led the Orios to this position. First four picks of Beltre/Mauer/Quentin/Beckett were ok/way early/OMG/ok. Overreach for Bryce Harper and an extremely weak set of starting pitchers pretty much assure the Orios of a long season.

At number 15-----Mid-Michigan Tigers

Above Average Categories---None
Below Average Categories---SB, ERA, Holds, Strikeout, Wins

The Tigers may have been better served in trading Miguel Cabrera for perhaps a player and a couple of picks considering the chances of them competing in 2012 are slim at best. As with the Orios the top portion of the draft after Jay Bruce was ok. Overpaid for Howie Kendrick to start at 2B and also starting Escobar and McGehee you get an idea that the offense will be average at best...and that is with Cabby. The pitching has a lot of high 3 and 4+ ERA's and most weeks it will not be pretty. With Charlotte in the same division at least they may not finish last. Good news is, they may get Miguel Cabrera back next year.

A quick note--above average for me would be in the top 4 teams in a category and below average would be in the bottom 4 teams in a given category. Tomorrow I will round out the potential lottery teams of 2013.