Pre-Season Power Rankings (7/8)

Up until this point...

#16--Charlotte Orios
#15--Mid-Michigan Tigers
#14--Flying Squirrels of Springfield
#13--San Antonio Fire Ants
#12--North Texas Rangers
#11--Atlantic Surge
#10--Dallas Redbirds
#09--Julian Javelin

At number 8-----Gaylord Dingers

Above Average Categories---Average, RBI, R, Holds
Below Average Categories---ERA, WHIP, Wins

A perennial stud in the Great Lakes Division may play second fiddle to Olivet in 2012. Nice up front power with Pujols and Ortiz but will need bounce back seasons from Weeks and Crawford to make any inroads in the division. OF will be a bit shaky but the infield will carry the team. The pitching is where the team seems to fall a bit short. Other than Greinke the rest of the starters are forgettable. The relievers on the other hand are pretty decent as long as your expectations are not too high. Andrew Bailey seems to be the only solid closer which begs the question why have him? The good news for Wagner is Mid Michigan and Charlotte are in the division with him. Three matches with each of them will net Gaylord close to 50 wins. It's the non division matches that will determine the winner of this division.

At number 7-----Oviedo Knights

Above Average Categories---BB, RBI, Runs, WHIP
Below Average Categories---SB

As usual Reynolds will field a very competitive team. The offense is filled with solid players who will all probably hit anywhere between 15-30 HR each although only Konerko and Hart will push the 30 mark. No real high averages and only a couple of real stolen base threats but overall pretty good. Pitching is where this Reynolds team differs from past years. This starting group led by Hamels, Beckett and Morrow is very good and the relief staff is solid if unspectacular. Look for Reynolds to be looking up at Rochester most of the season but a second place finish is where he should end up.