In this inaugural addition of the Key West Gazette, we take a look at the early happenings of the 2016 American Federation Baseball League season. The Gazette will then chronicle the rest of the season and beyond as the league owned and operated newspaper.
Frontier League News and Notes
We begin with the defending champions, the Texas Isotopes. They are out of the gate quickly, with the league's best record at 16-8, applying pressure to the rest of the Frontier League to keep up. The Isotopes, which certainly don't lack for talent, have a knack for the whole being better than the some of the parts. Outside of stolen bases they don't currently lead the Frontier League in any statistical category but are near the top in many and that sort of balance has them poised again as the favorite out of the Frontier. Though they are, it looks like, in for a battle from the Colorado Bears, who sit just a game back currently. Though they are two back in the loss column.
The Bears, still stinging from disappointment last season, vow to get by Texas this season. Texas eliminated Colorado in their quest to win the championship. This is developing into one of the most intense rivalries in the league and could very well shape the 2016 season in terms of who survives the Frontier League to compete for the title. Colorado in contrast to Texas, is offense happy, while the pitching is struggling to catch up. Colorado leads the FL in most offensive categories but sits near the bottom in most pitching statistics. For Colorado to move to the next level, they will likely need to find some answers on the mound.
One team in a unique situation this season is the Illinois Piasa. The team finds itself competing for the playoffs with an owner that has already completed a league approved sale that takes effect next season. As the 2016 campaign unfolds it will be interesting to see what latitude the present owner, who next year will be running an expansion franchise, feels he has to complete deals that impact the long term sustained success of the franchise. Never know, a key move or two might move Illinois right past Texas and Colorado.
One bright spot for the struggling Indiana Vipers is Juan Palmeiro, an early favorite for the top pitcher in the league. His .78 ERA is a boon for a team whose starters as a whole are near the bottom of the FL in ERA. He has also recorded 4 of the teams 10 wins. In his last 4 starts he has 4 wins and a .3 ERA. That is not a typo, you read correctly, a .3 ERA. Arizona, which made a blockbuster deal right before opening day, rounds out the FL standings but it could just be a matter of time before the new pieces fit together and things get going there. Certainly ownership has shown a commitment to winning that their players must follow.
Patriot League News and Notes
Where the FL has already seen some separation between its top teams and the rest of the league, the Patriot League is notable for its early logjam top to bottom where first and last place are a mere 4 games apart. Only one game differentiates the first place from the 4th place teams. New Jersey is a team whose record at this point does not reflect its production. As a team it leads or is near the top of the PL in most areas on offense and pitching wise. Its pitching staff seems to have one glaring issue early in the season and that is the 33 homeruns already surrendered. Could be the explanation between production and results, that and some early hard luck losses. They do appear to be poised to take the next step and make the championship series, this season, with a team loaded with talent and playoff experience.
That will not be easy, though. As they have West Virginia, the newly relocated Pennsylvania francise and the defending PL Champions from North Carolina all above .500 and hot on their heels. North Carolina will be making its bid this season to get back to the championship series and get over the hump this year to win it all. To get there, they will be led by their own version of the bash brothers, Greg Smith and Rory White who have combined for 12 homeruns and 45 RBIs already this season. Pennsylvania is generating excitement in its new home state with an early run at the playoffs and all indications are it will continue to be a contender throughout the 2016 season.
An interesting early rumbling comes from the AFBL's northern most team, the Ontario Blue Pirates. Despite being only 4 games out of first, there have been some rumblings from front office executives speaking under the condition of anonymity, that Ontario could be close to trading off some key players with an eye to the future in an effort to rebuild the team into a title contender. Will be interesting to watch and see how their rival, New Jersey, and their early success effects that decision.
Vegas Odds and Ends
Texas is listed by Vegas insiders as the odds on favorite to repeat at 1.5:1 odds. New Jersey comes in close behind at 2:1 and Colorado at 2.5:1. North Carolina is favored t 5:1 while Pennsylvania, Illinois and West Virginia are currently sitting at 18:1.