2007 Team by Team Preview - Zaps

VivaZaPastas

Starting Pitching:
Jer.Weaver, Snell, Bedard, Lowe - Weaver will be great, but only has 123 innings.

Bullpen:
McCarthy - I'm guessing the Zaps will be drafting some relievers.

Catcher:
Snyder - good card vs rhp, but only 184 AB; good arm
Schneider - probably a cut; too bad, because the Snyder/Schneider catching combo was kinda fun to say

Infield:
Thome (1b-4) - scary good vs rhp; can hold his own (so to speak) vs lhp
Fielder (1b-4) - good future, but not a great card right now; will struggle to get at bats on this team
D.Johnson (1b-4) - lots of walks, but probably a cut
Jo.Lopez (2b-3) - really good vs lhp
Cantu (2b-4) - won't have a playable card
E.Encarnacion (1b/3b-4) - higher BA vs rhp, otherwise balanced and very good
Reyes (ss-2) - tons of speed; excellent vs lhp; not bad vs rhp

Outfield:
Crawford (lf-1, cf-2) - balanced and speedy; note: vs rhp he hit 14 doubles, 13 triples, and 14 homers
Ramirez (lf-4) - pounds everyone; best hitter on the team
Granderson (cf-2) - nice hitter vs rhp; ugly left side; made only 1 error
Blake (rf-3, 1b-4) - good hitter; balanced OB; lots of power vs lhp
Hermida (cf/rf-4) - good young prospect, but not much help this year

Designated Hitter:
Probably Manny, but I guess Fielder might get a shot here if Ramirez ever takes the field.

Uncarded Guys:
Eric Gagne, if the Zaps want to wait him out another year.
Ian Stewart - 3b; ranked #3 prospect in the Rockies organization
Joel Guzman - infielder with Tampa Bay has slipped to #10 on their prospect list
Jarrod Saltalamacchia - catcher ranked as the #3 prospect in the Atlanta organization

Draft Status:
The Zaps draft 6th. They have all their own picks plus an extra 1st and extra 10th.

Outlook:
Loads of speed in Crawford and Reyes; loads of offense in Thome and Ramirez; but the lack of pitching will hurt. It will be interesting to see whether the Zaps draft pitchers or kids. They can't match the Snakes in the AWD, but are on a par with the Bees and Tweeners.

The remaining teams will be presented in this order: Mavs, Drillers, Warpigs, Tweeners, Nads