2007 Team by Team Preview - DiamondVision

As a public service, Pigman Publishing will attempt to preview the 16 NASOMA teams over the next few weeks. We start with the DiamondVision.

Starting Pitching:
C.Young, Clemens, and Kazmir are excellent, but a little short on innings. As far as 1-3 starters, the DVs are in the top half of the teams in the league. Options for a 4th or 5th starter are Benson and DDavis, but will probably come from a trade or the draft.

Bullpen:
Heilman, Weathers, Shields, Isringhausen, Calero, and Ohman. A great pre-draft group. Although normally a set-up man, Shields makes a nice stopper.

Catcher:
McCann - one of the best out there; especially good vs rhp. His arm won't hurt the team.
Lieberthal - could make the team, but could be easily drafted back in the 10th round.

Infield:
Helton(1b-2) - his power has dropped off and he has lost his 1, but he is balanced and has great on base
Utley(2b-3) - other than being a 3, Utley is excellent
Lugo(ss-3) - sucks vs lhp. mediocre vs rhp.
Lowell(3b-1) - also bad vs lhp, but okay vs rhp; one of two 1's on the team
A.Hill and Scutaro - If Hill wasn't a 4 at ss, he'd be the starter there. Good onbase. Scutaro is a good utility guy, but not much of an offensive threat.

Outfield:
Holliday(lf-4) - great breakout year, but didn't get the 3 he probably deserved. balanced with power and onbase; the best DV hitter.
Beltran(cf-1) - got the 1; struggled vs lhp a bit, but OPS over 1000 vs rhp
Ordonez (rf-3) - good, balanced hitter; not as good as Holliday, but he's a better fielder.

Designated Hitter:
Griffey? Not a real strong hitter. G.Anderson? Surely not. A.Hill? Maybe.

Uncarded guys:
Adam Miller - #1 prospect in the Indian organization.

Draft status:
The DVs pick 4th and have all of their own picks, but no extras. That first pick will bring either another starter or that missing DH (or better yet, a leftfielder with Holliday moving to DH).

Outlook:
The DVs are in the toughest division. Last year's World Series' champ and runner-up were both from the NERDD, and they'll both be good again this year; but the Drillers will be the team to beat in this division. Still, the DVS have the pitching to contend for the division. The bulk of the lineup (Helton, Utley, Beltran, Holliday, McCann, Ordonez) will produce a lot of runs. This is not a speed team, but not really a homer team either - but just a good, balanced team. The pitching and hitting will make up for the questionable defense at 2b/ss, and the DVs will make it to the post-season as a wild card.

Next up: The Rhinos