Post by Commissioner Erick on May 14, 2022 17:47:54 GMT -5
The Milwaukee Brewers dominated the National League to the tune of 119 wins—helped in no small part by a weak rest of the division—and captured the 2027 championship. While there’s some talent elsewhere in the Central, the rest of the division is in a state of rebuild, or in the case of Chicago, a state of waiting for expensive contracts to come to term. While Milwaukee should win the division handily this year, it’ll be fun seeing which rebuilding club stakes a claim to being the next team likely to challenge Milwaukee in the coming years.
1) Milwaukee Brewers
2027: 119-43, NL Central Champions. Defeated Washington 4-0 in NLDS. Defeated Atlanta 4-0 in NLCS. Defeated Kansas City 4-3 in World Series
Who They Were: The Brewers survived a handful of scary injuries, including one of their best arms getting hit by a train, to win the title. They were a dominant pitching team with a 2.82 ERA, more than half a run better than the PBA’s next best team. Nine players had significant playing time and carried an above average OPS+ as well. They were a complete team that had a dominant National League playoffs and got a huge Matt Aceto Home Run and aggressive baserunning from Noah Campbell to win the World Series in Game Seven.
Offseason Review: With a young, cost-controlled team coming off a title, Milwaukee didn’t do much. They lost bit pieces Danny Weatherwax, Michell Millano, and Toby Dunlap, but remain the prohibitive favorites to win the National League.
On The Farm: The Brewers have always had a good farm, this year carrying the sixth best system in the league. Most of their top prospects won’t be much help this year, which is fine with such a stacked PBA roster. Roberto Sarmiento and Grant Stein look like 2029 forces, and Cookie Downen and Zachary Stewart are Top 50 Prospects who need a little longer development time.
Best Case Scenario: San Francisco wins the NL West
Worst Case Scenario: Kansas City wins the AL Pennant
Key Questions: Your team is about to start getting expensive. Are there players you might move ahead of time to line up your future finances?
You criticized Adam Nevala mercilessly last year, yet he’s still your trainer. Why didn’t you make a change?
2) Pittsburgh Pirates
2027: 71-91, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Pirates didn’t score well, though they were fifth in steals and respectable in some of the slugging metrics. Still rebuilding, the Pirates did score a major success with their prospect development. Fly by Night Vega looks like a big slugger, Ron Dahl was successful on the field and the bases, and Luis Castillo was able to hit .280 after a rough rookie year. That’s just the hitters—Kevin Truitt, Chris Donelson, and Sergio Navarro held their own and look like front a terrific front line.
Offseason Review: The Pirates moved on from Yoan Moncada, and with their staff developing, didn’t retain Luis Ortiz. Willi Castro and Chris Berardelli will shore up the infield, while Wyatt Cross was signed to give the team a plus Catcher.
On The Farm: Most of the team’s top prospects have graduated out recently, but there are still a pair of top prospects close to the majors. Brian Radcliff isn’t too far off from being the next good young Third Baseman, though a lack of range may ultimately move him to First Base. Jayden Prescott should be up this year to give the team its fourth impressive young pitcher.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching is dominant and the team wins 81 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The Pirates have one of the league’s worst offenses, undoing the work of the staff.
Key Questions: Luis Castillo, Chris Berardelli, and Willi Castro—who plays Second Base?
Juan Ochoa hasn’t produced for the Pirates yet. Have you soured on him?
3) St. Louis Cardinals
2027: 57-105, Last Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Cardinals had a bunch of free agents who were washed up. Edwin Diaz went 3-11 and had a 5.19 ERA. Francis Pena went 3-8 with a 5.40 ERA. Chance Adams went 3-5 with a 4.57 ERA. Juan Soto hit just six home runs in 124 Games, while Franklin Barreto hit just .238 with 11 homers and 148 strikeouts. With so many failures, the Cardinals lost more than 100 Games.
Offseason Review: The Cardinals made a number of changes. Shortstops Addison Russell and Jacob Amaya won’t return, and a number of pitchers are gone. Trent Clark is back to begin the year with the Cardinals, though as in 2027, he may not end it with the Cardinals. Patrick Leonard will give the team some muscle, and prospect Luis Detres will begin the year in the rotation.
On The Farm: Detres is one of the game’s best prospects, and he’ll begin the season with the big club. Chris Yera and Danny Medina are top arms who are also close, as is John Kadlicek, though his reason for not pitching in the majors this year is due to injuries. The position player crop isn’t nearly as strong.
Best Case Scenario: Joe Mills becomes a superstar and Detres is spectacular, leading the Cardinals to a second place finish.
Worst Case Scenario: With a number of replacement-level players, the Cardinals could lose 100 games again.
Key Questions: You have a brand new left side of your infield. What are you looking for from the positions this year?
Detres looks like a star, but what do you expect from the rest of your starting rotation?
4) Chicago Cubs
2027: 72-90, 2nd Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Cubs were second to last in home runs last year, and 11th in runs scored. Their pitching was middle of the pack behind a good bullpen that made up for a poor rotation. The team was expensive and recovering from its core aging. It lacked depth and prospects and was in an awkward space, winning 72 games.
Offseason Review: The team added Yoan Moncada for Omari McCoo, and let Cobi Johnson leave in Free Agency. It remains a very similar team to what it trotted out last year. The team is still building up its talent base, meaning it will need to take its medicine for another year until most of its more expensive contracts become free agents.
On The Farm: There are some decent pitchers, some who will likely make the rotation and some a few seasons away. The position player crop is barren though, with one player who looks like a possible future starter, and that player, Carlos Trinidad, is still in Low-A.
Best Case Scenario: Kris Bryant has a bounce back year, Francisco Lindor remains an MVP candidate, and the young pitchers help pull the Cubs to 76 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: Lindor takes a step back, Tillman Corriga isn’t good enough, and the team loses 96 games.
Key Questions: Your team doesn’t have much high-end talent. Will you try to trade the veterans on your roster to get more youth?
What are you looking for from Moncada this season?
5) Cincinnati Reds
2027: 60-102, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Reds were a strong defensive team in 2026, but regressed in 2027. They also had the second worst offense, and a 4.72 ERA. Vinny Escudero had his worst season, and only one position player, the defensive wizard Wander Samuel Franco, had more than 1.4 WAR. The team had a couple of good starters, and Doug Syversen was a standout closer, but the Reds lacked pitching depth.
Offseason Review: Dylan Jacques was brought in and is a bright pitching prospect. He’ll replace Victor Gonzalez, ho the Reds let walk in free agency after his 3.5 WAR season as he doesn’t fit the Reds competitive timeline. Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Berardelli were allowed to walk, as was reliever Donnie Hart, with internal options aiming to replace them.
On The Farm: The Reds have a number of prospects in the high minors who show promise. Center Fielder Terrance Lucas and Right Fielder Andrew Knutsen chief among them. Vince Dubin also likely needs less than a year to be a starting pitcher, with Olaf Khan a year behind from joining him. The next season or two will likely be bleak, but there’s talent on the horizon.
Best Case Scenario: The team wins 70 games thanks to a weak division.
Worst Case Scenario: There’s little high end talent, especially if the prospects are given time to marinate. The Reds could lose 105 games.
Key Questions: There are talented prospects on the horizon, but those prosects aren’t here yet. How does that affect what you do with talented arms Josh Carlson and Doug Syversen?
Vinny Escudero had a rough go of it last season. Is a .745 OPS who he is now as a player, or was last year merely a rough season?
1) Milwaukee Brewers
2027: 119-43, NL Central Champions. Defeated Washington 4-0 in NLDS. Defeated Atlanta 4-0 in NLCS. Defeated Kansas City 4-3 in World Series
Who They Were: The Brewers survived a handful of scary injuries, including one of their best arms getting hit by a train, to win the title. They were a dominant pitching team with a 2.82 ERA, more than half a run better than the PBA’s next best team. Nine players had significant playing time and carried an above average OPS+ as well. They were a complete team that had a dominant National League playoffs and got a huge Matt Aceto Home Run and aggressive baserunning from Noah Campbell to win the World Series in Game Seven.
Offseason Review: With a young, cost-controlled team coming off a title, Milwaukee didn’t do much. They lost bit pieces Danny Weatherwax, Michell Millano, and Toby Dunlap, but remain the prohibitive favorites to win the National League.
On The Farm: The Brewers have always had a good farm, this year carrying the sixth best system in the league. Most of their top prospects won’t be much help this year, which is fine with such a stacked PBA roster. Roberto Sarmiento and Grant Stein look like 2029 forces, and Cookie Downen and Zachary Stewart are Top 50 Prospects who need a little longer development time.
Best Case Scenario: San Francisco wins the NL West
Worst Case Scenario: Kansas City wins the AL Pennant
Key Questions: Your team is about to start getting expensive. Are there players you might move ahead of time to line up your future finances?
You criticized Adam Nevala mercilessly last year, yet he’s still your trainer. Why didn’t you make a change?
2) Pittsburgh Pirates
2027: 71-91, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Pirates didn’t score well, though they were fifth in steals and respectable in some of the slugging metrics. Still rebuilding, the Pirates did score a major success with their prospect development. Fly by Night Vega looks like a big slugger, Ron Dahl was successful on the field and the bases, and Luis Castillo was able to hit .280 after a rough rookie year. That’s just the hitters—Kevin Truitt, Chris Donelson, and Sergio Navarro held their own and look like front a terrific front line.
Offseason Review: The Pirates moved on from Yoan Moncada, and with their staff developing, didn’t retain Luis Ortiz. Willi Castro and Chris Berardelli will shore up the infield, while Wyatt Cross was signed to give the team a plus Catcher.
On The Farm: Most of the team’s top prospects have graduated out recently, but there are still a pair of top prospects close to the majors. Brian Radcliff isn’t too far off from being the next good young Third Baseman, though a lack of range may ultimately move him to First Base. Jayden Prescott should be up this year to give the team its fourth impressive young pitcher.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching is dominant and the team wins 81 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The Pirates have one of the league’s worst offenses, undoing the work of the staff.
Key Questions: Luis Castillo, Chris Berardelli, and Willi Castro—who plays Second Base?
Juan Ochoa hasn’t produced for the Pirates yet. Have you soured on him?
3) St. Louis Cardinals
2027: 57-105, Last Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Cardinals had a bunch of free agents who were washed up. Edwin Diaz went 3-11 and had a 5.19 ERA. Francis Pena went 3-8 with a 5.40 ERA. Chance Adams went 3-5 with a 4.57 ERA. Juan Soto hit just six home runs in 124 Games, while Franklin Barreto hit just .238 with 11 homers and 148 strikeouts. With so many failures, the Cardinals lost more than 100 Games.
Offseason Review: The Cardinals made a number of changes. Shortstops Addison Russell and Jacob Amaya won’t return, and a number of pitchers are gone. Trent Clark is back to begin the year with the Cardinals, though as in 2027, he may not end it with the Cardinals. Patrick Leonard will give the team some muscle, and prospect Luis Detres will begin the year in the rotation.
On The Farm: Detres is one of the game’s best prospects, and he’ll begin the season with the big club. Chris Yera and Danny Medina are top arms who are also close, as is John Kadlicek, though his reason for not pitching in the majors this year is due to injuries. The position player crop isn’t nearly as strong.
Best Case Scenario: Joe Mills becomes a superstar and Detres is spectacular, leading the Cardinals to a second place finish.
Worst Case Scenario: With a number of replacement-level players, the Cardinals could lose 100 games again.
Key Questions: You have a brand new left side of your infield. What are you looking for from the positions this year?
Detres looks like a star, but what do you expect from the rest of your starting rotation?
4) Chicago Cubs
2027: 72-90, 2nd Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Cubs were second to last in home runs last year, and 11th in runs scored. Their pitching was middle of the pack behind a good bullpen that made up for a poor rotation. The team was expensive and recovering from its core aging. It lacked depth and prospects and was in an awkward space, winning 72 games.
Offseason Review: The team added Yoan Moncada for Omari McCoo, and let Cobi Johnson leave in Free Agency. It remains a very similar team to what it trotted out last year. The team is still building up its talent base, meaning it will need to take its medicine for another year until most of its more expensive contracts become free agents.
On The Farm: There are some decent pitchers, some who will likely make the rotation and some a few seasons away. The position player crop is barren though, with one player who looks like a possible future starter, and that player, Carlos Trinidad, is still in Low-A.
Best Case Scenario: Kris Bryant has a bounce back year, Francisco Lindor remains an MVP candidate, and the young pitchers help pull the Cubs to 76 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: Lindor takes a step back, Tillman Corriga isn’t good enough, and the team loses 96 games.
Key Questions: Your team doesn’t have much high-end talent. Will you try to trade the veterans on your roster to get more youth?
What are you looking for from Moncada this season?
5) Cincinnati Reds
2027: 60-102, 4th Place NL Central
Who They Were: The Reds were a strong defensive team in 2026, but regressed in 2027. They also had the second worst offense, and a 4.72 ERA. Vinny Escudero had his worst season, and only one position player, the defensive wizard Wander Samuel Franco, had more than 1.4 WAR. The team had a couple of good starters, and Doug Syversen was a standout closer, but the Reds lacked pitching depth.
Offseason Review: Dylan Jacques was brought in and is a bright pitching prospect. He’ll replace Victor Gonzalez, ho the Reds let walk in free agency after his 3.5 WAR season as he doesn’t fit the Reds competitive timeline. Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Berardelli were allowed to walk, as was reliever Donnie Hart, with internal options aiming to replace them.
On The Farm: The Reds have a number of prospects in the high minors who show promise. Center Fielder Terrance Lucas and Right Fielder Andrew Knutsen chief among them. Vince Dubin also likely needs less than a year to be a starting pitcher, with Olaf Khan a year behind from joining him. The next season or two will likely be bleak, but there’s talent on the horizon.
Best Case Scenario: The team wins 70 games thanks to a weak division.
Worst Case Scenario: There’s little high end talent, especially if the prospects are given time to marinate. The Reds could lose 105 games.
Key Questions: There are talented prospects on the horizon, but those prosects aren’t here yet. How does that affect what you do with talented arms Josh Carlson and Doug Syversen?
Vinny Escudero had a rough go of it last season. Is a .745 OPS who he is now as a player, or was last year merely a rough season?
