#23 SIDEARM REVIEW : #11 MINNEAPOLIS MAULERS

                                         CAN MAULERS WIN IT ALL ????

FRONT OFFICE 

Paul Nascene has 22 years on his resume resulting in 10 playoff appearances and a World Series ring in his only appearance.  Nascene knows how to get to the playoffs and this team could go far in the tournament of randomness.  Numbers say ....

ROTATION 

Cease 584
McClanahan 562
J. Ryan 664
K. Gibson 760
Bundy 765

BULLPEN

Z. Thompson 512
Tate 615
Burke 630
M. Leiter 673
Er. Ramirez 676
Da. Peterson 706
Bickford  719

LINEUP 

El. Diaz c 648
Pasquantino 1b 826
Cronenworth 2b 727
Dubon ss 565
K. Hayes 3b 659
Pratto of 657
Trout of 999
Carlson of 695
Yepez dh 742

BENCH

Chang if 605
Le. Garcia ut 500
Huff c 675
Maton ut 855
Perdomo if 547
Dickerson of 698 

ANALYSIS 

I love Mike Trout.  I went to a conference in San Diego when Trout was breaking in and he made me think this is what Mantle would have done if he didn't suffer so many injuries.  Trout is worth the price of admission and what makes this league so interesting is the possibility Trout could win a World Series ring in the SSL.

Nascene won the ring in 2018 and this team could bring him another in the 23 season.  Anytime you can send Cease and McClanahan to the mound with Ryan holding down the 3 slot and you have a chance to win any playoff game. Gibson and Bundy need to eat enough innings to get the Maulers to the playoffs. 

The bullpen is below average once Z. Thompson is used.  Tate and Burke can bridge a few innings but the rest of the pen is dicey. 

Trout needs some help in the lineup and the hope is Pasquantino, Hayes, Pratto and Carlson can reach their potential sooner rather than never.  Yepez is an underrated bat and Dubon is the best defender in baseball.  Maton is a great bat for key PH situations.  

The Maulers could finish anywhere between first and third in the NL East but the numbers say they finish 3rd in the NL East.