Friday, August 15, 2008

HANDICAPPING THE 2008 LLWS




http://www.littleleague.org/series/2008divisions/llbb/series.htm


Not that you should be doing this and you certainly should not be wagering on the results of these games, but just for laughs, here goes:

POOL A:

Southwest: Lake Charles, LA
Northwest: Mill Creek, WA
Mid Atlantic: Hagerstown, MD
Great Lakes: Jeffersonville, IN

If Indiana wins a game, I'll be surprised. Maryland is not bad but it looks like Mill Creek may have the better pitching. Lake Charles is a LL powerhouse, traditionally very strong teams come out of there.

POOL B:

West: Waipahu, HI
Southeast: Citrus Park LL, Tampa, FL
New England: Shelton, CT
Midwest: Rapid City, SD

The Hawaii team looks head and shoulders above anything on the American side, I'll be surprised if they lose a game until the final. Tampa is of course my sentimental favorite. Rapid City may just be happy to be there, two and barbecue, or whatever they do in Williamsport.

POOL C:
Carribean: Curacao N.A.
Mexico: Matamoros LL
Asia-Pacific: Guam LL
Europe: Emilia, Italy

Tough choice between Curacao and Mexico, almost a coin-flip. Guam must be a base team (American) and Italy is my second sentimental favorite.

POOL D:

Japan: Tokyo, Japan
Latin America: Maracaico, Venezuela
Canada: White Rock, BC
MEA: Dharan, Saudi Arabia

Another tough choice here between Tokyo and Maracaio. Canada gets a tough draw, they deserve better. Dharan is another American team.
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Lake Charles, LA vs. Waipahu, HI for the American final.
Curaco vs. Tokyo for the International final.

It looks like we may set up for a Tokyo vs. Hawaii championship, with the team from Hawaii defending the sport and winning a close game.

Except that they have such an easy run to the final, the American representative might not be the fourth or fifth best team in the tournament if it was an open bracket.

I'm not sure if the top four International teams wouldn't clean house in a best two out three series set-up or an open bracket, double elimination type format.

But we shall see what happens.
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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

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  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
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  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
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