NL West Beat by Chris Rowe

    August is here and the division races are picking up. The NL East has 4 teams in contention for the playoffs with the best team in baseball Pittsburgh. The AL Central is battling for the most epic race in the history of baseball with the cellar team has an impressive .611 winning percentage which would put them in first in four other divisions. Which brings me to my NL West race which has Las Vegas looking to repeat the pennant despite going on a fire sale. Here are some ratings and players to know for the present and the future. Statistics and ratings are as of August 10th 2000. 


Las Vegas

Best Hitting Prospect (minors only) This was tough so I am going to choose two players. 2B Marcus Giles and RF Ruben Mateo. Giles is 20 years of age and is voted by the associated press as a top five infield prospect. With an 80SP ranking rates him among the fastest prospects. He also has contact (51) and power (53). Mateo is said to be the next Juan Gonzalez with speed. Talent scouts have coveted his abilities and his contact (52) is quite high for this 20yr old RF. He also has a great throwing arm and should be able to help at any OF position.

Best Pitching Prospect - 18 year old Ricardo Aramboles is my vote here. He has good stuff already and has 74AS and 73EN. He should fit as a top starter in a couple of years. Coaches say once they can get his control up they will give him a cup of coffee and a position on their professional roster.

Las Vegas NL rankings

Best Hitter - By far Roberto Alomar. He has a real good shot at the coveted triple crown. He currently ranks 1st in BA (.321) 1st in HRS (32) and 2nd in RBIS only two behind Barry Bonds for the NL lead. He is by far the MVP of the NL so far. He also has an incredible .601 slugging % which also leads the league. And he plays a gold glove 2B which makes this season all the more fantastic.

Best Pitcher - John Burkett would have never been figured in the pre-season to be the best pitcher in a staff with Roger Clemons, Dave Wells and John Smiley but it has happened. He has got a 2.51 ERA which is the lowest of the starters and is epic in the Reno launch park. He also has only allowed 14 walks through August 10th.

San Francisco

Best Hitting prospect - Julio Ramirez is the future powerhouse hitter in San Francisco. His blazing speed of 82 gives him range and he already has a 63 FA in the OF. He also has one of the most sought after arms of any fielder with a 88 AS. His cannon will be ready to trash any base runner trying to get just one more base.

Best Pitching prospect- Bruce Timlin is the guy here. His awesome pitches 80 plus fastball and 50 plus other pitches will turn some heads. He also has an 83 AS to compliment the fastball so you wont want to fall asleep on this pitcher. He figures to be a part of this staff within the next year or so and he should definitely help.

San Fran. NL rankings

Best Hitter - Mike Lansing is the power of this offense and seems kind of alone. He has 26 HRS and 48 RBIs which is very good. Even though he only has a .238 BA he is one of the leaders on this team. He is producing quite well but he will need some help for this offense to be more effective.

Best Pitcher - Jon Lieber is a pure stud pitcher in every sense of the word. His 1.51 ERA is among the leagues best and he has allowed only 102 hits in over 160 innings pitched. The opposition is only batting .178 against Lieber and cannot solve any of his pitches. If he had more offense to back him he would be a CY Young candidate.

Frogtown

Best Hitting Prospect - Angel Pena should be one of the best catchers in a few years. He has showed great promise in the Low minors and he hopes to get a shot on the pro roster within the next couple of years. His 74 FA should make him a great protector of the occasional wild pitch.

Best Pitching prospect - Buddy Carlyes' 78 control is excellent for the young right hander. He is 21 years old and has solid pitches as well. Look for him to show up on this staff by 2002.

Frogtowns NL rankings

Best Hitter - Scott Brosius has come out of no where to take this spot from first baseman Mark Grace who has held the spot up until this month. Scott has a .265 BA 17HRS and a big 57 RBIs. He has also shown some smart base running with 7 SB. He deserves this honor with his recent surge and he hopes to keep it rolling.

Best Pitcher - Maddux. I don't need to say his first name because you know his brother Mike would never have this tag next to his name. Maddux has thrilled the league again with his pin point control. His strike-out to walk ratio is almost unreal. 8 BB and 203 SO. He also has a 2.12 ERA which lead this team. Greg hopes to get some help because he feels like he is holding the load.

San Diego

Best Hitting Prospect - Right fielder Ralph Barns is the man here. He is a strong lefty bat that will help this teams future. This 21 year old has a 50C and a 45 power hitting ability which is very good for his age. I expect him to simmer in the minors for at least 2 more seasons to polish his skills. Also look out for the (bird catcher) Sparrow also who backs his name by always flipping me the bird every time I call him the Bird Catcher. 

Best Pitching Prospect - Jermain Van Buren has two 60 plus pitches at the young age of 18. This kid is for real. His 68 AS 81 EN and 74 control are good enough to be a pro now. I like this kid. His pitches could use some tuning but it will be an exciting day when he takes the field for the Padres.

San Diego's Team rankings

Best Hitter - Can you say Manny ? I bet you can say Manny just as fast as he can say HELP!! Manny is a stud and no one can be as good as him on his team but even close would be nice. Mr. Ramirez is carrying this offense with a .260 BA 24 HRS and 55 RBIs. He said he likes San Diego very much but if things get any worse he wants a trade to a contender.

Best Pitcher - Jaret Wright is a young bright spot on this dismal staff. He has allowed only 11 HRS through mid August and he post a 2.40 ERA. He and Glavine are the only pitchers performing on this starting staff. Wright said to me " This is a very tough year for the team but I am optimistic that we will turn it around. Management has promised an aggressive free agency and hopefully we can improve both sides. " I hope so too because they should have a shot in this division if they make some moves.

We are entering the final stretch and I hope the last month or so is as exciting as it is shaping up to be. My picks to make the playoffs at this point are:

NL - Pitt. , San Antonio, Las Vegas, and Washington.

AL Toronto, Anchorage, Colorado and FT. Gibson.

I pick FT. Gibson and Pittsburgh in the World Series with Pittsburgh winning back to back titles. I would like to see some new blood take the title but for some reason Pittsburgh always figures out a way to win in the one run games and that is why I am favoring them. The best record in the league had a little to do with my prediction as well. Thank you all and I hoped you enjoyed my writing.

 CR.