eMLB Preseason Power Poll: Lottery Bound

I started doing my divisional breakdowns and realized they are very time consuming, so I figured I'd take a different approach this season. I'm going to publish a series of power polls this year, starting from the bottom of the league and working my way to the top. So here is the first installment: Teams 13-16

16. Arizona Desert Swarm

Offensive Outlook: Grim

In my estimation, this team figures to struggle mightily hitting for average, producing power, driving in runs, and drawing walks. Their primary strengths figure to be speed and scoring runs, but that's really just a relative comparison to where I expect them to struggle. This team figures to be at or near the bottom of virtually every offensive measurable all season. What happens if Ackley fails to break camp with the big club?

Pitching Outlook: Solid

The real strength of this team is its starting pitching. Few teams have five starters as good as the unit Josh has assembled. They should be extremely competitive in W, ERA, WHIP, and K. It's my believe that having only one closer is akin to slapping a band-aid on a slit wrist - it only prolongs the agony. There is really no telling what to expect from any of his relievers outside of Nunez based on either inexperience or spotty track records. There will be a ton of turnover in his pen in my opinion.

Depth Outlook: Non-existant

He has three OFers on his bench who will either start the year in AAA, ride the pine, or split time at best. There is no telling where Doumit will wind up or where he'll play (less value in the OF). How much will Izturiz play? Only Derek Holland to fill in if Carpenter's elbow explodes again.

15. Atlantic Surge

Offensive Outlook: Average

There isn't what I'd call an explosive offensive core here, but there are some decent players. Napoli, LaRoche, Weeks, Hunter, and Kubel provide the power. Pagan provides the speed. This team will be roughly middle of the pack in terms of AVG, but will really struggle with SB and BB. He needs a big rebound season from Sandoval and continued growth from Colvin.

Pitching Outlook: Average

Not crazy about the pitching here. He reached for Hudson who seems unlikely to maintain a WHIP of 1.00 in a full season. Lackey and Pelfrey struggle to miss bats and work with lots of men on base - I wouldn't expect Pelfrey to have an ERA under 4 this season. Nolasco is pretty solid, and he needs some growth out of Scherzer. He'll be competitive in saves, particularly when Aardsma returns. Lindstrom and Walden figure to hurt the WHIP. I'd expect

Depth Outlook: Minimal

There is no telling what to expect from Moustakas, Wallace, Young or Moreland this season. I'd expect considerable regression from Buck. Callaspo is solid. I would expect Edwin Jackson and Jair Jurrjens to make major contributions, eventually replacing Pelfrey and Lackey before the All-Star break.

14. San Antonio Fire Ants

Offensive Outlook: Grim

This is an offense that figures to most closely resemble a pop gun. Sure, there are a couple stars (A-Rod, Tulo), but after that it's pretty much league average players - at best. Ultimately, Sankey will not get enough power/run production out of his C, 1B, OF, or DH to hang with most clubs week to week. He figures to be competitive in AVG, BB and R most weeks, but will struggle with HR, RBI and SB. He's going to struggle to find a solution at C and UTIL all season.

Pitching Outlook: Average

On paper his starters look pretty solid. You have to like Halladay, Lilly and Johnson. Arroyo will soak up innings and keep him in games. I'm not a believer in Dickey over a full season. What will he get out of Santana? He's going to post good ERA, WHIP and W totals. Arroyo and Dickey will drag down his K totals. Bell and Papelbon anchor the pen. I think he will have turnover among his set-up men.

Depth Outlook: Thin

His offensive depth is nothing to speak of. No depth in the middle infield, only Helton to back up Butler, and a league average catcher to start when he realizes Martin won't play enough. He does have some pitching depth with Wolf and Braden on the bench and Santana on the DL.

13. Olivet Killer Eagles

Offensive Outlook: Average

There is a ton of power here in VMart, Dunn, Morales, Swisher, Stubbs and Vlad, which means plenty of RBI, too. That said, I think there are two guys currently starting who could mitigate the impact of the afore-mentioned guys but offering below average production for their positions (Cuddyer and Cabrera). There is also some question as to Scott's role and playing time. This team will probably not be much better than league average in AVG and BB, and will struggle to compete in SB week-to-week.

Pitching Outlook: Below Average

Ricky Romero is a stud in the making, but there are four other guys who are hard to gage. Piniero is durable but inconsistent and doesn't miss bats. Happ is also inconsistent. Carrasco is inexperienced. Shields seems like a candidate for a bounce back, but has a ton of innings in that right shoulder. There is a similar collection of question marks in the 'pen. This team will probably struggle with nearly all pitching categories all year.

Depth Outlook:

The offensive depth is solid if unspectacular. Rodriguez, Nady, Hawpe, Encarnacion and Hardy could all prove valuable in spot duty. The pitching depth is a different story - Harden and Capuano are made of glass and Bailey is something of an enigma.