Griffleball Preseason Power Rankings and Stat Projections

It is almost that time of the year again. Griffleball is just a few days away and the Griffle Grounds is ready for some wiffle action. Week One is right around the corner and the defending champions are looking to hoist another banner. While the other teams in the league would like to change their fortunes and dethrone the champs. They are two teams who I believe are worthy (besides Gashouse) who can win it all this year. They are the Taka Drivers and Nighttime Ninjas. The Taka Drivers were just one game away last season and they want to get rid of the awful taste of defeat that is still lingering. On the other hand, the Nighttime Ninjas came on strong at the end of last season and added a few more pieces that could help them accomplish their goal. Even though I believe that those are the only two teams who have a realistic shot at defeating Gashouse, you can never count out any team. The Bird Gang are looking to make the playoffs for a second straight season and came within one game of making the World Series. The Ducks on the Pond are trying to make their first postseason in their second season. Last but not least, the expansion team, the Digger Dudes, are trying to show the GBL that they could be the next expansion team to watch out for. It should be a fun ride for Griffleball's eighth season. Outreach on may social media websites is growing and sponsorship continues to grow. If you did not see the commissioners new announcement, (https://www.facebook.com/178315048884574/videos/1281460061903395/) he mentions that Bridge's Scoreboard will be hosting the 2017 Home Run Derby and All-Star Game. We also still have Biliztik Sports who approached us last season. It is a good time to be not only Griffleball fan, but a wiffleball fan as well, since many of the leagues in the country are starting soon. Stay tuned to the blog for weekly updates and follow me on Twitter at @TWalkGBL, follow our Facebook Page, and check out the league website at http://leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=griffleball. Can't wait to see everyone on Sunday!

PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

(And Player Stat Projections)

1. Gashouse Gorillas (2016 - 15-5 - Won World Series)

No surprise here as the five time defending champions take my preseason top spot. They have the main core returning (Rat, Tuck, Galiher) and added John Reyna, when available. When a team has both the MVP (Jeremy Ratajczyk) and Cy Young (Jim Tucker) winners and have another bat with the caliber of Galiher, it is easy to see why they rarely lose. Gashouse is always in the playoffs with their great hitting and good pitching combination. Expect them to easily make the playoffs once again. There is a great chance they could make another run to a banner.

STAT PROJECTIONS

(*IP Based on 20 Games=100 IP)

Jeremy Ratajczyk 

20 Games .488 AVG 19 HR 55 RBI 

4-2 44 IP 2.98 ERA 35 SO

Jim Tucker

14 Games .495 AVG 12 HR 31 RBI

8-1 33 IP 1.12 ERA 59 SO

Ryan Galiher

14 Games .380 AVG 16 HR 25 RBI

2-2 18 IP 5.14 ERA 9 SO

John Reyna

6 Games .297 AVG 2 HR 8 RBI

0-1 5 IP 4.25 ERA 4 SO

2. Taka Drivers (2016 - 12-8 - Lost in WS in 7)

After losing another series to the Gashouse Gorillas, the Taka Drivers look to have the best shot at beating the champs once again. They also have every core member returning (Buzz, Voges, Bartley) and they were one win away from winning their first championship. I expect their hitting numbers to improve entering their third season making them that more dangerous. All three of the Taka Drivers are strong in every facet of Griffleball. They are interchangeable parts that most teams wish they could have. The Taka Drivers are going to have to take their play up just one more level if they want to get past their rivals (Gashouse).

STAT PROJECTIONS

Ryan Voges

20 Games .415 AVG 7 HR 34 RBI

6-2 38 IP 1.88 ERA 52 SO

Jackson Buzea

16 Games .501 AVG 6 HR 26 RBI

4-1 30 IP 2.31 ERA 34 SO

Chris Bartley

20 Games .420 AVG 13 HR 41 RBI

5-1 26 IP 3.10 ERA 17 SO

Mark Miecznikowski

4 Games .260 AVG 1 HR 6 RBI

1-0 6 IP 4.00 ERA 4 SO

3. Nighttime Ninjas (2016 - 9-11 - Swept in 1st Round)

If any year would be the year for the Ninjas, 2017 would be their year. They bring back their two most consistent players from last year in Sammy Krucek and Mike Kubacki Jr. They also added another arm to their rotation at the end of last season in Jeffery Holden. The Ninjas will also benefit from the return to full time of the 2015 MVP, Ethan Arvay and added Matt Kuna from the draft. From a glance their roster can compete with any GBL team in the league. The Ninjas have always been known for their hitting prowess but, with the extra help their pitching can be the best it has ever been. Expect them to be a contender all season.

STAT PROJECTIONS

Mike Kubacki Jr.

20 Games .325 AVG 6 HR 24 RBI

3-3 28 IP 5.10 ERA 10 SO

Sammy Krucek

12 Games .525 14 HR 30 RBI

2-1 16 IP 3.98 ERA 7 SO

Ethan Arvay

16 Games .453 16 HR 36 RBI

3-2 30 IP 3.76 ERA 18 SO

Matt Kuna

10 Games .410 AVG 3 HR 20 RBI

2-1 15 IP 1.98 ERA 14 SO

Jeffery Holden

6 Games .280 AVG 2 HR 10 RBI

2-1 11 IP 1.20 ERA 17 SO

4. Bird Gang (2016 - 11-9 - Lost in 1st Round in 5)

After a successful 2016 campaign, the Bird Gang are now trying to take that next step. Both of their playoff appearances ended in the first round and both went to the max. Matt Zurawski had his team finish over .500 last season but a lot of those wins came from the arm of Andy Felde (who is now retired). I do not think it will be easy to find a replacement for the workload A.Felde dished out last season. If they do find someone that could take that workload, it would have to come from either Ryan Shimala, Mike Zurawski, or Cole Felde. On the other hand, if the offense can pick up the slack, their pitching concerns may not even be an issue. 

STAT PROJECTIONS

Matt Zurawski

20 Games .225 AVG 3 HR 8 RBI

1-4 19 IP 5.88 ERA 4 SO

Mike Zurawski

16 Games .370 8 HR 20 RBI

1-3 25 IP 5.00 ERA 4 SO

Luke Baker

8 Games .385 AVG 2 HR 8 RBI

0-2 8 IP 5.22 ERA 4 SO

Cole Felde

10 Games .260 AVG 3 HR 10 RBI

2-4 30 IP 4.40 ERA 12 SO

Ryan Shimala

14 Games .250 AVG 2 HR 6 RBI

0-3 18 IP 4.90 ERA 8 SO

5. Ducks on the Pond (2016 - 7-13 - Missed Playoffs)

Halfway through last season, the Ducks couldn't buy a win and yet they put themselves in a position to make the playoffs by the end of the year. Each player on the team began to define their roles and accustom themselves to the GBL. They found success off by adding Chris Diehl late in the year and the emergence of their offense. I expect the second half 2016 to be the norm for the Ducks in 2017 being led by Zack Duvnjak, Brian Brilmyer, and the aforementioned Diehl. They also added Mark Blount and Zach Muller during the offseason which could add some extra hitting. They have a favorable chance to make their first playoffs.

STAT PROJECTIONS

Brian Brilmyer

10 Games .280 AVG 8 HR 19 RBI

1-2 18 IP 5.10 ERA 12 SO

Zack Duvnjak

14 Games .370 AVG 6 HR 21 RBI

5-2 27 IP 2.99 ERA 20 SO

Chris Diehl

16 Games .436 AVG 10 HR 24 RBI

2-4 23 IP 4.85 ERA 8 SO

Shawn Siokis

 16 Games .277 AVG 1 HR 11 RBI

1-1 18 IP 6.10 ERA 8 SO

Mark Blount

10 Games .280 AVG 3 HR 7 RBI

1-1 14 IP 3.70 ERA 8 SO

Zach Muller

2 Games .200 AVG 0 HR 1 RBI

N/A

6. Digger Dudes (2016 - Did Not Play)

With the Stallionaires out of the league, Nick Bobowski added his own team to the GBL. The Digger Dudes will be a team will have three rookies (Brandon Burnell, Peter Sepulveda, and Jeremy Camp) joining the GBL and it could be a tough transition. The good news is that they drafted Nate Bryan in the draft and could help the new players during the season. If they do succeed during the season they will have to find a reliable arm to go along with the experience of Bryan and Bobowski. Without seeing the other half of the roster, it will be tough to gauge their potential.

STAT PROJECTIONS

Nick Bobowski

20 Games .225 AVG 1 HR 5 RBI

0-4 18 IP 5.78 ERA 5 SO

Nate Bryan

14 Games .375 AVG 8 HR 22 RBI

2-3 20 IP 4.88 ERA 8 SO

Derek Revis

8 Games .260 AVG 1 HR 11 RBI

0-2 8 IP 5.20 ERA 5 SO

Brandon Burnell

16 Games .290 AVG 2 HR 18 RBI

1-3 22 IP 4.50 ERA 11 SO

Peter Sepulveda

12 Games .265 AVG 5 HR 20 RBI

1-3 22 IP 4.97 ERA 10 SO

Jeremy Camp

10 Games .200 AVG 1 HR 8 RBI

0-1 10 IP 5.50 ERA 2 SO

WIFFLE OUT!

SEE YOU SUNDAY!