The totally “unscientifically-rated” Top 5 rotations in the WHEBO

The totally “unscientifically-rated” Top 5 rotations in the WHEBO

With the start of the WHEBO league and its inaugural draft, several questions have arisen. We’ve already seen some preseason predictions with some interesting results, but which teams are most likely to have stronger rotations and, with that, have a somewhat better chance of reaching the WHEBO’s first post-season? This brief article will show the top five rotations in the league, based solely on each pitcher’s current overall rating.



(NOTE: where teams had 6 pitchers in their rotation, I did not count the lowest rated player. Where teams had not set up their initial starting rotation, I took the best 5 starting pitchers on their ML team.)



#5: Indianapolis Racers


The Racers had a great spot in the inaugural draft, picking #2 overall. With that selection they grabbed one of the elite young pitchers to anchor their rotation: RHP Edgar Luevano. They backed Luevano up with taking LHP Nick Sanchez with the #47 overall pick. Rounding out the rotation RHP’s Eric Weaver (#98), Pedro Barbosa (#143), Bob Arden (#482) and LHP Paullo Ervilho (287) will battle it out for a job on the opening day roster.



#4: Nontreal Monarques


Montreal, following the example of several other teams in the first two rounds, selected starting pitchers at #7 and #42 overall. Their first selection, 22-year-old LHP Wes Bathgate seemed to be ranked highly on many GM’s draft boards and follow-up selection, RHP 24-year-old Enrique Mora give the Monarques a great young one-two punch that should be around for many years. Also in the mix for the team’s ML squad are RHP’s Bobby Villa (#103), Aguinaldo Lancha (#282), Mario Ravanelli (#391) and LHP Ernesto Reynoso (#535).



#3: Sacramento Gold Sox

The Gold Sox’s first round pick fell more to the middle of the pack, at #15 overall, but they still came away with a nice young starter in right-hander Josh Pero. They didn’t select another pitcher until the third round where they chose veteran RHP Alberto Argote with the #63 overall pick. Either could anchor this rotation which should include veteran RHP’s Ryan Jennings (#159), Bruce Allen (#274) and Freddy Gutierrez (#879).



#2: Salt Lake City Knights


Even though they selected last in the first round the Knights had one of the most enviable spots with the ability to go back-to-back with their inaugural selections. They managed to come up with a solid starting pitcher with the #25 overall pick when they selected veteran RHP Victor Valdez. They then had to wait until the end of round three for their next chance at a pitcher. They again found a worthy starter at #72 overall in RHP Alexis Olivares, another veteran. Other additions included LHP’s Alistair Whittam (#121) and Armando Cholula (#264) and RHP Gerbrand van Zandvoort (#456). LHP Doug Dymond (#600) is in the mix as well.



#1: Ottawa Lynx

The Lynx had the #4 overall selection but didn’t take a pitcher until the second round where they found RHP Sergio Ruiz still on the board at #45. Again, they waited on a pitcher as they took another offensive player in the third round but sitting at #93 overall was another veteran RHP in Bobby Sanchez. Other selections included RHP’s Ivan Bautista (#189), Alex Ortega (#285), and LHP Mike Zepeda (#100). RHP Justin Downing (#1293) could get a shot at the ML rotation as well.




While pitching alone won’t win a division, a conference or a league championship, it appears these teams have a very solid start at achieving those goals.



Of interest:


All these teams are in the North American Conference

All these teams are projected to have winning records

Indianapolis, Montreal and Ottawa are all in the same division