2027 Predictions!

 

NAA Pacific

The Pacific is the most wide-open division in the league with no clear-cut leader. It has been dominated by Portland over the years but a new champion was crowned last year in San Jose.

San Jose has a good mix of veterans like 1B Canchola and LF Benton. Along with some young studs in DH Gus Centeno and SP Miguel Dominguez. Looking at the roster, it is pretty average across the board with no glaring weakness but the recent Jeremy Benton trade makes the rotation a little thin. The farm has a handful of solid bats getting close to come up and help the Gold Sox. Jose Torres looks to be a star in the making and could make his debut this year depending on how aggressive the Gold Sox is this year.  Expect San Jose to be in the mix for the division but not the wild card.

Portland has one of the oldest rosters in WHEBO and the core has aged quite quickly from its 2023 championship. They had a couple SP’s due for player options this year but they exercised the options to give the Beavers one last run. Next year many players are going to be free agents so this is likely the last real shot at a division title with the current team. If the season is not going well by the trade deadline you could predict soon to be FA Scott Sentner to be on the block to help speed up the rebuild for the Beavers.

Vancouver was one of the most aggressive teams in the offseason. Was it enough for them to take a hold of the division? Vancouver’s strength is its offense. The top of the lineup is going to hit for a great average and give the middle of the order plenty of chances. Vancouver’s season hangs on the progress of SP’s Seth Campbell and Sean Capone. Both have been up to WHEBO for a couple years now but have yet to make a splash. The bullpen is subpar and will lose them some 1 run games over the course of the year. Like Portland and San Jose, they will be in the running for the division with the benefit of no division favorite but not the wild card.

Las Vegas should take a big jump this year from its many years of losing ever since Jose Garza was traded. They may be a year away from being a true real contender but with a mediocre division, they may win their first division title in 2027. The bullpen is going to be a strength with a potential of a sneaky good rotation with some young arms coming into their own. The lineup is going to be headlined by potentially the best trio in the league of LF Hector Rodriguez, SS Danny Sanchez, and IF Hector Bonilla all under 24.

NAA West

The West has been a highly competitive division since the inaugural season. SLC had its run in the early years with Tucson and SA battling it out the last couple of years.

San Antonio had an unbelievable regular season last year as they had no championship hangover from 2025. One major weakness last year was SA’s infield defense. In the playoffs against tougher competition, it was exposed and probably had a small reason in their first-round exit in the 2026 playoffs. Marshals will need to look to replace maybe its best SP Chris Bray and maybe its best overall hitter in RF Javier Rodriguez in the coming years as they both are about at the end of their careers before a major drop off occurs. This is still a strong deep roster though and expect them to be competing for a playoff spot with a 90 + win season.

Tucson offense loves the dry heat as they have been one of the top offenses in WHEBO the last couple of seasons. Expect the offense to be a top 5 WHEBO offense again headlined by young studs 2B Melvin Maciel and SS Omar Thompson. The SP is nothing spectacular but is plenty solid across the board. Expect an All-Star type year out of young 25-year-old SP Edgar Romero. Tucson has a deep strong farm system so you can expect them to utilize that to upgrade the SP and bullpen possibly by the trade deadline to help in its battle with SA.

SLC sold off all its pieces a few seasons ago but they have sped up the rebuild process drastically after this last offseason. They were really aggressive and capitalized on a few of the big prizes in CF Richard Hudson and 1B Pedro Rodriguez. SLC also hit gold with numerous picks in the top 5 rounds in maybe the best amateur draft pool in WHEBO history to date to replenish its farm system. With the selection of Carlos Saldivar at #2, they have a lot to look forward to with him and Hudson in the OF. Do not expect them to be a competitor this year but the outlook looks much clearer and brighter in SLC after a very strong offseason.

Nashville still has not had its first winning season in WHEBO. Nashville had an aging roster and some money issues at the beginning of its tenure but they are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The offense is getting younger and improving with a bunch of help on the way. They have 6 70 POT players in the high minors all ready to contribute within the next year or two. Combined with arguably the best SP in WHEBO in Raul Bermudez they will start filling up the seats in music city. Look for Bermudez to be in the running for the best pitcher in 2027. They will not compete for the playoffs this year but starting next year they will be in the conversation.

NAA Atlantic

Atlantic has arguably been the best division in WHEBO history. Consistently with 3 90-win teams each year and 3 WHEBO champions. The atlantic was also the only division to handily win the first instance of interleague matchups.

Indy along with San Juan has been the most consistent team from the beginning. They still have yet to miss the playoffs but also have never made it to the cup. What will come first? Indy missing the playoffs for the first time or Indy making it to the cup for the first time? The latter is still a real possibility with a strong roster top to bottom. The Racers were the top defensive team in 2026 with strong pitching. That will play anywhere. Expect Indy to be right in the heart of the playoff race once again with an experienced roster.

Montreal has dealt with heartbreak year after year. They are consistently pushing for 95 wins but always fall a hair short. Montreal always has had a balanced roster with no true weakness. If they were to make the playoffs, they would be a tough out with SP Aaron Welch and SP Wes Bathgate going in the rotation and a possible Anthony Morrow call up in the stretch run. Like Indy they will not be an easy out and have a shot at a playoff berth.

Ottawa has new ownership making the decisions starting this year. You can assume to expect them to return to a usual rotation and give its farm a good year of development. Ottawa is far from its glory days of the early 2020’s with the roster being gutted to future picks from the previous owner. Ottawa has a few really good potential pieces in Negron and Rios in its farm system and patience will be needed to let them play out along with some strong draft picks in the upcoming drafts.

Charlotte the defending champion looks to become the first repeat winner. Charlotte won last year with timely hitting, top-notch defense and really strong SP/bullpen. Expect the same this year with the entire roster returning and more help on the way from its farm system. Not a household name yet but expect LF/1B/2B Raul Sierra to compete for the NAA’s best hitter.  Charlotte will be competing for a playoff spot again in 2027.

 

NAA Projected Playoff Teams

Las Vegas (Pacific)

Tucson (West)

Charlotte (Atlantic)

San Antonio (Wild Card)

 

SAA BAJA

The Baja mirrors the pacific in the NAA where it is a rather weak division. GC should have little competition to be crowned once again as division champs.

Guadalajara is in a transition year after starting off slow last year and selling many pieces. The Black Roses have been clear of the disastrous Marty Halbach deal from the previous owner for a couple seasons now and can focus on building its system back up. 3B Angel Garza was a surprise choice at #1 but is understandable looking at his traits and potential profile if things pan out. Guadalajara signed a lot of prove it 1-year deals to many vets this past offseason. Expect some of those guys to be flipped for some picks/prospects at the deadline. Even in a very weak division, it is hard to envision the Roses competing for the division title.

Mexico City owns maybe the best young hitter in WHEBO In LF Murdoch Vallis but with very little help around him. Feels a little bit like a Mike Trout situation where it is slim pickings around Vallis and continues to fall short of the playoffs. It is very possible Vallis is dealt to help speed up the rebuild as MC could bring in a massive haul back. Vallis makes this team respectable but still nowhere close to being in contention for a playoff berth.

Tijuana has gone through a few new ownerships and location changes. It is starting to feel like they are starting to settle into the city just south of the California border. Similar to Nashville in NAA, they have to acquire any success with the worst winning % in the league at .357 and no playoff appearances. They have a strong top 3 in the rotation in SP Ernesto Gutierrez, SP Sam Sonier, and SP Wilson Frausto all under 27. The pen is very weak though and the lineup is not very deep outside of a few solid bats. Expect an improvement over last year’s 61-win team but not enough to threaten for a playoff spot.

Guatemala hands down have been the most consistent team in the Baja. They repeatedly put together quality seasons behind the best 1-2 punch in SP Felipe Perez and SP Jesus Mejia. You can expect a strong season from the Mayans after a disappointing performance in the cup last year. The emergence of LF Dana Bunney has been a big boost and has added some youth to the offense.  With this being the last year of RF Louie Harris under contract and him being 36 this could be one of the last real chances to make a deep run into the playoffs. But for 2027 they will once again be the favorite for the division title and have a chance at a 2^nd championship.

SAA Caribbean

The Caribbean is the only division yet to win a cup. It is hard to believe with many great teams from SJ and SD over the years. This year it may change with potentially 3 plus 100-win teams with Havana a strong 4^th place team.

Santo Domingo has yet to make an appearance in the cup which is unexcepted given the loaded roster and 3 straight 100-win seasons. With the oldest roster in WHEBO and a high payroll, this may be the last chance at taking home the cup. It is a great chance though with probably the best pen and a strong rotation. The defense is elite up the middle with SS Gareth “the glove” Gardiner and 2B Jose Garza. This season could hinge on the very unpredictable Johnny Zapata.

San Juan has yet to have a season with less than 96 wins and has the best total winning % in WHEBO at .626. SJ success is done out of the ordinary with a surplus of strong bullpen arms plus with the recent addition of RP Chuk-Yan Mi and no traditional starters. The jury is still out if this is successful in the postseason against stiffer competition as it is plenty successful in the regular season. San Juan has done an incredible job balancing acquiring picks and assets while staying competitive over the years. With the 2^nd oldest roster in WHEBO it can be hard to imagine many more championship opportunities but this year they should keep their streak alive of 96 plus wins.

Havana may be the best 4^th place finishing team this year. New ownership has been in charge for a couple seasons now and the team is starting to take shape with some good recent drafts. The SP is quietly good with some quality arms but with no shutdown reliever(s), they will lose some close ball games. The lineup is nothing spectacular but will put up decent numbers led by LF Steve Mora. The Lions will be forgotten in a loaded division but they are much better than the credit they are given.

Cienfuegos likely has the best offense from top to bottom in WHEBO. All are under 28 so many are just entering their primes with career years to come. The pitching is pretty solid with 4 quality starters but the bullpen is rather weak.  It is easy to envision Cienfuegos winning a championship and potential dynasty within the next 5 years with its current roster and the best farm system to date on top of it. If the pitching can be upgraded by trading from its surplus of prospects, watch out. The Elephants should be expected to be division favorites starting next year but this year unlikely with SJ and SD still on top. Cienfuegos will likely be in the same position Montreal has been in for many years.

SAA South Central

South Central has had its up and downs. A team making the playoffs under 500 but then also the crazy championship run from the Eagles in 2021. 

Panama has a strong roster and as good as a 1-4 you will find this year. The lineup is a bit top-heavy with not a lot of depth but is led by one of the best WHEBO hitters in 3B Chris Laney. The bullpen is not necessarily a strength as it had a high ERA last year and is probably missing a shutdown dominant reliever. Expect SP Edward Pearson to take a step forward this year and live up to his prospect pedigree. The Parrots had an up and down last year but prevailed to make the playoffs in the end. Making the playoffs should be expected in Panama this year.

Bogota is an interesting team as they always kind of been in the running with high preseason expectations but never materializes too much. 1B/DH Ruben Rodriguez is one of the most underrated players in the league taken all the way back in the first amateur draft. SP Felix Coronel is as good as they come but there is little help behind him. You have to wonder if 1B Carlos De Leon will be dealt for some assets if things are not going well by the deadline. The Toros have some pieces but likely is not enough to make a push for the division.

Maracaibo does not have an ace but they have maybe the deepest staff in WHEBO. All 5 projected starters are going to give quality innings and give the team a chance to compete every game. The bullpen is also pretty solid and will not be a much of  a weakness but also not a strength. There is not a whole lot on the offense outside of CF Elias Quintero but the IF defense should be stellar.  This is a pretty solid team but solid probably does not beat the Parrots.

Managua still has yet to complete a winning season. They have yet to find a core to build around but that is likely to change with RF Roger Duffy and SS Luke Bolduc. Along with 2 potential studs in the high minors SP Melvin Llera and SP Tony Rivera. They could be the 2030s version of SP Felipe Perez and SP Jesus Mejia. A losing season is likely again in Managua but should see an improvement over last year’s 66-win team.

 

SAA Project Playoff Teams

Guatemala City (Baja)

Santo Domingo (Caribbean)

Panama City (South Central)

San Juan (Wild Card)