It’s almost time for the 2050 season’s first pitch in the Tolkien Baseball League. We’ve had an offseason full of free agent signings, trades and roster moves…a Spring Training season with possible previews of things to come along with some key injuries that may change the course of the season.<\/p>\n
The playoff picks, according to BNN, include:<\/p>\n
SC Elf Division – Old Forest Merry Fellows
\nSC Hobbit Division – Bywater Bounders
\nSC Dwarf Division – Moria Miners
\nSC Wild Card Teams – Rivendell Royals and Carrock Bears<\/p>\n
MC Orc Division – Dunharrow Devils
\nMC Goblin Division – Lothlorien Lumberjacks
\nMC Troll Division – Dol Guldur Dragons
\nMC Wild Card Teams – Minas Morgul Slayers and Numenor Kings<\/p>\n
Return of the King Series – Old Forest vs Lothlorien with the Lumberjacks winning it all<\/em><\/p>\n Here are some highlights, insights, and a little prognostication about each team in the SGCBL.<\/p>\n Bree Cheese<\/strong> Bucklebury Fairies<\/strong> Bywater Bounders<\/strong> Carrock Bears<\/strong> Dagorlad Disaster<\/strong> Dead Marshes Uruk-hai<\/strong> Dol Guldur Dragons<\/strong> Dunharrow Devils<\/strong> Erebor Eagles<\/strong> Grey Havens Stars<\/strong> Isengard Raiders<\/strong> Lake Town Archers<\/strong> Lothlorien Lumberjacks<\/strong> Minas Ithil Wyrms<\/strong> Minas Morgul Slayers<\/strong> Minas Tirith Titans<\/strong> Mirkwood Sylvan<\/strong> Misty Mountain Hops<\/strong> Moria Miners<\/strong> Numenor Kings<\/strong> Old Forest Merry Fellows<\/strong> Ravenhill Darkwings<\/strong> Rivendell Royals<\/strong> Weathertop Witch Kings<\/strong> It’s almost time for the 2050 season’s first pitch in the Tolkien Baseball League. We’ve had an offseason full of free agent signings, trades and roster moves…a Spring Training season with possible previews of things to come along with some … Continue reading
\nLast season: 81-81 – 3rd in the SC Dwarf Division
\nPredicted finish: 72-90 – 3rd
\nThe Cheese lost SP Odo Roper (9-9, 3.19 ERA) to free agency and only signed one player, SP Noisur Farren who was 10-11 with a 3.81 ERA last year with Dagorlad.
\nTop Players:
\n1B Trabmak Dwarftopper, 22, 1st round draft pick last year, #5 prospect, a promising rookie, but with only 60 minor league games under his belt.
\nSP Por the Crusher, 34, 6-10 last year with a 3.62 ERA in 31 starts. Throws 4 pitches with his bread and butter being a forkball and pinpoint control.
\nSP Balik ‘Streak’ Karsson, 21, 1st round pick in 2048. 2-12 with 19 saves last year in 43 appearances. His 4 pitch repertoire includes a nasty curve.
\nInjuries:
\nP Izaak Bryja, torn labrum (shoulder), out for 5 months.
\nP Trubgug Toepunisher, wrist tendinitis, unknown return.
\nC Jeannot Andreiko, concussion, out for 3 weeks.<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 81-81 – 2nd in the SC Dwarf Division
\nPredicted finish: 67-95 – 4th
\nRanked #23 in the offseason, losing C Kolter Alexandersson in a trade with Andelain that netted the Fairies 2 minor league pitchers, LF Ghugzub Propwarrior to free agency, and the release of injured 38-year-old RP Belladonna Oramos to get below the salary cap. RP Ella Sicafei was claimed on waivers from Lake Town. The 26-year-old only has 2 major league games under her belt.
\nTop Players:
\nC Rapu ‘Gasoline’ Vale, 33, hit .288 with 25 HR and 77 RBI last year.
\n1B Dejaalia Ragala, 29, hit .259 with 48 HR and 104 RBI last year.
\nRF Krupug Gnomechewer, 24, hit .304 with 13 HR and 45 RBI last year.
\nInjuries:
\nSS Alok ‘Piranha’ Elassidil, bone bruise (wrist), out for a week.<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 93-69 – 1st in SC Hobbit Division – Won Return of the King Series<\/em>
\nPredicted finish: 95-67 – 1st
\nRanked #5 in the offseason summary after losing 2B Wes Earembor but picking up a young superstar in the making, 22-year-old 1B Tillmam Elrarathien, in a trade with Carrock. Overall, the Bounders gained players with 11.9 in WAR value vs losing those with 6.5 WAR.
\nTop Players:
\n3B Ferdinand ‘Apple Pip’ *Puttifoot, 39, hit .310 with 52 HR and 122 RBI last year winning the Aragorn MVP, Sam Gamgee Batter, and Gimli’s Axe awards.
\nSS Celomli Glarion, 31, hit .267 with 45 HR and 124 RBI last year winning the Gimli’s Axe Award at SS.
\n1B Tilmam Elrarathien, 22, a 1st round pick by Carrock in 2047, won the 2048 SC Fellowship Series MVP, finished 2nd in the SC Frodo Rookie Award voting, won a Legolas Fielder and Gimli’s Axe award in LF. Last year he won a Gimli’s Axe in CF. This will be just his 3rd major league season!
\nInjuries: None<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 89-73 – 1st in SC Dwarf Division – Lost Fellowship Series to Bywater in 5 games
\nPredicted finish: 81-81 – 2nd
\nRanked #15 in the offseason summary. Trading 1B Tillmam Elrarathien, SP Briblag the Mangler and SP Kipchoge Bridger to Bywater was part of their 11 WAR value loss of 14 players compared to a 10.7 WAR gain with 13 players acquired. Two big free agent signings helped boost the positive numbers: SP Iwao Borwick and RP Tusdar Aelorothi.
\nTop Players:
\n1B Sam *Oakenstaff, 23, hit .330 with 37 HR and 100 RBI last year, winning a Legolas Fielder and Gimli’s Axe at 1B. He finished 3rd in the Sam Gamgee Batter
\nvoting.
\nCF Blurlug Bugsmasher, 22, a rookie acquired in a trade with Minas Ithil, he was a round 1 pick by the Wyrms in 2049. Named #7 prospect in the SGCBL.
\nSP Iwao Borwick, 34, went 10-11 with a 3.25 ERA in 33 starts for Dunharrow last year. His repertoire features a solid fastball, forkball, cutter and changeup.
\nInjuries:
\nP Milo Nightstalker, sore elbow, day-to-day 4-5 weeks
\n2B Surbash Mandragger, hamstring strain, out one week<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 60-102 – 4th in the MC Troll Division
\nPredicted finish: 71-91 – 4th
\nRanked #12 in the offseason. Lost 13 players with 7.6 WAR value and gained 8 players with 7.7 WAR. The biggest loss was 1B Huzhkrut Bonedragger (.260, 34 HR, 89 RBI) to free agency, but they were able to sign LF Anurudha Fyra.
\nTop Players:
\nLF Anurudha ‘Nasty’ Fyra, 30, hit .287 with 27 HR and 84 RBI for Isengard last year. The 2-time All-Star has won a couple of Gimli’s Axe awards and was 3rd in the MVP voting in 2044.
\n1B Kinjata ‘Rebel’ Rascaltamer, 26, hit .277 in limited time with Old Forest before being traded to the Intergalactic Hitchhikers in May where he smacked 25 HR in 86 games.
\nCF Lance Greenholm, 24, hit .233 with 36 HR and 75 RBI last year. This will be his 3rd major league season.
\nInjuries:
\nP Eiamir Picon, torn triceps, out for 3 months.<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 77-85 – 3rd in the MC Orc Division
\nPredicted finish: 73-89 – 3rd
\nRanked #19 in the offseason. Lost 5 players worth 3.5 WAR and acquired no one.
\nTop Players:
\n2B Ugak ‘Smokey’ *the Masher, 25, hit .391 with 38 HR and 108 RBI last year winning the MC Aragorn MVP, Sam Gamgee Batter, and a Gimli’s Axe at 2B. He has already finished 3rd in MVP voting for this year’s Fantasy World Classic.
\nSS Joel Elvaviel, 36, hit .250 with 54 HR and 112 RBI last year winning a Gimli’s Axe at SS and finishing 3rd in the Aragorn MVP voting.
\nLF Hulya Manita, 26, hit .265 with 34 HR and 85 RBI last year. She was the 2048 Frodo Rookie and was named Two Towers Series MVP.
\nInjuries:
\nP Vrsal Nailslobberer, elbow inflammation, out 2-3 weeks.<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 83-79 – 2nd in the MC Troll Division – Lost Hobbit Series to Ravenhill
\nPredicted finish: 95-67 – 1st
\nRanked #22 in the offseason, losing 12 players worth 8.4 WAR and adding 7 worth 2.7. The big loss was RF Ginyc Maker to free agency.
\nTop Players:
\nCF Torjus Nicolaescu, 25, hit .280 with 31 HR and 121 RBI last year. He was the Dragons 1st pick in the 2042 draft.
\nSS Garbhaka Yorba, 31, hit .238 with 9 HR and 50 RBI last year. The 5-time Legolas Fielder winner declined his contract option at the end of last year, but in late December, the Dragons inked a deal with him for 6 years and a total of $138 million.
\n2B Vormina ‘Skeet’ Morealob, 28, hit .273 for Rivendell in an injury-plagued season that finished with a broken kneecap in August. Released by the Royals, Dol Guldur signed her to a 2-year contract worth $17.6 million in February.
\nInjuries:
\n3B Giden Eladriewen, sprained knee, day-to-day for a week
\nCF Torjus Nicolaescu, blurred vision, day-to-day for 3 days
\n2B Anker the Dapper, torn hamstring, out 5 weeks
\nP Lalia Sackville, torn UCL, out 11 months<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 79-83 – 1st in the MC Orc Division – Lost Two Towers Series to Minas Morgul in 4 games
\nPredicted finish: 86-76 – 1st
\nRanked #17 in the offseason, losing 25 players worth 14.5 WAR and only gaining 8 worth 12.4. The big losses were CF Vassily Goldilocks and SP Iwao Borwick to free agency. The Devils managed to pick up a few key players via trade and other means. LF Thean Isuwyn comes from Belegost, SP Akatha Greenholm was acquired from Numenor, and CF Glonar Iirthur was obtained from Neverland. 3B Sanus Forgebeater was claimed off waivers from Minas Morgul.
\nTop Players:
\n2B Menegilda Dogwood, 33, hit .255 last year, and injuries have slowed her down since the days when she routinely stole 30+ bases. In 2040, she lead the league with 70 thefts. She isn’t stealing as much these days, but she’s still fast on the basepaths and an elite fielder.
\nP Ygrainne ‘Trey’ Brightmoon, 30, went 12-9 last year in 33 starts with a 3.32 ERA. The winner of 2 Gimli’s Axe awards at pitcher, she lives on the corners of the plate with a devastating curveball.
\nC Sundamar Danaihir, 31, hit .237 with 13 HR and 65 RBI last year. The 5th pick for Carrock in 2036 is on the 3rd year of a 4-year contract with the Devils.
\nInjuries:
\nP Beleg Earalinde, sore shoulder, out 3-4 weeks
\nP Akatha Greenholm, elbow ligament reconstruction surgery, out 17 months
\nSS Misagenes Foebinder, strained hamstring, out 4-5 weeks<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 91-71 – 2nd in the SC Hobbit Division – Lost Two Towers Series to Bywater in 4 games
\nPredicted finish: 76-86 – 2nd
\nRanked #13 in the offseason, losing 16 players worth 1.9 WAR, gaining 5 worth 1.9 WAR. The Eagles lost 1B Daol Gorbatovksy to free agency, but they picked up RP Stephano Cameras.
\nTop Players:
\n1B Eldratha Alaenree, 28, hit .324 last year, leading the league with 208 hits and 58 doubles in an injury-plagued season.
\n3B Cedivar Pennypacker, 23, hit .363 with 7 HR and 37 RBI in his rookie season last year. He was Erebor’s 4th round pick in 2047.
\nSP Hsin-ping Sandybanks, 30, lead the league with 44 saves last year. He was the 2048 Gwaihir Reliever of the Year.
\nInjuries: None<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 64-98 – 4th in the MC Orc Division
\nPredicted finish: 74-88 – 2nd
\nRanked #14 in the offseason. They lost 4 players and gained 3, but nobody of significance in either direction.
\nTop Players:
\n2B Irene Knotwise, 37, hit .304 last year, the 5-time All-Star stole 21 bases to bring her career total to 453.
\nSP Surzog Kapanaktsian, 23, went 9-14 with a 4.38 ERA last year in his rookie season.
\nLF Odessa Zooty, 28, hit .233 with 25 HR and 88 RBI last year. The 4-time All-Star and 2045 Frodo Rookie of the Year was the Stars #1 pick in 2041.
\nInjuries:
\nP Djamel Dap, rotator cuff strain, out 3 weeks<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 78-84 – 3rd in the MC Troll Division
\nPredicted finish: 74-88, 3rd
\nRanked #24 (last) in the offseason, losing 8 players worth 12.8 WAR and acquiring none.
\nTop Players:
\nSS Ragnar ‘Mini Me’ *Stonecutter III, 35, hit .285 last year with 16 HR and 40 RBI in a season that was injury shortened.
\nRF Gadrin Sinarsson, 22, hit .220 with 18 HR and 60 RBI in his rookie season. The round 2 pick earned the MC Legolas Fielder award in RF last year.
\nLF Glukduh the Odiferous, 22, hit .334 with 39 HR and 102 RBI last year in AAA Fangorn. The #1 pick in 2047 will make his rookie debut this year.
\nInjuries:
\nP Aerilaya Brilhirion, back tightness, day-to-day for 5 days
\nP Jemima Perom, torn UCL, out 13-14 months<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 75-87 – 4th in the SC Hobbit Division
\nPredicted finish: 75-87 – 3rd
\nRanked #4 in the offseason rankings. The Archers lost 8 players worth 4.9 WAR, including 1B Bingo Banks to free agency, but they added 4 players worth 12 WAR, including signing 3B Meneaduc Liszt and RF Ginyc Maker.
\nTop Players:
\n3B Meneaduc Liszt, 30, hit .292 with 21 HR and 57 RBI with the SFL Forgotten Realms Kobolds last year, the round #1 pick by Numenor in 2040 signed a 7-year deal worth $158.6 million to play for the Archers this season.
\nSS Renar Thuvaradran, 29, hit .248 with 14 HR and 69 RBI last year, the round 1 pick for the Archers in 2039 was the 2043 Frodo Rookie of the Year.
\n2B Bofur Ogrestomper, 41, hit .281 last year. He’s on the 2nd year of a 2-year contract at the end of a career where he has won 6 Legolas Fielder awards, 2 Gimli’s Axe awards and is a 4-time All-Star.
\nInjuries:
\n2B Mattalic Greenwald, hamstring strain, out one week
\nP Groshzog Gnomedragger, partially torn UCL, out 3 months<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 92-70 – 1st in the MC Goblin Division – Lost in the Fellowship Series to Dunharrow in 4 games
\nPredicted finish: 99-63 – 1st
\nIn an active offseason, the Lumberjacks lost 13 players worth 5 WAR and picked up 16 worth 7.2 WAR. Notably, they lost pitchers Born Mosseater and Haruki Shaban to free agency and acquired SP Kragg Chiselhead.
\nTop Players:
\n2B Elluin *Engwyn, 27, hit .327 with 45 HR and 117 RBI last year. He finished 2nd in the Aragorn MVP and Sam Gamgee Batter voting and won his 2nd Legolas Fielder award at 2B.
\nLF Irhaal Fithraldor, 24, hit .290 with 46 HR and 111 RBI last year. The All-Star picked up his first Gimli’s Axe Award at LF.
\nSP Perian Aispro, 29, went 22-3 with a 2.35 ERA and 244 K last year to win the triple crown and was named Gandalf Pitcher of the Year. He finished 2nd in the Aragorn MVP voting.
\nInjuries: None<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 76-86 – 3rd in the SC Hobbit Division
\nPredicted finish: 71-91 – 4th
\nThe Wyrms finished #3 in the offseason roster moves. They lost 18 players worth 3.1 WAR, but 3 of that was with CF Taleisin Arwaun. Meanwhile, they added 11 players worth 11.9 WAR including SP Mancio Gislinge and 2B Norihide Dores.
\nTop Players:
\nSP Frugorn Coronda, 31, went 8-11 with a 2.93 ERA and 309 K last season, his first in the SGCBL after a stellar career in the SFL. He finished 2nd in the Gandalf Pitcher Award voting.
\n1B Zurthug the Masher, 25, hit .292 with 45 HR and 94 RBI, the #1 pick of the Wyrms in 2042 is a 2-time All-Star.
\n1B Malin Xisto, 21, played 139 games for the Wyrms in his rookie season, after being picked in the first round in 2048.
\nInjuries: None<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 93-69 – 1st in the MC Troll Division – Lost the Return of the King Series to Bywater in 6 games
\nPredicted finish: 92-70 – 2nd
\nThe Slayers had a quiet offseason, losing 6 players, including 3B Sanus Forgebeater, to free agency. They didn’t acquire anyone of note.
\nTop Players:
\nCF Xandra ‘Thistle’ *Thornflower, 27, hit .334 with 9 HR and 63 RBI last year. The superstar outfielder won the Fellowship Series and Two Towers Series MVP awards and picked up her 6th Legolas Fielder and 7th Gimli’s Axe awards.
\n2B Yong-gwan Balahontsev, 33, hit .260 with 12 HR and 50 RBI last year in an injury-filled season.
\nLF Gundahar Headstrong, 22, the 3rd pick for the Slayers in 2049, he hit .296 with 4 HR and 29 RBI in his rookie season.
\nInjuries:
\nP Ibpug the Badger, conjunctivitis, day-to-day for 4 days<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 94-68 – 1st in the SC Elf Division – Lost Fellowship Series to Erebor in 7 games
\nPredicted finish: 88-74 – 3rd
\nFinished #8 in the offseason summary, losing 13 players worth 8.9 WAR, but adding 10 players worth 12.5. Notably they gave up SP Snaglut Baldivia in a trade with Old Forest, but they signed 1B Bingo Banks and 2B Jaimie Roman and got SP Molg Bloodcrawler in a trade with the Merry Fellows.
\nTop Players:
\nRF Thuror Elril-Gara, 26, the 2047 Frodo Rookie hit .309 with 48 HR and 121 RBI last year finishing 3rd in the MVP voting.
\n2B Lily Pelham, 36, was drafted in the 2nd round by Minas Morgul back in 2033 and won her 1st Legolas Fielder award last year.
\n1B Rosamunda Theiner, 28, hit .282 with 32 HR and 96 RBI last year winning a Gimli’s Axe at DH.
\nInjuries:
\nP Grossman Biggins-Bunce, torn flexor tendon (elbow), out 2-3 months
\nP Gah-fat Myrvoll, torn labrum (shoulder), out 6-7 months
\nP Olo Nightstalker, elbow ligament reconstruction surgery, out 11 months
\nP Dromzug the Atrocious, ruptured ulnar collateral ligament, out 6 months
\nP Shilarra Sunweaver, torn flexor tendon (elbow), out 3 months<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 84-78 – 3rd in the SC Elf Division
\nPredicted finish: 80-82 – 4th
\nThe team was not very active in the offseason, acquiring 4 players while losing 9, including SP Orangeblossom Hornblower, 32, who is out with a torn rotator cuff and was sacrificed to get the team below the salary cap.
\nTop Players:
\nC DeForest *Hamrh, 35, the future Hall of Famer hit .328 with 13 HR and 48 RBI last year collecting his 3500th career hit and winning his 7th Legolas and 7th Gimli’s Axe.
\n2B Gugnar Gnollgobber, 30, hit .229 in an injury prone year. He was the round 1 pick of the SFL Andelain Giants in 2042 before being traded to Mirkwood that year.
\n3B Sylleth Starym, 36, hit .247 with 25 HR and 59 RBI. He was a star in the SFL before signing a 5-year contract with the Sylvan in 2046. He spent time in the Spring learning how to play 1B.
\nInjuries: None<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 78-84 – 2nd in the MC Orc Division
\nPredicted finish: 72-90 – 4th
\nThe Hops were very active in the offseason, but they lost 20 players worth 13.7 WAR and only gained 15 worth 12. Several notable players were lost to free agency including SP Till Underhill, C Gwenael Tenucci, 2B Norihide Dores and SP Gorbaduc Bramble. They were able to sign SP Odo Roper and 1B Daol Gorbatovsky.
\nTop Players:
\nSS Ignatie ‘Thu’ Nyambek, 33, the 2038 Frodo Rookie winner hit .325 and signed a 4-year contract extension with the Hops.
\n3B Tiziano ‘Massacre’ Kjorsvik, 34, hit .298 with 46 HR and lead the league with 125 RBI. The 6-time All-Star won a Gimli’s Axe at 3B and finished 3rd in the MVP voting.
\n1B Emilio Garceau, 34, hit .253 with 26 HR and 85 RBI last year. The 2nd round pick of the Moria Miners in 2036 is a 2-time All-Star and twice won a Gimli’s Axe.
\nInjuries:
\nSS Ignatie Nyambek, elbow contusion, day-to-day for one week
\nP Fulvus Peatfingers, torn UCL, out 8-9 weeks<\/p>\n
\nLast season: 73-89 – 4th in the SC Dwarf Division
\nPredicted finish: 84-78 – 1st
\nThe Miners had arguably the best offseason, losing 15 players worth 2.3 WAR while picking up 7 players worth 14.2. SP Subgorg the Ugly went to free agency, but Moria signed SS Skolgob the Tearer, 1B Huzhkrut Bonedragger and C Theoma Dunn.
\nTop Players:
\nCF Ondabrar Celuthor, 22, hit .277 with 33 HR and 82 RBI in his rookie year winning the Frodo Rookie Award.
\n1B Mun-cheol Chabel, 22, a rookie sensation who won the Prospect League MVP award in 2048 and was drafted in round 1 by the Miners last year. He’s the #8 prospect in the SGCBL.
\nSS Skolgob the Tearer, 34, hit .273 with 28 HR and 70 RBI last year for the SFL Andelain Giants. He signed a 5-year deal worth $125 million with Moria this year.
\nInjuries:
\nP Nisin Thorgrimsson, torn rotator cuff, out 4 months
\nP Fafur Heartmasher, torn meniscus (knee), out 4 weeks
\nSS Skolgob the Tearer, bronchitis, day-to-day for a week
\nP Krulgha Axesnapper, strained abdominal muscle, day-to-day for a week<\/p>\n
\nLast year: 68-94 – 4th in the MC Goblin Division
\nPredicted finish: 82-80 – 2nd
\nNumenor was 2nd to Moria in gained WAR during the offseason. They lost 24 players worth 6 WAR with over half that coming from SP Akatha Greenholm in a trade to Dunharrow and SP Voirin Tibus going to free agency. The Kings signed CF Vassily Goldilocks in a huge deal and also picked up SP Till Underhill off free agency and SP Maura Buckland in a trade with Old Forest.
\nTop Players:
\nSP Till ‘Blueprint’ Underhill, 40, went 12-8 with a 3.41 ERA with Misty Mountain last year collecting his 2500th career strikeout.
\n1B Friagol Crystalembers, 24, the 1st pick for the Kings in 2046 hit .269 with 18 HR and 58 RBI last year after coming up from AAA in August.
\nCF Vassily Goldilocks, 30, hit .265 with 37 steals for Dunharrow last year. He signed a 7-year deal worth $160.2 million in January.
\nInjuries:
\nP Bildat Brown, torn flexor tendon (elbow), out 8-9 months
\nP Bowman Craftworker, torn rotator cuff, out 3 months<\/p>\n
\nLast year: 91-71 – 2nd in the SC Elf Division – Lost the Hobbit Series to Erebor in 3 games
\nPredicted finish: 98-64 – 1st
\nOld Forest was super active in the offseason. They lost 45 players worth 36.4 WAR and gained 24 players worth 38.5 WAR mainly through trades. A trade with Ravenhill sent LF Orgulas Miller to the Darkwings. Trades with the SFL Land of Oz and Chiba City teams gave up RF Menegilda Grub, SP Junnosuke Koen, RF Kamer Evensta, and SS Dugthak Heartkicker. In return, trades netted Old Forest SP Arulamani Ducie, SP Snaglut Baldivia, 1B Polibio the Seer, SP Cara Bridger, and CF Iver Tussle.
\nTop Players:
\nRF Alrond ‘Supremacy’ *Hubbard, Jr., 27, hit .301 with 58 HR and 102 RBI. He scored his 1000th career run, was named an All-Star for the 8th time, and finished 2nd in both the MVP and Sam Gamgee Batter voting.
\n2B Mirthal Sil-Gal, 28, hit .249 with 25 HR and 63 RBI for the SFL Chiba City Neuromancers and was 3rd in the Fantasy World Classic MVP voting.
\n1B Polibio ‘Colonel’ the Seer, 27, hit .263 with 22 HR and 69 RBI for the SFL Narnia Badgers.
\nInjuries:
\nP Prospero Bauwyn, strained abdominal muscle, out 5 weeks
\nSS Filvendor Soame, torn abdominal muscle, out 4 months<\/p>\n
\nLast year: 86-76 – 2nd in the MC Goblin Division – Lost in the Fellowship Series to Minas Morgul in 5 games
\nPredicted finish: 78-84 – 4th
\nRavenhill lost 20 players worth 6.1 WAR and acquired 15 worth 10.1 WAR. Notably, they lost catcher Theoma Dunn to free agency. LF Orgulas Miller was added via a trade with Old Forest, and replacing Dunn at catcher they signed Udhagh the Crazy Bastard.
\nTop Players:
\n1B Forerunner *Baggins, 41, the future Hall of Famer hit .271 with 48 HR and 117 RBI last year hitting his 900th career HR and collecting his 3500th career hit. He picked up his 18th Gimli’s Axe award at 1B.
\n2B Halamar Moonsbreath, 22, hit .299 with 24 HR and 82 RBI in his first full season with the team winning the Frodo Rookie Award.
\nSP Pansy Radriguez, 23, went 11-12 with a 4.31 ERA and was named to the All-Star Team.
\nInjuries:
\nP Sormina Lalayants, ruptured tendon (finger), out 3-4 months
\n2B Vaiga Earthslasher, fractured foot, out 5 days<\/p>\n
\nLast year: 79-83 – 4th in the SC Elf Division
\nPredicted finish: 89-73 – 2nd
\nThe Royals dropped 21 players worth only 3 WAR and picked up 8 worth 5.3. RP Marmadoc Whitfoot went to Andelain via trade, and 1B Kavan Gravebow came over from Diagon Alley.
\nTop Players:
\nSP Gildor ‘Exile’ *Inglorion, 33, the future Hall of Famer went 14-2 with a 3.03 ERA last year collecting his 2000th career strikeout.
\nSP Sudeep ‘Rattlesnake’ Blunt, 30, went 6-4 with a 2.93 ERA last year in 14 starts for the Royals after being acquired in a trade from Dunharrow where he was 10-3 with a 2.76 ERA.
\n3B Camillo Meriken, 32, the 5-time All-Star and 2-time Gimli’s Axe winner hit .292 with 33 HR and 90 RBI.
\nInjuries:
\nP Nuzgurg the Hated, torn elbow ligament, out 10-11 months
\nP Thuthor Elaril, partially torn labrum, out 4 weeks<\/p>\n
\nLast year: 79-83 – 3rd in the MC Goblin Division
\nPredicted finish: 79-83 – 3rd
\nWeathertop dropped 12 players worth only 0.3 WAR while gaining 5 players worth 4.4. They signed C Gwenael Tenucci to a 4-year deal in December.
\nTop Players:
\nCF Maura Millot, 27, hit .265 with 12 HR and 62 RBI signing an 8-year contract extension worth $131 million.
\nLF Xhalh Dridersmasher, 30, hit .252 with 13 HR and 55 RBI winning the MC Shadowfax Stolen Base Award with 38 SB and 8 CS. He also picked up his 2nd Legolas.
\n1B Teimuraz Kakalian, 29, hit .268 with 40 HR and 112 RBI and was selected to his first All-Star team.
\nInjuries:
\nP Aldagrim Tendertush, torn flexor tendon (elbow), out 4 weeks
\nP Chang-se Klazens, torn rotator cuff, out 12 months<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"