Blackwater Wolfish
Division Last Season: 1st
Wins Last Season: 112
Batting
Although Blackwater is one of the strongest batting teams in the Fishermen league, they have been overtaken within their division. The ageing trio of Hector Koenig, Fred Hutton and Moises Young looked a little off the pace during spring training however the batting power is in their young players such as James Clark, Lomain Corker, Nick Ruegamer and Ian Demmitt.
Pitching
We rank the Blackwater pitching staff as the top of the division and one of the better rosters in the league. In the division they've improved to number one in part because of changes to their division rivals and also due to the impressive spring training form of starter Red Reccius. Jose Restovich and Ken Gossage looked like they'll pick up from where they left off in 2021.
Overall
Blackwater avoided retirements during the off season and so for the ageing team this is probably their last serious shot at the Beer. They did it in 2019 and with their class and experience they could do it again. All that being said however, we don't think this team will make the playoffs because of the improvement made by their Fishermen league rivals.
Transactions
Laprocina, Jim, 1st Base - sent to AAA
Crumpler, Tom, 2nd Base - called up from AAA
Prediction
Division Place: 2nd
Wins: 97
Charlottetown Blues
Division Last Season: 2nd
Wins Last Season: 98
Batting
Charlottetown are the batting grandpas of the Fishermen League. Going on spring training results, production from the majority of the silver haired crew will be down this season and it's only the prize acquisition of Joaquin Oberkfell, 2021's Farmer's league player of the year, that'll keep the team at last season's production levels. Catcher Archer Joecks looked particularly out of sorts and the Blues will be hoping his experience keeps his contribution to the team at the highest level. Another concern for Charlottetown will be the spring training performance of Bartolo Burrell. Although late in his career, Burrell had a breakout season last season but it could be that that was also his career season.
Pitching
Pitching was a weakness for Charlottetown in 2021 and spring training performances won't give fans a great deal of confidence that 2022 will be any different. Of note is the call up of 2015 1st round draft pick Matthew Stevenson from the Mitchellton Blues. Relying heavily on his quality slider, Stevenson should be able to compete at this level and could eventually be slotted into the 5th starters slot with the expectation of 5 innings. Expect Seth Javier and Doc Bucha to again pick up the majority of the wins.
Overall
While Charlottetown has a reasonable batting lineup it is far from the strongest in their division. Couple that with one of the weakest pitching rosters in the league and it spells a difficult season.
Transactions
Kipper, Jim, Short Stop - sent to AAA
Akles, Marquis, Centre Field - sent to AAA
Oberkfell, Joaquin, 1st Base - traded from Creston Kokanee
Arrojo, Whitey, Short Stop - called up from AAA
Prediction
Division Place: 4th
Wins: 70
PEI Argonauts
Division Last Season: 3rd
Wins Last Season: 82
Batting
PEI continues to improve an already impressive batting lineup and are now arguably the strongest in their division, in fact they're almost the strongest in the Fishermen league. This bodes well for the future as they've done this by replacing retirees with better and younger players. A good example of this is the retirement of 1st base Tony Morton during the off season, he was replaced by by acquiring 2021 Farmers All Star player Cedric Wichman from Creston.
Pitching
PEI have displayed their improved pitching stocks during spring training. This improvement comes about because of their strong minor leagues and trades which means they now have a lot more arms to call upon. Their other addition from the Creston trade, Frank Clark, will provide another solid option in the rotation putting less pressure on the bullpen. Stephen Greene gets his chance after a strong spring training and look for Brad Neame to return to the promise he showed in 2019.
Overall
With stronger batting, more quality starting options, and more arms in the bullpen, we expect PEI to convert more of those one run losses into wins. This should be enough to see them edge ahead of Blackwater in a tight division title race sending them into their first ever playoffs.
Transactions
Morton, Tony, 1st Base - sent to AAA
Ruberto, Babe, 3rd Base - retired
Nakada, Yasuyoshi, Centre Field - retired
Chee, Nadauri, Right Field - retired
Wichman, Cedric, 1st Base - traded from Creston Kokanee
Maxcy, Michael, Left Field - called up from AAA
Merlo, Andrew, Starter - sent to AAA
Greene, Stephen, Closer - called up from AAA
Neame, Brad, Closer - called up from AAA
Clark, Frank, Starter - traded from Creston Kokanee
Prediction
Division Place: 1st
Wins: 98
West Bay Red Skulls
Division Last Season: 4th
Wins Last Season: 78
Batting
There are big changes at West Bay in the batting after being hit by plenty of retirements. For the most part though these retirements were in positions of depth and the impacts are minimal. A retirement of note however was 2nd base Ted Hernandez which sees 2nd round 2018 draft pick Neil Hoopert promoted from the Skulls Creek Red Skulls. This could be a troublesome position for West Bay in 2022 with a lot of runs lost in this area and could eventually see short stops Jan Sneider or Elmer Yount filling the 2nd base role.
Pitching
With no retirements, plenty of arms to call on from Skulls Creek, the indecision of who to bat removed by retirements, the bullpen is deeper and stronger 2022. Starter Harold Brydack looked good in spring training while Ryan Merrit continues to improve. Max Kolb looked a little off pace but with an extra days rest between starts he could return to his 2020 or even 2018 numbers.
Overall
With the pitching depth available in any given game West Bay should improve slightly in 2022. They still have plenty of bats and arms to call upon should injuries strike so should be consistent throughout the season, but they don't have the firepower to match PEI or Blackwater.
Transactions
Hernandez, Ted, 2nd Base - retired
Hurst, Pop, 3rd Base - retired
Wojcik, Adrian, 3rd Base - retired
Buzzardbreath, Rock, Centre Field - retired
Miller, Joe, Centre Field - sent to AAA
Tyack, Bill, Right Field - retired
Haney, Mauel, 1st Base - called up from AAA
Hoopert, Neil, 2nd Base - called up from LOW
Bengough, Harry, 3rd Base - called up from AAA
Yount, Elmer, Short Stop - called up from AAA
Foley, Tracy, Long Reliever - sent to AAA
Luzinski, Jeff, Starter - sent to AAA
Byrdak, Harold, Starter - called up from AAA
Piatt, Red, Middle Reliever - called up from AAA
Byington, Edgardo, Starter - called up from AAA
Akers, Kyle, Long Reliever - called up from AAA
Prediction
Division Place: 3rd
Wins: 89
Fredericton Bandits
Division Last Season: Last
Wins Last Season: 39
Batting
Fredericton fans get a chance to see the future with the 2nd overall 2021 draft pick, 1st base Ramon Alejandro from Trinity Western Spartans, bypassing the Geraldton Bandits and into the big league. No one should be expecting fireworks from Alejandro but he did show he's a quick learner during spring training. Also bypassing Geraldton is 2nd base Steve Blankship, the 2nd round draft pick out of Saskatchewan. The addition of Alejandro in particular should see a slightly improved offence.
Pitching
Of concern for Fredericton is how to get 5-6 innings from 4 starters, with the retirement of Carlos Cotter the bullpen frailties will be exposed. There is reason to be comfortable with the future however so look for some of the minor leaguers to get a shot during the season.
Overall
Fredericton had a disastrous 2021 and despite their starting concerns I can't see them posting a mere 39 wins again. They had the worst batting lineup in 2021 and have improved upon that slightly, and while their pitching options are low this can be improved without going outside of the organisation. So take a terrible 2021 and a club that's neither improved or declined and that means a few more wins.
Transactions
Mulder, Stuart, Short Stop - sent to AAA
Gill, Elias, Centre Field - Sent to AAA
Igawa, Naorou, Right Field - retired
Alejandro, Ramon, 1st Base - called up from LOW
Blankship, Steve, 2nd Base - called up from LOW
Macias, Miguel, Short Stop - 2022 supplemental draft 3rd pick
Pena, Basilio, Middle Reliever - sent to AAA
Cotter, Carlos, Bullpen - retired
Neal, Octavio, Closer - retired
Burns, Garrick, Setup - called up from AAA
Silcock, Nenad, Long Reliever - called up from AAA
Kilday, Wayne, Closer - called up from AAA
Prediction
Division Place: Last
Wins: 55
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