Which SBLM Team is Hurting the Most

The SBlL draft is a time of hope for SBL fans everywhere. It's a time to bring in new talent that can one day help your team contend for a championship.  For the SBLm teams however, the SBL draft is a time to watch the cornerstones of your team depart. But, which team lost the most? Let's take a look. 






#4. Las Vegas Centurions 


Las Vegas may come in last on this list. Unfortunately, that doesn mean the team isn't hurting. All 3 draftees were a part of the teams incredible pitching rotation.  Maddox, Beach, and Velasquez combined for 38 wins on the season. Their ERAs ranged from 2.93 to 3.48. Their contributions will be sorely missed. The only thing that keeps them ranked last on this list? The 3 combined for a measly 5.1 WAR. RIP.




#3. Chicago Storm. 


Well, I guess when you don't have much, you can't lose much. Somehow Chicago doesn't land at the bottom of this list. Like Las Vegas, they did only lose 3 guys. It is the caliber of guys they lost that makes the difference.  Gustav IsRealDaddy put together a stellar 5.8 WAR season as the teams lone source of offense.  He might not have a chance to win MVP, but the team definitely will miss him. Ace pitcher Jermaine Cole had a Poty worthy season... if only CMW didn't exist.  Somehow he managed a 14-6 record despite very little run support. And for Chicago? That's 4.4 WAR riding off into the sunset. Finally, the team lost 4th starter Xiaojian Zheng.  He had a very strong rookie season posting 1.7 WAR. Combined, Chicago lost 11.9 WAR to the SBL draft. RIP.




#2. Pittsburg Pioneers 


The cruel SBL draft will separate the leagues 4th best rotation from it's only 2 capable starters. Bridges and Hook combined for 9.6 WAR by themselves.  Pittsburgh will really need Mitchell and Moon to remember how to play baseball again in s2. Of course, losing half a rotation doesn't get you to number 2 on this list.  The team also will part with Trade Asset, Magglio Renteria, and Brian Strong.  Strong hit a team leading 22 home runs this past season. Renteria had an excellent season at the plate sporting an .837 OPS and 19 bombs. Trade Asset wasn't great his rookie season, but he still managed a .759 OPS on the year. Overall, the 3 batters were worth 6.2 WAR. Losing these 5 guys will definitely hurt the Pioneers.  




#1. Sherbrooke Mohawks 


Really, who else where you expecting to see here? Not only did Sherbrooke send the most players to the draft, they sent some of the leagues biggest stars. I guess we can start by discussing the 2 consensus picks for MVP and Pitcher of the Year. Chien-Ming Wang and Wade Landry combined for 13.4 WAR by themselves. With 6.7 WAR apiece, they tied for the highest WAR total in league history, pitcher or batter. Of course, these 2 were not the only ones to leave.  Home Run Kid and Ryoma Fukushima will be sorely missed in the batting order. Fukushima particularly is the leagues best catcher both at and behind the plate with 5.4 WAR. As for pitchers not named Wang, Snarky Shaman added 3.2 WAR. Lastly, reliever Michael Lane actually added negative WAR, but would be expected to be vastly better in the coming season. All together, Snussu and the Mohawks lost quite a bit. It will be interesting to see how the team overcomes in the upcoming season.

Was definitely a very interesting season in Chicago for J.Cole. Watching my individual numbers be how they were versus how the team was performing. Haha.
Fun season, but if you look.....Cole didn't even pitch in the playoffs. Wasn't in the rotation, but that was a mistake that I can forgive with no issue.