#2 - APL - Season 1 Spring Training & Free Agency

With the draft completed, and each team's Prospect Pipeline populated, it's time to complete Spring Training.  In the Commissioner Handbook, the Spring Training process involves determining how many players (0, 1 or 2) for each team will be part of a Spring Training Storyline. The storylines include attribute  boosts, attribute regression, and injuries. Here is how things played out for the APL's eight teams this first Spring Training, including any Free Agency pickups heading into the season.

Buffalo Stampede

• RF Reid Thorton hired personal pitcher to simulate high pressure situations and his Clutch grade improved from a C to a B

• No change to their Team Rating or Team Qualities

• No free agency signings

Charlotte Racers

• DH Theo Rodriguez (DH) suffers decreased hip rotation, limiting torque generation. His power drops 1 grade from B to a C

  • Charlotte's Power Quality drops from neutral to WEAK•

• CL Ronald Villar suffers a moderate injury and will miss the first 24 days of the season. The APL plays an 84 game schedule so this is a significant setback for the Racers. He is an A+ closer and was the 11th overall pick in the draft.

• The Racers sign SP Sign 33-year old SP Miguel Lee (B grade) to improve the back-end of their rotation

Nashville Stars

• 1B Javier Mason (1B) was overthinking - suffering paralysis by analysis at plate after working with too many hitting coaches. His hitting grade was reduced by 1 grade. But, his hitting was ALREADY an F, so no net change to his attributes

• No change to their Team Rating or Team Qualities and no free agency signings

Norfolk Surge

• No Spring Training storylines for Norfolk

• No change to their Team Rating or Team Qualities

• The Surge sign FA: Sign 33-year old RP Eduardo Chavez (B+ Grade)

Portland Pioneers

• RP Garrett Nguyen (RP) lost the deceptive element in his pitches that previously prevented solid contact. His HR TEND quality was reduced by one level. He was previously neutral and is now SHAKY• (semi SHAKY)

• No change to their Team Rating or Team Qualities and no free agency signings

Sacramento Condors

• 2B Yadier Nieves (2B) is chasing pitches outside zone at higher rate than before, and his hitting grade was reduced by one grade. But just like Javier Mason, he was already an F, so no change

• SP Yunel Ruiz (SP) failed to maintain his conditioning program in offseason, so his stamina dropped from 6 innings to 5

• No change to their Team Rating or Team Qualities and no free agency signings

Vancouver Storm

• RP Walter Washington discovered more effective grip on his primary pitch, increasing movement and deception, improving his grade from C to B

  • The Storm's Bullpen grade improved from a C to a B thanks to Washington's improvement

• C Johnny Hall benefitted from advanced eye exercises that improved his pitch recognition. His hitting grade improved from a B to an A

• No free agency signings

Reno Silver Sox

• LF Warren Guerrero spent the offseason with a legendary fielder at his position, absorbing wisdom. His Defense Grade improves from B to a B+

• No change to their Team Rating or Team Qualities

• Reno is active in free agency, signing SP Sandy Guzman (B grade), and CL Jay Brown (B/TOUGH•) 

#1 - Introducing the APL

Now that most of the development work is complete with the Commissioner Handbook, I thought I would share the league that I have created to test out all the handbook's features, while the other testers do the same. 

Introducing the Atlantic-Pacific League (APL). The APL is a modern professional baseball league with teams from the USA and Canada. The Atlantic Division features the Buffalo Stampede, the Charlotte Racers, the Nashville Stars, and the Norfolk Surge. In the Pacific Division there are the Reno Silver Sox, the Sacramento Condors, the Portland Pioneers, and the Vancouver Storm. 

I recently completed the inaugural draft using the player creation system, and using the General Manager Draft Profiles so that each team made their picks in accordance with their GM's tendencies. It took a number of hours to complete, but it was a lot of fun. Charlotte is MY team, so I made all their selections myself. I had Claude.ai help me write a draft analysis, which follows. More news from the APL will be posted here as events warrant!

Team Draft Evaluations

1. Nashville Stars

Draft Strategy: Nashville secured the #1 pick and focused on building a star-studded offense while maintaining depth.

Key Picks:

• Rey Alou (OF, 5E) at #1 overall - an elite five-tool player

• Triston Wilson (SS, HE, A+ hitting) at #16 - established veteran star

• Nestor Munoz (SP, B+) at #17 - solid rotation anchor

• Leonys Arocha (3B, HK) at #33 - power bat with defensive limitations

Team Outlook: Nashville built a high-powered offense with strong hitting across the lineup (Wilson, Alou, Cliff Roberts, Arocha). Their pitching is middle-tier with Munoz leading a rotation of mostly average arms. The bullpen is serviceable but lacks elite talent. Their GM philosophy of aggressive/offense-focused seems well-executed, though they'll need their offense to carry them.

Season Projection: Strong offensive team that should compete for playoffs, but might struggle in pitching matchups against elite staffs.

2. Portland Pioneers

Draft Strategy: Portland went all-in on pitching early, securing elite starters before building a balanced roster.

Key Picks:

• Fernando Nelson (SP, A+) at #2 - ace pitcher

• Felix Henry (2B, 5T) at #15 - five-tool infielder

• Shane Craig (CL, A) at #18 - elite closer

• Walter Ferguson (SP, B) at #47 - quality starter with stamina

Team Outlook: Portland built around pitching with elite starter Nelson and three other quality arms. Their bullpen is strong with Donnie Wilson and Shane Craig. Offensively, they have solid contributors (Henry, George Nguyen) but lack the explosive power of some competitors. Their balanced approach fits their GM philosophy well.

Season Projection: Well-balanced contender that should make the playoffs with pitching as their strength.

3. Norfolk Surge

Draft Strategy: Norfolk went heavily pitching-focused as their GM profile suggested, with three quality SPs in the first four rounds.

Key Picks:

• Daniel Veras (SP, A) at #3 - ace starter

• Martin Pedroia (SP, A) at #14 - young ace

• Braden Spencer (OF, HE) at #19 - quality outfielder

• Bud Ross (CL, B) at #30 - solid closer

Team Outlook: Norfolk perfectly executed their pitching-focused strategy with elite pitching talent (Veras, Pedroia), building one of the strongest rotations in the league. Their offense is workable but not spectacular, with Spencer and Bryce Carpenter providing some pop. The bullpen is decent with Ross closing.

Season Projection: Pitching-dominant team that should be competitive in low-scoring games, potential playoff team.

4. Sacramento Condors

Draft Strategy: Sacramento secured an elite veteran starter early then mixed youth and experience throughout.

Key Picks:

• Didi Aybar (SP, A) at #4 - veteran ace

• Robert Johnson (RP, A+) at #13 - elite reliever

• Raul Urias (C, DS) at #20 - defensive specialist

• Albert Guillen (1B, HK) at #29 - power bat

Team Outlook: Sacramento built a solid pitching staff led by veteran Aybar and followed by several B-grade starters. Their bullpen is strong with Johnson leading the way. Offensively, they have decent power with Guillen but may struggle with overall hitting. They did include some younger players despite their win-now approach.

Season Projection: Mid-tier team that will lean on pitching; playoff contention possible but not guaranteed.

5. Vancouver Storm

Draft Strategy: Vancouver started with a power-hitting catcher and built a balanced squad around solid players.

Key Picks:

• Johnny Hall (C, HK) at #5 - power-hitting catcher

• Ryan Carter (SP, B+) at #12 - young quality pitcher

• Jorge Hall (3B, HE) at #21 - elite hitting infielder

• Trevor Cox (RP, B+) at #37 - quality reliever

Team Outlook: Vancouver built a conservative, balanced team without many superstars but few obvious weaknesses. Hall provides offensive firepower at catcher (rare), and their infield defense is strong. Pitching is solid but lacks a true ace. This approach matches their conservative GM philosophy perfectly.

Season Projection: Likely a middle-of-the-pack team that could surprise if their balanced approach pays dividends.

6. Charlotte Racers

Draft Strategy: Charlotte secured an elite starter early and built a balanced team with several high-upside players.

Key Picks:

• Yusei Pagan (SP, A) at #6 - veteran ace

• Ronald Villar (CL, A+) at #11 - elite closer

• Jesus Newman (OF, HE) at #22 - young elite hitter

• Taiki Ishigaki (RP, A+) at #27 - young elite reliever

Team Outlook: Charlotte built a solid pitching staff anchored by Pagan and a strong bullpen led by Villar and Ishigaki. Offensively, Newman and Dan Harris provide quality hitting. The team has a good mix of veterans and youth, aligning with their farm-first approach. They balanced position players and pitchers effectively.

Season Projection: Well-balanced team that should compete for a playoff spot while developing young talent.

7. Reno Silver Sox

Draft Strategy: Reno built around power bats and quality pitching, showing a win-now approach.

Key Picks:

• Jim Dunn (DH, HK) at #8 - young power hitter

• James Olson (SP, A) at #10 - quality starter

• Clint Maddox (DH, HE) at #23 - elite hitting DH

• Mason Miller (RP, A+) at #26 - elite reliever

Team Outlook: Reno assembled a team ready to win now with quality starters like Olson, elite relievers like Miller, and power bats like Dunn and Maddox. They lack elite defensive players but have solid hitting across the lineup. Their aggressive, win-now approach matches their GM profile well.

Season Projection: Strong contender with balanced talent; should make a playoff push.

8. Buffalo Stampede

Draft Strategy: Buffalo secured elite veteran talent early while targeting young players in later rounds.

Key Picks:

• Jim Dunn (DH, HK) at #8 - young power hitter

• Dylan Kelley (3B, HE) at #9 - veteran elite hitter

• Mike King (SP, B+) at #24 - quality starter

• Hunter Banks (RP, A+) at #25 - elite reliever

Team Outlook: Buffalo built around offense with Kelley and Dunn providing elite hitting, though they have defensive vulnerabilities. Their pitching is solid with King leading the rotation and Banks anchoring the bullpen. They have a nice mix of veterans and youth, aligning with their farm-first philosophy.

Season Projection: Offense-heavy team that should score runs but might struggle defensively; playoff contention possible.

Overall League Assessment

Strongest Rosters: Portland, Norfolk, Charlotte, Reno

Most Balanced: Charlotte, Vancouver

Best Pitching: Norfolk, Portland

Best Offense: Nashville, Buffalo

The inaugural season should be competitive with several teams having legitimate playoff hopes. Teams like Norfolk and Portland built strong foundations around pitching, while Nashville and Buffalo focused more on offensive firepower. Charlotte and Reno assembled balanced rosters that should be competitive immediately while developing talent. On to Spring Training!