by Heyall » Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:18 am
1. OBS Monarchs-Speed, power, pitching, defense, motivated, smart and Corey Reid is a very, very good coach. Nationals are almost a certain cinch from the Stockton Metro.
Agree on being a great coach but this team is not the end-all when it comes to play. They are well coached and have always had speed, but rumors are starting to fly that this team is going to see significant roster changes in the not-to-distant future. Will they stay together long enough to make nats? Probably but time will tell.
2. Foothill Gold- I know people are skeptics, but this team is just a few notches below the Monarchs 16U. JD Stinson has a well coached confident bunch and they are the favorite from SAC. I have not seen any team besides the Monarchs who are as consistent and talented.. You've always been biased toward this team and it continues. They have a few talented kids but to say they are the best? No way. One pitcher and a fast outfielder ain't gonna get the job done.
3. Grapettes KO- Kelly Olsen's team is back and played very well in the Bay Area. Injuries and new players effected them early this Fall, but look out now. The summer will be very interesting
if they keep improving.
Have to agree here. Anything Kelly Olsen is involved with will see some measure of success!
4. Lady Magic- See above. May fall a notch or two during the Summer.
Their age and their frequent inability to seal the deal as a result of that age will continue to haunt them. Reasonable pitching, good speed and some hitting will keep them in the game, but a good hitting opponent will handle them just fine.
5. Breeze- See above. Can Bilboa get pitching to go along with his hitters?
NO. This team is no better than they were as 16's last year with the Grapes. No pitching and mediocre play will not get them any further than past seasons.
6. TNT- Haven't seen them play, but hear a lot of good things. Young and will get better.Pitching is only mediocre for the 16 division and several of their better players left after Nationals. Slow corners leaves them WIDE OPEN to small ball and lack of strong opponents makes their record very suspect.
7. AASA- Beat by the Breeze, but young and talented. Coaching staff is very positive. Maybe a year away. Went 3-0 on Saturday.
Feeling bullet-proof after Westerns and a very good hitting team - should be higher ranked than 7. In spite of their age, would put them in front of virtually everyone on this list except for possibly Monarchs on a day-to-day basis. They'll lose some games but they will be THE team next year.
8. Rapids- Kevin Warren does a good job without a lot. Been playing up and enjoying success.
A virtual unknown at the 16u level. Apparently been playing 18s all fall. Mostly showcases so cannot see results. Warren is indeed a good coach and very demanding. Several pitchers but none with the "knockout" stuff. Good hitting and excellent defense will keep them around. Would not put them behind TNT and definitely not behind Breeze. Based on prior history, they should also be in front of FHG but they may or may not actually be a 16 team come spring.
9. Stompers- Another team I have not seen, but have basics of TNT.
10. Mizuno AA- Coach Bright does a good job of teaching and this team returns a lot of players from last years successful season. Could move way up.
No way. Period.
11. USA Elite- They just keep on winning. Granted, not the best tournaments, but Coach Cherry is building something.
Too young, not enough dominating players to be considered a threat at this point.
12. Grapettes DH- Still trying to sort out players and coaches. Hutchins can coach and let's see what kind of players he can attract for the Summer.
Like USA Elite, not a threat.
13. Comets.
Cannot keep players.
14. Lodi Heat
15. Roseville Heat.
16. Rocklin Hype.