AL SOUTH PREVIEW

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... Austin Bats ... (98-64 in S10)

PAYROLL: $54.2M
KEY ADDS: Pedro Velazquez, Zachrey Wainhouse, Hank Barry, Donn Jerzembeck, Theo Flood
KEY LOSSES: Will Barkley, Diego Flores, J.R. Brown, Mitch Hermsen

The talented Austin kids are a year old. A year wiser. Fresh off a 98 win season and another playoff trip, this group is ready to take the next step. Gone is Will Barkley, but arriving is Pedro Velazquez. We don't think they'll skip a beat. As long as the majority of their young nucleus continues to produce, it'll be another division title for the boys in blue.

PREDICTION: AL SOUTH CHAMPS



... Jackson Rebels ... (81-81 in S10)

PAYROLL: $83.1M
KEY ADDS: George Lockwood, Olmedo Guerrero, Spike Dykstra, Christy Townsend, Fred Reichert, Lorenzo Ortiz
KEY LOSSES: Charlie Upshaw, Haywood Howard, Koyie Fielder, Ugueth Padilla, Raul Johnson, Omar Melian, Michael Kobayashi

The Rebels enter S11 going .500 the season before. They also enter trying to find themselves an identity. Their leader is Orber Aparicio, a man who has bounced around the league the last couple seasons. He'll be counted on to lead this squad. The Lorenzo Ortiz sign was a straight up steal. Ortiz should do quite well for the Rebels this season. If their pitching holds up, then another .500 season is in sight, and maybe even higher than that.

PREDICTION: 2nd PLACE



... Monterrey Ping The Rookies ... (54-108 in S10)

PAYROLL: $66.3M
KEY ADDS: Bernard Moore, Quinn Hanson, Scot Milligan
KEY LOSSES: Yoo-Nah Tabaka, Fernando Gonzalez, Ronald Middlebrook

The first of two teams who were pretty bad in S10, but looks to improve in S11. This team was already rebuilding before the switch of ownership, so the poor record doesn't surprise anybody. Joaquin DeLeon is a talented young arm who figures to get a long look here in S11. J.R. Adams will continue to be the offensive leader. All they need now is others to pick up the slack, which could be a bigger problem than originally thought.

PREDICTION: 3rd PLACE



... Memphis DurtySouth ... (55-107 in S10)

PAYROLL: $76.8M
KEY ADDS: Geraldo Ozuna, Wiki Lopez, Roosevelt Hubbard, George Forest, Milton Gibson, Steven O'Brien, Kennie Latham, Sherry Coppolecchia, Haywood Howard
KEY LOSSES: David Marte

Just like with Monterrey, there's not really much you can say about this team either. A squad that was in major need of a complete overhaul, that's exactly what new owner camden68 is doing. At least there is something to work with here, as Brant Jackson is one of the few bright spots. After that, not much. You know how they say you have to hit rock bottom before you can climb back up? Well, guess where Memphis is right now?

PREDICTION: 4th PLACE