And the Picks are In...

2025 Spring RBRL Predictions

I will start with the National League which is loaded and potentially every team is better than all the teams in the American League

1A Cubs made their first World Series last season and have a very strong 15-year-old class. As is always the case attendance can be a challenge with HS and AAU baseball conflicts but come playoff time when all players are on board, they have the arms to take the World Series title. I am keeping a close eye on Coach Frew as the only new coach in the League. There is a formula for winning in RBRL which isn’t always traditional baseball strategy, and how soon if at all he figures that out could determine their fate.

1B Pirates have been on a roll for three years thanks to the oft-maligned former Manager Joe Picano and the guy who took over and became the adult in the room Derek Prior. Coming off two World Series and a championship they stumbled a bit in the playoffs with a wagon of a team last year but the talent returning is still elite by Spring RBRL standards. The top of their lineup is like murderers’ row and two of them are just 14, and the other two are 4 year players. Coach Prior was kicked up to an office job after last year, but he will be there to assist new Manager Jaked who has coaching experience in a reversal of roles.

3 Phillies coming off a season of heartbreak like the 2023 Bruins, the 11-1-1 Phils lost in the first round of the playoffs to the upstart Cubs who were tougher than first thought so in hindsight it wasn’t as bad as it looked at the moment. Still the Grady Little like decisions that Coach Gualtieri made in that game are still being talked about in some RBRL circles and in Derry NH. So, Coach is running it back again with as strong a 15-year-old class as anyone and motivated to make amends. Expect a little less of the “nice guy” approach from Tom who may be a little scarred from last year.

4 Padres are listed as fourth place but with a deep 14–15-year-old group I wouldn’t be shocked if they could take the NL title. Every year I have hopes that Coach Foley will have the team playing up to the level of the skill on paper but to this point the baseball knowledge in his head hasn’t translated to wins. Highly touted by Coach Moscariello as an All Star second baseman from the late 1990’s and a “nice guy”, I will give a nod to the nice-guy label but just like Bill Belichick Pete’s disciples are not generally making a strong showing with their RBRL playoff success. In years past Dan’s drafts were like a ”friends and neighbors’ day” but this year it looks like he was making the wise choices, and it may finally pay off sometime in his expected six-year coaching run.

5 Rockies just because someone has to be five, but I have good feelings about this team. Both of Coach Pizzotti’s drafts have been excellent. He comes across as quiet, reserved and laid back but he is definitely paying attention. He pulls out a sleeper pick when others are picking the next # on the ratings list. The depth is there but getting innings out of pitchers who pitch elsewhere will be the key after drafting the top pitcher in the incoming class in two straight seasons.

American League

1 Mariners are the defending champions and have won 2 out of the last 3 championships, show up in the post season and are very well coached. They win the close ones and Coach Rizzo uses the regular season as an extended practice to figure out what he has. They took a big hit with an injury to last year’s WS MVP AJ Rizzo but the team is chalk full of some of the President’s favorites and if Rizzo returns, they will be the AL favorite to return to the World Series once again.

2 Orioles have a new name retiring the Athletics name until they establish home base in Las Vegas. Coach Weiden has built a star quality roster that arguably is one of the top handful in RBRL. Coach will not be granted any excuses this year to not at least reach the AL Final. The Orioles will be closely watched.

3 Astros the swan song after 5 years for Coach Fratto. After a soul crushing loss in last years AL Final with a veteran team the coach will have to do magic with the second youngest team in RBRL and an arm injury to LTA TOC MVP Dom Fratto. Tom is going out with a strong effort evidenced by the fact that he had actual names written down at this years draft and the franchise is set up for future success. Hats off and respect for the RMHS Hall of Famer for being a target of many of my barbs he will be missed.

4 Angels were predicted to win last year in this column with a heavy 15-year-old team. Coach Wondo let me down, so he was given a 5-year extension of his Field Director duties. I call it forced labor. The team is in a major rebuild but had a strong draft and with two brother tandems and coach’s combo there will be a real “we are family vibe” going on the bench. I rest easy at night knowing the League has Wondo.

5 Royals will struggle to compete at a higher level with a very young team and only one 15 yr old. Coach Jordi has done a good job stockpiling younger talent in the last two drafts and their day will come, and when it does, they will be spectacular. They have had at least 8 practices so far and that puts coach on my favorites list. Never mind that he hooked the League up with the City Connect jerseys this year and I love that stuff.

NL Pirates over the Phillies

AL Mariners over the Orioles

World Series Championship: Pirates in Three over the Mariners (rematch from 2022)