Solingen Alligators (22-2) vs Mannheim Tornados (16-12)
Scouting Report #1: The Alligators are the new measuring stick for the German Baseball League and look primed to win back-to-back championships. Dominik WULF (.530, 35 hits) and Joey BESL (.432, 32 hits) are two of the league’s top hitters while Andre Hughes (10-1, 1.64) and Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez (7-1, 1.21) form arguably the Bundesliga’s top 1-2 pitching tandems. Solingen is hitting .345 as a team with an impressive 1.33 ERA and 73 stolen bases.
Scouting Report #2: The Tornados return to the playoffs thanks to a late season rally led by sluggers Marvin APPIAH (.382, 29 hits) and William Hess (.407, 35 hits). Ace pitcher Francisco Zapata is 6-2 with a 3.15 ERA this season and teammate Jan Russel has notched five wins. Mannheim is hitting at a .270 clip and is 27-of-42 in swiping bases. The pitching staff has a 4.42 ERA.
Prediction: Mannheim made significant strides this season but Solingen has reloaded and remain the favorite to win it all. The Alligators sweep their way into the second round.
Paderborn Untouchables (17-7) vs Heidenheim Heidekopfe (18-10)
Scouting Report #1: Heidenheim shocked Paderborn in last year’s playoffs dealing the the Untouchables dynasty a severe blow. However, Coach Martin HELMIG’s squad is back and will not be looking ahead to a clash with the Alligators this time around. Octavio MEDINA leads a team hitting .322 with a .444 mark including 28 hits. Catcher Bjorn SCHONLAU is 27-for-65 (.415) and Michael FRANKE is hitting .354 (23-for-65). Benigno OZUNA is the team ace with a 6-2 record and a 2.51 ERA. Eugen HEILMANN and Dave PREZIOSI help anchor a staff with a solid 2.77 ERA.
Scouting Report #2: The Heidekopfe have an abundance of offensive weapons starting with one of the German Baseball League top hitters, Simon GUHRING, who is hitting .521 (49-for-94) with 13 doubles, 33 runs, and 33 RBI’s. Ben HIMES (.443, 7 HR, 26 RBI’s), Doug KRUTHAUPT (.440, 44 hits) and Robert GRUBER (.364, 36 hits) lead an attack that is hitting .333 as a unit. Marcus WINKLER is 8-3 while Peter DANKERL is 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA.
Prediction: Pitching wins championship and the Untouchables have the advantage. Heidenheim remains a dangerous team but I do not see lightning striking twice. Paderborn advances to meet Solingen in a classic battle with a 3-1 series win over the Heidekopfe.
Mainz Athletics (19-9) vs Bonn Capitals (16-8)
Scouting Report #1: The Athletics eliminated Bonn in the first round last season and will rely heavily on the arm of team ace Manuel MOLLER (10-1, 2.06, 82 K) and Nils HARTKOPF who is 5-1 with a pair of saves for a pitching staff sporting a 3.70 ERA. Sascha LUTZ is the leading hitter with a .472 mark including 34 hits. Maximilian BOLDT (.333), Janusz RADICKE (.347), and Keigo MIYAGI (.333) are all capable with the bat.
Scouting Report #2: Bonn’s Tim HENKENJOHANN (10-2, 2.09, 120 K) rise to the elite ranks of German League pitchers has the Capitals eyeing a serious title run. Christian NSIEN is one of the league’s top hitters with a lofty .457 mark (32-for-70). Joel RODRIGUEZ (.344) and Marc MARSCH (23 hits) have been productive all season for a team hitting .267. Mirco HEID has won six games for the Capitals as the No.2 starter.
Prediction: Mainz should win the series in four games similar to last season. But with an ace like HENKENJOHANN, don’t count out Bonn just yet.
Regensburg Legionare (24-4) vs Cologne Cardinals (15-9)
Scouting Report #1: Regensburg would like nothing more than a rematch with Solingen in the Championship Series. But first a tough Cologne squad must be taken care of and this will not be easy. The Legionare can flat out hit with an array of hitters including Klaus HOPFENSPERGER (.456, 31 hits), Simon KUDERNATSCH (.398, 35 hits), and Philip HOWARD (.369, 31 hits). Matthew FLAHERTY is 8-1 with a 2.73 ERA while Martin ALMSTETTER is 6-0 with a 2.77 ERA in 65 innings.
Scouting Report #2: Team ace Dirk FRIES (8-4, 2.19) and teammate Moritz SCKAER (6-4, 3.60) will be the key to the playoff aspirations of the Cardinals. Cologne dropped a 2-1 squeaker to Regensburg in Game 3 in last year’s playoffs that would have put the Legionare on the brink of elimination. Anderson ALVAREZ has enjoyed a stellar season going 36-for-87 (.444) with 14 stolen bases and 26 runs scored. Markus GIENGER is hitting .360 with 18 RBI’s and the Cardinals have swiped 38 bases.
Prediction: Regensburg is battle tested and should dispose of Cologne in four games.
Send me a application to play baseball in Germany. I hit 26 homerouns and played with Joey Besl in the same conference. I was a First Team All American in 2006 and hit .420 with 82 rbi’s. I feel that I would be a great contribute to any team in this league. I was wondering how to get on one of these teams after seeing that Joey Besl was having so much success. Email me at KJONES008@aim.com
If you need a reference ask Joey Besl himself, or contact my college baseball coaches at West Virginia State University