2019 NPB Power Rankings: Preseason edition

The 2019 NPB season begins on Friday, March 29 with all teams playing on Opening Day. While the preseason is done and gone, the games will count very soon.

Preseason power rankings are a soft gauge on each team regarding their expectations. Some are rebuilding, while others should make noise.

Here are the power rankings at the start of the season:

1. Fukuoka Softbank Hawks

The defending champions by default always start at No. 1 no matter what for the following season. Unlike other sports, the Hawks had no significant losses with a handful of aging players only a year older. There will always be a hangover at the beginning, but many are expecting a three-peat given the depth at all positions. Look for former ikusei pitcher Kotaro Otake to make the next leap and establish himself as a regular like Kodai Senga did before him.

===

2. Hiroshima Carp

The Carp were all but destroyed in the Japan Series, but people think they're still contenders to win a fourth consecutive Central League pennant. Should be interesting to see how Hisayoshi Chono fits into the equation for a team that usually likes staying young. Offense will take a hit without Yoshihiro Maru, but the depth for position players shouldn't be a problem. Only their pitching can hold them back. 

===

3. Yomiuri Giants

Tatsunori Hara is back and the Giants are supposed to be contenders again. Whether it's because of the manager returning or the fact they signed several free agents, the Kyojin are back to their usual ways with veterans. Hara won't force himself playing the aging players if the younger guys can step it up. Kazuma Okamoto came off a breakout season. They'll need more than just Maru to be consistent on offense, but the pitching depth is the strongest in the Central League.

===

4. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

The Fighters had a surprise A-class finish last season and their expectations go up as a result with a young core. This season will be about the development of the future in Kosei Yoshida and Kotaro Kiyomiya, but the current team still has defense and speed to compete for the now. Naoyuki Uwasawa needs to show last year was no fluke and that he can be more than what Mitsuo Yoshikawa was. Bullpen is a huge question mark.

===

5. Saitama Seibu Lions

The Lions lose Yusei Kikuchi and Hideto Asamura among notable starters while Ginjiro Sumitani walks in free agency. Talent is still there on offense to do damage while the defense and speed could improve. However, the pitching is expected to stay at the bottom and it's up to Shinsaburo Tawata to prove he can be an ace. Other former first round picks Tatsuya Imai and Kona Takahashi are still a work in progress while the bullpen was a problem.

===

6. Tokyo Yakult Swallows

The Swallows jumped from last to second under Junji Ogawa and Tetsuto Yamada rebounded in 2018. Their issue? Repeating the same success for two straight years. They're an up and down team who can compete, but it does have the feel that last year looked like a fluke if they regress to the mean.

===

7. Hanshin Tigers

Expectations come for new manager Akihiro Yano after a last place finish. With Yuki Nishi and Onelki Garcia as big free agent pickups, their rotation will be solidified, but their hitting could hold them back with an aging core. They're going to need others besides Yoshio Itoi and Kosuke Fukudome to carry the load on offense.

===

8. Chiba Lotte Marines

The Marines had a strong first half followed by a dismal second half in 2018 which they don't want to repeat. Mike Bolsinger, Ayumu Ishikawa and Kota Futaki could be an intimidating Big 3 while the offense should be improved due to an outfield terrace bringing the fences in closer. Brandon Laird should also bring some pop, but how much offense can this team improve on from last year? Hisanori Yasuda and Kyota Fujiwara are intriguing prospects, but this team offensively is still a year or two away on paper. 

===

9. Yokohama DeNA Baystars

The Baystars were stuck in mediocrity with pitching having a down year while the hitting was home run dependent. They'll need a rebound year from Shota Imanaga and the rest of their rotation while the offense can be relying on 3-4 guys in their lineup. If this team comes up short of A-class, manager Alex Ramirez is likely done.

===

10. Orix Buffaloes

While they were picked last in our Pacific League preview, the Buffaloes have the pitching depth and talent to compete in 2019. They have the second best bullpen in the Pacific League behind the Hawks and offense could be better if someone steps it up after Masataka Yoshida. The only thing holding them back is their front office and developmental issues, but manager Norifumi Nishimura has experience and is no yes-man. This group could be a sleeper if everything goes right.

===

11. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
\
The Eagles made a splash free agent signing in Asamura, but the team has plenty of other problems from Takahiro Norimoto out for half the year with a mediocre bullpen. Offense should be better, but by how much? This is a group that showed the first half of 2017 was a fluke, continuing a downward spiral. Kazuki Tanaka should be interesting, but the jury could be out on Louis Okoye if he doesn't do anything at the ichi-gun. 

===

12. Chunichi Dragons

The Dragons have no ace or even No. 1 pitcher who is clear cut. They're hoping to develop pitchers like Shinnosuke Ogasawara and Yuya Yanagi while the offense will carry the load in 2019. This season will be an uphill battle for new manager Tsuyoshi Yoda, as he will learn the ropes of being the skipper. If the bullpen and pitching can play up, the offense will keep them competitive, but the odds are not in their favor.

===

Follow us on Twitter @GraveyardBall