2014 Spring/Summer Season Forecast 

April 22, 2014 (Federal League Wire Service)

         Here's how the editors of South Florida Baseball Report see the races shaping up:

Expansion Division

1. Margate Sentries
Mgr: Phil Laufman 
Last Season: 28-8 (2nd place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: The Sentries narrowly missed winning the regular season flag for the second straight season, but failed to return to the Expansion Series, as they lost in a semi-final round upset. Gone are stalwarts Lorne Battiste (to a hold out) and Ray Ubiera (traded to the Stars). Top draftees pitcher Kevin Druckman and outfielder Gian-Pierre Lopez are now on board.
Strength: The Sentries have, potentially, the league's top offensive lineup with Jeff O' Kelley, Dave Munguia, Jason Jones, Andres Libran, Paul Gonzalez, Albert Quezada, and Lopez. They also have the league's deepest pitching staff. 
Weakness: Despite having Munguia at first, the infield defense remains less than spectacular.
Prognosis: The talent is present to go all the way.
Sentry Posts: Andres Libran is still suffering the effects of the finger that he injured in a bizarre play during last season. As the season starts, Libran may be able to pitch, but might not be able to swing the bat until later in the campaign.

2. Lighthouse Point Beacons
Mgr: Keith Nicoll 
Last Season: 34-2 (1st place, won Expansion Series championship)
The Story: The Illuminators are two time defending champions, and seemed to have integrated enough young talent to quiet all of the talk surrounding their aging stars. Pat "The Bat" Vadala retired during the off season, and Raul Nieto is missing in action, but versatile Jose Morales returns after one season absence.
Strength: The lineup is still productive. Jimmy Efre and Cory Gammons lead the offense. Up the middle defense is a strong suit, but the pitching staff is the key. The Beacons remade the staff last season and newcomers Nicholas Mirto and Ryan DiGiose delivered on their promise. Brant Spring has adapted to his new role as spot starter and occasional closer, and the addition of a healthy Steven Hibbs (in an off-season trade with the Sunsets) gives the Beacons the best pitching staff in recent memory
Weakness: The Beacons everyday lineup is, despite some younger sluggers (Cory Gammons, Naz Rosario), still among the oldest in the league. Overall team defense, once a strength, has become marginal. The Beacons have transformed from one of the league's faster teams to one of its slowest.
Prognosis: The Beacons , as always, will make their presence felt in the championship picture.
Speakin' Beacon: With Joe Colosimo inactive for the season, and Nieto stuck on the reserved list, the full time catching duties fall to creaky kneed Guy Bitchatcho. At full health, Bitchatcho is a more than capable backstop, but it will be interesting to see how much the workload behind the plate takes its toll.

3. Hollywood Stars
Mgr: Billy DeVuyst
Last Season: 2-34 (6th place)
The Story: The Stars are now in the second season of their major rebuilding program and it appears that they about to reap the dividends. The Stars have added Ray Ubiera (via trade), pitching phenom Sol Ehrlich (via the draft), and have seen the return of Angel Canales, Juan Camacho, and Junior Canales. The recently unretired Sandy Cabrera was acquired in a trade with the Sentries. 
Strength: The additions of Ehrich, Ubiera, and Cabrera, along with the return of Canales, gives the Stars a top flight mound staff. A lineup that includes Junior Canales, Odell Charette, Teo Zorrilla,  Anthony Venezia, Dave Fernandez, and Billy DeVuyst is almost a lock to be productive. Proven veterans, like Lee Gonzalez and Pat Keane, give the Stars a deep bench.
Weakness: The team defense remains up in the air. Who is playing where? The Stars have a lot of juggling to do before they settle on a defensive configuration.
Prognosis: The Stars figure to be the surprise team of the league.
Star Shines: The Stars acquired lefty Melvin Montesino in the hopes that the potential ace will join the team next season.

4. Tri-Cities Tritons
Mgr: Mike Whittaker 
Last Season: 14-22 (4th place, lost in play-in round)
The Story: The Tritons played great ball for the first half of the season before fading badly in the second half. A solid draft and some key additions are intended to make for a more consistent performance.
Strength: The Tritons have a better than average lineup. Magdiel Sanchez established himself as a top batsman. Whittaker, Andy Ruiz, Jon Goldsmith, Rob Harap, Don Burgess, and Big Ben Head form the nucleus of a strong lineup. Newcomer Brian Johnson, a top slugging prospect acquired in a trade with the Stars and the end of spring training should make a big impact. Top draft choice John Hardardt joins a healthy Eric Silverberg and "Iron" Mike Whittaker at the top of an improved rotation.
Weakness: The Tritons still need to shore up their fielding, which can be atrocious at times. The outfield defense has some question marks after the team traded Jorge Caballero and lost Lee Gonzalez to free agency.
Prognosis: The Tritons are still building for the future, but they can see the light on the horizon. This may not be a championship caliber club yet, but they are getting closer.
Writin' Triton: The Tritons were not expecting Silverberg back until mid-season, due to a shoulder injury, but, it appears that the durable hurler is fit and ready to go.

5. Sunrise Sunsets
Mgr: Brandon Hull 
Last Season: 20-16 (3rd place, lost Expansion Series)
The Story: After a late season surge pushed the team into third place and an eventual trip to the Expansion Series, the ballclub is riddled with question marks as Chris Price, Michael Govern, and Andrew Richard essentially, the team's starting outfield) are hold outs as of opening day.
Strength: The batting order still has Demetrio Green, Rob Wiley, Brandon Hull, David Bourns, and Jimmy Schariest to produce runs. The pitching staff has potential in newcomers Jesse Gonzalez and Kyle Kaplan joining Justin "The Ace" Shiver on the hill.
Weakness: Outfield defense is a nagging concern as long as Price, Govern, and Richard are holding out. the infield defense may not be any better.
Prognosis: The Sunsets are an enigma. If Price, Govern, and Richard end up coming on board, then the team should get to, at least, third. If all three sit out the season, they could finish last. 
Sunset Grillings: The Twilighters top two pitching prospects both were acquired in trades with the hated Beacons. Gonzalez was the Sunsets' top pick after moving up in the draft order in the deal that sent Hibbs to Lighthouse Point, and Kaplan came over in a deal that was made as spring training ended.

6. Davie Goliaths
Mgr: Michael Gagnon 
Last Season: 10-26 (5th place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: Michael Gagnon's first campaign as manager of the Philistines had its ups and downs, but the late playoff push gave the team some cause for optimism.
Strength: The Goliaths have a pretty solid lineup with the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Eric Bigham, and Joe LaRocca. Newly acquired Jason Legunn, Anthony DeFilippis, and Jorge Caballero should make the G-Men fairly productive. Big things are expected out of draftee Emmanuel Movil, a power hitting outfielder. The presence of lefty fireballer Jordan Ohl gives the pitching staff immediate credibility. The acquistion of innings eater Doc Guida gives it instant depth.
Weakness: While the Goliaths have plenty of experienced talent, the absence of top flight players like Jose Chinea, Jose Garcia, Lawrence Weissman, and pitcher Joe Feller (all hold outs) will be evident, unless they can be traded for useful players.
Prognosis: The Goliaths might take a dip in the standings as the rest of the division seems to have made greater improvements, but, if Gagnon follows through on his long term plans, the future should be much brighter.
Goliath Grunts: One player to keep an eye on is outfielder Anthony Howard. A late round pick, Howard showed continual improvement during the spring and could burst into the starting lineup this season.

Original Division

1. Fort Lauderdale Blazers
Mgr: Michael Cimilluca 
Last Season: 28-4 (1st place, won Championship Final Series)
The Story: The Blazers breezed through the regular season before struggling, and ultimately succeeding, in the playoffs.
Strength: The team has a strong lineup centered around leadoff hitter and former MVPs David Leon and Joe Iacobucci. All-Star catcher Michael Fuentes, and, Dominic Ficarra. All-time league wins leader, player/manager Michael Cimilluca leads an elite, if not particularly deep, pitching staff.
Weakness: Despite the presence of league legend Cimilluca,  the pitching depth is an obvious concern. The loss of versatile Rob Thompson and the potential loss of Dylan Ebel will definitely take a toll.
Prognosis: There is certainly enough talent here for another pennant run, but a mid-season addition of one or two quality pitchers wouldn't hurt.
Blazer Blasts: All-Star third baseman John Spellman will be out of action until May 15.

2. Commercial Aviation Mudcats
Mgr: Gus Maestrales 
Last Season: 11-21 (5th place)
The Story: The Mudcats made a late season push for the playoffs last season, but fell one game short as their normally potent lineup failed to support their pitching staff. The Whiskered Fish reacquired all-star Luis Rpdriguez during the off-season.
Strength: The Mudcats will have a balanced lineup with veterans Rodriguez, Pete Maestrales, Gary Frady, Tommy Tritz, Casey Johnston on hand to provide power. Outfielder Michel Valdes has plenty of speed. The pitching staff behind nominal ace Gus Maestrales is a plus.
Weakness: Focus and consistency. The talent level is high enough to go all the way, but the intagibles are not always in this team's favor.
Prognosis: The Mudcats should be in the pennant hunt and could, if everything breaks right, make a significant dent in the post season.
Mudcat Musings: The Mudcats drafted infielder Frank Bernazard, son of 10 year Major Leaguer Tony Bernazard, in the second round.

3. Hallandale Twins
Mgr: Michael Taylor 
Last Season: 13-19 (3rd place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: The South Florida Sun Devils have a new manager and a new name as the team will now be known as the Hallandale Twins. Michael Taylor, who takes over for long time skipper Anthony DeFilippis, has totally revamped the roster, getting rid of the malcontents, the mediocrity, and the malaise that had saddled the team last season. Gone are some of the bad attitudes that drove DeFilippis away.
Strength: The Twins, as was their tradition as the Sun Devils, will feature a strong pitching staff. Lefty Nick Kiefer, righty Matt Mann, and sidearmer Matt Kean join Taylor, Scott Gershenbaum, and Jason Lipoff to form a solid staff.
Weakness: While the Twins have some solid hitters such as Nick Armas and newcomer Eric Friedman, there offense is still a work in progress. 
Prognosis: The Twins should be a middle of the pack team that has a good chance of improving as they season progresses.
Twin Tales: Taylor has stressed that the team's roster might be continually reshaped as the season progresses. The Twins hold the rights to a number of prospects that probably will not get called up until mid-season.

4. Broward Cubs
Mgr: Ken Brown 
Last Season: 12-20 (4th place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: The Cubs are now three seasons removed from the championship campaign and remain a work in progress. Ken Brown, who had been running the squad on an interim basis, officially replaced Adrian Bautista as manager.
Strength: The pitching staff will be the key to success. A rotation built around ace Chad Volbert, lefty Graham White, and Matt Leban is a solid core around which to build. Japanese import, Asari Mitsuharu is the most intriguing newcomer of the season.
Weakness: Despite the presence of sluggers such as Jamie Bobrow, Jon Means, and Nielson Montalvo, the offense may be prone to sputtering at times. The infield defense is unsettled.
Prognosis: The Cubs will only go as far as their pitching takes them and that might not be far enough to keep them in the championship picture this season.
Cub Cribs: The Cubs made a late season trade with the Mudcats to acquire top draft choice, outfielder Lance Escalera. If Escalera develops on schedule, the Cubs could move up.

5. Parkland Angels
Mgr: Gary Rogers 
Last Season: 16-16 (2nd place, lost in Championship Final Series)
The Story: The transition phase for the storied franchise is now complete as the former Braves/Mets team has been rebranded in acknowledgment of the Gary Rogers regime. In his second season at the helm, Rogers took the Halos to the finals, but this appears to be a rebuilding season.
Strength: Nothing really stands out. While they won't be horrible in any phase of the game, they do not project to be outstanding in any one area. Chris Craig, Jarrod Rubinstein, and top pick, infielder Joel Berlanga will be the team leaders. Newcomers Jeffry Munoz and Kevin Ellenborgen should make an impact.
Weakness: Every team could always use more pitching depth. The Angels are no exception. Run production looks like it will be an issue, as well.
Prognosis: The Angels will struggle in the early going this season, but they should stick in the playoff chase.
Halo Happenings: Original Division MVP, shortstop Matt Rogers, will probably start the season on the reserved list. Rogers expected to garner a pro contract in the off-season, but has reevaluated his goals. Ultimately, he will probably rejoin the team at some point.

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