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2015-2016 Fall/Winter Season Forecast 

September 14, 2015 (Federal League Wire Service)

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

Expansion Division

1. Davie Goliaths
Mgr: Anthony De Filippis 
Last Season: 8-24 (3rd place, lost in play-in round)
The Story: After experiencing former manager Michael Gagnon's reign of error, the Philistines responded positively to new manager DeFilippis. Although the record and the finish looked similar to the season before, the G-Men were a much more competitive and consistent team. The Goliaths continue to acquire good, young, talent, with Best Newcomer Award winner Vijay Patel being joined by outfielders Tony Krahwinkel and Akeem Maynard, as well as infielders Beau Lacerte and Christan Perez-Astudillo. Veterans like Juan Gonzalez, Jorge Caballero, and Jeff Fazio give the Goliaths an interesting roster.
Strength: With a a group of starters that includes the likes of Andres Gomez, Joe Feller, Mike Daniels, and Jason Lipoff, the Goliaths have the core of an excellent mound staff. Team speed is a plus, too.
Weakness: Catcher remains an uncertainty heading into opening day. The team has some untried rookies that may get a look, or, that may cash in some of their outfield depth and use Krahwinkel behind the dish.
Prognosis: The Goliaths have enough of the elements that could lead them to a pennant.
Goliath Grunts: The Goliaths will start the season without last season's nominal ace, Sean Grove. The team is hopeful that Grove will be ready to rejoin the squad by mid-season.

2. Tri-Cities Tritons
Mgr: Mike Whittaker 
Last Season: 24-8 (1st place, lost in Championship Final Series)
The Story: The Tritons were the league's most consistent and complete team all season, until they stumbled in the Championship Final Series. A veteran cast that has gotten a taste of winning might start getting used to it.
Strength: Last season, the Tritons were excellent in every phase of the game, but their pitching stood out as the team's undeniable strength. Despite not having Frank "The Toe" Paul on the active roster, as of yet, the Water Dwellers still have an ever improving John Hardardt, dependable Eric Silverberg, and promising rookie Travis Tyrell. Any staff that has "Iron" Mike Whittaker on it, will almost never have any concerns about depth.
Weakness: Despite the presence of league MVP Jay Warman and the very productive Silverberg, the Triton offense experienced too many dry spells, particularly in the Championship Series.
Prognosis: The Tritons are one pitcher and one more slugger away from being the league's best team. In any event, the Sons of Poseidon are solid contenders, nonetheless.
Writin' Triton: The Tritons welcomed back former all-star Andy Ruiz this season. It is still unclear where Ruiz might fit in on the field, but his clutch bat will almost certainly find its way into the lineup.

3. Margate Sentries
Mgr: Dave Munguia 
Last Season: 18-14 (2nd place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: The Sentries had a remarkably unremarkable regular season and then held to form in a lackluster post-season appearance. The retirement of stalwarts like Jeff O' Kelley and Andres Libran, along with the early season absence of outfielders Jason Jones and Cody Stauble, are not exactly causes for optimism.
Strength: The Sentries will have some power. Rob Wiley, Phil Laufman, Paul Gonzalez, and Tim Hopkins tote some productive lumber. 
Weakness: With Libran, Jones and Stauble absent, the pitching staff is, at best, a work in progress.
Prognosis: If stockpiling your roster with corner infielders was a path to success, the Gatekeepers would have the inside track. Unfortunately, though, it appears, the Sentries' path might lead to nowhere.
Sentry Posts: This season, the Sentries will begin the second Dave Munguia era. Munguia piloted the team for one season previously, but is now in the skipper's chair for the long term.

4. Hollywood Stars
Mgr: Billy DeVuyst
Last Season: 8-24 (4th place)
The Story: If the Stars have a five year plan under manager Billy DeVuyst, the season should be the payoff. This is DeVuyst's fifth campaign at the helm, and while the club has steadily improved, they need to accelerate the process. 
Strength: The Stars have a lot of good, young, talent with emerging stars like Carlos Valdes, Jose Hernandez, and opening day starting pitcher Andre Borrega. Holdovers from the most recent youth movement like Jonathan Cruz, Kevin Gonzalez, and Adryan Perdaza have all been on the all-star team at least once in their brief careers. Outfield defense should be a plus.
Weakness: Behind Borrega, who is still an unproven commodity, the pitching is questionable.
Prognosis: The Stars should keep the pressure on the Sentries in the playoff race.
Star Shines: Third baseman Reol Alvarez, who had a very strong rookie season, is expected back from a shoulder injury, and should be ready in the season's first few weeks.

 



Original Division

1. Delray Beach Mudcats
Mgr: Gus Maestrales 
Last Season: 23-9 (2nd place, lost in play-in round)
The Story: Up until last season, the team was known as the Fort Lauderdale Blazers. The team was re-branded as the Delray Beach Mudcats, but despite the similarity in name and, thanks to a blockbuster trade, some familiar names, these Mudcats are the lineal descendents of the Blazers and not the team formerly known as the Mudcats. To make matters more confusing, former Mudcat (now the Hallandale Twins) manager Gus Maestrales has taken over the reins of these Mudcats.
Strength: The team should have tremendous power. Peter Maestrales, Luis Rodriguez, Igor Molina, and rookie catcher Troy Ambros will form a formidable middle of the order. Table setters like all-stars Gary Frady, Aaron Morris, and Matt Leban should help put a lot of runs on the board. With Michael Cillica, Leban, and Maestrales, the pitching should be in good hands, as well.
Weakness: The team has a potentially great lineup, deep pitching, solid team defense, and a good bench. If there's a weakness, it is not immediately apparent.
Prognosis: Barring a string of injuries, the Whiskered Fish should be considered this season's favorites.
Mudcat Musings: The pitching staff is expected to get even deeper when Chris Delgado rejoins the club next week.

2. Broward Cubs
Mgr: Ken Brown 
Last Season: 24-8 (1st place, won league championship)
The Story: Last season, we wrote, "The Cubs, five seasons removed from their lone championship campaign completely retooled their roster and may emerge as the league's surprise team." Mission accomplished.
Strength: Any pitching staff that can send Best Pitcher Award winner Chad Volbert to the mound for a regular turn, has, by definition, a strength. However, the real key for the Cubs may be their powerful and balanced lineup. Led by all-stars Nelson Montalvo, Roberto Galvez, Albie Santiago, and welcoming back former all-star Ricky Quintero, the Cubs should have a prolific offense again.
Weakness: With Ray Pereira on the inactive list, the Bruins lack depth behind catcher Michael Robbins.
Prognosis: While the Cubs might not have as strong a roster as they did last season, there remains enough quality to expect another championship run.
Cub Cribs:
After returning ahead of schedule from shoulder surgery, former all-star first sacker Jamie Bobrow has the challenge of competing for his old job against the current all-star first baseman, Nelson Montalvo.

3. Sunrise Sunsets
Mgr: Brandon Hull 
Last Season: 14-18 (3rd place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: After a less than inspired regular season, the Twilighters acquitted themselves well in the post season and came within one win of reaching the finals. 
Strength: The Sunsets should have a pretty competitive pitching staff. Kyle Ruwe established himself as a potential ace in a late season trial. Newcomers Ryan Thompson and Jason Van Tol could factor as well. Dependable Tommy Tritz  should give the Twilighters quality innings as well.  
Weakness: Team defense remains the squad's biggest question mark. 
Prognosis: The Sunsets should pitch well, and have some power with all-stars Chris Price and Demetrio Green, but Jimmy Schariest and Jacob Govern need to return to form for the club to advance.
Sunset Grillings:
Joey Ursetti, another late season pitching addition that impressed last season, remains unsigned, unable to come to terms with the team.

4. Hallandale Twins
Mgr: Burke Fox 
Last Season: 9-23 (4th place)
The Story: The former Mudcats (no relation to the current Mudcats) became the Hallandale Twins during the off season and decided to start fresh, casting off some veteran talent in an attempt to complete rebuild what had been an underachieving squad.
Strength: The Twins are hopeful that sluggers, such as Cory McEwen, Nathanael Rodriguez, Jesse Pirtke, and Wilson Marte willdent the fences often this season. Team speed is also evident with rookie Anthony Devlin, and veteran Luis Junco.
Weakness: Crafting a credible pitching staff from among lefty McEwen, ageless Doc Guida, young Patrick Murphy, and manager Fox will be a challenge. Team defense is also a sticking point, with shortstop a particular concern.
Prognosis: The Twins should experience some growing pains as they search for the right combination of talent.
Twin Peeks: The Twins traded for left pitching prospect Juan Rivas on draft day, but, so far, the negotiations between Rivas and the team have been fruitless.

 










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