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2016-2017
Fall/Winter Season
Forecast
September
29, 2016 (Federal League Wire Service)
Here's how the editors of South Florida Baseball Report
see the races shaping up:
Expansion
Division
1. Tri-Cities Tritons
Mgr: Mike
Whittaker
Last Season:
27-13 (1st
place, won league championship)
The Story:
The Tritons
finally captured their first league title, ending the longest
championship drought in league history. Almost the entire team
returns to see if they can make it two in a row.
Strength:
The
Water Dwellers have developed the league's best hitting lineup.
Jay Warman, Zac Miller, Julian Faria, and Chris Marrero anchor a
proficient and prolific offense. A pitching staff built around
Eric Silverberg, John Hardardt, Tre Dingus, reliever Orlando
Fallas, and newcomer Matt Doron should be among the loop's best.
Weakness:
The infield defense is rather
inconsistent.
Prognosis:
If the Sons of
Poseidon get injured pitcher Matt Arlick back at 100%, there may
be no stopping them.
Writin' Triton:
Veteran Andy Ruiz called it a career after
helping the Tritons to a long awaited championship. To replace
Ruiz's versatility, the Water Dwellers re-acquired veteran Jay
Auriemma from the Twins.
2.
Davie Goliaths
Mgr: Tony
Krahwinkel
Last Season:
18-22 (4th
place)
The Story:
The Philistines handed the reins to Tony Krahwinkel last season,
but were unable to translate their initial optimism into the win
column with sufficient regularity. Despite one of the league's
best rosters, the G-Men missed the playoffs. The bulk of the
fault cannot be laid at the feet of the new manager, as several
of the team's top players had off-seasons.
Strength:
The top of the lineup, featuring Eduardo Del Toro, Anthony De
Filippis, Jehiel Russo, and Krahwinkel is as solid as any in the
league. The mound staff, led by newcomer Seth Natal, Paul Tunink,
Chad Wright, and veteran Jason Lipoff should be a bright spot.
Outfield defense should be above average.
Weakness:
Who will play shortstop? Who will
play second base? The Goliaths are loaded on the corners, but
have huge holes in the middle infield.
Prognosis:
The
Goliaths have enough pitching and power to be contenders, but
they start the season with more questions than answers.
Goliath Grunts:
The Goliaths will begin the season
without former all-star infielder Vijay Patel. The loss of Patel
may have a ripple effect that costs the team down the stretch.
3. Hollywood
Stars
Mgr: Matt
Leban
Last Season: 27-13
(2nd place, lost in Play-in Round)
The Story:
Under
new manager Leban, the Stars took a giant leap in stature, as
well as in the standings. Third baseman Ishy Demoya won the
triple crown, but remains unsigned heading into the opener.
Strength:
The Stars have, perhaps, the loop's
top pitching duo in Leban and fireballing Yamil Rivera,
providing that Rivera is signed by opening day. The middle of
the order, with Demoya (if he plays), Teo Zorrilla, Adrian
Giraldo, Ryan Gordon, and newcomer Zach Swanson is expected to
be productive. Outfield defense is strong.
Weakness:
A reliable leadoff hitter is not
immediately apparent. First round draft pick Bryan Charry could
be the answer, but has yet to sign with the club. As a result,
shortstop is also a question mark.
Prognosis:
The Stars may
take a small step back this season, unless the can upgrade a few
positions as the season progresses.
Star Shines:
Catcher Aaron Morris abruptly retired and
moved to Canada, perhaps as a political protest.
4.
Margate Sentries
Mgr: Dave
Munguia
Last
Season:
20-20 (3rd place, lost in
semi-finals)
The Story:
The Sentries survived an incredibly
inconsistent campaign, as well as the death of stalwart Ray Ubiera
to make a deep playoff run.
Strength:
The
Sentries will have some power. Rob Wiley, Phil Laufman, Alex
Rodriguez, Lawrence Weissman, Paul
Gonzalez, and Jason Jones tote some productive lumber. Cody
Stauble is a solid table setter.
Weakness:
The pitching staff has some standouts,
particularly reliever Felix Martinez and reliable veteran Joe
Feller, but, taken as a whole, does not appear to among the
league's best. With shortstop Dave Marquez holding out, middle
infield defense may be a huge cause for concern.
Prognosis:
If the
Gatekeeper offense can produce at a high enough level, they may
be able to climb in the standings. Unfortunately, the odds are
that the offense may not be able to produce enough to off set
the pitching deficiencies.
Sentry Posts:
In addition to Marquez, outfielder Sammy
Diaz was also absent from pre-season camp, as was pitcher Pete
Ginter. These could be key losses. Veteran lefty Bob
Westheimer may not have retired, but he appears to be sitting
out this season.
Original
Division
1.
Broward
Cubs
Mgr: Mike
Robbins
Last Season: 28-12
(1st place, lost in Championship Final series)
The Story: Last
season, the Cubs reaffirmed their dominance over the Senior
Circuit, before falling one game short of the league title. With
the core of the team returning, the Bruins should, once again,
lead the pack.
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 veterans Roberto
Galvez, Jamie Bobrow, Kenny Perez, Robbins, and Omar Garcia, as
well as newcomer Ramluis Machado, the Cubs should have a decent offense again.
When all-star Ricky Quintero returns to action from a broken thumb
suffered in the Championship Final Series, the Cubbies should
really take off.
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:
Certain first
ballot hall of famer Keith Nicoll announced his retirement at the
end of the last season. Will he remain retired? Consider that
Brett Favre is one of his all-time favorite football players.
2. Sunrise Sunsets
Mgr: Brandon
Hull
Last Season:
15-25
(2nd place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story:
After a less
than inspired regular season, the Twilighters stumbled in, and
out, of the playoffs. Manager Hull retooled the roster and there
exists enthusiasm and optimism in Sunrise.
Strength:
The Sunsets
should have a pretty strong pitching staff if free agent Michael
Cimilluca signs on as expected. A staff centered around
Cimilluca, Ryan Thompson, Tommy Tritz, Andrew McCarty, newcomers
Tremaine Wright and AJ Fidalic, and Ted Maceda would be as good as any in the
league.
Weakness: Team
defense remains the squad's biggest question mark, but if highly
touted shortstop Nick Areta lives up to his potential, this
negative could turn into a positive. The catching corps still
has a lot of uncertainty.
Prognosis:
The Sunsets should pitch well, and
have some power with sluggers like Thompson, Tritz, and Demetrio
Green. Speed should be in abundance with Areta, Jimmy Schariest,
Cal Menechio, and Ronnie Rocca. If Cimilluca is onboard, this
could be a championship club.
Sunset Grillings: Injured
former all-star catcher Chris Price is hopeful of making a
mid-season return after missing most of last season.
3.
Hallandale Twins
Mgr:
Burke
Fox
Last
Season: 11-29
(4th place)
The Story:
Despite a
season plagued by dissension, the Twins came into the final few
days of the campaign with a chance to reach the playoffs, That
bid fell short and, as a result, the Twins purged their roster
of there strongest dissenters.
Strength:
The
Twins could wind up with one of the best pitching staffs in the
league. Righties like Ryker Faircloth, Enrique Ortega, and (if
he gets signed as expected) Manny Abreu will join lefty Joe
Adair in a deep, albeit relatively inexperienced, mound corps. A
revamped lineup with all-star Cameron Perry, vastly improved
Chris Thompson, powerful Jeff Lynch, and promising rookie Louis
Pagan could be a surprise.
Weakness:
Brutal team defense, particularly in the
infield, has been the squad's Achilles' heel for two seasons in
a row.
Prognosis:
The Twins have
an opportunity to climb in the standing if the pitching staff
lives up to its pre-season billing. If not, the team may sit out
the playoffs again.
Twin Peeks: The
Twins broke camp determined to acquire yet another pitcher in a
trade.
4.
Delray
Beach Mudcats
Mgr: Gus
Maestrales
Last Season:
14-26 (3rd
Place, lost in Play-In Round)
The Story:
What started with so much promise, ended
abruptly with a play-in round loss. Despite a roster filled with
former league all-stars, the Whiskered Fish slogged through a
disappointing campaign. The 'Cats rebuilt their team via the
trade market in the hopes of returning to contender status.
Strength:
The team
should have
tremendous power. Peter Maestrales, Luis Rodriguez, newly acquired
Cory McEwen, Jarrod Rubinstein, new catcher Ubaldo Urruitia, and
centerfield prospect Keean Pritchard will form a formidable middle of
the order. Second baseman Chris Jones could inherit the
leadoff spot after a good rookie season.
Weakness:
The team's pitching staff lacks depth. Gus
Maestrales and McEwen are both innings eaters, but neither have
produced winning seasons lately. Veteran Doc Guida and a recycled
Zac Chernin head a thin bullpen.
Prognosis:
If they hit
like they are capable, they have a chance to challenge for a
post-season berth.
Mudcat Musings:
October 11 will be the first opportunity
for new Mudcats, and former Twins, Cory McEwen and Doc Guida, to
face their old team.
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