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2019 Spring/Summer Season Forecast 

April 22, 2019 (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: 32-8 (1st place, won League Championship)
The Story: The Tritons won their second straight championship, and fifth in the last six seasons, but the path to the title had more than a few obstacles this time. The Water Dwellers are still the league's premiere team, but are not dominant.
Strength: The Water Dwellers, as always, will go as far as their pitching will take them. Rotation anchors John Hardardt, Matt Arick, and three time Best Pitcher Award winner Calvin Rayburn comprise the core of the league's best staff. The lineup is balanced and productive. Jay Warman, Chris Marrero, Zac Miller, and Mike LaManna lead one of the league's best offenses. Rookie outfielder, Gabriel Gonzalez, is expected to contribute immediately. Catcher Armando Cupeiro was the league's defensive backstop last season. "Iron" Mike Whittaker, the dean of Federal League managers, is a positive force in the dugout.
Weakness: While the Tritons don't have any prominent weaknesses, the overall depth is shaky, particularly with respect to relief pitching. Team defense is only average.
Prognosis: The Sons of Poseidon remain among the league's dominant teams and are the pre-season favorites return to the Championship Final Series.
Writin' Triton: The Tritons pared some of their disgruntled veterans, trading first baseman Magdiel Sanchez to the rival Sentries, and infielder Donny Gagliano to the Cubs.

2. Margate Sentries
Mgr: Dave Munguia 
Last Season: 30-10 (2nd place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: The Sentries came within one win of advancing to the Championship Final Series. Manager "Silent" Dave Munguia has made some bold off season moves in hopes of over taking the Tritons. 
Strength: The Sentries have a pitching staff that can go head to head with any team in the league. Ralph Morel and Raul Ascanio lead the starters and Pete Ginter returns to help shoulder the load. The middle of the order, featuring hitters like Bennys Acosta, Dave Marquez, Osvaldo Capote, and Jorge Michelina, should be very productive. New catcher Rosier Pena is a top prospect.
Weakness: Outfield defense is mediocre at best. The bullpen is uncertain. 
Prognosis: The Gatekeepers feel like they are ready to challenge the Tritons for the league supremacy and the race could go down to the wire.
Sentry Posts: The Sentries are hoping to get a repeat of the tremendous production they received from Juan Mendez and Edwin Meze. 

3. Davie Goliaths
Mgr: Phil Laufman 
Last Season: 19-21 (3rd place, lost in Play-In round)
The Story: The Goliaths officially began the Phil Laufman era with a decidedly inconsistent campaign that did little to inspire the Philistines' fan base. However, Laufman is one of the game's best managerial minds and, given the needed time, is certain to return the G-Men to their long forgotten glory.
Strength: The Goliaths may not have the league's best pitching staff, but they do have one of its deepest. The addition of righties Miguel Romaguerra, their first round pick, and youngster Anthony Aleixo should pay dividends. The lineup boasts some strong bats, such as former league batting champion Andres Gomez, promising newcomer Jean Franco, slugger Paul Nolan, the supremely talented Alvaro Gomez, and Paul "The Fork" Tunink. A bounce back season by speedy Chris Jones will be helpful.
Weakness: The Goliaths have a decided lack of corner outfielders. While A.J. Aleixo is a top notch flychaser in center, the Philistines will have, mostly, less than awe inspiring defensive options with which to flank him.
Prognosis: The Goliaths can step into the pennant chase if the pitching performs as advertised and if their hitting gets some extra production from Jose Zambrano, veteran Roberto Galvez, newcomer Devin Santiago, and Jones. 
Goliath Grunts: Much to the consternation of Philistine fanatics, the Goliaths traded popular first baseman Jarrod Rubinstein to the Atlantics in the off season.

4. Hollywood Stars
Mgr: Ishy Demoya
Last Season: 8-32 (4th place)
The Story: The Stars took a small step backward under new manager Ishy Demoya, but the long term plan should see some desired results as early as this season. Trading all star Osvaldo Capote last season was a curious move, but most of Demoya's other maneuvers will strengthen the roster.
Strength: With newcomers like shortstop Joel Barroso, outfielder Victor Hernandez, and first baseman Gweshaughn Richards, as well as all-star catcher Dio Castillo, the Stars will have a lineup with power. Veterans like Teo Zorrilla, Lee Gonzalez, and Adrian Giraldo will help to augment the batting order.
Weakness: Despite the presence of workhorses like righty Rafael Lara and lefty Brandon Von Achen, the pitching is still too thin. Newcomers like David Cintao, Anthony Frisone, and Carlos Ariza will need to produce quickly.
Prognosis: The Stars might have enough power to creep into playoff contention, but will only go as far as their young pitchers can take them.
Star Shines: The Stars acquired veterans Omar Garcia, Adner Casano, and Andy Abrego from the Cubs in the off-season providing the team with much needed experience and depth.

 

Original Division

1. Sunrise Sunsets
Mgr: Brandon Hull 
Last Season: 19-21 (2nd place, lost in Championship Final Series )
The Story: The Twilighters played listlessly and uninspired for most of the regular season and then played their best baseball in the post-season before falling to the Tritons in a hard fought Championship Final Series. This season, the 'Sets have upgraded the roster and should see an improvement in their regular season win record.  
Strength: A prolific and deep lineup built around former MVP Anthony Garcilazo, all-star Chris Price, and stalwarts like infielder Nick Arata, first baseman Javier Aguilar, and dependable outfielder Jimmy Schariest. A pitching staff that includes veterans Tommy Tritz, Brant Spring, and hard throwing rookie Jorge Romero is above average. The Twilighters expect big things from rookie shortstop Luis Diaz, a rejuvenated Elijah Rodriguez, and lefty slugger Johnny Cole. Outfield depth is bolstered by the presence of veteran James Carter. The infield depth is strong with Ronnie Rocca and George Negron available.
Weakness: Unless the starters are pressed into bullpen duty, the relief pitching situation is muddled. While the front line pitching is solid, the staff lacks any depth.
Prognosis: The Sunsets should not have any trouble returning to the post-season, but getting back to the Championship Final Series is far from a certainty. Still, the Twilighters enter the season as the clear favorites in, what might turn out to be, a tight divisional race.
Sunset Grillings:
The acquisition of of catcher Elijah Rodriguez will allow player/manager Brandon Hull to move out from behind the plate and contribute in the infield. Such a move might be worth 100 points to Hull's batting average.

2. Hallandale Twins
Mgr: Brent Campbell 
Last Season: 14-26 (3rd place, lost in Play-In round)
The Story: The Twins are now entering their fifth season under manager Brent Campbell and the time is nigh for the Fraternals to make some noise in the Senior Circuit pennant chase. 
Strength: The Twins' pitchers, long an area of concern, could, surprisingly, wind up as the one of the team's strong points. Youngsters Obrayan Martinez, Tyler Goff, and Francisco Calderon will join rubber armed Brent Campbell and veteran Doc Guida in a reconstructed staff. Catching prospect Javier Cruz and outfielder Corey Duncan will team with all-star Esteban Reinoso in a better than average middle of the order.  
Weakness: While the middle of the order should be solid, the Twins need to find a leadoff hitter that can get on consistently and get some production from the bottom of the order.. Infielder Luis Pagan may win the leadoff job, or Jehiel Russo, looking to return to form, might emerge as a rally starter. Without a true leadoff hitter, and with a shaky bottom of the order, the Twins may be hard pressed to put runs on the board. 
Prognosis: For the Twins, the future is now. If the pitching holds up, and they find a way to score, the Fraternals could have an outside shot at the division's flag.
Twin Peeks: The Hallandalers were expected power hitters Sheng Tzu Peng and Clyde Yeh to rejoin the team, but that plan was scuttled when both players were called back to Taipei for military service.

3. Fort Lauderdale Atlantics
Mgr: Gary Frady 
Last Season: 25-15 (1st place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: The Delray Beach Mudcats changed their identity in the off season. The team initially resurrected their old Blazers moniker, but, just a few days later, rebranded the team as the Atlantics. Either way, the team will look to fill the holes caused by losing MVP Michael Deeb to the Chicago White Sox and shortstop Brandon Vicens to the Chicago Cubs.
Strength: The Atlantics can swing the bats a little. Catcher Jamaal Thelwell is joined by newly acquired Jarrod Rubinstein, switch hitting Dylan Razack, versatile Willy Castillo, and player/manager Frady in a still potent lineup. The outfield defense is first rate.
Weakness: Despite the yeoman efforts of veterans, righty Joe Feller, and lefty Joe Adair, the Atlantics' pitching staff is very thin. First round draft pick Aquiles Torrealba and promising righty Evan Parana will have to develop in a hurry to lift the Oceaneers' mound corps.  
Prognosis: Last season, the club won the division's pennant before slipping in the playoffs. This season, the Atlantics will have to fend off the improving Cubs just to qualify for the post season.
Atlantic Crossings: The team is in talks to bring back righty Drew Hanke in an effort to address their arms shortage.

4. Broward Cubs
Mgr: Cory McEwen 
Last Season: 13-27 (4th place)
The Story: The Cubs used a late run and fell just short of earning an Original Division playoff last season. The team made some big trades in overhauling the roster.
Strength: If rookie Jonathan Ortiz is deployed in centerfield, the outfield, including veterans Chris Thompson and Jorge Caballero will be more than solid. Ortiz and infielder Eduardo Combatti will help infuse some youth into an, otherwise, veteran roster. Ricky Quintero, Reol Alvarez, Jamie Bobrow, and player/manager McEwen form the nucleus of an effective top of the order.
Weakness: Outside of Ortiz and Quintero, team speed is negligible. Chad Volbert notwithstanding, the mound staff is questionable.
Prognosis: If Ortiz and Combatti produce, and Volbert gets some defensive support, the Cubs can stay in the playoff race. If not, it could be a long, long season.
Cub Cribs:
The Cubs acquired former Tritons, catcher Patrick Murphy and infielder Donny Gagliano, signed veterans Mickey Tanyi and Patrick Keane, and brought back outfielder Mitch Kean in an effort to build some dependable depth in the roster.

              
              

                   
                


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