2022 Season Forecast: Team By Team

April 22, 2022 (Federal League Wire Service)

         What promises to be the greatest season in league history, at least in terms of length, begins on April 23.
        Here's how the editors of South Florida Baseball Report see the races shaping up:

Expansion Division

1. Hollywood Stars
Mgr: Ryan Snyder
Last Season: 31-9 (1st place, lost in Championship Final Series)
The Story: After another dominant campaign that saw them compile the league's best record, the Stars reached the Championship Final Series and ran out of steam. Injuries took their toll and the Constellations were a shadow of themselves as they relinquished their crown. The Snydermen should find themselves cast in the roles of favorites again this season.
Strength: It is difficult to pick one thing; the Stars are a very good hitting team. Brett Fick is the leader of a productive lineup that adds all-star bats in Alvaro and Andres Gomez, as well as, shortstop Alex Rodriguez to sluggers like Justin Jordan and Freiberg Marin. Stefan Leclerc and Ryan Reilly are dependable lefty bats and player/manager Ryan Snyder had his best season. On the other hand, the pitching staff, led by veteran lefty Mike Wassong and featuring a full season of closer Dylan Brammer is first rate. But, the real strength of the Stars is their normally impeccable defense.
Weakness: If the Stars possess any weakness at all it is their amazing ability to let the smallest things distract them. 
Prognosis: The Stars should, once again, be in the prohibitive favorites to win their division and, at least, reach the Championship Final Series.
Star Shines: The Stars are expecting big things for young righty hurler Luis Jimenez, who manager Snyder describes as, "middle reliever, who can also start."

2. Margate Sentries
Mgr: Alejandro Rodriguez 
Last Season: 28-12 (2nd place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: Manager Alejandro Rodriguez, now in his fifth season at the helm of the Gatekeepers, has done a minor rebuild of his roster as he seeks to deliver a championship. Last season, the Sentries looked poised to stake a claim as the league's best, but, things fell apart in the playoffs as the team lost its poise in the semi-finals. Rodriguez, who's tenure has been an overwhelming success in the standings, has rededicated himself to taking the team all the way.
Strength: The Sentries have, outside of the Stars, the division's best and deepest pitching staff. Hector Rovain and former pro Jose Marquez will will anchor the rotation. Power hitting catcher Miguel Molina,  ex-pro Keyder Aristigueta, Willie Castillo, and Osvaldo Martinez form the basis of a solid lineup.
Weakness: Team defense has been an issue lately. Relief pitching could be a problem. The bottom of the order needs to be more productive.
Prognosis: If the pitching stays healthy and the lineup avoids any major slumps, the Gatekeepers will be able to stay in contention all season long. If the team finds focus and plays up to its capabilities, the Guardsmen can go deep in the playoffs
Sentry Posts: The Sentries are hopeful of MVP Jhoendri Herrera and speedy Robert Antunez rejoining the team at some point during the season.

3. Tri-Cities Tritons
Mgr: John Hardardt 
Last Season: 15-25 (3rd place, lost in Play-In)
The Story: For the first time in the last 30 seasons, the Tritons will have a new manager. Veteran pitcher John Hardardt takes over the reins from the retired Tritons' legend, Mike Whittaker. The last two seasons have had sub par results for the Water Dwellers, but Hardardt has begun the rebuilding process and the fortunes of the team are looking bright.
Strength: The middle of the order with stalwart sluggers Zac Miller, Mike LaManna, and newcomers Jordy Oriach and Luis Polanco, is as good as it gets. Prodigal Son, Jay Warman, Alberto Olivo, Tyler Hall, and newly acquired Johnny Saiya give the Sons of Poseidon excellent team speed.
Weakness: The pitching depth behind starters Chad Allen, Chris Archer, and Hardardt is a major concern. There are few, if any, reliable relievers in the Triton bullpen. 
Prognosis: The Tritons should be good enough to win more than they lose and reach the post season. How far they get in the playoffs will depend, largely, on their ability to add some more quality arms to their pitching staff.
Writin' Triton: The Water Dwellers spent a good deal of Spring Training actively trying to reacquire shortstop Jay Warman, who was dealt to the Sunsets in the middle of last season. The Tritons managed to complete a deal for Warman just before Opening Day.

4. Davie Goliaths
Mgr: Donny Gagliano 
Last Season: 6-34 (4th place)
The Story: Donny Gagliano is now one of the senior members of the managers' fraternity, and continues in his quest to reshape the team in an attempt to recapture some of the Goliaths' past glories. A bountiful draft class could yield the type of results that catapults the Philistines up the ladder in the standings.
Strength: The strength of the G-Men is its core of young talent. Bryce Banks, Noah McMurrain, Javier Cid, and Raul Garcia lead a cast of talented newcomers that should provide the Philistines with a much improved offense. Outfield defense should be solid. The Goliaths have three excellent defensive catchers with McMurrain, James McDonnell, and Anson Graumann. 
Weakness: The pitching staff is still far from deep with only workhorses Nelson Alvarenga and Pete Ginter to rely upon. The G-Men picked up veteran Doc Guida, but, struck out on acquiring any pitching prospects in the draft. The offense was wretched last season and needs to massively improve.
Prognosis: The Goliaths could be a much better team than they were last year and still finish in the cellar. However, continued progress in a positive direction will bode well for the future. A playoff berth is not out of the question.
Goliath Grunts: The G-Men were expecting versatile Elio Licea and defensive whiz Robert Fernandez to rejoin the team in time for the season opener after the pair missed all of Spring Training.

Original Division

1. Sunrise Sunsets
Mgr: Brandon Hull 
Last Season: 28-12 (1st place, won league championship)
The Story: The Twilighters got an infusion of talent in an odd mid season trade with the rival Tritons and wound up wearing the crown at season's end. Manager Hull's ability to keep his talented roster happy will be tested throughout the campaign.
Strength: The 'Sets boast a potent lineup led by former MVP Chris Price, outfielder Joe Iacobucci, shortstop Rudy Mueller, venerable Jose Zabala, and Dom Ficarra, but the real strength of the team remains its pitching staff. Even without ace hurlers Garrett Rogers, Dominick Ciero, and playoff hero Alex Katz on the opening day roster, Calvin Rayburn, Karl Hirsch, a revitalized and healthy Brant Spring, reliable Tommy Tritz, and highly regarded newcomer Wyatt Stiles head a strong and deep staff.
Weakness: Infield defense remains a concern, as it can be suspect at times. 
Prognosis: The Sunsets should be right in the thick of things again this season and have enough talent on the roster to get over the finish line again, but Hull will have to deal with some intricate personalities to make it happen.
Sunset Grillings: With the retirement of the Tritons' Mike Whittaker, Brandon Hull is now the dean of Federal League managers.

2. Hallandale Twins
Mgr: Brian Clancy 
Last Season: 24-16 (2nd place, lost in Semi-Finals)
The Story: Jordan De Los Reyes stepped down as manager and youthful Brian Clancy has taken over. Clancy made some off season moves to put his stamp on the team and it will be interesting to see which of them pay off and which do not.
Strength: The Twins lineup is still solid with former MVP Eric Manning, power hitting first sacker Jorge Correa, newcomer Danny Valencia, and underrated Juan Carlos Rodriguez joining the speedy Clancy in the order, but the team's strength is its starting pitching. The Geminis have Matt Chikerotis, Francisco Calderon, Bayardo Arias and Everett Miller in its rotation. Team speed is also a plus. The Twins run the bases as well as any team in the league.
Weakness: As good as the starting pitching is, the bullpen needs to be better. Outfield defense could improve as well.
Prognosis: The Fraternals should not struggle to reach the playoffs, but may not have enough firepower to get very far in the post season.
Twin Peeks: The Geminis dealt shortstop, and former all-star Alex Rodriguez to the Stars in a curious trade that did not net the Twins much. Rodriguez had held out, presumably to force a trade, but the Fraternals remain optimistic, nonetheless.

3. Broward Cubs
Mgr: Mike Chevere 
Last Season: 21-19 (3rd place, lost in Play-In)
The Story: After a tumultuous, but not necessarily unsuccessful term as Cubs' skipper, Cory McEwen resigned as manager after last season to concentrate more on playing. Well respected Mike Chevere takes over the pilot's chair.
Strength: The Cubs will hit. Newly acquired Jamaal Thelwell, well seasoned veteran Pete Maestrales and newcomer Nick Carfaro join Dave Cushwa, Tyler Brown, Terrence Biel, Eddie Cabrera, and Jacob Young in, what could be, the league's best lineup.  
Weakness: The pitching corps is paper thin. Chad Volbert is still a dependable starter and McEwen is able to eat innings, but there are not a lot of obvious choices behind them. The outfield defense is spotty, particularly in the corners. Infield defense can be inconsistent.
Prognosis: The Cubs should be a solid bet return to the playoffs, but, are not a likely championship caliber team unless they can find several more dependable hurlers.
Cub Cribs: The Cubs lost a lot of talent in the off season as super rookie Jorge Fernandez, hard hitting Carlos Flores, slick fielder Alfonso Guillen, and catcher Kaiser Llerena are not on the Opening Day roster.

4. Fort Lauderdale Atlantics
Mgr: Rob Wiley
Last Season: 7-33 (4th place)
The Story: The Oceaneers struggled to find solid footing in Rob Wiley's first season as manager. The club performed better than the previous season, but did not play well, or consistently, enough to challenge for a playoff spot.
Strength: Team speed is a major plus. The Atlantics do have quite a few speedsters, particularly outfielders Jan Sanchez, Jerry Ostos, and shortstop Alex Guzman. The left side of the infield with Guzman and newcomer Yefry Leon might end up being among the best in the league.
Weakness: The pitching staff beyond veteran Joe Feller and rookie Antonio Aponte is going to continue to be a going concern. Even with Leon and Ostos in the middle of the order, the lineup is going to be hard pressed to put runs on the board.
Prognosis: Unless they develop some more arms, the playoffs are a long shot at best.
Atlantic Crossings: All-Star outfielder Jose Batista, a key contributor last season, was a hold out all spring and is not expected to rejoin the team in time to begin the season, if at all. The 'Tics are expected to add all three Buerosse brothers, Keanu and Bode, who pitched for the team last season, and younger brother Brock, to the active roster at some point early in the season.

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