Federal League .com
SportSearch
Search For Sports


Home Statistics Sports Headlines Opinions Minor and Small Leagues Forums Tryouts Shopping Semi-Pro Baseball  
The Sports Revolution Starts Here!
JS Woods Bat Co.
Pro Stock Maple Bats...$54
Click for Pompano Beach, Florida Forecast

2016 Spring/Summer Season Forecast 

April 20, 2016 (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: Tony Krahwinkel 
Last Season: 29-11 (1st place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: The Goliaths had a rocky road to compiling the league's best overall regular season record, and the consequences of traveling that road were made apparent as the Philistines suffered a semi-final round sweep at the hands of the Goliaths. Anthony DeFilippis, who rebuilt the team, but never intended to be the club's long term skipper, has ceded the managerial duties to catcher Ton Krahwinkel. An active off-season sought to rectify many of the team's problems that were masked by their first place finish.
Strength: Pitching remains the Goliaths' key to success. Stalwart Joe Feller will be joined by heralded rookie Matt Niedzwiecki to form a formidable 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. The middle of the order should be productive if DeFilippis, Krahwinkel, Vijay Patel, and Jehiel Russo hit like expected. Rookie Mike Young looks poised to make a big impact. Outfield depth provided by newcomers Mark Lovecchio, Jonathan Kramer, and returnee J.P. Lopez should make a former negative into a positive.
Weakness: While the top of the rotation is a big strength for the G-Men, pitching depth is a serious concern as Mike Daniels and Andres Gomez are not on the opening day roster.
Prognosis: The Goliaths, if the pitching doesn't falter, should be the division's top club. Whether or not they can win a championship is still an open question.
Goliath Grunts: The Goliaths brought Lopez back and intend to give the fiery outfielder a chance to impress as a pitcher.

2. Tri-Cities Tritons
Mgr: Mike Whittaker 
Last Season: 19-21 (2nd place, lost in Championship Final Series)
The Story: The Tritons were and up and down club during the regular campaign, but Whittaker, the dean of league managers, corrected course for a deep playoff run before running out of steam in the Championship Final Series for the second straight season.
Strength: The Water Dwellers will go as far as their pitching will take them. Rotation anchors John Hardardt, Eric Silverberg, and Tre Dingus will be joined by newly acquired Sandy Cabrera and rookie Orlando Fallas in one of the league's deepest staffs. A lineup that features former MVP Jay Warman, slugger Zac Miller, veteran Andy Ruiz, and a revitalized Adrian Roznowski should be more than adequate.
Weakness: Other than the dependable Warman at short, the Triton defense has been a sore spot. Rookie third baseman Deion Rosalia should be an upgrade at the hot corner, but the team's glovework still needs improvement.
Prognosis: The Sons of Poseidon are still championship contenders. Having Dingus for a full season will certainly help.
Writin' Triton: The Tritons are hoping top pitching prospect Matt Arlick (1-0 0.59, in five games last season) will be able to return from an elbow ailment by mid-season.

3. Hollywood Stars
Mgr: Matt Leban
Last Season: 17-23 (3rd place, lost in play-in round)
The Story: After a five season rebuild, chief architect Billy De Vuyst retired as Stars' manager. The team quickly filled the void with veteran player, but novice manager, Matt Leban. Despite a playoff appearance a season ago, the Stars completely overhauled the roster. 
Strength: A pitching staff that features player/manager Leban and the recently un-retired Rick Schaut, should be capable of producing more than a few wins. The outfield, led by emerging rookies Johnny Saiya and Osvaldo Capote, might be among the league's best by season's end. The infield defense should be sound if rookie shortstop Anthony Alexander lives up to his advance billing.
Weakness: The Stars have a few candidates at catcher, including former league MVP Raul Nieto, but the position still seems unsettled. The starting staff appears solid, but the bullpen will be a concern.
Prognosis: The Stars should, once again, reach the playoffs, and, could advance if the find some bullpen answers.
Star Shines: The Stars acquired well traveled and well liked veteran outfielder Luis Junco in closing moments of spring training.

4. Margate Sentries
Mgr: Dave Munguia 
Last Season: 7-33 (4th place)
The Story: The Sentries had a disastrous campaign last season and purged the roster. There's really nowhere to go but up.
Strength: The Sentries will have some power. Rob Wiley, Phil Laufman, Paul Gonzalez, Tim Hopkins, and newcomer Felix Martinez tote some productive lumber. Rookie Pete Ginter could emerge as a top starter.
Weakness: Infield defense will continue to be a work in progress. Pitching depth is lacking. 
Prognosis: If stockpiling your roster with outfielders and 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: The Gatekeepers are expected to add veteran Gus Vasquez to the opening day roster. Vasquez, who last played for the Stars is, perhaps, better known as Pablo Sandoval's former agent.

 

Original Division

1. Broward Cubs

Mgr: Mike Robbins 
Last Season: 28-12 (1st place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: Two seasons ago, the Cubs won the championship, last season the Bruins copped the Senior Circuit flag before faltering in the playoffs. New manager inherits a deep roster with power and pitching. The Cubs should be regarded as the early favorites to win it all.
Strength: Any pitching staff that can send 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 Ricky Quintero, Jamie Bobrow, Amed Martinez, as well as player/manager Robbins, the Cubbies should put up some impressive run totals. Robbins and veteran Ray Periera give the team a strong backstop duo. Mitch Kean is a defensive wizard in right field. Newcomers, such as pitcher Jesus Pina, and speedsters Isaac Rodriguez and Delancius Black give the club a shot of some fresh blood.
Weakness: It's hard to find a major issue on this roster, but the middle of the order, populated by veterans such as Nelson Montalvo, Keith Nicoll, and Bobrow, is a little slow moving. The meat of the order will have to advance a base at a time.
Prognosis: Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Cubs are poised to be the league's best team.
Cub Cribs:
Former manager Ken Brown has chosen to remain with the team as an active player and could serve as an unofficial advisor to Robbins in his maiden voyage as skipper.

2. Sunrise Sunsets
Mgr: Brandon Hull 
Last Season: 26-14 (3rd place, won league championship)
The Story: After a very slow to start last season, the Twilighters rebounded and barged their way through the playoffs before sweeping the Tritons in the Championship Final Series.  
Strength: A prolific lineup led by reigning MVP Chris Price and  all-star Demetrio Green, plus a top flight pitching staff that includes Best Newcomer Award winner Ryan Thompson, Tommy Tritz, veteran Jesse Wallace, and rookie Andrew McCarty.
Weakness: Team defense remains the squad's biggest question mark. The loss of leadoff hitter Brandon Hull, still recovering from Tommy John surgery, should not be under-estimated.
Prognosis: The Sunsets should not have any trouble returning to the post-season, but replicating last season's championship run will prove difficult.
Sunset Grillings:
Last season's championship was only the second in team history. Their previous title was won 28 seasons ago.

3. Delray Beach Mudcats
Mgr: Gus Maestrales 
Last Season: 27-13 (2nd place, lost in play-in round)
The Story: After transitioning from their previous identity as the Fort Lauderdale Blazers, the Mudcats established their own brand last season. The' Cats led the Original Division race for most of the season before staggering to the finish line. An early playoff exit was not only surprising, but completely unsatisfying.
Strength: The Mudcats boast a mound staff led by 300 game winner Michael Cimilluca. Last season's play-in game aside, Cimilluca is an almost sure thing on the mound. team should have tremendous power. Peter Maestrales, Luis Rodriguez, Igor Molina, and rookie catcher Ian Robbins will form a formidable middle of the order. Table setters like all-stars Gary Frady, rookie shortstop Chris Jones, and Cuban sensation Jorge Perdomo should help put a lot of runs on the board. Veterans like Don Degli and Jose Ayala give the Whiskered Fish one of the league's best benches. 
Weakness: The team has a potentially great lineup, solid team defense, and a good bench. If there's a weakness, it is a lack of pitching depth.
Prognosis: Do not sleep on the Mudcats. This is still a quality team that is quite capable of returning to the winner's circle.
Mudcat Musings: The team was re-branded as the Delray Beach Mudcats, but despite the similarity in name and, thanks to a blockbuster trade, and 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 (the team now known as the the Hallandale Twins) manager Gus Maestrales is the skipper of these Mudcats.

4. Hallandale Twins
Mgr: Burke Fox 
Last Season: 7-33 (4th place)
The Story: The former Mudcats (no relation to the current Mudcats) became the Hallandale Twins last season and decided to start fresh, casting off some veteran talent in an attempt to complete rebuild what had been an underachieving squad. The new club found even more difficulties as embattled first season manager Burke Fox sifted through 
Strength: The Twins have some power in the lineup with left slugger Cory McEwen and newly acquired Jeff Lynch. A revamped pitching staff led by rookies Jorge Serrano, Kenny Neale, and Mike Bigwood should be a huge improvement over last season's staff. The position of catcher appears to be in the capable hands of newcomers Eduardo Luna and Javier Oliveros.
Weakness: The team seemed directionless at various points last season and it remains unclear how Fox intends to remedy that condition. The team defense is still a major issue, although it should not be as horrid as last season. There does not yet exist an obvious choice for a leadoff hitter.
Prognosis: The Twins will continue to experience some growing pains as they search for the right combination of talent. This is a tough division and the playoffs might still be out of reach, but this should be a much improved club.
Twin Peeks: The Twins spent the entire off-season trying to deal McEwen to a contender, but none of the offers were deemed sufficient to pry the hard hitting McEwen from the Hallandalers.

 










Send mail to webmaster@federalleague.com with questions or comments about this web site.

Web Site Copyright © Federal League Athletics, 2016. All Rights Reserved.