2019-2020 Fall/Winter Season Forecast 

October 11, 2019 (Federal League Wire Service)

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

Expansion Division

1. Margate Sentries
Mgr: Alex Rodriguez 
Last Season: 24-16 (2nd place, lost in Semi-Final Round)
The Story: After, once again, failing to dethrone the Tritons in the pennant chase and the playoffs, the Sentries dealt with the shock of long time skipper "Silent" Dave Munguia's decision to break his silence long enough to announce his resignation as manager. Veteran first baseman Alex Rodriguez takes over as the sixth manager in team history. 
Strength: The pitching staff is loaded with former Best Pitcher Award winner Raul Ascanio, top prospect, and former pro, Hector Rodriguez, seasoned veteran Pete Ginter,and versatile David Marquez. The late signing of catching prospect Jack Diaz adds another power bat to lineup and frees up Jorge Michelina to play in the infield.
Weakness: Although the team has some power in the lineup with sluggers like newly acquired Willie Castillo, veterans Juan Mendez and Rob Wiley, and Diaz; and speedsters like Michelina and Steven Carles, there is not enough of either to match runs with the Tritons. The pitching is going to have to carry the Sentries.
Prognosis: If the pitching performs up to expectations, the Gatekeepers will be able to stay in contention all season long. If the offense exceeds expectations, the Guardsmen can entertain thoughts of a deep playoff run and unseating the Tritons.
Sentry Posts: The Sentries will start the season without the big bats of Bennys Acosta and MVP candidate Edwin Meze.

2. Tri-Cities Tritons
Mgr: Mike Whittaker 
Last Season: 33-7 (1st place, won league championship)
The Story: The Tritons, having won six of the last seven championships, including three in a row, are clearly established as the league's preeminent team. Following a less dominant regular campaign,  the Tritons responded with a strong post-season run.
Strength: The Water Dwellers have developed one of the league's best hitting lineups. Jay Warman and Chris Marrero set the table at the top of the order and sluggers like Zac Miller, Mike LaManna, Tre Dingus, and reigning MVP Calvin Rayburn do the cleaning up. Any pitching staff that boasts Rayburn and wily veteran John Hardardt at the top of the rotation is bound to be among the league's best.
Weakness: For the first time in a long time, the Tritons pitching depth is an issue. With lefty Jose Marcano and righty Matt Arlick starting the season on the reserve list, it is hard to imagine who the third starter might be and who will be manning the bullpen.
Prognosis: It has become almost traditional to pick the Tritons to win their division, but, until they resolve their pitching depth issues, this may be the season they finish second.
Writin' Triton: The Tritons welcome back popular utility player Eric Silverberg from his brief, and certainly not permanent, retirement.

3. Davie Goliaths
Mgr: Phil Laufman 
Last Season: 8-32 (4th place)
The Story: Phil Laufman enters his third, and, perhaps, final, season of his tenure as the manager of the Philistines. The rebuild may be over and the G-Men may be ready to contend after a particularly strong off-season.
Strength: All of a sudden, the Goliaths have a top flight pitching staff. Drafting, and signing, former pro Jhoendri Herrera in the first round gives the Philistines a top of the rotation ace. Adding Herrera to Alvaro Gomez, Paul Tunink, A.J. Aleixo, and Andres Gomez gives Laufman a deep and talented staff. The addition of another former pro player, shortstop Robert Antunez solidifies the infield and gives the G-Men another strong bat in what was, already, a pretty good lineup.
Weakness: Overall the defense is average at best. The bottom third of the order needs to be more productive. The middle third needs to be more consistent.
Prognosis: The Goliaths have enough talent on their roster to contend, and Laufman should get the most out of them. Don't be surprised if the Philistines are one of the league's best teams by season's end.
Goliath Grunts: The team is still hoping first baseman Erick Mass, released by the Stars last season, will join the club.

4. Hollywood Stars
Mgr: Ishy Demoya
Last Season: 14-26 (3rd place, lost in Play-In Round)
The Story: It almost doesn't seem possible, but Ishy Demoya is beginning his third season as Stars' manager. However, this will be his first without his right hand man, Teo Zorrilla, on which to depend. Zorrilla announced his retirement at the end of last season and, unlike his first attempt at retiring, it appears that Zorrilla will not be returning.
Strength: The Stars reacquired all-star slugger Osvaldo Capote to bolster a strong middle of the order that includes all-stars Erickmay Simancas, Joel Barroso, Demoya.
Weakness: Although Rafael Lara is a workhorse, the rest of the pitching staff is wafer thin. Team defense is iffy, at best.
Prognosis: The Stars made some forward progress last season by making the playoffs and Demoya continues to improve the roster, bring in catching prospect Hector Rivera and young infielders like Sammy Caldes and Joel Fernandez, but the Junior Circuit is going to be a rough division this season and the Stars' continued improvement may not be reflected in the standings.
Star Shines: The Stars made some late moves right before opening day, signing catcher Ryan Snyder, infielder Eddie Llovera, and trading for pitching prospect Osduar Moreno.

Original Division

1. Sunrise Sunsets
Mgr: Brandon Hull 
Last Season: 29-11 (1st place, lost in Championship Final Series)
The Story: The Twilighters had an inconsistent, up and down, regular season, but cruised to the Senior Circuit pennant, regardless. 
Strength: The 'Sets boast a strong lineup, led by all-star Chris Price, shortstop Nick Arata, slugger Johnnie Cole, and returning home run threat Demetrio Green. Dependable veterans like Jimmy Schariest, Javier Aguilar, and George Negron round out a productive offense. 
Weakness: Despite the presence of the always redoubtable Brant Spring, the recovering Tommy Tritz, and promising rookie Ryan Sander, the Sunsets pitching staff is a major cause of concern. 
Prognosis: The Sunsets should certainly hit well enough to contend for another Original Division pennant, but they are going to need to augment their pitching staff if they are going to have any chance of of winning a championship.
Sunset Grillings: Chris Craig, the former all-star backstop, is back on board after suffering a career threatening injury, two seasons ago.

2. Fort Lauderdale Atlantics
Mgr: Gary Frady 
Last Season: 18-22 (2nd Place, lost in Semi-Final Round)
The Story: Having lost two of their top players to pro ball, the newly christened Atlantics started the season off slowly, but recovered to reach the post-season.
Strength: The 'Tics have a retooled pitching staff, led by rookie sensation Jesse Simicich and solid veterans Joe Feller and Evan Parana. The staff will also welcome back Sean McClaskie and Andrew Razack, both of whom missed all of last season. Despite losing their two top hitters from last season, The Oceaneers should still feature a productive lineup.
Weakness: The defense, particularly in the middle of the infield, is questionable. Outside of catcher Jamall Thelwell and newcomers Jose Martinez and Ismael Bautista, there is a paucity of power hitters. 
Prognosis: If they bunch their hits together, play some small ball, and get the pitching that they expect, the Atlantics should return to the playoffs.
Atlantic Crossings: John Chengary, a left handed pitching prospect and the key piece in the three team trade that sent Willie Castillo to the Sentries, was injured in a car accident and is not expected to rejoin the team any time in the foreseeable near future.

3. Hallandale Twins
Mgr: Brent Campbell 
Last Season: 17-23 (4th place)
The Story: The Twins barely missed the playoffs last season as they faded badly down the stretch, but the core of the team returns as they hope to regroup this season.
Strength: The Twins have a solid, if not spectacular lineup. Eddie Cabrera, Corey Duncan, and Jacob Stevens were pleasant additions last season. Julio Hernandez was activated mid-season and provided some punch. Newcomers Eric Manning, Michael Rossi, and Mario Morales should provide some additional help. Shortstop Luis Pagan, third baseman Jehiel Russo, and rookie Victor Carpente are good glovemen in the infield.
Weakness: The pitching staff continues to be the main source of frustration for the Fraternals. Newcomers Nelson Alvarenga and Matt Chikerotis will be heavily counted on to offer some support for veterans Doc Guida, Francisco Calderon, and manager Campbell, but the mound corps has a long way to go.
Prognosis: The Twins have an opportunity to climb in the standings based on their lineup, but if the pitching staff doesn't improve enough to keep them in games, they may find themselves sitting out the playoffs again.
Twin Peeks: Outfielder Jeremiah Schnapp, the team's all-time career leader in getting hit by pitches, is expected to rejoin the club by Opening Day.

4. Broward Cubs
Mgr: Cory McEwen 
Last Season: 17-23 (3rd place, lost in Play-in Round)
The Story: Last season, the Cubs squeezed their way in to the playoffs, but, overall, were a bit of a disappointment as they finish a distant third in the division.
Strength: Potentially, the Cubs may have the best power hitting lineup in the league. Reigning home run champ Cory McEwen, dependable veteran Jamie Bobrow, sweet swinging rookie Steven White, muscular Lionel Rubio, Jr., highly touted newcomer Jacob Young, and volatile Donny Gagliano all possess power bats. Any pitching staff that gives a third of its innings to Chad Volbert has to be considered a strength. 
Weakness: Truth be told, the pitching not named Volbert, is a tremendous source of worry. The Cubs also have a crowded outfield with no true centerfielder. Chris Thompson, perhaps the team's best defensive outfielder is being shifted to second base in an experimental move that demonstrates some of the team's defensive concerns.
Prognosis: The Cubs could return to the playoffs, if everything breaks just right for them, but anything above third place would be a downright shock.
Cub Cribs: The Cubs start the campaign with heavy hitting Reol Alvarez and top pitching prospect, Bayardo Arias, still unsigned.

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