2020 Season Forecast 

September 3, 2020 (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 have now won four consecutive championships and seven in the last eight seasons. The team returns all of its solid core and shows no signs of slowing down.
Strength: The Water Dwellers have one of the best, and most impactful, players in league history in reigning MVP Calvin Rayburn. With the fireballing righty on the mound, the Tritons have been virtually unbeatable. When not pitching, Rayburn anchors the middle of the lineup, surrounded by productive veterans such as shortstop Jay Warman, second baseman, Chris Marrero, outfielder Zac Miller, and cornermen Mike LaManna and Tre Dingus.
Weakness: For the first time in a long time, the Tritons pitching depth is an issue. John Hardardt is a dependable number two starter for the Sons on Poseidon, but with lefty Jose Marcano and young righty Chad Allen 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: The Tritons are the king of the hill and will remain so until someone proves capable of knocking them off.
Writin' Triton: The Sons of Poseidon have added catcher Dominick Dingus (younger brother of Tre), which could prove vital as all-star catcher Matt Rodriguez may begin the season as a hold-out.

2. Hollywood Stars
Mgr: Ryan Snyder
Last Season: 16-24 (4th place)
The Story: Ishy Demoya resigned as Stars' manager after the conclusion of last season. After three seasons at the helm, Demoya built a foundation that new manager Ryan Snyder has expanded upon with a very active off-season.
Strength: The Stars have added a plethora of new, explosive, players, such as former major league hurler Alex Sanabia, power pitcher Austin Armstrong, who is a former Toronto Blue Jays draftee, power hitting first baseman, Albert Carbonell, middle infielder Rodolfo Oleta, slugger Jeffrey Baez, and super utilityman Carlos Fluerry. The Stars also acquired solid performers like Felix Martinez and Kenny Gray in the off-season. Add these top players to a returning core of infielders Reol Alvarez, Eddie Llovera and Mario Alvarez, pitchers Alberto Bello, and Everett Miller, as well as Snyder, and the Stars have the tools to challenge the Tritons.
Weakness: It's hard to spot a weakness on this roster at first blush. Their biggest problem might be finding enough playing time to keep everyone content.
Prognosis: The Stars are poised to make a championship run and, at this point, have to be considered as the Tritons leading challengers for league supremacy.
Star Shines: The Stars have loads of veteran bench depth, including Sportsmanship Award winner Lee Gonzalez and hard working Juan Deus.

3. Margate Sentries
Mgr: Alex Rodriguez 
Last Season: 21-19 (3rd place, lost in Semi-Final round)
The Story: Alex Rodriguez's first season as manager of the Sentries yielded mixed results. Despite having, on paper at least, potentially the most talent of any team in the league, the Gatekeepers limped home to a third place finish before playing only marginally better baseball in the post-season. The roster is still strong, but it needs to start producing results or the chemistry of the team will have to bear the burden of the blame.
Strength: A healthy Raul Ascanio leads a strong pitching staff, a staff that acquired durable veteran Rafael Lara in the off season. The Guardsmen have power (Bennys Acosta, Jack Diaz, Osvaldo Capote) and speed (Willie Castillo, Jorge Michelina, Steven Carles) and better than average defense around the diamond. 
Weakness: Despite a solid, veteran, core, the Sentries are, season after season, woefully inconsistent and have proven that they can be easily distracted. When this team is focused they can be as good as anyone, but maintaining that focus is their biggest obstacle.
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 acquired all-stars Jhoendri Herrera and Robert Antunez from the Goliaths in an off-season trade, but it remains doubtful that the team will be able to sign the pair.

4. Davie Goliaths
Mgr: Donny Gagliano 
Last Season: 23-17 (2nd place, lost in Play-In round)
The Story: Well traveled and highly volatile as a player, Donny Gagliano, the new manager of the Goliaths, has pledged to be more in control of himself as he takes control of the team. The Philistines enjoyed a solid second place finish in Phil Laufman's last season as skipper before fizzling out in the playoffs. Despite a hefty amount of roster turnover, there is quite a bit of talent on the roster. Unfortunately, the same can be said of every team in the division.
Strength: There are a lot of new faces here, but many of the most important ones will be part of the pitching staff. Highly touted rookies Austin Brooks, May Larringa, and Deos Lopez joining newly acquired veteran Pete Ginter to form a potentially very good starting staff. The middle of the lineup, headlined by veterans such as Andres Acosta, Jamie Bobrow, Roberto Galvez, and a resurgent Jean Franco could be a surprising plus. 
Weakness: Overall the defense looks average at best. The pitching staff, while loaded with potential, is mostly unproven, and may be undermanned in the bullpen.
Prognosis: The Goliaths might be a better team than they were last year and still finish in the cellar. The division is going to be formidable and it is going to take a lot to squeeze into the playoff picture.
Goliath Grunts: Fan favorite Anthony DeFilippis decided to sit out the season and may see his long distinguished career come to a close.

Original Division

1. Sunrise Sunsets
Mgr: Brandon Hull 
Last Season: 26-14 (1st place, lost in Championship Final Series)
The Story: The Twilighters had another inconsistent, up and down, regular season, but cruised to the Senior Circuit pennant, regardless. The 'Sets have made a few roster moves, bringing in some established veteran in hopes of being able to match the Tritons, should they meet in the Championship Final Series again. The unfortunate news is the team might as much, if not more, talent on its reserved list than it does on its active roster.
Strength: The 'Sets boast a strong lineup, returning veterans, outfielder Chris Price, infielder Javier Aguilar, catcher Chris Craig, and dependable Jimmy Schariest will be joined by the big bats of former all-stars Joe Iacobucci, Dom Ficarra, and Jorge Correa. Lefty swing Nick Cardona is another nice addition. 
Weakness: Much like last season, despite the presence of the always redoubtable Brant Spring, gritty Tommy Tritz, and promising rookie Ryan Sander, the Sunsets pitching staff is a major cause of concern. 
Prognosis: The Sunsets should breeze to another Senior Circuit pennant, but whether or not they can compete against a loaded Expansion Division is certainly questionable.
Sunset Grillings: The Sunsets start the season without pitcher Eric Sabido, who suffered a broken toe, shortstop Joel Barroso, who was acquired in an off-season deal with the Stars but remains unsigned, and Garrett Rogers who remains on the reserved list.

2. Fort Lauderdale Atlantics
Mgr: Gary Frady 
Last Season: 13-27 (2nd Place, lost in Semi-Final round)
The Story: The Navigators suffered through a frustrating season before reaching the semi-final round of the playoffs. A strong draft class, plus the additions of some much needed new blood, may help to pump some life back into the team.
Strength: With proven hitters such as Amed Martinez, Jose Martinez, Enrique Goicoechea, Nick Silva, Willie Mizrahi, and MVP candidate Jamaal Thelwell on board, the 'Tics will have a productive lineup. Outfield defense, led by Jan Sanchez and rookie flychaser Cruz Humes, is a plus.
Weakness: The pitching staff has veterans Joe Feller and Evan Parana and newcomer Kyle Barrows, but the staff is not deep and the top three hurlers will have to shoulder the burden. 
Prognosis: This is a strong enough team to finish ahead of the pack in the Original Division, but chasing the Sunsets is amore likely scenario.
Atlantic Crossings: Veteran Doug Robinson brings both a power lefty bat to the lineup and a potential lefty arm out of the bullpen.

3. Hallandale Twins
Mgr: Brent Campbell 
Last Season: 13-27 (3rd place, lost in Play-in round)
The Story: The Twins regressed somewhat last season, but did just enough to capture a playoff berth. Manager Brent Campbell toyed with the idea of retirement, but the extra long off-season caused by the pandemic gave him the time to reconsider. Campbell did shake up the roster, however, in an effort to change the culture of the team.
Strength: The Twins have a deep, if not spectacular, pitching staff. Promising rookies Alejandro Martin and Sebastian Harada join returnees Matt Chikerotis and Nelson Alvarenga, both of whom should expect expanded roles, as well as manager Campbell and staff leader Francisco Calderon, on the mound. Up the middle defense might be significantly improved with newcomer Andy Miralles behind the plate combining with holdovers Luis Pagan at short and all-star Eric Manning in center.
Weakness: The offense is, overall, subpar. Top hitters, Manning, Calderon, and Pagan return, but Eddie Cabrera is now a Cub, and Ricky Quintero and Jerry Ostos are on the reserved list. Newly added veterans, such as Chris Thompson, along with former Sunsets Jordan De Los Reyes and Marlon Rodriguez will need to produce. The rest of the batting order is pedestrian at best.
Prognosis: The Twins will go as far as their pitching will take them, and that might not be any farther than they got last season.
Twin Peeks: Infielders Elio Mercado, Carlos Viloria, and outfielder Jared Jimenez, all products of this season's draft, will all be given long looks at filling some of the team's holes.

4. Broward Cubs
Mgr: Cory McEwen 
Last Season: 13-27 (4th place)
The Story: Last season, the Cubs were in second place for much of the campaign before fading out of the playoff picture during the stretch run. In the off season, the Cubbies engineered some trades that may change the composition of the team without, necessarily, improving their position in the standings.
Strength: Rookie centerfielder Henry Estrada will leadoff a revamped lineup that will feature speed at the order. Newly acquired Eddie Cabrera and third baseman Jacob Young will, hopefully set the table for sluggers Cory McEwen and catcher Tyler Brown. First round draft pick Omar Contreras and late arrival Eduardo Roldan might be the Cubs' keystone combination sooner rather than later.
Weakness: While Chad Volbert remains one of the league's ablest hurlers, the rest of the mound staff is a little pedestrian. McEwen and veteran Doc Guida can eat innings, and newcomer Gerry Estrada, a veteran lefty, has promise, but the staff is far from deep. Based on last season's performance, the bottom half of the Cubs' lineup leaves a lot to be desired.
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: Former Triton Jay Auriemma has signed on as a player/coach in hopes of allowing McEwen to be able to focus more on playing without being fully distracted by team issues as much.

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