2021-2022 Fall/Winter Season Forecast 

October 5, 2021 (Federal League Wire Service)

         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: 35-5 (1st place, won League Championship)
The Story: Ryan Snyder took over the club from Ishy Demoya two seasons ago and completely re-imagined the team. The Stars, who captured their first league title in the past 32 campaigns, became the league's premiere team in just two seasons.
Strength: Despite a solid lineup with abundant power, and the best fielding team in the league, the real strength of the Stars is their pitching staff. Austin Armstrong, Justin Jordan, Playoff MVP Angher Cespedes, and Mike Murray comprise the loop's deepest starting staff. Dylan Brammer is an elite closer with pro experience. Everett Miller, Nector Ramirez, and newcomer Ken Williams populate the league's best bullpen.
Weakness: As good as the Stars' lineup can be, they feature a lot of very streaky hitters. Brett Fick and Justin Jordan were among the league leaders all season, but everyone else rode the rollercoaster into the playoffs.
Prognosis: The Stars should be in the prohibitive favorites to repeat as league champions.
Star Shines: The Stars are hoping that catcher Kenny Gray is fully healed from the lower body injury that sidelined him midway through last season.

2. Margate Sentries
Mgr: Alejandro Rodriguez 
Last Season: 24-16 (2nd place, lost in Championship Final Series)
The Story: In Alejandro Rodriguez's third season at the helm of the Gatekeepers, the club took a major leap forward and reached the Championship Final Series, where they ultimately fell, in four games, to the Stars. The talent level remains high, filled with a lot of pro experience.
Strength: The Sentries have, outside of the Stars, the league's best and deepest pitching staff. Hector Rovain, Jhoendri Herrera, Raul Ascanio, Rodriguez, and former Stars David Cintao will anchor the staff. David Marquez, Robert Antunez, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, and Osvaldo Martinez form the basis of a solid lineup.
Weakness: Without shortstop Humberto Valor on the roster, the up the middle defense is, at best, a question mark. The bottom of the order needs to be more productive than it has been in the past.
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 once again reach the finals.
Sentry Posts: The Sentries added former professionals Asdrubal Alvarez, Miguel Molina, and Magglio Ordonez, Jr. to a cast that already had no shortage of pro experience.

3. Tri-Cities Tritons
Mgr: Mike Whittaker 
Last Season: 17-23 (3rd place, lost in Semi-Finals)
The Story: For the first time in the last 10 seasons, the Tritons failed to advance to the Championship Final Series. In fact, the Water Dwellers suffered through an injury plague campaign and slid to third place in the division with a record that was a remarkable six games under .500.
Strength: Any lineup that starts with Jay Warman, Chris Marrero, Zac Miller, and Mie LaManna is bound to be very productive. If Brandon Sam and Naz Rosario are able to bounce back from injuries, the lineup with be even stronger.
Weakness: Calvin Rayburn, the most dominant pitcher in league history, was unable, due to arm miseries, to take his usual role at the top of the Tritons' rotation and the club suffered greatly for it. What was once the team's greatest strength became its most profound weakness as Rayburn was severely limited. 
Prognosis: If, and it remains a big if, Rayburn can return to form, and, if John Hardardt is able to bounce back from an unusually inconsistent season, and if youngsters Chase Moore and Antonio Russo can provide quality innings, the Sons of Poseidon can claw their way back in to contention. If, on the other hand, these things do not occur, it could be a long season in the Tri-Cities.
Writin' Triton: The Water Dwellers released such fixtures as Tre Dingus, Gabe Gonzalez, Jorge Caballero, and Matt Arlick as they attempt to break from the past and look toward the future. Veterans such as Jose Marcano, John Haritan, Jayven Miller and Agner Martinez are starting the season on the inactive list.

4. Davie Goliaths
Mgr: Donny Gagliano 
Last Season: 6-34 (4th place)
The Story: Donny Gagliano has had two moderately successful seasons as he attempts to rebuild the once proud Goliath franchise. While the rebuild is far from over, a wrench has been thrown into the works as Gagliano has taken a leave of absence from the team and infielder Zach Roberts will serve as acting manager for the time being. Gagliano's return is neither scheduled or assured as the season begins.
Strength: The strength of the Philistines may lie with the hitting prowess of a bunch of new faces. Wilson Marte, Moises Vallejo, Jorge Quintero, Gio Fernandez, and Kenny Jenkins may not be well known names to Goliaths' fans at the beginning of the season, but they may be by the end of the campaign. 
Weakness: The pitching staff is far from deep with only workhorses Nelson Alvarenga and Pete Ginter to rely upon. Draft choice Jessey Belanger needs to come through in a big way. Team fielding needs to improve dramatically for the team to even dream of reaching the playoffs.
Prognosis: The Goliaths might be a much better team than they were last year and still finish in the cellar. However, any progress in a positive direction will bode well for the future.
Goliath Grunts: The Goliaths used their first two draft picks on a pitcher, the aforementioned Belanger and a catcher, James McDonnell. This is the third season in a row the G-Men have selected battery mates in the draft.

Original Division

1. Sunrise Sunsets
Mgr: Brandon Hull 
Last Season: 18-22 (3rd place, lost in Play-In)
The Story: The Twilighters were incredibly hard to figure out and frustrating to follow almost all of last season. A team with this much talent and experience should not be barely squeezing into the playoffs. A major rebound is likely.
Strength: The 'Sets boast a potent lineup led by former MVP Chris Price, outfielder Joe Iacobucci, shortstop Rudy Mueller, and Dom Ficarra. Veteran leadership from Jose Zabala and Keith Nicoll should stabilize the team. 
Weakness: Beyond promising newcomers Dominick Ciero and Alex Katz, the pitching is a little thin. Infield defense remains a concern and the team is still in desperate need of a true leadoff hitter. 
Prognosis: The Sunsets should have enough offensive firepower to edge the Twins in the division race, but unless and until they find some more pitching, another early exit from the post season is probable.
Sunset Grillings: The Sunsets will start the season without pitcher Garrett Rogers, catcher Chris Craig, and slugger Javier Aguilar.

2. Hallandale Twins
Mgr: Jordan De Los Reyes 
Last Season: 26-14 (1st place, lost in Semi-Finals)
The Story: The Twins improved by a eye popping 12 games last season as Jordan De Los Reyes established himself as one of the league's best managerial talents. The Fraternals should, once again, be a solid playoff contender.
Strength: The Twins lineup is pretty special with MVP Eric Manning, all-star shortstop Alex Rodriguez, and speedy Brian Clancy, but the team's strength is its starting pitching. Nick Argento, Matt Chikerotis, Francisco Calderon, and newly acquired Bayardo Arias will lead a revamped staff. If and when the Geminis get Devin Adams back on the active roster, they will have a staff that is capable of a deep playoff run. 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 is a possible area of consternation.
Prognosis: The Twins should continue their climb up the league's pecking and it would not be shocking to see them reach the finals.
Twin Peeks: The Geminis were genuinely excited about the potential of rookie catcher Melchor Feliciano. A number of teams spent the off-season trying to trade for the youngster, but the Fraternals would not part with him, before finally trading him to the Sunsets in exchange for three draft picks.

3. Broward Cubs
Mgr: Cory McEwen 
Last Season: 24-16 (2nd place, lost in Play-In)
The Story: After winning the division race two seasons ago, the Cubs got off to a slow start last season and slid five full games in the standings. The Cubbies have a solid core, but still possess some holes that may make it difficult for them to take any big leaps forward.
Strength: The Cubs can hit. Carlos Flores, Kaiser Llerena, newcomer Alfonso Guillen, Erickmay Simancas, manager McEwen, Terrence Biel, Leo Rubio, and Eddie Cabrera, returning after taking season off, will be the nucleus of a productive, if not prolific, offense. There is a nice combination of speed and power as well, even if the Cubs do not always use either to their full advantage. Catcher Tyler Brown is a major plus behind the dish.
Weakness: Any pitching staff that has Chad Volbert as its ace cannot be all bad. Newcomer Jorge Fernandez is a promising rookie. McEwen and veteran Doc Guida can eat some innings. However, the pitching staff lacks any real depth and does not have a sure fire closer. Outfield defense is spotty. Infield defense is a question mark.
Prognosis: The Cubs are a solid bet return to the playoffs, but, are not a likely championship caliber team unless they can find one or two more dependable hurlers.
Cub Cribs: The Cubs seem to have tired of the sometimes indifferent play of all-star outfielder Gerry Estrada, as they open the campaign with Estrada on the reserved list.

4. Fort Lauderdale Atlantics
Mgr: Rob Wiley
Last Season: 10-30 (4th place)
The Story: The Navigators had a nice group of talent last season, but, unfortunately, it did not mix well.This season, new manager Wiley has to find some answers from some unexpected sources or it may be another long road ahead for the 'Tics.
Strength: Speed. The team has some burners, particularly outfielder Jan Sanchez and shortstop Alex Guzman. There is some power in the lineup with Elijah Rodriguez and Dylan Razack joining veterans like Doug Robinson and Wiley in the middle of the order.
Weakness: The pitching staff beyond veteran Joe Feller and rookie Reynaldo Leon is thin and highly suspect. The infield defense needs to tighten up. All-Star catcher Jamaal Thelwell is said to be sitting out the season, or, perhaps, looking to be traded. Not having the steady Thelwell at bat and behind the plate is a major negative.
Prognosis: Unless they develop some more arms, the playoffs are a long shot.
Atlantic Crossings: Matt Beuka, formerly of Coral Springs High School, who nearly became a member of the Hallandale Twins as a pitcher last season, has made the opening day roster as a position player.

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