Niagara Falls Rapids
Division Last Season: 1st
Wins Last Season: 101
Batting
Gone from the 2023 squad is experienced campaigner and 6 time all star Clyde Monsignor. Monsignor arrived at the beginning of June of 2023 and went on to hit ,273 with 20 home runs. Offsetting Monsignor's departure on the run production side is the arrival of Midre Juffermans. With his excellent fielding and power bat he'll be putting plenty of pressure on incumbent Steve Fernandez. Terelle Coleman gets the nod to cover Monsignor's outfield spot and he'll have to make the most of his chances as the Rapids have plenty of out field options down on the farm. The Rapids batting has a familiar look to it and should perform as they did in 2023.
Pitching
Fans endured a roller coaster ride of emotions from the giddy heights of winning the beer to the realising of that rumours of Ken Gossage's retirement was true. The 170 game winning pitcher who did the double in 2020 with Cy Young and CBL Pitcher of the Year awards indeed went out while he was on top. Associations made in Blackwater proved too strong and without a team based there he won't be taking the mound in the CBL again. However Rapids management knew this and were working on a solution, enter 327 game winning strike out king Hooks Fife. His experience will be a huge asset to the club and goes a long way to offsetting the departure of Gossage, for this season at least. Young Tane Adcock proved useful in his 27 innings pitched out of the bullpen in 2023 and after having better command of his pitches in his spring training outings he's been added to the bullpen again in 2024.
Overall
After predicting Niagara Falls to not even hold on to their division title in 2023 they went on to win it all. Fans should get ready for another glorious season in 2024 as we're expecting to be behind the 1st place team by double digits. But then again we're picking them to finish higher than we did last season, maybe they'll stop at winning the Fishermen. Niagara Falls are always strong but lose one or two pitchers to injury and the season could go horribly wrong.
Transactions
Monsignor, Clyde, Centre Field - Retired
LoDuca, Burleigh, Left Field - Sent to AAA
Coleman, Terrelle, Right Field - Sent to ACT
Juffermans, Midre, 3rd Base - Sent to ACT
Hunter, Johnny, 1st Base - Retired
Gossage, Ken, Starter - Retired
Sanders, Xavier, Bullpen - Retired
Diamond, Timo, Bullpen - Traded to London Mustangs
Fife, Hooks, Starter - Traded from London Mustangs ACT
Prediction
Division Place: 2nd
Wins: 93
West Bay Red Skulls
Division Last Season: 2nd
Wins Last Season: 98
Batting
After years of being in again and out again the Red Skulls loyal left fielder Dave Glenn retired. According to his career pattern 2023 was to be another bumper year with plenty of at bats and a handy average. Instead he played the entire season in Skull Creek, and worse still, West Bay has their best finish since 2014 and recorded their highest ever number of wins. After 1783 in the Red Skulls colours all the signs were telling Glenn to retire. Taking Glenn's place on the active roster is 2022 free agent signing and 35 year old rookie Langston Boland.
Pitching
The weight of expectation from Owner Stephane Cote on the shoulders of Max Kolb was too much to bear. His retirement came as a complete shock to everyone some more, much more, than others. Cote was found in a critical condition not long an expletive laced news release and it was only through the care and support of the CBL community that Cote survived the traumatic episode. After 13 years plying his trade in Skull Creek, 31 year old Romulo Raggio gets his chance. When he gets it right this man throws a nasty sinker that's right up there with Eric Broderick's of Grand Rapids.
Overall
We're expecting West Bay to fall away in 2024 as a result of their two big retirements and a lack of quality replacements. But they could get right back on track with a couple of quality pitchers if the Bill Brauneller ilk. As it is the bats will have to improve on their already impressive last three seasons as the pitching ERA is going to start heading back up.
Transactions
Glenn, Dave, Left Field - Retired
Boland, Langston, 1st Base - Sent to ACT
Kolb, Max, Starter - Retired
Burke, Bob, Starter - Sent to AAA
Barnes, Bill, Bullpen - Retired
Raggio, Romulo, Bullpen - Sent to ACT
Dempster, Cory, Bullpen - Sent to ACT
Ardoin, Israel, Bullpen - Sent to ACT
Allen, Jeff, Bullpen - Sent to ACT
Ricketts, Eduardo, Bullpen - Sent to ACT
Prediction
Division Place: 4th
Wins: 78
PEI Argonauts
Division Last Season: 3rd
Wins Last Season: 91
Batting
There were plenty of changes in the batting department in the last 12 months and the Argonauts can start 2024 with plenty of optimism. After the mid season trade of short stop Gary Shadle last season and the failure of Nathan Buechele to make the position his own, PEI had traded in Kerrod Espley's gold glove experience. Rookie Jericho Barrett has also been brought in from Regina to plug the hole at catcher where they've ridden their luck and avoided injuries to Dario Crawford. And finally the Argonauts will see the rewards of the trade made in July of last year as 2022 all start Dion Hesseldenz starts on the outfield. Hesseldenz had 3 at bats for PEI after the trade and spent the rest of the season on the DL.
Pitching
With Ray Coyne proving 2022 was no fluke PEI traded away pitchers Frank Clark and Andrew Merlo during 2023 however the teams ERA suffered as a result with Clark's missing contribution keenly felt. To remedy their pitching wobbles PEI has acquired Kyle Stonestreet from the London Mustangs. His presence gives this staff some real substance now. Stephen Greene didn't take his change in 2023 but gets another as he picks up the 5th starters spot in 2024.
Overall
With the changes made we're expecting a better season from the PEI bats after they plateaued a little last season. PEI has all of the positions covered now with quality batting, good fielding and good speed. The pitching however should be where most of the improvement comes as they should get back to and even improve upon their 2022 performance. They have plenty of cover playing in AAA so injuries shouldn't be a major concern.
Transactions
Wintermyer, Devin, 3rd Base - Traded to Regina Pirates
Spiers, Chip, Centre Field - Sent to AAA
Buechele, Nathan, Short Stop - Sent to AAA
Morton, Tony, 1st Base - Retired
Hesseldenz, Dion, Centre Field - Sent to ACT
Hatfield, Roy, 3rd Base - Sent to ACT
Velez, Doug, Setup - Sent to LOW
Ardley, Mike, Bullpen - Sent to ACT
Greene, Stephen, Bullpen - Sent to ACT
Neame, Brad, Bullpen - Sent to ACT
Espley, Kerrod, Short Stop - Traded from London Mustangs ACT
Barrett, Jericho, Catcher - Traded from Regina Pirates LOW
Stonestreet, Kyle, Starter - Traded from London Mustangs ACT
Prediction
Division Place: 1st
Wins: 103
Charlottetown Blues
Division Last Season: 4th
Wins Last Season: 90
Batting
Following on from three big retirements in 2023 another two big names leave in 2024. Short stop Buck Ringhaus and 1st baseman Nixey Mrozinski were both key providers in 2023 season with the loss of Mrozinski's home run power being particularly felt. Bartolo Burrell and Dermal Vizcaino will be vying for the open 1st base spot with the ever so slight less quicker, but we're not talking quick, Burrell looking to have the inside running. Like Burrell and Vizcaino, a lot of the blues looked to have lost a bit of pace over the off season.
Pitching
Another stable off season for Charlottetown's pitching department should see maintain their competitiveness. Seth Javier enjoyed his return to the starters role as was evidenced by the lowering of his ERA. His spring training form suggests he can lower that further to that of 4 or 5 seasons ago. However for Charlottetown to really improve they'll be looking for Paul Bonetti to shrug of a terrible 2023 and return to his form of old. Daniel Smothermon gets his first opportunity in the bullpen after showing better control of his impressive change up.
Overall
Will the loses at short stop and 1st base be enough to upset the apple cart at the Blues? We think it will, well those losses not being offset by any significant gains and the fact that others are improving. At best Charlottetown can hope for a competitive season. We think they'll slip further into the pack in 2024 and we'll go so far as to say they'll slip towards the also rans.
Transactions
Ringhaus, Buck, Short Stop - Retired
Mrozinski, Nixey, 1st Base - Retired
Kipper, Jim, Short Stop - Retired
Minahan, Scott, 2nd Base - Retired
Vizcaino, Dermal, 3rd Base - Sent to ACT
Smothermon, Daniel, Bullpen - Sent to ACT
Prediction
Division Place: Last
Wins: 67
Fredericton Bandits
Division Last Season: Last
Wins Last Season: 59
Batting
The young Bandits batting will continue their improvement in 2024 and are now becoming a team that will trouble the opposition pitching. Ramon Alejandro delivered on the promise and will now start to head towards 30 home runs as an indication of his further development. The next player everyone is talking about is the 4th overall pick in last season's draft, Chris Outen. His pre season form suggests he'll make an immediate batting impact for the Bandits and, most importantly, will slot into the centre field which was previously a weakness.
Pitching
Pitching is still a weakness at Fredericton, and while they did improve in 2023, there's still plenty of improvement to be had. Adam Prozorowicz was solid in his first season and will look to build on that in 2024. Ramiro Arias and Zane File were both rough last season and it can only be a matter of time before one of them gives way to Dusty Echard. Echard might have trouble locating his pitches but when he does he's difficult to hit. Bill Smith also gets the call and strengthens the bullpen. John Cooper, Aaron Dearebarne and Lawrence Blamires could all yet play a role before the season is over.
Overall
Fredericton should finally end their run of six last place finishes this season. Both their batting and pitching will continue their improvement and, as everything is heading in the right direction, so they're going to pick up their share of wins. We say pitching is a weakness, the players they have are good but there's always the question of just who will they get their innings out of and what happens if there are injuries to the key performers. Last season Arias and File weren't up to it and it's here where the Bandits are hurting the most.
Transactions
Wills, Steve, 1st Base - Traded to Creston Kokanee
Hallewell, Tom, Catcher - Sent to AAA
Griffis, Collin, 3rd Base - Sent to AAA
Aberhart, Gaylord, Short Stop - Sent to AAA
Lomen, Michale, Left Field - Sent to AAA
Williams, Raynoch, 2nd Base - Sent to AAA
Kelly, Lance, 3rd Base - Sent to ACT
Outen, Chris, Centre Field - Sent to ACT
Busby, Sherman, Catcher - Sent to ACT
Maurer, Matt, Centre Field - Sent to ACT
Davis, Martin, Setup - Sent to AAA
Smith, Bill, Bullpen - Sent to ACT
Pena, Basilio, Bullpen - Released to Free Agents
Campsey, Mils, Bullpen - Released to Free Agents
Whitson, Grant, Starter - Supp Draft
Prediction
Division Place: 4th
Wins: 83
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