The 2015 Season Starts Today… May the Best Team Win

The 2015 CTL Season is here and this year brings many new stories.

First, a new name, now the CTL or Connecticut Twilight League
An official Championship Trophy to pass around to the yearly champion
Many new players and some of the strongest talent level for the teams than we’ve ever had
Our own Coaches Poll, which lets our coaches have their say as to who we think has the best team now

This year we return ALL 10 teams from 2014 and no major team changes. The defending Champion Bristol Knights open the season tonight at the Brickhouse Indians at Sage Park in Berlin tonight (5/11) at 6pm. Also the Moodus Nationals open vs the Chicago Sam’s Orioles at Bransfield Park in Portland. The last opening game of the day is the Glastonbury Pirates visiting the Loco Perro Expos playing out in Moodus. The last 4 teams open on Tuesday 5/12 with the Panthers traveling out to Willimantic to face the Ridges and the East Hartford Angels travel to face Elmer’s at Legends Field in Newington.

Thanks to all the teams that have contributed to our Preseason Coaches Poll and to helping Brian LaRochelle put together our 2015 League preview capsules. We are only missing the Willimantic Ridges (will update as soon as it comes in). It follows here…

Guys, here’s the first annual CTL Pre-Season Power Ranking. To the right of the rankings will be team points (earned on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis) and number of first place votes (in parentheses):

1. East Hartford Angels – 92 (4)
2. Glastonbury Pirates – 86 (4)
3. Brickhouse Indians – 75 (2)
4. Bristol Knights – 68
5. Elmer’s Silver Bullets – 65
6. Portland Panthers – 55
7. Moodus Nationals – 37
8. Chicago Sam’s Orioles – 31
9. Willimantic Ridges – 24
10. Loco Perro Expos – 17

————————————–

1. East Hartford Angels

Manager: Mike D’Antonio, IF (3^rd year; .325 BA, 17 R)

2014 record: 18-7

Top returning players: T.J. DiFiore, CF (1.301 OPS, 14 SB, 2014 Most Valuable Player, Batting Champion, and Gold Glove); Scott Kelleher, SS (.753 SLG, 26 RBI, 2014 Slugger); Brendan Wyman, LHP (12 W, 0.84 WHIP, 7 K/7, 2014 Cy Young)

No key losses.

Key additions: Tom Queno, RHP; Alex Hurley, IF/OF

Outlook: Deep hitting lineup that could get even more dangerous with the addition of Hurley. He figures to bat in the two-hole behind T.J. DiFiore, and has a great combination of speed and power. Additionally, the Angels brought on Tom Queno to add some much needed depth to the starting rotation. This will allow the Angels to not rely so heavily on last year’s Cy Young winner Brendan Wyman.

2. Glastonbury Pirates

Managers: Zach Cloft, P (1^st Year; 9 W, 73 IP, 97 K) Bill Eller, IF (4+ Years, .292 BA, 16 RBI) Matt Spence (4 + Years)

2014 Record: 16-8

Top Returning Players: Jeff Boice, CF (.934 OPS, 27 R, 14 RBI); Steve Kelley, SS (1.034 OPS, 20 RBI); Rocco Gondek, RF (1.140 OPS, 7 XBH in 41 AB)

Key Losses: David Blake, 3B (.367 BA, 24 R)

Outlook: Returning most of the core group from the 2013 championship team. Lineup looks strong top to bottom with some addition of good young players.

3. Brickhouse Indians

Manager: Chris Barsa, 1B/DH (14^th year; .424 OBP)

2014 record: 15-10-1

Key losses: Francisco Perez, CJ Inturri, Mike Wnuk, Jordan Melendez

Key Additions: Dan Madigan, 3B/1B/P; Yuri Morin, OF; Bryan Rivera, SS; Matt Lavoie P/OF, Nick Barone C/OF; Mike Cookson, LHP; Tyler Barrett, C

Top Returners: Brian Pinney, IF/P (1.166 OPS, 19 RBI), Will Ramos, OF (1.197 OPS, 13 SB), Camden Mamigonian, OF (.324 AVG, 6 XBH, 17 RBI), John Skinner UTIL/P (0.79 WHIP, 2 SV, .936 OPS), Albert Pienkowski, P (1.18 WHIP, 56 IP, 56 K),

Outlook: Key is pitchers staying healthy and scoring enough runs to take the pressure of them.

4. Bristol Knights

Manager: Brian LaRochelle IF (2nd year; .368 OBP, 21 R, 11 RBI)- 2014 co-Manager of the Year

General Manager / Coach: Scott Dickens (13th year; .404 OBP, 25 BB) – 2014 co-Manager of the Year

Coaches: Rick Barrett, Rick Blais, Earl Oakes

Last Year: 13-13, MTL Playoff Champion

Key Losses: Phil Dauria, UTL; Sean Cameron, 3B

Key Additions: Kyle Lentini, OF; Matt Schweighardt, C/IF; Chris Valente, C; Marco Ross, IF; Matt Niedzwiecki, P

Top Returners: Rick Barrett, IF/P (1.123 OPS, 47 H, 22 RBI, 2014 Playoff MVP); Earl Oakes, IF/P (12 RBI, 11.3 K/7, 3 W, 3 SV); Chris McGrath, P (1.06 WHIP, 7.4 K/7, 3 W); Sean Lopata, P (1.26 WHIP, 7.7 K/7, 4 W); Eddie Dickman, C/1B (.927 OPS); Rick Blais, P/OF (43 IP, 3 W); Rex Cone, OF (.914 OPS); Julio Ortiz-Rivera, OF (Gold Glove, .918 OPS, 13 SB)

Outlook: Knights made an unlikely run through the 2014 playoffs on the strength of a deep roster and clutch pitching performances. McGrath joined the team halfway through last season after ace Lopata suffered an injury; both are back for 2015, along with the steady Blais. Former Athletics farmhand Oakes anchors the middle of the lineup and back of the bullpen. The Knights are loaded with solid left-handed hitting, highlighted by Barrett, who had a monster ’14. Second year outfielder Sam Leonardo (.422 BA) joins Ortiz-Rivera among the stronger defenders in the league. IF/C Sean Shanley (.875 OPS) is another potent bat in the order. Improved infield defense and lengthening the lineup are keys for this summer. Niedzwiecki should throw key innings and rookies should fortify the catching rotation.

5. Elmer’s Silver Bullets

Manager: Ken Cook, IF/P (6^th year; .396 OBP, 16 RBI)

Coach: Nick Dinino, OF/1B (5^th Year; .389 OBP, 28 SB)

Coach: Mike Cook, C (6^th Year; Gold Glove, .350 OBP, 10 RBI)

2014 record: 12-11-3,

Key Losses: Justin Swiderski (61.2 IP, 64 K, 3 W); Phil Gendron (.373 OBP)

Key Additions: Chris Anselmo, OF; Taylor Kosakowski, P/IF; Zach Mariconda, C/IF

Top Returners: Russell LaFleur, SS/OF (1.083 OPS, 22 SB); Jordan Sanchez, OF (2013 MTL Slugger); Jay Crawford, P/IF (Rookie of the Year, 1.09 WHIP, 4 W); AJ Lowers, C/IF (.400 OBP, 9 RBI;

Outlook: Elmer’s had an up and down year throughout the regular season which resulted in a nearly .500 record. As it seems to be a yearly tradition, Elmer’s made its run in the playoffs to finish playing baseball in the second week. The losses this year of staff ace (Swiderski) and middle of the lineup power bat (Gendron) will be tough to replace. New additions plus the return of players from injury will attempt to plug those holes. Speed will again be a team strength along with the length of the lineup. Every batter in the lineup can hit for extra bases or steal that extra base when needed (Except for one slow manager in the middle of the lineup). As long as the pitching and defense is there, this team will be fighting for the League Championship again into the second week of August.

6. Portland Panthers

Manager: Todd Kessel – 3rd season (teams 3rd season)

2014 record: 14-11-1

Top returning players: Mike Baccaro, P (6 W, 1.69 ERA, 8.56 K/7); Doug Evans, P (3 W, 1.25 WHIP); John Stetz, 3B (.349 OBP, 14 RBI) Brandon Lagueux, C/P (3 W, 7 K/7, 5 XBH) James Bolstridge, 1B (15 RBI)

Key Losses: Dan Bologna, C (.431 BA, 11 RBI): unable to play full time

Key Additions: Ray DeRosa, OF; Jake Narvesen, SS

Outlook: Last year’s strong pitching returns this season. As opposed to being a team with a clear cut superstar, this team is extremely deep in talent and will have to play well as a team with pitching and defense leading the way along with timely hitting in order to surpass last year’s result.

7. Moodus Nationals

Manager: Joe Michaud, 2^nd year

2014 record: 13-13

Key returning: Adam Michaud, P (.958 OPS, 6 W, 75 IP, 84 K) ; Spencer Daly C (.388 OBP, 5 SB)

No key losses

Key Addition: Mike Sturgis P, 3B

Outlook: This is a young team that plays with their hearts on their sleeves. Will go toe to toe with any team in the league and fight until the end.

8. Chicago Sam’s Orioles

Manager: Don Fodaski, IF (2^nd year; .288 BA)

2014 record: 6-19-1

Top Returning players: Kevin O’Connell, P/OF (3 W, 9/15 K/7); Dustin Mocadlo, OF/P (.409 BA, 4 3B); Kevin Dwire, C (.410 OBP)

Key Losses: Eli Greenberg, Chris Dibble

Key Additions: Zack Mack. P/UT; Mike Rigdon, 1B/C/P; Jake Gagne, 2B/P; Judson Monroe, P/ OF; Matt Anderson, UT

Outlook: Coming off the Orioles first season much more is expected with several key additions. The Orioles should have a well-rounded pitching staff and solid OF. The Orioles will rely heavily on Zack Mack, Kevin O’Connell, Jake Gagne and Judson Monroe to pitch quality innings. Dustin Mocadlo (back to back seasons hitting over .400) will once again anchor the offense for the Orioles. The left side on the infield will be an area that needs improvement and hope that some of the new players will be able to pick up the slack. Overall, the Orioles have made many improvements and that should be reflected in the standings by year end.

9. Willimantic Ridges

Manager / Coaches: Mike Moulin(Manager), Chris Loughlin(Bench coach), Dave Busch(Pitching coach), Mickey Moulin(Asst coach)

2014 record: 10-15-1

Top Returners: #7 Pete Moulin – OF/P ( .409BA, 19 Runs), Dan Samociuk – P/3B/1B ( .368BA, 13 RBI), Dan Livingston – P (League leading 1.44 ERA)

Outlook: Willimantic lost some key players from last years squad, but has picked up a new group to try and fill those holes.

10. Loco Perro Expos

Managers: Brian Kohn IF/P (2^nd year; .813 OPS, 1.25 WHIP); Zack Turner SS/P/C (2^nd year, 7.56 K/7, 3 W)

2014 record: 8-18.

Top Returning Players: Scotty Lufbery, LF (.311 AVG, 10 RBI)

Key Losses: Noah Pinero, CF; Alex Iannone, P (.333 AVG, 1.24 WHIP, 38 IP)

Key Additions: Charlie Shaub, OF; Joe Jenecaro, 2B.

Outlook: The Expos return their core in 2015 and while adding a few newcomers look to improve on their 2014 record.

Brian Kohn is the Expos top returning bat at the center of the lineup and when he’s not looking for a position to play in the field, Kohn will serve as the Expos primary three-inning closer in hopes of leading the league in saves. Zack Turner was forced into the catching role last season from his usual shortstop position and it may have affected his batting, but with Christian Gerardi set to return behind the plate in 2015, Turner will move back to SS primarily and looks to improve on his 2014 campaign. He comes into this season with a giant beard and giant expectations. Scott Lufbery is feeling confident coming into the 2015 season and regularly talks about improving his .724 OPS from a year ago. On the mound, Lufbery will be the Expos long reliever only on nights of 90 degrees or warmer. The Expos are adding Charlie Shaub and Joe Jenecaro for 2015. The two bring some serious speed to the lineup and will play major roles this season. You may know Jenecaro from the Panthers last season.We just want to win 10 games.