The 2023 South Florida Collegiate Baseball League opening night is right around the corner as teams will kick-off Friday night June 2nd under the lights at multiple venues around South Florida. Below are the previews of our teams submitted by GM’s and team staff members.

In alphabetical order:

Boca Raton Blazers

2022 season: 9-25 (5th North Division)

Postseason results: Did not make playoffs.

2022 was a tough year for the Blazers after capturing the 2021 SFCBL Championship with their magical run which was the first time a 6 seed won an SFCBL Championship. The Blazers will look to rebuild their 2023 roster with a combination of newcomers and returners. Returning to the Blazers for the 2023 season are pitchers Austin Matsoff (Alcorn State), Caden Rothbaum (Binghamton), Justin Webster (Kansas State), Bryce Courson (Hillsborough C.C.) and Brenden Katz (Parkland C.C.) as well as positional players Jack Clarke (Florida Atlantic), Trevor Kole (Florida Gulf Coast), Chris Basile (Bucknell), Manuel Soffrain (Bethune-Cookman), Chris McKenna (Gardner-Webb), Jake Alfaro (St. John’s) and Joe Durso (St. John’s). Katz was named to the All-SFCBL second team after throwing 23 innings with 23 K’s last summer with a 1.95 ERA. The RHP followed that up with 25.2 innings pitched with 21 K’s and a 2.45 ERA this spring. Speaking of Division I competition, the Blazers are adding several players from DI Power 5 conferences in University of Alabama LHP Hunter Furtado, Kansas State University RHP Justin Webster, University of Missouri RHP Kyle Potthoff, University of California RHP Roman Gil and University of Pittsburgh utility player Andrew Ripepi representing the SEC, Big 12, ACC and PAC-12 respectively. Furtado has thrown 25.2 innings for the Crimson Tide striking out 25 batters and features a blistering fastball that reaches the upper 90’. Furtado has also been named a Top 300 Prospect for the 2023 MLB Draft and is expected to be selected in the 2023 MLB Draft. Kyle Potthoff has thrown 27 innings of relief with 24 K’s and will be one of the frontline starters in the Blazers rotation as he has been named the opening night starter on June 2nd. Manuel Soffrain will look to bring back power to the Blazers lineup after hitting 4 HR’s, 7 doubles and a triple in the 2022 season. Gil has thrown 48 innings and struck out 26 batters yielding a 3.38 ERA in 9 starts and will look to be another reliable starter for the Blazers. The Blazers and Lightning play all their home games at Little Fenway in Delray Beach which is a replica of Fenway Park built by former New York Yankees World Series MVP Bucky Dent.

Position player to watch: IF Andrew Ripepi (University of Pittsburgh)

Pitcher to watch: LHP Hunter Furtado (University of Alabama)

Key returner: RHP Justin Webster (Kansas State University)

 

Boca Raton VSA Lions

2022 season: N/A

Postseason results: N/A

This will be the first year the VSA Lions will be in the SFCBL as they were formerly the Pompano Beach Clippers. The Lions will have a young talented team. Tyler Ziemak is a catcher from American International who is currently hitting .333 with 15 RBI. Dylan Marie has thrown 29 innings at Palm Beach State with an era of 3.77. Andrew Bourque is a key returner from last year. As a part of the Pompano Beach Clippers, he hit .311 and was a solid defensive catcher. LHP Jacob McGovern (Dayton) is also returning to the league after a great season. Jacob is a crafty lefty that gets a lot of weak contact.

Position player to watch: C Josue Valdez (Villanova University)

Pitcher to watch: LHP Jacob McGovern (University of Dayton)

Key returner: C Andrew Bourque (Florida Tech)

 

Boynton Beach Buccaneers

2022 season: 21-17 (2nd North Division, No. 4 seed in playoffs)

Postseason results: Semifinalist: Defeated No. 5 West Boca 4-2. Lost to No. 2 Palm Beach Xtreme 12-4 in semifinals.

The Buccaneers are led by long-time manager Nick Franco who has never not made a post season in his 7-year history of coaching the Buccaneers. Coach Franco has a history of coaching professional/MLB players including the recent Major League call up of former 2-year Bucs pitcher Sammy Peralta (White Sox).

Franco will look to build team chemistry with a core of returners including position players Andrew Dimisa (Elon), Zac Majer (North Alabama), Mike Dupont (Concord) and Cam McDonald (Maine). Incoming catcher Tyler Leach (Delaware) will look to add power to the Bucs lineup as he is currently hitting .267 with 6 HR’s and 30 RBI’s for the Blue Hens.

As for other returning players on the roster, Franco expects Zac Majer (North Alabama) and first baseman Mike Dupont (Concord) to play key roles for the Buccaneers. A couple impressive college freshman will also be joining the Buccaneers this summer. Infielder Landon Franklin from the University of Kentucky, Outfielder Blake Bowen from the University of Kentucky, Outfielder Jayden Terres from Michigan State and utility player Isaac Geller from Alcorn State will provide an influx of youth to the team. On the mound, the Bucs will return 5 pitchers including Caden Barnett (North Alabama), Eddie Blake (Concord), Colin Grimmell (Highland C.C.), Aidan Cardenas (Mt. St. Vincent) and Danny Rosenfield (Davidson).

Other key newcomers on the pitching staff are the Jersey Boys from Monmouth University in RHP Nick Galvan and LHP Jim Wigo. Galvan has made 6 relief appearances for the Hawks striking out 14 batters in 8 innings of work during his freshman year and will look to use this summer campaign as a springboard into a successful sophomore season when he returns to Jersey.

Position player to watch: OF Blake Bowen (University of Kentucky)

Pitcher to watch: LHP Danny Rosenfield (Davidson University)

Key returner: IF Mike Dupont (Concord University)

 

Delray Beach Lightning

2022 season: 28-12 (1st North Division, No. 1 seed in playoffs)

Postseason results: 2022 SFCBL Champions: Defeated Palm Beach Xtreme 3-0 & 11-9.

The Lightning will look to defend their 2022 SFCBL title with a mix of returners and newcomers coming from all over the United States. The Lightning have the fewest Florida-born players of any team in the SFCBL with 8. Instead, the Lightning might want to advertise themselves as the SFCBL’s version of America’s team with players from every corner of the country including players from 15 different states and Canada including University of San Francisco infielder, Patrick Keighran. Already a starter for the Dons as a sophomore, Keighran is batting .269 with 3 doubles, 1 triple and 4 HR’s and 14 RBI’s and the 19-year-old is only going to get better as he continues play in the competitive West Coast Conference.

On the other side of the coin, Max Charnin (Florida Memorial) is looking into pension plans offered by the SFCBL as he prepares for his sixth season with the Lightning. All kidding aside, Charnin has been a staple in the pitching rotation for the Lightning. If he wasn’t, the Lightning wouldn’t keep inviting him back. The veteran had his best season with the club last summer sporting a 1.12 ERA over 32 innings pitched with 29 K’s. Charnin will be honored opening night on field with his family as his #35 will be retired and presented in a framed jersey.

The Lightning and Blazers play all their home games at Little Fenway in Delray Beach which is a replica of Fenway Park built by former New York Yankees World Series MVP Bucky Dent.

Position player to watch: IF Ethan Hindle (University of Kentucky)

Pitcher to watch: RHP Justus Agosto (University of North Alabama)

Key returner: RHP Max Charnin (Florida Memorial University)

 

Florida Pokers

2022 season: 5-29 (5th South Division)

Postseason results: Did not qualify.

Position player to watch: OF Michael Lucarelli (Tulane University)

Pitcher to watch: Joey Mitchell (Lipscomb University)

Key returner: OF Justin Colon (Southern Maine C.C.)

 

Palm Beach Diamond Ducks

2022 season: 3rd in North Division (Now Moving to South Division)

2022 regular season record: 18-18

Postseason results: Did not make playoffs.

2022 had its ups and downs for the Diamond Ducks after having a regular season percentage of .500. While having to compete against adversity, the Ducks fought extremely hard and have a ton of positives when focusing on this upcoming season. The Ducks are hungry and are ready for any competition that comes their way.

The Ducks have added key players that are going to help them compete in the South Division. Those players are RHP Tyler Dietz (University of South Florida), Andre Vidal (University of the Pacific), James Porter (University of San Francisco), Albert Espinoza (Bethune Cookman), Dean O’Neill (University of Maine), and Cole Shields (University of Alabama).

The Diamond Ducks will be playing all their home games at Sabal Pines Park in Coconut Creek, Florida.

Position player to watch: Cole Shields (University of Alabama)

Pitcher to watch: Tyler Dietz (University of South Florida)

 

Palm Beach Xtreme

2022 season: 1st in South Division 2022 regular season record: 29-10

Postseason results: 2022 Runner Up.

2022 was a great year for the Xtreme after making it to the Championship Series the past two years in a row. The Xtreme will look to add to their explosive roster in hopes of winning this year’s championship.

Players coming back from last year are Logan Cooke (Eastern Florida State College), Kobe Benson (Seminole State College), Jake Haggard (University of Louisiana Monroe), Tommy Melvin (Eastern Florida State College), Ivan Markel (St. Petersburg College), Shane Huntsberger, (Western Carolina), Keegan Rich (University of New Orleans), Colby Stabile (Keiser University), and James Weick (Babson College).

The Xtreme will be playing all their home games at Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Florida.

Position player to watch: Kristyan Puyol-Genossar (University of Toronto)

Pitcher to watch: RHP Shane Huntsberger (Western Carolina)

Key returner: Jake Haggard (University of Louisiana Monroe)

 

Phipps Park Barracudas

2022 season: 12-24 (4th North Division)

Postseason results: Did not make playoffs.

Position player to watch: IF Gabriel Forer (University of Texas)

Pitcher to watch: Bradley Fletcher (University of Texas)

Key returner: C Michael Ciscar (Gardner-Webb University)

 

West Boca Snappers

2022 season: 21-16 (2nd South Division, No. 3 seed in playoffs)

Postseason results: Semifinalist.

Position player to watch: IF Joel Franco (Florida International University)

Pitcher to watch: Zac Dodson (Valdosta State University)

Key returner: RHP Jonathan Amonica (Keiser University)

 

West Palm Beach Knights

2022 season: 21-17 (3rd South Division)

Postseason results: Did not qualify.

The 2022 season for the Knights was a major improvement from 2021 as they improved their record competed in the ultra-competitive South Florida Collegiate Baseball League.

Coach Sam Martin will return to Keiser University for their home field in the 2023 season and has added some new weapons to his repertoire. The Knights will look to lean on newcomer Sam Gallard (UNC Asheville) to bring offense to the Knights lineup. Rising freshman Michael Graziano (Georgia Tech) will also look to be an impact bat in the Knights 2023 lineup.

Position player to watch: OF Michael Graziano (Georgia Tech)

Pitcher to watch: Patrick Montagna (Cornell University)

Key returner: C Gino Bellatoni (Florida National University)