Boy it's gonna be tough to replace the experience we are losing from last year. With the likes of Sean McFarland (P/OF), Benji Jarabeck (1B), Nick Walker (OF/P), Matt Gebhardt (SS/P), Max McConnell (OF), Kenny Crockett (2B) and Darius Rowan (OF/P). Those players represent the top three pitchers, the heart of the batting order (2 through 5), most of the power production, and the middle of the infield.
In addition to those players, the squad is also lost it's closer, Max Imler who needs season ending surgery on a torn labrum.
The team is returning a handful of players though. Jake Pridemore (CF) is back for his third season with ARC where he should be the leader of the outfield. Jake has spent the past two seasons in the leadoff spot and patrolling centerfield. Jake contributed meaningful innings his first season, but back problems kept him off the mound last year.
Also returning is Andy DeDomenic (C/3B) who will move up in the batting order and be counted on to be one of the top RBI men.
Tyler Margolis (C/OF) is also returning, this time in a fulltime role as he split time between ARC and the Orange 17U team.
Taylor Johnson (SS/P) is the only returning starting pitcher from last season is expected to take over the starting shortstop job and the #1 starter role.
Dillon Kinney (P/2B) is back and expected to compete for the starting second base positon. Dillon will also be counted on to start and relieve on the mound.
Brian Mehalic (IF/P) was on the roster last year, but a slow healing ankle injury kept him out of the lineup the entire season. Brian should help replace some of the power lost from the departing players.
The style of play this year will definately be different that last. The long ball was a big part of the offense last year with the team knocking 25 balls out of the park. Only 3 of those came from the crop of returning players. One thing this years team has that last years team did not is speed.
I'm expecting this years team to play a lot more small ball than any my previous teams.
Although we are losing some very talented players, I like the mixture of players we are bringing in. Orange HS seniors Paul Tuschman (OF) and George Shapiro (P/IF) will help bridge the gap between the loss of experience and the very talented group of young players that will be the heart of the team over the next several years.
Three of those new players come from Geneva. Bucky Schubert (C), Joey Streets (IF), and Derek Kovach (IF/OF) will all compete for starting spots.
Three of the areas top freshman are all expected to provide valuable contributions while earning valueable experience. Brandon Gibson (Lakeside, P/IF), Zak Johnson (Riverside, P/1B) and Dwight Johnson (Lakeside, IF/P) are all expected to be stars of the future, but will have to earn their playing time this year.
Zak Mehalic (Lakeside, OF/P) was a main sparkplug for the Ashtabula Junior League tournament team that advanced to the state tournament last summer.
Timmy Birch (Madison, P/1B) is expected to fill some of the void on the pitching staff.
Competition will be intense for several positions. With two legitimate center fielders in Pridemore and Tuschman one will need to move to a corner outfield spot, the other corner outfield spot will be up for grabs with Joey Streets, Zach Mehalic, Brandon Gibson and Derek Kovach all competing.
The infield has a greater degree of uncertainty. When Johnson is on the mound, who will play shortstop? Will it be George Shapiro, Derek Kovach, Joey Streets or Dillon Kinney? Or perhaps one of the two talented freshman, Brandon Gibson or Dwight Johnson?
Third base may be the most hotly contested position. Andy Dedomenic did a terrific job there last year when he wasn't catching, George Shapiro is a probable All-CVC infielder, Brian Mehalic should also compete for that spot and so should Joey Streets.
Firstbase has two primary candidates. Freshman Zak Johnson is expected to get most of time there, but Tim Birch will get the opportunity to show what he can do there as well.
Two roster spots remain at this time. If the weather would cooperate, I could get out and watch some games.
Front runners right now are Wendell Bliss of Geneva, Tyler Falvey of Riverside, Ronnie Kalil of Edgewood and Frank Clayman of Lakeside.
