Predicting the 2013 NECBL HR Derby Players and Winners

This year, the NECBL All-Star game is in Laconia, New Hampshire at Robbie Mills Field, home of the Laconia Muskrats. The All-Star game may be the main attraction, but the Home Run Derby at 2:00 is not to be lost in all of the commotion. The rosters have not been announced, but the format released states that a player will be representing every team in the derby, totaling 13 players. The top four from the first round on, then the top two into a championship. Laconia's own Danny Collins took it home last year. The hitters hasn't been announced yet, so I'm taking my best guess at who it will be. Remember, players will have to deal with the Muskrat Monster (above) in left field- a 18 by 88 foot replica of the "Green Monster."

EASTERN DIVISION

Steve Anderson, Newport Gulls

Anderson, a returning Gull has three home runs this year and also holds the third highest slugging percentage. Last year for the Gulls, he hit three regular season bombs and three in the postseason. He also added three for Georgetown University this spring. 
PREDICTION: First Round

Mike Gerber, Ocean State Waves

Gerber only has two home runs so far this season but lead Creighton with five home runs this past season. He's second in the league in slugging and is a serious threat. The senior also was named to the MVC All-Conference team and has a good chance of winning the derby.
PREDICTION:  Second Round

Brandon Cipolla, Mystic Schooners

Tied for the league lead in home runs with four, Cipolla also hit five for Holy Cross College this past spring. Cipolla also hit his four in 17 games, while the other two four-homer hitters did it in 26 and 24 games respectively.
PREDICTION: First Round

Christopher Shaw, New Bedford Bay Sox

Also tied for the league lead with four, Shaw also hit six home runs for Boston College. Last summer, as a member of the Nashua Silver Knights (a Futures Collegiate Baseball League team) he hit nine home runs.
PREDICTION: Second Round, Champion

Jake Thomas, Sanford Mainers

Thomas hit five home runs as a sophomore at Binghamton University last season and has added two this summer as a Mainer. As a senior in high school he added another seven, and this year has been a huge part of the Mainers offense.
PREDICTION: First Round

Steven Patterson, Plymouth Pilgrims

The Pilgrims don't have a lot of power hitters, but Patterson has a home run and multiple home runs as a member of the UC Davis baseball team. Patterson also strikes out almost never, as he was fifth in the nation in at bats per strikeouts, with 20.4
PREDICTION: First Round

Kaleb Barlow, Laconia Muskrats

Barlow crushed 11 home runs for the University of West Florida and has added three of the Laconia Muskrats. Barlow has some serious power and has a good chance of winning the Derby.
PREDICTION: Second Round, Runner Up


WESTERN DIVISION

Riley Palmer, Danbury Westerners

The other league leader in home runs with four, Palmer also hit five this spring for the University of Southern New Hampshire. Palmer had a two-home run game on July 6th against the Mountaineers, both solo on his way to a 3-4 day.
PREDICTION: First Round


JP Sportman, Keene Swamp Bats

Sportman has three home runs this year for the Swamp Bats, which is his second year in Keene. This summer for Central Connecticut University, Sportman hit seven home runs in 50 games. 
PREDICTION: Second Round

Brian Taylor, Saratoga Brigade

A redshirt freshman from North Carolina State, Taylor has hit three home runs for the Brigade this year. Last year, Taylor was a part of the Wolfpack football team and the year before as a high school senior, he parked eight long balls.
PREDICTION: First Round

Vahn Bozoian, Holyoke Blue Sox

Bozoian has two home runs this year, tied for the Blue Sox lead and added two last year for USC. 
PREDICTION: First Round

Cody Doyle, North Adams Steeplecats

Doyle has one home run so far this season for the Steeplecats, but he added five home runs for Cal State Los Angeles. At his junior college he added seven home runs before transferring to Cal State.
PREDICTION: First Round

Scott Donley, Vermont Mountaineers

Donley hasn't hit a home run yet this year for the Mountaineers, but he's only played six games due to his late arrival from the University of Indiana. A consistent hitter for the Hoosiers, he had five home runs this spring after transferring from Virginia Tech. 
PREDICTION: First Round

Boston College's Christopher Shaw

This is shaping up to be an intriguing Home Run Derby. My prediction is that advancing from the first round is JP Sportman, Christopher Shaw, Mike Gerber and Kaleb Barlow. Moving on to the final two, I have Shaw and Barlow battling, with Barlow holding home field advantage. However, I believe that Shaw will prevail, but barely. Shaw has the ability to do it and sneak by Barlow.