2014 Valley Blue Sox Preview

The formerly-Holyoke Blue Sox have changed their name to the Valley Blue Sox to embrace where they are and have almost started complete fresh, returning just three players from last season. Last year, the Blue Sox snuck into the playoffs after beating the now-defunct Saratoga Brigade, but they were eliminated in the first round by eventual champions Keene.

Anthony Elia /Seton Hall

Now, with few returning players, general manager Hunter Golden has assembled a potent offense and a strong pitching staff that could see Valley finally make it past the division finals- they're 0-2.

Probable Lineup 
Josh Graham, C
Charles Sikes, 1B
Joey Caracone, 2B
Angelo La Bruna, SS
Tyler Mautner, 3B
Storm Wilson, OF
Willie Abreu, OF
Mendez Elder, OF
Bobby Stahel, DH

The Blue Sox were a middle-of-the-pack offensive team in 2013, and that is going to change in 2014. Simply put, the offense was mediocre. Golden clearly made that a point of emphasis and brings in a talented crop of hitters, anchored by sluggers Charles Sikes and Tyler Mautner. Mautner hit .337 with 17 doubles and 52 RBIs for Buffalo, while Sikes hit .358 with 10 home runs for Savannah State.

Another strong hitter in this lineup is Miami's Willie Abreu. Abreu, a freshman, hit .287 with 28 RBIs and 28 runs scored.

Probable Rotation
LHP Anthony Elia
RHP Harrison Paige
LHP Brooks Fortenberry
LHP Mike McGee

Valley starters ranked second in team ERA last year behind one of the top pitchers in the league, Michael Burke. They had four solid pitchers and have that again this season, headlined by Seton Hall's Elia. Elia had a 2.75 ERA over 69 innings and 12 starts for Seton Hall. Paige is another solid starter as he has a 1.00 WHIP with six complete games for American International.

Probable Bullpen
Closer- RHP Zach Strecker
Setup men- LHP Garrison Banas, RHP Adam Rutz
Middle men- LHP Joe DiBenedetto, RHP Nick Lewis, RHP Kyle Rasmussen
Long men- RHP Chris Erwin, LHP John Pryor

Strecker didn't close any games for Kentucky but he has strong stuff and could easily come in late for the Blue Sox. After him, Banas and Rutz are capable setup men who can come shut down teams for an inning and pick up a save.

Outlook
If someone asked me to pick a under-.500 team in 2013 that had the highest chance of turning it around, Valley would be my choice. A strong bullpen and a talented rotation mixed with a potent lineup has the Blue Sox in contention for their first championship.