Picking Division and Award Winners

The NECBL All-Star game last season. /New England Baseball Journal

This is my first time predicting the outcome of the NECBL season, and I guarantee you that the season will not play out the way anybody thinks it will. Players have come and gone from rosters around the league and it is very hard to keep track of it all, so I'm taking my best guess. Here goes.

Northern Division
Five of the eight teams that made the playoffs last season are now in this division, including the defending champs- Vermont, Sanford, Keene, Valley and North Adams. This division will be very tough and should be more exciting then the Southern Division down the stretch.

The team that is looking the best so far? The Laconia Muskrats, who have a strong roster. Jordan Sheffield will be their ace, and he's supported by a very talented lineup. They have good team speed and feature strong hitters throughout the roster.

Vermont had one of the strongest rosters going in but injuries and players not coming has really weakened their roster. Keene assembled what general manager Kevin Watterson calls, "the best team we've ever had on paper."

North Adams brings stellar pitching, Valley has a potent offense and Sanford brings in a blend of both. A noticeable addition for the Mainers is Caden Bailey, an infielder who was excellent fro Ocean State last year.

Predictions
1. Laconia Muskrats
2. Keene Swamp Bats
3. Vermont Mountaineers
4. Sanford Mainers
5. Valley Blue Sox
6. North Adams SteepleCats

Southern Division
Nobody has been as good as Newport arguably in the history of the NECBL, so they're my go-to #1 pick. After them, Ocean State has a strong roster once again after having an excellent first year.

After those two teams, the Southern division is looking much weaker then the Northern division. Mystic has a solid team but Plymouth, New Bedford and Danbury could have seasons similar to 2014.

Predictions
1. Newport Gulls
2. Ocean State Waves
3. Mystic Schooners
4. Danbury Westerners
5. New Bedford Bay Sox
6. Plymouth Pilgrims

Of course, you never know with summer collegiate baseball.

Player Awards

Rick Ligi MVP Award: Chandler Brock, Vermont
Brock was the best player in the NECBL down the stretch and he'll start at that pace this summer.
Top Pitcher: Jordan Sheffield, Laconia
The guy I almost forgot about in my season preview will be a beast for the Muskrats. Throws 98.
Top Relief Pitcher: Oliver Powers, Ocean State
Another returnee, Powers was good last summer and he will only get better