With workouts on Saturday, the 2008 Cyclones will finally take shape. After the team’s ouster from the playoffs last season, it should be really interesting to see who makes the team and what veterans come back. For me, workouts is always fun because for many of these guys, this is the first time they’ve ever been in Brooklyn. You get really candid answers to questions and you start to see who the emotional leaders on the team could be.

Last season, I had a blast talking to guys like Dylan Owen and Will Morgan, who not only turned out to be NYPL All-Stars last season, but they were easily two of the most approachable and entertaining players on the team. Getting a chance to see their wide-eyed expressions while on the field for the first time was extremely enjoyable and from that, it was easy to see how badly they wanted to get their professional careers started. The year before, talking to guys like Tobi Stoner and Jeremy Mizell was a treat and I think I’ll always remember the deadpan seriousness of Nick Waechter, who not until the next season, really learned how to laugh with us reporters.

However, the best part about workouts is batting practice. It’s there where a lot of the writers pick their players who they think are going to the team’s best players. Last season, just about everyone thought Jason Jacobs and Jake Eigsti where going to have great seasons, mainly because they came into camp in amazing shape. I nonetheless decided to go with Zach Lutz, who ironically got injured and missed the rest of the season after only two at bats. Not the smartest decision I’ve ever made, but if he comes back to Brooklyn this season, things should be interesting. For the people who missed my interview with him a few months back, check out the picture of him. He’s easily 15 pounds heavier and looks like a completely different person. Again, if this guy is in Brooklyn this season, we may see a different Cyclones team this year.

Anyway, with workouts on Saturday, I’m planning to have some video and great photos from my photographer this year, Ron Hatcher, up on the site on Sunday morning, alongside whatever I feel like writing. After that, the site will then go in full swing, with updates coming every day, making this the only daily updated Cyclones blog on the net.

I look forward to reading your comments when the season begins next week.

BTW guys, I had a phone interview with former Cyclone Tim Haines, who ironically came across my post about him a few weeks ago. Over the course of the interview, he talked about what’s he’s been up to over the past two seasons since being suspended for using banned substances. It was a pretty long phone interview, so I plan to have something beefy for you guys over the week.

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.