Veterans Ready to Lead Youngsters in 08

June 15, 2008   ·   Patrick Hickey, Jr.   ·   Jump to comments

Last season, the Brooklyn Cyclones reached the New York Penn League playoffs, thanks in part to impressive performances from a slew of utility players and a stellar pitching staff. This season however, the Mets Single-A affiliate may have enough strength in the starting lineup alone to again contend for a championship.

Bringing 2008 first round pick Reese Havens and supplemental pick Brad Holt to Brooklyn this season, in addition to bringing back 2007 fifth round pick Zach Lutz, who missed most of 2007 with a broken foot, the Cyclones have the star power present on their team that they have never before been privy to.

However, the supporting cast will also play an important role, as they look to flourish with more playing time this season.

Left fielder Brandon Kawal, who made the NYPL All-Team team in 2007, despite playing in only 38 games, will now have an opportunity to be an everyday outfielder, while the former St. John’s star Will Vogl will look to reclaim the passion that had him hitting close to .300 last season, before a terrible slump cost him his spot as the team’s starting right fielder.First baseman/catcher Jeffries Tatford, who according to manager Edgar Alfonzo was tearing it up in extended spring training, hitting over .300, with an on-base percentage of close to .500, will be asked to be much more than the occasional pinch hitter he was last season. With what appears to be a stacked offense behind them, Alfonzo seems pleased with the direction his team is headed in this season.

“I am really excited about this team, we have some very good young players,” said Alfonzo, who has a combined 101-49 record in two seasons as manager of the Cyclones. “I think the group we have this year is something special. I am very impressed with this group of kids.”

While Alfonzo expects his new players to rise to the occasion this season, he also sees his returning players playing a big part in the team’s success as well, giving the team a deadly one-two punch of youth and experience that could propel them to the top of the league once again.

“I hope I can give these guys a lot of playing time,” Alfonzo said of Kawal, Vogl and Tatford. “I know these guys can get the job done, but I have a big problem here this season because I have too many good players. It’s going to be hard to give everyone playing time.”

Those returning players know that while they will have to play at an optimum level to avoid being lost in the shuffle this season, they will also have to help out their younger teammates get accustomed to life in Brooklyn, some of them who have never played professional baseball before.

“We’ll try to make ourselves available and do whatever we need to do to help them out,” said Kawal of the rookies on the team. “This is a tough city to just jump into and play in front of. I think they’ll be fine though as long as they play their game and try not to get too caught up in the moment. Remember, they are all here for a reason.”

With a healthy combination of seasoned veterans and hot shot prospects, the Cyclones look to nab their fifth McNamara league championship in eight years.

“We know we’re here to win ball games and produce,” Kawal added. “I not only expect us to be as competitive as we were last year, I expect better.”

Photos by Ron Hatcher