Team Preview: Waffle Stompers

Waffle Stompers:

Last Year: 4-1, West Division Champs, L to Belgian Wiffles in semi-final, 18-12

Additions: Evan Mitchell, Zach Zieniuk

Losses: None

Schedule:

11:00am  Mandingos

12:15     Goodfellas

1:30        off

2:45        Goon Squad

What’s New: Other than a name change… Not a whole lot. This team continues to dip into its well of talent, and has added a couple new pieces to the lineup. Both rookies to the tournament, Evan Mitchell and Zach Zieniuk are both solid arms to log innings for the Stompers. A more than capable lineup returns, this year likely with 2 flex spots at the bottom.

Hitting: Most of the same lineup that tallied 22 homers and 45 runs returns this year. Eric Bomenblit is expected to lead-off once again and for good reason. His 2.209 OPS would’ve shattered previous tournament records, if he hadn’t been overshadowed by multiple players in last year’s tournament. He’s followed in the order by Paul Nyitray, Mike Sheridan and Rob Humes, all formidable hitters who put up great numbers last year. The question for this team will not only be consistency, but will adding more players to a deep lineup cause an issue with opportunity? Meaning, are there enough plate appearances to go around? The only way this team doesn’t put up eye-popping numbers once again is if they lose focus at the plate somehow.

Pitching: The mound was a strength for this team last year right up until their playoff game. They had given up just 18 runs in 4 games prior to the playoffs, then gave up 18 in the playoff game alone. It started with Bomenblit, who had a really solid tournament going until the onslaught. But the Belgian Wiffles didn’t stop with him, as they then peppered Sheridan all over the park. They scored 18 runs in 6 innings, scoring no fewer than 2 in any inning. So when looking at their pitching staff, try to take that game for what it’s worth. The Wiffles were a team of destiny on a war-path in that game. The Waffle Stompers will still be equipped with 2 top-notch pitchers and as stated previously, may be adding a couple more with their offseason transactions (Mitchell, Zieniuk).

Prediction: The talent here is impossible to ignore. Barring the Waffle Stompers running into another team of destiny, or just having a terrible day, they’ll be there come playoff time. What they do with that opportunity makes all the difference. Predicted win total: 2, playoffs probable.