CBA Bronze League 2025 Season Predictions

January 8, 2018 Jerry Libinski 0 Comments

This is a Collaboration piece between Mexico City beat writer and Silver League Expert Jerry Libinski and Sacramento beat writer Guy Davis.

Bronze League

Legend:

Team MVP: Best Position Player

Team Cy Young: Best Pitcher

X-Factor: Non star player overall team success relies on

Young Gun: 1st or 2nd year player with the biggest chance to contribute

Bay Area Pandas

Last Season Finish: 51-75 8th in the BL

Team MVP: LF Mike Todoroff

Team Cy Young: SP Tyler Shinkle

X-Factor: SP Chris Colombo

Young Gun: C Bobby Stutz

Libinski: This is the year of Mike Todoroff I’m putting my foot down because there is no reason he shouldn’t perform. Then I remember that the Pandas play in a park that isn’t simply pitcher friendly but anti hitter. Todoroff was solid in the SL in Atlanta down the stretch a year ago albeit in limited action slashing .327/.410/.423. Now yes the power numbers don’t jump off the page but the man walks more than he strikes out and we forget he is still only 25. But the power of this team lies in its youthful rotation. Headed by 24 year old Tyler Shinkle in 25 starts a year ago he made 18 quality ones. This is compounded with a 2.66 ERA over 175.2 IP helped Shinkle to a 5.0 WAR a season ago and I’m very excited to see what Shinkle can do this year to grow on that. The teams X-Factor is SP Chris Colombo, it will be interesting to see if Colombo can make the next step that Shinkle did a year ago. The only thing holding him back is a pesky control issue that resulted in only .1 difference in BB/9 and K/9 but that can be expected of a 23 year old. If the coaching staff up in the Bay Area can sort him out he could put together a very special season. With four out of 5 starters being under the age of 24 and a potentially dominant bullpen led by Chris Allen, Mike Vazquez and Matthew McKenna pitching shouldn’t be an issue in the Bay Area. The team’s Young Gun is going to be Backstop Bobby Stutz, another late loanee a season ago and one of the best framers in the entire CBA. After being sent to DC at the end of the last season and slashing .318/.388/.411 in 32 games for them it will be interesting to see if he can carry that momentum back with him to the west coast. Another bat they will need to perform is Edgar Arreola. The man affectionately dubbed “Mr. Nipples” by the Panda faithful will look to impress. One of the only Pandas players who showed any ability to hit at home should look for a move to DH full time. Also keep your eye out for 3B Chad Collins at some point this season. Bay Area GM Travis Ritchie seems to be fed up with this rebuild and something tells me that if the teams offensive struggles persist at home again this season that an application for a change of venue or an alteration of dimensions could be in the cards sooner than later.

Boston Rogers

Last Season Finish: 56-70 10th in the SL

Team MVP: 1B Francisco Arellano

Team Cy Young: SP Jeremy England

X-Factor: RF Jordan Hernandez

Young Gun: SP John Wright

Libinski: Boston becomes the first team to be on the move in consecutive seasons from the Bronze to the Silver and back. However it isn’t like they got absolutely demolished. They were in the fight till the end in the CBA’s ultra competitive second division. Boston did what not many of us expected them to do and that is go out and get a big name free agent, 1B Francisco Arellano gives them immediate offensive credibility they have never had before. The native Costa Rican has light tower power and absolutely mangled SWL pitching hitting 20 HR in 40 games. While not being much of a fielder some experts think all he needs is some playing time and patience at first base and he could turn out to be league average. But their best signing could turn out to be the teams X-Factor RF Jordan Hernandez. Signed for just over 500k a year for 4 years Hernandez is a legitimate 5 tool player. He can hit for contact and power as well as gaps. He may not have elite speed but he makes up for it with craftiness on the basepaths with the perfect mix of aggression and patience, he picks his spots as well as anyone. Oh and he can play either corner outfield spots at a high level. To say I have a man crush on the dude is an understatement but mark my words he will be in award discussion come the end of the year. But the thing that sets Boston apart from the rest of the Bronze League is still a superb pitching staff led by the elite Jeremy England. Yeah I said it the dude is elite especially at this level. He posted an over 12 WAR in his first two seasons in the Bronze League and trading facing Miami for facing Carolina and Indy his numbers should only look better. Don’t worry Robin is still here as well in Justin Marchi who got better when the competition was stepped up after promotion a year ago. If he can keep the ball in the park a little more they will be as good a one two punch in the entire league. Last season I advocated for a full time move for Mike Alter to the pen. Boston only half committed, he started only 12 games but even worse is that he only pitched in 24. Get that guy in the pen pitching 3 or even for 4 games a week and let him go over 100 innings that way. Everyone will be much happier because Alter will be more effective. Finally their young gun is another pitcher 24 year old John Wright, since being drafted out of Miami in 50th overall in 2023 he is desperate for some stability in his 3rd organization in 2 years he has pitched for clubs in 10 different places all up and down from Youth Academy to RES level. I think all he needs is someone to show some faith in him and some patience and he can contribute to a major league team much sooner than later. Overall Boston’s pitching is what carried them to promotion originally and with a weaker Bronze League than they remember and two new legitimate offensive threats Boston should be back in the promotion mix again.

Brooklyn Bulldogs

Last Season Finish: 75-51 4th in the BL

Team MVP: DH Ivan Quijije (pronounced KWEE-HE-HAY)

Team Cy Young: RP Reynaldo Lopez

X-Factor: SP Pat Kenny

Young Gun: SS Sergio Jerez

Libinski: The Bulldogs got a full season out of star DH Ivan Quijije and boy did he reward them. Yes his batting average dropped yet again but his OBP went up 19 points and slugging went up 54 points. He led them in XBH with 54 and won a well deserved Coke Blak Power Surge award for DH. If he can avoid the injury bug another huge season should be in store for the man they call Bandit. One of the coolest things in the league is when his Posse aka the fans in section 302 down the left field line put on their Bandanas when he comes to bat A-La the old Kings Court for Felix Hernandez back in Seattle. He’s a really fun guy to watch but something tells me he could be on the move sooner than later because of how effective he is if things don’t go well from the jump the 29 year old could be on the move. Brooklyn’s best pitcher is stud reliever, Reynaldo Lepe, armed with a killer slider and a fastball capable of ticking 98. He almost never walks anyone and gives up even less longballs. He will have teams all over the CBA salivating if he ever hits the block but at only 26 he has a couple years left if Brooklyn decides to hang onto him. The Bulldogs X-Factor is SP Pat Kenny the almost 25 year old is their Ace and the upside is that he’s still growing. Boasting one of the best curveballs in the league and 3 other pitches that move as well nothing he throws goes straight. That being said Kenny himself is a straight shooter you never have to wonder what he is thinking for long cause he is gunna tell you. Brooklyn’s young gun is SS Sergio Jerez, the Dominican has some of the softest hands that some scouts have ever seen. The only issue is he doesn’t exactly have the arm to match. He makes up for it with a quick release that shows turning the DP. The problem is that he doesn’t hit at all at the lower levels. If he can even be league average then he can be a real asset. Overall brooklyn should contend for the entire year. But for whatever reason if they don’t then they have some pieces that could be moved for some real value coming back.

Carolina Aces

Last Season Finish: 44-82 10th in the BL

Team MVP: 2B Victor Solano

Team Cy Young: SP/RP Enrique Barra

X-Factor: Who Knows

Young Gun: 3B Paul Benda

Libinski: Carolina is tough. It’s seen a lot of turnover in the front office through the first couple seasons. And I’d love to say help and hope are just around the corner but it really isn’t. If you need a reminder of just how soul crushing the game can be take a peek at the career ark of Mike Weatherston. As a 19 year old he absolutely tore up the league with a 1.9 War in spite of some of the worst defense we’ve ever seen. The problem is he has only gone downhill from there Their last two first round picks are Josh Fishback a LF in DEV-A ball where he has impressed but it looks as if that could be his ceiling and reports of his behavior in the clubhouse aren’t very encouraging. Then they traded away the pick that many thought would be Nick Pankow at number 1 who would have immediately been their best player, but instead they went with 15 year old who painfully underperformed in the JWL this season but enough about the bleak future let’s look at the bleak current roster. Their best hitter is 2B Victor Solano who they picked up from Chicago last year, and I don’t mean he was playing for Chicago he was at the RES level and immediately became their best hitter upon arrival. This is also after missing all of 2023 with Post Concussion Syndrome. Their best pitcher is Enrique Barra a 26 year old free agent pickup making 375k a year. He could be a solid starter for most teams except for two things, one is that he only throws two pitches. The other is that neither of those pitches move particularly well consistently, he will be streaky all season but compared to the rest of the staff he is pretty close to elite. Their Young Gun is 3B Paul Benda a decent prospect acquired from LA in the Tim Furhman trade. Benda is a solid glove with a bit of pop as deserving as anyone is Carolina for some serious playing time. “Hey Jerry why did you leave the X-Factor blank?” Well reader I’m glad that you asked. The X-Factor slot is for a player that will push a team over the edge he is supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle. You could add a 27 Ruth and a 66 Koufax to this team and it wouldn’t help enough. They are my odds on favorite for the first overall pick next year. So they are praying for something that resembles the fabled 2022 amateur draft class.

Houston Moondogs

Last Season Finish: 62-64 5th in the BL

Team MVP: 3B Jesse Robison

Team Cy Young: SP/RP Ron Tuttle

X-Factor: UTL Alex Rodriguez

Young Gun:2B Leo Navarro

Libinski: Houston is poised for another middle of the road season as far as I can tell. They have never really recovered the star power that left with House and Forrestal for Dallas. The closest thing they have to that is 3B Jesse Robison. The 9th overall pick of the 2022 draft “Nutball” has been Houston’s best player for the last two years and is still growing. Even with his batting average dropping about 20 points last year his WAR improved by almost full point. The Wisconsin native is always a threat to steal swiping almost 80 bags over the past two season. His lack of ability to draw walks keeps him out of the conversation for best leadoff hitter out there but he is perfect for a two spot. Someone who makes great contact and runs even better than that. Houston’s best pitcher is Ron Tuttle and they did an absolutely masterful job of using him a year ago. They started him for 25 games but he pitched in 53 total. This means their best pitcher threw 182 innings a year ago and that’s a good thing as long as the guy can handle the workload which Tuttle showed he could. The X-Factor of the season is UTL guy Alex Rodriguez he needs to play like the 3 million dollar man the Moondogs signed him to be. This means they will need a full season out of him and not the 90 plus games he gave them a season ago. Their Young Gun is 2B Leo Navarro, the 22 year old was the 4th overall pick from 2024 and it looks to be his time to break out. He hit .464 at the Juco level last year and the dude is ready for the show. A high character kid and college captain the only thing he needs to nail down is some patience at the plate but that will come with time and top level coaching. Overall I think that Houston is destined for another middle of the pack finish.

Indianapolis Hawks

Last Season Finish: 53-73 6th in the BL

Team MVP: RF Chris Harrell

Team Cy Young: CP Wesley Rollings

X-Factor: 2B Kunimichi Yamamoto

Young Gun: SPs Scott Bradford, Brian Latimer, Phil Maynard

Davis: Indianapolis finished about where most experts predicted but at 20 games under .500 finishing 6th in the BL doesn’t bode well for the team in 2025. They suffer from a painfully shallow lineup which consists of 4 players that have seen time at the game’s highest level. This team won’t compete this year but they know that and they also realize the path to contention is a tough one. They have been in the process of getting younger for a couple seasons now and hopefully this is the year the rebuilding process begins to bear some fruit. Their best player in this writer’s eyes is RF Chris Harrell. The 24 year old speedster is a wizard with the glove and has a penchant for getting on base. “Flash” stole 56 bases last year and does have the potential to be an above average top of the lineup hitter for the next great Hawks team. This team’s strength is its pitching which is a great sign for a team that will be on the up in the coming seasons. They have a very strong bullpen headlined by Wesley Rollings and free agent signee Danny Rivera, an electric 26 year old righty who has the ability to start if given the opportunity. The Hawks bullpen will be very strong this year so look for them to be pawning off relievers if they fall out early. Kunimichi Yamamoto is a player to watch for as the 2nd baseman has the potential to be an above average offensive threat at the keystone for years to come. The 24 year old will be making his BL debut this season after spending all of 2024 at the RES level but it looks as though he will be batting 3rd for an Indianapolis lineup that looks serious depth so we will see if Yamamoto can produce the kind of numbers his talent shows he can put up. The Hawks boast one of the highest upside rotations in the BL let alone the CBA as each of Bradford, Latimer, and Maynard are 22 years of age and pitched well at the RES level in 2024. Here’s hoping all 3 crack the Hawks’ rotation this coming season as their talents are undeniable. The Hawks will most likely end up as a middle of the road team in the BL but they are sticking to their strategy of rebuilding and in a league starved for pitching they seem to be on the right track.

Iowa Predators

Last Season Finish: 83-44 2nd in the BL

Team MVP: CF Andrew McKee

Team Cy Young: SP Heri Ortega

X-Factor: LF Winston Ordaz

Young Gun: RP Leo Ramirez

Davis: The Iowa Predators had a fantastic 2024 season that led to a semi final appearance in the Tournament of Champions. After a small controversy over who shall represent the BL in the tourney, Iowa got the nod despite eventually losing the promotion series to LA. They are one of the favorites to win the BL again this year on the strength of their extremely solid pitching staff and solid core of position player talent that hasn’t changed much over the years. They aren’t a particularly exciting team but that really doesn’t matter because they don’t have any glaring weaknesses. Their MVP is Andrew McKee, a player who personifies the type of player Iowa has targeted over the years. A speedy center fielder, he isn’t a particularly great base runner but his potential is evident as he has put up 9 WAR in 2 years in the BL. McKee has obvious bat to ball talent along with a fantastic eye so once he finds a way to cut down on the strikeouts you can expect big things for the 23 year old. Heri Ortega is the ace of this team and although he isn’t he best pitcher on the team (looking at you Rodriguez triplets) his success will determine whether the whole staff holds up or not. He needs to be the clear cut ace of this staff and after 1 full CBA season under his belt he should be able to do just that. Winston Ordaz is the team’s X-factor but he took some steps in the right direction last season, putting up a .342 OBP and 146 OPS+. Ordaz is trending in the right direction but any steps back in 2025 will have long term ramifications for a franchise that lacks depth in the outfield. I picked a reliever as my young gun this year, as I absolutely love what Leo Ramirez brings to the table. The 24 year old right hander boasts a fastball-slider combo and tremendous movement and it’s hard to see Ramirez falling off in any way. He will play a big part in Iowa’s pen and his potential as an above average multi-inning reliever is apparent. The Predators will be in contention for promotion this year on the strength of a very solid staff and a lineup that has consistently produced. Ordaz, McKee, Volpe, and co. will look to build on their 2024 successes and finally get out of the Bronze League.

Salt Lake City Snappers

Last Season Finish: 57-69 8th in the SL

Team MVP: LF Ralph Radney

Team Cy Young: SP Ron Petit

X-Factor:SP/RP 1B Luis Diaz

Young Gun: LHP Alberto Cerna

Davis: Salt Lake is going to be in some serious trouble this season. Beyond obvious team MVP Ralph Radney this team lacks offensive threats and it’s hard to see Radney lasting much longer in a Snappers jersey, especially after the offseason trade of Jeremy Costanzo. Luis Diaz is a nice pickup but it’s hard for this writer to see Salt Lake’s pitching hold up especially after all of the pitchers they have acquired over the years. They have been unable to find stability in their bullpen and unfortunately that sentiment holds true heading into 2025. Radney will put up another .325/.415/.450 season but it’s hard to see a scenario where he and Diaz produce enough to carry Salt Lake back to the SL. Ron Petit will try to bounce back from a lackluster year where he put up a 5.21 ERA over 96.2 innings as a Snapper. This isn’t out of the realm of possibility as the talent is still there for Petit to compete for a POY come season’s end. Diaz will be the team’s x-factor as he will be replacing Salt Lake City legend Jeremy Costanzo. Diaz will look to fill a void almost as big as the one left by Gordon Hayward when he left Utah to win back-to-back NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. Diaz is a good talent but the pressure for him to produce right away may be too much for the youngster. Alberto Cerna is the young player to watch for the Snappers. They have struggled to piece together a bullpen for a couple years now but Cerna has true impact potential at the stopper position and being left handed doesn’t hurt at all. Salt Lake is a team that is falling fast and this is going to be a big year for them to decide which direction they want to go. They might finish towards the top of the BL just based on their pedigree and experience but I’m not sure this team has enough to put together a sustained run.

San Diego Skylarks

Last Season Finish: 53-73 7th in the BL

Team MVP: SS Ryan Gomar

Team Cy Young: RP Luis Godolphin

X-Factor: RF Jose Favila

Young Gun: SP Travis Cannon

Davis: It is going to be a rough year in America’s Finest City. San Diego is still rebuilding but don’t expect the rebuild to end anytime soon. They are a team without much talent and most of their top prospects are years away from contributing. A surprise 7th place finish may leave Skylark fans longing for promotion but it really doesn’t look like this team will be going anywhere any time soon. THeir best player is SS Ryan Gomar, who struggled through 2024. A sub .300 OBP isn’t going to cut it at the higher levels of the CBA and with Scrappy Gonzalez gone he will have to step up his level of play and become the franchise player this organization so sorely longs for. Luis Godolphin had a great 2024, posting a 2.88 ERA over 93.2 innings. He struggled with control a bit but that’s to be expected in a league where good pitching really is quite rare. Jose Favila is an interesting name as he is projected to bat 2nd for the Skylarks in 2025. The right fielder pairs good speed with a great eye as he projects as a long term top of the lineup piece for a team that will struggle to score runs in 2025. Travis Cannon is definitely a name to watch as the young lefty has solid potential and could top out as a mid rotation starter. He will need to refine his command but that can be said for most young pitchers so there isn’t much downside to throwing him out there and seeing if he sticks. San Diego is going to be in trouble this season as they have a ton of roster question marks and it’s anyone’s guess who will make up the Opening Day roster. Doug Tausch and Ryan Gomar are the only ones who seem to have solid spots in the lineup and the pitching staff will be patchwork but SD fans shouldn’t be too disappointed as these kinds of rebuild efforts often bring about surprise talents that make the rebuild a lot more fun.

Wichita Weasels

Last Season Finish: 46-80 9th in the BL

Team MVP: LF Cameron Brasted

Team Cy Young:SP Chris Abbott

X-Factor: 2B Wally Richardson

Young Gun: SS/CF Matt Dutton

Davis: Wichita is in a very tough spot as the 2025 season nears. They have a couple superstars in Abbot and Brasted but not a lot of above average supporting players which probably means they are in for another sub .500 season in the BL. Brasted is a 5-tool superstar who really does everything well, but a move to LF may be coming in the future. His consistently great plate discipline pairs with above average power and contact to create the ideal CBA hitter. He has some trouble reading balls off the bat from the CF position but his offensive profile still holds up in LF. Chris Abbott is the team’s Cy Young and it’s not hard to fathom a top 3 finish in this season’s POY awards voting. Abbott relies on well above control to limit his walks and give his defense a chance to do the work for him. He’s a fantastic pitcher who would demand quite the return if the Weasels decide to move him. Wally Richardson will be a player to watch as will Matt Dutton. Dutton will be trying his hand at CF this season and Richardson will leadoff and play 2nd. Both players are 23 and hope to carve out roles with a Wichita team that has plenty of open roster spots. They along with Heliodoro De Mesquites may very well represent the future in Wichita so keep an eye out for the youngsters to contribute to the 2025 iteration of the Weasels. This team will not compete this year but look for a promotion push in the coming years if Wichita hangs onto Brasted and Abbott. Both superstars may very well find themselves on new teams by the time the Weasels are fighting for promotion but there is a solid talent base here that is sure to stir up some excitement in Kansas.

Standings Predictions

Davis

Iowa

Brooklyn

Boston

Houston

Salt Lake

Bay Area

Indianapolis

Wichita

San Diego

Carolina

Libinski