SPAIN – Marlins Puerto Cruz has monopolized the Spanish League crown with four consecutive championships. And, heading into this weekend’s season-opener, club president Don Luis Dominguez has managed to keep one of Europe’s top baseball teams virtually intact over the winter.

The Marlins lost only one impact player during the offseason, catcher Dewis Navarro, who signed with Danesi Nettuno of the Italian Baseball League. Navarro, whose older brother Dioner handles the catching chores for the Tampa Bay Rays, hit .339 with 10 doubles and 25 RBIs last season for the Tenerife-based club.

Player/Coach Nestor Perez Jr. headlines an All-Star cast of returning players. The starting shortstop, who batted .333 a year ago, replaced his father as head coach at the beginning of last season.

2009 PREDICTED FINISH

1. Marlins Puerto Cruz
2. Sant Boi
3. FC Barcelona
4. El Llano
5. Viladecans
6. San Inazio Bilbao
7. Beisbol Navarra
8. CD Pamplona
9. Astros
10.Halcones De Vigo

The best pitching tandem in the league, Leslie Nacar and Ivan Granados, are both back to anchor the pitching staff. Nacar finished 10-1 with a 1.00 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 2008, while the left-handed Granados went 12-2 with a league-high 116 strikeouts and a 1.89 ERA in his debut with the Marlins.

Offensively, slugging first baseman Richard Montiel will be the focal point of a well-rounded lineup that also features centerfielder Daniel Martinez and new starting catcher Jose Luis Salazar. One of the most feared power hitters in Spain, Montiel topped the league with eight homers and 35 RBIs last year while batting .373.

Martinez is also a gifted performer who collected 41 hits, tallied 22 RBIs, stroked eight doubles, and scored 22 runs while posting a .315 batting average last season. Salazar hit .318 a year ago with six doubles and 15 RBIs.

SANT BOI
The re-tooled squad finished third in 2008 and failed to wrestle the crown away from Marlins Puerto Cruz. Spanish national team right-hander Yoel Hernandez departed for the Italian Baseball League (Danesi Nettuno) and starting catcher Orlando Diaz signed with FC Barcelona this past winter. To fill these holes, former El Llano catcher Javier Flores and pitcher Carlos Fente, and FC Barcelona’s William Domero were added to the roster.

Top returning players includes infielders Milko Jaramillo (.376) and Marc Carrillo (.348), staff ace Albert Vargas (9-3, 1.69), and designated hitter/outfielder Jose L. Riera (.322).

FC BARCELONA
The No. 2 team in the Spanish League last season lost two quality arms, Remigio Leal (6-2, 1.80) and Jorge Balboa (7-1, 1.57), who both will pitch in the Italian Baseball League this year. Also, William Domero left for Sant Boi. New players includes former Sant Boi catcher Orlando Diaz and Viladecans outfielder Jehan G. Machado.

Top returning players includes talented catcher Jesus Golindano (.400), Oscar Roman (.397), Felix Isasi (.311) and No. 1 starter Homer Baez (11-2, 1.12).

EL LLANO
Finished fourth in 2008 and lost several players (catcher Javier Flores and pitcher Carlos Fente) who received higher contact offers from other clubs. However, last year’s league batting champion Roberto Noriega (.458) turned down more lucrative contracts to remain with the Gijon-based club and will also be calling the shots this season as head coach.

Top returning players includes Pedro Mendez (.356), Javier J. Flores (.316) and Miguel Rizo (4-1, 2.08).

VILADECANS
The seventh-place squad a year ago in Spain’s highest league must replace pitchers Yulman Ribeiro (4-6, ERA 1.99) and Alberto Magallon (5-5, 2.23) who left for Fortitudo Bologna (Italy) and San Inazio Bilbao, respectively. Signed right-handed pitcher Delio Martinez, a native of Venezuela.

SAN INAZIO BILBAO
Finished fifth in the Spanish League last season and lured away veteran pitcher Alberto Magallon (5-5, 2.23) from Viladecans to join staff ace Pedro Belmonte (4-6, 3.89) to anchor an improved pitching rotation.

BÉISBOL NAVARRA
The No. 6 team last year in Spain lost numerous players during the offseason including catchers Gorka Andueza (.205) and Raul Aristu (.324); infielders Juan Latienda (.333), Javier Zabalza (.250), and Oscar Chocarro (.193); and staff ace Gernab Arroyo (5-5, 2.81). Free agent Carlos Pinto was signed to be the starting shortstop.

CD PAMPLONA
The eighth-place squad in 2008 re-signed both of their starting pitchers, Alexis Fumero (1-10, 6.37) and Patrice Briones (1-4, 2.84) for the upcoming season.

2009 SPANISH LEAGUE PRESEASON AWARDS

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Roberto Noriega, 3B, El Llano

PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Leslie Nacar, RHP, Marlins PC

SPANISH LEAGUE

UPCOMING GAMES

MARCH 14
BÉISBOL NAVARRA – SANT BOI
FC BARCELONA – VILADECANS
MARLINS PTO. CRUZ – SAN INAZIO BILBAO (DH)

MARCH 15
ASTROS – HALCONES DE VIGO (DH)
BÉISBOL NAVARRA – SANT BOI
EL LLANO – PAMPLONA (DH)
FC BARCELONA – VILADECANS

Photo courtesy of Canary Baseball and Softball Federation

Tags: Spain