Braddock Does It Bigger In 2014

Manager Victor Montalvo and the G. Holmes Braddock Bulldogs have returned bigger and better than ever.

While many high school teams will try to play “small ball” in 2014, the Bulldogs expect to play big and swing for the fences as they compete for a district title in 8A-15.

“Our expectations are always to compete for a district championship,” Montalvo said.

Last season, the Bulldogs fell short of those expectations after ending the season with a 9-14 record and a loss to eventual district champion Sunset in the quarterfinal. However, the program expects to be much improved this spring.

“We fell a little short last year, I think we didn’t play to our potential. We were a better team that our record reflected,” Montalvo said.

This time around Braddock expects to be much improved, after losing just five seniors to graduation.

“This year’s team is a little more advantageous than last year’s because we have more experience coming back,” Montalvo added. “Of the 22 guys we have, 18 have already played on varsity for at least a year.”

The Bulldogs were a team built on speed last season, but this year they will rely on power. Montalvo’s batting order touts three players who hit at least two home runs last season.

“This is probably the best offensive lineup in all my years at Braddock,” he said. “We’ve got power up and down the batting order.”

Senior Albert Rafael (.369 BA, 20 RBI, .508 SLG), Ivan Nunez (16 RBI, 2 HR) and Willie Padron (.328 BA, 17 R, 2 HR) are ready to put their power on display this season. Senior Anthony Alvarez also returns after hitting .388 with 17 runs and 3 triples last season.

“We have a few good hitters with some pop and I plan to turn those triples into home runs,” Alvarez said.

The Bulldogs will try to replace the production of first baseman Brian Hernandez (.394 BA, 12, 11 R, 6 2B). Coral Park transfer Tyler Sola is dealing with an injury but is expected to earn a starting spot at second base.

“One through nine, we’re going to be very solid in the batting order,” Montalvo said.

On the mound, opposing teams will have a tall order trying to score runs against Braddock’s pitching.

The Bulldogs may have one of the biggest staffs in Miami-Dade County. Sophomore Orlando Ribaulta is listed at 6-foot-8-inches, junior Sergio Pena stands at 6-foot-5-inches, sophomore Nelson Alvarez is 6-foot-4-inches and senior Abel Fernandez is 6-foot-2-inches. Their best returning pitcher is senior J.J. Marcos (Stillman College signee) who stands at only 5-foot-11 inches tall.

“He’s not a big strikeout guy but he works the count, throws strikes, and lets the defense make plays behind him,” Montalvo said.

With so many quality arms the manager is still looking for one of his pitchers to emerge as a clear number one starter.

“We do have a hoard of twos and threes which is always a good problem to have,” Montalvo said. “I’m looking for someone to step up and take that number one spot in the rotation.”

Their roster will be put to the test in the upcoming season during 15-8A play. The team finished sixth in the standings last season and struggled down the stretch losing their last five district games. Braddock feels many of those struggles were caused from within. Despite having a talented roster, the Bulldogs didn’t always play to their potential because of a lack of focus.

“Its different from last year because we didn’t have that much discipline. But this season we’ve made a lot of improvements in that department,” Marcos said.

Marcos and his teammates will need to be on top of their game if they hope to compete in their district.

Sunset High will be replaced by state title hopeful Coral Gables in league play. After their struggles last year, the team knows what it takes to win games  in the group.

“Our toughest competition is going to be between Coral Gables and Columbus, but I think we’ll be ready for them,” Marcos said.

The manager feels his team needs to play to their potential and they will be succesful no matter who the opponent is.

“There’s no easy wins in this district,” said Montalvo. “Its going to take us playing to our potential. If we don’t play to our potential we can’t worry about what anyone else is doing.”

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