Cuadra Brings Depth And Discipline To Miami Christian

Miami Christian baseball fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about the team’s outlook for the 2014 season. Second year Manager Chris Cuadra returns a roster stocked with a blend of youth, talent, and experience. Cuadra has fostered a culture of discipline on the team and his players expect to compete with the best schools in Miami-Dade County. The Victors will look to capitalize on their strengths as they compete for supremacy in Class 2A.

“Its their second time at the rodeo, so they know what to do,” Cuadra said. “They are more mature and come in knowing what to expect.”

The Victors endured the struggles of a 7-15 season in 2013 as they fielded a lineup with mostly underclassman. With a year’s experience under their belts, Miami Christian will look to take a leap in the standings in 2014. Cuadra’s group will battle in a three-team race with Champagnat and Brito for the rights to District 2A-15. If the Victors hope to make a run in the playoffs they know they will have to go through the long-time powerhouse Panthers.

“We know we have Brito in front of us and we know we’re capable of beating them. Its going to take all 18 guys to play sharp and execute,” Cuadra said.

Miami Christian’s playoff hopes will rest on their pitching and defense. Cuadra believes his team needs to be adept in those areas if they hope to contend with the heavyweights in Miami.

“We pride ourselves on pitching and defense because that’s how you’re supposed to win championships,” said Cuadra.

Junior pitcher J.C. Laser has emerged as the ace of the pitching staff. Llaser won three games and pitched just over 50 innings as a sophomore in 2013. Sophomore pitchers Cristobal Areanas, Chris Otero, and senior Chris Ramirez highlight the core of the pitching staff. In addition, sophomore Dominic Diaz will come in as the closer this season.

“Diaz is our go-to guy when we need a shutdown inning,” Cuadra said.

At the plate, the Victors will get a boost from a pair of transfers. Switch hitting shortstop Cristian Rivera and junior outfielder Chris Sanchez will add talent and experience to the lineup.

“Cristian is a tremendous, tremendous shortstop, so I expect him to do big things for us,” said senior David Lopez, a St. Thomas University signee.

The two will form a core with senior outfielder Miguel Perez (.385 BA, 21 RBI, 3 HR), Lopez (.380 BA, 21 RBI, 2 HR), and outfielder Johan Porras (.313 BA, 17 R) as the team’s top returning hitters.

“There is a lot of confidence within this team because we’ve worked hard as a group,” said Rivera, who is a St. Petersburg College commit. “This year hopefully we’ll make it a lot farther, maybe to states and see what we can do.”

Cuadra believes this team has sufficient depth and disclipine, two characteristics that were lacking in his first season as manager.

“Last year I only had 13 players, this year I’ll have 18 to 20 on the team,” Cuadra said. “When I came in there wasn’t much discipline and when I was at St. Thomas University we focused on being disciplined, and I’m bringing that to this team.”

With a solid structure in place, the Victors look and work like a college baseball team. The school built the team a new clubhouse equipped with lockers and a projection screen to watch game film. There are also plans to build a new baseball field on the other side of campus.

“Since we’ve started in the fall I tell them that its hard work and dedication that will allow them to succeed,” said Cuadra. “They are all uniformed now and they start practice at 3:45 on the dot and they’re done by 5:30.”

With only four district games to play, Miami Christian will get a true test of their ability in non-district play. The Victors open up with Miami Springs, where former Victors Manager Willie Vazquez is in charge. They also have match ups with 2013 2A state champion Westwood Christian, 6A contender Doral Academy, and 8A teams Coral Park and Varela.

Regardless of the opponent, the players believe Cuadra will put them in the best position to win games.

“He’s a really good coach and he knows his stuff,” Lopez said. “He goes out of his way to make sure every player knows what he’s doing and what he needs to get done.”

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