PALMS LOOK TO BUILD ON SPRING, EMBRACE HIGH EXPECTATIONS

 MIAMI—The sun is setting on another spring training in South Florida, and for the Miami Palms, it marks the transition from preparation to performance. After an offseason that brought tweaks to the roster and refinements to the coaching staff, manager Scott Hatteberg and his club are ready to embark on a pivotal campaign.

"I like where we’re at," Hatteberg said after the team’s final exhibition game. "We got our work in, we stayed healthy for the most part, and I think we have a pretty good sense of who we are heading into the season."

A Rotation Taking Shape

The Palms' rotation is anchored by Manny Parra and Jarod Lantz, who both turned in strong springs. Parra, in particular, looked sharp, flashing improved command that could take his game to another level. Dylan Bundy, Erick Fedde, and Blake Johnston round out the staff, though questions remain about consistency at the back end. Johnston showed flashes of brilliance but also struggled with efficiency, an issue pitching coach Tony Rico has emphasized.

"We’re looking for guys to go deeper into games," Rico noted. "That’s going to be a key for us—limiting bullpen exposure and making sure our starters are giving us a chance to win every time out."

Bullpen Depth to be Tested

The relief corps figures to be a mix of stability and intrigue. Chris Martin has been a revelation, looking dominant in the late innings, while Jeremy Jeffress, Cody Allen, Wandy Peralta, Mike Morin, Brian Matusz, Adam Conley, and Braden Shipley offer depth and versatility.

"I think we’ve got a group that can handle a lot of different situations," said bench coach Forrest Davis. "It’s about getting outs when it matters."

Offensive Firepower

The Palms will rely on a mix of veterans and emerging stars to power the offense. Edwin Encarnacion remains a force in the middle of the order, with Nick Markakis, Brett Gardner, and Frank Sohn expected to be key contributors. Jaspero Gonzalez and Yairo Munoz will anchor the infield, while Chris Korb and Pat Grant provide power and versatility. Behind the plate, the tandem of Wellington Castillo and Matt Wieters should give the pitching staff solid support.

"We’ve got a lineup that can be tough to pitch to," hitting coach Joe Gras said. "We have some guys who can grind out at-bats, and we’ve got some guys who can change a game with one swing."

The Road Ahead

As the team departs their spring training home and sets its sights on Opening Day, there’s a quiet confidence around the club. Hatteberg, now entering another season at the helm, believes this group is ready for the challenge.

"We know it’s a long season, but we’ve got the pieces to be competitive every day," Hatteberg said. "Now, it’s time to go out and prove it."

With a mix of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming talent, the Miami Palms enter the season with expectations high—and an eagerness to meet them.

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