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| The Patriots baseball team huddles during a recent fall workout session at Goodlett Field. |
One week into the 2010 fall exhibition schedule, CF head coach Marty Smith's squad has displayed the components of a conference contender: a stingy defense, a mix of experience and potential on the mound, and the occasional game-changing swing at the plate.
"I think defensively we're going to be OK," Smith said. "From what I can see, I really like the speed and athleticism that I see in the outfield."
A particular standout in that area has been OF Yoenny Gonzalez, a promising freshman out of Coral Gables. Gonzalez has displayed impressive range in the outfield while also wielding a mean bat: he blasted the first pitch he saw this exhibition season over Goodlett Field's formidable fence for a three-run home run.
"He's been a real positive," Smith said.
Smith has also seen a pair of his returning sophomores exceed the level of play that made them all-Mid-Florida Conference second-team performers a season ago. Bradley Goodson has "anchored the infield" from his spot at shortstop, while Kyle Bright has been "outstanding" as he assumes his place at the front of a young, promising pitching rotation.
Overall, the Patriots are about where you'd expect at this point in the process.
"We've got some talented kids," Smith said. "But we've got some tweaking to do."
CF continues its preparations for spring on Saturday with a three-team tripleheader starting at 11 a.m. at Goodlett Field. The Patriots play the first and third games, while their travel-ball opponents face off in between.
