[Big Six]

Here is a quick look at each of the eight Finger Lakes League teams as they prepare for the start of the 1905 season. First, the four clubs of the West Division:


BATAVIA BLUE JAYS
Stadium: Dwyer Park
Affiliates: LeRoy Jellos (AAA), Caledonia Scots (AA), Avon Bards (A)

The Blue Jays will boast a hard-hitting lineup led by powerful 1B Hector Duran, who will undoubtedly contend for the home run title. C Jack Davis, the #3 overall pick in the inaugural draft, is one of the best young players in the league, a solid hitter and the league's best behind the dish. 2B Dean Miller and LF Ryan Tracy should also be worth watching.

The Jays' staff is less impressive, led by vets Larry Blevins and Dylan Russell. Andres Miranda looks like a quality closer. This team will go as far as its bats take it.


CANANDAIGUA CATS
Stadium: Lakeside Park
Affiliates: Waterloo Finches (AAA), Pittsford Canal Diggers (AA), Palmyra Prophets (A)

Canandaigua had the first overall pick in the inaugural draft, and to nobody's surprise, the Cats chose RHP Armando "Wonder Boy" Ramirez. The 6'7" Cuban righthander, has the league's best stuff, including a mid-90s fastball, and at age 27 should be in his prime. Southpaw Darryl Riggs, another fireballer, will provide the Wonder Boy with top-flight support. Youngster Gene Stephens is one of the league's best pitching prospects.

Italian import 2B Oliverio Ambrogliani, fleet CF Ramon Ramirez, and sweet-swinging 1B Terrence Barnett will be the offensive leaders for the Cats. 21-year-old LF Wally Blue looks like he'll develop into a power source one day.


CORNING GLASSMAKERS
Stadium: Corning Grounds
Affiliates: Penn Yan Brawlers (AAA), Hammondsport Harpoons (AA), Painted Post Braves (A)

A pair of southpaws, Chris Ratzlaff and Jose Rivera, give the Glassmakers two good arms at the top of their rotation, and their bullpen, led by closer Ryan Fisher, looks like a real asset. There's no room for young Jim Lee in their rotation yet, but his powerful left arm makes him one of the best mound prpspects in the league.

With LF Stu Fields, CF Milo Deal, and RF Dylan Anderson, the Corning outfield will be well-manned. 3B Ray Boyer and SS Jeffrey Pearson also look like they'll contribute, both at bat and in the field.


GENEVA GREEN SOX
Stadium: McDonough Park
Affiliates: Seneca Falls Sheepdogs (AAA), Lyons Lancers (AA), Newark Reds (A)

Scot Mathis, Steve Tate, Mel Moore, and Esteban Martinez give the Green Sox a quartet of good starters, all age 26 and under. The Sox will be counting heavily on them, because with the exception of 2B Rob Heard, the batting order looks ordinary at best.

Geneva went for youth in the inaugural draft, grabbing several intriguing prospects in the early rounds. Will fans be patient enough to wait for the deveopment of future stars like 3B Karl Lehman, 1B Brian Stephenson, and LF Fred White?