[illeracula]

Last season the Express finished with 80 wins, the most they have ever had. This team has struggled with payroll problems and wins over the years. They were plagued with bad management decisions, such as their highest paid current player, who takes up 28% of their payroll and is playing in AAA. Jorge Sanchez had a huge first year in the DBL then signed a 6-yr deal with the Express, and he hasn't lived up to any expectations or hype. He has been a payroll drag on this low-budget (#15th in the league @ $108,000,000), low payroll team (16th @ $81,895,000). Sanchez still has another year left on his contract!

Santiago Ortiz has been managing the Express since 2015 (246-338 .421 overall), after spending 2 years as the bench coach for the Richmond Cardinals. Has turned this team into a 2nd place team, at least that is what he believes he can do. Ortiz is in the last year of his contract, and he is hoping his performance this season will earn him an extension. Last year 80 win, this year 2nd place. Its not his fault that he plays in the same division as the Cavaliers!

The one thing this team has going on for them is their youth! Lead by 2017 rookie of the year Will Riley, who has put up consistent numbers his first two seasons in Ellicott City (.291-19-85 & .295-17-77). Riley was the #1 prospect in baseball in 2017 and he didn't disappoint. Its nice having a 23-year old catcher that you can build around, since top-notch catchers are hard to come by.

Riley, along with Doug Dook, who at 25, gives the Express and 3-4 punch that can last a few years. Dook doesn't hit for average, but he does play above average defense and he can hit the long-ball, hitting 25 two years ago and 30 last season. Dook is a player to watch, he can put up some big numbers and if the Express can continue to get runners on base Dook should be able to consistently drive in 100+ runs.

Their pitching staff has some solid young arms in it as well, with second year player, 25 year old, Pete Holbrook (7-17 6.24 last year) looking to gain on his experience last season and develop into the teams #2 man, and so far he it looks like he is well on his way 4-3 4.53 this season. And 22 year old rookie, Raimonod Bernasconi who is off to a 4-1 4.89 start this year. Between Bernasconi and Holbrook this staff looks to be developing into a solid rotation that will be feared in the future.

They are young and they have a below average minor league system, coming in at #13 in the latest rankings. Their top prospect falls in at #51 and is close to coming up to Ellicott to start throwing. He is currently in AAA, posting a 3-3 7.34 record. The Express management would like to see see Randy Pearce work on his control, which in-turn will lower his ERA and at 21 they have some time to let him grow and develop.

Overall this Express team hasn't had a lot of success over the years, but this year they have a goal of winning at least 82 games. Can they? Is it possible? The team is young so yes anything is possible... and you know someone in the front office is counting down the days when Jorge Sanchez comes off the books and 20+ million becomes available! The future is bright in Ellicott City...