As a avid follower of the Fort Myers Miracle since 2014, there have been many ups and downs from the championship win that year, to have not gone to the playoffs in 4 years. But this year, things will change. The Fort Myers Miracle have a loaded lineup that is ready to win the Florida State League Championship.

My Prediction of the 2018 Roster

Coaches- Ramon Borrego, Steve Singleton, Henry Bollina

Pitchers- Vadim Balan, Carlie Barnes, Nick Brown, Christian Broussard, Edwar Colina, Randy Dobnak, Blayne Enlow, Calvin Faucher, Jared Finkle, Moises Gomez, Matt Albanese, Sandy Lugo, Kevin Marnon, Jose Martinez, Ryan Mason, Derek Molina, Jovani Moran, Patrick McGuff,Bailey Ober, Joe Record, Johan Quezada, Alex Schick, Ryley Widell

Catchers- David Banulos, Andrew Cosgrove, Bryant Hayman, Taylor Grzelakowski, Rainis Silva

Infielders- JJ Robinson, Ben Rodriguez, Carson Crites, Dane Hutcheon, Wander Javier, Royce Lewis, Jose Miranda, Andrew Bechtold

Outfielders- Matt Albanese, Akil Baddoo, Trey Cabbage, Mark Contreras, Alex Kirilloff

This roster has 2 first rounders and 6 out of the top 20 Twins prospects, all with great potential and will have a positive effect on the Miracle’s outcome in 2018. Here are some stats from the stand-out players on this year's team.

Royce Lewis- Lewis looks like he will live up to the hype of being the #1 draft pick in 2017. In the GCL and Cedar Rapids, Lewis hit .279 with a OBP of .381. Those are exceptional numbers compared to Buxtons first year with the Twins, he hit .216 with a OBP of .324. If Royce continues consistently hitting these numbers, he has a great change at becoming the next Twins breakout star.

Wander Javier- Javier is a very underrated prospect because in the Twins farm system Lewis and Gordon are in the spotlight as shortstops. In 2017 where he played in the GCL and Elizabethton Javier had an AVG of .301 and a .386 OBP. If either Lewis or Javier could switch to 2B then that would be a middle infield that could dominate offensively and defensively.

Alex Kirilloff- Kirilloff was a very promising prospect coming into 2017 but got stopped short when he tore his UCL and missed all of the 2017 season. However, before that Kirilloff dominated in the Appalachian League, earning the Appalachian Player of the Year. Kirilloff earned those honors by batting .306 with a .341 OBP

Blayne Enlow- Enlow pitched a total of 20.1 innings in the GCL after he got drafted in the 3rd round. Enlow posted a 1.33 ERA and gave up only 1 HR in those innings. Compared to the Rays first rounder Brendan McKay who pitched 20.0 who only had a 1.80 ERA and gave up 3 HR. Enlow has a fastball that reached the low-to-mid 90s and a developing changeup that he can throw in the low 80s.

Charlie Barnes- Barnes was drafted in the round after Enlow; the fourth round. Barnes played in Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids and put up a 2.61 ERA in the 48.1 innings he pitched and 46 SO for his 2017 season. Barnes has a 4 pitches that throw a batter off because he uses them properly keeping the batter off balance.

Ryley Widell- When Widell was playing for the Elizabethton Twins, he pitched 29.2 innings and averaged 12.44 SO per 9 innings pitched. Widell was picked in the 7th round this year and has a fastball that sits in the low 90s with a developing changeup and breaking ball.

I believe the trio of pitching newcomers Widell, Barnes and Enlow will dominate there opponents and carry the Miracle’s pitching staff. And the arrival of Lewis, Javier, Kirilloff, and Baddoo will bring the offensive fuel to bring a championship back to Fort Myers in 2018.

*not affiliated with the Minnesota Twins organization