The Granite State Cardinals are poised for their fifth season in the GSBL, looking to break their postseason barrier after multiple attempts since 2021. Despite consistent playoff appearances, they haven’t gotten past the first round, a streak they aim to change this year.

The core of the team remains intact. Addison Hanscom and Ben Quick will continue to set the table at the top of the lineup, while Nick Lemay, Kevin Veilleux, Siul Mejia, and Frankie McCormick provide the power and experience in the middle of the order.

Oliver Victoria, Juan Arias, and Nick Vaughns add depth to the lineup, ensuring consistency throughout. Alex Strempel’s return from a medical hiatus bolsters the team’s morale and performance. Late-season additions from 2023, Jose Diaz, Nelson Sanabria and Kenny Tejada, now have a full season to contribute, enhancing the team’s depth.

Recognizing the need to inject youth into the roster, the Cardinals welcomed Fall standout Connor Cook and Christophe Arias to the offense.

In the upcoming season, pitching will be a pivotal focus for the Cardinals, starting with the return of Lemay, who is coming off a remarkable rookie campaign. Lemay’s 2023 performance earned him not only the Pitcher of the Year award but also the Rookie of the Year award.

Although Strempel’s return has added to the team’s pitching depth, uncertainties surround the status of veteran Rabel Vargas. However, thanks to the dedicated efforts towards recruitment, the Cardinals secured a cache of promising arms, including Mike Stocker, Phil Gangi, Tyler St. Cyr, Jon Dehoaz and Tim Flight. This infusion of new talent not only addresses immediate pitching concerns but also lays a foundation for sustained success for the future.

The team bid farewell to veteran Kenny Crowningshield, who retired, and “Big Rob” Vargas, traded to the Redbirds.

Aaron “Wolfcock’ Wovkanech continues as manager, though he officially retired as a GSBL player last season. Of course, he’s been saying that for years and keeps coming back.

With a blend of experienced veterans, promising newcomers, and strengthened pitching, the Cardinals are poised for a deep playoff run in 2024!