While most eyes are on Wilmer Flores progress, St. Lucie overall has been a solid unit to start 2012.
Their 28-8 record is the best in all of minor league baseball. Something they've managed without leading in more than a few categories, but areas that have made them an early force in the Florida State League.
Pitching leads the way with a league lowest team ERA of 2.67. They've collectively kept runners off base, walking just 103 batters in 313 innings and giving up the 2nd lowest number of hits in the league with 273. Their bullpen has been stellar, leading the league with 17 saves. Closer Adrian Rosario (0.00, 1.04) has the bulk of them under his belt, picking up 10 saves in 15 games.
Chase Huchingson and Cory Mazzoni have been outstanding parts of the rotation. Huchingson leads all St. Lucie pitchers with 30 strikeouts through 35.1 innings. Mazzoni hasn't lost a game yet. In 7 games he's 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA. Both pitchers have given up their share of walks, with Huchingson leading the way with 21, but the damage has been minimal. Mazzoni has allowed just 10 ER (3rd on team), Huchingson 10 (2nd).
Flores has so far done the job at the plate. His 39 hits is second to another top shortstop prospect, Daniel Muno, who has 40. Flores is hitting .315 in 34 games, and has struck out just 11 times. However, his 5 fielding errors leads the team, tied with Wilfredo Tovar and Richard Lucas. Flores defense has been a major area of concern and those results are proof he's still working on improving.
Cory Vaughn has brought the majority of the power with 8 home runs. But he's making that old tradeoff, striking out 31 times which is second on the club. Lucas leads with 33. Lucas has worked the walks though, with a team-leading 14.
Strikeouts haven't been a problem for the team, they're 246 K's is the second lowest in the league. Tovar has been punched out just 10 times in 110 at-bats. The team is also stealing at a steady rate. They're second in the league with 44 stolen bags. Outfielder Cesar Puello has been the leader there. He's got seven steals in his last five games.
St. Lucie also boasts the best home record in the league. The team is 14-3 at Digital Domain Park.
