Bradenton Marauders set to start seventh Florida State League baseball season

HOLMES BEACH -- General manager Rachelle Madrigal reflected on a specific date, Nov. 10, 2009, with her words to the group of fans gathering to meet this year's Bradenton Marauders.

It's a significant date in M's history.

Back then, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced minor league baseball was coming to Bradenton, which was made possible due to the Cincinnati Reds relocating their spring training from Sarasota to Arizona. The move ended the Reds' affiliation with the Florida State League.

"Starting a team from scratch, we were looking to build on the tradition the Pirates have been bringing to this community since 1969," Madrigal said in her speech at Tuesday's Meet the Marauders event on Holmes Beach. "And now, here we stand about to begin our seventh season of Bradenton Marauders baseball."

That season gets underway Thursday in Fort Myers; the home opener at McKechnie Field is slated for Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

The tradition that Madrigal mentioned has continued with a club that has routinely challenged for a playoff spot while producing top prospects that eventually landed in the major leagues.

Guys such as Gerrit Cole, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco all cut their teeth in Bradenton en route to reaching The Show in Pittsburgh.

Last year's home opener even provided fans for a glimpse into the future. In

that game, Bradenton reliever Brett McKinney, who is now in Double-A, gave up a game-winning two-run home run to Michael Conforto, who found himself starring in the New York Mets outfield during last fall's World Series after a fast-track through the minor leagues.

But what those who catch home games at McKechnie this summer will find is a Marauders club made up of several players that comprised either the West Virginia Black Bears, who won the New York-Penn League, or the West Virginia Power, who were a South Atlantic League playoff team, last season.

"This is one of the closest-knit groups," said Michael Ryan, who is entering his second season as Bradenton's manager. "They're all going to be coming together from West Virginia. So they know each other. They have each other's backs. They have huge hearts. Can expect a pretty good season."

Ryan said the club can hit and should put runs on the board.

And one of the offensive weapons at Ryan's disposal is a local product: former Southeast High star Michael Suchy. He hit .275 with 10 home runs and 76 runs batted in en route to South Atlantic League All-Star honors last season. Suchy credits the decision out of high school, despite his physical make-up that was ready for pro ball, to attend and play college baseball at Florida Gulf Coast University.

"I think college was a big key for me," Suchy said. "A big impact on my baseball career as far as being able to compete and being away from home."

And now he's back in his hometown after spending 2015 with the Power.

"Fans really loved the energy we brought every day," Suchy said. "And I think the people that will come to McKechnie every day will find that we're a group of guys that love the game, a lot of smiles on the field and really play the game hard."

While the offense has the look of a strength, the top of the rotation is another expected strong point for Bradenton to begin 2016. The club's ace is Yeudy Garcia, who earned the organization's pitcher of the year honors for all Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguers.

In West Virginia last year, Garcia posted a 2.10 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 124 1/3 innings pitched.

"He can throw any pitch at any time for a strike," Ryan said. "The way he competes, he's a bulldog out there. He knows he's better than who he is throwing to, and that's something you can't teach."

Jason Dill, sports reporter, can be reached at 745-7017. Follow him on twitter @Jason_Dill and like his Facebook page at Jason Dill Bradenton Herald.

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bradenton Marauders set to start seventh Florida State League baseball season ."