After its run to the Cape League championship in 2013, Cotuit slipped to 18-25-1 last season but made the West finals after sneaking into the playoffs. It’s a lesson – the Kettleers are always dangerous, no matter how their team looks. This season should be no different.

FIVE TO WATCH

1. Anfernee Grier
2. Jeren Kendall
3. Michael Paez
4. Duncan Robinson
5. Kyle Wright

NOTABLE

You can always count on speed in a Mike Roberts lineup, and there’s no shortage this year. Tulane’s Stephen Alemais stole 27 bases, while Coastal Carolina’s Michael Paez stole 19. Several other guys on the roster were in double digits/

For now, the Cotuit pitching staff doesn’t have a guy with a long, proven track record as a starter, but there are some solid pieces in the fold, led by reigning Ivy League Pitcher of the Year Duncan Robinson.

A pair of freshmen look like potential standout relievers, if they stick with that role this summer. Mitch Stallings of Duke struck out 54 in 45.1 innings, while Vanderbilt’s Kyle Wright owns a 1.09 ERA.

Will Haynie headed to Alabama after a strong high school career in Tennessee, but the 6-foot-5 catcher has yet to put it all together with the Tide, hitting under .200 in both his seasons.

If you’re starting from day one at Vanderbilt, you’re doing something right, and outfielder Jeren Kendall certainly is. He has hit .296 and stolen 18 bags for the Commodores this spring. He’ll follow in the footsteps of a number of Vandy outfielders who called Cotuit home in the summer.

Baseball America called Anfernee Grier the best player on a resurgent Auburn team this year, and the athletic sophomore seems primed for a big summer. He was among the SEC’s leaders in hits this season.

PITCHERS

Daniel Brown – SO – Mississippi State – JUCO star with a big fastball struck out 28 in 20.1 relief innings this spring
Justin Dunn – SO – Boston College – Had high ERA last year as a freshman but this season saved 5 games, struck out 46
Nick Eicholtz – SO – Alabama – Had 3.65 ERA, mostly as a starter, in season that was cut short in early May
Bernardo Flores – SO – USC – After limited action as a freshman, struck out 45 in 44.2 innings out of pen this season
Nick Lewis – SO – Baylor – Has been up-and-down in two seasons in Waco, with 4.14 ERA this spring
Duncan Robinson – JR – Dartmouth – Ivy League Pitcher of the Year had 2.62 ERA , 52 Ks & just 12 BB in 65.1 IP
Austin Sexton – SO – Mississippi State – After quiet freshman year, had 3.77 ERA in weekend rotation this season
Mitch Stallings – FR – Duke – Lefty led Blue Devils in appearances as a frosh and struck out 54 in 45.1 innings
Jon Woodcock – JR – Virginia Tech – Veteran southpaw struck out a team-high 69 with 3.73 ERA this season
Kyle Wright – FR – Vanderbilt – Top reliever for Commodores has 1.09 ERA, 53 Ks in 49.1 IP

CATCHERS

Will Haynie – SO – Alabama – Highly-touted catching prospect hit 8 home runs this season but batted just .195
Tim Susnara – FR – Oregon – Late-round pick out of high school hit .223 in first season in Eugene

INFIELDERS

Stephen Alemais – SO – Tulane – All-conference pick hit .312, stole 27 bases this spring
Spencer Gaa – SO – Bradley – Followed solid freshman year with .351 campaign this season
Casey Hughston – SO – Alabama – Emerged as standout this spring, hitting .332 with six homers and 12 stolen bases
Michael Paez – SO – Coastal Carolina – After strong summer in Prospect League, speedster hit .326 with 8 HR, 19 SBs

OUTFIELDERS

Matt Albanese – SO – Bryant – Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year last season hit .319 with 5 HR as a sophomore
Gene Cone – SO – South Carolina – Hit .257, stole 13 bags while starting every game for South Carolina this season
Anfernee Grier – SO – Auburn – Highly-ranked ahead of 2013 draft, followed steady debut with .323 average, 9 SB this year
Keenan Innis – SO – Georgia Tech – After injury cut short his freshman year, hit .314 as a sophomore
Jeren Kendall – FR – Vanderbilt – Wisconsin high school star fitting right in at Vandy, with .296 AVG, 7 HR, team-high 18 SB
Jack Klein – SO – Stanford – Late-round pick in 2013 hit .217 this season
Kort Peterson – SO – UCLA – Became regular contributor as a sophomore, hitting .274 and swiping 15 bags

Chasing a Title
Wareham's Andrew Calica doesn't yet qualify for the batting title, but if he gets there, he's on pace to win it.

Sneak Peek
An early look at some 2016 Cape Leaguers who are off to good starts in their college seasons.

Kettleers aim to be in the mix again