Around the horn: A glance at all 10 Florida State League squads heading into the 2024 season
The Florida State League is back and set for another go around with 10 teams competing in two divisions.
Last year, the Jupiter Hammerheads brought home the league championship, defeating the Clearwater Threshers 2-1 in a three-game, title series. No squad has won back-to-back FSL crowns since the Tampa Yankees did it in 2009 and 2010. The Daytona Tortugas, meanwhile, are looking for their first league banner since 2013.
So, what does the league look like heading into 2024?
Let's take a quick look around at each squad, including home ballparks, managers and top prospects to watch:
Bradenton Marauders
Parent club: Pittsburgh Pirates
Division: West
Home stadium: LECOM Park (Capacity 8,500)
Last Florida State League title: 2016
2023 record: 76-54 (2nd in West Division)
Manager: Jim Horner (first season)
Top prospect: Michael Kennedy, LHP (No. 15 in Pirates system)
Clearwater Threshers
Parent club: Philadelphia Phillies
Division: West
Home stadium: BayCare Ballpark (Capacity 8,500)
Last Florida State League title: 2007
2023 record: 79-50 (1st in West Division)
Manager: Marty Malloy (fourth season)
Top prospect: Aidan Miller, 3B/SS (No. 3 in Phillies system)
Daytona Tortugas
Parent club: Cincinnati Reds
Division: East
Home stadium: Jackie Robinson Ballpark (Capacity 4,200)
Last Florida State League title: 2013
2023 record: 56-72 (3rd in East Division)
Manager: Julio Morillo (second season)
Top prospect: Ricardo Cabrera, SS (No. 9 in Reds system)
Dunedin Blue Jays
Parent club: Toronto Blue Jays
Division: West
Home stadium: TD Ballpark (Capacity 8,500)
Last Florida State League title: 2013 (split with Palm Beach)
2023 record: 62-70 (5th in West Division)
Manager: Jose Mayorga (first season)
Top prospect: Arjun Nimmala, SS (No. 3 in Blue Jays system)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
Parent club: Minnesota Twins
Division: West
Home stadium: Hammond Stadium (Capacity 7,500)
Last Florida State League title: 2018
2023 record: 67-64 (4th in West Division)
Manager: Bryan Meyer (fourth season)
Top prospect: Walker Jenkins, OF (No. 1 in Twins system)
Jupiter Hammerheads
Parent club: Miami Marlins
Division: East
Home stadium: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium (Capacity 6,871)
Last Florida State League title: 2023
2023 record: 70-62 (1st in East Division)
Manager: Nelson Prada (second season)
Top prospect: Noble Meyer, RHP (1st in Marlins system)
Lakeland Flying Tigers
Parent club: Detroit Tigers
Division: West
Home stadium: Joker Marchant Stadium (Capacity 8,500)
Last Florida State League title: 2012
2023 record: 70-61 (3rd in West Division)
Manager: Andrew Graham (sixth season)
Top prospect: Max Clark, OF (1st in Tigers system)
Palm Beach Cardinals
Parent club: St. Louis Cardinals
Division: East
Home stadium: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium (Capacity 6,871)
Last Florida State League title: 2017 (split with Dunedin)
2023 record: 64-63 (2nd in East Division)
Manager: Gary Kendall (third season)
Top prospect: Chase Davis, OF (5th in Cardinals system)
St. Lucie Mets
Parent club: New York Mets
Division: East
Home stadium: Clover Park (Capacity 7,160)
Last Florida State League title: 2022
2023 record: 44-84 (4th in East Division)
Manager: Yucarybert De La Cruz (first season)
Top prospect: Colin Houck, SS (No. 7 in Mets system)
Tampa Tarpons
Parent club: New York Yankees
Division: West
Home stadium: George M. Steinbrenner Field (Capacity 11,026)
Last Florida State League title: 2010
2023 record: 61-69 (6th in West Division)
Manager: James Cooper (first season)
Top prospect: Roderick Arias, SS (No. 3 in Yankees system)
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida State League baseball teams set for 2024 minor league season
