The Charlotte Sting, who just defeated the Brewers in 3 straight games, should be an interesting club this season. Pre-season predictions had them in the middle of the pack at .500.
But there is certainly the possibility of them exceeding this by a good deal.
As mentioned previously, they made a shrewd decision to pick up outfielder Bill Burkart in the Rule 5 draft this past off-season and he is providing great value (.306/.352/.433) in the middle of their order. He also gives them another sparkplug on the field (along with third baseman Ryan Martin.) 25-year old Tom Williams is having a fine rookie season (.327/.377/.434) and is a strong-armed fielder who rarely makes mistakes even is his range isn't spectacular. And speedy, toolsy 22-year old center field Jose Gutierrez is already established as the team captain. The only thing that keeps him from being a true 5-tool superstar is his weak throwing arm (though his HR power potential is probably only slightly above average as well.)
With spectacular middle infielders Mike Potter (shortstop) and David Flesh (second baseman, but who has won 2 Gold Gloves, 1 at second and 1 playing shortstop), they are a solid defensive team.
And they have a talented and pretty deep starting rotation. Durable 25-year old Mike Hiatt has shown that on his best days he is un-hittable, as he has 2 no-hitters already in his career, one of them a Perfect Game. And 27-year old Jalen Cotton is off to a great start this season. Other than indications that he might be a bit of a jerk, the biggest weakness for Cotton is that his 3rd pitch is a rather undeveloped curveball. The wild card for the Sting rotation is ace Lienhart Brown. The 23-year old native of Germany, who was the 1st overall pick in the 1969 draft, is extremely gifted but also, unusually for a knuckleballer, is very injury prone. A serious injury to Brown (or also fragile 5th starter Dean Olson, who is pitching very well) could change the complexion of the Sting season entirely.
The bullpen isn't great, but it is anchored by almost sure future HOF'er Jamel McNeil. McNeil is off to a bad start but has pitched well of late and when he gets into a groove he can be a shut-down multi-inning stopper. But he is also disruptive as heck.
So, if Charlotte can stay healthy and if they don't succumb to the potential for dissension with one of the most disruptive clubhouse influences in the game (McNeil) and a few other potentially troublesome (outspoken) players (Cotton, 4th starter Nick McDermott) and the selfish reliever Bill Campbell, as well as a few likable players who are known to not be very bright (David Flesh, Amari Williams, catcher Jessie Parsons), the Sting could be very good this year and into the future.
Then again, if injury strikes and morale sinks, so could this team.