FLORENCE 2024 SEASON PREVIEW
FLORENCE, KY - The Florence Y'alls begin their 2024 season looking for redemption. The 2023 season marked Florence's third year of league play under the team name, the Florence Y'alls, as well as their second season playing at the newly named, Thomas More Stadium. Unfortunately, the 2023 season was a disappointing one for the Y'alls as they finished 20 games under .500 with a 38-58 record. They also missed the playoffs for the second straight season. Entering June 15th, 2023 the Y'alls were 17-11, with lots of excitement to begin the season, but an 11-game losing streak from June 28th-July 9th sent them to the gutter.
Success in the 2024 season will start and end with how second-year Manager Chad Rhoades makes adjustments. All offseason, Rhoades has been preaching a change in culture for his team, and after finishing with a 38-58 record in 2023, any change is a welcome one. With a year of managing experience now under his belt and a full offseason recruiting players that fit his mindset, Rhoades enters "Competition Camp" with optimism to craft a winning roster.
It's not all on Rhoades though, he will need his players to perform to their capability. Luckily for Rhoades and the entire organization, he will have some familiar faces returning who will look to build upon their 2023 success. Y'alls ace, Edgar Martinez, and the ageless wonder, Craig Massey, return to the 2024 roster with both coming off of 2023 Frontier League All-Star selections.
For Martinez, it was his third year with the club and also his best year. The flamethrower posted personal bests in Wins (8), Games Played (20), IP (108.2), and Ks (111). Every staff needs an ace who they can rely on and Martinez will look to fill the role again. On the offensive side, the Y'alls get to see fan favorite and team-hitting coach, Craig Massey, return for his third stint in Florence. Trying to describe Massey's continued success is beyond words. Now entering his age 35 season, he is coming off a year where he led the Y'alls with a .328 batting average, plus his best on-base (.422) and slugging percentage (.458) since 2014. Massey's presence and veteran leadership will be not only a huge boost to the lineup, but for the team's morale as well. The younger players can always look to the team "dad" for some hitting advice.
While the goal might not be to make the playoffs out the gate, it is certainly on the mind of the entire organization and the city of Florence as well. With a more experienced Rhoades at the helm and the right pieces in place, the Y'alls will look to bring glory back to their fans.
The Florence Y'alls are Northern Kentucky's Professional baseball team, and are proud members of the independent Frontier League, an MLB Partner League. With a purposeful focus on entertaining our fans, the Y'alls provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment. Y'alls home games are played at Thomas More Stadium, located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, Kentucky. More details can be found online at florenceyalls.com or by phone at (859) 594-4487.
