Prior to the start of the new season in the Nationalliga A in Switzerland, Mister-Baseball.com talked to Chris Byrnes, head coach of the reigning Swiss champion Zurich Barracudas previewing the new baseball year.
Mister-Baseball.com: The Swiss Nationalliga A is starting this weekend. What are your expectations in general and individual?
Chris Byrnes: The Swiss NLA will have 8 teams this year with the Flyers and Barracudas with the most depth and talent so it figures to be a tight race between the two teams. The next teams will probably be a toss-up between the Challengers, Cardinals, Eagles and Frogs for the last two spots. The Devils and Bandits round out the league but appear overmatched.
My expectations for the Barracudas are high like last year. We have everyone coming back and we have two imports, Chris Michals and a new catcher/pitcher Tyler Wagner, who was playing minor league baseball the last years. We have also added a former player out of the Dutch League Jeroen Hermans to improve our depth.
Mister-Baseball.com: Which new import players will make an impact in the league?
Chris Byrnes: I know the Flyers have added two strong imports like last season a Lefty pitcher and infield/outfielder. Both reported on Mister-Baseball. The Challengers once again bring back Rob Sedin the pitcher/utility player and the Eagles are flying with Adam Greenberg again this season. The Frogs have new coach John Baum a long time Bern Cardinals standout, who will certainly improve the Frogs chances in 2016.
Mister-Baseball.com: Which young players could celebrate a breakout year in Switzerland this summer?
Chris Byrnes: In terms of breakout player, I would say Andi Rueesch pitcher for the Barracudas as he is becoming the best Swiss pitcher over the last two years. He has only been pitching for the last five years. Andi spent time in the off-season in North Carolina working with pitching guru Justin Ohrenduff to improve mechanics and velocity.
Other young players that improved were Bern Cardinals infielder Thierry Burkhart and pitcher Colin Bruce of the Barracudas. Bruce is attending high school in Texas and will unfortunately not play the next years with the Barracudas. The Swiss NLA is still waiting for the Eagles Yanik Probst to show his true talent and he could be another candidate.
Mister-Baseball.com: Which teams are favored and will win the championship in the Swiss Nationalliga A?
Chris Byrnes: In terms of the championship is concerned the Barracudas and the Flyers have battles the last two seasons and they have the best Swiss pitching so they seem to be the consensus to go fight it out again in 2016.