State of the Broncos address

The Broncos have, arguably, the best talent in United League Baseball.

Pitching-wise, they've got two deadeye aces in righties Santo Hernandez (4-3, 3.29 ERA) and Gregorio Martinez (4-0, 4.61). They have a solid, solid third starter in Andy Schon (4-2, 4.50), and in relief, they have decent stability in Rusty Jones and Benny Cepeda, though it's obvious it's the bullpen that needs the most work.

Offensively, they're never out of a game. They have seven position players hitting over .300, three of whom are hitting over. 340.

Their No. 9 hitter (Anthony Bennett) bats .311, has 16 RBIs and has walked 23 times. Their top hitter, outfielder Dwayne White, recently held a 24-game hitting streak and is currently hitting .395 with 35 RBIs and 6 home runs.

Hernandez, Martinez, White and premier slugger Edgard Clemente aren't expected to be Broncos for long. Broncos GM Jose Melendez said major league scouts are already bugging him and that he expects their contracts to be bought by a big league club a lot sooner than later.

So why, exactly, is this club's record at 21-23 and it is not one of the top two teams in the league?

It's a question that's on everybody's mind, and rightfully so. But the answer is something the Broncos have no control over and are frustrated with every hour of each passing day.

Injuries. Lots and lots of injuries, especially considering that these injuries are happening to the core of the Broncos, including Arnoldo Ponce (.345, 21 RBIs, 3 HRs), Ivan Reyes (.246, 24, 6) and Clemente (.374, 38, 8).

All three are deadly run-producers who missed a great chunk of the last two weeks, the exact time the Broncos were set and ready to make a strong run at one of the two first-half playoff spots.

Ponce has had a quad injury that has forced him out of nine games. Reyes has had tendinitis that has forced him out of 10 games. Clemente, the face of the Broncos' lineup, has had a bum shoulder that has forced him out of 10 games.

And this isn't even accounting to the injuries suffered to Johnny Lopez (36 games missed), Mark Lewis (35 games missed) and Matt Lawman (11 games missed), all of whom are youngsters able to provide the energy, hustle and production to accomodate the veteran core.

There has been no stability or consistency. With the constant in's and out's of the players, manager Dan Shwam has been forced to move players about, placing them in uncomfortable spots.

Players that hit in the bottom of the lineup are now hitting in the top. Outfielders are playing the infield. Infielders are playing all over the infield, alway from their natural positions.

And still...the Broncos were maybe five or six wins from getting one of the top two first-half playoff spots and earning home-field advantage in the playoffs in August.

Instead, they'll have to settle for finishing as one of four teams with a top winning percentage once the season is complete.

Despite the onslaught of adversity and unfortunate circumstances, Broncos' officials are still more than confident.

This is a team that is loaded with talent. Period. It's not a matter of chemistry or getting players adjusted or what have you. It's a matter of getting players healthy and on the field.

It's as simple as that.

Melendez joked to me the other day that the Broncos are more than capable of finishing the year with the best record in the whole league when it's all said and done...and they still wouldn't have home-field advantage.

And he's right. Because when talking with other people around the league, the Broncos are not only one of the top four teams in ULB.

They're easily amongst the top two.