OBREGON YAQUIS

Although Obregon had the seventh-best record in the LMP at 29-38 last winter, they snuck past Navojoa for the sixth and final playoff spot by accruing more points over both halves. Yaquis manager Eddie Diaz’s team should make the playoffs again, but isn’t likely to win a flag.

Newcomers Isauro Pineda, Mario Mendoza Jr. and Mauro Nieblas are hoped to improve what had been a fairly weak pitching staff, but that may be asking more than they’re capable of.

The Obregon offensive outlook is a bit more optimistic. Catcher Iker Franco may need to be replaced defensively in the late innings, but he still hit .282 with a team-best 14 homers last year. The sparkplug of the Yaquis is third baseman Agustin Murillo, the reigning Mex Pac MVP after hitting .345 with 11 homers and 47 RBI while committing just three errors in the field. Second sacker Carlos Valencia needs to rebound from a .230 season, however.