Usually, this time of year, after a mere glance at the Moon Area High School varsity baseball roster, it's obvious the Tigers are among the favorites in WPIAL Section 3-AAA.

The traditional power usually reloads and is a playoff contender before the first day of practice; last year was no exception as the team went 12-7 overall, 7-5 in section play and made it to the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals.

But this year, we'll get a look at the other side of Moon baseball, a young, rebuilding team.

There's talent on the club to be sure, but after graduating seven seniors from last year's squad, there are an abundance of position battles and plenty of question marks heading into the 2008 season.

"I'm confident in what we have. It looks like we have talent, but when the guys are young, you just don't know how they'll play," head coach Dom Santeufemio said last week, just days before taking the team to Florida for spring training.

"We have a lot of things that will have to be settled when we're down there. It's a different situation for us. We're used to having a bunch of guys come back who are veterans."

Pitching is the biggest question mark for the Tigers. Not only did the team graduate its top two hurlers from last season, but sophomore Nick Grace -- who gained valuable mound experience as a freshman in 2007 -- is out all season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

"Basically, what we're looking at is one senior and a lot of sophomores who are going to have to do their part," said Santeufemio.

Senior right-hander Zac Mangan is the most experienced of the Moon pitchers.

After than, any number of a vast group of pitchers could land starting jobs, including junior Nico Marocco and sophomores Brian Flannery and Brad Schnelle, all right-handers.

Junior shortstop Phil Bondi, who was among the Tigers' leading hitters last year with a .430 average, will be counted on to anchor an inexperienced infield.

The other infield spots are up for grabs. At first base, senior Ryan Busch and sophomore Mike Jefferys are competing for playing time. Junior Scott Liller and freshman Brett Hoffman could both see time at second base. Junior Nick Montgomery and sophomore Dom DeAngelis are in the mix at third.

Senior Ryan Suess is rock-solid behind the plate; sophomore Chris Crayton will serve as his backup

When he's not pitching, Berdine will play one of the corner outfield spots after hitting .400 last season.

Sophomore Zach Schmidt is the starter in center field after claiming that position as a freshman last year.

Juniors Pat Bear, Alex Knox and Marocco are among a host of players battling for playing time in the outfield.

"At any of these open positions there could be another guy I'm not even mentioning who could win the job," said Santeufemio.

"It's wide open."

The inexperience isn't rattling Santeufemio, who says that if the young players develop, Moon could compete in 2008.

The fact the Tigers play in brutal section 3-AAA doesn't help, though, as they'll have to compete with the likes of WPIAL Champion West Allegheny and always-tough Chartiers Valley and Hopewell.