INDIANAPOLIS -- Five first-round draft picks highlight a list of 25 players who are en route to Indianapolis for the 2008 Triple-A Baseball season. The Indians' Opening Day roster will also feature 14 returning players and eight members of Pittsburgh's 40-man roster.
LHP Sean Burnett (2000), RHP John Van Benschoten (2001), RHP Bryan Bullington (2002), INF Neil Walker (2004) and OF Andrew McCutchen (2005) were all selected by the Pirates in the opening round of Major League Baseball's annual First-Year Player Draft.
Burnett (15 Triple-A starts, 4-5 record, 4.48 ERA), Van Benschoten (19, 10-7, 2.56) and Bullington (26, 11-9, 4.00) all spent significant time with Indianapolis in 2007. Van Benschoten also pitched in 11 games for Pittsburgh, while Bullington saw action in five contests for the Pirates.
Van Benschoten was the Tribe's 2007 Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year, while Bullington earned Comeback Player of the Year accolades. Bullington, a former Ball State University star who was born in Indianapolis, also earned the Indians' 2005 ERA Award after going 9-5 with a 3.38 ERA in 18 starts.
Walker and McCutchen spent most of 2007 with Double-A Altoona (Pa.) before receiving Aug. 17 promotions to the Tribe. Walker hit .288 with 13 HR and 66 RBI in 117 games for Altoona, while McCutchen batted .258 with 10 HR and 48 RBI in 118 contests for the Curve.
Four of Pittsburgh's Top-10 prospects will also start the campaign in Indianapolis. McCutchen (No. 1) and Walker (No. 2) are joined by 1B/RF Steve Pearce (No. 3) and INF Brian Bixler (No. 8).
Pearce covered four levels in 2007, starting with High-A Lynchburg (Va.) and finishing with Pittsburgh. Named Minor League Baseball's Player of the Year by MiLB.com & Topps, he collected 31 HR and 119 RBI while hitting better than .300 at three of the four stops.
Bixler, who was named the Tribe's 2007 Most Valuable Player, hit .274 with five HR and 51 RBI in 129 Triple-A affairs. He also earned International League Mid-Season and Postseason All-Star honors.
RHP Jonah Bayliss (16 Triple-A appearances, 3-2 record, 7.06 ERA), RHP Jesse Chavez (46, 3-3, 3.92), RHP Luis Munoz (3, 2-1, 3.12), C Carlos Maldonado (46 Triple-A contests, .219 average, 1 HR, 19 RBI), INF Adam Boeve (29, .277, 4, 6), INF Matt Kata (19, .278, 2, 5) and INF Luis Ordaz (102, .302, 3, 36) also return in 2008.
The list of newcomers includes RHP T.J. Beam, RHP Jason Davis, RHP Marino Salas, RHP Romulo Sanchez, RHP Ty Taubenheim, RHP Mike Thompson, C Raul Chavez, C Michel Hernandez, INF Josh Wilson, OF Jorge Cortes and OF Kevin Thompson.
Beam (Scranton/W-B, 29 appearances, 4-3 record, 3.59 ERA), Taubenheim (Syracuse, 19, 4-7, 6.37), R. Chavez (Scranton/W-B, 86 games, .221 average, 4 HR, 31 RBI), Hernandez (Durham, 51, .276, 4, 19) and K. Thompson (Scranton/W-B, 77, .281, 5, 37) all spent significant time in the International League a season ago.
Salas (Nashville, 14, 0-1, 4.94) and M. Thompson (Portland, 23, 4-11, 6.24) come over from the Pacific Coast League, while Davis (Cleveland, 8, 0-0, 4.76 and Seattle, 16, 2-0, 6.31) and Wilson (Washington, 15, .053, 0, 0 and Tampa Bay, 90, .251, 2, 24) join the Indians after spending a good portion of 2007 in the big leagues.
Sanchez has been promoted from Altoona after going 6-3 with a 2.81 ERA in 40 Double-A tilts a year ago, while Cortes hit .293 with two HR and 38 RBI in 112 games for Double-A Tennessee.
Bullington has been designated as the Tribe's Opening Day starter, while Davis, Munoz, Taubenheim and Van Benschoten will also begin the year in the starting rotation. Bayliss, Beam, Burnett, J. Chavez, Salas, Sanchez and M. Thompson will see action out of the bullpen.
Maldonado, Hernandez and R. Chavez will fight for playing time behind the plate, while Boeve (1B), Walker (3B), Bixler (2B/SS), Ordaz (2B/SS), Kata (2B/SS/3B) and Wilson (2B/SS/3B) will compete for innings at the other four infield positions. Cortes, McCutchen, Pearce and K. Thompson will be the club's four outfield options.
Manager Trent Jewett will lead Indianapolis for a fourth straight year, while Hitting Coach Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens, Trainer Jose Ministral and Strength & Conditioning Coach Mubarak Malik also return to the Tribe's 2008 field staff.
The lone newcomer to the Indians' field staff is Pitching Coach Ray Searage, who spent the past two seasons in the same capacity for Altoona. He replaces Jeff Andrews, who is now pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The regular season begins on Thursday when Indianapolis travels to Pawtucket for a 7:05 p.m. contest.
Opening Night at Victory Field is Friday, April 11, when the Indians entertain Norfolk at 7:15 p.m. The Tribe is guaranteeing warm weather for the home opener. If the game starts with a temperature of below 60 degrees, everyone in attendance will receive a FREE ticket to another home game in April.
Season-ticket packages are available by visiting Indianapolis Indians: Home or calling 317-269-3545 ext. 258. Single-game tickets are available by going on-line, visiting the Victory Field Box Office or calling Ticketmaster at 317-239-5151.
Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees Opening Day Roster Set
International League
Moosic, PA - The New York Yankees have released the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees 2008 opening day roster. Eleven members of the 2008 squad spent time with the SWB Yankees during the 2007 season. In addition, 12 players on the opening day roster spent time in the Major Leagues during the '07 campaign.
Pitchers Chris Britton, Kei Igawa, Scott Patterson, Edwar Ramirez, Darrell Rasner, Jose Veres, and Steven White all appeared in games with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre during 2007. While not a Yankee in 2007, pitcher Dan Giese is very familiar with PNC Field having spent the 2003 - 2006 seasons as a member of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. Eric Duncan, Alberto Gonzalez, Justin Christian and Brett Gardner are the returning position players from 2007.
INF Nick Green (Mariners), OF Jason Lane (Astros, Padres), C Chad Moeller (Reds, LA Dodgers), LHP Heath Phillips (Chicago White Sox) and INF Cody Ransom (Astros), all saw time in the Major Leagues in 2007 and will bolster the depth and experience of the team.
RHP Alan Horne, RHP Jeff Marquez and C Jason Brown spent all of 2007 with the Eastern League champion Trenton Thunder. 1B Juan Miranda began the '07 season with Tampa of the Florida State League before finishing the season with the Eastern League champs. INF Bernie Castro (Columbus Clippers), OF Greg Porter (Arkansas Travelers, Salt Lake Bees) and RHP Scott Strickland (Portland Beavers) round out the 2008 Yankees roster.
Manager Dave Miley, who guided the Yankees to an International League best 84-59 record in 2007, is back at the helm and will be joined by returnees; hitting coach Butch Wynegar, coach Alvaro Espinoza and athletic trainer Darren London. The newcomer to the field staff for 2008 is pitching coach Rafael Chaves.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre opens the 2008 regular season at PNC Field on Thursday, April 3rd with a 7:00 pm first pitch against the International League's new franchise, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
SALT LAKE CITY - The Salt Lake Bees today released the 24-man roster for opening day of the 2008 Pacific Coast League season.
"Once again the Angels have provided us with a talent-filled roster as we continue to be a critical link in one of the most consistently strong farm systems in baseball," said Salt Lake Bees General Manager Marc Amicone. "Bees fans will have the opportunity to watch Angels top prospects prepare for the big leagues."
On the mound, Salt Lake will return seven pitchers who saw action for the Bees in 2007 while welcoming the Angels number two prospect and 2003 Baseball America Youth Player of the Year Nick Adenhart. Kasey Olenberger, who finished 2007 with a 10-7 record and 5.25 ERA, returns to the Bees for his third season.
In the infield, Salt Lake will once again feature the 2005 Minor League Baseball Player of the Year, Brandon Wood. Wood begins his second consecutive season ranked as the number one prospect in the Angels system by Baseball America after making his major league debut in 2007. Kendry Morales, who played 43 games with the Angels in 2007, returns to Salt Lake for a third straight season.
2007 PCL All-Star Terry Evans will team up with newcomer Dermal (Dee) Brown, a former league foe with the Sacramento River Cats, to roam the outfield for the Bees. Behind the plate, Salt Lake will have big league experience in Ryan Budde and talented youth in Bobby Wilson to start the season.
The Salt Lake Bees begin the 2008 PCL season on the road against the Las Vegas 51s on Thursday, April 3 at 7:05 p.m (MT). For more information about Bees season tickets, which start as low as $7 per game, please call 325-BEES.
ALTOONA- A mix of returning players and fresh, new faces make up the list of 24 players Altoona Curve players who arrived at Blair County Ballpark on Monday. 13 of the 24 players have previously played for the Curve, while the other 11 will be wearing Cardinal and Hunter Green for the first time.
Highlighting the familiar names returning to Altoona are three pitchers - starter Yoslan Herrera and relievers Dave Davidson and Chris Hernandez - who combined to make 106 appearances for the 2007 Curve. Herrera, the Cuban-born right-hander who made his United States pitching debut with the Curve last season, will anchor the club's starting rotation. Davidson pitched in 39 games out of the Curve bullpen in 2007 before being promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis in mid-August. The left-hander went on to make his major league debut with Pittsburgh in September. Hernandez has pitched in 84 games for Altoona over the previous two seasons, boasting a 6-1 record and solid 2.86 ERA in 42 appearances in 2007.
Other pitchers assigned to the Curve roster who appeared for the 2007 club are Ronald Belisario, a member of the Pirates' 40-man roster, Kyle Bloom, Patrick Bresnehan and Derek Hankins. Right-hander Brian Rogers, who pitched briefly for the Curve during the 2006 season before being promoted by Pittsburgh, returns to the Altoona bullpen.
Returning position players are headlined by first baseman Jason Delaney and infielder Jason Bowers, who each enjoyed solid offensive seasons for the 2007 version of the Curve. Delaney, who was leading the Class-A Carolina League in batting average (.340) when he joined Altoona last June 26, hit .265 with seven home runs and 35 RBI in 65 games. Bowers played in more games than any returning player, seeing action in 113 games on the Curve infield and batting .272 with eight homers, 51 RBI and a career-high 16 stolen bases. Outfielder Brad Corley, the Pirates' 2nd round pick in the 2005 Draft and the organization's 10th-rated prospect according to Baseball America, will open the season with the Curve after appearing in 10 late-season contests for the club in 2007. Catcher Milver Reyes is the only current position player, who opened the 2007 campaign with the Curve. Outfielder Pedro Powell also has previously played for Altoona, appearing in four games for the club during the 2006 Eastern League playoffs.
Among the 11 new faces, seven have previous experience at the Double-A level or higher, including Pirates' 40-man roster pitcher Jimmy Barthmaier, who was claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh from the Houston Astros last November. The 24-year old right-hander went 2-9 with a 6.20 ERA in 24 games (16 starts) for Double-A Corpus Christi in the Astros' system in 2007. Catcher Miguel Perez and infielder Melvin Dorta have previous major league experience - Perez with Cincinnati in 2005 and Dorta with the Washington Nationals in 2006. Other veteran newcomers are pitchers Corey Hamman and Josh Hill, infielder Luis Cruz and outfielder Anthony Webster.
Only four players - right-handed pitcher Kevin Roberts, infielder Shelby Ford and outfielders James Boone and Jonel Pacheco - do not have previous experience at the Double-A level or higher. Roberts was acquired by Pittsburgh in an off-season trade that sent major league right-hander Salomon Torres to Milwaukee. Ford, the Pirates' 3rd round selection in the 2006 June Draft, is one of the Pirates' top minor league prospects. The switch-hitting second baseman, who was a Carolina League Postseason All-Star selection with Class-A Lynchburg in 2007, is rated by Baseball America as the Bucs' No. 6 prospect entering the season. Boone was the Pirates' 3rd round draft pick in 2005, following fellow outfielders Andrew McCutchen (1st round) and Brad Corley (2nd round). Pacheco opens the season at the Double-A level despite having played only nine career games at the High Class-A level (all with Lynchburg in 2007). The 25-year old outfielder enjoyed a huge offensive season with Low Class-A Hickory in 2007, batting .314 with 27 home runs, 99 RBI and 18 stolen bases.
The Curve will be led by third-year manager Tim Leiper, who has posted a winning mark of 148-132 (.529) over his first two seasons as Altoona's skipper. Leiper will be joined on the bench by pitching coach Brad Holman, hitting coach Brandon Moore, athletic trainer Thomas Pribyl and strength coach Brandon McDaniel.
Altoona will open its Tenth Anniversary Season on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. against the Reading Phillies at Blair County Ballpark. Highlighting the festivities surrounding the Curve's Home Opener will be a special appearance by Pittsburgh Steelers legend and Curve Ownership Partner Jerome Bettis. "The Bus" will toss out the season's ceremonial first pitch prior to the game. Other promotions include a Curve Schedule Magnet giveaway to the first 5,000 fans courtesy of AIG, Post-Game Fireworks and the club's first "Thirsty Thursday" of the season, featuring soda and beer discounts throughout the night. Ballpark gates will open 90 minutes early at 5 p.m.
Great seats remain for Thursday's Home Opener and the rest of the club's season-opening, seven-game homestand, which runs through Wednesday, April 9. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Blair County Ballpark Ticket Office during normal business hours, by calling toll-free (877) 99-CURVE or by logging on to AltoonaCurve.com.
o Right (9): Barthmaier, Belisario, Bresnehan, Hankins, Hernandez, Herrera, Hill, Roberts, Rogers
- Catchers (2)
o Right (2): Perez, Reyes
o Left (0)
o Switch (0)
- Infielders (5)
o Right (4): Bowers, Cruz, Delaney, Dorta
o Left (0)
o Switch (1): Ford
- Outfielders (5)
o Right (2): Corley, Pacheco
o Left (1): Webster
o Switch (2): Boone, Powell
CURRENT 24-MAN ALTOONA CURVE ROSTER BY THE NUMBERS
- 13 previously played for the Curve (Belisario, Bloom, Bowers, Bresnehan, Corley, Davidson, Delaney, Hankins, Hernandez, Herrera, Powell, Reyes, Rogers)
- 12 were originally drafted or signed by Pittsburgh (Bloom, Boone, Bresnehan, Corley, Davidson, Delaney, Ford, Hankins, Hernandez, Herrera, Powell, Reyes)
- 4 are members of the Pittsburgh Pirates' 40-man roster (Barthmaier, Belisario, Davidson, Herrera)
- 4 were on the Curve's 2007 Opening Day roster (Davidson, Hernandez, Herrera, Reyes)
- 4 have previous major league experience (Davidson, Dorta, Perez, Rogers)
- 4 are making their Double-A debuts with the Curve (Boone, Ford, Pacheco, Roberts)
CURRENT 24-MAN ALTOONA CURVE ROSTER BREAKDOWN BY NATIVE COUNTRY
- United States (15) - Barthmaier, Bloom, Boone, Bowers, Bresnehan, Corley, Delaney, Ford, Hamman, Hankins, Hernandez, Powell, Roberts, Rogers, Webster)
The Harrisburg Senators released their 2008 Opening Day roster today, featuring a mix of promising prospects and experienced veterans. Nationals 2007 Minor League Player of the Year Justin Maxwell, Mike Daniel and Roger Bernadina headline a speedy outfield while five pitchers boast major-league experience.
Maxwell was the only player in the minor leagues to post 25 doubles, 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases last season. The Maryland native was called up to the majors last September and hit a grand slam in his third big-league at-bat. Daniel led all Nationals minor leaguers with 143 hits and set a career high with 25 stolen bases last season. He was a South Atlantic League All-Star for the Hagerstown Suns (Low-A). Bernadina was a mainstay atop the Harrisburg lineup last year, stealing a career-high 40 bases and swatting a pair of grand slams. Jorge Padilla provides a veteran presence in the outfield. This is Padilla's 11th professional season and fourth in the Eastern League.
South Atlantic League batting champion Andrew Lefave joins the Senators to start his first season in the Nationals organization. His .345 batting average with West Virginia (Low-A Brewers) was the third-best in the full-season minors last year. Marco Yepez returns to the Harrisburg infield for the third season after batting .291 in 63 games for the Senators last season. Ian Desmond begins his second season with the Senators. The 22-year-old shortstop bounced back from a rough 2006 in Harrisburg with a strong campaign in Potomac last year. Ed Rogers, Yurendell De Caster and Luis Jimenez bring experience to the infield. Rogers begins his 11th professional season and has played 30 games for the Baltimore Orioles during parts of three seasons. De Caster starts his 12th season as a pro after spending the last three years at Indianapolis (Triple-A Pirates). This is the 10th year in professional baseball for Jimenez, his fourth in the Eastern League. Still just 25 years old, Jimenez hit .328 with 22 home runs and 79 RBIs last season for Bowie (Double-A Orioles).
Javi Herrera and Luke Montz return to form the catching corps. Herrera hit .257 in 39 games for the Senators last season after being traded from the Cleveland Indians organization. Montz ripped five home runs in 40 games in Harrisburg in 2007.
The Harrisburg pitching staff features three left-handers, two of whom have pitched in the major leagues. Eude Brito pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies in parts of 2005 and 2006. Brito, 29, battled injuries throughout last season at Triple-A Ottawa. Arnie Munoz pitched in 13 games for Washington last season after a dominant campaign at Triple-A Columbus. Mike Hinckley joins the bullpen for his third season as a Senator. He played for Harrisburg in 2004 and 2007, both times as a starter.
One-time first-round draft pick Bobby Brownlie heads the Senators' right-handed pitchers. Brownlie started last season with unaffiliated Newark before signing with the Indians and posting a 3.17 ERA with Akron. Josh Hall, a one-time major leaguer for the Reds, returns to Harrisburg for his second season on City Island. Last year the right-hander worked primarily as a reliever. Right-hander Shairon Martis gets his first extended taste of Double-A baseball after winning 14 games for Potomac in 2007. The 21-year-old paired with Roger Bernadina to lead Team Netherlands to a championship in the European Olympic qualifier this off-season. Beltran Perez returns to Harrisburg for his third season. Josh Perrault joins the Senators bullpen after pitching four games in Harrisburg last season. He spent most of 2007 with Potomac. He worked primarily as a starter in 2006 and 2007, but will come out of the bullpen to start the year. The 26-year-old was effective in limited action for Washington in 2006. Levale Speigner is another right-handed reliever who brings major-league experience to the bullpen. Speigner, 27, started last season with the Nationals before being sent to Triple-A Columbus. Jim Ed Warden brings his sidewinding delivery to Harrisburg after seven years in the Indians organization. He pitched in relief for Akron and Buffalo (Triple-A) last season. Marco Estrada and Ismael Ramirez round out the right-handers on the staff.
John Stearns skippers the Senators for the second time after managing at Triple-A Columbus in 2007. The four-time National League All-Star catcher led Harrisburg to a 67-75 record in 2006. He is again joined by pitching coach Rick Tomlin, who begins his fourth consecutive year in Harrisburg. Hitting coach Troy Gingrich joins the Senators after serving in the same capacity last year in Potomac. Gingrich played for the Senators as an outfielder in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Trainer Beth Jarrett returns for her fourth season in Harrisburg and seventh in the Expos/Nationals organization. Mike Jones joins the Senators for his first season as a strength and conditioning coach in the Nationals organization.
The average age for the Opening Day player roster is 26.1 years old. Last year's Opening Day roster was 27.4 years old. Nine of the 24 players have logged time with Harrisburg prior to 2008.
The Senators will hold a public workout Tuesday, April 1st at Commerce Bank Park. The night starts with the introduction of the Klubhouse Kids, presented by United Concordia at 4:45 PM. Players and coaches will be available to the media for interviews and pictures 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM. The team will then work out under the lights. Gates open to the public at 6:00 PM with free admission. Hot dogs, popcorn, Pepsi, coffee and hot chocolate will be available at no charge.
The 2008 season begins on Thursday, April 3rd at Commerce Bank Park when the Senators host the Cleveland Indians' Eastern League affiliate Akron Aeros. The 2008 season marks the 22nd season for the Senators since baseball returned to City Island in 1987. For more information about the 2008 season, please check out the Senators website at Harrisburg Senators - Professional Baseball - Official Site.
AKRON, OH - A slew of familiar faces will don the road grays for Akron on Opening Day April 3rd in Harrisburg, as 14 of the 24 players on the roster will be making their second tours with the Aeros the team announced today.
"Certainly our roster will undergo the same changes every team experiences with promotions, injuries, trades and the like, but having such an experienced club should be a big help for getting off to a fast start this season," said Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh. "At the same time, those players getting their first taste of Double-A have proven they they're ready for this challenge."
An experienced outfield leads the way offensively, with 2007 starters Trevor Crowe and Ryan Goleski both back to roam the Canal Park gaps. Crowe (133) and Goleski (128) combined for over 250 starts last year, with Crowe leading the team with 87 runs scored and Goleski ranking second on the club with 73 RBI. Joining them are 2005 Eastern League Playoff MVP Nathan Panther and newcomer Jose Constanza, who hit .274 and swiped 39 bags as the table-setter for a potent Kinston lineup.
The infield should be one of the strongest in the league, featuring a pair of first-round picks in Michael Aubrey and Matt Whitney and two second-round choices in Wes Hodges and Josh Rodriguez. Aubrey and Whitney, who have both battled injuries since their selections in 2003 and 2002, respectively, will both look to build on their 2007 campaigns. Aubrey's 256 at-bats between Kinston and Akron were his most since 2004, while Whitney recovered from the complications of a gruesome leg injury sustained in 2003 to mash 32 home runs and 113 RBI between Kinston and Lake County.
Hodges and Rodriguez are expected to man the left side of the infield at third base and shortstop predominantly, and both had marvelous seasons in Kinston last year. Hodges hit .288 with 15 homers and 71 RBI, while Rodriguez hit .262 with 49 extra-base hits (including 20 homers), 82 RBI and 21 steals, becoming the first 20-20 man for the K-Tribe since Jon Nunnally in 1994. Also in the infield are Chris de la Cruz and minor league free agent Brandon Chaves, who knows the Eastern League well after spending the majority of the last four years with the Altoona Curve.
The versatile Chris Gimenez brings power to spare to the catcher position after hitting 20 homers for Kinston last year and adding six more for the Aeros, and can also play both corner infield and outfield spots. Veteran Armando Camacaro is the backup.
On the hill a quartet of impressive hurlers will make the jump to Akron, as right-handers Kevin Dixon, Frank Herrmann and Sung-Wei Tseng teamed with southpaw Ryan Edell to post 38 wins for Kinston last season. Returning to Akron once again is 12-game winner Chuck Lofgren, as well as Canton native Shawn Nottingham. T.J. Burton, Bubbie Buzachero, side-armer Randy Newsom and Jeff Stevens should comprise the bulk of the bullpen.
The Aeros open the 2008 season April 3rd in Harrisburg as part of a week-long road trip before the home opener April 10th against the Bowie Baysox at 7:05 p.m. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.
Top Prospects Plouffe And Swarzak Highlight Rock Cats 2008 Opening Day Roster
Eastern League
New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats have finalized their 2008 Opening Day Roster and the group of twenty-four includes a record seventeen returnees - including 2 former first round draft picks - and six players who Baseball America rank among the Minnesota Twins' best overall prospects.
Among the players returning to New Britain to start the 2008 Season are 21-year-old INF Trevor Plouffe - New Britain's 2007 Player of the Year; 22-year-old RHP Anthony Swarzak, one of the top pitchers in the Eastern League over the second half of 2007, and; 23-year-old Matt Moses, a former #1 draft pick who has recently been converted from Infielder to Outfielder.
New Britain's 2008 Opening Day Roster is comprised of 14 Pitchers, 2 Catchers, 5 Infielders, and 5 Outfielders. Two of the Pitchers - left-handers Errol Simonitsch and Jose Mijares - are recovering from injuries and will start the season on New Britain's Disabled List. Of the 12 active hurlers, four are southpaws - returnees Jason Miller, Ryan Mullins and Jay Sawatski - while Ben Julianel is a newcomer acquired in the offseason from the Cleveland organization. The staff's right-handers, in addition to Swarzak, are returnees Armando Gabino, Yohan Pino, David Shinskie, and Oswaldo Sosa. Set to make their first appearances in the Hardware City in 2008 are Kyle Aselton, Zach Ward, and a highly-touted Rhode Island native, Jay Rainville. All three were at Ft. Myers in the Single-A Florida State League last year.
The 2008 Catching corps will be include Drew Butera and 23-year-old University of Nebraska product, Jeff Christy. Both have Eastern League experience; the 24-year-old Butera is the son of former New Britain manager (1995), Sal Butera.
In addition to Plouffe - the Twins' #1 Draft choice in 2004 - the New Britain Infield includes two very capable returnees who were Eastern League All-Stars, Felix Molina (2006) and Luke Hughes (2007). Moreover, the Rock Cats 2007 Home Run leader - 24-year-old Brock Peterson - and Steve Tolleson, son of former big leaguer Wayne Tolleson, are also en route to New Britain. The 23-year-old Peterson swatted 15 HRs for the Rock Cats in 2007.
The Rock Cats new Outfield will include an interesting mix of Double-A rookies and New Britain vets. In the latter category, 23-year-old Matt Moses - selected by Minnesota in the 1st round of 2003 - and 22-year-old David Winfree, taken in the same draft, will be patrolling the New Britain outfield in 2008. Both Virginians have played in New Britain previously, but as infielders; as outstanding athletes and hitters, both are now being converted to corner outfielders. Joining them in the OF is fellow returnee, 23-year-old Brandon Roberts - and two rookies who will be making their Eastern League debuts: Erik Lis, who gained notoriety when he homered off Roger Clemens in Single-A ball last May, and 23-year-old Dustin Martin, who came over from the Mets last year.
Baseball America ranks Anthony Swarzak as the 5th best Prospect in the entire Minnesota system. Other members of New Britain's Opening Day roster cited by BA include SS Plouffe (Prospect #10), LHP Mijares (#11), LHP Mullins (#16), RHP Sosa (#23), and OF/1B Erik Lis (#27).
The Rock Cats will open the home portion of their 2008 Eastern League schedule this Thursday, April 3rd at 6:05 PM against the Portland Sea Dogs, EL Partners of the 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox. Good seats remain available and may be procured by calling (860-224-8383) or visiting the New Britain Stadium Box Office.
Pirates President Frank Coonelly Scheduled To Attend Curve Opener
Eastern League
ALTOONA- Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly will be in attendance for the Altoona Curve's Home Opener this Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. against the Reading Phillies. Coonelly will be making his first visit to Blair County Ballpark as the Pirates' top executive. Game time is set for 6:35 p.m.
"We are very pleased that Frank will be attending our Home Opener this Thursday night," said Curve General Manager Todd Parnell. "In the time since he joined the Pirates in September, he has proven to be very accessible and has taken a genuine interest in further strengthening the relationship between our organization and the major league club."
Coonelly was named President of the Pirates in September 2007. As president, he is responsible for the daily operations of the organization as well as leading the Pirates' senior management group. He previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Labor in the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball where he negotiated and administered collective bargaining agreements with the Major League Baseball Players Association and the World Umpires Association. Frank led a staff of attorneys who represented the Commissioner and the 30 clubs in the litigation and arbitration of labor disputes. He also provided contract and economic advice and counsel to the 30 teams, working closely with General Managers and baseball operations personnel on contract and player relations matters.
A Pennsylvania native, Coonelly was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Public Service. He later earned his J.D. from Catholic University Law School and went on to practice as a Partner in the office of Morgan, Lewis and Bockius in the firm's Washington D.C. office.
Highlighting the other festivities surrounding the Curve's Home Opener will be a special appearance by Pittsburgh Steelers legend and Curve Ownership Partner Jerome Bettis. "The Bus" will toss out the season's ceremonial first pitch prior to the game. Other promotions include a Curve Schedule Magnet giveaway to the first 5,000 fans courtesy of AIG, Post-Game Fireworks and the club's first "Thirsty Thursday" of the season, featuring soda and beer discounts from 5-7 p.m. Ballpark gates will open 90 minutes early at 5 p.m.
Great seats remain for Thursday's Home Opener and the rest of the club's season-opening, seven-game homestand, which runs through Wednesday, April 9. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Blair County Ballpark Ticket Office during normal business hours, by calling toll-free (877) 99-CURVE or by logging on to AltoonaCurve.com.
Pearl, MS - The Mississippi Braves proudly announce the roster for the 2008 season. Our roster includes 12 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders, and four outfielders for a total of 24 active players to start the season.
The M-Braves welcome seven pitchers back from the 2007 team that led the Southern League in ERA. Mississippi's 2008 pitchers are: Jairo Cuevas, Dustin Evans, Jerome Gamble, Sung Ki Jung, Kris Medlen, Brad Nelson, Michael Nix, James Parr, Nelson Payano, Todd Redmond, Dan Smith, and Luis Valdez.
Two new catchers are in the mix this year as JC Boscan and Jose Camarena have been assigned to AA Mississippi.
The M-Braves infield has a familiar look to it as Greg Creek, Diory Hernandez, Kala Ka'aihue, Van Pope, and Mike Rozema all return. The lone newcomer to this group is Javier Guzman.
Mississippi's outfield has some familiar faces as well with one key addition. Mark Jurich, Carl Loadenthal, and Matt Young all return to the Magnolia state while top prospect Jordan Schafer is the lone new face.
The Braves coaching staff is intact with Phillip Wellman, Franklin Stubbs, and Derek Botelho all returning. Ricky Alcantara joins the team as trainer.
news 3/31
news 3/31
