2007 Erie Seawolves Diary/Blog

[redshark63]

Since it is almost time for the players to report, I figured I would start off the 1st of the minor league blogs/diaries.

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070205/BASEBALL01/702050367

'Wolves' Giarratano expected to be ready for spring

BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: February 05. 2007 6:00AM


Erie SeaWolves shortstop Tony Giarratano is expected to be ready for spring training after undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery on his right knee.

Giarratano, 24, had the surgery in July in Vail, Colo., and continued his rehabilitation there until December. He is now rehabbing in Florida.

"It appears he should be competing once spring training begins," said Glenn Ezell, the Tigers' director of player development. "At this point, the first place I would look for him to be is at Triple-A."

Giarratano, the Tigers' third-round pick in the 2003 draft, suffered the injury July 3 while sliding into second base on an attempted steal against the Reading Phillies. The injury occurred five days after he came off a two-week stay on the disabled list because of a right wrist injury.

Last season was Giarratano's second with Erie. He was hitting .283 with no homers and 19 RBIs in 67 games when he was hurt.


Giarratano's 2005 season ended in August when he broke the hamate bone in his right hand. His 2004 season at Class A Lakeland ended after he injured his left shoulder, which required surgery.

# Ezell doesn't know where outfielder Brent Clevlen, a member of the Tigers' 40-man roster, will begin the season, but he does know what the young slugger needs to exhibit this year.

"He has to be aggressive, hit in the strike zone, stay on top of his game and show total concentration all the time," Ezell said.

After struggling most of 2006 with the SeaWolves in his first season at Double-A, Clevlen, 23, received a major-league promotion to the Tigers on July 31 and performed well.

He was reassigned to Erie in late August for the team's final eight-game homestand, then rejoined the Tigers as a September call-up.



# The Tigers did not re-sign free-agent pitchers Mark Woodyard and Mike Nannini, free-agent second baseman Juan Francia and free-agent catcher Danilo Sanchez.

# Former major leaguer Bobby Jones, 34, a left-hander who split the 2006 season as a starter and reliever with the SeaWolves, has retired.

# Tigers roving minor-league pitching instructor Jon Matlack said the organization plans to keep right-hander Preston Larrison in the bullpen.

Larrison, a member of the Tigers' 40-man roster, split last season between Erie and Class AAA Toledo. Larrison, 26, was moved to the Erie bullpen from the staring rotation in July.

"For my money, he's done what he needs to do in Erie," Matlack said. "That doesn't mean he won't end up in Erie. I think he has a shot at making the Triple-A situation. He may be out of options, in which case we may not be able to get him back to the minor leagues. He might get claimed on waivers if they tried to take him off the big-league roster to bring him down."
[Prescient comment]


Larrison said he did not feel he had a consistent third pitch to remain a starter, but Matlack said the move was based as much on his belief that Larrison possesses more of a reliever's mentality.

"He doesn't have a starter's mentality," Matlack said. "He's more of a sprinter than a marathoner and his personality will lend itself more readily to short bursts on a regular basis as opposed to a long haul once in a while. He's adjusting well to the change. His numbers have not been phenomenal, but they have not been bad either."

RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.

[redshark63]

Seawolves 2007 schedule:

http://www.seawolves.com/assets/schedules/2007-schedule.pdf

[CanTig]

Thanks for the information on the Erie Roster its always great reading when we talk about new players, and where the last year players are going to play.

[NATE]

It will be interesting to see how the roster develops. Lots of holes to fill. Will they move playes up, down or sideways to fill them? By July, Maybin, Miller and Holliman should be the stars of the team.

[estrepe1]

I thought that it was announced yesterday that Larrison has been let go.

Nate I think Hollimon starts out in Erie at 2B.

[NATE]

I thought that it was announced yesterday that Larrison has been let go.

Nate I think Hollimon starts out in Erie at 2B.

I think so, too! It will just take a few months to establish himself as the star of the team. :happy:

[redshark63]

I thought that it was announced yesterday that Larrison has been let go.

Nate I think Hollimon starts out in Erie at 2B.

The report was from the 5th, prior to yesterday's actions.

Larrison was DFA'ed. He could well be in Toledo IF he clears waivers.

[hueytaxi]

I thought that it was announced yesterday that Larrison has been let go.

Nate I think Hollimon starts out in Erie at 2B.Larrison is in Lakeland as of today.

[Edman85]

Larrison is in Lakeland as of today.

Well, the Tigers have 10 days to do something with him, and it takes three days to go through waivers.

[redshark63]

How do people think Erie will do this year?

How are Matt Walbeck & AJ Sager going to do coaching in AA? Can they make the jump from Low A to AA?

Will Mike Holliman (assuming he starts here) will do in hitter friendly Jerry Uht Park?

How 'bout Cam? Do you expect to see some more power once he makes the jump to AA?

What about the pitching?

The Duffy Dyer era was not a fun era in Erie for various reasons. Here's hoping that the coaching and talent make it more fun (funner!) in NW PA.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Another note from the Seawolves website:

http://seawolves.com/seawolves-news/2007/02/double-a-roster-rule-change

Major League Baseball recently passed a new rule making the roster limits at the Double-A level 24 players throughout the entire season instead of the old rules where the roster limits shifted from 24 players to 23 players and then back to 24 players.

Under the previous rule last season, rosters could remain at 24 players until the 30th day of the season. Following that day, the rosters would be cut to 23 players. Teams could add an extra player after August 9, bringing rosters back to 24 players.

SeaWolves Opening Day for the 2007 season is April 5 against the Altoona Curve, defending Wild Card Champions of the Southern Division. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.

========================================

I have not heard of anyone picking up Larrison on the waiver wire. My guess is he made it through.

[zCor]

last week they announced he wasn't claimed on waivers and was assigned to Toledo and invited to Spring Training...

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/team/transactions.jsp?c_id=det

[beek_27]

I hope Tony G bounces back well from his injury woes. He needs a solid season under his belt, which would be a huge confidence boost.

[Microline133]

I doubt he'll be in Erie doing his bouncing back.

[beek_27]

I doubt he'll be in Erie doing his bouncing back.

I agree - nevertheless, he needs a solid spring and a solid season.

[redshark63]

Nice interview with new manager Matt Walbeck:

http://seawolves.com/seawolves.com/seawolves-news/2007/02/theres-a-new-skipper-in-town

Spring Training is just around the corner and the SeaWolves are getting ready to gear up for another sun splashed March in Lakeland, Florida. SeaWolves radio broadcaster Greg Gania recently caught up with new Manager Matt Walbeck to get his thoughts upon entering his first spring as a Double-A manager.

Greg Gania - What were your first impressions after your first visit to Jerry Uht Park?
Matt Walbeck - When I was with the Angels in 1998 we came to Erie to play an exhibition game at Jerry Uht Park. It was in good shape then and continues to get better. I like the clubhouse and the fact that we have a covered hitting tunnel.

GG - Do you have a different mindset going into spring training this season being the manager of the Double-A squad rather than a Single-A team?
MW - It will be a new challenge, but my main job is to get the most out of the players, staff and myself. The players will be more experienced, so in effect the game will be faster paced which I look forward to.

GG - One difference of managing a Double-A team is going to be dealing with veteran players instead of mainly young players, what, if any, type of adjustments do you have to make making that jump.
MW - Age and or experience makes no difference in how you treat people. Getting to know someone, finding out what makes them tick, that's the objective for me and the coaching staff.

GG - Staff continuity is always key, especially over the long season. Talk about the comfort level being able to bring your pitching coach with you from West Michigan and the addition of Glenn Adams, a veteran of the game.
MW - A.J. and I have a solid on and off the field relationship because we communicate so well, trust is big when it comes to molding a team. Glenn and I have spoken periodically throughout the off-season and have a lot of the same feelings about how the game should be played. It's going to be a huge help for our ball club and the Tigers organization in having Glenn work with our hitters this season. His playing, coaching, and managing experience speaks for itself.

GG - Talk about the familiarity you will have with players this season being that you managed many of them at the Class-A level.
MW - I think familiarity with the entire Tiger organization helps. Being part of the Tigers ongoing tradition and managing in West Michigan for three years has helped breed familiarity which can only help.

GG - What best describes your managerial style. Are you aggressive, conservative or does game situations dictate how you manage.
MW - Sometimes I'm aggressive, other times I'm conservative. The game seems to manage itself if we're prepared and have a good feel for the energy of our team. I'm still learning to get a feel each and every day of how guys feel.

GG - Is there any nervousness heading into this season because of the jump from “A” ball. Is there more pressure to succeed at this level because of your success in West Michigan?
MW - It's minor league baseball no matter if it's Rookie Ball or Triple-A. I'm going to prepare to win and do the best I can. Whatever happens, happens.

GG - Many managers say they enjoy the minor leagues while others say that the ultimate goal is to coach or manage in the big leagues. Where do you fit in to this?
MW - Again, I want to get the most out of myself, but the only way to do that is by playing one pitch at a time. I enjoy baseball, and wherever it takes me I'll be happy.

GG - Since you are a new face in the Erie community, what is an interesting fact about Matt Walbeck that the fans may not know by reading your bio.
MW - That I once played with the Doobie Brothers in Pontiac, MI. in front of 10,000 people. I came on stage and played a mandolin (that had no chord attached to it) and sang backup to "Listen To The Music".

GG - You mentioned previously your love for live music and even that you’d be bringing your guitar to Erie. Can you talk a little about your music appreciation.
MW - I took piano lessons as a kid. I also found out it's hard to travel with a piano so I started taking guitar lessons when I was 27. Practicing guitar gives me an outlet, and it's something I know that by the time I'm 60 I'll be really good at.

GG - What is your most memorable moment from your big league career?
MW - Probably catching Scott Erickson's no hitter at the Metrodome in 1994, my rookie year with the Twins.

Matt Walbeck spent 11 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cubs, Twins, Angels, Phillies and Tigers. Walbeck made the transition from big league player to minor league manager in 2004 when he took over as the skipper for the Tigers Class-A Affiliate in West Michigan. He led the White Caps to a pair of Midwest League Championships (2004, 2006) and will be in his first season a Double-A manager with Erie in 2007.

[whitecapwendy]

Great article, thanks for bringing to our attention.

[estrepe1]

Not a good start for Giarratano. I read the other day that he had to see a doctor about soreness in his shoulder.

[whitecapwendy]

Not a good start for Giarratano. I read the other day that he had to see a doctor about soreness in his shoulder.
He started out so well in 2004. I keep hoping he will have a couple healthy seasons and get back on track.

[fyrftrjim]

I hope it's nothing bad really liked watching him in when he was in Lakeland.

[redshark63]

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070325/BASEBALL01/703250443

Oh, to be young again

BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: March 25. 2007 6:00AM


Youth and inexperience at the Double-A level usually don't bode well.

The Erie SeaWolves learned that first-hand last season when they finished last in the Eastern League's Southern Division with a league-worst 60-81 record.

Erie's 2006 opening-day roster included 12 Double-A rookies, many coming off of sensational seasons at high Single-A Lakeland in 2005.

This year's team, under new manager Matt Walbeck, likely will showcase as much youth, if not more.

Final roster decisions will be made throughout the week before the SeaWolves break spring camp April 2 in Lakeland, Fla. Erie is scheduled to open its Eastern League season April 5 against the Altoona Curve at Jerry Uht Park.


# Some top position-player prospects who are expected to be with Erie are shortstop Brent Dlugach, second baseman Michael Hollimon, first baseman Jeff Larish and outfielder Clete Thomas.

Dlugach, who hit .256 with 52 runs batted in at Lakeland last season, has spent time this spring in the Tigers' big league camp. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he believes Dlugach has the defensive skills to play in the major leagues now.

Hollimon was the shortstop under Walbech at low Single-A West Michigan last season, but will play second base if he earns a spot on Erie's roster. In 128 games last season, he hit .278 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs.

Larish is projected to be Erie's starter at first base. He had 18 homers, 65 RBIs and a .258 average last season with Lakeland.

Thomas hit .257 with six homers and 40 RBIs at Lakeland in 2006.



# Right-handers Jair Jurrjens and Eulogio De La Cruz are expected to be the top returning pitching prospects.

Jurrjens, a native of Curacao, earned a mid-season promotion to Erie from Lakeland in 2006 and went 4-3 with a 3.36 earned-run average in 12 starts.

The Tigers are leaning toward keeping De La Cruz, a high-ceiling prospect who has showcased a triple-digit fastball, in the starting rotation.

After struggling as a reliever, De La Cruz seemed to find his niche when he was put in the starting rotation in mid-July last season. He went 5-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 38 games, including 12 starts.

# Erie fans will have to wait a while before they catch a glimpse of two of Detroit's hottest prospects - outfielder Cameron Maybin and left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller. Both will begin the season with Lakeland.



Maybin, the Tigers' 2005 No. 1 draft pick, flashed speed and power in major league camp, hitting .429 in 17 exhibition games. The Tigers returned Maybin, 19, to minor league camp Monday.

Miller, a first-round pick last year, made several relief appearances during a September call-up to the Tigers. Miller, a 6-foot 6-inch left-hander, helped lead North Carolina to the NCAA Division I finals last season and won the Roger Clemens Award, given to the nation's top college pitcher.

He is expected to make the jump to Erie once the weather warms.

# One big question mark is whether right-hander Kyle Sleeth, the Tigers' 2003 No. 1 draft pick, can make a successful comeback from ligament replacement surgery in 2005. He will open the season in Erie's bullpen on short pitch counts until he is ready to join the starting rotation.

Sleeth will be pitching in Double-A for the first time since 2004, which he split between Lakeland and Erie.

[redshark63]

SeaWolves Strike Out Trans Fats

March 23, 2007 | SeaWolves News

The Erie SeaWolves announced today that the team has committed to a healthy change at Jerry Uht Park for the 2007 season with the elimination of trans fats in their cooking oil.

The ‘Wolves will make a switch to a zero-trans fat cooking oil for Opening Day 2007. In addition, all foods prepared in the NEW Picnic and Beer Gardens in the right field addition at “The Uht” will be either grilled or baked.

“This is just one small step that we can do as an organization to make some of our food healthier for our fans.” – Ragen Walker, SeaWolves Director of Operations/Concessions

The new beer garden will also feature an assortment of finger foods and appetizers for fans this season in addition to traditional ballpark concession fares.

[fyrftrjim]

Erie in top pick Miller's sights


BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: March 27. 2007 6:00AM


LAKELAND, Fla. -- Left-hander Andrew Miller will start the season with Single-A Lakeland before an expected Double-A promotion to the SeaWolves.

The Tigers' No. 1 selection in the 2006 June draft, Miller started for the SeaWolves in Monday's 11-2 victory over the Akron Aeros and was impressive, allowing one unearned run over four innings.

The 6-foot 6-inch Miller struck out five, did not walk any and surrendered two singles.



You can probably characterize SeaWolves manager Matt Walbeck as part teacher and part psychologist.

The SeaWolves' first-year manager likes to implement little confidence-boosting teaching techniques into his daily regimen.


At the end of infield drills Monday morning at the Tigers' minor league complex, Walbeck had all his players perform postgame high-fives and handshakes, as if they had just won a game.

"You better get used to it," he told his players. "Winning - that's all there is to it."

Walbeck also has a designated "home run handshake" he instructs players to use each day for their games.

"You have to put the idea of winning in someone's mind and you can just plant good seeds," Walbeck said. "We want to have a healthy environment with a winning attitude. You expect to win and you do things like that to put smiles on people's faces. When you're shaking hands like that, it automatically triggers a good response."

Walbeck, who was appointed Erie's manager in early November, said he likes to use a lot of those kinds of tactics on a spur of the moment.


"I help them visualize the things I tell them - to expect to win," he said. "I want them to feel the sense of champagne in their face."


Instead of having his catchers field throws at home plate from the outfield, Walbeck stood in front of second base Monday and hit lasers at them with a fungo bat.

Once he started, other players milling around home plate quickly took refuge behind a nearby hitting cage.


A short, early morning ceremony in the Tigers' minor league camp preceded the start of Monday's drills.

Tigers officials presented rings to six minor leaguers - third baseman Kody Kirkland, outfielder Brent Clevlen and pitchers Virgil Vasquez, Corey Hamman, Preston Larrison and Jordan Tata - who played together on the Arizona Fall League championship team.



West Michigan players who won the 2006 Midwest League championship were honored Monday afternoon before the start of the Tigers' home game against the Washington Nationals at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The Whitecaps went 89-48 last season, winning the low Single-A Midwest League championship for the second time in three seasons under new Erie manager Matt Walbeck.


A name from the SeaWolves' past has resurfaced with the club.

Andres Torres, who played with Erie in 2001, signed a minor league contract with the Tigers in February and is currently with the SeaWolves in spring training. The Puerto Rico native has been splitting time in right field.

"I'm in Double-A and that's fine," said Torres, 29. "The Tigers gave me one more shot. I don't care where I'm at. I just want to play hard and try and do my job."


Torres was in the Chicago White Sox organization in 2004, the Texas Rangers organization in 2005 and the Minnesota Twins organization last season.

Torres got an opportunity to play with the Tigers on Monday and had an RBI grounder in Detroit's 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals at Joker Marchant Stadium.

"I signed with Detroit pretty late, but they gave me a shot and I feel pretty good right now," Torres said. "I'm so happy to be with Detroit. It's like being home again."


http://goerie.com/baseball

[fyrftrjim]

SeaWolves 11, Aeros 2

Published: March 27. 2007 6:00AM


LAKELAND, Fla. -- The SeaWolves improved their preseason record to 5-2-1 with a victory over the Akron Aeros on Monday at the Tigertown Complex.

Erie's roster was comprised mainly of players who were at low Single-A West Michigan and high Single-A Lakeland last season. Several SeaWolves spent Monday either with Triple-A Toledo or the Tigers.

First baseman Pedro Cotto drove in four runs, including a three-run homer in the second inning off Akron lefty David Huff, whom Baseball America ranks as the Indians' 10th-best prospect.


Cotto added a fourth-inning RBI double. Brent Dlugach, who is expected to open the season as Erie's starting shortstop, had a sixth-inning solo homer and made a diving, backhanded stab of a liner in the fifth inning to rob an Akron hitter of a single.

Erie left fielder Justin Justice also homered in the sixth inning.

Outfielder Cameron Maybin, the Tigers' No. 1 draft pick in 2005, was with the SeaWolves on Monday but did not play. He is expected to open the season with Single-A Lakeland.

The SeaWolves will play the Double-A Mississippi Braves today at 1 p.m. at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. Right-hander Jair Jurrjens is Erie's scheduled starter.

http://goerie.com/baseball

[chuckles396]

First baseman Pedro Cotto drove in four runs, including a three-run homer in the second inning off Akron lefty David Huff, whom Baseball America ranks as the Indians' 10th-best prospect.


WOO HOO!! That's my AAT!! Melissa and Mr. Melissa will like this. :cool:

[fyrftrjim]

Sager a natural on bench
SeaWolves' Walbeck had clear choice for his pitching coach

BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 03. 2007 6:00AM

LAKELAND, Fla. -- A.J. Sager considers himself as an easy guy to play for.

All he asks of his players is that they show up every day at the ballpark eager to work and ready to learn. With those ethics, he's quite confident he will cultivate a good relationship.

"You let them know up front what to expect - and that's not asking too much, it's asking to go about things the right way - and then you try and create an environment and give them some freedom to do what they do," Sager said.

It's been Sager's philosophy ever since the former major league pitcher broke into the coaching ranks in 2002, when he began a five-year run as pitching coach at West Michigan, the Detroit Tigers' low Single-A Midwest League affiliate.

On his way up the Tigers' organizational coaching ladder, the 42-year-old Toledo native and former college quarterback is ready for his first Double-A coaching job as pitching coach of the Erie SeaWolves.


"He's a very good listener to his players and he isn't too mechanics-oriented," SeaWolves manager Mark Walbeck said. "He doesn't try to change the pitchers from what they have. He has a good relationship with them. He's able to make them laugh, yet they respect him tremendously. He has that intangible thing that coaches have that makes him really good."

West Michigan led the Midwest League with the lowest team ERA the past two seasons and was the league's only team in 2006 with an ERA under 3.00. The Whitecaps dominated the league with an 89-48 record last season and won their second Midwest League championship in three seasons.

Sager and Walbeck have maintained a winning relationship and friendship since their days as teammates with the Detroit Tigers in 1997, when Sager was a reliever and Walbeck a backup catcher.

Walbeck remembers the two sitting in the Tigers' bullpen one day in 1997, picking each other's brains on a variety of baseball issues. They liked to discuss sports and how to get maximum effort out of players.

That's when Walbeck promised Sager that if he ever became a manager, Sager would be his pitching coach.


"We each have tremendous trust for each other," said Walbeck, who was promoted to the SeaWolves in November after serving the past three seasons as West Michigan's manager. "The guy has great work habits and his record speaks for itself."

Sager grew up near Columbus, Ohio, and played football, basketball and baseball in high school.

He played quarterback at NCAA Division I Toledo from 1983-86, starting for the Rockets his final three seasons, and is a member of the Toledo Sports Hall of Fame. He still satisfies his football fix every fall as a color analyst on the Toledo football radio network, a job he's held the past seven seasons.

At Toledo, Sager pursued baseball simply to have something to do once football season ended.

"I didn't have any expectations about baseball that it would lead to anything," Sager said. "I was big enough and had enough arm strength and I think scouts were a little intrigued with the football background."


Sager was selected by San Diego in the 10th round of the 1988 draft.

"I was pushing the ball uphill as a player because I was 23 and didn't know a lot about what was going on," he said. "I didn't get to the big leagues until I was 29. It took me a while because I had to learn the game, but I think it's made me a better coach. I didn't know what was going on, so when the coaches and pitching coaches were talking, I was one of the guys who was really listening and paying attention to the little things."

Sager pitched professionally for 12 seasons (1988-99), including the big leagues with San Diego (1994), Colorado (1995) and Detroit (1996-98). In 123 major league appearances, he was 12-15 with a 5.36 ERA and five saves.

Sager said he wishes he had been more talented, but he feels the way he went about learning and pursuing baseball probably has made him a better coach.

Tigers reliever and former SeaWolves starter Joel Zumaya calls Sager "one of my top three pitching coaches I've had in my career."


Zumaya, in his sixth season of professional baseball, played at West Michigan in 2003 and credits Sager with helping him begin to make the transition from thrower to pitcher.

"When I got up there to West Michigan, I was just trying to blow everybody's doors off," Zumaya said. "He helped me with my off-speed stuff; he helped me how to get on top of my curve. He was a great guy to have as a pitching coach. He has a lot of wisdom and he's good with the guys. He likes to have fun and, at the same time, he's competitive."

At West Michigan, Sager worked with players in their first full season of minor league baseball.

Making the jump to Double-A means he'll now deal with an older, more mature group, but his developmental duties and philosophy, he believes, will not change much.

"You're still going to be talking about a lot of the same fundamentals," Sager said. "You probably will have a little more consistent player now, so you can start to ask them to do a little bit more. In the lower levels, at some point, you're just asking them to define what kind of player they are and get a comfort level for what kind of player they are, and then you start trying to put some baseball into that."

http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070403/BASEBALL01/704030386/-1/SPORTS

[grandma g]

Have a great season...Wally & AJ.and guys.....WM will be rootin for you all....

[baseball3]

GREAT article, fantastic relationship between the two..................seems like they're having a lot of fun, I hope the winning tradition they've created continues to flourish

[fyrftrjim]

Fast forward
Speedy veteran Torres returns to SeaWolves few years, teams later

BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 04. 2007 6:00AM

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Andres Torres drilled a liner to center field and could only think of one thing once it hit the turf in front of the charging outfielder and skipped past him.

Halfway between first and second, Torres kicked up his pace and, rounding second, eyed SeaWolves manager/third-base coach Matt Walbeck, hoping to get a green light.

Torres got his wish and easily motored home on a two-run, inside-the-park homer last week in a SeaWolves spring training exhibition win over the Akron Aeros at the Tigertown Complex.

"Speed is a big part of my game and that's something I need to keep working on," Torres said. "I'm 29, but I'm still fast and I can still run. I feel healthy and I need to work on my hitting. My speed isn't a problem. I have to show that I can hit."

Entering his 10th season in pro baseball, and second tour of duty with Erie, Torres will get an opportunity to contribute to a relatively young SeaWolves team as the club's everyday left fielder, designated veteran and, along with catcher Steve Torrealba, the oldest player on the roster.


And he doesn't mind being back in Double-A after seeing time in the major leagues and Triple-A in recent years.

The Puerto Rican native is playing with his fourth organization in as many years, and isn't shy about expressing his appreciation to the Detroit Tigers, with whom he signed a free-agent minor league contract in February.

"I have a chance to play," said Torres, who played with the SeaWolves in 2001, Erie's first season as the Tigers' Double-A affiliate. "I'm thinking the Tigers have given me one more shot and as long as you play, you still have a shot to get back up. I'm proud to be here. Once you put on a uniform, no matter where it is, you have to be proud because a lot of people want to have this chance."

Torres has played in 89 major league games, including 81 games with the Tigers from 2002-04. He played in eight games with the Texas Rangers in 2005.

Torres' career since 2004 has taken on a nomadic nature. He played in the Chicago White Sox organization that season, the Texas Rangers organization in 2005 and the Minnesota Twins organization in 2006.


With the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings last season, Torres .236 with two homers and 30 RBIs in 116 games.

Torres spent all of spring training with the SeaWolves, playing all three outfield positions.

"He brings a lot of positive energy and experience to this team," SeaWolves manager Matt Walbeck said. "He still has a lot of tools. He runs well, he's an above-average outfielder and his attitude is outstanding."

The switch-hitting Torres has fit in well with the younger players on the team, several of whom will be making their Double-A debuts with Erie this week.

Since the Tigers have been affiliated with Erie, it seems they always have tried to have at least one veteran to provide leadership in the SeaWolves' clubhouse.


That role previously was served by former SeaWolves Kurt Airoso, Billy Munoz (2003), Charley Carter (2002) and Alejandro Freire (2001).

It's a role Torres is willing to inherit.

"I'm a veteran and it's been fun," Torres said. "We have a good team. We've got speed, power, we play good defense, and we have good pitching. That's what we have to do once the season starts - just keep playing hard and see what happens."

In 1998, the Tigers launched Torres' career when they selected him in the fourth round of the June draft. Being back in the Tigers' organization, Torres said, is like being home again.

"I signed with Detroit pretty late, but they gave me a shot and I feel pretty good right now," Torres said. "The Tigers are going to give me a shot to play almost every day here in Erie. No matter where you're at, sometimes you see some big league players who are told to go to Triple-A and they don't want to. I'm not thinking like that."


RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.


http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/BASEBALL01/704040415/-1/SPORTS

[baseball3]

I got a chance to watch him the last 2 weekends of ST and came away with these impressions:

Quality guy, always has a smile on his face. Very good "company man", TEAM player, quiet leader that is a solid player. Not flashy, but, solid. Hits better from the right side. The day he hit the inside the park HR, his next AB, he hit the ball OVER the left field fence against the same LHP for the Aeros. The next day, he threw out a runner at home attempting to score on a fly ball out to left. .. he can help, both as a leader by example and experience and with his quiet, smiling leadership.

He might be a guy that the organization likes as a future coach...........

I remember as a young, impressionable sophomore in high school in 1973, watching a HR hit in a high school playoff game by a player that later became a career minor league 1B with the Yankees. They liked him so much as a leader and class act that they kept him as a player to one day coach for them...........
.................
.................
.................
.................
................
.................
................
................
...............from the very small town of Century, Fl., just outside Jay and Chumuckla, none other than Buck Showalter!!

[baseball3]

To show how things can really work out for a person who has passion for the game, yet not superstar tools, I found this link after writing the above post. Wow, how years gone by can be recalled from reading links like this. I remember Showalter was quite fun to watch in high school. In those days, we hated him because he and his team always beat ours in the playoffs............link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Showalter

[fyrftrjim]

I think that's why they probably keep him to help with the young talented OF that will be in Erie, it kind of reminds me of the years that Russ Clevelend was in Lakeland you knew he wasn't really going anywhere, but was a good clubhouse guy and a guy who helped the young catchers that past through Lakeland. Thought the same thing about him too of possibly being a coach somewhere down the line.

[NATE]

I always find it interesting that so often it is not the Gibsons and Trammells and Whitakers of the world that make good coaches and managers. Instead, it is the Sparky Andersons, Jim Leylands, Matt Walbecks and Tommy Brookens that make (or hopefully will make) good major league managers and coaches.

[fyrftrjim]

New 'Wolves manager brings big league experience, minor league success


BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 05. 2007 7:00 am

A lot of baseball people believe making the jump to Double-A from Single-A is the most difficult developmental climb up baseball's organizational ladder for a player.

How about for a manager?

Matt Walbeck will find out this season.

So far, the former big league catcher has known nothing but success.

His resume at low Single-A West Michigan over the past three seasons included a 231-185 record, playoff appearances all three seasons and Midwest League championships in 2004 and 2006.


"Success is something you can determine or define as a progressive realization of a worthy goal," Walbeck said. "My goal is to make the players as good as they can possibly be, and it just so happens that the winning takes place after that. I'm looking at the road and not the end, and it's been a great road so far."

The Detroit Tigers thought so, too, and in November promoted the 37-year-old California native to the SeaWolves with goals of restoring development and winning to an organization that's finished last in the Eastern League's Southern Division the past two seasons.

He succeeds Duffy Dyer, whose teams went a combined 123-160 the past two seasons. Dyer, hitting coach Pete Incaviglia and pitching coach Mike Caldwell were fired Sept. 4, moments after the team's 2006 season ended with a 5-4, 10-inning loss at Jerry Uht Park.

That's where Walbeck was Tuesday afternoon, amid piles of clutter in his office.

He joked that the biggest obstacle he could think of at the moment was getting his office situated.


He knows far greater challenges await.

"I don't know yet what they will be," he said, "but I'm kind of taking it moment by moment. I'm really looking forward to it. I feel very comfortable of what's in front of me and I'm ready to go."

Walbeck ended an 11-year major-league career in 2003 with a Detroit Tigers team that lost 119 games.

On the final day of that season, his career changed overnight. Summoned to the manager's office, he was given a good-news, bad-news directive by Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski and then-manager Allan Trammel.

They told Walbeck they thought his playing days were over, but offered him a new career as West Michigan's manager in 2004.


"Hearing that from them, that sure made my decision much easier," Walbeck said.

At West Michigan, Walbeck forged a reputation as a managerial prospect by molding teams that developed and improved significantly during the second half of the season.

Working with players in their first full season of minor-league baseball at the low Single-A level, Walbeck quickly became a big hit as a players' manager known for his energy, enthusiasm and ability to communicate and relate well with everyone.

Everything about his approach to instructing is positive and centers on infusing confidence into his players, no matter the drill or task.

SeaWolves right fielder Matt Joyce, who hit 11 homers and drove in a team-leading 86 runs at West Michigan last season, called Walbeck "the best manager I've ever had the chance to play for."


"The way he just controls the guys and let's them play loose is effective, but if he needs to put the hammer down, he will," Joyce said. "He knows how to manipulate the game to where it's fun, yet keep you loose, and everybody is enjoying it and working hard at the same time. He's one of those guys who can relate to anybody, no matter the age or type of player you are. He can adjust to you. I couldn't think of a better guy to play for."

Walbeck has always liked to incorporate psychological, confidence-boosting techniques into his instruction.

At the end of infield drills during spring training at the Tigertown Complex in Lakeland, Fla., Walbeck sometimes had his team practice high-five and victory handshakes typically reserved for postgame celebrations.

Every time one of his players homers, they exhibit their own personal "home-run handshake" to Walbeck, who handles the third-base coaching duties.

"We do a lot of little things that most people don't think about," said SeaWolves right-hander Dallas Trahern, who played at West Michigan in 2005. "He likes to pay attention to details, whether it's how we stand during the national anthem or how we leave the field and arrive to the field.


"He's definitely a player's guy and a huge pitcher's guy," Trahern added. "Most managers usually kind of stick to the position players but Wally likes to get out with the pitchers and help us, since he was a catcher for so long. He brings a lot of excitement and enthusiasm to the game and that sometimes through a long season is what you need."

From a developmental standpoint at the low Single-A level, Walbeck's job was to evaluate and project whether young players in their first full season of ball might pan out into major league material down the road.

At Double-A, his developmental duties become determining if players are ready to make the jump to Triple-A or the majors.

"The biggest thing in A-ball is to teach them how to play professional baseball, how to prepare, how to dress and how to take of themselves to endure the 140-game season," Walbeck said. "Now, at Double-A, it's more about teaching them how prepare mentally and how to get the most out of themselves and not to look so far ahead to the big leagues because they are there on the cusp.

Managing in low Single-A usually involves working with a lot of young players who are eager and willing to learn.


A big managerial adjustment in Double-A is dealing with a more mature group of players and an array of people who are at various points in their careers.

The makeup of a Double-A team might include established players with Double-A and Triple-A experience, even an occasional major leaguer whose skills may have eroded to a point where he is back in Double-A. Walbeck has two former big-leaguers -- left fielder Andres Torres and catcher Steve Torrealba -- on his roster.

"That's one of the reasons I wanted to come to Double-A," Walbeck said. "I wanted to find that player in my office and learn more about him. That player and I are going to have to learn to communicate on a level of respect where I know that he's been there before. For me, it's keep an open forum with them, have them come into my office whenever they want and shoot straight with them."

Shooting straight with his players is one of many reasons why Walbeck now is getting a shot at a higher level.

"The last three years in West Michigan, I learned a lot and accomplished a lot and I felt it was time for me to move on," Walbeck said. "I'm ready."


RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.



http://goerie.com/baseball

[fyrftrjim]

Starter stays grounded despite Uht's dimensions


BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 05. 2007 7:00AM


Dallas Trahern stood in the Jerry Uht Park outfield Tuesday afternoon under sunny skies, surveying the dimensions of a facility he had seen only in photos online.

The hitter-friendly dimensions at the ballpark - principally that short left-field porch of 350 feet to the power alley and 312 feet down the left-field line - inevitably draw reaction from pitchers.

Trahern, a 6-foot 3-inch, 190-pound right-hander, was no exception.

"We've heard about the short fences here for years," said Trahern, one of nine Double-A rookies on Erie's 24-man roster. "I'm not worried about that. You can't let the things you can't control get in your head. I'm usually a solid ground-ball pitcher anyway, so I'm not too worried about the short fences. I'm a sinker, slider guy. The short fences I am hoping will not bother me too badly."

Weather permitting, Trahern, who pitched at high Single-A Lakeland last season, will get acquainted with Uht Park's cozy confines tonight as the SeaWolves' opening-day starter. Erie hosts the Altoona Curve at 6:35 p.m. in the opener of a three-game series.


Trahern, a native of Owasso, Okla., went 6-11 with a 3.30 earned-run average in 25 starts at Lakeland in 2006, striking out 86 and walking 41 in 1442/3 innings. Trahern and right-hander Jair Jurrjens, each 21, are the youngest players on the team.

"I'm excited about this start," Trahern said. "It's a privilege to get to open here at this stadium. It's another start and you have to go out and, hopefully, get 26 of them in the season."

Trahern, selected by the Tigers in the 34th round of the 2004 draft, was with the SeaWolves all spring and pitched well in spring to earn a Double-A promotion.


http://goerie.com/baseball

[fyrftrjim]

Erie SeaWolves watch
Published: April 05. 2007 7:00AM


Altoona Curve at Erie SeaWolves

Jerry Uht Park

Radio: WJET-AM/1400

Pitching matchups:
Today, 6:35 p.m.: Erie RH Dallas Trahern vs. Altoona LH Josh Shortslef

Friday, 6:35 p.m.: Erie RH Jair Jurrjens vs. Altoona RH Wardell Starling

Saturday, 6:35 p.m.: Erie RH Eulogio De La Cruz vs. Altoona RH Yoslan Herrera



Erie notes: The SeaWolves' opening-day roster includes nine Double-A rookies, 10 players who are ranked among the Detroit Tigers' top 30 minor league prospects by Baseball America and three players on the Tigers' 40-man roster. ... Erie's top prospects include right-handers Jair Jurrjens and Eulogio De La Cruz, whom Baseball America ranks fourth and sixth, respectively, among Detroit prospects. ... Erie has 11 players on its roster who spent all or part of the 2006 season with the SeaWolves: Infielders Kody Kirkland, Adam Haley and Nick McIntyre; outfielder Jackson Melian; and pitchers Jurrjens, De La Cruz, Jon Connolly, Ian Ostlund, Jeremy Johnson, Danny Zell and P.J. Finigan. ... Jurrjens and right-hander Dallas Trahern, tonight's scheduled starter, are the youngest players on the roster at 21. ... Catcher Steve Torrealba and outfielder Andres Torres, each 29, are the oldest Erie players. ... The SeaWolves completed spring training with an 8-3-1 record. ... If the weather allows the SeaWolves to play their three-game series with Altoona, then right-hander Eddie Bonine is scheduled to start the opening game of a three-game home series against Binghamton on Monday, with lefty Connolly set to pitch the second game of that series. ... Erie is off Sunday.


Altoona notes: Altoona typically fields a veteran-laden group and this season is no different. Only three Double-A rookies are on the Curve's opening-day roster. ... The Curve finished 75-64 last season, second in the Southern Division behind Akron. ... For the first time in the Curve's nine-year history, they open the season with the No. 1 and No. 2 Pirates prospects in outfielder Andrew McCutchen, 20, and third baseman Neil Walker, 21. ... McCutchen was selected Pittsburgh's 2006 organizational player of the year after splitting his 2006 season between Hickory and Altoona, in which he combined to hit .294 with 17 homers, 74 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 114 games. ... The Pirates moved Neil Walker, a Pine-Richland graduate, to third base from catcher in spring training. He played with Lynchburg and Altoona last season. ... Altoona's roster includes four pitchers on the Pirates' 40-man roster: left-handers Dave Davidson and Josh Shortslef and right-handers Romulo Sanchez and Yoslan Herrera. ... Davidson, Shortslef and Sanchez pitched for Altoona last season, while Herrera. a Cuban defector, is set to make his Altoona debut.

http://goerie.com/baseball

[baseball3]

Wonder if they play in sub 20 degree, with patchy snow?

[texas longhorn]

I dont know I saw where at 6:00 in Erie wind chill is suppose to be 17 degrees. That seems awful cold to play baseball. I guess we will see.

[baseball3]

I see where they've postponed the game in Detroit for this afternoon, seems like cooler (yes, pun intended) heads would prevail and the'd not play this one today as well?

Looks like it could be a few days of bad weather, link:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/coldandflu/tenday/USPA0509?from=36hr_fcst10DayLink_flu

[redshark63]

I see where they've postponed the game in Detroit for this afternoon, seems like cooler (yes, pun intended) heads would prevail and the'd not play this one today as well?

Looks like it could be a few days of bad weather, link:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/coldandflu/tenday/USPA0509?from=36hr_fcst10DayLink_flu

It has already been postponed in Erie today. See the Minor League game thread for today.

[baseball3]

Thxxxxxxxx

[redshark63]

'Wolves' opener postponed

BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 06. 2007 7:00AM


http://geimg.sv.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=GE&Date=20070406&Category=BASEBALL01&ArtNo=704060440&Ref=AR&MaxW=240
The scoreboard says it all at Jerry Uht Park Thursday afternoon. Of the six Eastern League games scheduled for Thursday, Erie was one of four teams to cancel their home opener because of weather. (Christopher Millette / Erie Times-News)


The SeaWolves will try once again today to open their Eastern League season.

Thursday's wintry mix of snow and frigid temperatures forced officials to postpone Erie's season-opening game against the Altoona Curve at Jerry Uht Park.

The game was postponed Thursday morning because of poor field conditions. No makeup date has been set.

Tonight's game is scheduled for 6:35, with gates opening at 6.

"There's still a lot of snow and ice on our tarp and the field, and the forecast doesn't look like it will give us 40-degree temperatures we need to get these games in," SeaWolves general manager John Frey said. "You don't want to call the game too early. We'll see (Friday morning) and if it does not warm up enough to melt the snow and ice, we'll make the call. The weather is what it is and you deal with it."


Frey said the pre-sale for Thursday's scheduled opener was 2,600.

Any fan who purchases one ticket for tonight's game will receive two free tickets to the game.

The SeaWolves were scheduled to open the season with a three-game home series against the Curve on Thursday through Saturday. They are off Sunday.

Erie hosts the Binghamton Mets on Monday at 6:35 p.m. in the opener of a three-game series.

The SeaWolves conducted a light workout in Tullio Arena on Thursday afternoon. Pitchers had conditioning work and position players took batting practice in the club's indoor cages.

RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.

================================================

Tonight's game has been cancelled as well.

[baseball3]

In looking at the projected weather, I'd recommend to the entire Eastern League that they not begin play this year until Monday's schedule. Looks like it may be difficult to get much play in early next week as well !!
Not projected to have the high of 40 degrees until next Tuesday...........

chilling............

http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/coldandflu/tenday/USPA0509?from=36hr_fcst10DayLink_flu

[redshark63]

Speaking of the cold, the 'Wolves are running an interesting promotion (ongoing):
(from the Seawolves e-newsletter)


Ok, so Opening Day (times TWO) has been postponed too. But for the fans, the deal keeps getting better! SeaWolves fans can still take advantage of “Opening Day (Times Three) offer on Saturday!”

Any fan that purchases One ticket for “Opening Day (Times Three)” Saturday, April 7 against Altoona will receive THREE free tickets to the game. Fans can visit or call the SeaWolves box office to take advantage of this special offer. (Offer only available Saturday, April 7, 2007).

Gates for Saturday night’s game will open at 6 p.m. with the first pitch set for 6:35. On the mound for the SeaWolves will be rightie Dallas Trahern against Altoona's Josh Shortslef.

In the event that Saturday’s game is postponed, Monday night’s game against Binghamton will be Opening Day (Times FOUR)! Monday is the first GoErie.com Buck Night of the season. Fans can take advantage of a buy one get FOUR free offer (FOUR TICKETS FOR JUST $3). Coffee, hot chocolate and cappuccino specials will also be $1 as well. In addition to the Opening Day (Times four) specials, fans can purchase Smith’s Hot Dogs, Beer, Pepsi Products and Popcorn for just $1!

The SeaWolves will continue to multiply the ticket offer until the Opening Day (Times X) finally takes place. For further information, contact the SeaWolves at (814) 456-1300. Opening Day (Times Three) is scheduled for Saturday night, April 7 at 6:35 p.m. against the Altoona Curve.

[fyrftrjim]

Tigers pin hopes on Larish
SeaWolves' rookie tries to end Detroit's long prospect drought at first


Published: April 07. 2007 6:00AM

When the Detroit Tigers traded for veteran first baseman Sean Casey on July 31, it spoke to how serious they were about contending for a playoff spot.

It also spoke to the difficulties they've had finding a long-term solution at first base.

The string of disappointments pre-dates club president Dave Dombrowski's arrival in 2001, and it hasn't gone away.


From Eric Munson to Charley Carter to Juan Tejeda to Leo Daigle to Carlos Pena to Kelly Hunt, nobody has stepped up to anoint himself the franchise's first baseman of the future.

Former Rule 5 draft pick Chris Shelton made a run early last season, hitting two homers on opening day and seven in his first nine games. But Shelton, whose defense has never been a plus, couldn't keep it up and was optioned to Toledo the day of the Casey trade. He failed to make Detroit's opening-day roster this season.

Considering that Casey is a 32-year-old contact hitter who can be a free agent after the season, the thinking goes that the Tigers will enter yet another offseason looking for a more permanent answer at first base.

So what does all this mean for Jeff Larish?

Well, not much at the moment.


Larish, 24, will open the season as the Erie SeaWolves' starting first baseman. That he's not looking much past that not only would please his current manager but probably bodes well for his development.

This is, after all, Double-A, where prospects tend to sink or swim.

But -- not to put too fine a point on it -- the Tigers would love to see Larish continue to put up numbers like he did last year in Class A.

Unlike many blossoming power hitters who view walks as an assault on their egos, Larish showed some pickiness to go with his pop against Florida State League pitching. He led Lakeland with 18 home runs but also drew 81 walks and posted a .379 on-base average. Baseball America said he has the best strike-zone discipline in the Tigers organization.

"Walks have never bothered me," Larish said Friday, as the SeaWolves watched the snow snuff out their season opener for the second straight day. "I love walks. I love anything that gets me on base and helps the team."


What makes Larish stand out is more than just his bat, though.

He was initially drafted as a shortstop out of high school by the Chicago Cubs but passed that up to play at Arizona State, where he hit 23 homers as a senior in 2005 and was named to the all-tournament team at the College World Series.

"He can dazzle you at first base," SeaWolves manager Matt Walbeck said. "He's very athletic. He's got good footwork and a quick release on the pivot. A lot of right-handers can't get the ball quickly to second base on a double-play ball. That's not a problem for Jeff."

Jerry Uht Park's bandbox dimensions would figure to be kind to the left-handed hitting Larish. He says he won't change his approach, though.

"I don't go up looking for home runs," he said. "I go up looking for what the pitcher is giving me, and if it's not in the zone, then I'll take a walk."


That's sweet music to the Tigers, whose string of first base projects has included a fair share of free swingers.

Still, Walbeck says of Larish, "I hope he isn't thinking too far ahead."

Larish insists he's not, and he's good at redirecting questions that try to take him there.

"I try not to think about what other people are doing," he said. "I play the game the way I do and hopefully that's enough. I try to stick with what works for me. I've put up power numbers and (drawn) walks before, and I keep working on my defense.

"But," he added, "I can't predict the future."


Take heart, Jeff. When it comes to first basemen, the Tigers haven't been great at it either.

Perhaps that's about to change.

JOHN DUDLEY can be reached at 870-1677 or john.dudley@timesnews.com.



http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=SPORTS

[Big Toe]

That's pretty great news about his glove...it seems like I've read contradictory things about it all the way back to his Arizona State days. Even if he doesn't develop into a starting caliber player with a nice glove he could be platoon/bench material. Might even work nicely in conjunction with Shelton as soon as next season.

[fyrftrjim]

'Wolves' starting catcher's job falls in ex-major leaguer's lap


BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 09. 2007 6:00AM


Injuries at the major league level often have a ripple effect within an organization's minor league hierarchy.

Take the recent injury to Detroit Tigers backup catcher Vance Wilson, whose sore right elbow landed him on the 15-day disabled list March 30.

That transaction allowed Triple-A Toledo catcher Mike Rabelo to get his first major league call-up and also led to former major leaguer Steve Torrealba catching a starting role with the SeaWolves.

Torrealba, 29, a native of Venezuela who played 19 games with the Atlanta Braves in 2001-02, spent all of spring training with the Tigers before they assigned him to the SeaWolves on April 1, the last day of camp.

"I almost made the Tigers, I think," Torrealba said. "I had a great spring. I don't want to be a backup. For me, at this point in my career, I wanted to be starting again. They're giving me the chance right now in Double-A to start, so I think it's a good chance for me to go back to the big leagues."


Torrealba said he never considered a spot on Triple-A Toledo's roster a viable option.

"They (Tigers) told me they wanted me to play every day and I figured I couldn't go to Triple-A (Toledo) because they're going to have Mike Rabelo going down there (once Wilson comes off of the disabled list)."

" I think Double-A for me is better than Triple-A because you see a lot more prospects in here," Torrealba said.

Released by the Cincinnati Reds on April 5, 2006, Torrealba, in his 13th season of pro ball, signed a week later with Atlantic City Surf of the independent Can-Am League. In early June, he packed his bags and joined the Mexican League's Aquascalientes Railroadmen.

"They paid me pretty good, so I went to Mexico," Torrealba said.


He signed a free-agent minor league contract with the Tigers in November.

"I know he's happy he's getting a chance to play here and it should be a good opportunity," SeaWolves manager Matt Walbeck said. "He looks good behind the plate. He seems to be on top of it. He calls a good game. He's played in the big leagues and it's good to have his experience on the team."

An ACL injury while with Columbus (New York Yankees) in 2004 ended Torrealba's season after just four games. He hooked up with another independent team, Long Island, for the 2005 season.

He thought his shot at returning to organized baseball was on track when he signed a minor league contract with the Reds in November 2005.

"That was a very bad experience and I don't want to go back to that," he said of his 2006 spring training with Cincinnati. "It's a bad organization and the communication is terrible. They released me the first day of the season. I don't want to talk about that and I don't want to get into it."


That left him at a crossroads with his career.

"It's tough when you play in the big leagues and then get sent down, then you tear your ACL and nobody wants to give you a shot," Torrealba said. "It was a point when I thought it might be time to retire or not play anymore, but I talked to my wife and she figures that we have a lot of things to go for."

Joel Roa, 23, a Dominican native who played at West Michigan last season, will open the season as Erie's backup catcher. Roa, Jeff Kunkel and Gabe Johnson spent most of spring training with the SeaWolves.

The Tigers released Johnson at the end of spring training. Kunkel, 24, who played his college ball at Michigan, had an outstanding spring. He was selected by the Tigers in the 37th round of the 2005 draft and played with short-season Oneonta and low Single-A West Michigan last season, his first in pro ball.

Baseball America rated Kunkel the best defensive catcher in the Tigers organization after the 2006 season. Kunkel was assigned to begin this season at West Michigan.


"There was definitely talk of him coming here, but we felt it was best that he go to West Michigan and get a chance at that level," Walbeck said.

Toledo's catching tandem is Dane Sardinha and Andrew Graham. Once Wilson comes off of the Tigers' disabled list, Rabelo likely will return to Toledo. Graham, who spent part of the 2006 season with Erie, could find himself back with the SeaWolves in a backup role.

Torrealba and left fielder Andres Torres, 29, are the two veteran players on Erie's 24-man roster.

"It's a new thing being out (of organized baseball) for a couple of years," Torrealba said. "It's a good thing that I took this because there are a lot of kids in this clubhouse who can play in the big leagues and we have a good team. We have a lot of prospects here. It's a good point of my career. I'm only 29. I started when I was 16."

Torrealba believes he has a good shot to resurrect his career with his Double-A opportunity.


"It's a new team, it's a new organization for me," he said. "I have to learn a couple things here. Mostly, you have to play hard. That's it. You have to play as hard as you can and, hopefully, I can make it from here."

RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.

http://goerie.com/baseball

[fyrftrjim]

Series preview

Published: April 09. 2007 6:00AM


Binghamton Mets at Erie SeaWolves

Today-Wednesday, 6:35 p.m.

Radio: WJET-AM/1400

Pitching matchups:


Today: Erie right-hander Dallas Trahern vs. Binghamton RH Kevin Mulvey


Tuesday: Erie right-hander Jair Jurrjens vs. Binghamton RH Jose Sanchez


Wednesday: Erie right-hander Eulogio De La Cruz vs. Binghamton RH Marcos Carvajal

Erie notes:
The SeaWolves had their season-opening, three-game home series against Altoona postponed because of snow and unplayable conditions at Jerry Uht Park from Thursday through Saturday. ... Erie was off Sunday. ... Trahern was 6-11 at high Single-A Lakeland in 2006. Third baseman Kody Kirkland could be ready to play today. Kirkland suffered a sprained left ankle on March 30 in a spring exhibition game in Lakeland, Fla. ... Today's game marks the first of seven Buck Night promotions this season.

Binghamton notes: Binghamton's season-opening, three-game series at Akron was postponed because of snow and poor field conditions. ... Seven Binghamton players are ranked among the New York Mets' top 30 minor league prospects by Baseball America. Three are ranked among the top 10: Outfielder Fernando Martinez (No. 2), right-hander Kevin Mulvey (6) and first baseman Mike Carp (8). ... Martinez, 18, was the youngest player in the history of the Arizona Fall League and is the first teenager to play for Binghamton since 19-year-old Jose Reyes in 2002. He played at high Single-A St. Lucie last season. ... Mulvey was the Mets' top pick (second round) in the 2006 June draft. He made four starts with Binghamton last season and went 0-1 with a 1.35 ERA. ... Carp had 17 homers and 88 RBIs with St. Lucie last season.

-- Ron Leonardi


http://goerie.com/baseball

[Big Toe]

The Walbeck comments about Larish's wizardry at first base had me thinking about him at third. He played there in college. I'm sure he wouldn't be a great defender over there, but if he could be adequate he'd make himself a lot more useful as a major league bench player, particularly given the Tigers current dearth of left-handed hitting.

[estrepe1]

The Walbeck comments about Larish's wizardry at first base had me thinking about him at third. He played there in college. I'm sure he wouldn't be a great defender over there, but if he could be adequate he'd make himself a lot more useful as a major league bench player, particularly given the Tigers current dearth of left-handed hitting.

Why is he going to be a bench player?

[Big Toe]

I didn't say that's all he'd be, but it's the easiest way to break in. If Shelton were to start next season Larish could potentially be a very useful reserve if he could handle third and first, but there isn't a lot of room for a guy who can only play first on a major league bench, particularly since Leyland's always going to have a twelve man bullpen.

[baseball3]

He might be able to play 3B, that's an interesting question to ponder.

[estrepe1]

I didn't say that's all he'd be, but it's the easiest way to break in. If Shelton were to start next season Larish could potentially be a very useful reserve if he could handle third and first, but there isn't a lot of room for a guy who can only play first on a major league bench, particularly since Leyland's always going to have a twelve man bullpen.

He has played in the OF in the past.

I am not fully convinced which one between Shelton and Larish will end up with the job even next season.

[Big Toe]

Larish would have to be lights-out to get the job next year, IMO, but anything's possible. I certainly don't think Shelton's guaranteed the job either, and I'm not convinced that a free agent isn't the most likely outcome (please not Casey please not Casey please not Casey). I wasn't aware he'd played the outfield. Obviously the spacious outfield in Detroit would make it tough, but if we can toss Kevin Witt out there.... Then again, Magglio's not looking too much better than Witt this week.

I don't think third is much of a stretch. Even if we had an incumbent firmly entrenched at first next year or the year after Larish could work his way into 350 at bats or so if he could play all four corners passably. I don't imagine Walbeck's eager to move him around during the season but perhaps it's something to toy around with next spring, especially since he'll probably get a chance in the major league camp.

[estrepe1]

Larish would have to be lights-out to get the job next year, IMO, but anything's possible. I certainly don't think Shelton's guaranteed the job either, and I'm not convinced that a free agent isn't the most likely outcome (please not Casey please not Casey please not Casey). I wasn't aware he'd played the outfield. Obviously the spacious outfield in Detroit would make it tough, but if we can toss Kevin Witt out there.... Then again, Magglio's not looking too much better than Witt this week.

I don't think third is much of a stretch. Even if we had an incumbent firmly entrenched at first next year or the year after Larish could work his way into 350 at bats or so if he could play all four corners passably. I don't imagine Walbeck's eager to move him around during the season but perhaps it's something to toy around with next spring, especially since he'll probably get a chance in the major league camp.

He would have to be lights out. But he does have one thing over Shelton if all things are considered equal.... he bats left handed. I am not sure about the free agent route because I don't think there will be a good free agent 1B available.

You can certainly try third out. I have visions of Eric Munson but they can certainly give it a try.

[fyrftrjim]

Worth the wait
After 3 snowouts, SeaWolves open season with easy win

BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 10. 2007 6:00AM

First baseman Jeff Larish is one of the top young power-hitting prospects in the Detroit Tigers' organization, a patient hitter who can drive the ball to all fields.

The three-run homer he drove over the center-field wall in the second inning highlighted his 3-for-4 performance in the SeaWolves' season-opening 8-0 win over the Binghamton Mets on Monday. The game was played before a Buck Night crowd of 2,741 at Jerry Uht Park.

After having their season-opening three-game home series against Altoona snowed out, the SeaWolves weren't bothered by a 36-degree gametime temperature or 12 mph winds that dropped the wind-chill temperatures into the 20s after sunset.

"The cold was something to get used to, but I was looking to get a good pitch to hit," Larish said. "We were able to practice out here and kind of get a feel for the cold weather."

Incorporating elements of small ball and the long ball, the SeaWolves jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first two innings and made it easy for Matt Walbeck in his managerial debut with the club.


"This feels really good personally and as a team," Walbeck said. "It's nice to know that the team's confidence showed. They were prepared and went out and played a good game. We were right where we wanted to be. We knew the weather was out of our control with the snow. Our guys weren't anxious. They were ready."

A lack of snow at Uht Park was reason enough to rejoice.

"This weather is something you have to deal with," said Larish, who accounted for Erie's final run with a sixth-inning RBI single. "You have to respond. It starts with our manager. He gets us in a good mindset and I think everybody feeds off that."

Despite having to wait an extra five days to make the SeaWolves' opening-day start, right-hander and Double-A rookie Dallas Trahern looked in midseason form, throwing six shutout innings of six-hit ball.

"I came ready to pitch today," Trahern said. "I tried to stay mentally tough through these snowouts. I know we came in to this game not letting the weather be a factor and not making excuses for anything."


Staying mentally sharp was Trahern's biggest challenge.

"Just waiting around was the toughest thing," he said. "This was my first Double-A start. I've been wanting to get out there and it was tough to wait. To kill time, I tried to find a place to live and played a lot of PlayStation. I waited it out."

Erie's offense made it easy for Trahern, 21, a sinkerball pitcher who was 6-11 with a 3.30 ERA in 25 starts at high Single-A Lakeland last season.

"He was on his game, getting his ground balls, getting ahead in the count," Walbeck said. "That's probably the best I've seen him throw. It goes to show you he was prepared. It would have been really tough for me if I were pitcher to have to wait that long. He was ready and went out there and threw a gem."

The SeaWolves scored four runs in the first and broke it open on Larish's three-run homer in the second, all against right-hander Kevin Mulvey, the New York Mets' second-round draft pick last season.


Mulvey lasted just 1 1/3 innings.

"When you get that kind of run support, you don't have to worry about anything," said Trahern, who's in his fourth season of pro ball. "I've never had a winning record in pro ball, so it was unbelievable to get that run support and get out of the gate with a good start. I was just thrilled to death."

Larish, a 6-foot 2-inch, 200-pound left-handed hitter, provided the bulk of Erie's offense, finishing with a homer, two singles, a walk, two runs scored and four RBIs.

"When he's seeing he ball well, good things are going to happen," Walbeck said.

Erie right-hander P.J. Finigan came on to start the seventh inning and threw two scoreless innings of relief, striking out five of the six hitters he faced. He struck out the side in the eighth.

http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/BASEBALL01/704100425/-1/SPORTS

[Big Toe]

I don't see why Larish would neccessarily resemble Munson at third. After all, he did play the position for several years in college and he's actually a good defensive first-baseman, unlike Munson. I don't think he'd even be average over there, but he wouldn't need to be if he were only playing there once a week (or less). It'd be nice to have someone with some power backing up third rather than backup middle infielders.

[estrepe1]

I don't see why Larish would neccessarily resemble Munson at third. After all, he did play the position for several years in college and he's actually a good defensive first-baseman, unlike Munson. I don't think he'd even be average over there, but he wouldn't need to be if he were only playing there once a week (or less). It'd be nice to have someone with some power backing up third rather than backup middle infielders.

Larish played 3B in college for 1 year I think... But you are right that he might be able to handle it.

I still think that he could win the 1B job.

[fyrftrjim]

Error finishes 'Wolves


BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 11. 2007 6:00 am

Kody Kirkland's return to the Erie lineup Tuesday had its ups and downs.

The SeaWolves third baseman had two hits and scored a run, but his throwing error in the 11th inning led to two unearned runs and a 4-2 Erie loss to the Binghamton Mets before 1,092 fans at Jerry Uht Park.

"I have no excuses," said Kirkland, who sat out Monday's season opener because of a left ankle injury he suffered March 30 in spring training. "It's just one of those things. It's part of the game; it's going to happen, so I have to put it behind me."

The SeaWolves, an 8-0 winner over Binghamton on Monday, dropped to 1-1. The teams are scheduled to wrap up their three-game series today at 6:35 p.m. at Uht Park.

With one out in the 11th, Kirkland fielded a routine grounder off the bat of Binghamton catcher Mike Nickeas and had plenty of time to get the runner, but his throw bounced 10 feet in front of first baseman Jeff Larish and skipped past him.

Nickeas went to second on the two-base throwing error. After Erie right-hander Kevin Ardoin intentionally walked Binghamton left fielder Nic Jackson, second baseman Mark Kiger lined a double down the left-field line, scoring Nickeas. Jackson, who went to third on the hit, then scored on Corey Ragsdale's sacrifice fly.

Interactive Graphic:
http://www.goerie.com/extra/jerryuhtpark


"When you make errors, especially when it sets up the go-ahead runs, it's never fun, but it's part of the game and you can't let it get to you too much," Kirkland said.

"That's not a play, I'm sure, he wants to remember, but those things happen," Erie manager Matt Walbeck said. "Physical mistakes happen. It's tough to throw when it's cold out, but that's part of the game."

Ardoin, the SeaWolves' closer was summoned to pitch in the 11th inning after Erie reliever Kyle Sleeth was struck on the left foot by a line drive hit by Binghamton designated hitter Brett Harper leading off the inning. Harper was retired on the play.

Sleeth, making his first appearance this season, pitched a scoreless 10th inning. The right-hander, who was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the first round of the 2003 draft, limped off the field.


Sleeth underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in 2005 and is pitching in Double-A for the first time since 2004. He had his ankle taped and was able to walk in the clubhouse after the game.

"It's encouraging that I went out there and pitched well, but it's very frustrating to have this happen the first outing." Sleeth said. "It hit me right on the big toe. At first my foot was numb. I didn't know if it was hurt or not until I stepped on it and I kind of went down after that.

"I don't think it's broken," Sleeth said. "I think it's something I bruised. I think in a couple days I'll be back and ready to go. We're going to see how it feels (today) and if I feel like we need to do an X-ray, we'll do something then."

Binghamton's bullpen shut down the SeaWolves, allowing just two hits after the fourth inning.

Erie scored twice in the fourth inning, but the Mets (1-1) chipped away and tied the game with single runs in the sixth and eighth innings.


Binghamton center fielder Fernando Martinez tripled and scored the first Mets run in the sixth on Mike Carp's single. The run, allowed by Erie reliever Andrew Kown, ended a string of 14 straight scoreless innings by Erie pitching to start the season.

Martinez, a left-handed hitter, tied the game in the eighth, greeting Erie lefty Danny Zell with a line-drive homer to right-center. Martinez is ranked the New York Mets' second-best minor league prospect by Baseball America.

Martinez, 18, was the youngest player in the history of the Arizona Fall League and is the first teenager to play for Binghamton since 19-year-old Jose Reyes in 2002. He played at high Single-A St. Lucie last season.

"We've got a lot of games left," Walbeck said. "We had a few mental lapses, but overall, the guys gave a good effort and that's all you can ask for."

RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.


http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070411/BASEBALL01/704110465/-1/SPORTS

[baseball3]

Hate to lose one late like that, but, those things do happen and adjustments will be made. Martinez must be one heck of a player to dominate for 2 nights like has at ONLY 18 years of age!!

[Edman85]

I must say I'm relieved it was "just" a toe for Sleeth.

[redshark63]

I must say I'm relieved it was "just" a toe for Sleeth.

Me too. Listening to it last night, they first mentioned his face, then his knee, then his ankle. Needless to say, it happened fast and the announcers were just reacting to what they Thought they saw before the replay was viewed.

Hopefully, it is just a bruise at worst.

[fyrftrjim]

'Wolves weather Mets, elements in rout

BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 12. 2007 7:00AM
wind-driven rain and wind gusts exceeding 40 mph made infield popups and outfield fly balls an adventure.

A piece of tarp enveloped Erie reliever Ian Ostlund as he warmed up in the bullpen during the middle innings.

Erie third baseman Kody Kirkland, who went 2-for-4, watched his fourth-inning pop fly along the first-base line drop on the pitching mound for an RBI single.

SeaWolves first baseman Jeff Larish lofted a fly ball to medium left-center in the sixth inning that carried over the fence for a homer in Erie's 12-4 win over the Binghamton Mets on Wednesday before 777 fans at Jerry Uht Park.

"Not even in Florida in storms are the winds that bad," SeaWolves center fielder and Florida resident Clete Thomas said. "It was real cold. Your face was frozen from the wind and it was making the balls do all kinds of crazy things."


If the elements weren't enough of a daunting challenge for Binghamton's pitching staff, Erie's bats definitely were.

The SeaWolves (2-1) collected 16 hits, built a 9-1 lead through four innings and had at least one hit from every starter in the rout.

"Our whole lineup has been swinging the bat real well and the confidence should be growing right now," SeaWolves manager Matt Walbeck said.

Erie's leadoff through No. 4 hitters - Thomas, second baseman Michael Hollimon, Larish and right fielder Matt Joyce - did the most damage, combining to go 7-for-14 with seven RBIs and eight runs scored.

Thomas broke out of an 0-for-9 start with three hits, including a triple, and three runs scored.


Hollimon, a Double-A rookie who hits second in the lineup, has been an on-base catalyst in three games. He had a single, sacrifice fly, reached base on a hit-by-pitch and scored three runs.

"I saw the ball good," Thomas said. "Hollimon and I try to get on base. He's got power, so if I get on base, he has the potential to hit a two-run bomb. It's our job to get on base and make something happen for the big guys down the lineup."

"My mentality is to do whatever I can to help the team," Hollimon said. "We have guys like Larish, Joyce and Jackson Melian who can drive in people. I'm looking for pitches to hit and if they're there, I'm going to take a swing at it."

Larish, who hits third, had two hits, two RBIs and two runs.

Joyce, who bats cleanup, drove in four runs.


"Hollimon's on-base percentage is skyrocketing," Walbeck said. "His approach at the plate has been really good. He's been seeing the ball really well and it certainly helps to be surrounded by Clete Thomas and Jeff Larish. Hitting between those two guys has to be a treat."

Notes: As the top of the sixth inning was about to start, about 30 individual lights in several light banks flickered and went off. After team officials and umpires conferred for a few minutes, all of the Uht Park lights were turned off and turned on again. All the banks functioned properly once they were reset, causing a 19-minute delay. ... Detroit Tigers backup catcher Mike Rabelo, who played with the SeaWolves the past two seasons, is scheduled to make his first major league start tonight. The Tigers meet the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a four-game series in Toronto. The Tigers recalled Rabelo from Triple-A Toledo on March 30, the same day they placed backup catcher Vance Wilson on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right elbow.

RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.

http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070412/BASEBALL01/704120500/-1/SPORTS

[fyrftrjim]

Sleeth catches break


BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 12. 2007 7:00AM


Erie SeaWolves reliever Kyle Sleeth is expected to be sidelined a few days after suffering a bruised left toe in Erie's 4-2, 11-inning loss to Binghamton on Tuesday at Jerry Uht Park.

Sleeth, the Detroit Tigers No. 1 draft pick in 2003, was struck in the left foot by a line drive in the 11th inning and had to leave the game. He came on to start the 10th and threw 11/3 scoreless innings before the injury.

X-rays Wednesday morning revealed no break.

"It feels a lot better today, but it's still sore," Sleeth said. "A couple days off, I'll be ready to go."

After undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in June 2005, Sleeth rehabbed and began pitching competitively last season with the Gulf Coast Rookie League Tigers and at high Single-A Lakeland.


"I'm pitching healthy and that's all I can ask for this year," Sleeth said. "I don't have any goals as far as starting or relieving, but just getting out there in games and getting outs. My arm feels healthy."

Right-hander Jeremy Johnson's promotion to Triple-A Toledo on Monday and Sleeth's injury leave the Erie bullpen with just five pitchers heading into the club's first road trip. Erie begins a four-game series at Harrisburg today. The SeaWolves complete the trip with a three-game series at Akron beginning Monday.

SeaWolves manager Matt Walbeck said he might get a pitcher assigned to Erie today.

"We're going to wait and find out," Walbeck said. "By (today) we should know more about that. I think they're going to send us someone. I wouldn't think any other way about it. I think (today) we should be covered. I don't exactly know who or what, but we should be all right."

RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.

http://goerie.com/baseball

[fyrftrjim]

Erie SeaWolves watch

Published: April 12. 2007 7:00AM


Erie SeaWolves (2-1) at Harrisburg Senators (0-6)

Pitching matchups:



Today, 6:35 p.m.: Erie RH Eddie Bonine (0-0, 0.00) vs. Harrisburg RH Collin Balester (0-0, 3.60)


Friday, 6:05 p.m.: Erie LH Jon Connolly (0-0, 0.00) vs. Harrisburg LH Mike Hinckley (0-1, 7.20)


Saturday, 6:05 p.m.: Erie RH Dallas Trahern (1-0, 0.00) vs. Harrisburg RH Beltran Perez (0-0, 3.60)



Sunday, 1:05 p.m.: Erie RH Jair Jurrjens (0-0, 0.00) vs. TBA

Erie notes: The SeaWolves' season-opening six-game homestand was shortened to three games because of three snowouts last week against the Altoona Curve. Erie won two of three games against Binghamton on Monday through Wednesday. ... Erie starts a seven-game road trip tonight in the opener of a four-game series at Harrisburg. The SeaWolves visit the Akron Aeros for a three-game series Monday through Wednesday at Canal Park. ... Bonine and Connolly are scheduled to make their first starts this season.

Harrisburg notes: The Senators opened the season 0-6 after losing a three-game series at Reading and a three-game series at Trenton. ... Right-hander Collin Balester is the No. 1-ranked Washington Nationals' minor league prospect, according to Baseball America. ... Scott Little resumes his career as a manager with Harrisburg after serving last season as the Washington Nationals' minor league coordinator. ... Little managed the SeaWolves to a 34-41 record in 1995, when Erie was the Pittsburgh Pirates' short-season New York-Penn League affiliate. ... Little played for Harrisburg in 1988 and was the team's most valuable player that season.

-- Ron Leonardi


http://goerie.com/baseball

[fyrftrjim]

'Wolves start road series with loss

Published: April 13. 2007 7:00AM


HARRISBURG -- The Erie SeaWolves' first road game resulted in the Harrisburg Senators' first win.

The Senators' John Suomi broke a 2-all score with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Josh Whitesell added another solo homer in the bottom of the seventh en route to Harrisburg's 6-2 win in front of 2,943 at Commerce Bank Park on Thursday.

Erie dropped to 2-2 in its first game away from Jerry Uht Park. Harrisburg (1-6) entered the game as the Eastern League's only winless team.

Suomi's first homer of the season came off Erie's Eddie Bonine (0-1). Whitesell hit his homer off reliever Matt Rusch, who made his Erie debut.


Rusch was promoted from Single-A Lakeland to replenish Erie's thin bullpen. The right-hander pitched 21/3 innings, gave up six hits and Harrisburg's last three runs.

Collin Balester (1-0) pitched the first five innings for Harrisburg.

Balester allowed RBI infield singles to Jeff Larish and Jackson Melian in the top of the third, which gave Erie a 2-0 lead.

The 'Wolves' Clete Thomas and Mike Hollimon each had two hits.



http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070413/BASEBALL01/704130433/-1/SPORTS

[fyrftrjim]

SeaWolves' quick lead vanishes vs. Senators

Published: April 14. 2007 6:00AM


HARRISBURG -- Josh Whitesell went 5-for-5, including three extra-base hits, and drove in five runs to lead the Harrisburg Senators to a 16-3 Eastern League rout of the Erie SeaWolves on Friday night.

Erie (2-3) got out to an early 1-0 lead on a Jeff Larish RBI single, but was then outscored 9-1 in the next three innings. Kody Kirkland went deep for Erie, but that was the only bright spot for the struggling offense. The 'Wolves had nine hits but could not get one when it counted. Erie had the bases loaded in the seventhinning but Kirkland struck out to end the threat.

Harrisburg (2-6) earned its second straight win after losing six straight to start the season. Whitesell started the scoring for the Senators with a two-run homer in the second inning, then added a two-run double in the third.

The Senators' Tony Blanco had two hits, including a grand slam in the eighth inning.

Jonathan Connolly lost his first game of the year for Erie.

[fyrftrjim]

SeaWolves bounce back, get first road win of season

Published: April 15. 2007 6:00AM

HARRISBURG -- One day after giving up 16 runs to the Harrisburg Senators, the Erie SeaWolves got a strong pitching performance.

The SeaWolves (3-3) beat the Senators 6-1 Saturday in front of 2,713 fans at Commerce Bank Park.

Dallas Trahern (2-0) picked up the win in his second strong start.

Erie took an early 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Matt Joyce doubled and later scored after two wild pitches.

The Senators (2-7) rallied in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI double by Dan DeMent to tie the score 1-1.


Joyce put the SeaWolves ahead for good, driving in a run in the sixth inning with a single.

The SeaWolves broke open the game in the eighth inning with four runs. Kody Kirkland and Jackson Melian had back-to-back two-run hits to give the SeaWolves the insurance runs.

Joyce finished with two hits, two runs and an RBI. Michael Hollimon finished with three hits for Erie and two runs scored. Hollimon raised his batting average to .381.

Dan Dement had an RBI double for Harrisburg.

Trahern gave up one run in 61/3 innings.


He has an 0.73 earned-run average. Trahern has allowed just one run in 121/3 innings.

Josh Hall (0-1) took the loss for the Senators, giving up a run in one inning of relief

http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070415/BASEBALL01/704150512/-1/SPORTS

[fyrftrjim]

SeaWolves notebook

Published: April 15. 2007 6:00AM


Michael Hollimon led the Midwest League last season with 13 triples and ranked in the league's top five in extra-base hits, walks, total bases and slugging percentage.

Making the jump to Double-A from low Single-A hasn't been a problem so far for the Erie SeaWolves' switch-hitting second baseman.

The Dallas native, 24, has been an offensive catalyst from his No. 2 spot in the lineup. In Erie's first four games, Hollimon reached base 10 times, going 4-for-13 with four walks, a pair of hit by pitches and seven runs scored.

The Tigers believed that Hollimon's age and knowledge of the game (he played four years of college baseball) would enable him to bypass high Single-A Lakeland and make a smooth jump to Double-A.

Part of Hollimon's transition has included moving from shortstop, the position he played his first two pro seasons.


At West Michigan last season, Hollimon hit .278 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs in 128 games.


From Monday through Thursday, the 12-team Eastern League was able to play 22 of its scheduled 24 games.

That was a significant improvement over the first week, when snow, cold and poor field conditions forced officials to postpone 13 of 20 league games over the first four days of the season April 5-8.

After 6 inches of snow fell at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium in Manchester, N.H., April 4-5, Fisher Cats' officials attempted to clear their field of snow with a Zamboni. It didn't work. The Fisher Cats postponed their first two games.


A trend that emerged in the SeaWolves' first three games is aggressive baserunning. Erie manager Matt Walbeck is a proponent of small ball and when his team grabs an early lead, expect the SeaWolves to apply pressure with a running game, taking extra bases when they can, moving runners with productive outs and manufacturing runs.


"You can't overlook the baserunning," Walbeck said. "I think the baserunning stuff is overlooked. You don't read about it in the box score, but it's certainly something that will help get us runs."


The Bowie Baysox's new manager is Bien Figueroa, a shortstop on the 1986 Erie Cardinals team that played in the short-season New York-Penn League.

Figueroa, 43, is in his 11th season of coaching in the Baltimore Orioles' organization. The Dominican Republic native managed the high Single-A Frederick Keys the past two seasons. His 2005 Frederick team won the Carolina League championship with a franchise-best 79-61 record.


SeaWolves right-hander P.J. Finigan was a four-year starter at shortstop at Southern Illinois, where he also spent three seasons as a relief pitcher and one in the starting rotation. As a senior, he won the 2005 Missouri Valley Conference batting title with a .388 average.

But after the Tigers selected him in the seventh round of the 2005 draft, they told him his future was better as a pitcher. He opens the season as the SeaWolves' set-up man after splitting last season primarily as a reliever between Single-A Lakeland and Erie.



The Trenton Thunder had the league's most successful opening homestand at the gate, attracting 25,839 fans in their first six home dates, an average of 4,006 per game.

Akron averaged 4,021 fans in its first three games. The four other league teams who opened the season with homestands were Reading (3,504 average in six dates), Portland (3,192 in three dates), New Hampshire (2,994 in four dates) and the SeaWolves (1,536 in three dates).

Former Wolves: Juan Tejeda, who played with Erie in 2004-05, is a first baseman with the Reading Phillies. Second baseman Juan Francia, who spent parts of the last two seasons with the SeaWolves, is playing for the Trenton Thunder. Pitcher Mike Nannini is on the Altoona Curve's inactive list. He made 23 appearances for Erie last season.


-- Ron Leonardi


http://goerie.com/baseball

[fyrftrjim]

Reliever Ardoin wants the mound with game online

BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 15. 2007 6:00AM


SeaWolves manager Matt Walbeck didn't lose any sleep determining his closer.

One day in spring training, right-hander Kevin Ardoin asked Walbeck if he could have the opportunity to be Erie's go-to guy with the game on the line.

That was good enough for Walbeck.

"That's kind of the way when you manage a team, you get information from players," Walbeck said. "Someone will say, 'Hey, I hit well against this guy,' and you play him. A guy asks you he wants a job, you give it to him until something changes. It's good to hear from a player that he wants to do something. You give him a chance. Kevin is the only guy who came up to me and said he wanted to close."

Ardoin, 24, a native of Eunice, La., hasn't handled a closing role since early in his college career at NCAA Division I Louisiana-Lafayette, but says he wants to once again experience the adrenaline rush and "that-game-is-on-the-line feeling" synonymous with closing.


"I would prefer closing over anything," Ardoin said. "It's something that I feed off of. I'll take that and run with it."

His professional closing debut began inauspiciously Tuesday. He took over with one out in the 11th inning of a 2-2 game and took the loss in a 4-2 decision to the Binghamton Mets at Jerry Uht Park, though the two runs he allowed were unearned.

He returned the next night against Binghamton and pitched two scoreless innings in a 12-4 Erie win.

"We really don't have a closer, a guy who's done it in the past," pitching coach A.J. Sager said. "That's OK. I've been in that situation before and somebody always emerges. Sometimes you have one or two who can do it."

Ardoin, 6 feet 1 inch and 167 pounds, is not a traditional hard-throwing closer who will overpower hitters with a blazing fastball. He's a sinker, slider and change-up pitcher who relies on putting the ball in play and allowing his defense to work behind him.


At low Single-A West Michigan in 2005, his first season in pro ball, Ardoin pitched mostly in a set-up role, finishing 5-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 22 appearances.

Promoted to high Single-A Lakeland last season, Ardoin moved to the Flying Tigers' starting rotation and went 9-9 with a 4.11 ERA in 26 starts.

"Starting and relieving is two different worlds," Ardoin said. "When you're a starter, you have more time to work on your pitches and refine some of those little things. When you're a reliever, it's good because you get more time each day to throw the ball. It keeps you sharper."

Ardoin allowed a Florida State League-high 176 hits and 16 home runs in 2006, but led all pitchers by averaging just 1.1 walks per nine innings. He struck out 86 and walked 22 last season in 1551/3 innings.

"He throws strikes and when you throw strikes, you're going to give up hits and homers," Sager said. "He competes very well. He mixes and matches his pitches well. I've seen him throw his fastball at 86 mph and at 92 mph, so he can change speeds on it. The nice thing I like about Kevin is he stands on the mound and he'll use his stuff in the strike zone and more times than not, it works out for him."


And, unlike the outs, the job was his for the asking.

RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.

http://goerie.com/baseball

[fyrftrjim]

Erie SeaWolves watch
Published: April 16. 2007 6:00AM


Erie SeaWolves (3-3) at Akron Aeros (3-3)

Canal Park

Today-Tuesday, 7:05 p.m., Wednesday: 10:35 a.m.

Pitching matchups:

Today: Erie RH Jair Jurrjens (0-0, 0.00) vs. Akron RH J.D. Martin (1-0, 0.00)


Tuesday: Erie RH Eulogio De La Cruz (1-0, 7.20) vs. Akron LH Aaron Laffey (0-0, 1.50)

Wednesday: Erie RH Eddie Bonine (0-1, 5.40) vs. Akron LH Scott Lewis (0-0, 4.91)

Erie notes: After winning two of three games in their season-opening home series against the Binghamton Mets, the SeaWolves lost two of three games at Harrisburg over the weekend. ... Erie's game against the Senators on Sunday was postponed by officials because of rain and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader May 22, at 5:35 p.m. at Commerce Bank Park. ... Erie is scheduled to play Akron 28 games this season: 14 at home and 14 on the road. ... Jurrjens got a no-decision in his first appearance, working four scoreless innings in Erie's 4-2, 11-inning home loss to Binghamton on Tuesday. ... De La Cruz earned a win in his first outing in the SeaWolves' 12-4 home victory over Binghamton on Wednesday. De La Cruz gave up two homers and allowed four runs in five innings. ... Bonine lost his first outing, a 6-2 decision at Harrisburg on Thursday. He worked five innings, allowing three runs and four hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

Akron notes: The Aeros won the Southern Division last season with an 87-55 record and lost to Portland three games to two in the championship series. ...Akron lost two of three games over the weekend at Bowie and had its Sunday game against the Baysox postponed because of rain. ... Tonight's scheduled starter, right-hander J.D. Martin, is rated the Cleveland Indians' 13th-best minor league prospect by Baseball America. ... Lefty Scott Lewis is rated the Indians' seventh-best prospect and Laffey the 22nd-best prospect. ... Some of Akron's top returning players from 2006 are outfielders Trevor Crowe, Brian Barton and Brad Snyder, who rank third and fifth, respectively, among the Indians' minor league prospects. ... Akron's top-rated prospect is left-hander Chuck Lofgren, whom Baseball America rates No. 2 on Cleveland's list of top 30 minor league prospects. Lofgren was 17-5 with a 2.82 earned-run average in 140 innings at Class A Kinston last season and was selected the Carolina League pitcher of the year.


-- Ron Leonardi

http://goerie.com/baseball

[fyrftrjim]

Pieces start to fit in Erie's 'pen puzzle
'Wolves relievers finding roles

BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: April 17. 2007 6:00AM

Kevin Ardoin is the closer, P.J. Finigan looks comfortable in a set-up role and Andrew Kown has long-relief duty.

After that, Erie SeaWolves pitching coach A.J. Sager is confident the rest of his bullpen will work itself out.

"Guys will show you by how they perform where they should be pitching," Sager said. "We'll see how it goes."

So far, pretty good. In the SeaWolves' season-opening three-game series against Binghamton, Erie relievers combined to throw 14 innings, allowing only two earned runs and nine hits. Only Friday's 22-hit debacle at Harrisburg - a 16-3 loss that included Finigan's six-hit, five-run eighth inning and Danny Zell's three-hit, two-run seventh - has stung so far.

Erie's bullpen includes right-hander Kyle Sleeth, lefties Ian Ostlund and Zell, and newcomer Matt Rusch, a right-hander promoted to the SeaWolves from Single-A Lakeland on Thursday.


The SeaWolves' seven-man bullpen was operating two pitchers short for a few days this past week after the promotion of right-hander Jeremy Johnson to Triple-A Toledo and a minor foot injury to Sleeth. Sleeth has been sidelined since taking a line drive off his left foot April 10. He is expected to resume pitching as early as today.

How long Johnson remains with Toledo is uncertain. His Triple-A promotion was prompted by the Mud Hens putting right-hander Jordan Tata on the disabled list April 5 because of a sore right shoulder.

"A.J. and I will go ahead and give some of them the opportunity early on not knowing what kind of role they're going to have, and then as the season goes on, the roles kind of uncover themselves," SeaWolves manager Matt Walbeck said.

Finigan's role appears set as the team's set-up reliever. The 24-year-old right-hander was promoted to Erie last season after going 9-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 33 appearances with Single-A Lakeland. With Erie, he made 11 appearances, including three starts, and finished 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA.

"Hopefully this year I'll be set in a role and kind of know when my number is going to be called, which makes it easier," Finigan said. "When you know you're going to pitch, it's easier to prepare. I've pitched set-up before and I like the chance to pitch in every game, especially when the game is on the line."


One of his early season goals is to regain his velocity after suffering an elbow injury in spring training.

Finigan normally throws his fastball in the 88-92 mph range, but lately it's been just 84-86 mph.

"It's coming back and it's feeling better," Finigan said. "I'm really just using my slider to set up my change-up. That's really been kind of my putaway pitch so far. It's been working well.

The Tigers are hoping this is the season Sleeth can stay healthy and pitch himself back into their long-terms plans.

Sleeth, 25, underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in June 2005 and began pitching competitively last season with the Gulf Coast League rookie Tigers and at high Single-A Lakeland. He inherits a relief role to start the season and will work on shorter pitch counts until the Tigers deem him ready to resume a starting role.


Sleeth was selected by the Tigers in the first round of the 2003 draft and is making his first Double-A appearance since finishing his 2004 season with Erie.

"He'll be a one- to three-inning guy," Sager said. "He's on his way back. He's healthy, his frame of mind looks good and I'm excited to see where he'll go with it."

Sleeth's season was put on hold temporarily when he suffered a bruised left foot after being struck by a line drive in the 11th inning of Erie's 4-2 home loss to Binghamton on April 10. It was Sleeth's first appearance this season. X-rays the next day revealed no broken bones.

Kown has a long-relief role locked up, while Rusch should provide depth until Johnson returns. Rusch was 9-3 with a 1.79 ERA in 39 games at low Single-A West Michigan last season.

Ardoin asked for and received the closer's job in spring training. In his most recent appearance, he walked two but didn't allow a hit in one inning of Erie's 6-1 victory Saturday at Harrisburg.


Ostlund led all Erie pitchers with 53 appearances last season and was used effectively in a situational role, going 9-5 with a 4.43 ERA.

Zell returns to the SeaWolves after splitting his 2006 season with Single-A Lakeland. Last season, the Texas native began dropping his arm angle to about a three-quarters delivery to be more deceptive and effective against left-handed hitters.

"Those guys, sometimes if they get it, they last about 15 or 20 years in the big leagues," Sager said. "It's a little bit of a transition for him, but he's been doing it about a year now, so we won't expect newness as an excuse anymore. We'll expect execution and hold him accountable."

RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.


http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070417/BASEBALL01/704170382/-1/SPORTS

[fyrftrjim]

SeaWolves outlast Aeros, rain delays
Published: April 17. 2007 6:00AM


AKRON, Ohio -- The Erie SeaWolves withstood two long rain delays on a cold and windy night, and the bullpen came through in a 6-4 win over the Akron Aeros in the only Eastern League game played Monday night.

The SeaWolves (4-3) won their second straight road game in topping the Aeros (3-4) before 8,026 shivering fans at Canal Park.

The game ended at 11:35 p.m.

Right-handers Matthew Rusch (1-0) and P.J. Finigan, who got his first save, came into the game with 11.57 and 15.00 ERAs respectively.

But the pair combined for five shutout innings in the win.


After a lengthy rain delay before the start, the SeaWolves struck for three runs in the top of the first off of starter J.D. Martin (1-1), with Kody Kirkland and Brent Dlugach getting RBI singles.

Michael Hollimon had an RBI double in the fourth off of Kyle Collins, who relieved Martin after another long rain delay in the bottom of the third. In the fifth, Erie scored a run on a wild pitch and Steve Torrealba's RBI double for a 6-0 lead.

Kyle Sleeth took over for starter Jair Jurrjens in the third and cruised for two innings, but then hit a rough spot in the bottom of the fifth.

Sleeth allowed three singles and walked three to start the inning, cutting Erie's lead to 6-3. Rusch came in and induced a double play and a line-drive out to stifle the threat, and Finigan struck out three of the five batters he faced to preserve the win.


http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070417/BASEBALL01/704170408/-1/SPORTS

[fyrftrjim]

Aeros shut down SeaWolves on 3 hits
Published: April 18. 2007 6:00AM


AKRON, Ohio -- Three Akron pitchers combined on a three-hitter in a 5-1 Aeros win over the Erie SeaWolves on Tuesday before 2,137 fans at Canal Park.

Akron, a 6-4 loser to Erie on Monday, snapped a three-game losing streak. The SeaWolves (4-4), who committed five errors, saw their two-game win streak end.

Aeros left-hander Aaron Laffey (1-0) worked the first six innings, allowing one run and two hits.

He struck out six and walked one. Aeros lefty Reid Santos pitched two scoreless innings of hitless relief before right-hander Jensen Lewis threw a scoreless ninth inning, allowing a two-out triple.

The Aeros (4-4) jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning against SeaWolves right-hander Eulogio De La Cruz, who took the loss and dropped to 1-1. De La Cruz gave up three earned runs and five hits in four innings.


Akron's Jordan Brown drew a leadoff walk and scored on outfielder Brian Barton's triple to center field. Barton scored on outfielder Ryan Goleski's bloop single to right.

The Aeros padded their lead with two more runs in the third inning. Again, Brown was the catalyst, drawing a leadoff walk. Goleski then hit a grounder that SeaWolves third baseman Kody Kirkland booted. On the same play, Kirkland picked up a second error when his throw sailed past first, allowing Brown to reach third and Goleski second.

Akron's Pat Osborn followed with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Brown. Asdrubal Cabrera made it 4-0 with an RBI single to center, scoring Goleski.

Erie scored its lone run in the fifth off of Laffey. SeaWolves right fielder Matt Joyce led off with a line-drive double to right and scored one out later on shortstop Brent Dlugach's single to center.

The teams will meet in the rubber game of the three-game series today at 10:35 a.m.


The SeaWolves open a season-high eight-game homestand Thursday, hosting the Bowie Baysox at 6:35 p.m. in the opener of a four-game series at Jerry Uht Park.

http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070418/BASEBALL01/704180448/-1/SPORTS

[fyrftrjim]

'Wolves limp home with loss