Preliminary 2007 roster

[NATE]

Since I started a similar thread with the other full season teams, I wanted to do the same for the Caps. However, their preliminary roster is essentially their roster at the end of last season and isn't really relevant to 2007.

I will post something later but it may not be until opening day.

[redshark63]

Since I started a similar thread with the other full season teams, I wanted to do the same for the Caps. However, their preliminary roster is essentially their roster at the end of last season and isn't really relevant to 2007.

I will post something later but it may not be until opening day.

Oh come on, do it!

I want to see Mark post a correction in all of your roster threads.

[Mr.MelissaG915]

Haske
Middleton
Mendez

[MelissaG915]

laster

[Microline133]

Laster has been working out with the Lakeland squad all spring, and didn't look terribly out of place...unless you've heard something to the contrary, I've still got him slated for Lakeland.

[helendale009]

Starters

Cody
Gagnier
Nickerson
Below
Castro

Relief

Jensen
Fien
Gerbe
Clelleand
Beard
Napolitian
Rain

Extended ST

Wise
Piccola
OBrien
Whitt

A lot of surprises and disappointments

[chuckles396]

The Grand Rapids Press (http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/117531753140720.xml&coll=6&thispage=1) says that this is the roster for West Michigan.

LF Deik Scram
2B Scott Sizemore
RF Brennan Boesch
1B Ryan Strieby
DH Michael Bertram
3B Santo De Leon
C James Skelton
CF Gorkys Hernandez
SS Audy Ciriaco

Bench
C Jeff Kunkel
OF Jeramy Laster
INF Louis Ott
OF Brandon Timm

Starting pitchers
LHP Chris Cody
RHP Lauren Gagnier
LHP Duane Below
RHP Angel Castro
RHP Jonah Nickerson

Bullpen
RHP Randor Bierd
LHP Ed Clelland
RHP Casey Fien
RHP Jeff Gerbe
RHP Brett Jensen
RHP Phil Napolitan
RHP Josh Rainwater

[Big Toe]

Kunkel?! The Erie paper seemed to think he'd be starting there. Odd. Surprised to see Bierd this low as well.

Michael Bertram is the supposed starter at DH? I thought he was an almost certain cut. Pretty unimpressive stats last year against much younger competition. I hope Laster or Ott get the at bats there instead. De Leon still being with the organization surprises me a bit as well.

So Bourquin's in Lakeland. Good news.

Anyways, many thanks for posting this.

[potthole]

Rainwater?? That's like his third stint with the team! Why in the world is he coming back?

[Big Toe]

Hmm...where's Jordan Newton? EST or Lakeland? Given his supposed defensive shortcomings, I'm betting EST. It's not like he was tearing it up at the plate last season either. I'd figured he might get some DH at bats with West Michigan, splitting time with Skelton behind the plate.

[chuckles396]

Rainwater?? That's like his third stint with the team! Why in the world is he coming back?

That's what I was thinking. I'm taking this lineup with a grain of salt.

[Big Toe]

Just noticed Duane Below. That's a surprise. Must've had a nice spring.

Edit: He had a much better '06 than I'd remembered. Nice to see him in the rotation.

[potthole]

That's what I was thinking. I'm taking this lineup with a grain of salt.

I've heard that rumor once before too, so that GR Press lineup might not be too far from the truth.

IF Rainwater is actually starting out the season down here, I sure hope he gets a quick callup if he pitches well.

[chuckles396]

Kunkel as the backup in WM is odd to me.

[whitecapwendy]

I've heard that rumor once before too, so that GR Press lineup might not be too far from the truth.

IF Rainwater is actually starting out the season down here, I sure hope he gets a quick callup if he pitches well.

I am thinking this might be an Andrew Kown type thing. I notice he is switching from starter to reliever (different mental approach to the game). When Andrew Kown switched to reliever, he started in WM for a couple weeks and then moved up. Perhaps it is only until someone from EST is ready to move up.

[estrepe1]

Its really hard to find spots in the pitching staffs. Rainwater is just in a numbers game where there isn't a lot of room. For an example of that look at Jensen. A college reliever that dominates the NYP is supposed to skip the MWL level. Its not a reflection upon him that he is going to be in the MWL its a reflection on the shear number of pitchers the Tigers have.

The question that roster leaves me asking is whether or not Carlson is going to Lakeland. That would be a huge jump. I expected him to be in WM at 1B/DH with Strieby. But since they don't have him listed as a starter maybe he impressed this Spring and will be in Lakeland?

I wonder what this means for Middleton since I expected him to be back in WM. He isn't going to be in Lakeland because that is where Borquin is going to be. I guess him and Parrott are in EST.

[zCor]

The question that roster leaves me asking is whether or not Carlson is going to Lakeland. That would be a huge jump. I expected him to be in WM at 1B/DH with Strieby. But since they don't have him listed as a starter maybe he impressed this Spring and will be in Lakeland?


According to Roger's reports last fall, Carlson to Lakeland was in the works since the Instructional Fall League......everytime I saw him two weeks ago he was starting with the Lakeland team....

[MelissaG915]

I really expected mendez to return as an everyday player

[zCor]

I really expected mendez to return as an everyday player


I think he makes the Lakeland roster with alot of at bats. But who knows, they told us to expect many surprises.

[Thrilla in Vanilla]

that Grpress roster has to be bogus period im readin some of the names and i am shocked

[estrepe1]

that Grpress roster has to be bogus period im readin some of the names and i am shocked

What names are you shocked by?

The ones that I am a bit surprised by:


LHP Duane Below as a starter
DH Michael Bertram - I thought Carlson would be in WM
3B Santo De Leon - I thought Middleton would be in WM again
C James Skelton - Its more of a shock because Newton seems to be going to EST.

[chuckles396]

Is it still possible for Middleton to come back to WM if he's in extended spring training, or do they find a spot for him in Lakeland?

[estrepe1]

Is it still possible for Middleton to come back to WM if he's in extended spring training, or do they find a spot for him in Lakeland?

Its possible he comes back to WM. Borquin is going to be in Lakeland so there isn't a lot of room there.

He might be back in Oneonta depending on how he does in EST.

[chuckles396]

One more question. Why wouldn't Laster start over Scram, Boesch, and Hernandez? Are they that much better than him?

[estrepe1]

One more question. Why wouldn't Laster start over Scram, Boesch, and Hernandez? Are they that much better than him?

The simple answer for you is yes. They are way better than he is. All three have tools and potential. With Hernandez being the best of the three in terms of talent. But the other two are not slackers by any means.

They will cover a ton of ground in the OF too given that all 3 are centerfielders by trade. Tools wise the only prospect in the entire system I would put above Gorkys is Maybin. Boesch and Scram are college OF. Boesch is a player with a good toolset including pretty good power. Scram is really quick and has a decent bat for average.

[chuckles396]

The simple answer for you is yes. They are way better than he is.

Thanks. Good info to know. :cool:

[estrepe1]

Thanks. Good info to know. :cool:

I hope the expansion of my post helps more. All three of those prospects are extremely interesting. Of course they all three have things to prove. But they all have the tools to do it.

I am always skeptical of guys until they show they can do it at the full season level. But they are talented players... especially Gorkys.... even though I have tried to keep a level head about his chances (they are still long)... he is extremely talented.

[Thrilla in Vanilla]

What names are you shocked by?

The ones that I am a bit surprised by:


LHP Duane Below as a starter
DH Michael Bertram - I thought Carlson would be in WM
3B Santo De Leon - I thought Middleton would be in WM again
C James Skelton - Its more of a shock because Newton seems to be going to EST.

i am very shocked that rainwater is still with us for one. Kunkel is another who seems to baffle me especially after word is that Graham is going to AAA I figured to see Clelland back but not Biard. Iknow Biard was injured last year but he also was advanced for WM when he was here the 1st time around. im a little suprised that hes not either in EST or in lakeland strictly due to the fact that lakeland is where the injured guys rehab for the most part. Brendan wise and matt o'brien im shocked wernt on the roster and i was a bit suprised not to see newton. them not putting middleton on the wm roster sadly tells me that theyve pretty much thrown the towel in on him. i still cant buy that this is the "official" caps roster

[MelissaG915]

don't. nothing is official until they arrive in WM tomorrow. Cotto and a pitcher weren't listed on the preliminary roster last year either.