Projecting Erie's 2007 roster

[NATE]

We have been getting reports from Lakeland and some articles from the local beat writer about the Seawolves. There seems to be a surplus of pitchers, especially in the pen and a lack of competition for position spots.

Starters:
Jurrjens
Delacruz
Bumstead
Trahern
Kown/J Johnson/Ardoin/Connolly (I think two will be released)

Pen:
Sleeth
Hahn
Zell
Dolsi
Finigan
Rusch
Chiavacci
Tomey
Steik
Peralta
Clelland
Ostlund

That's too many although a few may be at Lakeland and maybe even WM. However, that competition is stiff so I think you may see some players being released.

Catcher:
Graham
Sardinha

Infield:
Larish, Holliman, Dlugach, Kirkland around the horn.
McIntyre and Haley as backup.

Outfield:
Melian
Thomas
Joyce
Blue
I think they need a Kurt Airoso clone. I heard McKinney is still in camp. He might fit here.

[zCor]

You don't think that Kown is still in the mix for the starting rotation?

[Big Toe]

I believe that Jeremy Johnson's not with the organization anymore. I think (and hope) that Connolly's a reliever now. He was pretty good in his first inning or two as a starter, and that's when it all fell apart. Sardinha in Toledo and Torrealba in Erie would be my guess.

[baseball3]

Haley really looked very good at 2B this weekend as well. I had not seen him before, he's quick and has a good arm, not as polished offensively as he'd like I'm sure.

McIntyre is such a personable young man and GREAT team guy. It would be nice to see him make the big squad one day. He can do many, many things and is on top of his game at the moment. Refreshing young man who lifts the entire team both on and off the field. I heard one of the former minor leaguers who was sitting with the "wife's club" on Sunday say that Mc was the BEST dugout guy in the organization................pretty kewl stuff !

[NATE]

You don't think that Kown is still in the mix for the starting rotation?

I added Kown. For years, I have been getting Kown and Kauten mixed up in my head. When the post said that Kauten was going to be released, I crossed off Kown's name. I guess I won't get them mixed up any more:confused:

For years, I would go in the bank with paycheck in hand and tell the teller I wanted to check my cash instead of cash my check. Thank God for direct deposit.

[MAROTH4MVP]

Jurrjens
Delacruz
Bumstead
Trahern

slap some butter on those butts and eat them up because those are some excellent prospects. Nothing super flashy but solid.

[lesgoblu02]

that last post bothers me to the point where I may have to go to detox.

[monkeytargets37]

that last post bothers me to the point where I may have to go to detox.


I am now also uncomfortable

[MelissaG915]

not me, land 'o' lakes anyone?

[NATE]

Notice the post number on MAROTH4MVP's post!

[grandma g]

[QUOTE=Big Toe]I believe that Jeremy Johnson's not with the organization anymore. I think (and hope) that Connolly's a reliever now. He was pretty good in his first inning or two as a starter, and that's when it all fell apart. Sardinha in Toledo and Torrealba in Erie would be my guess.[/QUO


Jeremy Johnson IS still w/Tigers..he is always one of our guys that comes to talk to us as soon as he sees us at the fields....

[Big Toe]

Whoops...sorry for the misinformation. I thought he was a minor league free agent this offseason.

[CW]

When are the rosters for the minor league teams supposed to be finalized?

[shamrock07]

Jurrjens
Delacruz
Bumstead
Trahern

slap some butter on those butts and eat them up because those are some excellent prospects. Nothing super flashy but solid.

Heard Bumstead was released, along with Garth McKinney.

[hueytaxi]

Glad to see Steik and Rush in the mix at Erie. Rush was in Lakeland starting in January on his own to do the extra work to move himself up in the organization.

Where are you receiving this? I haven't noticed either working with the Erie team.Obviously you must be attending our workouts regularly.

[baseball3]

Agree, I saw Steik with the Lakeland group on Sunday

[Edman85]

Here's the Erie roster I just cooked up... seems pretty reasonable:

Starting Pitchers
Kevin Ardoin
Eulogio Delacruz
Jair Jurrjens
Andy Kown
Dallas Trahern

Relief Pitchers
Yorman Bazardo
Eddie Bonine
P.J Finigan
Jeff Hahn
Ian Ostlund
Kyle Sleeth
Danny Zell

Catchers
Adrian Casanova
Dane Sardinha

Infielders
Brent Dlugach
Adam Haley
Michael Hollimon
Kody Kirkland
Nick McIntyre
Jeff Larish

Outfielders
Vincent Blue
Jackson Melian
Clete Thomas
Andres Torres

[MotownWebGuy]

Notice the post number on MAROTH4MVP's post!I'd be more concerned if it was 777.

[NATE]

Where are you receiving this? I haven't noticed either working with the Erie team.Obviously you must be attending our workouts regularly.

I am probably to blame for listing them on my first post. The reality is we really don't know. So much can change over an off-season. Although Bumstead wasn't an elite prospect, I don't think too many thought he would be released, if that is indeed the case.

The issue with Rusch and Steik is that there isn't much room in the Lakeland or WM pitching staffs either. Again, if true, guys like Arrowood don't even get a second chance.

There seems to be real competition for nearly every roster spot on every club this year. I think that bodes well for the Tigers.

One final point. It would be even more crowded if Sanchez, Whelan and Claggett were still with us.

[baseball3]

That's why they call it addition by subtraction. We lose 3 good pitchers, but, it looks like the well has been replenished even before final cuts are made. Prune the flock, cut the vine, grow, develop and get better.

[209A12]

I believe it's "prune the vine, and cut the cheese".

[baseball3]

right, and cull the flock..................

[hueytaxi]

Nate..and others, (helendale?),
The reason for my comment, I am on the fields almost everyday and I read posts that I certainly do no see or agree with. Not to argue, just wondering the source realizing I'm not always correct either. Edman, your list looks pretty accurate. I'll have to pull out my original roster and see where I am now.

[CanTig]

The only difference that i had from Edman was
Anthony Tomey instead of Yorman Bazardo (Toledo)
Andrew Graham instead of Adrian Casanova (Lakeland)

[baseball3]

Will Johnson be a catcher in Erie or where will he most likely be assigned?

[zCor]

The only difference that i had from Edman was
Anthony Tomey instead of Yorman Bazardo (Toledo)
Andrew Graham instead of Adrian Casanova (Lakeland)
I still had Haske and Joyce in the mix for Erie, but they could be longshots at this point.

[baseball3]

I think McIntyre to Erie, Haske to Lakeland.............they play the same role at different levels. The Joyce to 'Erie is intriguing and I think he can handle it now, but, with he, Maybin and Justice in the Lakeland outfield, that will be pretty good. Justice has had a very good last few days, hitting a HR in 2 of the last 3 days play. Didn't look very good on that fly to RF last night in Orlando, but, he's been playing very well.......................

[zCor]

With Mejia being released, isn't it possible that Haley sticks in Toledo, then Haske and McIntyre may still end up as backup infielders in Erie?

[Microline133]

Justice's homerun on Monday, was an absolutely laser...it left the yard in a huge hurry. He's bulked up some since last year, which is a fabulous sign for his impending power potential.

[baseball3]

I may be wrong, but, I think generally, the organization is keeping one utility infielder at each level. Just like Mc and Haske were at Lakeland and WM respectively last year, I think they'll be at Erie and Lakeland respectively this year. But, again, that's just my opinion.

I've only been right once in my life, so, the probability is that I am wrong again. We'll find out officially when? Saturday or Sunday?

[baseball3]

Justice reply................

...............
...............I was not impressed with him before this year, but, yes, he looks very good, very confident and the results are coming. Being only 21, the future looks bright for him.......

[TigerFan82]

Hahn was released this week. :(

[NATE]

Too bad. He was a decent middle reliever for Lakeland last year.

I guess when your system gets better, being a decent middle reliever in High A doesn't cut it any more.

[Big Toe]

Thanks to those of you at spring training for all of your contributions to this thread. It's great being able to know a little more of what's going on on the minor league side of things this spring.

Also, the info on releases is great to get too. Keep up the good work.

[hueytaxi]

We still need Erie coverage in the MiLB department this year.

[texas longhorn]

I just got back from watching Erie on Sat and Tues. I thought they looked really good. I feel they have a bunch of hardnosed baseball players starting with Thomas,Dlugach,and Larish. Pitching should be good. This past week they just seem to find ways to produce runs. Larish did hit one out on Sat vs Indians.

[cajunblue]

Just received text message for Erie Roster on the pitchers:

Starters: Delacruz, JJ, Trahern, Bonine, Connolly;
Relievers: Sleeth, Ardoin, Finigan, Kown, Ostland, J.Johnson, Zell

Will give more as I receive!

[Big Toe]

Thanks for posting it and keep it coming!

[NATE]

Just received text message for Erie Roster on the pitchers:

Starters: Delacruz, JJ, Trahern, Bonine, Connolly;
Relievers: Sleeth, Ardoin, Finigan, Kown, Ostland, J.Johnson, Zell

Will give more as I receive!

It will be interesting to see who the closer is.

I wonder if Bonine and Connolly are placeholders until Miller and Sleeth are ready. Why them over Ardoin and Kown, who started all last year?

[Microline133]

I would imagine the closer's role is Finigan's to lose.

[cajunblue]

Don't know about others, but Ardoin has closed in spring games.

[NATE]

With Ardoin and Kown, do you think it was a matter of saying, "Any future you have with the big club is in the pen, so let's see what you've got"?

[Microline133]

The writing has been on the wall for both of them...this isn't a new revelation. Kown started last year in the pen at West Michigan, and Ardoin pitched in relief at West Michigan in 2005, and was slated to do the same at Lakeland in 2006 (as far as I was told) until some unforseen circumstances necessitated his move to the rotation.

[papon]

Good afternoon Cajunblue. How are you today? Thanks for the information. I've been waiting to hear what was what with the pitching.

[papon]

Thanks for the information Cajunblue. I've been waiting to see something about the pitchers. Have a good day.

[baseball3]

Joyce again played with the Erie team, I'd say he's now considered a LOCK in my book to skip Lakeland at the onset. He had another double today, looked very good!

[billfer]

Here's Erie's roster according to their PR people this afternoon. Torrealba is listed here, as well as Toledo.

The Detroit Tigers today announced their 2007 minor league rosters. The 2007 version of the Erie SeaWolves will be filled with top prospects and a balanced mix of veterans to compliment the youth. 10 of the 24 players on the squad are in Baseball America’s Top 30 rated prospects in the Tigers organization (Four in the top 10).

RETURNING PLAYERS
12 of the 24 players on the squad have spent parts of or entire seasons with the SeaWolves. Those players include starting pitchers Jair Jurrjens, Eulogio De La Cruz, Eddie Bonine and Jon Connolly. Four of the five arms in the rotation were a part of the Erie rotation at some point during the 2006 campaign. Other returning players include third baseman Kody Kirkland, who finished last season with Toledo, and infielders Adam Haley and Nick McIntyre. Outfielder Jackson Melian also makes a return to Erie.

CATCHERS
Two new backstops will start the season with the ‘Wolves. Steve Torrealba spent 2006 with Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican League and Joel Roa from West Michigan. Torrealba made it to the big leagues with the Atlanta Braves in 2002.

INFIELDERS
The infield will be stocked with talent as Brent Dlugach and Kirkland man the left side while newcomers Mike Hollimon and Jeff Larish man the right. Dlugach spent most of the 2006 season with Lakeland before a late season call-up to Toledo. Kirkland was tied for the SeaWolves team lead in home runs in ’06 with 22. Hollimon makes the jump from Class-A West Michigan where he batted .278 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI. He also led the Whitecaps with 77 walks. Larish notched 18 long balls with Lakeland last season and was second on the team in RBI with 65. Nick McIntyre and Adam Haley round out the infield and were both members of the SeaWolves last season.

OUTFIELDERS
Two Double-A rookies will make the jump from West Michigan and Lakeland in 2007. Matt Joyce batted .258 with 15 home runs for the Whitecaps last season while Clete Thomas hit .257 and led the Tigers with 136 hits.Jackson Melian returns as the only outfielder from the 2006 team. He played in 103 games for Erie batting .269 with 15 home runs and 60 RBI. Andres Torres rounds out the outfield. Torres spent 2006 with the Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A, Twins). He was a member of the 2001 SeaWolves and has big league experience with Detroit.

THE BATS
Experience will be the key with the SeaWolves at the plate this season. Kirkland has a year of Double-A under his belt while Dlugach helped Toledo to a stretch playoff run last season. The SeaWolves have a balance of power hitters with Larish, Melian and Kirkland and have a compliment of on-base players with Hollimon, Torres, Thomas and Joyce. While the ‘Wolves led the EL in home runs, they also led the league in strikeouts. Time will tell whether the 2007 version with more speed and pop at the top and bottom of the lineup will produce a higher powered scoring offensive attack.

THE ARMS
The SeaWolves enter the season with a strong pitching staff. The rotation will feature returnees Jurrjens, De La Cruz, Bonine and Connolly. The fifth member of the rotation is Dallas Trahern who went 6-11 with a 3.30 ERA in Lakeland.

The bullpen will be anchored by four returning SeaWolves in P.J. Finigan, Jeremy Johnson, Ian Ostlund and Danny Zell. Kyle Sleeth, who played in Erie in 2004 prior to Tommy John Surgery, will also come out of the pen. Two newcomers in Kevin Ardoin and Andrew Kown round out the bullpen.

TOP PROSPECTS
Prospects listed in Baseball America’s Top 30 for the Tigers Organization include:

#4 – Jair Jurrjens
#6 – Eulogio De La Cruz
#8 – Dallas Trahern
#9 – Jeff Larish
#11 – Kody Kirkland
#15 – Mike Hollimon
#19 – P.J. Finigan
#23 – Matt Joyce
#29 – Clete Thomas
#30 – Kyle Sleeth

Three players, De La Cruz, Sleeth and Kirkland are on the Tigers 40-man roster.

The 13th season of SeaWolves baseball begins Thursday, April 5 against the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates). First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.seawolves.com or call (814) 456-1300. All 142 SeaWolves games will be broadcast live on Jet Radio 1400 and on www.seawolves.com.

[baseball3]

When Torabella got his double yesterday in Winter Haven, I heard Wallbeck say, "That's our starting catcher hitting out there"..............guess AA is where he'll be and start. Wonder if the move on Friday night with Wilson/Rabelo has a trickle down effect here with he and Roa?

[potthole]

Roa? Wow! I sure hope he makes the most of this chance. Defensively he was great last year. His bat was a little weak, so I sure hope he's put in some work this offseason.

[baseball3]

He is much improved and is a good field leader and encourager to the pitcher. I like his approach, energy, enthuesiam and improvement. Not sure he'll stick there or not, but, a there is a lot to like with him.