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Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks Release Opening Day Roster

April 3, 2006 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


WILMINGTON, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks are pleased to announce the 2006 Opening Day roster, which features 13 players with prior stints in Wilmington. The returning players from 2005 are pitchers Andrew Dobies, Tommy Hottovy, Michael James, Luis Mendoza, Randy Newsom, Justin Sturge, catcher Jon Devries, infielders Ian Bladergroen, Iggy Suarez, Scott White and outfielders Claudio Arias, Mickey Hall and Bryan Pritz.

Players to watch:

INF Jed Lowrie - A sandwich pick between the first and second rounds for the Red Sox in the 2005 draft, Lowrie was the 45th pick overall. Lowrie is a switch-hitting infielder and is currently ranked as the ninth-best prospect in Boston's farm system according to Baseball America. In his first year of professional ball, Lowrie was named to the New York-Penn League All-Star team in 2005 and led the league with a .429 on-base percentage. He finished the season with a .328 average, 32 RBI and seven stolen bases.

INF Andrew Pinckney - Pinckney was the Red Sox 33rd overall pick in the 2004 draft. Picked in the 34th round, Pinckney's first pro year in 2004 with Lowell was ordinary while his 2005 season with Greenville was extraordinary. Named to the post-season All Star squad for the South Atlantic League, Pinckney ranked third with 91 runs scored, fifth with 98 RBI, seventh with a .311 batting average and eighth with a .535 slugging percentage. Pinckney also connected for 21 homers and was rated as having the best infield arm in the Red Sox organization by Baseball America.

OF Jacoby Ellsbury - The Red Sox top pick in the 2005 draft, Ellsbury was selected 23rd overall and made his pro debut with Lowell in the New York-Penn League. Ellsbury finished the year with a .317 batting average, 19 RBI and 23 stolen bases. Ellsbury also showed good plate discipline as well drawing 24 walks and striking out just 20 times. Ellsbury played at Oregon State University for three seasons and compiled a .368 batting average with 99 RBI, 16 homers and 56 stolen bases. Ellsbury holds the OSU record for career runs scored with 162 and also set the single season hit record with 86 in 2005.

RHP Gary Galvez - Galvez was signed by the Red Sox as a free agent in 2003. The 22-year-old has compiled a 23-17 record with a 3.73 ERA over the past three seasons. In his first pro season, Galvez went 6-3 with a 1.64 ERA in 14 games, 12 of them as a starter. Galvez also struck out 65 batters in his first season while walking just 10. In 2005 with Greenville, Galvez led the team in wins with a 10-4 mark and a 3.35 ERA. Appearing in 31 games last season, Galvez made 13 appearances from out of the bullpen and went 5-0 with a 2.37 ERA as a reliever.

RHP Ryan Schroyer - Schroyer was selected by the Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2004 draft. Boston's fourth pick, Schroyer made 13 appearances for Wilmington in 2005, going 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA. Schroyer spent most the season with Greenville where he had a 2.91 ERA in 26 games, 25 of them as a reliever. Schroyer was selected as a mid-season All-Star in the South Atlantic League and held lefties to just a .188 batting average.

The Rocks open the 2006 Carolina League season with eight in a row on the road, beginning on Thursday, April 6. Wilmington's home opener will be on Friday, April 14 against the Houston Astros affiliate, the Salem Avalanche.

Fans may purchase tickets over the phone by calling (302) 888-BLUE (2583) during normal business hours or via the Internet at the Blue Rocks official website, www.bluerocks.com.

For complete information on the 2006 schedule and latest information on tickets, group outings, and the 2006 promotional schedule visit the Blue Rocks website.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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