CalL1 San Jose Giants

San Jose Giants Announce 2008 Roster

Published on April 1, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


SAN JOSE, CALIF April 1, 2008 - The defending California League champion San Jose Giants have unveiled their opening day player roster for the upcoming 2008 season. The club will be led by a deep and talented starting rotation that includes a former first round draft pick and the reigning South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Pitcher.

The starting pitching trio of Kevin Pucetas, Ben Snyder, and Clayton Tanner begin the season in San Jose after each posted outstanding numbers with Augusta (Low-A) during the 2007 campaign. Pucetas led all of minor league baseball last season with a 1.86 ERA to go with a 15-4 record. The 23-year old right-hander earned Minor League Baseball's Most Spectacular Pitcher Award and MiLB.com's Class A Starting Pitcher of the Year, along with the top honor in the South Atlantic League.

Snyder, who garnered South Atlantic League All-Star honors, logged a 16-5 record a year ago in addition to a 2.09 ERA. Pucetas and Snyder notched the two lowest earned run averages in their league last season.

Tanner, a former third round draft pick, also is coming off an excellent season. The 20-year old Bay Area native was 12-8 with a 3.59 ERA in Augusta last year. Tanner, regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in the Giants farm system, will start opening night on the mound for San Jose.

Tim Alderson is the fourth newcomer to the San Jose starting rotation. A first round draft selection (22nd overall) last year, Alderson is the youngest player on the Giants roster at 19 years old. He comes to San Jose with just five innings of professional experience, but was recently named the #2 prospect (#1 pitcher) in the entire San Francisco farm system according to Baseball America.

Jesse English, a San Jose Giant for a portion of 2007, rounds out the starting rotation. English made just five appearances (two starts) in a San Jose uniform last season and was 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA.

Along with English, eight players on the opening day roster have previously called Municipal Stadium home. Returning from the 2007 San Jose Giants are relief pitchers Ryan Paul and Taylor Wilding, catcher Pablo Sandoval, infielder Brad Boyer, outfielder Mike Mooney, and English. Additionally, pitcher Craig Whitaker and catcher Tyler LaTorre are back in the California League after each played in San Jose during the 2006 season.

Other notable newcomers include infielders Matt Downs, Brett Pill, and Ryan Rohlinger along with outfielders Bobby Felmy and Mike McBryde. Downs won Northwest League Most Valuable Player honors for Salem-Keizer (Short-Season) last season in leading the Volcanoes to the championship. Downs, who can play both second base and third base, hit .338 with 33 doubles, eight home runs, and 48 RBI.

Pill, a power-hitting first baseman, led the South Atlantic League in doubles last season with 47 to go with 10 homers, 91 RBI, and a .269 batting average. Rohlinger paced the Augusta ballclub with 18 home runs last year while Felmy (.281 AVG, 15 HR, 82 RBI, 26 SB) and McBryde (.276 AVG, 7 HR, 61 RBI, 14 SB) each posted solid numbers as regulars in the Greenjackets outfield.

Among the returnees, Sandoval will garner full-time duties behind the dish after splitting the role in 2007. The 21-year old earned San Jose Giants Offensive Player of the Year honors last season when he hit .287 with 33 doubles, 11 home runs, and 52 RBI. Mooney returns to play right field for the Giants after hitting 12 home runs and stealing 21 bases to go with a .245 batting average in the California League last season.

Wilding, San Jose's lone representative on last year's California League All-Star team, is expected to anchor the bullpen along with Juan Trinidad. Wilding saved a team-high 12 games with the Giants last season en route to posting a 2.54 ERA. Meanwhile, Trinidad handled the bulk of the closing duties in Augusta last year when he recorded a 1.94 ERA and 18 saves.

Other newcomers to the San Jose Giants in 2008 include pitchers Steve Edlefsen, Dan Griffin, Mike Musgrave, Wilmin Rodriguez, and Ryan Shaver, catcher Elio Sarmiento, infielders Juan Ciriaco, Andy D'Alessio, and Sharlon Schoop, and outfielder Tyler Graham.

Manager Steve Decker, who returns to the California League after starring as a player with San Jose during the 1988 and 1989 seasons will lead the Giants. Decker, a former major league catcher, previously managed Salem-Keizer to consecutive Northwest League titles in 2006 and 2007. 19 of the 28 players on San Jose's opening day roster played for Decker on at least one of those championship squads.

Pitching coach Pat Rice and hitting coach Gary Davenport round out the San Jose staff.

Fans can meet the 2008 players and coaches at the inaugural San Jose Giants FanFest on Tuesday, April 1st at Municipal Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 P.M. while Decker and many of his players and coaches will be available to sign autographs, pose for pictures, and answer questions from fans as part of a "Meet and Greet" at 6:00 P.M. on the Martinelli's VIP Deck. Fans will then have the opportunity to watch the team practice beginning at 6:30 P.M., enjoy their first bite of Turkey Mike's BBQ, purchase new merchandise at the Clubhouse Store, and play in the Family Fun Zone. Those interested in becoming new season ticket holders are invited to come down to Municipal Stadium during FanFest to select their seat locations.

The San Jose Giants open their defense of the California League title on Thursday, April 3rd at Bakersfield. The home opener at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for Thursday, April 10th against the Blaze. The Opening Night Extravaganza will include a post-game fireworks display presented by State Farm, 2008 magnet schedule giveaway courtesy of AIG, KRTY broadcasting live, the return of Gigante and much more. For more information on tickets for the 2008 season please call (408) 297-1435 or visit www.sjgiants.com.

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