NYPL Aberdeen IronBirds

Initial roster includes nine players with previous Aberdeen experience

Published on June 12, 2008 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Aberdeen IronBirds News Release


ABERDEEN-The IronBirds have received their initial 2008 roster, a unit that includes nine players who have suited up for Aberdeen in years past and four of the Orioles' 2008 draft selections, among others.

Outfielder Robbie Widlansky, catcher Brian Bent and pitchers Chris Salberg, Anthony Kirbis, Joe Esposito and Jake Smith all spent time with the IronBirds in 2007 and will begin the year in Aberdeen. Infielder Jedidiah Stephen and pitchers Josh Tamba and Andy Schindling all played for the IronBirds during both the 2006 and 2007 seasons and will return in 2008.

Four draft picks have been assigned to Aberdeen: catcher Caleb Joseph (fourth round; Lipscomb University), outfielder Tom Baxter (24th round; University of New Orleans), third baseman Thomas Edwards (28th round; Rutgers University, New Brunswick) and catcher Chad Durakis (37th round; University of Maryland).

Right-handed hurler Tim Spooneybarger will join the IronBirds on a Minor League rehab assignment to begin the year. Spooneybarger, who has battled injuries over the past two seasons, last pitched professionally in 2005 with the Class-A-Advanced Jupiter Hammerheads (Florida Marlins) of the Florida State League. The 28-year-old went 2-3 with a 3.24 ERA in 88 Major League games for the Atlanta Braves and Florida Marlins from 2001-03.

Four players on the Aberdeen roster-outfielder Calvin Lester and pitchers Aaron Odom, Esposito and Salberg-have made appearances for Class-A Delmarva in 2008.

Rounding out the roster will be seven players (infielders Eric Perlozzo and Paul Chmiel, outfielder Jacob Julius and pitchers Henry Williamson, Pat Egan, Stephen Procner and Brandon Cooney) who spent the 2007 season in Rookie-level Bluefield and two (third baseman Tyler Kolodny, outfielder Lee Ellis) who were a part of the Gulf Coast League Orioles last year.

The IronBirds will be led by manager Gary Kendall, who served as a field coach for the team during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Scott McGregor will rejoin the field staff as the pitching coach, the same role he filled for Aberdeen in 2003. Cesar Devarez returns for his fifth season as a coach.

The Aberdeen IronBirds are the short-season Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and will kick off the 2008 campaign on the road against the Hudson Valley Renegades (Tampa Bay Rays) on June 17. They'll then return to Ripken Stadium for the club's home opener on June 20 at 7:35 p.m. against the Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets).

Check out the Aberdeen IronBirds Statistics

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