RailCats Sign Zavada, Set Opening Day Roster
Published on May 16, 2013 under American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - The Gary RailCats return 12 players from last season's 50-50 campaign and welcome 11 new faces to the roster, including two players that have reached the apex of professional baseball. The roster currently stands at 23 with a healthy mix of youth and experience.
Left-handed pitcher Clay Zavada joins the RailCats after reaching the Major Leagues during the 2009 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks where he appeared in 49 games and went 3-3 with a 3.35 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 51 innings. Clay, who spent last season with Triple-A Memphis (St. Louis Cardinals), is joined by right-handed pitcher Takahiro Matsuka who pitched briefly in the Japanese Major Leagues in 2009 and 2010, first with the Yokohoma Bay Stars and then with the Nippon Ham Fighters. In 14 career relief appearances, he was 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 22 innings.
The RailCats offense will be happy to have outfielder Cristian Guerrero return to U. S. Steel Yard for his fifth season after spending 2008-11 in Gary. Guerrero is the franchise's all-time leader in home runs (58) and ranks in the top-10 in games played, hits, batting average, runs and RBI. Mike Massaro, the team's all-time leader in batting average (.321) and triples (35), also returns for his fifth season with the RailCats.
Joining Guerrero and Massaro in the outfield, Adam Klein returns for his fourth season with the RailCats. Klein is the franchise leader in on-base percentage (.404), second in batting average (.294) and stolen bases (76), and ranks third all-time in walks (206). Drew Martinez rounds out the outfield. He's in his first season of independent baseball after spending 2012 with Angels Single-A affiliate Cedar Rapids.
Gary welcomes back three members from their infield from 2012, as third baseman Brian Kolb and middle infielders Chase Tucker and Zac Mitchell return. Steve Liddle, who spent last season with the Minnesota Twins organization, will handle most of the first base duties. Aljay Davis and Danny Pulfer will mix in the infield as well.
Behind the plate, the RailCats welcome back the dynamic duo of Ryan Babineau and Craig Maddox. Babineau, who is still considered a rookie in terms of service time, hit .257/.386/.342 in his first season of independent ball. Maddox tied for second on the team in home runs last season with five.
On the mound, the RailCats welcome back Alain Quijano as a member of their starting rotation. Quijano was acquired from the Grand Prairie Air Hogs in a trade on February 8, 2013 and will be a member of the RailCats for the third time in his professional career. He was acquired as a reliever for the stretch run in 2009, and made 13 starts for Gary during the 2011 season.
Ari Ronick, a former San Francisco Giants farm hand, joins Stephen Hiscock and Will Krout in the RailCats four-man rotation. Hiscock's 3.22 ERA last season was a team best and ranked fifth in the American Association. Krout breaks camp as a starting pitcher for the first time in his professional career after making 16 starts last season and leading the team with 128 1/3 innings pitched.
Closer Marco Gonzalez returns for his second season at U. S. Steel Yard after recording a team-high 10 saves in 41 relief appearances. Former Phillies farmhand Ian Durham joins Morgan Coombs, Estevan Uriegas, rookie Taylor Sewitt, Clay Zavada and Takahiro Matsuka in the bullpen.
The RailCats roster features seven rookies and eight players of LS-4 status or higher. The roster also features five newcomers who spent 2012 in affiliated baseball.
The RailCats open their season with a seven-game homestand beginning tonight at U. S. Steel Yard at 7:10 p.m. against the Lincoln Saltdogs.
American Association Stories from May 16, 2013
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- RailCats Sign Zavada, Set Opening Day Roster - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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