2007 Fisher Cats Roster Announced
Published on April 1, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
Manchester, NH- The roster for the 2007 New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, has been officially released with a veteran group that includes 20 players with previous playing time in New Hampshire, including their all-time leaders in home runs, saves and appearances.
2006 Eastern League Home Run Champion Chip Cannon will anchor the starting lineup. Cannon set a single season franchise record with 27 home runs last season, while also driving in 69 runs. He'll be joined in the infield by Rob Cosby, who batted .308 with 17 home runs, a club record 34 doubles and 68 RBI in 2005. Brad Hassey, Ryan Klosterman and Manny Mayorson are all returning from last year's squad, along with the only infield newcomer, Sergio Santos. Santos was originally an Arizona Diamondbacks' first-round draft pick in 2002. He was acquired by Toronto along with Troy Glaus in a trade that sent Orlando Hudson and Miguel Batista to Arizona in 2005.
The outfield will include David Smith, who batted .253 with 19 home runs and a team-leading 74 RBI for the Fisher Cats last season. Joining him will be returnee Dustin Majewski, who belted 13 home runs in 65 games for New Hampshire, including a team record 5 home runs over 4 days between August 5 and August 9. Newcomers include Wayne Lydon, who stole 107 bases over two Eastern League seasons for the Binghamton Mets in 2004 and 2005, and Aaron Mathews, the only active player with no experience above Single-A. Ryan Patterson begins the year on the Disabled List.
Erik Kratz, who has caught more games than any catcher in Fisher Cats' history, is back behind the plate to start this season. He is backed up by John Schneider, who played 15 games for New Hampshire last season. Robinson Diaz begins the year on the Disabled List.
The pitching staff brings back five pitchers who spent time in the starting rotation last season. RHP Mike MacDonald led the team in wins (13), starts (28), innings (171.1) and strikeouts (103). The rest of the rotation will consist of a pair of Blue Jays' first-round draft picks - LHP Ricky Romero (2005) and LHP David Purcey (2004)- along with RHPs Kyle Yates and Jesse Litsch.
The bullpen is bolstered by the return of the top three men on the franchise's all-time saves list. RHP Tracy Thorpe went 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA and 18 saves a year ago. Lee Gronkiewicz, who recorded a team record 24 saves for New Hampshire in 2005, returns after spending all of last season with Triple-A Syracuse. RHP Jordan DeJong has compiled 16 saves during his club record 125 appearances in parts of three seasons in New Hampshire.
The rest of the relief corps consists of returnee RHP Justin James and 2005 Fisher Cat LHP Jesse Carlson, along with two players new to the Toronto organization - RHP Jean Machi and LHP Jo Matumoto. Matumoto, 36, is a Brazilian with no previous pitching experience in North America.
Bill Masse enters his first year as Fisher Cats' Manager, following back-to-back Eastern League playoff appearances as the manager of the Trenton Thunder. Ken Joyce is the new Fisher Cats' Hitting Coach after two seasons managing Lansing of the Single-A Midwest League. Dave LaRoche returns for his third season as Fisher Cats' Pitching Coach. Voon Chong, the only man to attend every Fisher Cats' game, is once again the Trainer, and Brian Pike is the new Strength and Conditioning Coach.
The Fisher Cats open the 2007 season Thursday night at 6:35pm against the New Britain Rock Cats at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. Limited tickets are still available by calling (603) 641-2005 or online at www.nhfishercats.com.
Eastern League Stories from April 1, 2007
- Senators Roster Released - Harrisburg Senators
- 2007 Fisher Cats Roster Announced - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- SeaWolves announce 2007 roster - Erie SeaWolves
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