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NYPL Aberdeen IronBirds

Aberdeen IronBirds Game Notes

June 17, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Aberdeen IronBirds News Release


Tonight's Match-up

The IronBirds open up their 2011 season tonight against the Hudson Valley Renegades (Class-A Short-Season affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays). Today marks the beginning of the IronBirds' 10th season in Aberdeen. Overall, the club is 5-4 on opening days. They'll try to pick up their sixth opening day win with Parker Bridwell atop the hill. The 12th-ranked prospect in the O's system according to Baseball America, Bridwell is making his second start of the season. He joins the club after making one start for the Delmarva Shorebirds (Class-A affiliate of the O's). He'll go up against right-hander Wilking Rodriguez.

Leo Named Manager

After spending three years as the IronBirds' skipper, Gary Kendall was named the Double-A Bowie Baysox manager this off-season. Replacing him is former Orioles third baseman Leo Gomez. This is Gomez's third season as a coach in the O's minor league system and his first as a manager. Gomez spent 2010 as a field coach for the IronBirds. He was a coach for the GCL Orioles in 2009.

Baseball America Top 30 Guys

Every year Baseball America releases its top 30 prospects from each Major League team. This season, the IronBirds are fortunate enough to have three top 30 guys. Mychal Givens (7), Bridwell (12), and Connor Narron (17) all rank amongst the top prospects in the Orioles organization. All three closed out the 2010 season in Aberdeen. Rehabber Eddie Gamboa (25) is also in the top 30.

Where are the Draft Picks'

The IronBirds currently do not have any 2011 draft picks on their roster. This is a major change from past years when the opening day roster was littered with that year's picks. All of this year's Orioles draft picks are reporting to the O's spring training facility in Sarasota for workouts and processing after they sign.

Welcome Back

Aberdeen's opening day roster includes 12 guys who have played for the IronBirds before. 10 of them played for the IronBirds last season. Four of those players - Austin Knight, Austin Goolsby, Jeremy Nowak and Brandon Holloway - were on the IronBirds 2010 opening day roster.

Check out the Aberdeen IronBirds Statistics



New York-Penn League Stories from June 17, 2011


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