EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Announce Opening Day Roster

Published on April 8, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


AKRON, OH - The Aeros announced their inaugural 2010 roster today, and the club will once again be home to many of Cleveland's top prospects. The Akron Aeros finished with the third-best winning percentage in all of Minor League Baseball in 2009. Featured on the Opening Day roster are two of the top 10 prospects in the system according to Baseball America, including no. 2 prospect, INF Lonnie Chisenhall. OF Nick Weglarz (no. 6) will also open the year in the Rubber City and will be joined by a veteran bullpen and a dynamic group of position players who look to keep the success of the 2009 season going right into 2010.

RHP Zach Putnam was 3-0 with a 2.54 ERA (28.1 IP, 28 H, 8 ER, 31 K) in 16 second half games after being promoted to Akron on May 4 last season. LHP Scott Barnes, who joined the club after having pitched in the Giants organization, will take over the no. 2 spot in the rotation with returning big man RHP Connor Graham sliding in behind him in the no. 3 spot. RHP Paolo Espino, who spent time between Kinston and Lake County last season, will be the fourth starter and returning LHP Ryan Edell will take over the no. 5 spot in the rotation.

Highlighting the bullpen is the return of closer RHP Vinnie Pestano, who converted 24 of his 27 save opportunities, including 12 straight from June 6 - July 5. Joining Vinnie in the bullpen this season will be RHP Omar Aguliar, RHP Brian Grening, RHP Bryan Price, RHP Neil Wagner, RHP Erik Stiller and RHP Chen-Chang Lee who is from Peng-Hu County, Taiwan.

One familiar face on the 2010 roster is that of catcher Wyatt Toregas. Toregas, who was an Aero from 2006-2008, was recently designated for assignment by the Indians and his status is uncertain but appears to be joining the Aeros squad. Newcomer Alex Castillo, will serve as the backup backstop for Toregas if he stays with the club. Castillo caught 74 games in Kinston last season.

Former first-round picks INF Beau Mills and INF Lonnie Chisenhall return to the Aeros for the 2010 season. Mills will be looking to improve on his performance last year where he played 134 games for the Aeros. INF Carlos Rivero, who is also a returning to Akron should be the starting shortstop. INF Josh Rodriguez, who was plagued with an injury-filled '09 season looks to come back and repeat the success he had during the 2008 season where he was just two appearances shy of tying the single-season record. Joining Rodriguez will be 2008 draft pick INF Cord Phelps, INF Jared Goedert and INF Adam Davis.

OF Nick Weglarz, who played for Canada in both the Beijing Olympics and last year's World Baseball Classic, will again lead a trio of left-handed hitting outfielders. Joining the big slugger is OF Matt McBride, former first-round pick OF John Drennen, and newcomer OF Tim Fedroff, who put together a solid 2009 campaign with the Kinston Indians in the Carolina League.

The Aeros begin their defense of their 2009 Eastern League Championship tonight against the Binghamton Mets in Binghamton, NY. For more information on tickets or all the other festivities planned at Canal Park in 2010, please visit the Aeros online at www.akronaeros.com or call (330) 253-5151.

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Eastern League Stories from April 8, 2010


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