EL1 Akron RubberDucks

Aeros Media Notes

Published on April 8, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Game #1 - Home Game #1 - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - 7:05 P.M.

Akron Aeros (0-0) vs. Bowie Baysox (0-0)

Cleveland Indians Baltimore Orioles

Today's Starters: Akron - RHP Hector Rondon (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 11-6, 3.60 ERA with Kinston in 2008)

Bowie - RHP Jason Berken (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 12-4, 3.58 ERA with Bowie in 2008)

Upcoming Probables:

Thursday: AKR RHP Frank Herrmann (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. BOW RHP Jake Arrieta (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Friday: AKR RHP Josh Tomlin (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. BOW LHP Troy Patton (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Saturday: AKR RHP Steven Wright (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. BOW RHP Brandon Erbe (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Sunday: OFF DAY

The Book on Hector Rondon (in 2008)...

- High Strikeouts - 9, set 6/21 vs. Salem and 8/22 vs. Wilmington - Most Hits Allowed - 9, set 4/28 at Salem and 5/30 at Potomac

- Longest Outing - 7.0 IP, set 5/25 vs. WSW and 6/21 vs. SAL - Most Walks Allowed - 4, set 4/8 vs. FRD and 7/4 vs. WIL

- Shortest Outing - 3.2 IP (set three times), last 4/28 at Salem - HR Allowed (Season) - 12

- Ranked second in the Carolina League in strikeouts (145), fourth in wins (11) and eighth in ERA (3.60) in 2008

Rated by Baseball America as the no. 13 prospect in the Cleveland minor league system

Throws a four-seam fastball between 92-94 mph, plus a two-seamer, changeup, and slider

Kinston was 15-12 when Rondon started in 2008

Last time out: Took a NO-DECISION in a 3-1 defeat at Winston-Salem 8/28 (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

UAEROS REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN ('09)

CURRENT STREAK................................ LONGEST WINNING STREAK...............................

LAST 5 GAMES............................................................. LONGEST LOSING STREAK............................................................. LAST 10 GAMES........................................................... BEST RECORD......................................................................................

HOME RECORD............................................................ WORST RECORD................................................................................

ROAD RECORD...................................... SEASON vs. BOWIE..................................................

Aerodynamics...

Don't I Know You...The Aeros return a slew of familiar faces to the Opening Day roster this year, with 13 of the 24 players having spent all or part of 2008 in the Rubber City. Some of those faces may only be familiar to die hard fans though, as the number includes C Carlos Santana and IF Jerad Head who both appeared in just two games for Akron, while RHP Neil Wagner made just seven appearances out of the bullpen last year (although he did play a key role in the playoffs). Also returning to Akron are pitchers Ryan Edell, Frank Herrmann, Chuck Lofgren, Randy Newsom, Wisconsin native Scott Roehl, Erik Stiller and Steven Wright, plus position players Damaso Espino, Josh Rodriguez, and Jose Constanza.

Same Face, New Role...A pair of pitchers are back in the purple and black but will be adjusting to new roles in 2009. LHP Ryan Edell has moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen, while RHP Randy Newsom, the single-season and career saves leader in franchise history, will move to a set-up role in front of new closer Vinnie Pestano. On the infield, Josh Rodriguez will see the bulk of his playing time at second base after opening last year as the starting shortstop, and it won't be a stretch to see the super-versatile Jerad Head at any position on the field, including third-string catcher.

Gaining Prospective...Akron has a number of prospects that are held in high regard by the good folks at Baseball America, with five players slated in the top-13 in the Cleveland system in the magazine's yearly rankings. C Carlos Santana leads the way as the top prospect in the entire farm system, with OF Nick Weglarz ranked third and 1B Beau Mills coming in fifth. SS Carlos Rivero was just outside the top-10 at no. 11, and tonight's starter Hector Rondon is no. 13. RHP Josh Tomlin is ranked 29th in the system and is the only other Aero listed for now.

History Lesson...Tonight marks the 21st Opening Day in franchise history, and the Aeros are 11-9 all-time on Opening Day (including a 6-2 mark while the club was based in Canton). While many players through the years have been in the starting lineup twice on Opening Day, only three have ever been in the Opening Day lineup three times. Todd Betts bridged the Canton to Akron transition by starting at third base in both 1996 and 1997 before manning the hot corner again in 1999. The next season in the 2000 opener, both 2B Scott Pratt and LF Jon Hamilton found themselves in the starting lineup...and they would again in 2001 and then again in 2002. Pratt and Hamilton are the only Aeros to ever appear in three straight Opening Day starting lineups.

Did You Know...On April 8th, 1975 (34 years ago today), Frank Robinson became the first African-American manager in Major League Baseball history, taking over as player-manager for the Cleveland Indians.

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