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SL1 Montgomery Biscuits

Biscuits announce Opening Day roster

April 3, 2006 - Southern League (SL1)
Montgomery Biscuits News Release


MONTGOMERY - The 2006 Montgomery Biscuits announced their Opening Day roster today. The club will arrive in town tonight between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Putting on a Biscuits uniform for the third time will be catcher Chairon Isenia and pitchers Chris Flinn, Brian Henderson, Jim Magrane and Juan Salas.

The Biscuits' starting infield is comprised of familiar players. Gaby Martinez, who batted .233 in 87 games for Montgomery last season, will play first base. At second base, stolen base threat Elliot Johnson will return. Johnson stole 43 bags between Visalia and Montgomery in 2005. Alabama native Matthew Maniscalco will play shortstop. Wes Bankston, a highly-touted prospect who batted .292 with 12 home runs in 82 games as a first baseman for the Biscuits last year, returns to the team. He is in Montgomery primarily to learn a new position, as he was moved to third base during spring training to facilitate his rise to the major leagues.

New infielders include Aneudi Cuevas, who hit 22 home runs with Visalia last season, and Mark Schleicher.

The outfield has only one 2005 Biscuit. Jason Pridie, selected by Minnesota in December's Rule 5 Draft, was returned to Tampa Bay last week and appears to be Montgomery's everyday center fielder. He will be joined by three minor league veterans: Michael Coleman, Jeremy Owens and former Huntsville Star Ryan Knox.

Isenia, who holds Biscuits career records in games (161), at bats (585), doubles (35) and RBIs (92) returns as a catcher. He will be joined by Ryan Christianson, who was a first-round selection by the Seattle Mariners in 1999.

Magrane, a six-year minor league veteran, has pitched only 12 games as a Biscuit in two years while bouncing between double- and triple-A. Flinn, who has started only four of his 57 outings as a Biscuit, figures to join the starting rotation this season. Henderson, a lefty who has pitched in more Biscuits games than anyone but Josh Parker, will return to Montgomery's bullpen. Salas, Montgomery's everyday third baseman in 2004, returned to the Biscuits last season as a relief pitcher. He will join the staff again as a late-innings reliever.

The remainder of the pitching staff is highlighted by prospects Chuck Tiffany, brought to the organization in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Andy Sonnanstine, a 22-year-old righty who is likely to anchor the pitching rotation.

Also returning to the Biscuits are Yorkin Ferreras, Jean Machi and Tony Peguero. They will be joined by new Biscuits Jeremy Flanagan, Jeff Ridgway and Jose Rodriguez as well as Sonnanstine and Tiffany.

Mike Prochaska is not on the Opening Day roster but makes the trip to Montgomery with the team. The 25-year-old lefty pitched 16 games as a Biscuit in 2004 and returned briefly to the team roster last season but did not pitch.

Manager Charlie Montoyo returns for his third season at the helm, joined by new pitching coach Xavier Hernandez and hitting intructor Mako Oliveras.

Players will be assigned numbers on Wednesday.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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