Crawdads Announce 2008 Roster
Published on April 3, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
The Hickory Crawdads have announced their 2008 Opening Night roster, mixing a solid blend of promoted talent and returning Crawdads veterans for the start of the season. Of the 25 players active for Hickory's season opener against West Virginia, nine appeared in at least one game for the Crawdads in 2007. Also of the 25 players expected to suit up, 19 spent significant time with the Gulf Coast League Pirates and/or State College Spikes (Class-A Short Season, New York Penn League) in 2007, evidence that the lower levels of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization are developing at a strong, consistent rate.
The Crawdads' roster totals 27 players, with pitcher Brad Clapp and catcher Andrew Walker inactive but expected to join the team later in the season. Returning full-time players include pitchers Rafael De Los Santos, Michael Felix, Matt McSwain, and Dustin Molleken, and infielder Jose De Los Santos. Of the 27-man roster, 13 are pitchers, three are catchers, five are exclusive infielders, four play exclusive outfield and two will offer Hickory flexibility by being able to play both the outfield and first base.
"I'm really excited about our roster to start the year," Hickory general manager Mark Seaman said. "Obviously, the Pittsburgh Pirates organization has gone through a lot of changes this offseason, but I feel the on-field product will be as good, if not better, than before."
Among the pitchers, Hickory newcomers Duke Welker and Ronald Uviedo expect to make the biggest splashes. Welker, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound right hander, will headline the Crawdads rotation. Welker, Pittsburgh's second-round draft pick in the 2007 amateur entry draft, is expected to make the Opening Night start for Hickory. Uviedo, by contrast, should anchor the bullpen. A 6-foot-2, 160-pound righty, the Venezuelan native made one appearance for Hickory last season, but starred at State College where he led the team with 12 saves in 21 appearances as the closer. The rest of the Hickory pitching staff includes De Los Santos, Felix, McSwain, Molleken, Carlos Amaro, Harrison Bishop, Matt Foust, Moises Robles and Dionis Rodriguez.
Starting the season behind the plate will be Ronald Pena and Chris Jones. Pena, a 20-year-old Dominican native, is the third-youngest player on the team and hit .308 in 17 games for the GCL Pirates last season. The 25-year-old Jones returns to Hickory as the team's oldest and one of its most experienced players, including a stay in Hickory where he played 30 games in 2006.
Around the infield, returning shortstop Jose De Los Santos is joined by a slew of newcomers. Victor Alvarez, Danny Bomback, Matt Cavagnaro and Bobby Spain will round out a group of young infielders who have all been promoted from last season. Also competing for infield spots will be combination outfielder/first basemen Miles Durham and Tom Hagan, each of whom have been promoted from last season, as well.
In the outfield, two names to look out for are Austin McClune and Marcus Davis. McClune, who won't turn 21 until November, is the youngest player on the team but will impress with his speed. A seventh-round pick of the Pirates in the 2006 amateur entry draft, McClune stole 15 bases in just 59 games for State College in 2007. Davis, meanwhile, hit 13 home runs in 435 at-bats for State College last season and should figure as a middle-of-the-order presence for Hickory this season. The rest of the outfield includes Erik Huber and Keanon Simon, who both played at State College last season.
The Crawdads open the season at home against West Virginia at L.P. Frans Stadium on Thursday, April 3. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, call the Crawdads at (828) 322-3000 or visit www.hickorycrawdads.com.
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