Curve opening day roster set
April 2, 2005 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
(ALTOONA, PA) â 14 returning players from the 2004 team that won the Southern Division regular season title and advanced to the Eastern League Championship Series highlight the Altoona Curve's Opening Day roster, announced Saturday. 26 players headed north to Altoona, but only 24 will be active for this Thursday night's season opener at Reading.
Leading the 2005 Curve will be second-year manager Tony Beasley, who guided last year's squad to an Eastern League-best 85-56 regular season record and a first-ever trip to the Eastern League Championship Series. The 38-year old Beasley will be joined on the Curve's coaching staff by third-year pitching coach Jeff Andrews and hitting coach Matt Winters.
Highlighting the 14 players who spent time with the Curve in 2004 are first baseman Brad Eldred, the Eastern League's Player of the Month last August after hitting 14 home runs and posting 50 RBI during the month, and catcher Ronny Paulino, who was a member of the 2004 Eastern League All-Star Team.
In addition to Eldred and Paulino, Curve fans will see plenty of other familiar faces to open the season. Pitchers Brady Borner, Mike Connolly, Jeremy Harts, Landon Jacobsen, Matt Peterson, Ben Shaffar and Shane Youman return as does catcher Chris Snusz, infielders Brandon Chaves and Yurendell DeCaster, and outfielder Jorge Cortes.
Among the new faces on the Curve roster to open the 2005 season include two of the Pirates' top minor league prospects in pitcher Paul Maholm and outfielder Rajai Davis. Maholm, the Pirates' first round pick (8th overall) in the 2003 June draft out of Mississippi State, enters the season as the #7 prospect in the Bucs' system as rated by Baseball America. The left-hander has made a full recovery from a fractured orbital bone in his face that forced him to miss three months last season. Meanwhile, the speedy Davis parlayed an outstanding 2004 into a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster for the 2005 season. The 24-year old led the Class-A Carolina League in batting average (.314), hits (160), runs scored (91) and stolen bases (57) with the Lynchburg Hillcats.
Other players set to make their Double-A debuts are infielders Taber Lee, Matt Meath and Victor Mercedes, and outfielder Vic Buttler. Interestingly, third baseman Jose Bautista will be making his Double-A debut, despite having spent the entire 2004 season in the major leagues as a Rule 5 draft selection. Prior to appearing in 64 games between Baltimore, Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh, Bautista had never played above the Single-A level in the Pirates' organization.
Among the veteran players signed to solidify the roster include starting pitchers Hansel Izquierdo and Paul Stewart, relievers James Johnson and Justin Kaye, catcher Carlos Maldonado and outfielder Scott Neuberger.
Since 26 players have been sent to Altoona, two roster moves must be made by Opening Day to reduce the active roster to 24.
After a season-opening seven-game road trip to Reading and Trenton, the Curve will return to Blair County Ballpark for the Home Opener on Thursday, April 14th at 6:35 PM against the Erie SeaWolves. Tickets for the Home Opener are available by calling toll-free at 1-877-99-CURVE or by visiting the Curve Ticket Office at Blair County Ballpark. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 9 AM to 5 PM, Saturdays 10-2 and Sundays 12-2. Tickets can also be purchased and printed on-line at www.altoonacurve.com.
Eastern League Stories from April 2, 2005
- Baysox Announce 2005 Roster - Chesapeake Baysox
- Thunder announce tentative list of players - Trenton Thunder
- Curve opening day roster set - Altoona Curve
- Mike Bordick to throw out opening day ceremonial first pitch - Portland Sea Dogs
- Sea Dogs Roster Announced - Portland Sea Dogs
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