SL1 Jackson Generals

Diamond Jaxx reveal Opening Day roster

Published on April 7, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


Jackson, Tenn. (March 23, 2009) - When Diamond Jaxx fans come through the turnstiles in 2009 they will find several familiar faces on the diamond. 12 2008 Jaxx are back and hoping to build off a playoff run last season as the Seattle Mariners and West Tenn Diamond Jaxx jointly announce the 2009 Opening Day roster. (Roster and numbers are subject to change prior to April 9)

Headlining the roster is pitcher Josh Fields, who was the Mariners first round pick in the 2008 draft. Fields, the 20th overall pick in the draft helped the University of Georgia reach the NCAA College World Series last season and was selected as the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year as a closer. He earned All-America and other post-season awards.

Mariners top overall prospect according to Baseball America, Greg Halman will return in 2009 after playing in 61 games with the Jaxx last year. Halman, named the Mariners Minor League Player of the Year in 2008 combined to hit .272 with 29 home runs, 83 RBI and 31 stolen bases with Class-A High Desert and West Tenn.

The Diamond Jaxx should be especially strong out of the bullpen in 2009. Mumba Rivera made 42 appearnces out of the pen going 5-1 with a modest 2.51 ERA. Marwin Vega returns after a solid season in '08 making 45 relief appearces and holding opposing hitter to a .216 mark. Other pitchers returning are Doug Fister, Nick Hill and Robert Rohrbaugh. Fister made 23 starts last season before being moved to the bullpen in early August. Hill appeared in nine games with the Jaxx in '08. Rohrbaugh had a stellar season split between Triple-A Tacoma and West Tenn. He made 28 starts, finishing 13-8 with a 3.12 ERA. Rohrbaugh was named to the Southern League All-Star squad, but was unable to play because of promotion to Tacoma.

Returing infielders consist of Johan Limonta, Marshall Hubbard, Matt Mangini, Jeff Dominguez and Ronnie Prettyman all spent some time with the Diamond Jaxx in 2008. Limonta played in 98 games for the Jaxx in '08, hitting .296 with 10 HR and 59 RBI. Limonta enjoyed hitting with runners on as he hit .325 with runners in scoring position. Hubbard battled an oblique injury last season, but managed a solid season at the plate, batting .291 with 12 HR and 51 RBI, including an 11 game hitting streak. Mangini hit two homeruns for the Jaxx in '08 which happened to be in back-to-back games of a double-header on August 16th against Carolina. Dominguez was a versatile player for the Jaxx playing all 4 infield positions in 2008. Mariners top infield prospect Carlos Triunfel will begin with the Diamond Jaxx in 2009. Triunfel, 19 years old, hit .287 with High Desert in '08, popping 8 HR and 49 RBI while stealing 30 bases. Triunfel became only the second High Desert Maverick to post six hits in one game.

Brent Johnson joins Halman as returning outfielders in '08. Johnson hit .282 last season with 20 doubles in 82 games with the Jaxx. Johnson recorded a five hitting streaks of six or more games including a season high 11 game hit streak. Brent made his first career relief appearance, coming into the game in the 13th inning and recording the save, June 20 at Huntsville.

Catcher Adam Moore returns in 2008. Moore was selected as the Jaxx MVP by the Mariners Developmental Staff and was named to the 2008 Southern League All-Star team. Moore finished the '08 season hitting .319 (T-2nd amongst Mariners minor leaguers) with 14 HR, 71 RBI, 34 doubles and two triples. Moore made 107 starts as a catcher in 2008.

The Diamond Jaxx field staff will be led by Manager Phil Plantier, Hitting Coach Terry Pollreisz and Pitching Coach Tom Dettore.

Media Day will be held Wednesday from 2:00p.m. to 3:15p.m. at Pringles Park. Those who applied for media credentials may be able to pick those up on Wednesday as well.

Began pro career with Everett...lost three consecutive games, despite allowing only one earned run in 4.1 innings, June 28-July 8...earned first career save, Aug. 2 at Vancouver...tossed 20.1 innings without allowing an earned run, July 31-Aug. 24...struck out a season-high 10 batters in 5.0 innings in first career win, Aug. 19 at Eugene...limited opponents to a .197 (24-for-122) average.

The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx are the Double-A, Southern League Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Diamond Jaxx will open the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 in Montgomery, Ala. The Jaxx home opener will be Monday, April 20 when they play host to the Tennessee Smokies. Season tickets, flex plans and individual game tickets are on sale now by calling (731) 988-JAXX.

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Southern League Stories from April 7, 2009


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