NYPL Norwich Sea Unicorns

Former Tigers Ready to Begin Full-Season Baseball Thursday Night

Published on April 4, 2012 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Norwich Sea Unicorns News Release


NORWICH-The Connecticut Tigers, the New York-Penn League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, are proud to announce that 30 former players over the last two years (2010 and 2011) will be starting long season affiliated baseball at various affiliates in the Detroit Tigers system on Thursday night. The Tigers third season at beautiful Dodd Stadium begins on Wednesday, June 20 against the Lowell Spinners, affiliate of the Boston Red Sox at 7:05 p.m.

The majority of Connecticut Tiger alums will begin 2012 at West Michigan (Low A) of the Midwest League. There are 21 former Tigers, led by Top Short Season-A/Rookie All-Star Dean Green. Green hit .341 in 2011, his first professional season after being drafted out of Barry University (FL) in the 11th round by the Detroit.

C Patrick Leyland (2011) and IF Colin Kaline (2011) will also begin the season with the Whitecaps, the next step up in the Tigers' organizational, and a short two hour drive from Detroit. RHP Brennan Smith (2010 and 2011), who finished with the best ERA in short-season baseball (1.53) in 2011 and RHP Luis Sanz, the NYPL strikeout leader last season with 76, will also begin 2012 in the Midwest League. 2010 and 2011 Connecticut Tigers Hitting Coach Scott Dwyer will be the hitting coach for the Whitecaps in 2012.

2011 Detroit Tigers sixth round pick Tyler Collins will start the season at the Tigers' High A affiliate, the Lakeland Flying Tigers. RHP Robbie Weinhardt, who pitched in a handful of games for the Tigers in 2010 in a rehab stint, will start the season at AA Erie in the Eastern League.

The Connecticut Tigers are the Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play in the New York-Penn League. The Tigers saw a 23% increase in attendance in 2011 (the 4th highest in Minor League Baseball), and will open their third season at Dodd Stadium on June 20 against the Lowell Spinners, affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Season tickets, suite rentals, and group outings are currently on sale. For more information go online to cttigers.com or call 860-887-7962.

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