IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indians Announce 2010 Team Roster

Published on April 8, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Three of Pittsburgh's top 10 prospects highlight a list of 24 players who are en route to Indianapolis for the 2010 Triple-A Baseball season. The Indians' Opening Day roster will also feature 12 returning players and 10 members of the Pittsburgh Pirates' 40-man roster.

Third baseman Pedro Alvarez (No. 1), OF Jose Tabata (No. 2), RHP Brad Lincoln (No. 4), LHP Donnie Veal (No. 24), INF Neil Walker (No. 26) and INF Brian Friday (No. 28) were all ranked by Baseball America as the top prospects in the Pittsburgh organization heading into the 2010 season. Tabata, Lincoln, Veal and Walker spent time with the Tribe last season, while Alvarez and Friday will be making their Indians debut in 2010.

Alvarez begins the 2010 campaign ranked as the 8th-best prospect in all of Minor League Baseball by Baseball America. Pedro was named the Pirates' "Best Power Hitter" by Baseball America prior to the 2010 season and was also rated as the Pirates' "Minor League Hitter of the Year" in 2009 after leading the organization with 27 HR and 95 RBI. The third baseman also started as the designated hitter in the 2009 Futures Game in St. Louis (1-for-2, 1 RBI) and was a member of the Team USA squad that captured a gold medal at the 2009 Baseball World Cup.

Tabata - the Indians' 2009 Rookie of the Year - was promoted to Indianapolis on July 31 after hitting .303 with two HR and 25 RBI in 61 games with Double-A Altoona (Pa.). Jose was named the Pirates' "Best Hitter For Average" by Baseball America prior to the 2010 season and batted .276 with three HR and 10 RBI in 32 games with the Indians.

Lincoln started the 2009 campaign with Double-A Altoona (Pa.), and after posting impressive numbers with the Curve (2.28 ERA in 13 starts), he was promoted to Indianapolis on June 22. The right-hander went 6-2 with a 4.70 ERA in 12 starts for the Indians. Lincoln was rated by Baseball America as having the "Best Curveball" in the Pirates' organization prior to the 2010 season. Brad participated in the 2009 Futures Game in St. Louis and was also a member of the Team USA squad that captured a gold medal at the 2009 Baseball World Cup.

In addition to Jose Tabata and Brad Lincoln, the Tribe will be returning 10 other players from the 2009 team, including INF Argenis Diaz, RHP Steven Jackson, RHP Jeff Karstens, C Erik Kratz, RHP Jean Machi, 1B/OF Brian Myrow, 1B/OF Steve Pearce, RHP Jeremy Powell, LHP Donnie Veal and INF Neil Walker.

Kratz (93 games, .273, 11 HR, 43 RBI), Pearce (77 games, .286, 13 HR, 54 RBI), Powell (34 appearances, 4-7 record, 3.74 ERA) and Walker (95 games, .264, 14 HR, 69 RBI) all spent significant time in Indianapolis in 2009.

Jackson (12 appearances, 1-0 record, 6.50 ERA), Karstens (3 appearances, 0-0 record, 0.00 ERA) and Veal (9 appearances, 0-1 record, 6.43 ERA) suited up for Pittsburgh for most of the year, while Machi (13 appearances, 1-1 record, 2.12 ERA) was a late season call-up from Double-A Altoona (Pa.).

Diaz (43 games, .233, 0 HR, 8 RBI) was acquired from the Boston Red Sox organization, while Myrow (62 games, .330, 8 HR, 34 RBI, .448 OBP) was obtained by the Pirates from the Chicago White Sox organization.

The Indians will also welcome a host of newcomers to start the 2010 campaign. The newcomers include RHP Brian Bass, LHP Brian Burres, C Luke Carlin, RHP Vinnie Chulk, RHP Anthony Claggett, INF Brian Friday, RHP Kevin Hart, RHP Chris Jakubauskas, OF Brandon Jones, OF Brandon Moss and OF Jonathan Van Every.

Burres (Las Vegas, 19 appearances, 6-7 record, 4.76 ERA), Carlin (Reno, 72 games, .321, 7 HR, 35 RBI), Chulk (Columbus, 18 appearances, 1-0 record, 2.08 ERA), Claggett (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 39 appearances, 7-7 record, 3.07 ERA), Hart (Iowa, 22 appearances, 3-3 record, 3.10 ERA), Jones (Gwinnett, 107 games, .281, 7 HR, 57 RBI) and Van Every (Pawtucket, 20 games, .215, 4 HR, 10 RBI) all spent most of the 2009 campaign at the Triple-A level with some making stops in the Major Leagues.

Bass (Baltimore, 48 appearances, 5-3 record, 4.90 ERA), Jakubauskas (Seattle, 35 appearances, 6-7 record, 5.32 ERA) and Moss (Pittsburgh, 133 games, .236, 7 HR, 41 RBI) all spent the majority of the season in the majors, while Friday (110 games, .265, 7 HR, 46 RBI) spent the entire 2009 campaign with Double-A Altoona (Pa.).

Hart gets the nod as the 2010 Opening Day starter, while Lincoln, Veal, Jakubauskas and Burres will also begin the year in the starting rotation. Bass, Chulk, Claggett, Jackson, Karstens, Machi and Powell will see action out of the bullpen.

Carlin and Kratz will form the catching tandem, while Alvarez, Diaz, Friday, Pearce and Walker will compete for innings at the four infield positions. Jones, Moss, Myrow, Tabata and Van Every will be the club's main outfield options.

Manager Frank Kremblas, hitting coach Jeff Branson and strength & conditioning coach Mubarak Malik return as members of the 2010 Indians field staff, while pitching coach Dean Treanor and trainer Thomas Pribyl join the Tribe after spending last season with Double-A Altoona (Pa.).

The regular season begins tonight as the Indians hit the road to face the Columbus Clippers at 7:05 p.m. The Tribe opens the 2010 home schedule on Friday, April 16 against the division-rival Toledo Mud Hens. Tickets are on sale now at www.IndyIndians.com or by calling the Victory Field Box Office at 317-269-3545.

VICTORY FIELD: "FRESH 15"

The Indianapolis Indians are celebrating their 15th season at Victory Field. In each of the 15 days leading up to the 2010 home opener, the Indians will unveil something new at Victory Field this season. The Indianapolis Indians home opener is scheduled for Friday, April 16th at 7:15 p.m. against the division-rival Toledo Mud Hens.

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