SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Announce Opening Day Roster

Published on April 8, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, NC - The Kannapolis Intimidators, the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, have announced the roster that will be taking the field when they open the 2009 season on April 9 at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium. Experience is the theme, as 12 of the 25 members of the active squad spent time with the Intimidators in 2008.

The roster includes 13 pitchers and 12 position players. Anchoring the staff for first-year manager Ernie Young will be righthanders Dan Hudson and Dexter Carter, who were former college teammates and helped carry Great Falls to the Pioneer League championship last season. Hudson and Carter finished the season at the top of the strikeout leader board, while Carter, a native of Murfreesboro, North Carolina, also led the league with his 2.23 ERA. The rest of starting rotation to start the season will be Opening Day starter Greg Infante, lefthander Garrett Johnson and lefthander Charlie Leesman.

Size will not be in short supply this season for the Intimidators, especially in the bullpen. No pitcher is shorter than 6-foot-1 and six pitchers measure in at 6-foot-5 or taller. The Intimidators will have eight right-handers available in relief to start the year-Adam Bowling, Charlis Burdie, Tyson Corley, Leroy Hunt, Nate Jones, Drew O'Neil, Dan Remenowsky and Steven Sauer.

On the offensive side of things, the Intimidators will go with two catchers, six infielders and four outfielders. Kannapolis welcomes back a pair of returning catchers-John Curtis and Matt Inouye. The pair look set to share the responsibilities behind the plate after both spending 2008 with the Intimidators. Catcher Mike Grace is also with the team, but will start the campaign on the disabled list.

Eduardo Escobar, who at 20 years old is the team's youngest player, will anchor the infield up the middle. Jorge Castillo, Drew Garcia, Jon Gilmore, Tyler Kuhn and Joe Persichina join Escobar in the Intimidators infield. Gilmore is entering his first campaign in the White Sox organization after being selected by the Braves with the 33rd overall pick in the 2007 Draft. He was part of the six-player trade that saw Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan move to Atlanta.

Kenny Williams Jr., son of White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams Sr., is one of four outfielders on the Opening Day roster. Williams missed a majority of the 2008 season with a torn labrum, but looks for a strong return in his first full professional season. Kent Gerst, speedster Justin Greene and Jordan Cheatham will team up with Williams to patrol the Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium outfield.

The Intimidators open the 2009 season with a four game homestand against the Asheville Tourists. Tickets for each of the opening games are still available online at IntimidatorsBaseball.com, over the phone at (704) 932-3267 or at the Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium Ticket Office.

Check out the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 8, 2009


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