CalL1 Modesto Nuts

Nuts Release 2008 Roster

Published on March 31, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Modesto Nuts News Release


The 2008 Modesto Nuts roster was released by the Colorado Rockies, the team announced today. Eight former Modesto Nuts players will return this season, including seven players that were on the 2007 roster. Eighteen players spent parts of the 2007 season with the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League.

Relief pitchers Andrew Johnston, a 2007 California League All-Star, David Patton and James Burok will return to the Nuts bullpen in 2008. Outfielders Cole Garner and Travis Becktel as well as infielder Nick Haley and catcher Nelson Robledo are the returning position players the 2007 Modesto Nuts roster. Knuckleballer Simon Ferrer is slated to be the fifth starter for the Modesto Nuts. Ferrer was an infielder on the 2005 squad.

Center fielder Anthony Jackson will wear a Modesto Nuts uniform for the first time, however, he is very familiar with Modesto. Jackson, born and raised in Modesto, graduated from Grace Davis High School. He played baseball at Modesto Junior College for two years before transferring to the University of Pacific in Stockton. Jackson was a 16th round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies in the 2006 June draft.

Jackson, as well as Garner and Becktel, will be joined in the outfield by Jay Cox and Victor Ferrante. Cox batted .277 with 73 RBI for Asheville in 2007. In 100 games for Asheville last year, Ferrante had 16 home runs and 69 RBI.

The infield will be led by top prospect Hector Gomez. Gomez, a shortstop, was the youngest player named to the All South Atlantic League team in 2007. Following the 2007 season, Baseball America named Gomez the fourth best prospect in the talented Rockies farm system.

Matt Repec (3B) and Michael Paulk (1B) will man the corners for the Nuts in 2008. Repec batted .276 with 10 home runs for Asheville last season while Paulk hit .303 with 34 doubles, 11 home runs and 93 RBI.

Second baseman Daniel Mayora was a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2007. He batted .312 with 57 extra base hits and 26 stolen bases. Returning infielder Nick Haley and newcomer Geoff Strickland will round out the infield.

Michael McKenry and Nelson Robledo will see time behind the plate in 2008. In just his third professional season, McKenry was invited to Major League spring training in 2008 for the first time in his career. McKenry led all Rockies minor leaguers with 22 home runs in 2007. McKenry was also named the best defensive player in the Rockies' system by Baseball America.

The starting rotation consists of right-handers Esmil Rogers, Anuery Rodriguez, Shane Lindsay and Ferrer. Lefty Keith Weiser is the lone southpaw in the projected starting rotation. Rogers spent the beginning of spring training with the Major League club for the first time in his career. The 22-year old began his career as an infielder and was converted to a pitcher in 2006. He was 7-4 with a 3.75 ERA for Asheville last year.

Rodriguez started 28 games for Asheville last year. He finished the season with a 9-9 record and a 5.15 ERA. He led the league in strikeouts (160), games started and shutouts (1).

Weiser was a 3rd round draft pick of the Rockies in the 2006 June draft. In 2007, Weiser produced one of the best seasons in the Rockies' system. The left-hander was 17-7 with a 3.75 ERA for Asheville last season. He led the league in wins (17), innings pitched (175.1) and starts (28).

Lindsay, a native of Melbourne, Australia, did not play in 2007 following shoulder surgery. In 2005, Lindsay was named the #1 prospect in the Northwest League by Baseball America.

Rounding out the rotation is Simon Ferrer. In his first season as a starting pitcher, Ferrer made 26 starts for Asheville in 2007. His 167.1 innings pitched was good for second on the staff.

The 7-man bullpen features three returning relievers including 2007 California League All-Star Andrew Johnston. Johnston will be joined by right-handed returnees David Patton and James Burok. Joining the returnees will be three right-handers: Andrew Graham, William Harris and Zachary Simons as well as one left-hander: Thomas Baumgardner.

Graham was a starter for Asheville in 2007, finishing the season with a 10-10 record and a 5.39 ERA. Harris, a 9th round draft pick of the Rockies in 2006, had the lowest ERA (1.32) on the Asheville staff last year. Simons, a 2nd round draft pick of the Rockies in 2005, was 8-2 in 42 appearances for Asheville in 2007. Lefty Tom Baumgardner led Asheville with 15 saves and 51 appearances last year.

The Modesto Nuts 2008 season begins on Thursday, April 3 in Stockton against the Ports. The Nuts home opener, presented by Costco Wholesale, is Monday, April 7th. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Limited reserve seats are still available. Opening Night will feature a post-game fireworks extravaganza as well as pre-game entertainment including live music from Johnny and Kelly and Jazzoni featuring Mary Boutte. For ticket information, please visit www.modestonuts.com or call 572-HITS (4487).

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