Rock Cats Remake Roster With Nine Transactions

Published on May 17, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats of the Eastern League made a series of roster moves today, significantly refashioning their 24-man roster one-quarter of the way into the 2010 Season. The Minnesota Twins' affiliate made one move on Saturday, and eight more today. The details are as follows:

LHP Spencer Steedley, the 24-year-old relief pitcher out of UNC-Charlotte, was placed on the Disabled List on Saturday (5/15) with a left arm strain. The 6'2"/195-pound southpaw goes to the DL after having made 9 bullpen appearances for the 2010 Rock Cats. He departs active status with a record of 1-2 and an ERA of 2.55.

Departing New Britain today:

INF/C Toby Gardenhire, the highly versatile University of Illinois product, has been promoted to Triple-A Rochester in the International League. The 27-year-old clubhouse leader is the son of Twins' Manager Ron Gardenhire. A consistent fan favorite, Toby has played for the Rock Cats for portions of three seasons; he appeared in 15 games for New Britain in 2010 and leaves with a .225 BA and 9 RBI;

OF Joe Benson, the 22-year-old resident of Joliet, IL who Minnesota selected in the 2nd Round of the 2006 Draft, has been reassigned to Single-A Ft. Myers in the Florida State League. A highly-regarded Twins' Prospect, Joe struggled a bit in his first trip to the Double-A classification. He departs New Britain after posting a .219 BA in 33 games for the 2010 Rock Cats. His 5 HRs led the team; Baseball America's 2010 Handbook slots him as the Twins' #13 best Prospect;

1B Chris Parmelee, the 22-year-old resident of Chino Hills, CA who was Minnesota's 1st Round pick (and 20th overall) in 2006, has been reassigned to Ft. Myers in the Florida State League. The big left-handed power hitter leaves New Britain with a .186 BA to go with 6 Doubles, 4 HRs and 13 RBI. He appeared in 28 games for the 2010 Rock Cats - Baseball America ranks him as Minnesota's #14 Prospect;

INF Estarlin de los Santos, the 23-year-old switch-hitting Infielder from the Dominican Republic, has also been reassigned to Single-A Ft. Myers in the Florida State League. A member of Minnesota's 40-Man Roster, de los Santos was challenged in his first trip to the Double-A level. A promising middle-infield Prospect - BA has him at #23 in the Minnesota system - he departs New Britain with a .170 BA after appearing in 29 games;

Arriving in New Britain today:

INF Chris Cates, the 25-year-old SS out of the University of Louisville, is en route to New Britain from Ft. Myers in the Florida State League. At 5'3"/145-pounds, the Brandon, FL resident is believed to be the slightest player in all of professional baseball. In 33 games for the Miracle this season, Cates batted .202 with 7 RBI;

1B Erik Lis, the 26-year-old left-handed slugger out of the University of Evansville, rejoins the Rock Cats from Triple-A Rochester in the International League. No stranger to the Hardware City, Erik was an outstanding contributor to both the 2008 and 2009 Rock Cats - he led the entire Eastern League in Doubles (36) in 2008. The Oak Lawn, IL resident, selected by Minnesota in the 9th Round of the 2005 Draft, posted a .188 BA with 3 Doubles, 2 HRs, and 10 RBI in 26 games for the 2010 Red Wings in Rochester.

OF Brandon Roberts, the 25-year-old speedster out of Cal Poly who hails from Bakersfield, CA, has been assigned to the Rock Cats from Ft. Myers in the Florida State League. Plagued by a variety of leg injuries throughout much of his professional career, Roberts played in New Britain in 2007 (.293), briefly in 2008, and again in 2009 (.277). In 14 games for the 2010 Miracle in Ft. Myers, Brandon hit .333 with 2 Doubles, 1 HR, 8 RBI, and 6 Stolen Bases;

RHP Loek Van Mil, the 25-year-old bullpen specialist from Oss, Netherlands, is joining New Britain from Ft. Myers in the Florida State League. At 7'1"/225-pounds, the affable Van Mil is the tallest player in all of professional baseball (please see attached photo of Van Mil and Cates together). Van Mil was disabled with shin splints at the start of the 2010 Season; he joined the Miracle in the last ten days. He made three relief appearances in Ft. Myers and departs with a record of 0-1 and 4.50 ERA. He made 8 appearances for the 2009 Rock Cats and was a meaningful contributor to their 2009 surge into the Eastern League Playoffs. Baseball America deems him to be the Twins' 29th best Prospect.

These latter eight moves are effective immediately and each newly arriving Rock Cats player will be in uniform tomorrow evening when New Britain visits the Portland Sea Dogs in Maine.

The Rock Cats will return home at 6:35 PM this Friday night (5/21) when they'll send RHP Kyle Gibson (1-0, 0.00) to the New Britain Stadium mound to face the Binghamton Mets.

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Eastern League Stories from May 17, 2010


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