Roster Takes Shape Thanks to Pitching Staff
June 11, 2012 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Yakima Bears News Release
The Arizona Diamondbacks have informed the Yakima Bears of the 15 pitchers who will be on the opening day roster in 2012.
Two of the pitchers on the roster pitched with the Bears last season: Victor Acosta and Alex Capaul. Acosta joined the team late in the season and went 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in nine relief appearances. Capaul, a native of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, went 2-3 with a 3.07 ERA and only 10 walks in 75 innings over 16 appearances while bouncing between the bullpen and starting rotation.
Right-handed pitcher Miguel Pena and lefty Cody Wheeler return to Yakima having pitched for the Bears in 2010, but not taking the field last summer. Enrique Burgos also pitched with the Bears in 2010, but spent last season with Missoula (Rookie) and South Bend (A).
Of the newcomers to Yakima, five are from this year's MLB draft, including 9th round pick Jeff Gibbs out of the University of Maine. The others include Derrick Stultz (14th round, South Florida), Blake Forslund (15th round, Liberty), RJ Hively (19th round, Mississippi), and Daniel Watts (32nd round, Jacksonville State). Hively has a Washington connection, as his father, Rick, played football at Washington State.
While Gibbs is the highest pick from this year's draft, Cody Wheeler (5th round in 2010) is the highest overall pitching selection coming to the Bears. Seven of the pitchers on the staff were drafted and the other eight were signed as non-drafted free agents, with only Kaleb Fleck being an undrafted college pitcher. There are seven pitchers from the United States, five from the Dominican Republic, and one each from Panama, Cuba, and Canada. Four of the hurlers are lefties: Alexander Carreras, Jose Jose, Daniel Watts, and Cody Wheeler.
A starting rotation has not been set as of now.
The position players are expected to be announced Tuesday.
The Yakima Bears begin the season June 15 in Eugene and will play at home for the first time on June 20. Season tickets, mini plans, and individual game tickets are on sale now at the downtown Bears office at 17 N. 3rd Street, Suite 101 and online at yakimabears.com.
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Northwest League Stories from June 11, 2012
- Chicago Cubs Announce First Wave of Boise Hawks - Boise Hawks
- Spokane Indians Announce 2012 Roster - Spokane Indians
- Roster Takes Shape Thanks to Pitching Staff - Yakima Bears
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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