EL1 Erie SeaWolves

SeaWolves Announce Opening Day Roster

Published on April 4, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Erie SeaWolves News Release


(Erie, PA) - The Detroit Tigers today announced their 2009 minor league rosters. The 2009 version of the Erie SeaWolves features quality veterans with a mix of young talent. 11 of the 24 players on the roster are among the Top 30 Prospects in the Detroit Tigers Organization according to Baseball America. 12 of the 24 players on the roster are making their returns to Erie.

RETURNING PLAYERS

On the mound, Luis Marte will be the only returning starter. Marte, who missed time last season due to injury, tied for second in the EL with four wins last August. Josh Rainwater returns to the 'Wolves but will be in a relief role. He led the club with 10 wins in 2008 which tied him for eighth all-time in SeaWolves history. He was also named Erie's Pitcher of the Year. Brett Jensen started last season as Erie's closer but was put on the disabled list on May 7 and underwent "Tommy John" surgery. Josh Kite and Brendan Wise also return in the bullpen.

Three of the four Erie outfielders in 2009 spent time with the 'Wolves last season. Jeff Frazier, who served as a DH/outfielder, tied for seventh in the EL and tied for fifth all-time in Erie with a .303 batting average. He was second on the club with 135 hits. Deik Scram played in 131 games for the 'Wolves in '08 and belted a career-best 13 home runs and drove in a career-best 69 RBI. Casper Wells opened last season with West Michigan and came to Erie on June 6. After an initial struggle, he quickly became a catalyst in the 'Wolves lineup. He combined to hit 27 home runs at both stops while driving in 79 runs. Wells belted a season-best three home runs on August 5 vs. Harrisburg and in one of the most exciting moments of 2008, hit for the cycle at Akron on July 29. He was the first SeaWolf since Juan Francia in 2005 to accomplish the feat.

One half of the infielders on the roster return in 2009 including Santo De Leon, Max Leon and Michael Hollimon. Hollimon, who spent time with both Toledo and Detroit in 2008, helped lead the SeaWolves to their first Southern Division crown in six years in 2007.

De Leon was called up to Erie on July 18 and played in 44 games for Erie while Leon began the season with the Howlers and earned a promotion to Toledo on June 6. At the time of the promotion, Leon was hitting .313.

Veteran catcher Max St. Pierre made his return to the Tigers organization and to Erie in 2008. 2009 will be the sixth season for St. Pierre in an Erie uniform.

NEW FACES

Four of the five members of the SeaWolves starting rotation will be new in 2009. Jon Kibler dazzled the Midwest League in 2008 guiding West Michigan with a 14-5 record and 1.75 ERA, both team and league bests. Additionally he was tabbed the Detroit Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year and West Michigan Pitcher of the Year. Alfredo Figaro went 12-2 with West Michigan before a callup to Lakeland on July 29. Figaro finished in a third place tied in the MWL with 12 victories. Jonah Nickerson tied for the Florida State League lead with 12 wins with Lakeland. His .750 winning percentage (12 wins in 26 starts) was also tied for the league best. Rounding out the 'Wolves rotation is Brooks Brown, who was recently acquired from the Diamondbacks in exchange for James Skelton. Brown went 6-15 record with 4.18 ERA and 112 strikeouts for Double-A Mobile in 2008.

The bullpen features three newcomers in Ramon Garcia, Cody Satterwhite and Zach Simons. Garcia split time with West Michigan and Lakeland in 2008, combining to go 8-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 37 appearances. Satterwhite was selected in the second round of the '08 draft and had no decisions and a 4.42 ERA in 17 appearances for Lakeland in his rookie season. Simons was acquired by the Tigers from Colorado in exchange for Jason Grilli on April 30, 2008. He made 39 relief appearances for Lakeland going 5-2 with a 2.36 ERA.

Joining St. Pierre behind the plate will be Alex Avila, the Tigers fifth round selection in the '08 draft. Avila batted .305 with a home run and 22 RBI in 58 games for West Michigan last season.

Up the middle, the SeaWolves boast two highly touted prospects in second baseman Scott Sizemore and shortstop Cale Iorg. Sizemore, the Tigers fifth round selection in the 2006 draft hit .286 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 53 games for Lakeland. His season was cut short after being sidelined with a left wrist fracture on June 3. Iorg batted .251 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI in 99 games. Both were selected to the Florida State League's mid-season all-star squad.

First base features Ryan Strieby, who was named the best power hitter in the Tigers organization following the '08 season by Baseball America. Strieby belted 29 home runs for Lakeland last season and did not play after August 12 when he was sidelined for the remainder of the season with a left wrist sprain. He was named the Detroit Tigers Minor League Player of the Year and Lakeland's Player of the Year.

One new face will take the outfield for the 'Wolves in Brennan Boesch. Boesch played in 111 games for Lakeland in '08 hitting .249 with seven home runs and 64 RBI.

The 15th season of SeaWolves baseball begins on April 8, 2009 when the team hosts the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates). For ticket and promotional information, contact the SeaWolves at (814) 456-1300 or visit the ALL NEW www.seawolves.com.

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