Snappers Release Opening Day Active Roster
March 30, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Beloit Sky Carp News Release
The Beloit Snappers first official active roster has some familiar faces on it from last season's Midwest League Western Division Championship team. Eleven players from the 2007 squad have been assigned by the Minnesota Twins to return to the Snappers for the start of the '08 season. Beloit will also sport somewhat of a younger team, having twelve players from the 2007 draft.
Highly touted prospects Chris Parmelee (2006 1st rounder) and Joe Benson (2006 2nd rounder) will return to roam the outfield for the Snappers. Last season Parmelee led Beloit with 15 home runs and 70 RBIs while sporting a .414 slugging percentage. Benson, Baseball America's #2 rated prospect in the Twins' organization, was the team leader last year in hits (110), runs (73), walks (49), stolen bases (18) and triples (8).
Joining Parmelee and Benson from last year's team are right handed pitchers Brian Kirwan and Matt Williams, infielders Chris Cates, Garrett Olson, Ben Petsch, Deibinson Romero, Ramon Santana and Steve Singleton, and catcher Greg Yersich.
The Snappers will have no doubt, one of the tallest pitching staffs in the league with seven players reaching 6'5" or taller. The tallest pitcher is 7'1" Loek Van Mil from Oss, Noord-Brandt in the Netherlands. The seven-footer matched with 5'3" infielder Chris Cates will make for the largest height differential in professional baseball.
Beloit will also have a brand new manager for the '08 season. Nelson Prada will lead the charge for the Snappers after spending the last three seasons as the manager for the Gulf Coast League Twins. Last season, Prada led the GCL Twins to a 37-19 record, good enough for first place in their division.
Joining Prada as the other two members of the '08 coaching staff are pitching coach Gary Lucas and hitting coach Rudy Hernandez. Alan Rail will return to Beloit for his 4th season as the team's athletic trainer and Kazumasa Manabe will enter his first year as the team's new strength and conditioning coach.
Come out and meet the 2008 Snappers on "Meet the Team Night" this Tuesday! The annual team meet and greet will take place once again at Central Christian Church located at 2460 Milwaukee Road in Beloit. Doors will open at 6:00pm for the general public and stay open until 8:00pm.
Tickets prices for this event are $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children ages 5-14 and can be purchased through the Snappers either by phone or at the Snappers Administrative Office. Central Christian Church will be serving a menu of ballpark food. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the 2008 Snappers and also purchase new team apparel. Players, coaches and front office staff will be on hand to sign autographs and answer questions, and the Snappers beloved mascot Snappy will also be in attendance. During the night a silent auction of assorted baseball memorabilia will also be set up for fans to bid on.
The Snappers open up the 2008 season right here at Pohlman Field on Thursday, April 3rd. Beloit will take on the Kane County Cougars at 6:30 pm with gates opening at 5:30 pm. Purchase your tickets today by phone at 608-362-2272, online at www.snappersbaseball.com, or stop by Pohlman Field located at 2301 Skyline Drive in Beloit.
Midwest League Stories from March 30, 2008
- Chiefs Announce 2008 Roster - Peoria Chiefs
- Cardinals Announce River Bandits Roster - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Snappers Release Opening Day Active Roster - Beloit Sky Carp
- Snappers Release Opening Day Active Roster - Beloit Sky Carp
- Nine former Kernels make Angels' Opening Day roster - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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