Tigers Top Pick Headed To West Michigan
April 3, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps, in conjunction with the Detroit Tigers, announced their opening day roster for the 2006 season today. Headlining the Whitecaps roster is Cameron Maybin, the Tigers first pick and the tenth pick overall of the 2005 MLB draft. Maybin will play his first professional game Thursday, April 6 at Fifth Third Ballpark as the Whitecaps take on the Fort Wayne Wizards to open the season.
Maybin was rated as the number two player in the 2005 draft by Baseball America and is now rated as the third best prospect, best athlete, best defensive outfielder and best outfield arm in the Tigers organization by Baseball America. Maybin was drafted out of T.C. Roberson High School in Arden, North Carolina and was signed on September 22, 2005.
In high school, Maybin set a North Carolina High School record by batting .662 in 2005 and was named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year in North Carolina. He also scored 66 runs with 12 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, 37 RBIs and 32 stolen bases during his senior season. Maybin did not play professionally in 2005 and reported straight to the fall instructional league in Lakeland, Florida after signing. He is the cousin of Rashad McCants, University of North Carolina basketball star and a first-round draft pick in the 2005 NBA draft.
Other highlights of the Whitecaps roster include SS Michael Holliman, RHP Sendy Vasquez and OF Matt Joyce. All three spent the 2005 season in Oneonta and all three are ranked in the top 30 among Tiger prospects. There will be some familiar faces on the roster as RHP Andrew Kown, LHP Luke French, LHP Tony Peralta, C Dusty Ryan and OF Justin Justice return to West Michigan, all of whom spent some time with the Whitecaps in 2005. Also on the roster is Fairgrove, Michigan native IF Mark Hask, who will play close to home this year with the Whitecaps.
The Whitecaps will hold the Belle Tire Open Workout at Fifth Third Ballpark Wednesday, April 5 starting at 5:00 p.m. This will be the fans' first chance to see the 2006 Whitecaps in action and see the new look of Fifth Third Ballpark. The Whitecaps will practice from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will be available to the media following the workout. After the workout, fans will be able to meet the team and get autographs on the field. Kids 12 and under can run the bases and anyone can play catch on the field (fans must bring their own glove and ball). Ten lucky fans will also be chosen to go on the field to participate in the Belle Tire Challenge to possibly win $10,000 or a set of new tires from Belle Tire. Those attending will also have the chance to tour the renovated suite level and experience the outdoor suite seating for the first time.
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Midwest League Stories from April 3, 2006
- 2006 season is here - Peoria Chiefs
- Pitching Prevails on Kernels 2006 Roster - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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- Tigers Top Pick Headed To West Michigan - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Billek, Estrada, Norwood Among Chiefs Returnees in 2006 - Peoria Chiefs
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- Bees Opening Day Roster Set - Burlington Bees
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