NYPL State College Spikes

Top Prospect Stetson Allie Headlines Spikes' Initial 2011 Roster

Published on June 13, 2011 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


(STATE COLLEGE, PA) - Top Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect and 2010 second round draft selection Stetson Allie is among the initial roster of 26 players who will join the State College Spikes for a three-day mini-camp which opens Tuesday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The team will be preparing for Friday's Season Opener in Williamsport and Sunday's Home Opener in State College.

Allie, who spent the final three weeks of last season working out with the Spikes without seeing the field during a game, was the second-round pick of the Pirates out of St. Edward High School in Ohio last year. Already ranked as the third-best prospect in the Pittsburgh organization by Baseball America prior to the season, Allie is rated as having the best slider in the system as well.

Nick Kingham, the Pirates' fourth-round draft pick in 2010, will be joining Allie in State College. Kingham, who was selected out of Sierra Vista High School in Nevada by Pittsburgh, made his pro debut with the Gulf Coast League Pirates last season, pitching three scoreless innings over two appearances.

The initial 26-man roster also includes a number of familiar faces for Spikes fans, as in addition to Allie, seven other returnees will appear for the Spikes in 2011. Right-hander Mitch Fienemann, who was one of the first two Australian players in franchise history last season, will join fellow righty Vince Payne and lefties Joely Rodriguez and Justin Ennis as holdovers from last season's pitching staff. Catcher Matt Skirving, infielder Walker Gourley and outfielder Justin Bencsko are the position players coming back to State College this year.

The Spikes will also welcome what has become the usual mix of international players to the team this week. After opening up last season with players from seven different countries, fans will see the first ever Spike from the burgeoning baseball hotbed of Curucao, as infielder Michaelangel Trinidadhits the field for the mini-camp. Panamanian infielder Jorge Bishop and Venezuelan outfielder Exicardo Cayones are also on the roster, as are six Dominican players. In addition to Rodriguez, pitchers Fraylin Campos, Emmanuel De Leon, and Joan Montero will also be donning Spikes uniforms this week, as will catcher Samuel Gonzalez and utility player Jesus Brito.

Four players who were drafted just last week will also make the professional debuts in a State College uniform. Pitcher Matt Benedict from Western Carolina (30th round), catcher Derek Trent from East Tennessee State (31stround), infielder Brian Sharp from California Baptist (24th round) and infielder Kirk Singer from Long Beach State (29th round) enter the mini-camp as newly minted Pirates prospects.

Rounding out the roster are pitchers Cliff Archibald, Ryan Hafner, Kevin Kleis and Bryce Weidman, as well as outfielder Wes Freeman.

The Spikes will work out at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park in afternoon sessions on Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15 before Media Day on Thursday, June 16.

Fans can then greet the 2011 Spikes at the "Meet the Spikes" event on Thursday, June 16 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Gates open at 4:45 p.m., and admission, parking, autographs and all other activities will be free. The team will hold its first public workout from 6:30 to 8 p.m., giving fans a chance to see the newest edition of the squad take batting and infield practice.

After Friday and Saturday games at Williamsport to open the New York-Penn League regular season, the Spikes will play their Home Opener on Sunday, June 19 against Williamsport at 6:05 p.m. Ballpark gates will open at 3:30 p.m. and a bevy of pre-game activities, special events and great promotions will highlight the evening, including a ceremonial first pitch and autograph session with former Penn State basketball star Talor Battle, post-game fireworks and more!

Great seats remain for Spikes Opening Week, which continues after the Home Opener on Monday the 20th, Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd with a trio of 7:05 p.m. games against the Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals' affiliate). Fans can purchase Opening Week tickets, or seats to any of the Spikes 38 regular season home games, by calling (814) 272-1711, by stopping at the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Box Office, or by visiting State College Spikes.com.

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