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MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Top Prospects Headline 'Caps Roster

April 4, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - With the first game only three days away, the West Michigan Whitecaps' roster was announced today by the Detroit Tigers. The roster is loaded with talent as it features seven players from Baseball America's top 30 prospects of the Tigers' organization list. The team also welcomes back five players who appeared with the Whitecaps in 2004. Fans will get their first chance to see the 2005 version of the Whitecaps Wednesday, April 6 at the Belle Tire Open Workout, which begins at 6 p.m and is free to the public.

Outfielder Jeff Frazier leads the class of young prospects. The 22 year old from Toms River, New Jersey was ranked as the seventh best prospect in the Tigers' organization. Frazier hit .302 with Oneonta in 2004, but suffered a left forearm fracture on July 22 and missed the rest of the season. Baseball America also ranked him as having the best arm in the Tigers' organization.

Third baseman Wilkin Ramirez came in at no. 11 and right-handed pitcher Dallas Trahern was ranked no. 13 on the top-prospect list. Ramirez did not play in 2004 after undergoing right shoulder surgery. In 2003, he hit .275 with five homeruns and 35 RBIs with the Gulf Coast League Tigers. Trahern spent 2004 with the GCL Tigers and went 1-2 with a 0.59 ERA in seven games.

Righthanders Collin Mahoney, Jair Jurrjens and Jay Sborz were ranked nos. 18, 22 and 27 respectively, and shortstop Brent Dlugach rounded out the list at no. 30.

Righthander Anthony Tomey headlines the list of returning players from last year's team. The Michigan native was an integral part of the Whitecaps championship run in 2004 as he went 2-3 with a 2.72 ERA and four saves as a middle-reliever and closer.

Right-handed pitcher Matt Righter, catcher Andrew Graham, infielder Nick McIntyre and outfielder Luis Sabino also return to West Michigan in 2005. Infielder Jody Roughton and left-handed pitcher Ian Ostlund return to West Michigan after stints with the Whitecaps in 2003.

The 2005 Whitecaps will be signing autographs on the concourse at Fifth Third Ballpark Wednesday night starting at 7 p.m. following the Belle Tire Open Workout. The Open Workout will also feature a contest in which ten random fans will be chosen to hit a 60 mph pitch through a large inflatable tire in centerfield to win $10,000 courtesy of Belle Tire. Contestants could also win a set of new Belle tires if the ball hits the tire. After the contest, fans will have the oppotunity to swing at one pitch to try their skills as a professional baseball player.

Tickets for 2005 opening day on Saturday, April 9 can be purchased by calling the ticket sales department at (616) 784-4131 or (800) CAPS-WIN, stopping by the Fifth Third Ballpark Ticket Office or ordering online. The Ticket Office is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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