SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

Your 2009 Delmarva Shorebirds

Published on April 8, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


Salisbury, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds (Class A, Baltimore Orioles) are excited to unveil the post Spring Training roster as announced by the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. The roster includes eight players that played at least one game with the Shorebirds last season and twelve players drafted in the top 20 rounds. Additionally, two Shorebirds were tabbed by Baseball America as "Top Prospects". Outfielder Xavier Avery is rated the 13th best prospect in the Orioles chain, while infielder Jerome Hoes is ranked 14th.

The 2009 Shorebirds outfield will be led by Xavier Avery and Kyle Hudson. Avery, the second round pick of the Orioles in 2008, hit .280 for the Gulf Coast Orioles in his first professional campaign. Hudson, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2008 draft, played in 11 games last season for the Aberdeen Ironbirds (Short-Season, A), hitting .216 in 37 at-bats. The Shorebirds are expected to have a talented outfield that will also include Jacob Julius and Ron Welty.

The infield will be anchored by second baseman Jerome Hoes, the third round draft pick of the Orioles in 2008. The 19-year old had an outstanding first professional season for the Gulf Coast Orioles in 2008. In 48 games, he hit .308 with 18 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Hoes finished third in the Gulf Coast League in runs scored (36).

Of the seven Shorebirds infielders, five were drafted in the top ten rounds including Greg Miclat, a fifth round pick in 2008. He was promoted from the Gulf Coast Orioles to the Aberdeen Ironbirds after just four games last season. In 16 games for the Ironbirds, he batted .291. Miclat was a three year star for the University of Virginia. Newcomers to the Shorebirds infield include: Tyler Kolodny and Elvin Polanco.

A familiar name returns behind the plate in 2009. Brendan Monaghan played in 47 games last season for the Shorebirds. Monaghan will be joined by catchers Luis Bernardo and Dashenko Ricardo.

Richard Zagone, the 6th round selection of the Orioles in 2008, headlines the pitching staff. Zagone went 7-1 for the Aberdeen Ironbirds with a miniscule 2.89 ERA. He ranked third in the New York-Penn League in wins (7) and strikeouts (79). Further, he finished seventh in the league in ERA (2.89). Newcomers to the pitching staff include: Collin Allen, Brandon Cooney, Patrick Egan, Eduardo Gamboa, Ryan O'Shea and Paul Rivero.

Players who made an appearance on last year's pitching staff are Nate Nery, Andy Schindling, Cole McCurry, Brent Allar and Joe Esposito. Returning infielders include: Joe Mahoney and Jed Stephens.

Replacing Ramon Sambo at the helm of the Shorebirds is Orlando Gomez. Entering his 15th season as a minor league manager, Gomez has amassed 749 career wins. The pitching coach for the Shorebirds will be Blaine Beatty, who instructed the pitchers for the Frederick Keys (Advanced-A, Orioles) last season. Returning for his second season as field coach is Ryan Minor, who starred for the Shorebirds in 1997 and played four major league seasons (1998-2001) for the Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos. Aaron Scott enters his first season as the Athletic Trainer for the Shorebirds after spending 2008 with the Aberdeen Ironbirds, while Erik Brown will serve as the Strength and Conditioning Coach.

The Delmarva Shorebirds open the 2009 season on the road against the Lakewood Blueclaws (Philadelphia Phillies) on Thursday, April 9th at 6:35 pm. Following a week-long road swing, the Shorebirds return to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Thursday, April 16th for the home opener against the Lake County Captains (Cleveland Indians) at 7:05 pm. For tickets and information, visit theshorebirds.com or call 410-219-3112. Delmarva Shorebirds Baseball...It's a Shore Thing!

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 8, 2009


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