The minor leagues get going tonight with all four teams on the field. The relevant local media have been introducing the new teams to their readers.
The Las Vegas Sun has an optimistic view of the 2010 season. Isn't everyone optimistic on opening day? The story features mainly on new manager Dan Rohn and Brett Wallace. Rohn believes the 51's will be a power team, but not a speedy one.
Rohn expects winning from the start of the season for the 51s, who finished third in the Pacific South Division of the Pacific Coast League last year and haven't made the playoffs in seven years.
He said there were six guys on the roster who could be legitimate threats to hit 25 homeruns. Among those players are returners from last year's squad in catcher J.P. Arencibia and designated hitter Brian Dopirak, two players who could possibly impact the Major League roster this year.
Brad Mills is back in Vegas for a second year and he gets the mound on day one.
The Las Vegas Review Journal compares the 2010 team to the 2009 one. Within the story there are a couple of interesting points:
First, Rommie Lewis will be the closer. This is quite a big promotion for Lewis who was more of a middle reliever last season in AA. And defense will not be a strong point of the 2010 51's.
2010: Defense doesn't appear to be the 51s' strong suit this season, either. "We're going to catch what's hit at us, but we don't have guys with tremendous range," Rohn said.
The Fisher Cats have played their first game already. They played local school Rivier College and won easily. John Jaspe and Adam Calderone each hit a grand slam. The Union-Leader is also optimistic about the season. New manager Luis Rivera has his eye on the short porch in right field.
Rivera also took note of the short poke down the right-field line. "We've got four or five left-handed hitters and with this little fence, I hope it doesn't get in their heads," he said.
Kyle Drabek gets the opening day start. He will be followed by Marty McLeary; Zach Stewart; Bobby Bell; and Luis Perez. Jeroloman gives a scouting report on Drabek:
"He's a dominating pitcher, a power pitcher who's got a very good fastball," Jeroloman said. "What makes him so good is he's got a good curveball and a good changeup and he knows how to pitch. He's got good bloodlines in baseball. He's a power pitcher who's got a bright, bright future."
The Dunedin Jays don't get much local media coverage so they have written their own introduction to the roster. The big unknown for Dunedin is how playing time will be allocated between Tyler Pastornicky; Justin Jackson; John Tolisano and Kevin Ahrens.
All four players are expected to get significant playing time at second base, shortstop and third base and will be moved around to maximize their contributions. Ahrens begins the season on the disabled list, meaning that Tolisano might get the first crack at playing the hot corner to begin the year.
There is no mention of who will start on opening day. Henderson Alvarez pitched in the spring last Friday. Ryan Page and Andrew Liebel pitched on Saturday and Chuck Huggins on Sunday so Alvarez might get the start.
The Lugnuts were scheduled to play a game on Wednesday, against the Michigan State Spartans, but the game was rained out. The Lansing State Journal notes that this years team is older than last years. Nineteen of the twenty-six Lugnuts have college experience. The story doesn't name an opening day starter but it won't be Chad Jenkins, Jenkins pitches Sunday. The story also notes that Balbino Fuenmayor is now a first baseman.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20100407194046483