Spring Training has started down in Florida and Arizona, and now seems like a good time to introduce you to those who will be making their debut in 2005.

No, I don't mean Aaron Hill. Or Andy Marte.

Instead, it's time to meet your 2005 Batter's Box Rookies, the latest additions to the Batter's Box Roster. Scouting reports follow, straight from MLB's Online Interactive Magazine Central Scouting Bureau:

Dan McIlroy      RHP   R/R   5'7"   185   02/17/1959    Drafted 47th Round, 1406th Overall.

KNOWN TO TEAMMATES AS MAGPIE. STATS INC SCORER. BODY LIKE DAVID ECKSTEIN. FUN TO BE AROUND, DESPITE FLAUNTING OF MEDIA CREDENTIALS. OLDEST ROOKIE SINCE DENNIS QUAID. OBSESSED WITH 1912 WORLD SERIES. WAS PROBABLY THERE.

Rob Pettapiece   2B    B/R   5'9"   180   03/08/1987    Drafted 47th Round, 1407th Overall.

HIGH SCHOOL SLEEPER. BEST 2B SINCE GEORGE BATTEN. OCCASIONAL INSIGHT, OVERMATCHED IN STATISTICAL ANALYSIS. ABILITIES PLAY BETTER IN MINOR LEAGUE REPORTING. TOOLSY, COULD DEVELOP INTO JOHN SICKELS OR ROB NEYER BUT W/O THE BASEBALL KNOWLEDGE.

As punishment, the rooks are forced to wear Mike Moffatt's alternate uniform across the border on the first road trip. The Association of Interactive Magazine Writing has predicted 2005 will be a breakout year for Rob and Magpie.
Box PR guy Mick Doherty, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "This is the part where the PR guy says something about how we're thrilled to have two rookies with such potential join the squad. Fred Lynn and Jim Rice, yadda yadda. Well, welcome to the Roster, rooks, but you damn well better not turn out to be Dwight Smith and Jerome Walton instead of Rice and Lynn."

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its Interactive Magazines. In accordance with Section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the posting status of either rookie could be revoked without notice.