Red Sox Prospects Fill Drive's 2012 Roster
Highlighting the Drive roster will be 10 players who were selected in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, including each of the Red Sox' top three selections - right-handed pitcher Matt Barnes (1st round, 19th overall), catcher Blake Swihart (1st round, 26th overall), and left-handed pitcher Henry Owens (Supplemental Round, 36th overall). The Drive's Opening Day roster also includes seven players who saw action in Greenville during the 2011 season as the Drive posted a franchise-best 78-62 record - pitchers Hunter Cervenka, Justin Erasmus, and Tyler Lockwood; infielders Jose Garcia and David Renfroe; outfielders Lucas LeBlanc and Henry Ramos.
Drive General Manager, Mike deMaine noted, "The Red Sox are among the best in the game at scouting, drafting and developing major league talent as evidenced by the number of players on their current roster who were selected and developed via the draft and their minor league system. Examples of players in this category include Drive alumni Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Ryan Kalish,Felix Doubront, Lars Anderson, and Ryan Lavarnway. The 2012 Drive roster will feature some of the organization's brightest prospects and I know our fans will enjoy watching these players perform and will encourage their development by cheering them on."
"The Boston Red Sox minor league system is recognized as one of the strongest player development systems in all of baseball and we are very proud to be an integral part of the Red Sox development system" added Co-Owner and Team President, Craig Brown. "The 2012 edition of the Drive will feature some of Boston's top prospects who will jump start their careers in Greenville before reaching Fenway and helping the Red Sox contend for World Championships."
The Drive pitching staff will be comprised of nine right-handers - Matt Barnes, Yeiper Castillo, Luis Diaz, Justin Erasmus, Jason Garcia, Tyler Lockwood, Nefi Ogando, Matty Ott, Charle Rosario and Madison Younginer - and a trio of southpaws - Hunter Cervenka, Henry Owens, and Miguel Pena.
Barnes, Boston's first selection in last year's draft, will be making his professional debut after a standout collegiate career for the University of Connecticut Huskies. During his junior season in 2011, Barnes went 11-5 with a 1.93 ERA and 117 strikeouts, on his way to being unanimously chosen as the Big East Pitcher of the Year, named a Louisville Slugger All-American, Baseball America All-American, and selected to the Big East All-Academic Team. The Huskies reached the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament, defeating the Clemson Tigers before falling to the eventual National Champion South Carolina Gamecocks.
Also highlighting the Greenville hurlers is former Mauldin High School standout, Madison Younginer. Before being drafted, Younginer was named the 2009 Gatorade South Carolina Player of the Year. In 2011 he was third in the New York-Penn League with 48 strikeouts as a member of the Lowell Spinners.
Assuming the catching duties will be Leonel Escobar, Blake Swihart, and Jordan Weems. A switch-hitting backstop, Swihart ranks as the number three overall prospect in the Red Sox farm system, according to Baseball America. As a senior at V. Sue Cleveland (NM) High School in 2011, Swihart hit .602 with 17 doubles, five triples, five homers, 41 RBI and 58 runs in 28 games.
Also selected in the 2011 draft, Weems hit .443 with six home runs and 26 RBI in 2011 as a senior, leading Columbus (GA) High School to their 2nd consecutive Georgia High School Association Class AAA State Championship.
The infield will feature returnees David Renfroe and Jose Garcia, and a few fresh faces with Garin Cecchini, Bryan Johns, Boss Moanaroa, and Jose Vinicio.
Renfroe ranked 3rd on the Drive with 107 games played, belting eight homers. Cecchini, who ranks as the number seven overall prospect in Boston's organization and rated as the "Best Hitter for Average" by Baseball America, was leading the New York-Penn League in doubles, and ranked 4th in stolen bases and tied for 5th in RBI through 32 games with Lowell before missing the rest of the season with a broken wrist in 2011.
Patrolling the outfield will be Henry Ramos and Lucas LeBlanc, both of whom saw action with the Drive in 2011, as well as newcomers Keury De la Cruz, Cody Koback, and Matt Marquis. As an 18-year-old last season, Ramos tallied a 15-game hit streak from July 4-22, batting at a .393 clip with five doubles, two triples and seven RBI.
"We have a great group of young, talented prospects that will comprise the Drive's roster this season," commented Drive Manager Carlos Febles. "The offense will have a very balanced attack with power and speed, while the pitching staff features many hurlers with electric pitches. I'm excited for the start of the 2012 season, and the potential in this year's team."
Opening Day at Fluor Field at the West End is Thursday, April 5th, as the Drive host the Lakewood BlueClaws (Philadelphia Phillies affiliate) at 7:05 PM. Single-game tickets, ticket plans, luxury accommodations, and group outings, can be purchased by calling (864) 240-4500 or by visiting www.GreenvilleDrive.com.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: After an outstanding Spring Training, former South Carolina Gamecock standout Jackie Bradley, Jr. will begin the 2012 season with the Salem Red Sox of the Carolina League