Stetson Allie headlines Spikes roster
Allie, who spent the final three weeks of last season working out with the Spikes without seeing the field during a game, was the second-round pick of the Pirates out of St. Edward High School in Ohio last year. Already ranked as the third-best prospect in the Pittsburgh organization by Baseball America prior to the season, Allie is rated as having the best slider in the system as well.
Nick Kingham, the Pirates' fourth-round draft pick in 2010, will be joining Allie in State College. Kingham, who was selected out of Sierra Vista High School in Nevada by Pittsburgh, made his pro debut with the Gulf Coast League Pirates last season, pitching three scoreless innings over two appearances.
The Opening Day 28-man roster also includes a number of familiar faces for Spikes fans, as in addition to Allie, seven other returnees will appear for the Spikes in 2011. Right-hander Mitch Fienemann, who was one of the first two Australian players in franchise history last season, will join fellow righty Vince Payne and lefties Joely Rodriguez and Justin Ennis as holdovers from last season's pitching staff. Catcher Matt Skirving, infielder Walker Gourley and outfielder Justin Bencsko are the position players coming back to State College this year.
The Spikes will also welcome what has become the usual mix of international players to the team this week. After opening up last season with players from seven different countries, fans will see the first ever Spike from the burgeoning baseball hotbed of Curucao, as infielder Michaelangel Trinidad hits the field for the mini-camp. Panamanian infielder Jorge Bishop and Venezuelan outfielder Exicardo Cayones are also on the roster, as are six Dominican players. In addition to Rodriguez, pitchers Fraylin Campos, Emmanuel De Leon, and Joan Montero will also be donning Spikes uniforms this week, as will catcher Samuel Gonzalez and utility player Jesus Brito. Cuban defector Carlos Mesa rounds out the Spikes' international contingent.
Five players who were drafted just last week were on State College's Opening Day roster, headlined by 10th round outfielder Taylor Lewis from the University of Maine. Pitcher Matt Benedict from Western Carolina (30th round), catcher Derek Trent from East Tennessee State (31st round), infielder Brian Sharp from California Baptist (24th round) and infielder Kirk Singer from Long Beach State (29th round) enter the season as newly minted Pirates prospects.
Rounding out the roster are pitchers Cliff Archibald, Ryan Hafner, Kevin Kleis and Bryce Weidman, as well as outfielder Wes Freeman.
The Spikes will play their Home Opener on Sunday, June 19 against Williamsport at 6:05 p.m. Ballpark gates will open at 3:30 p.m. and a bevy of pre-game activities, special events and great promotions will highlight the evening, including a ceremonial first pitch and autograph session with former Penn State basketball star Talor Battle, post-game fireworks and more!
Great seats remain for Spikes Opening Week, which continues after the Home Opener on Monday the 20th, Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd with a trio of 7:05 p.m. games against the Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals' affiliate). Fans can purchase Opening Week tickets, or seats to any of the Spikes 38 regular season home games, by calling (814) 272-1711, or by stopping at the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Box Office. Fans can also buy and print their own single-game tickets by clicking here.