Journey begins in New York-Penn League
The New York-Penn League has long offered the chance to catch high-round Draft picks and newly signed college standouts trying to make good in their first year in the pros. In many cases, this is where players truly begin to blossom.
With the possibility that talent like the Mets' Sam Honeck, the Pirates' Tony Sanchez, Toronto's Jonathan Fernandez and Boston's Alex Wilson will be headed to New York-Penn League teams, this season should be no exception.
Here's a team-by-team look at what you can expect in the New York-Penn League in 2009:
Aberdeen IronBirds
2008 Results: 36-39
2009 Manager: Gary Kendall
What's on deck: Manager Gary Kendall returns for a second season, while pitching coach Scott McGregor is back for his fifth. ... The IronBirds also may have some players returning. First baseman Tom Baxter, a 2008 Draft pick who played 52 games for Aberdeen last year, might start out the 2009 season here and see how things come together. ... Left-hander Nicholas Haughian, another '08 draftee, could be back in Aberdeen after posting a 9.00 ERA in nine appearances last season. ... It's also possible that righty Matt Hobgood, the fifth overall pick earlier this month, could pitch for the IronBirds. The hard-throwing 245-pound California high school star is unsigned but has said he expects to when he visits Camden Yards on June 27. ... There's more than baseball to look forward to in Aberdeen this season. Ripken Stadium will host a concert featuring Bob Dylan, John Mellancamp and Willie Nelson on July 24.
Auburn Doubledays
2008 Results: 38-37
2009 Manager: Dennis Holmberg
What's on deck: Holmberg, who's guided the Doubledays to six division titles, grabs the reins for an eighth season. Hitting coach Charles Poe returns for his second and Vince Horsman, who's recently been a pitching coach for Rookie-level teams in the Blue Jays organization, steps into that role for Auburn. ... On the field, Doubledays fans can expect to see 2009 draftee Jonathan Fernandez, the son of former All-Star shortstop Tony Fernandez. ... Pitchers Evan Crawford and , a Minor League journeyman, will be back in Auburn and will be joined on the staff by 2009 seventh-rounder Egan Smith, a lefty out of the College of Southern Nevada.
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Here's a look at five New York-Penn League prospects who you should keep an eye on in 2009:
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2008 Results: 46-28
2009 Manager: Mark DeJohn
What's on deck: After leading Batavia to its first New York-Penn League championship in 45 years in 2008, DeJohn is back for more. He's joined by first-time hitting coach Jeff Albert and pitching coach Doug White. White may work with Nick McCully, the Cardinals' ninth pick in the 2009 Draft, as well as a returnees like LaCurtis Mayes and Dan Richardson. ... Muckdogs fans can probably expect to see Beau Riportella back. The outfielder hit .195 between Batavia and the Gulf Coast League last year, but if he can develop some plate discipline -- he struck out 37 times while drawing only seven walks in 2008 -- that average should get a boost. First baseman Xavier Scruggs also could repeat the NYPL.
Brooklyn Cyclones
2008 Results: 45-30
2009 Manager: Pedro Lopez
What's on deck: Brooklyn will have an entirely new field staff in 2009. Pedro Lopez, a coach at Class A Savannah last season, will manage the Cyclones. Pitching coach Rick Tomlin comes to Brooklyn with 21 years of Minor League experience, most recently as pitching coach at Double-A Harrisburg. Hitting coach Jack Voigt is in his fourth year in the Mets system. ... The Cyclones' Opening Day roster includes several returning players. Catcher Ralphie Henriquez, pitchers Matias Carrillo and Brandon Moore are among those who will be back for another summer in Coney Island. ... Sam Honeck, the Mets' 11th-round pick earlier this month, is set to play first base for Brooklyn. ... The Cyclones have been selling standing-room tickets for "Baracklyn Cyclones" night, a promotion that features a President Obama bobblehead. Former Met Darryl Strawberry will appear on his bobblehead night Aug. 3.
Hudson Valley Renegades
2008 Results: 40-35
2009 Manager: Brady Williams
What's on deck: Williams, the son of former Major League manager Jimy Williams, is the Renegades' new manager. He began coaching in the Minors after the 2004 season and this will be his first year as a skipper. Pitching coach Rafael Montalvo returns for a second season. ... The Rays announced the signing of more than a dozen 2009 picks, five days after the June 11 Draft. Several are destined to spend some time with Hudson Valley. Outfielder Brett Nommenson and right-hander Andrew Bellatti, Tampa Bay's eighth- and 12th-round selections, respectively, may be in Renegades uniforms at some point this season. ... Southpaw Jake Sullivan, a 22nd-round pick, may end up calling Dutchess Stadium home after spending part of the summer at Rookie-level Princeton.
Jamestown Jammers
2008 Results: 47-29
2009 Manager: Andy Haines
What's on deck: First-time Minor League manager Andy Haines joins the Jammers after coaching at the college level and in an independent league. Frank Moore will serve as Haines' hitting coach, with Steve Watson handling the pitchers. ... The Marlins probably would like to see Benito Beato return to Jamestown and expand upon his experience there last year. the Dominican right-hander appeared in only four games but put up a 1.69 ERA and struck out six while walking one over 5 1/3 innings. ... If shortstop Chris Wade, Florida's 11th-round pick in the 2009 Draft, signs rather than returning to the University of Kentucky, he may hold down the Jammers' infield.
Lowell Spinners
2008 Results: 40-33
2009 Manager: Gary DiSarcina
What's on deck: DiSarcina, a native of nearby Billerica, Mass., returns after guiding the Spinners to the Stedler Division title in 2008. Former Major Leaguer Kevin Walker steps in for his first pitching coach position in professional baseball and hitting coach Luis Lopez is back for a second season. Lopez could tutor second-round pick Alex Wilson, who's probably headed to Lowell. ... The Spinners will see Ryan Westmoreland, 2008 sixth-rounder, make his professional debut in the outfield. ... Derrik Gibson, a second-rounder last year, will be back after hitting .086 in 14 games for Lowell. Dennis Neuman, who played two games in the South Atlantic League this spring after serving as the Netherlands' closer at the World Baseball Classic, will come down to work on his approach. ... Third baseman Michael Almanzar, who's struggled at Greenville, could make some adjustments in Lowell. ... Drew Dominguez, a shortstop out of Wesleyan University and a native of Braintree, Mass., will round out the Spinners infield.
Mahoning Valley Scrappers
2008 Results: 31-44
2009 Manager: Travis Fryman
What's on deck: Longtime Major Leaguer Travis Fryman will manage the Scrappers for a second season, and he'll be joined by pitching coach Ken Rowe, who's back for his sixth year with the team. ... The Indians' first- and second-round picks in the 2009 Draft, pitcher Alex White (North Carolina) and outfielder Jason Kipnis (Arizona State) could see time in Mahoning Valley this season, but the decisions surrounding their assignments have been delayed by the College World Series. ... Pitchers Kaimi Mead and Brian Grening are set to return to the Scrappers staff.
Oneonta Tigers
2008 Results: 33-41
2009 Manager: Howie Bushong
What's on deck: Howie Bushong, who managed the Gulf Coast League Tigers earlier in the decade, comes to Oneonta after working as an assistant coach at Texas State for five seasons. Hitting coach Luis Quinones returns for his third campaign with Oneonta, while pitching coach Jorge Cordova joins the team from the Venezuelan Summer League. ... Tigers' 2009 Draft picks third baseman Wade Gaynor, outfielder Jamie Johnson and catcher John Murrian should play for Oneonta, and shortstop Joaquin Guzman, who bounced around the Tigers system last year, could see more time in the New York-Penn League.
State College Spikes
2008 Results: 18-56
2009 Manager: Gary Robinson
What's on deck: Robinson is the fourth manager in the Spikes' four-year history. He brings a rare perspective after spending 10 years as a Triple-A umpire evaluator. He also was a pitching coach for the Gulf Coast League Pirates in 1998. ... Pittsburgh's first-round pick, Tony Sanchez, will begin the season with State College. Sanchez was the No. 4 overall selection in the Draft. ... The Spikes probably will get their hands on several other '09 Draft picks, including outfielder Pat Irvine, infielder Ty Summerlin and pitchers Marc Baca and Jason Erickson. ... Several players who called State College home last summer could return for at least part of the '09 season. Catcher Miguel Mendez, right-hander Alan Knotts and outfielder Butch Biela are likely to be back. ... The Spikes probably will get an infusion of talent from the 2008 GCL Pirates, who went 37-19 and won a division title. In fact, southpaws Nelson Pereira and Tyler Cox, who finished first and second, respectively, in ERA in the GCL, are likely to anchor the State College rotation.
Staten Island Yankees
2008 Results: 49-26
2009 Manager: Josh Paul
What's on deck: Former Major Leaguer Josh Paul grabs the reins in his first managing job. Hitting coach Ty Dawkins returns to Staten Island for a fourth season and pitching coach Pat Daneker is back for his second. ... Staten Island likely will welcome outfielder DeAngelo Mack, an 11th-round pick out of South Carolina who is expected to continue to develop his power as a professional. ... Lefty Shaeffer Hall, a 23rd-round selection, also should spend much of the season with the Baby Bombers. ... Outfielder Taylor Grote started the season at Class A Charleston but could be back in Staten Island if he continues to struggle at the plate.
Tri-City ValleyCats
2008 Results: 28-45
2009 Manager: Jim Pankovits
What's on deck: Jim Pankovits, who's coached or managed in the Astros system at the Double-A and Class A Advanced levels and spent last season as a roving instructor, is the ValleyCats' new manager. ... Shortstop Brandon Wikoff, the Astros' fifth-round pick in the 2009 Draft, is expected to spend his first professional season at Tri-City along with 11th-rounder, catcher David Williams. ... Returning for a second season with the ValleyCats could be utility man Danny Meier, who will work on getting on base more often than he did last season, and David Duncan, who had a rough go of it in the California League this season. He went 0-9 with an 8.51 ERA over 11 starts with Lancaster and could take advantage of a period of adjustment with the ValleyCats.
Vermont Lake Monsters
2008 Results: 33-42
2009 Manager: Jeff Garber
What's on deck: Garber begins his first season with the Lake Monsters after serving as the Nationals' Minor League field coordinator last year. He spent six years managing in the Royals organization. Franklin Bravo returns for his second year as pitching coach, having tutored his staff to a 3.84 ERA last year. Hitting coach Sergio Mendez comes to Vermont off a stint as bench coach with Class A Hagerstown. ... A plethora of 2009 Draft picks will take the field for the Lake Monsters this summer, including outfielder Justin Bloxom (11th round) and right-hander Pat Lehman (13th-round). ... Right-hander Juan Jaime, who spent his first season in the States in the Gulf Coast League last year, will make the move to Vermont, where he'll likely throw to backstop Dan Killian, who caught him in Florida. ... Killian will split time behind the plate with Ricky Nolan, who returns to the Lake Monsters after struggling at the plate last summer.
Williamsport Crosscutters
2008 Results: 38-37
2009 Manager: Chris Truby
What's on deck: Truby, who spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues and served as hitting coach for Class A Advanced Lynchburg in 2008, begins his first season as a manager. Eric Valent returns as hitting coach and fellow former big leaguer Tom Filer will fill the pitching coach position after holding that post at Double-A Reading for four years. ... Anthony Hewitt, the Phils' first-round Draft pick in 2008 will be joining the Crosscutters after playing in 33 Gulf Coast League games last year. Some familiar faces are expected to make a splash with the 'Cutters this season, including outfielder Brandon Haislet, catcher Joe Blackburn and right-hander Miguel Matos. ... Williamsport also could get some help from '09 Draft picks like catcher David Doss (31st round), first baseman Cory Wine (38th round) and shortstop Evan Porter (23 round).
Josh Jackson is a contributor to MLB.com.