Rosters

OK, a lot of info was released Saturday, so let's get to some of it.

1. Edgar Garcia was not released, he will stay in extended and is on Reading's disabled list. I am very relieved about that!!

2. Lehigh Valley has not officially posted their roster, but based on where other guys have shown up, it looks like it is set. Carlos Carrasco, Kyle Kendrick and Drew Carpenter will be 3 of the 5 starters, with Francisco Butto among the bullpen pitchers. Catcher Lou Marson and infielder Jason Donald will be regulars, and Jeremy Slayden will start the season working out back spasms in extended spring training and will join the Pigs when 100%. Long time Phillies minor leaguer and 2005 World Series champion Pablo Ozuna will also start the year in Lehigh Valley.

3. Reading has released their final roster. The rotation is: Tyson Brummett, Alex Concepcion, Joe Savery, Michael Stutes and Vance Worley. The bullpen includes Joe Bisenius, Antonio Bastardo, Pat Overholt, Matt German, and Sergio Escalona. Tuffy Gosewisch, Brad Harman, Quintin Berry, Gus Milner, Mike Spidale and Michael Taylor will also start the year in Baseballtown. Unless I am mistaken, P.J. Antoniato and Javon Moran were late cuts.

4. I have not seen a Clearwater roster, yet, so some guys are not accounted for.

5. Lakewood's roster has been posted on their website. Returnees include Travis "Moose" Mattair, D'Arby Myers, Jacob Diekman, and Jesus Sanchez. The big surprise to me is that there are 3 catchers, all of which should be getting regular playing time. Luis Arzeno, Travis D'Arnaud and Sebastian Valle are all highly thought of and it is puzzling (to me) that they all end up in the same place. There is simply not enough playing time to get them all sufficient work.

6. The Phillies will start the season with 4 former 'Claws, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz.

7. Gavin Floyd (White Sox), Alfredo Simon (Oriloes) and Josh Outman (Athletics) will also start the season in major league rotations, while Michael Bourn will return to Houston for a second season, Robinson Tejeda will be in the Royals bullpen, and Jason Jaramillo will begin the year as a back up catcher for the Pirates.

8. Bobby Korecky and Chris Roberson will begin 2009 playing for the Reno Aces (AAA-Diamondbacks). Brett Harker and Bear Hill will be in New Orleans (AAA-Marlins). Andrew Baldwin will return to Tacoma (AAA-Mariners) and Matt Maloney will repeat Louisville (AAA-Reds). Kevin Howard will begin the year with the Portland Beavers (AAA-Padres), Greg Golson starts the year in Oklahoma City (AAA-Rangers), and Jesus Merchan starts in Columbus(AAA-Indians). Randy Ruiz appears to be on the DL in the Blue Jays system.

9. Zack Segovia will start the season in Harrisburg (AA-Nationals), Adrian Cardenas is back in Midland (AA-A's), and Brian Schlitter will be in Daytona (hi A-Cubs).

10. I have not been able to determine where Scott Mitchinson (Oakland) and Michael Dubee (Chicago Sox) will be assigned.


I will have more, including the Clearwater roster and final cuts, as I come across them.