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Article published Apr 15, 2009 Meet the league
Here's a team-by-team look at what you can expect in the Midwest League in 2009:Beloit Snappers (Wis.)
Pohlman Field
Affiliate of Minnesota Twins
2008 results: 71-67
Manager: Nelson Prada
Things to know: Prada welcomes new hitting coach Rich Miller, and pitching coach Gary Lucas will return for the 2009 campaign. Miller comes to the Snappers in his fifth year with the Twins - last year he was a roving baserunning/outfield coach at the Double- and Triple-A levels. … Aaron Hicks, the Twins' 2008 first-round draft pick, will most likely play in Beloit this summer after hitting .318 with 27 RBIs in 45 games for the Gulf Coast League Twins in 2008. ... RHP Shooter Hunt will probably need to make a few impressive starts here first, and power-hitting OF Angel Morales will bring his act to town as well. ... Fans may be able to look for more pop and fewer injuries out of the Snappers this year: The team has added a strength and conditioning coach, Ben Peterson. ... Paul Molitor is scheduled to appear in Beloit on July 12, which happens to be Paul Molitor Bobblehead Day.Burlington Bees (Iowa)
Community Field
Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals
2008 results: 73-65, MWL champions
Manager: Jim Gabella Things to know: After leading the Pioneer League's Idaho Falls Chukars in 2008, Gabella comes back to Burlington. He managed the Bees 2004-2007, and his 245 wins for Burlington are the most in team history. ... Chances are Eric Hosmer, the 2008 No. 3 overall draft pick, will spend some time with the Bees. ... Mike Montgomery, who posted a 1.69 ERA last year in the Rookie-level Arizona Summer League, is likely to work his way into the Bees' rotation, along with Tim Melville. Melville, who's just 19, already throws a fastball that's been clocked in the 90s. ... 3B Jason Taylor, who belted 17 home runs and 17 doubles for the Bees last year, and Sam Runion, who made five starts here in 2008, are likely coming back for more. ... RHP Kelvin Herrera probably will return as well, although he may be promoted before too long. Look for Salvador Perez to end up behind the plate for Burlington.Cedar Rapids Kernels (Iowa)
Veterans Memorial Stadium
Affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels
2008 results: 72-66
Manager: Bill Mosiello
Things to know: Mosiello is new not only to Cedar Rapids, but also to the Angels organization. He's spent recent years coaching at the college level, including stops at Auburn University, Cal State-Fullerton and Arizona State University. He also amassed a 129-98 record in two seasons at the helm of the South Atlantic League's Charleston RiverDogs. ... Kernels fans should expect Angels 2008 second-round pick Tyler Chatwood to make a stop in Cedar Rapids at some point during the 2009 season. Chatwood allowed 13 earned runs over 11 starts and racked up 48 strikeouts in 38 innings in the rookie-level Arizona Summer League last year. ... Two of last year's Pioneer League stars, Luis Jimenez and Roberto Lopez, will likely make their full-season debuts with the Kernels after combining to lead the league in every major offensive category last year.Clinton LumberKings (Iowa)
Alliant Energy Field
Affiliate of Seattle Mariners
2008 results: 78-59, First-half Western Division champions
Manager: Scott Steinmann
Things to know: The LumberKings went through one of the biggest offseason changes in the Midwest League: Formerly an affiliate of the Texas Rangers, Clinton will now serve as the Seattle Mariners' Class A entry. ... Skipper Scott Steinmann, who managed Wisconsin in 2005, comes to town after helming the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx of the Southern League last season. This marks his 14th year with the Mariners organization. ... Mario Martinez, who hit .319 in the Appalachian League last season, and Jharmidy De Jesus, who hit .309 at two levels in 2008, are likely to split time playing third. Look for 18-year-old Gabriel Noriega to play directly to their left at short. ... OF Denny Almonte, who hit .249 with Wisconsin last year, will probably stick around for some more Class A seasoning. ... Brett Lorin, who made six Midwest League starts last season, is a strong candidate for the Clinton rotation, and Aaron Pribanic, the Mariners' 2008 third-round choice, could spend his first full season as part of the pitching staff here. ... The LumberKings will host the 2009 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 23.Dayton Dragons (Ohio)
Fifth Third Field
Affiliate of Cincinnati Reds
2008 results: 66-72, First-half Western Division champions
Manager: Todd Benzinger
Things to know: Many fans recognize Benzinger's name but may not be able to place it right away. The new manager was an integral part of the 1990 World Champion Cincinnati Reds, but has been away from baseball since his 1995 retirement. Benzinger won't be short on young talent to work with. ... Kyle Lotzkar, who made 10 starts for the Dragons last year, may return to the rotation to start 2009, and Neftali Soto, who played in 52 games here in 2008, is another likely candidate to return. ... C Devin Mesoraco could be back, too, after hitting .261 in 83 Dragons games last year. ... Fresh face Alex Buchholz will probably work his way into the Midwest League this year. Buchholz is likely to work at both second base and shortstop. RHP Sulbaran is coming off the World Baseball Classic, where he played for the overachieving team from the Netherlands.Great Lakes Loons (Midland, Mich.)
Dow Diamond
Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers
2008 results: 54-85
Manager: Juan Bustabad
Things to know: Having finished at the bottom of the Midwest League barrel last season, the Loons will have the talent in 2009 to improve a great deal. Skipper Juan Bustabad returns for his ninth year in the Dodgers organization and second year at the helm of Great Lakes. Pitching coach Danny Darwin also will be back, but the Dodgers have promoted a new hitting coach - Michael Boughton, who makes the leap after coaching for the Rookie-level Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League last year. ... RHP Ethan Martin, the Dodgers' first-round pick in 2008, will make his pro debut with the Loons, as he injured his knee after the draft last year. ... Kyle Russell and Devaris Gordon, the No. 3 and No. 4 Dodgers picks in the same draft, are also probable Loons. Gordon hit .331 last year in the Pioneer League, and Ogden teammate Russell knocked 11 home runs and collected 46 RBIs in 61 games. ... Nathan Eovaldi will work to be in the rotation from the start of the season through the end, and Daigoro Rondon probably will be on the Loons pitching staff for his second straight year.Kane County Cougars (Geneva, Ill.)
Elfstrom Stadium
Affiliate of the Oakland Athletics
2008 results: 72-66
Manager: Steve Scarsone
Things to know: The Cougars are proud to host the A's top draft picks - a team spokesperson says, “Oakland's first- to fifth-round picks all played for the Cougars at one point or another in 2008.” ... Steve Scarsone, who played in seven big-league seasons for five teams, comes to Kane County as a new face in the Athletics organization. ... OF Rashun Dixon, who will be 19 on Opening Day and had 42 RBIs in 42 games in the Arizona League last year, may end up in the Cougars lineup by the start of the season. ... Either Dusty Coleman or Jason Christian, two of Oakland's most exciting prospects, will play shortstop for Kane County. ... Changes also have come to Elfstrom Stadium: In the offseason the Cougars added a second deck with luxury suites, including a “Super Suite” available for year-round events, and rooftop decks.Lansing Lugnuts (Lansing, Mich.)
Oldsmobile Park
Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays
2008 results: 76-64, First-half Eastern Division champions
Manager: Clayton McCullough
Things to know: Manager Clayton McCullough, 28, returns for his second year as Lugnuts skipper. He'll be supported by Justin Mashore as hitting coach and new pitching coach Antonio Caceres. McCullough earned last year's Bobby Mattick Award, which is given to the person in the Blue Jays organization who does the most for player development. The 2009 season will be Mashore's fifth in the Blue Jays system. Caceres comes to Lansing after coaching the staff of the New York-Penn League's Auburn Doubledays to a team ERA of 3.33 in 2008. ... The staff may end up working with IF John Tolisano and Balbino Fuenmayor, two highly appraised prospects in the Blue Jays systems. ... Oldsmobile Park will also once again host the annual “Crosstown Showdown,” an exhibition matchup between Michigan State University and the Lugnuts, set for April 16.Peoria Chiefs (Ill.)
O'Brien Field
Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs
2008 results: 60-78
Manager: Marty Pevey
Things to know: While Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has been promoted to the Southern League's Double-A West Tenn Smokies, the hopes of Chiefs fans are now in the able hands of new manager Marty Pevey. ... Josh Vitters, who was third with 85 hits in the Northwest League and is a top prospect in the Cubs system, is likely to start the season with Peoria. ... RHP Andrew Cashner, the Cubs' 2008 first-round draft pick, will start the season either for the Chiefs or in the Florida State League. ... Ryan Flaherty may play shortstop in Peoria, but he may quickly climb the ladder. ... This will be Matt Cerda's first full season, and he's probably going to spend all of it with the Chiefs. ... Jay Jackson, who made 13 appearances - five starts - across three levels in 2008, should be a valuable staff member in Peoria. ... Chris Carpenter and Aaron Shafer also will aim to be part of the Chiefs rotation. ... Outfielder Kyler Burke, who hit .247 with 49 RBIs in 102 games across two levels last year, stands to spend the 2009 season here.Quad Cities River Bandits (Davenport, Iowa)
Modern Woodmen Park
Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals
2008 results: 68-66
Manager: Steve Dillard
Things to know: Skipper Steve Dillard is poised to become the franchise's win leader, needing just 29 victories to reach that mark. ... Likely players to end up in the Quad Cities include RHP Adam Reifer, who posted a 2.97 ERA over 32 appearances to help lead Short-Season Class A Batavia to a New York-Penn League championship in 2008. ... Reifer will be joined by Lance Lynn, who will probably serve as a starter, and Richard Castillo, who won nine games over two levels in 2008. ... Nineteen-year-old OF Frederick Parejo, who played for Batavia last season, is a strong candidate for the Quad Cities outfield. ... Deryk Hooker, who put up a 2.77 ERA between the Appalachian League and the Midwest League last year, is a probable starter for the River Bandits. ... Curt Smith spent 11 games with the River Bandits last year and could spend most of the year with them this season. ... Niko Vasquez also was in the Quad Cities briefly last season and stands to return for more time here this year. ... Modern Woodman Park's new 80-foot LED ribbon board will play highlights from the right-field wall.South Bend Silver Hawks
Coveleski Stadium
Affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks
2008 results: 43-27, Eastern Division Winner
Manager: Mark Haley
Things to know: Mark Haley returns to the Silver Hawks for his fifth straight year, and why not? Last year South Bend finished with the second-best record in the Midwest League and made it to the finals in the postseason. ... Time will tell if young talent like RHP Kevin Eichhorn, who was picked in the third round of the 2008 Draft, 19-year-old SS Reynaldo Navarro, switch-hitting C Rossmel Perez and 2008 second-round pick RHP Bryan Shaw can lead the Silver Hawks to repeat in 2009. ... RHP Trevor Harden, who put up a 1.91 ERA for the Missoula Osprey in the rookie-level Pioneer League last year, will look to crack the Class A rotation. ... LHP Wade Miley, who appeared in just seven Northwest League games in 2008, will also pitch here. ... OF Tyrell Worthington, who struggled with Missoula in 2008, may wind up with the Silver Hawks in 2009. ... Lastly, South Bend fans will be happy to have Silver Hawks games on the radio again - on ESPN Radio 1490 - after a four-year quiet period.West Michigan Whitecaps (Comstock Park, Mich.)
Fifth Third Ballpark
Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers
2008 results: 72-65
Manager: Joe DePastino
Things to know: In addition to a 40-foot plunger that will let loose a gush of water when an opposing hitter strikes out and a 1.67-pound burger, the Whitecaps may see one of the most promising prospects in the Tigers system - LHP Casey Crosby. Crosby spent most of last year rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery, but the left-hander did throw 4 2/3 innings over three appearances in the Gulf Coast League, having allowed only one unearned run to record a perfect ERA. ... Look for Mauricio Robles and Brandon Hamilton to return to the Whitecaps staff. ... Manager Joe DePastino, pitching coach Mark Johnson and hitting coach Benny Distefano all return for the 2009 season.Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Appleton, Wis.)
Fox Cities Stadium
Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers
2008 results: 56-80
Manager: Jeff Isom
Things to know: The Timber Rattlers' home is less than 70 miles from Milwaukee, so the newly crowned Brewers affiliate should enjoy an even more passionate fan base in 2009 than they did in years past. ... Brett Lawrie, who was called “the system's most promising power prospect” by MLB.com's Lisa Winston, will most likely start the season in Wisconsin but could be quickly promoted, depending on his production. ... Cutter Dykstra, son of three-time National League All-Star Lenny “Nails” Dykstra, also appears to be on the fast track through the ranks, but will spend some time in a Timber Rattlers uniform. ... Jacob Odorizzi fanned 19 in 20 2/3 innings in the rookie-level Arizona League last year and has shown he's ready for full-season action in the Midwest League. ... Power pitcher Cody Scarpetta, who racked up 58 strikeouts during 12 appearances between the Arizona League and the rookie-level Pioneer League, probably will join Odorizzi, as will LHP Efrain Nieves. ... Cody Adams, who put up a 3.48 ERA in the Pioneer League in 2008, could round out the rotation. ... OF Logan Schafer stands to be a regular in the Timber Rattlers' lineup after hitting .272 between two levels last year. ... Jeff Isom, who managed the Class A West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League in 2007 and 2008, is stepping into the job for Wisconsin this season. ... On April 24, the Timber Rattlers will play a home game at Milwaukee's Miller Park against the Peoria Chiefs.Fort Wayne TinCaps
Parkview Field
Affiliate of San Diego Padres
2008 results: 71-69
Manager: Doug Dascenzo
Things to know: With a new home at a state-of-the-art ballpark, the team has lots to be excited about. … Fort Wayne appears to have a very strong outfield: Last year's Northwest League MVP, Dan Robertson, will play left and Blake Tekotte, who hit .285 in the Northwest League last season, will patrol center. Sawyer Carroll, who played in 18 games in the MWL last year, will start in right. … OF Jaff Decker, the 2008 Arizona League MVP and one of the top prospects in the Padres system, is likely to join the team in late April/early May after recovering from a late injury in spring training. … SS Drew Cumberland, 1B Allan Dykstra, 3B James Darnell and SP Nick Schmidt are top prospects in the farm system. … Adam Zornes and Robert Lara should split time behind the plate.