On the verge of a new season, the Salem Red Sox have announced the coalition of young talent that will aim to bring Salem its second straight Southern Division Championship. From an organization packed with potential (ESPN.com’s Keith Law ranks Boston’s minor league system as the second-best in baseball), Boston has once again delivered an intriguing roster to the Roanoke Valley.
New manager Kevin Boles, who led the Greenville Drive to the South Atlantic League Championship series in 2009, brings along with him many of the same players that helped produced a 73-65 record in the SAL. In fact, the 2010 Salem Red Sox open their season with a roster that includes 20 players who contributed to the Drive at some point last season.
Salem’s starting rotation is expected to be anchored by youthful righthanders Stolmy Pimentel and Alex Wilson. Pimentel started 23 games for the Drive in 2009 while Wilson will begin his second professional season with Salem. Pitchers Fabian Williamson and Brock Huntzinger also arrive in Salem. Williamson, a lefthander from Sun Valley, VA, tabulated a 10-5 record in Greenville last season. Huntzinger started all 25 games he pitched in for the Drive in 2009, finishing 10-9 with a 4.09 ERA.
Joining the aforementioned four on Salem’s staff of arms includes righthanders Caleb Clay, Jeremy Kehrt, Michael Lee, Leandro Marin, and Blake Maxwell and lefties Kyle Fernandes, Mitch Herold, and William Latimer.
Complementing a balanced pitching staff will be a formidable offense led by seven homegrown players who were all taken in the top seven rounds of the draft. The catching core features a pair of prospects in Tim Federowicz and Ryan Lavarnway. Will Vazquez also returns for a second season in Salem, a valuable and versatile asset capable of playing catcher and nearly every other infield position.
Salem’s infield crop should bring excellent defense along with offensive pop, a combination epitomized by first-baseman Anthony Rizzo. Ryan Dent and Jon Hee, both regulars throughout the 2009 late season, also open the 2010 season in Salem’s infield. Drew Hedman, Will Middlebrooks, and Oscar Tejeda are set to make their Advanced-A debut.
Of the four outfielders on Salem’s Opening Day roster, only David Mailman has appeared at the High-A level in the past. Mitch Dening, Alex Hassan, and Pete Hissey join Mailman in the outfield. Dening spent last season in Greenville. Hassan split time between Lowell and Greenville last season after he was drafted in the 20th round out of Duke. Hissey was a fourth round pick out of Unionville HS in West Chester, PA.
The Salem Red Sox open their season this Thursday, April 8, when they take on the Potomac Nationals at Pfitzner Stadium. The home opener comes to Lewis-Gale Field on Friday, April 16, a festive evening that will culminate with fireworks. Opening Weekend will continue with the players unveiling their new Tuxedo Jerseys; while the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive their own Tuxedo T-shirt, presented by Fast Signs, to sport during the season. Sunday will kick-off with the first Kids Eat Free Sunday of the season. The Salem Red Sox season is presented by Lewis-Gale Medical Center.
Call (540) 389-3333 or visit www.salemsox.com for more information on the 2010 season promotions and games.
