Tampa Yankees set for season

The New York Yankees front office sent out a release with their "finalized" minor-league rosters. Of course, as minor-league baseball goes, the roster will see a large amount of turn over before the season is through. It is expected that several of the better guys from the Low Class A Charleston River Dogs will graduate to the High A level fairly shortly. And, likewise, some of our own Tampa Yankees may see call-ups to the Class AA and Class AAA levels before too long.

But for now, let's act as if we've got our squad for the year. Here it is:

HIGH ClASS A TAMPA YANKEES
Manager: Luis Sojo
Coaches: Greg Pavlik (P), Julius Matos (H), Tim McIntosh.
Pitchers: Dellin Betances, Jeremy Bleich, Noel Castillo, Grant Duff, Craig Heyer, Jon Hovis, Chuck Nolte, Jon Ortiz, Lance Pendleton, Amauri Sanit, Jason Stephens, Ryan Zink.
Catchers: Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, Steve Strausbaugh.
Infielders:Matt Cusick, Mitch Hilligoss, Brandon Laird, Addison Maruszak, Luis Nunez, Wady Rufino, Damon Sublett.
Outfielders: Tommy Baldridge, Eric Fryer, Austin Krum, Jack Rye.

The manager Luis Sojo returns for his fourth year as the team's skipper. Sojo, something of a cult hero amongst Yankee fans, was a key component in the big-league club's late nineties success. Sojo returns to the club after enjoying great success in the World Baseball Classic, helping guide the club into the tournament's "final four" in Los Angeles. Greg Pavlick, the team's pitching coach, is the team's warhorse, having spent eight seasons with the club in this role. According to a release from the official Tampa Yankees site, Pavlick "oversaw a 2008 Tampa pitching staff that finished second in ERA and strikeouts." So, certainy, the expectations are high in 2009 with a lot of upside in the rotation and in the pen. Julius Matos and Tim McIntosh are both new to the club in 2009, so evaluations of their abilities will still be pending. From what little I can surmise, Matos is a former player who enjoyed a lengthy thirteen year professional career. McIntosh is a former scout from the Texas Rangers organization.

In coming entries, I will preview a few of the team's most promising players.