2009 Riverdogs Announced

The Riverdogs Website has published the new roster: http://www.riverdogs.com/dogs/team/ and there are once again a bunch of good prospects on hand to start the year. Abe Almonte, Carmen Angelini and Ray Kruml are holdovers and all three could start moving if they get off to quick starts. Almonte has a ton of upside, but seemed to get tired and abandon his game plan last year. Carm had a rough year, but hung in there and came back bigger and strong this season. Kruml's got to decide whether he's an organizational player or a possible big leaguer.

The Outfield will consist of Almonte and Kruml, plus Dan Brewer, Taylor Grote and Melky Mesa. Brewer and Grote are interesting players who try hard in the OF and have offensive upside, at some point, each will have to show some pop. Melky Mesa has every tool in the book, but will have to get off to a big start offensively or he'll be a pitcher next Spring.

In the infield, we've got Angelini, plus Garrison Lassiter, David Adams, Mike Lyons, Brad Baisley and Walter Ibarra. Lassiter is a big SS, who will share time there and at 3rd and DH. Lassiter has a Yankee bat and will be fun to follow. David Adams, will start at 2B but will start moving if his offense returns to the levels he maintained in the early part of his college career and his summer at Cape Cod. The guy can rake when he's right, but he's had too many people trying to "fix" him and he needs to get straightened out. Mike Lyon is a college player with some patience and pop. He could be a bit of a bonus prospect. Brian Baisley is a big, organizational 1b. Walter Ibarra is a gifted defender, like Ramiro Pena, who the Yanks gave a lot of money to a few years ago, but has yet to hit like they expected he would when they outbid some teams for him. He needs to start moving.

At catcher the Dogs have Chase Weems and Mitch Abeita. Weems is a toolsy player who's been slowed by some injuries and illness. When he's playing his game, he walks, gets hit by pitches, gets on base a lot and hits some bombs. With the organizational catching depth, he needs to have a big year with the Dogs, cause Kyle Higashioka is coming up right behind him and has been healthy and impressive. Mitch Abeita will be the other catcher and he could be a bit of a pleasant surprise. He's a leaderly catcher who can run a game and hit a bit.


The pitching staff is loaded, at least to start the season, and features guys who'll start moving like Andrew Brackman, DJ Mitchell and David Phelps. You know all about Brackman and Mitchell, but Phelps is a pitchability guy with above average stuff, who could toy with A ball if he's feeling good. The staff also features two teenagers with huge upsides: Manny Banuelos and Brett Marshall. Banuelos is a lefty with an improving fastball and advanced command of three pitches. Marshall is a flamethrower, who's best pitch, the slider, is in his back pocket for now. He'll be K'ing guys with curves and changes till he gets a little older. Beyond those five, they have intriguing hard throwers like Braboy and Noesi an oddity named Venditte, and some college pitchers who've been knocking around for a season or three in Erickson, Kapala, Arbiso and Rulon.


There will be promotions but it should be another fun year for the Charleston Riverdogs.