Mound magic

Snappers hope prospects pitch in for another MWL playoff run

By Jim Franz
Beloit Daily News

Beloit Snappers fans, prepare to be spoiled again.

After watching outstanding pitching at Pohlman Field the past two seasons, 2007 just looks like more of the same.

Whether its starting pitching, long or short relief, the Snappers once again are not hurting for candidates with terrific credentials on the mound.

“We came up here with a really good staff last year,” pitching coach Steve Mintz said. “This group will do all right, too. To compare them to last year, maybe that's unfair. But they could be better, too, you can't never tell.”

They certainly have the potential to shake up the Midwest League again as the Snappers try to qualify for the postseason for a third straight season since becoming affiliated with the Minnesota Twins.

The starting pitching will include former Notre Dame ace Jeff Manship, Alex Burnett, Jose Lugo, Adam Hawes and Cole Devries.

“The Twins always do a good job giving you five good starting pitchers,” second-year Beloit Manager Jeff Smith said. “When you have five starters who can compete you feel good as a manager because you know you have a good chance to win a ballgame. I'm pretty happy with the five we have.”

Manship will start Thursday's season opener. The right-hander showed enough in a short stint with high-A Ft. Myers last season (8 2-3 innings, 2.08 ERA, 12 strikeouts, two walks) to show that he could be ready for a rapid rise in the organization, joining ex-Snappers like Anthony Swarzak and Matt Garza.

Hawes saw action in 24 games with Beloit a year ago, including 14 starts and was 4-4 with a 4.02 ERA. He walked 37 and struck out 65.

“I think you will see a totally different pitcher this year,” Smith said. “He had two injuries last year that really held him back.”

Pitching was the key component for last season's Elizabethton Twins in the rookie Appalachian League as they reached the championship series for a second consecutive season. Many of the top players off that team, including Lugo and Burnett. Lugo was 1-4 with a 4.45 ERA in Beloit, but after joining Elizabethton, he went 8-4 in 13 starts. Burnett, picked in the 12th round in 2005, is ranked as one of the Twins' top prospects. Only 19, he had a 4-3 record in 13 starts with a complete-game shutout. He struck out 71 and walked only 13.

The fifth starter, Devries, has yet to pitch in a pro game, but was the ace of the University of Minnesota's team in 2006.

The bullpen has talent as well. Danny Vais returns after a solid season in Beloit last year (3-4, 2.12 ERA, two saves). Danny Hernandez, a 21-year-old with an outstanding slider, had 18 saves for Elizabethton (1-1, 3.81 ERA). Also available are Armando Gabino, Sean Land, Dan Leatherman, Adam Revelette and Rob Delaney.

“We have a real nice mix in the bullpen,” Smith said. “We don't have real high pitch counts to start the season so you'll see a lot of them. We'll pitch three or four guys every game.”

While a dozen 2007 Snappers have some experience in the MWL, Smith said that's a little deceiving. Only three (catcher Allan de San Miguel and pitchers Hawes and Vais) spent the entire season in Beloit.

“I look at all the rest of the teams in the league and we are probably the least experienced again by far,” he said. “Most of the guys were here for just a few games at the end of the season. This is really their first go at it.”

Overall, he is pleased with his roster.

“Last year we started a little slow and I was real happy with the way things ended up,” he said. “You have to look at the overall season. Once again, wee don't have a lot of guys who have played full seasons of baseball and that's a big factor for me. I do like our chemistry, our versatility and pitching. The biggest thing I saw in spring training is that we can win games with pitching and defense. You're as good as your defense.”

Here's a look at the position players:

CATCHERS: Smith looks to platoon de San Miguel and Greg Yersich. His third catcher, Danny Berg, will see action at first base, third and at designated hitter.

While his catching was solid, de San Miguel needs to step up his offense after hitting .208 last year in Beloit. Yersich hit .244 in Elizabethton with 12 doubles and four home runs in 197 at-bats.

INFIELD: First baseman Johnny Woodard returns to Beloit after being sidelined almost all of last year with a knee injury.

“It's a situation where we need to get this guy at-bats and see what he can do,” Smith said. “He's a third-round pick. He's big and athletic. Let's get him the at-bats and see what happens.”

The rest of the starting infleld was in Elizabethton last season. Second baseman Brian Dinkelman, from Irvington, Ill., hit .298; shortstop Yancarlos Ortiz hit .275 and third baseman Daniel Valencia was the Twins' most dependable hitter, batting .311 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs. The former University of Miami star was a steal by Minnesota in the 19th round.

Smith said his other infielders have terrific versatility. Garrett Olson can play third, shortstop and outfield. William Luque can play short, second and third.

OUTFIELD: The potential is outstanding in the quartet of Joe Benson, Chris Parmalee, Mark Robinson and Danny Santiesteban. All four have strong arms and can play any of the positions.

Parmalee was the Twins' top pick in 2006 when he was ranked as one of the top high school power prospects. He hit .279 with eight homers and 32 RBIs in his Gulf Coast League debut. Benson is also an outstanding athlete and hit .260 with five homers and 28 RBIs in the GCL. Santiesteban has excellent speed (eight steals in nine tries at Elizabethton) and hit six homers and drove in 30 with a .250 average.

“Benson and Parmalee both had very good springs,” Smith said. “It's just a growing experience for both of them and I'm anxious to see how they do. Danny Santiesteban is an exciting player.”

Robinson batted only .178 in Beloit in 135 at-bats and didn't always see eye to eye with Smith in 2006. The manager says that's in the past.

“He is much improved,” Smith said. “I'm excited to have him back. I was very happy with what I saw in spring training. All four of our outfielders will be in the mix and I'm going to move them around. The Twins want them to be able to play all three positions.”