The State College Spikes have announced their 2011 roster. The list is as follows:
Pitchers – Stetson Allie, Cliff Archibald, Matt Benedict, Fraylin Campos, Emmanuel De Leon, Justin Ennis, Mitchell Fienemann, Ryan Hafner, Nick Kingham, Kevin Kleis, Joan Montero, Vincent Payne, Joely Rodriguez, Bryce Weidman
Catchers – Samuel Gonzalez, Matt Skirving, Derek Trent
Infielders – Jorge Bishop, Jesus Brito, Walker Gourley, Brian Sharp, Kirk Singer, Michaelangel Trinidad
Outfielders – Justin Bencsko, Exicardo Cayonez, Wes Freeman
Allie (4), Cayonez (16), Kingham (21), Bishop (34), and Rodriguez (39) rated on our pre-season top 50 prospects list.
The players returning from the 2010 roster are Fienemann, Payne, Rodriguez, Skirving, Gourley, and Bencsko. Payne and Rodriguez were added to the roster at the end of the season, and each pitched five innings or less. Justin Ennis was also with the team last year, and is listed on the roster, but is currently with West Virginia, providing some pitching depth for the next few days in Greensboro.
Allie, Kingham, and Hafner all seem like locks for the rotation. I’d also expect Payne to get some time in the rotation. The last spot would be up in the air, and could be taken by pretty much anyone, since State College has a similar problem as West Virginia, with too many starting pitching candidates, and not enough spots.
On the position player side, the top prospects are Bishop and Cayonez. Gourley and Freeman should get a lot of playing time, although each player has put up disappointing numbers so far in their pro careers, which could make the 2011 season very important for them.
The 2011 draft will see four players on the roster, as it was announced earlier today that Matt Benedict, Brian Sharp, Kirk Singer, and Derek Trent were all going to be with State College this year.
