It's Opening Day!



The Indianapolis Indians Open at home against the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians), with Brian Burres scheduled to make the start.


The Altoona Curve open in Erie, facing the SeaWolves  (Detroit Tigers), and Bryan Morris will get the start.  


The Bradenton Marauders begin their season on the road in Charlotte against the Stone Crabs (Tampa Bay Rays); Kyle McPherson will be on the hill for the Marauders.  


The West Virginia Power host the Savannah SandGnats (NY Mets) in Appalachian Power Park to open 2011, with Brandon Cumpton on the mound for the Power.  


See you at the ball park! 

Some photos from spring training... this was a game against the Twins a few weeks ago, but I was having trouble uploading photos.  These are in no particular order.  Some of the minor leaguers got into the game in the late innings. 

Andrew McCutchen................. Jose Tabata

    
























Pedro Alvarez........................Neil Walker


 

One more day until the minor league openers.....

Rosters for the Indianapolis Indians, Bradenton Marauders, and West Virginia Power are now also set.  Check out their rosters, plus the Altoona Curve's  HERE.    Both 1B Jeff Clement and RHP Tyler Yates are listed as with the Indians, but on the Disabled List.   

Yesterday, the Pirates signed LHP Dan Meyer to a minor league contract, and assigned him to the Indians' bullpen.  Meyer is a 29-year-old from New Jersey, who was the Braves' first round draft pick in 2002.  He advanced quickly in their organization and made his major league debut with Atlanta in September 2004.  After that season, Meyer was traded to the A's.  He pitched the next two seasons at AAA Sacramento, then split the 2007 and 2008 seasons between Sacramento and Oakland.  He started for Sacramento, but pitched out of the bullpen for the A's.  He struggled at the major league level, with a 7.98 ERA (39 earned runs in 44 innings).  The Marlins picked up Meyer off waivers after the 2008 season, and he pitched in relief for them for the entire 2009 season, when he made 71 appearances, and allowed 20 earned runs and 47 hits in 58.1 innings, for a 3-2 record, 2 saves, and a 3.09 ERA.  Meyer began the season with Florida, but had some tough outings before missing some time due to a calf injury.  He gave up more runs upon his return, and in a total of 13 relief appearances, he allowed 10 earned runs on 15 hits in 9.1 innings (9.64 ERA).  Meyer spent the rest of the season, except for one game, at AAA New Orleans, where he made 32 relief appearances, with 15 earned runs and 32 hits in 40 innings, for a 3.38 ERA.  He struck out 27 batters (6.1 K/ 9 innings), but also walked a few too many -- 16  (3.6 walks/ 9 innings).  Meyers signed a minor league contract with the Phillies for the 2011 season, and was invited to their major league camp for spring training, but he did not make the team.  That made him available for the Pirates, who were looking for lefty bullpen help.  If he does well in Indianapolis, he'll be heading to Pittsburgh.  

Meanwhile, the Pirates have released reliever Craig Hansen.  Hansen has been battling a nerve problem in his neck and shoulder, and has not pitched for the Pirates since early 2009.  Of that deal for Jason Bay, now Bryan Morris is the only player left with the Pirates... Brandon Moss and Andy LaRoche have moved on.