The Baysox open the season’s second series in Erie playing against an undefeated (4-0) SeaWolves team that features several interesting prospects.
Mon. April 13, 6:35 p.m. – Erie SeaWolves RHP Jason Berken (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. RHP Luis Marte (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Tue. April 14, 6:35 p.m. – Erie SeaWolves RHP Jake Arrieta (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Jonah Nickerson (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
Wed. April 15, 6:35 p.m. – Erie SeaWolves LHP Troy Patton (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Jon Kibler (0-0, 6.75 ERA)
When Spring Training opened, it looked as though the SeaWolves’ pitching staff would include Detroit’s top pitching prospects RHP Rick Porcello and RHP Ryan Perry. Instead, both opened year in the majors. Still, the SeaWolves have no lack of quality pitchers.
Jon Kibler’s 14-5 record and 1.75 ERA in the Low-A Midwest League in 2008 won him the Detroit Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Kibler will try to make the jump to Double-A with good command of a sinker, a slurve and a change-up.
Luis Marte entered the 2008 season as one of the Tigers’ top pitching prospects, but sprained his right elbow and was inconsistent when he returned in July. Marte brings good command and the willingness to challenge hitters into his second year in Erie.
RHP Cody Satterwhite has an explosive fastball and a slider that gives right-handers trouble out of the bullpen. Satterwhite closed for Team USA in 2007.
Erie’s offense is solid, if not spectacular, and features one player with an impressive pedigree.
Cale Iorg, son of big-leaguer Garth, was drafted in the sixth round in 2007 after spending two years away from baseball. Iorg has good power for a middle infielder and plays with intensity. However, he needs to work on making contact. (Iorg struck out 109 times in 376 ABs at High-A Lakeland in 2008 and has six strike outs in 16 at bats in 2009.)
Outfielder Casper Wells was drafted in the 14th Round of the 2005 draft out of Towson State. Wells was one of two players to hit at least 25 home runs and steal 25 bases in the minors in 2008. He has a career .577 slugging percentage and .958 OPS against left-handers in 298 at bats.
In 2008, first baseman Ryan Strieby led the pitcher-friendly Florida State League with 29 homers and 94 RBIs despite missing the last 19 games of the season with a broken hamate bone. That performance won Strieby the Detroit’s Minor League Hitter of the Year award in 2008. The hamate has not bothered the 6’5″ 235-pounder in 2009, as he leads the Eastern League in home runs (2) and total bases (14) in the young season.
