Published Tuesday, April 08, 2008 8:00 AM
Updated Tuesday, April 08, 2008 8:02 AM

 

RiverDogs are back in action

Each year, Lowcountry residents have the unique opportunity to watch talented young baseball players as they are being groomed to be New York Yankees. The Charleston RiverDogs opened their 2008 season last week and began an eight-game homestand Monday.

RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols says the Joseph P. Riley Jr. minor-league ball park is a great venue whether you're a baseball purist or just someone looking for some quality entertainment. "We're a Class A affiliate of the 26-time World Champion Yankees so if you love baseball, you're going to see some great young talent on the field for the Riverdogs," Echols said.

"We have a good reputation for being a hot spot for young professionals. If you're just looking for affordable family entertainment, tickets are $5, hotdogs and Pepsis are $1.50 so you can can entertain your family without mortgaging the house."

Six of the Yankees' top 30 prospects, according to Baseball America, have begun their season with the RiverDogs. This year's team is younger than last year's squad, but 20 out of 28 players on the roster played extensively for a playoff team last season.

"Overall, I'm excited about this year's club," Manager Torre Tyson said. "We are young, but talented. We're not sure how the first half of the season will go, but I think by the second half, we will be very competitive." The RiverDogs will have some big arms on the mound. Heading the list of pitchers is Dellin Betances, the 13th highest ranked Yankee prospect. The 6-8, 215-pound right-hander was an eighth-round draft pick in 2006.

He had a 3.60 ERA last season with the Staten Island Yankees. Jairo Heredia, who holds the No. 20 ranking, and Zach McAllister (No. 30) come to Charleston with high expectations. Heredia had a 2-2 record last year with a 2.72 ERA with the Gulf Coast Yankees. McAllister was a third-round choice in 2006 and pitched for the Staten Island club last season.

Another pair of right-handers, Pepperdine standout Adam Olbrychowski and Dominican-Native Noel Castillo, round out the five-man starting rotation. Tyson said the bullpen also looks strong, so strong in fact that no pitcher stands out as a closer yet.

"Pretty much our whole staff can throw in the mid 90's so we're pretty excited about that," he said. "If they can throw strikes, it's going to be fun to watch." Farm teams are designed to have high turnover rates and the RiverDogs are certainly no exception. The only familiar faces fans can expect to see this season will be in the bullpen. Relievers Gabe Medina and Jesse Hoover are back from last season and Jason Stephens and lefty Wilkins de la Rosa, who both pitched at The Joe in 2006, are also back.

"I'm looking forward to getting started," Stephens said. "Spring training gets you going a little, but it's not the same as the season. Nothing beats playing ball in April and we are all excited about it." The RiverDogs also have some promising athletes behind the plate. Catcher Jesus Montero is ranked sixth in the Baseball America rankings and is considered the No. 2 prospect in the Yankee farm system by PinstripesPlus, an independent scouting service.

The 18-year-old Venezuelan hit .280 with 19 RBIs last year with the Gulf Coast team. Austin Romine, 19, will also see time behind the plate. The California native, who was a second-round pick in last year's draft, holds the No. 22 Baseball America ranking. His father Kevin played with the Red Sox from 1985-91. Shortstop Carmen Angelini, a Louisiana native recruited straight out of high school, is the sixth RiverDog who entered the season as a Top 30 Baseball America prospect. Holding the No. 16 ranking, he embarks on his first full season of pro ball. Other highly touted members of the team include former University of Texas standout Bradley Suttle (No. 19 on the PinstripesPlus list),  first baseman Brandon Laird (No. 22 PinstripesPlus), Justin Snyder (a Staten Island All-star in 2007), Austin Krum (.238 with 22 RBIs in 2007), David Williams (.276 with 19 RBIs), Taylor Holiday (.290 with 16 stolen bases), Abraham Almonte (N0. 18 PinstripesPlus) and Wady Rufino(.345 with six homers).

"For a lot of our team, this will be their first full season so it will be a challenge," hitting coach Greg Colbrunn said. "However, these guys have some thunder in their bat. We should have more extra base hits and things like that, but because they are young, they won't have as much discipline at the plate."

A fireworks show follows every Friday night home game and the RiverDogs have giveaway promotions for each Saturday home game. For more information, call 577-DOGS or visit www.riverdogs.com.