Yesterday we took a look at the likely opening day roster for the Rochester Red Wings.  Today we will review the New Britain Rock Cats who will be managed by Jeff Smith, who is moving up from Ft. Myers.

The Rock Cats came on strong last year to make the playoffs for the first time in several years.  Will they get past the Connecticut Defenders and make a strong run for a championship in 2010?

Starting Pitchers:  Cole DeVries, Michael McCardell, Deolis Guerra, Carlos Gutierrez, Tyler Robertson and David Bromberg.

With Matt Fox and Ryan Mullins both strong candidates to move up to Rochester, four starters will return from last year's staff that led the Rock Cats to the playoffs.  Cole DeVries had a 7-14 record in 26 starts with a 3.53 ERA before the all-star break and a 7.43 ERA after.  DeVries' year also didn't make a lot of sense in road/home splits, with a 6-3 record and 3.41 ERA in road games and a 1-11 record with a 6.15 ERA at home.  Deolis Guerra, Michael McCardell and Carlos Gutierrez all saw action with the Cats during the last part of the season.  All are top pitching prospects for the Twins and each could be the staff ace in 2010.  Guerra pitched well following his promotion with a 6-3 record and 5.17 ERA.  Gutierrez arm was tired, so he wasn't the same pitcher he was during the first half at Ft. Myers where he had a 1.32 ERA.  Michael McCardell had a 5-2 record with a 4.10 ERA in 9 starts (48.1 innings).  Take away his first start in which he allowed 11 runs in 4.0 innings, and he was very, very good in AA.  Moving up from Ft. Myers should be the Twins Pitcher of the Year, David Bromberg, and lefty, Tyler Robertson.  Bromberg, who was also the Florida State League Pitcher of the Year, will need to pass the AA test which will tell us if he is in fact a top prospect.  Robertson had a solid year following his injury which caused him to miss much of 2008.  Thats six excellent starting pitchers, five should begin the season in the Rock Cats starting rotation.

Relief Pitchers:  Alex Burnett, Spencer Steedley, Loek VanMil, Henry Arias, Blair Erickson, Santos Arias, and Steve Hirschfield    

Alex Burnett was my top ranked pitcher in the organization last year when he picked up 9 saves with a 1.79 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 40 appearances with the Cats following his promotion from Ft. Myers.  He was added to the 40-man roster, however, likely won't receive a promotion to AAA until the Twins have an opening and one of Rochester's short relievers move up.  Spencer Steedley also split his season between Ft. Myers and New Britain, where he had a 2-1 record with a 3.38 ERA  in 20 appearances (18.2 innings).  Loek VanMil is the tall Dutch reliever who throws in the upper 90's with a release point a lot closer than any other pitcher in the game.  VanMil was also solid in his late season audition with the Cats when he had a 2.45 ERA in 8 appearances.  Santos Arias and Steve Hirschfield both moved back and forth between the Ft. Myers bullpen and starting rotation.  Hirschfield was one of the top pitchers in the FSL with a league best 1.06 WHIP and a 2.23 ERA in 32 games (17 starts).  Arias was also amongst the league leaders with a 2.23 ERA in 38 games (9 starts).  Both should begin their season in the Rock Cats bullpen and will be available to move to the rotation when needed.  Henry Arias was solid out of the Miracle bullpen while Erickson led the Miracle with 15 saves with 63 strikeouts in 53.1 innings.

Catchers:  Dan Lehman, Alan de San Miguel and Jair Fernandez   

Depending on the status of Jose Morales wrist, Lehman or de San Miguel could begin their season in Rochester.  Lehman will return for a second season with de San Miguel joining the Rock Cats after spending some time last year with all four full season clubs.  de San Miguel is an excellent defensive catcher who has been around seemingly forever, yet, will only be 22 this season.  After hitting a more respectable .231/.383/.286 for Ft. Myers last year, look for de San Miguel to get a reasonable amount of playing time for the Cats.  Jair Fernandez, who joined the Twins from the Seattle organization a couple years ago, hit .253/.319/.373 for Ft. Myers following the all-star break when he was healthy and playing on a regular basis.

First Base:  Chris Parmelee and either Whit Robbins or Erik Lis

Second Base:  Steve Singleton

Shortstop:  Estarlin De Los Santos and Yancarlos Ortiz

Third Base:  Toby Gardenhire

Chris Parmelee will move up to AA following a season in which he was one of the FSL leaders in home runs and RBI.  Parmelee, who will also see some action in right field and DH, will split the first base job with either Whit Robbins or Erik Lis.  Either Lis or Robbins will make the Red Wings with the other returning to New Britain.  Whoever stays with the Cats will play some first base and a lot of designated hitter.  Both were amongst the Cats top hitters last season with Lis hitting a team high 17 home runs.

Steve Singleton should return as their second baseman following an excellent second half when he hit .291/.319/.418.  Yancarlos Ortiz is a light hitting shortstop with a reputation as one of the best defensive gloves in the organization.  Estarlin De Los Santos is a recent addition to the 40-man roster who will be given a lot of playing time.  Toby Gardenhire should return to New Britain following his best season since joining the organization, .265/.326/.305.  Depending on what happens with the Twins this spring, there is also the possibility that either Brian Dinkelman or Luke Hughes could return to New Britain to start the season.   

Outfield:  Ben Revere, Joe Benson, Mark Dolenc and Yangervis Solarte

The Rock Cats should have the best outfield in the organization anchored by two time Player of the Year Ben Revere.  Joe Benson should move up following his break out season with Mark Dolenc also moving up after hitting .288/.332/.394 with 27 stolen bases in 33 attempts.  Yangervis Solarte spent much of last season on the disabled list, however, had a wonderful winter in Venezuela which could earn him a promotion to New Britain.  There is also a chance that either Juan Portes or Rene Tosoni could begin their season back at New Britain which would mean that one of these young prospects would stay in Ft. Myers.