Roster Set for 2010
Returning to the roster are 18 players who appeared in a Springfield uniform last year, including three highly touted offensive players and three pitchers rated among the top 16 prospects in the Cardinals Organization according to Baseball America.
2005 third-round pick Daryl Jones, 2007 first-round pick Pete Kozma and 13th rounder in 2007 Steven Hill will lead the way at the plate, after all three spent the majority of the season in Springfield 2009. Jones played all year in Springfield, but was riddled with injuries after playing in the Futures Game in St. Louis. In 80 games, he batted .279 with three home runs and 29 RBI. Kozma started the year in Palm Beach and enjoyed much success before being promoted to Springfield. He struggled in AA batting just .216 in 113 games, but did hit one of two Cardinals' Grand Slams during the 2009 season. Steven Hill posted career highs in homers, RBI, doubles and runs scored while playing in 120 games in '09 with Springfield.
Eduardo Sanchez will return after posting stellar numbers out of the Cardinals bullpen in 2009. He was 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 41 games with 10 saves. Sanchez is rated as the 6th best prospect in the organization. The rotation will be set with lefties Nick Additon and Ryan Kulik and right handers Scott Gorgan, Shaun Garceau and Chuckie Fick. All but Garceau pitched in Springfield during the 2009 season.
Other returnees to the Springfield roster include infielders Mike Folli, Andrew Brown, Aaron Luna, Colt Sedbrook and Curt Smith, outfielders Antonio DeJesus and Jim Rapoport and pitchers Gary Daley, Blake King and David Kopp.
New to the Double-A club are the three members of the bullpen; right handers Tom Eager and Adam Reifer along with left hander Matt Meyer.
Only two new position players will be logging their first games above "A-ball", as catcher Charlie Cutler and outfielder Adron Chambers round out Springfield's 24-man roster.
The team arrived on Easter Sunday and practiced Tuesday for their final tune up before they hit the road to start the season in Frisco against the RoughRiders TONIGHT! Right hander Shaun Garceau is scheduled to pitch for the Cardinals against righty Blake Beavan of the RoughRiders. All games in 2010 can be heard live on JOCK 98.7 FM as well as online at springfieldcardinals.com with new play-by-play voice Jeff Levering.
Springfield will open the 2010 home schedule next Thursday, April 15th, as they take on the Frisco RoughRiders at Hammons Field. 5,000 fans will receive a Great Southern 2010 Magnet Schedule, the first of 11 "Buck a Brat" $1 Johnson Bratwurst nights and everyone will enjoy a post-game Fireworks Spectacular thanks to AM Pyrotechnics. Opening Night will also feature Hall of Fame inductee Whitey Herzog. Game time on Thursday is 7:10pm and tickets are available by visiting the Hammons Field Ticket Office, online at springfieldcardinals.com or by calling (417) 863-2143. Escape to Cardinals Baseball!