Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 7, 1994 TAG: 9404070115
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But before the more unstable baseball followers in the region proceed to an emotional meltdown at this news, new Bucs manager Trent Jewett has this soothing view of the exhibition season:
"In spring training, that doesn't mean much," said Jewett, a former Bucs catcher who succeeds Scott Little as manager. "We never had the same lineup in there twice. Only in the last couple of days did we actually have our whole team together, with all the guys moving back and forth.
"Even if you go 20-0, I'm not sure what that tells you."
Municipal Field patrons can make their own judgments at 7 p.m. today, when the Bucs open the 50th Carolina League season with the start of a four-game series with the Frederick Keys.
The series runs through Sunday, when the teams will play a 3 p.m. matinee. All of Salem's Sunday home games during April and May will start at 3 p.m.
Earning the opening night assignment on the mound for Salem is right-hander Matt Chamberlain, who went 2-3 with a 3.86 earned run average at Welland in 1993 before he was promoted to Augusta, where he was 2-4 with a 2.25 ERA. Aside from three good pitches, Chamberlain's strength is control, the evidence being 16 walks in 76 innings last year.
"I haven't seen much of him because he was working out with the [Class] AA team this spring," said Dave Rajsich, the Bucs' pitching coach.
The rest of the rotation will be, in order of appearance, right-hander Gary Wilson (3-7, 5.47 at Augusta), left-hander Ted Klamm (10-10, 3.94 ERA at Augusta), right-hander Marc Wilkins (5-6, 4.21 at Augusta) and left-hander Sean Lawrence (1-3, 10.20 ERA at Salem).
Wilson and Lawrence are Salem veterans, as are relievers Dave Doorneweerd, Sean Evans and Marc Pisciotta. A closer, Pisciotta went to Colorado in the Rule 5 draft of minor-leaguers, but did not make the Rockies' roster and was returned to Salem.
"Being in the major-league camp really helped him," Rajsich said. "He's throwing well."
This version of the Bucs is an interesting mix of veterans and new guys, but perhaps the most intriguing vet is outfielder Daryl Ratliff (.284, 59 runs, 29 steals at Class AA Carolina), who was with Salem in 1991.
"He's my leadoff man," Jewett said. "But I'm not sure how long he's going to be here."
Ratliff is back in Class A to become a switch hitter.
The rest of tonight's starting lineup will be, in order: designated hitter Jason Kendall (.276 at Augusta), right fielder Jake Austin (.294, seven homers, 54 RBI at Augusta), first baseman Jon Farrell (.238, 20 HR, 51 RBI at Salem), second baseman Chance Sanford (.255, 54 runs at Salem), third baseman Jay Cranford (.267, six HR, 72 RBI at Augusta), center fielder Jeff Conger (.230, 90 hits at Salem), catcher Marcus Hanel (.185 at Salem) and shortstop Juan Seguera (.306 at Lethbridge).
Kendall and Hanel will be alternating at catcher. Farrell, a former first-round draft choice, has been switched from the outfield, where he still could play. Sanford is back in Salem to work on his defense. Cranford is moving from shortstop to third, his natural position. Conger's assignment is to get more bang out of his bat. Seguera is known as a glove man.
Given a chance to stay together, this edition of the Bucs has the makings of a good ballclub. But as any Salem follower knows, the goal of the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization is to move players along to the next level, not to put together powerhouse minor-league teams.
by CNB