THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 3, 1996 TAG: 9604030563
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
There is no Bill Pulsipher on the Opening Day roster. No Jason Isringhausen or Paul Wilson on the horizon.
The year of the Norfolk Tides pitching phenoms, a group that helped the Tides to an 86-56 regular-season record and International League West Division title, has come and gone.
Anyone wanting to look for the next wave of players headed for the New York Mets would do better to look beyond the mound.
Far beyond the mound.
Gaze into the green expanses of the outfield.
That's where this year's noise makers will reside.
Jay Payton, Alex Ochoa and Kevin Flora give the Tides one of their quickest outfields ever. And if Gary Thurman, who has spent all or part of eight seasons in the majors with three clubs, steps into an outfield position, there's little or no loss of speed.
``We can cover a lot of ground, which is a good thing if you play in Harbor Park,'' said Ochoa, 24, acquired in late July from the Baltimore Orioles organization in the Bobby Bonilla trade. ``And we've got some guys who can hit the long ball.''
Breaking down the key factors:
Outfield: Ochoa has a cannon for an arm and will display it, most often from rightfield, although all four primary outfielders can play any of the three positions. ... Payton has received the Mets' organization's Doubleday Award the last two years for being the top player at two stops, Pittsfield and Binghamton. If a surgically repaired elbow holds up, a third Doubleday is a possibility. ... Flora, because of injury and the death of his wife three years ago, hasn't played even close to a full season with one team since playing for Double-A Midland in the California Angels system in 1991. The Mets front office hopes that '91 season - .285 average, 12 home runs, 15 triples, 40 stolen bases - is an indication of what Flora can do if he's in a lineup every day. ... Thurman will start the season patrolling the outfield until Payton's surgically repaired elbow is ready to go.
Infield: First baseman Roberto Petagine has the only lefthanded bat in the Tides' lineup, although third baseman Jerry Browne, in the Mets camp to the end, is a switch hitter. ... It's an experienced infield with former Red Sox starter Luis Rivera at short and Shawn Gilbert backing up Browne and Rivera. and getting some swings as designated hitter.
Catcher: Alberto Castillo returns after masterfully handling a young but talented staff last season. Castillo was in the Mets' camp until a week ago. happy. Howard caught Gardiner in 1990 at Williamsport when Gardiner went 12-8, his best season in the minors.
Starting pitching: Is there any way it could be as good as last year? Probably not. ``Sending nine guys to the bigs in one year is extremely, extremely rare,'' pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. ``It's very unusual to have all your promising prospects come to surface at the same time. Usually it's a trickle effect.'' ... The prospects have been replaced by some insurance for the major league team, six-year free agents Rick Reed and Gardiner. ... Neither Mike Fyhrie nor Pat Ahearne has put up spectacular numbers in the past. ... Pedro Martinez, the only starting lefthander, hasn't been a starter for two seasons. ... ``This year's staff will have to work the counts, hold runners on base effectively,'' Apodaca said. ``I'm not saying this isn't a quality staff. I expect every bit of success from them. But it will be a different type of success.''
Bullpen: With an average age of 27-plus, this bullpen has been around. Derek Wallace is the baby of the bunch at 24, Mark Lee the sage at 31. ... Joe Crawford and Brian Bark, both who were in the Red Sox camp this spring, are the only two lefties out of the 'pen. ... Journeymen Joe Ausanio and Rick Trlicek round out the 11-man pitching staff and there is no designated closer at this point. Jason Bullard begins the season on the disabled list with an ankle sprain.
Coaching: Bobby Valentine, who managed the Tides in 1994, is back after a year managing in Japan. Apodaca returns as the Tides pitching coach. And Bruce Benedict puts on a different uniform after 20 seasons of either playing or coaching in the Atlanta Braves organization. ILLUSTRATION: Chart
Tides 1996 Roster
by CNB