Thursday 8th April 2004

The Portland Sea Dogs hosted their first monthly luncheon last week to kick-off the 2004 season.

Portland Press Herald Sea Dogs beat writer Kevin Thomas and the "Voice of the Sea Dogs" Todd Jamison were on hand to talk about the Sea Dogs starting roster and their recent trip to Red Sox spring training grounds in Fort Myers, Florida.

According Boston Red Sox Director of Player Development, Ben Cherington, this year's team will be "scrappy."
"We have guys who've been in independent league for the last 3 years, we have guys coming back again - Brett Roneberg, Jesus Medrano, Jeff Bailey...they were Sea Dogs with the Marlins and now they're Sea Dogs with the Red Sox," said Thomas.

There's definitely a mix of new and familiar faces on this year's roster and it looks like it will be another great summer for the Red Sox AA affiliate.

Here's a preview of your 2004 Portland Sea Dogs.

Starting Pitchers

Jerome Gamble (RHP) made 2 starts with the Sea Dogs last August, winning them both.
He will likely will be the #1 starter this season.

Knuckleballer Charlie Zink (RHP) spent most of spring training in AAA with a couple of impressive performances.
He might head to AAA Pawtucket as the season rolls out, but he'll start the season here in Portland.
If you've never seen a pure knuckle ball pitcher in action, get to Hadlock before Zink starts climbing the ranks to Boston.

Top prospect Abe Alvarez (LHP) was picked #3 in last year's draft and pitched 19 innings in A Lowell without giving up a single earned run.
He threw for AAA during the preseason and walked away with 4 no-hit innings.

Third round pick in 2002, Chris Smith (RHP) is another top prospect in the Red Sox organization.
This will be his first season at the AA level.

Old faithful Tim Kester (RHP) is back in action for the Dogs this season after a very successful 2003 season, leading the team in wins and innings pitched.
He also led the entire league for fewest walks.

The Bullpen

Joe Nelson (RHP) saw some big league time with the Atlanta Braves but sat-out last season after a shoulder surgery.
He'll begin the year as the Sea Dogs closer, but with a wealth of AAA and big league experience, he may not be in Portland for long.

Eric Glaser (RHP) is back again this year.
Although Glaser had a great spring training and saw some time in AAA Pawtucket last year, he'll start the season here.

Split finger fastball whiz James Johnson (LHP) is back after a great 2003 season and a 1-2-3 inning (with 2 strikeouts) at big league camp this spring.

Reliever Juan Perez (LHP) is also back after leading the Sea Dogs in saves last year.
He's described by Jamison as "a hard-throwing left hander in the Pedro [Martinez] build."

Jeremy Lambert (RHP) was signed from the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
Lambert's spent the last 4 years in AA and AAA.

Finally, Jason Howell joins the squads after a great 2003 season in Sarasota where he pitched 8 wins with an ERA below 3.

Position Players

Jeff Bailey (C/1B), Edgar Martinez (C), John Nathans (C), will share time behind the plate this season, though Nathans will remain on the DL until his arm strength recovers from off-season surgery.
He might throw some pitches in Lowell or Sarasota and work his way back to Portland once he's at full strength.
Bailey is described as more of an offensive catcher, hitting at least 15 homeruns in the last 4 years, whereas Martinez is a solid defensive player with an impressive arm.

Big hitter Sean McGowan (1B) is back, but dealing with some painful shin splints that may prevent him from starting the season.
He led the organization in hitting last year, so everyone will look forward to seeing him back on the field.

Former AAA all star, Jesus Medrano (2B) was signed as a free agent from the Marlins system and will cover second base.
The Red Sox envision Medrano as a shortstop in the future, so he'll probably split time at the position with utility infielder and crowd favorite, Raul Nieves.
Nieves will start the season at shortstop until Kenny Perez (SS) recovers from some back problems.
Perez spent the last 2 years in Sarasota, hitting .278 in 2003.

Rounding out the infield crew is John Hattig (3B).
Hattig is back for his third season with the Sea Dogs and will enjoy the starting position at third.

Outfield

Utility Infielder/Outfielder Joe Kilburg comes to Portland after 3 years playing independent ball.

Former Sea Dog Brett Roneberg is back after being shuffled around for the last 3 seasons.
He played in Portland in 2001, started the year in 2002 and was traded to the Expos.
The Pirates picked him up next for their AA Altoona team in 2003.
Finally, the Red Sox picked him up again and he's back in a Sea dogs uniform.
Roneberg will spend most of his time in right field but might see some time at first while McGowan's shin splints heal.

Former Mariner prospect Sheldon Fulse will start in center field and is rumored to be one of the fastest runners Portland's had in a number of years.

Former Chicago Bear Eric Johnson is a brand new face for the Sea Dogs this year.
He played 2 previous seasons of baseball, but spent last year as a defensive back for the Bears.
He's reported to have an incredible throwing arm and the Sea Dogs look forward to his development -- though his teammates hope to avoid a collision with him in the outfield.

Mike O'Keefe will be Portland's everyday leftfielder.
O'Keefe was a member of the Angels AA affiliate last year and picked-up late in this year's camp by the Red Sox.