The Portland Press Herald
Sunday 4th April 2004

When it comes to filling the roster of their Double-A team in Portland, the Boston Red Sox rely on three pipelines.

One brings in the veterans, players plugging away for a chance to play.
The others bring players through the system.
We can label one for the grunts who have earned a promotion from Class A.
And we will tie a gold ribbon around the other for the true prospects, who figure to be in Boston someday or involved in a high-level trade.

To start the Sea Dogs' season, the veteran pipeline is gushing in, while drips come from the prospect well.
This is all part of the Red Sox plan as they rebuild the farm system.

They are bringing in prospects through the draft and signings out of Latin America, and while they mature, the rest of the farm system is filled with veterans.
"I think you'll see a very similar situation this year that we had last year," said Sea Dogs Manager Ron Johnson, who guided a group of mostly veterans to a 72-70 record in 2003, missing the Eastern League playoffs by 1 1/2 games.
"And then, down the road, if we filter our own crop (of draft picks) through, that's a good situation, too"

One of the new prospects is left-handed pitcher Abe Alvarez, a year removed from Long Beach State who is known for control and ball movement.
Alvarez didn't give up a run in 19 innings at short-season Lowell last year, then impressed in spring training.
He's deemed ready for Double-A.

Alvarez joins the strongest part of the Sea Dogs, the starting rotation.
Two other prospects, Jerome Gamble and Charlie Zink, also will be in Portland.

Last year, Johnson began with two pitching prospects (starter Jorge De La Rosa and reliever Anastacio Martinez), a third-base prospect (Kevin Youkilis) and a catching prospect (Kelly Shoppach), who arrived at the end of April.
Around that core, Johnson led a group of overachievers that nearly made the playoffs.
"If we get the same situation I'll be happy," Johnson said.
"You want to have two situations - young prospect guys or guys who are trying to resurrect their careers. Either way, they are going to play their butts off and try to do well."

Little else is officially known about the Sea Dogs.

With that qualifier, here's a top-10 list of what to look for this season

CAMERON'S RETURN
While the starting rotation is full of young talent, a load of the work may fall on Ryan Cameron, 26, who made nine starts for Portland last year after coming down from Pawtucket.

Tim Kester originally was going to hold this "veteran" position in the rotation, but he was promoted to Pawtucket.

OLD AND NEW
Portland's choices for closer include a 29-year-old who has had three arm surgeries and a 23-year-old ready for his first full Double-A season.
Joe Nelson, 29, pitched a couple of games in the majors with the White Sox in 2001.
He's been mostly injured since.
Juan Perez, 25, had 16 saves for Sarasota last season and some success in Portland (3.82 ERA for 18 games).

CATCHING A QUESTION
Veteran Jeff Bailey has caught 47 games over the past three seasons.
He's known more for his bat (39 home runs over the past three seasons).
Edgar Martinez may be better defensively but has a .232 career average, including .201 last season in Sarasota.
John Nathans (shoulder) is on the disabled list.

THEY'RE BACK
Besides Bailey, there are three other former Marlin minor leaguers returning to Portland - middle infielder Jesus Medrano, outfielder Brett Roneberg and reliever Brandon Sloan.

HE JUST HITS
First baseman Sean McGowan reached Double-A in 2000 with the Giants.
His fielding is average and he shows little power (six homers last year), but his career average is .307, and he hit .311 for Portland last year.
He is on the disabled list with shin splints, and will join Portland soon.

THE RIGHT SIDE
Third base and shortstop will be manned by two players who may make some noise.
Third baseman John Hattig hit .296 for Sarasota last year, and Red Sox officials are curious if he can keep that up.
Shortstop Kenny Perez steadily has improved through three years of Class A.

A SLEEPER?
The outfield is filled with no-names but look for Sheldon Fuse, now in his sixth year of pro ball, although he is only 22.
He came from the Mariners in the trade for pitcher Matt White.
He hit .280 last year, his best in the pros.
Fulse has never played in Double-A but he could be ready to bust out.

A BRUISER
Outfielder Eric Johnson has vague statistics the past two season, not playing in 2002 and playing in 59 games last year.
Johnson was holding a second job, as a defensive back on the Chicago Bears' practice squad.

COMING SOON?
Boston's Class A team in Sarasota is loaded with prospects.
Most likely to get promoted during the season are pitcher Juan Cedeno, shortstop Hanley Ramirez and outfielder David Murphy.

ELSEWHERE
Some prized prospects have visited Hadlock Field with other teams, including Twins catcher Joe Mauer last year and Mets infielder Joe Reyes the year before.
This year the Binghamton Mets again could bring a couple of future stars in left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir and third baseman David Wright.
The Reading Phillies may be showcasing a 20-year-old left-hander named Cole Hamels.
And the Yankees' catcher of the future, Dioner Navarro, will be in Trenton.

As far as the league goes, the North Division again may be paced by the Manchester Fisher Cats (formerly the New Haven Ravens), with the Blue Jays' farm system running strong; and the New Britain Rock Cats, who always get a load of Twins prospects.

Portland can contend if Johnson again works magic with his mix of veteran and young players.