Saturday, March 30, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Tocco
(334) 323-0363

Biscuits announce 2008 roster
15 players return from 2007 championship squad

MONTGOMERY -- The Montgomery Biscuits will return 15 players to their roster from the 2007 Southern League championship squad. The team's initial 2008 roster was announced today.

Top prospects Wade Davis and Jake McGee will anchor the pitching rotation, along with lefty James Houser, Jr. Jon Barratt, Richard De Los Santos, Jeremy Flanagan and Jino Gonzalez also return from the 2007 club. The presumed closer is Eduardo Morlan, the 22-year-old righthander acquired from the Minnesota Twins in the trade for Delmon Young earlier this year. Left-hander Roger Deago, a former Southern Leaguer with some major league experience, also joins the staff. Also joining the Biscuits are lefties Jeffrey Kamrath and Mike Wlodarczyk and first-rounder Wade Townsend.

Championship heroes will return to the lineup as well. Championship Series Most Valuable Player Chris Nowak returns, changing positions from first base to third base. Outfielder Sergio Pedroza, who provided the game-winning home run in Game Five, returns to the outfield, along with Erold Andrus.

Catcher John Jaso, who finished second in the league with a .316 batting average, brings his bat back to the middle of the Biscuits' lineup. Catcher Matt Spring also returns.

Johnny Raburn, a Biscuit in 2005 and 2006, returns to the Biscuits after spending a season in the Florida Marlins' organization. Most of the remainder of the infield is back, as well. First baseman Rhyne Hughes, second baseman Josh Asanovich and third baseman Pat Cottrell are back. Ronnie Merrill, who played for three years against the Biscuits as a member of the Mobile BayBears, comes to the Biscuits to play shortstop.

Gabriel Martinez is back for his fourth year to play the outifeld, while Rashad Eldridge joins Montgomery from the Twins' organization.

Manager Billy Gardner and pitching coach Neil Allen return, joined by coach Ben Oglivie, trainer Joel Smith and Strength and Conditioning Coach Eric Boyd.

No.
Pitchers
B/T
Ht.
Wt.
Birthdate
Hometown
2007 Season
XX
Jon Barratt
R/L
5-9
165
March 19, 1985
Springfield, Missouri
Montgomery
XX
Wade Davis
R/R
6-5
220
September 7, 1985
Lake Wales, Florida
Vero Beach / Montgomery
XX
Roger Deago
R/L
5-10
180
June 21, 1977
Mongarillo, Panama
San Antonio / Portland (SD)
XX
Richard De Los Santos
R/R
6-0
183
June 1, 1984
Elias Pina, Dom. Rep.
Montgomery / Durham
XX
Jeremy Flanagan
R/R
6-3
225
April 14, 1981
Richmond, California
Montgomery
XX
Jino Gonzalez
L/L
6-2
210
September 5, 1982
Henderson, Nevada
Vero Beach
XX
James Houser, Jr.
L/L
6-4
202
December 15, 1984
Sarasota, Florida
Montgomery
XX
Jeffrey Kamrath
L/L
6-3
210
April 6, 1982
Houston, Texas
Vero Beach
XX
Jake McGee
L/L
6-3
190
August 6, 1986
Sparks, Nevada
Vero Beach / Montgomery
XX
Eduardo Morlan
R/R
6-2
220
March 1, 1986
Miami, Florida
Ft. Myers / New Britain (MIN)
XX
Wade Townsend
R/R
6-4
230
February 22, 1983
Dripping Spring, Texas
Columbus
XX
Mike Wlodaczyk
L/L
6-5
230
Decmber 2, 1982
Marlton, New Jersey
Vero Beach

No.
Catchers
B/T
Ht.
Wt.
Birthdate
Hometown
2007 Season
XX
John Jaso
L/R
6-2
194
September 19, 1983
McKinleyville, California
Montgomery
XX
Matt Spring
R/R
6-2
215
November 7, 1984
Peoria, Arizona
Columbus / Montgomery

No.
Infielders
B/T
Ht.
Wt.
Birthdate
Hometown
2007 Season
XX
Josh Asanovich
R/R
6-2
192
January 31, 1983
Apache Junction, Arizona
Montgomery
XX
Patrick Cottrell
R/R
5-11
170
March 16, 1982
Frankville, Alabama
Vero Beach / Montgomery
XX
Rhyne Hughes
L/L
6-2
175
September 9, 1983
Picayune, Mississippi
Southwest Michigan
XX
Ronnie Merrill
S/R
6-1
185
November 13, 1978
Tampa, Florida
Mobile / Tucson (ARI)
XX
Chris Nowak
R/R
6-5
232
February 21, 1983
Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Visalia
XX
Johnny Raburn
S/R
6-0
164
February 16, 1979
Plant City, Florida
Carolina / Albuquerque (FLA)

No.
Outfielders
B/T
Ht.
Wt.
Birthdate
Hometown
2007 Season
XX
Erold Andrus
S/L
6-2
170
July 16, 1984
Maracay, Venezuela
Vero Beach / Montgomery
XX
Rashad Eldridge
S/R
6-1
185
October 16, 1981
Macon, Georgia
New Britain (MIN)
35
Sergio Pedroza
L/R
6-1
180
February 23, 1984
Covina, California
Vero Beach / Montgomery
XX
Gabriel Martinez
L/R
6-2
213
May 17, 1983
Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico
Montgomery

No.
Field Staff Position Hometown
2007 Season
24
Billy Gardner, Jr. Manager Naples, Florida
Montgomery
16
Neil Allen Pitching Coach Sarasota, Florida
Montgomery
XX
Ben Oglivie Coach Tempe, Arizona
Vero Beach
Joel Smith Athletic Trainer St. Petersburg, Florida
Vero Beach
Eric Boyd Strength Coach Boiling Springs, N. Car.

 

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