This much is certain about the 2009 Tacoma Rainiers: they have a catcher who crushes Pacific Coast League pitching, about four guys who can play first base and plenty of left-handed pitching.
The team that will open the 50th Pacific Coast League season at Cheney Stadium on April 17 still needs a final roster. But under the direction of third-year manager Daren Brown, the Rainiers will have a team with plenty of veteran experience and a few young prospects.
When the Rainiers open their PCL season Thursday at Sacramento, for the first of four games, there are several players certain to be on the team, led by catcher Jeff Clement.
The former first-round draft pick played himself out of a spot on the big league club this spring, so he will be back in Tacoma to improve his defensive skills behind the plate and try to rediscover his offensive rhythm. Last season, Clement started the season with the Rainiers and destroyed Triple-A pitching, hitting .335 and slugging .676 with 17 doubles, 14 homers and 43 RBI in 48 games before being called up.
Joining Clement in Tacoma is another familiar face to Rainiers fans – utility player Mike Morse, who was out of Triple-A options but cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Tacoma. Morse missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, but in an injury-shortened 2007 with the Rainiers, he hit .309 with six homers and 39 RBI. Morse can play third, first, shortstop or the outfield.
First baseman Chris Shelton will also be with Tacoma. Shelton had a monster spring for the Mariners, hitting .460. The Rainiers could also have either Bryan LaHair or Mike Carp – or both – in the infield. Third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo, who was called up to take Ichiro Suzuki’s place with the Mariners, should return to the Tacoma infield once Ichiro comes off the disabled list.
Infielders Chris Burke, Chris Woodward and Oswaldo Navarro could also be on the squad, along with along with veteran catcher Jamie Burke.
In the outfield, Michael Saunders figures to return to Tacoma after wrapping up last season with the Rainiers. Talented prospect Greg Halman, who’s rated as the top hitting prospect in the Mariners organization by Baseball America, also seems headed to the Rainiers, along with Mike Wilson, who set a Mariners record with eight home runs this spring. Other outfield possibilities include Prentice Redman, Mel Stocker and Freddy Guzman.
The pitching staff should have left-handers Garrett Olson, Robert Rohrbaugh, Chris Seddon, Jason Vargas and Justin Thomas. The right-handers will most likely include Denny Stark, Gaby Hernandez, Sean White and Jesus Delgado.
The Rainiers’ season-opening trip through California will continue April 13-16 at Fresno.
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