Brewster Whitecaps Prepare for New 
Season with New Players, New Manager

BREWSTER, Mass. -- Change is in the air in Brewster! The Whitecaps will take to Stony Brook Field this summer with a brand new manager and a brand new roster. Only two players are returning from 2008, so the Whitecaps are looking for a fresh start to improve on the 19-21-4 record that kept them out of the Cape Cod Baseball League playoffs last season.

     Tom Myers, pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of California at Santa Barbara, is the Whitecaps’ new field manager. Myers has also managed in the Alaskan League – a summer league considered nearly on a par with the Cape League. Myers’ coaching staff includes assistants Jason Armstrong, Brad Sanfilippo and Justin Aspergen.

     Two University of Miami players, Yasmani Grandal and Iden Nazario, are the only returnees from 2008. Grandal, a 6-2, 210-pound catcher, will be aiming to contribute offensively – picking up where he left off last summer with a .377 slugging percentage, including one home run and 10 RBI. Grandal also led the team in OBP at .389. His defensive skills and experience as a game-caller should benefit Brewster’s young pitching staff.

     Left-handed sophomore Nazario returns to the bullpen where he hopes to improve upon the 4.05 ERA he compiled in pitching 13 innings over 10 games last summer.

     Although the remaining 2009 Whitecaps are new to the Cape League, they are not without talent. Eleven players come from top 25 collegiate programs, including Virginia, Mississippi, Miami, Texas Christian and Texas. 

     Joining Nazario on the mound are 12 newbies who could very well form a dominant staff. The ratio of left-handers (six) to right-handers (seven) is balanced and should provide a great deal of flexibility.

     Besides Nazario, the southpaws are Scott Alexander (Pepperdine), Matt Lujan (San Francisco), Sean Bierman (Vanderbilt), Sean Tierney (James Madison) and Neal Davis (Virginia). Keep an eye on Davis, a 6-6, 210-pounder who elected to remain in school after being drafted by the Red Sox in the 35th round in 2007.

     Brewster’s right-handed pitchers are Erik Goeddel (UCLA), Kevin Miller (California Berkeley), Danny Sandbrink (Stanford), Stayton Thomas (Texas), Sean Hoelscher (Texas Christian), David Goforth (Mississippi) and Tyler Thornburg (Charleston Southern). Miller started his collegiate career in 2008 by not allowing an earned run in the first 44 innings he pitched, while Thornburg is a dual threat who started all 53 of his team’s games this season in right field and also made 16 appearances as a relief pitcher.

     Sharing the catching duties with Grandal is Tobias Streich (West Virginia). Jed Gyorko (West Virginia) is the second baseman, with Lyle Allen (Georgia) at first and Tant Shepherd (Texas) playing third. Both Allen and Shepherd are also capable outfielders. So far, the shortstop position is up for grabs and there are plenty of candidates vying for the job. That list includes Tim Ferguson (Mississippi), Nick Gallego (UCLA), Zach Jones (Stanford), Harold Martinez (Miami), Colin Walsh (Stanford) and Steven Yarrow (San Francisco).

     The outfield will be home to UVA teammates John Barr and Jarret Parker. Parker is coming off a spectacular sophomore season for the Cavaliers. In addition to his baseball prowess, he was named to the All-ACC Academic First Team. Joining them will be Mark Canha (California Berkeley) with Davy Wright (Texas Christian), a valuable utility player, ready to answer the call as a backup when needed.

     If the 2009 Whitecap players have aspirations of one day making it to the major leagues, they have come to the right place. A number of former Whitecaps are collecting big league pay checks these days. Among them are Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Corey Hart (’96) and his All-Star teammate in left, Ryan Braun (’04). Mike Aviles (’02) plays a key role for the Kansas City Royals at shortstop and teammate Brian Bannister (’01) serves as the Royals’ number three starter. Tony Gwynn Jr. (’02) has followed in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame dad, Tony Sr., and can be found in the San Diego Padres’ outfield, while Brian Barden (’01) plays third base for the St. Louis Cardinals.

     Brewster opens the 2009 season at home against Falmouth on Friday, June 12. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
 

Katy Fitzpatrick, CCBL Intern (fitzpatrick@capecodbaseball.org)