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Brewster Whitecaps 2005 Season Preview

05/27/2005 10:38 AM

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for immediate release: 27 May, 2005

Brewster Whitecaps 2005 Season Preview

Despite Roster Turnover, Whitecaps Poised To Build On Success Of 2004

BREWSTER, Mass.-Following their loss in last year’s semifinals to the eventual champion Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, the Whitecaps have an entirely new look this season. Although there are no holdovers from the 2004 squad, Brewster’s roster is loaded with talent and there is every reason to believe the team will continue their winning ways. 

     Matt Laporta (Florida), a 2004 Cape Cod League All-Star with the champion Red Sox, will anchor the middle of the lineup. The first basemen/catcher is ranked as one of the top 20 prospects in the 2006 MLB draft and finished second in the league with nine home runs last year. Joining Laporta in the infield is Andrew Romine (Arizona State), the top shortstop in the country and son of former Boston Red Sox outfielder Kevin Romine. 

     The pitching staff will be led by Max Scherzer (Missouri) and Erik Davis (Stanford), two highly touted major league prospects. As a freshman last year in the Northwoods League, Scherzer was already topping out at 98 mph, and simultaneously, Davis was offered a lucrative deal from the Anaheim Angels before choosing Stanford. 

     A trio of right-handed pitchers from the state of Florida will join the pitching corps: Danny Gil (Miami), Chase Lirette (South Florida) and Sergio Perez (Tampa). This year’s team has a strong southern representation, with Harris Honeycutt (South Carolina), Casey Lambert (Virginia), Heath Rollins (Winthrop), Ryan Turner (Georgia Tech) and PJ Walters (South Alabama) all on board. Kevin Dryanski (Arizona State), Derek Roach (Wichita State) and John Gaub (Minnesota) will round out the staff. 

     The remaining position players will consist of catcher Preston Clark (Texas), infielders Matt Cusick (Southern California), Ryan Malone (Florida St.), Keoni Ruth (San Diego), Greg Sexton (William and Mary), Roger Tomas (Miami), and outfielders Davy Gregg (South Carolina), John Jay (Miami), Brian Leclerc (Florida), and Tommy Lentz (Winthrop). 

     “This is a terrific offensive team,” said Brewster GM Dave Porter. “It is a team built up-the-middle, typical of teams of the last few years.” 

     Amidst all the change, head coach Bob Macaluso returns for his third season at the helm of the Whitecaps. In his first season, he led his team to a share of the East Division title and was named manager of the year. Macaluso, a graduate of Springfield College, has enjoyed great success as the manager of the Muhlenberg College (Pa.) baseball team. Macaluso currently ranks second on the school’s all-time win list with 104 victories.

     The Whitecaps will again play at the Cape Cod Tech Field in Harwich, where fans are able to take in all the action high atop “the Hill”. Next season, a brand new stadium is scheduled to open in Brewster.

     “It will combine all the aspects of other Cape League venues and embody the Cape Cod charm and personality,” Porter said. 

     Many former Brewster players have continued their careers at the major league level. The list includes fire-balling lefty Billy Wagner of the Philadelphia Phillies and sweet-swinging first basemen Sean Casey of the Cincinnati Reds. Former Whitecaps also include pitchers Kip Wells (Pittsburgh), Brandon Duckworth (Houston), infielders Eduardo Perez (Tampa Bay), Geoff Blum (San Diego), and centerfielder Aaron Rowand (White Sox). 

     In addition, two notable Boston Red Sox players of recent years were once Whitecaps: second basemen Todd Walker, who had a legendary performance in the 2003 playoffs, as well as situational left-handed reliever Mike Myers, a member of last year’s world champion team.

Colin Reed, Cape League Intern
[email protected]

John Garner, Jr.
CCBL Director of Public Relations &
Broadcasting
(508) 790-0394 [email protected]