Jim Goulart

Power wins, 5-3, as Pedro Lambertus closes it out. The kids from the local NAIA school (WVU Tech) can know they did themselves proud.

Jonathan Lucroy with a 2-run HR to give the Power a 4-1 lead after five innings. Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm listening while doing the whole TurboTax thing tonight...

Nine different pitchers are each scheduled to pitch an inning tonight. R.J. Seidel is first up, then Nick Tyson. Andy Barch just reviewed the Power strating lineup, although many will see action. Please don't consider this gospel -- I didn't write it down, and may have missed a name or position, although Wheeler is at 2B, Wilson just committed an error at 3B. If I'm able to stay with the game tonight, I'll toss in a detail or two, as it's unlikely we'll see a box score. Double-play lineout to Wheeler, scoreless inning for Seidel (one double allowed), threw maybe one offspeed pitch. Haydel - CF Brewer - SS Gindl - RF Lucroy - C Alonso - DH Wilson - 3B Wheeler - 2B Rindal - 1B Crowell - LF

Kansas City released RHP Ben Hendrickson. That 2004 AAA season was sure magical, Ben. The ten big league games that season, not so much. INF Matt Erickson was released from the Diamondbacks organization. RHP Gerry Oakes was released by Baltimore. The White Sox released OF Jim Rushford. Cincinnati released LHP Chris Michalak. LHP Mike Myers was released by the Dodgers. Pittsburgh released RHP Elmer Dessens and OF Jose Macias. C Sal Fasano was released by Toronto.

Just-released RH reliever D.J. Lidyard found work quickly, signing with the independent Northern League's Fargo-Moorhead club.

Matt's apparently going to juggle two journals. He's back at BaseballDigestDaily -- thanks to Jeff Sackmann's site for reminding us today. It's pure cliche for the moment until it gets to food talk, but I imagine when the games begin, there will be a little more substance.

Link while active, text follows: Power's turf expert aiming for way more than average by Mary Childress Charleston Daily Mail staff The West Virginia Power's official home opener is still a few days away, but there's already a fellow gunning for a title. He's a 25-year-old graduate of Penn State with an actual degree in turf grass science. "Most people don't know there's even a degree in turf grass science," said Brian Eiche, the new head groundskeeper for Appalachian Power Park in Charleston's East End. "While working on my major, I was on the grounds crew at Penn State's Bigler Field all through school." Eiche went to work the moment he hit the field a month ago. He hopped on the tractor and mowed his way around the outfield. "It was overgrown by about 5 inches," he said. On Monday afternoon, he still was working to get the field in shape. The West Virginia Power is scheduled to make its local debut tonight with an exhibition game against WVU Tech at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). And the home opener is scheduled for this coming Monday. The regular season for the Power actually begins on the road Thursday against the Hickory (N.C.) Crawdads. Eiche, a Pennsylvania native, came to Charleston from the AA team in Harrisburg, Pa., where he also was head groundskeeper. Eiche is well-versed in all types of grass including the best surfaces for soccer fields, golf greens and fairways, football and baseball fields. On the Power Park's warning track for outfielders between the field and its border, he's placed new Dura infield mix from Pennsylvania. He will place chemicals on the outfield and infield turf before opening day. "The chemicals add a little color to the grass, but more than that helps the roots grow and prevents and destroys diseases in the turf," Eiche said. "Since I've only been here a month, the guys in the front office have really helped me prepare the field for play," he said. "I'm very picky when it comes to the field, and I want to make it look and play the best no matter what it takes." Eiche's pre-game duties including dragging the infield, working on the pitcher's mound, stringing lines and chalking. He has six guys on his grounds crew and additional help from the front office when needed. He hopes the Appalachian Power Park field will be named "Field of the Year" when the season is over. It's an award that's voted on by the players, the umpires and the coaches of teams in the Sally League. "That's what I'm striving for," he said. "I want this to be the best playing field in the league." The ballpark was an anthill of activity on Monday. As Eiche worked on the field, others were in the Power Park's kitchens developing a new menu. Visiting chef Amanda Wolcloch with Aramark, a food service company, was busy preparing foods for a sample tasting for those occupying the Power Suites. Wolcloch, who is from Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena, said the regular concession stands would be operating with hot dogs, popcorn, burgers, beer, soft drinks and more for tonight's game. Aramark has taken over the food service for the park, and Wolcloch is planning the new menu the company will introduce to baseball fans during the home opener against the Augusta (Ga.) GreenJackets. Jacob Hicks, 23, who works in construction for the City of Charleston, was helping to hang the backstop screen that runs from the third base line to home plate and down the first base line. Power Park employee Julio Silva, 53, was placing recyclable containers and trash receptacles and doing general cleanup to prepare for this evening's game. Photos available at the link above...

While all four affiliates have exhibition action tonight, it's Andy "Bull" Barch and the Power that are available via the web's airwaves. So with the big Brewers off, Andy has the night to himself as he works off the rust and gets to know all the Helena kids vs. vaunted WVU Tech. Here's your link, make sure the date indicates April 1st (no foolin'!). The audio will also archive.

Link while active, text follows: Another high-Power year ahead? By Mike Whiteford Charleston Gazette Staff writer Like all teams at minor-league baseball's lower levels, the Power will open the season with a roster that scarcely resembles last year's. But although the faces generally will be new, the style of play - particularly on the offensive side - may be quite similar. If that's the case, it should be another season of high-volume base-running activity at Appalachian Power Park. The Power will play its season opener at Hickory on Thursday and open at home at 7:05 p.m. (6:05 Central) next Monday. The Power team of 2007 led the Class A South Atlantic League in runs and batting average and ranked second in home runs, and the current bunch seems equipped to approach those numbers, especially in a ballpark that lends itself to offense. "We're going to see some offense. It's an exciting team,'' said first-year manager Jeff Isom. "It should be a fun brand of baseball to watch.'' Isom is familiar with the Power's 2008 personnel, having managed the Helena Brewers of the short-season rookie-level Pioneer League last year and worked with the players who will constitute the bulk of this season's Charleston team. Of the 26 players on the current roster, 19 played at least part of last season at Helena, which finished with a 48-28 record and won its division championship. The Power's new manager also liked what he saw in spring training. "I think we had a high batting average as a team [in spring training],'' he said, "and I think we can expect that again this year. I hope so.'' Pitching coach John Curtis, who is beginning his fourth season with the Power, also liked what he saw from the Power's hitters this spring. "Very good, very good,'' said Curtis. "We're going to have another good offensive club, it looks to me.'' This season's right fielder, 19-year-old Caleb Gindl, led the Pioneer League with a .372 batting average last season and finished with a .420 on-base percentage. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy hit .342 to rank sixth. Two other Helena players, infielders Eric Farris and Zelous Wheeler, placed in the top 20 with averages of .326 and .300, respectively. As a team last year, Helena batted .291 to rank second in the eight-team league. In home runs, however, Helena was sixth with 55 in 76 games. POWER POINTS: The Power will face WVU Tech in an exhibition game at 7:05 tonight at Appalachian Power Park. ... As the 2007 season unfolded, the Power as a team often led the South Atlantic League by as much as 20 points and finished with a .281 mark. Hickory was second at .275. The Power also led the league with 804 runs and averaged 5.9 per game. The team hit 128 homers in 136 games. ... Farris suffered a hamstring injury in spring training and will not open the season with the Power but is expected to join the team eventually. "He's probably one of the top prospects in the organization,'' said Isom. Farris makes consistent contact. In 239 at-bats last year at Helena, he struck out just 22 times for a ratio of once every 12.2 at-bats - the best ratio in the league.

Tom Haudricourt of the J-S: Ned Yost said his son, Ned IV, had decided to take a coaching job in the farm system. The younger Yost had played three years in the system and was not guaranteed a roster spot at Class AA Huntsville, so he was offered a position as a hitting coach. He is scheduled to report to extended spring training this weekend to begin work.

David Weiser has updated his www.starsboxscore.com home page. We'll be copying and pasting text from his site throughout the season, as we're more than happy to provide David with an "archive" for all the first-hand insights he provides. David was "blogging" on the Huntsville Stars long before there was such a term, and regulars know that David's the best and a big asset to us (and we to him).

Link while active, text follows: April has Money seeing young Stars With last year still fresh, skipper welcomes future Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times Same room, same two chairs, same two people. One-hundred ninety-seven days ago, Stars manager Don Money and I sat here, with the Huntsville clubhouse empty and the deadlines long past. On Monday night, there we were again. The last time was a Sunday night when the baseball gods proved to have the same sadistic behavior as a 10-year-old who'd stick a kitten in a dryer and push "start." The Stars had been two outs from the Southern League championship. A Montgomery Biscuit named Sergio Pedroza hit an opposite-field, one-out, three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning of the final game of the league playoffs off Huntsville's ace closer, Luis Pena. Totally devastated, the Stars had no more chance to rally than you have of putting toothpaste back in the tube. They put a couple of men on base only to have a symbolic moment - a broken-bat double play - end the game. More than a few times in the offseason, Money thought back to that night, that inning, and said something in his brain that can't be said in a family newspaper. It was the Stars' second consecutive championship series loss to the Biscuits. There would be dignity, at least, of losing to Mudcats and Barons and Braves. But to a morning drive-thru staple, with a logo that has a pat of butter for a tongue? Shudder at the thought. This year, to muster up another division title, the Stars must do so with a lineup only slightly older than the front row of a Hannah Montana concert. "Young," Money said. "Real young. Age and experience." The Milwaukee Brewers' poohbahs have said that its prospects tend to come in waves. J.J. Hardy-Corey Hart-Dave Krynzel in one. Prince Fielder-Rickie Weeks-Tony Gwynn Jr. in another. They've had such an impact that eight of the nine Milwaukee starters came up through the organization and played in Huntsville. Now comes a new wave that opens the season Thursday night. Some of Milwaukee's best young - again that word - is coming to Huntsville. Matt LaPorta. Cole Gillespie. Angel Salome. Alcides Escobar. Mat with-one-T Gamel. If you are infatuated with player ratings, that means something. If you're Don Money, it doesn't. "My rating is what they do out there," Money said, nodding toward the field. The first wave of prospects brought a trip to the championship. The other was a group of talented individuals that never jelled. What of this group? The Stars were productive offensively in spring training, the defense improves at most every position, but pitching will be the question. "This is the biggest jump, from A-ball to Double-A," Money was quick to caution. "Now they have to make adjustments." Money then opened an envelope sent to the team by a loyal fan. Inside was a greeting card, one of those with the tiny gizmo that blares out a rock song when you open it. A note inside reminded it is a year of "new possibilities and opportunities." Implored the message, "Let's win the thing, and celebrate." The baseball gods owe them a celebration. But not sure this group is old enough to throw a party. Contact Mark McCarter at markcolumn@aol.com or visit his al.com blog at http://blog.al.com/mccarter

Chris Errecart's local (Lompoc) California paper: Chris Errecart, a 2003 Lincoln High graduate, played three seasons at Cal before the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the fifth round of the 2006 draft. The first baseman hit .317 in 70 games at Low-A Helena in 2006, and hit .262 in 116 games last season at High-A Brevard County. He'll begin the season with the Double-A Huntsville Stars. "I feel like I've made some strides in my game in the offseason and learned some things about what I need to work on," Errecart said. "I'd imagine myself being here for a while. Hopefully, I'll put good numbers up and good things will happen."

Link while active, text follows: A step in the right direction for Caufield Jeff Cali, Ada (OK) Sports Editor Former Ada High superstar Chuckie Caufield has taken one more step toward the Big Leagues. Caufield made his national television debut as a professional last Thursday when the Milwaukee Brewers battled the Chicago Cubs on WGN in a spring training battle. It was pretty neat seeing Caufield take some cuts against big-league pitchers. While he didn't hit the two home runs his mother and I had hoped for, it still must have been a thrill for Caufield get a feel for what it's like to compete in an actual Major League Baseball game. Caufield entered the game as a pinch runner for left fielder Ryan Braun. You may have heard of Braun, who hit 34 home runs in just 451 at-bats last year as a rookie. Both teams used mostly opening day starters. Joining Caufield in the Brewers lineup were the likes of Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Mike Cameron and J.J. Hardy. Big names playing in the contest for the Cubs included Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez. And right there with them all was our boy Caufield. The most entertaining Caufield moment in the game came in the fourth inning when he stepped to the plate with runners at first and third. Pitching for the Cubbies was Sean Marshall, who was trying to earn a spot in Chicago's starting rotation. After falling behind 1-2 (and he JUST missed on one big cut that he fouled off), Caufield watched as the Cubs lefty tried to paint the outside corner with back-to-back breaking balls. Surprisingly, with the count full, the Cubs decided to intentionally walk Caufield to load the bases! Cowards! The move worked as Marshall got Taylor Green (who had replaced Bill Hall in the Brewers lineup) to ground out to shortstop to end the threat. Caufield's 0-for-2 showing probably didn't earn him a roster spot with the Brewers just yet. But he's played well enough in the minor league to earn this cool spring training spot. Annette Caufield, Chuckie's mother, says he'll most likely start the season with the Brevard County Manatees, an advanced A squad out of Florida. There are many things worse than playing baseball in the Sunshine State. The Manatees open their 2008 season Thursday at Daytona. Obviously, Annette was more than excited to get to see her baby boy on national television. "It just thrilled me to death to see him on TV. It was real fun. He's worked so hard and accomplished a lot," she said. What did Chuckie think about his moment in the Big League spotlight? "He felt like he did okay. He was disappointed he didn't get a hit," Annette said. Last Thursday's contest with the Cubs was certainly a step in the right direction for Caufield's professional career. With the work ethic and God-given talent he has, it shouldn't be much longer before Caufield goes prime time, full time.

RHP Robbie Wooley is continuing his independent league career, signing with the Rockford (Ill.) Riverhawks of the Frontier League.

Brevard County Roster That's kind of an eclectic group, especially on the mound. (That's a fancy way of saying there's a dearth of top echeclon pitching prospects, but this could be an entertaining bunch to follow, even with very limited audio opportunities.) So far, the players "missing in action" (released, extended spring training rehabs in Maryvale -- we'll work on getting updates this week) are OF Steve Moss, OF Mike Goetz, LHP Chris Cody, C Brian Munhall, C Nestor Corredor, C D.J. Neyens, RHP Mark Rogers (Maryvale), RHP Brett Campbell, RHP Juan Sandoval, RHP Matt Kretzschmar, RHP Dane de la Rosa, RHP Brock Kjeldgaard, OF Anthony Wycklendt, and 1B Ned Yost (mulling coaching offer). 2B Eric Farris should be in West Virginia in a couple of weeks. If I missed anyone that should be listed as "MIA", please chime in, not counting youngsters who are likely to repeat Helena and/or Maryvale. We've kept all the above players on our Brewerfan Player Index until their current status is known.

MLB.com -- Yovani to start the Sounds opener, cool...

It sure seems odd they would send 26 players to Charleston, only to have to move one before Opening Day, doesn't it? Can't remember a situation like that before. No additional info on Braddock, sorry. New rules regarding medical privacy implemented within the last year or two make getting info very difficult, unless it's an obvious injury within the course of an actual game.

Link while active, text follows: Power roster packed with potential Many of Brewers' top prospects coming to Charleston by Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter The West Virginia Power will field what very well could be the most talented team in its four-year history this season. The Power roster, which was released Sunday, features seven of the Milwaukee Brewers' top 30 minor league prospects, according to the 2008 Baseball America Prospect Handbook. Power fans could see as many as five on the field at the same time, with No. 7 Brent Brewer at shortstop, No. 10 Caleb Gindl in left field, No. 16 Jonathan Lucroy at catcher, No. 22 Lee Haydel in center field and No. 11 Rob Bryson, No. 15 R.J. Seidel or No. 19 Nick Tyson -- all right-handed starting pitchers -- on the mound. Bryson, Haydel and Lucroy are Milwaukee's second-ranked prospects at their positions, according to Baseball America. Seidel and Tyson are the Brewers' fourth- and sixth-ranked prospects in their category, respectively. No. 23 Eric Farris isn't on the Opening Day roster because he is injured, but he will join the team soon, Power Manager Jeff Isom said. Farris is Milwaukee's top-ranked prospect at second base, according to Baseball America. The Power roster also includes Steffan Wilson, the Brewers' third-ranked prospect at third base, and Roque Mercedes and Jose Garcia, their 10th- and 11th-ranked prospects among right-handed starting pitchers. "We have a lot of talent throughout the lineup," said Isom, who replaces Mike Guerrero as West Virginia's manager. "There's no question about that. "I had a lot of those players last season in Helena (Mont.) when they came into pro ball. We were a very competitive team last year and I expect the same this year. We have a lot of good guys who want to work hard and better themselves." Brewer, Gindl, Mercedes, first baseman John Alonso, left-handed pitcher Mike Ramlow and right-handed pitcher Jared Sutton return for their second stints with West Virginia. "We have a pretty solid team," Ramlow said. "I would expect some good things from us this season." Ramlow, Alonso and Brewer are the only three who remained with the team the entire season last year. Mercedes was demoted to Helena in June after he began the year in Charleston. Sutton signed a free agent contract and joined the team in May. Gindl was promoted from Helena to West Virginia in September after he won the Pioneer League batting title with a .372 batting average. He joined the team for the last two games of the South Atlantic League Championship Series against Columbus. "We like the idea of their experience," said Isom, whose team will play an exhibition game against West Virginia University Tech at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday (6:05 Central) at Appalachian Power Park. "For a lot of the players, it will be their first full season. So, it is good to have guys around who have been around for a full season. (The second-year) guys can let (the first-year) guys know how they prepare for the season. They have been through it before. They can tell them about the difference between a short season and a full season." Added Ramlow: "We just need to lead by example. We can't go out and get crazy. We need to respect the game, we need to respect the team, we need to respect the city and we need to respect ourselves. We just need to go out there and do what we can do every game." The roster includes 19 players who finished 2007 as members of the Helena Brewers, who lost in the first round of the Pioneer League playoffs and hit .291 as a team during the regular season. "I had the majority of them," said Isom, who was Helena's manager last season. "We had a good mix last year. "On the mound, we had a very good pitching staff. We were second or third in the league in pitching. In the field, we were very good defensively. We led the league in fielding percentage. "At the plate, these guys go out and play hard. They run the bases very well and they swing the bat pretty good, too. I have heard the ball does fly out of the ballpark. We hit a lot of doubles last year, and I imagine some of those will turn into home runs this year." The Power, which plays in the SAL Northern Division, posted an 82-54 overall record in 2007 (a 48-20 mark in the first half -- good for first place -- followed by a 34-34 mark in the second half -- good for third place). The season opener is scheduled for 6:30 PM (5:30 Central) Thursday, when West Virginia will begin a four-game series against the host Hickory (N.C.) Crawdads at L.P. Frans Stadium. Mercedes will start for the Power. The home opener is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central) April 7, when West Virginia will begin a four-game series against the Augusta (Ga.) GreenJackets at Appalachian Power Park. The roster consists of two catchers, six infielders, four outfielders and 14 pitchers. There are six free agents, three 2005 draftees, six 2006 draftees and 11 2007 draftees. A move will be made before the season opener to cut the roster from 26 to 25.

Apparently, colbyjack, Farris is slated for West Virginia but will open the season on the DL with an undisclosed injury. He is expected back soon, however.

Here is your initial version of the 2008 Alumni thread. This shows all current MLB players who are on 25-man rosters on Opening Day or on major league disabled lists. We'll fill in minor leaguers later this month. Be sure to let us know if we missed anybody. Click on a name for up-to-date stats, and note that the years in parentheses represent the years spent in the Brewers system. Baltimore: Greg Aquino, MLB Orioles (2007) Dennis Sarfate, MLB Orioles (2001 - 2007) Boston: White Sox: Scott Linebrink, MLB White Sox (2007) Cleveland: Craig Breslow, MLB Indians (2002-2004) Detroit: Gary Sheffield, MLB Tigers (1986 - 1991) Kansas City: Hideo Nomo, MLB Royals (1999) Angels: Minnesota: Yankees: Chad Moeller, MLB Yankees (2004 - 2006) Oakland: Dana Eveland, MLB Athletics (2003 - 2006) Seattle: R.A. Dickey, MLB Mariners (2007) Richie Sexson, MLB Mariners (2000 - 2003) Tampa Bay: Gary Glover, MLB Devil Rays (2004 - 2005) Al Reyes, MLB Devil Rays (1995 - 1999) Texas: Jamey Wright, MLB Rangers (2000 - 2003) Toronto: Kevin Mench, MLB Blue Jays (2006 - 2007) Lyle Overbay, MLB Blue Jays (2004 - 2005) Marco Scutaro, MLB Blue Jays (2000 - 2001) Matt Stairs, MLB Blue Jays (2002) Brian Wolfe, MLB Blue Jays (2005) National League: Arizona: Doug Davis, MLB Diamondbacks (2003 - 2006) Atlanta: Jeff Bennett, MLB Braves (2003 - 2005) Cubs: Henry Blanco, MLB Cubs (2000 - 2001) Chad Fox, MLB Cubs (1998 - 2002) Cincinnati: Paul Bako, MLB Reds (2002) Francisco Cordero, MLB Reds (2006 - 2007) Javier Valentin, MLB Reds (2002-2003 offseason) David Weathers, MLB Reds (1998 - 2001) Colorado: Jose Capellan, MLB Rockies (2005 - 2007) Scott Podsednik, MLB Rockies (2003 - 2004) Luis Vizcaino, MLB Rockies (2002 - 2004) Florida: Wes Helms, MLB Phillies (2003 - 2005) Houston: Carlos Lee, MLB Astros (2005 - 2006) Mark Loretta, MLB Astros (1995 - 2002) Dodgers: Gary Bennett, MLB Dodgers (2004) Mark Sweeney, MLB Dodgers (2000 - 2001) Mets: Raul Casanova, MLB Mets (2000 - 2002) Brady Clark, MLB Mets (2003 - 2006) Nelson Figueroa, MLB Mets (2002) Jorge Sosa, MLB Mets (2001-2002 offseason) Jose Valentin, MLB Mets (1991 - 1999) Claudio Vargas, MLB Mets (2007) Matt Wise, MLB Mets (2004 - 2007) Philadelphia: Chris Coste, MLB Phillies (2004) Geoff Jenkins, MLB Phillies (1995 - 2007) Pittsburgh: Marino Salas, MLB Pirates (2007) San Diego: Callix Crabbe, MLB Padres (2002 - 2007) Glendon Rusch, MLB Padres (2002 - 2003) Joe Thatcher, MLB Padres (2005 - 2007) San Francisco: St. Louis: Ron Villone, MLB Cardinals (1996 - 1997) Washington: Ronnie Belliard, MLB Nationals (1994 - 2002) Johnny Estrada, MLB Nationals (2007) Ray King, MLB Nationals (2000 - 2002, 2007) Saul Rivera, MLB Nationals (2004)

Link while active, text follows: Brewer back with Power to start season By Mike Whiteford Charleston Gazette Staff writer Spring training in Maryvale, Ariz., went well for Brent Brewer, who spent the 2007 season as a 19-year-old shortstop with the West Virginia Power. Last season and again this spring, Brewer demonstrated occasional flashes of brilliance expected of an all-round athlete who had committed to play football at Florida State before signing with the Milwaukee Brewers in the summer of 2006. And although the Georgia native, Milwaukee's second-round selection in 2006, showed steady progress throughout the 2007 season, he still needs work in such areas as defensive consistency and strike-zone recognition. For those reasons, he'll open this season at shortstop for the Power and is one of five holdovers from last season. "Defensively, I think you're going to see quite an improvement,'' said first-year Power manager Jeff Isom. "He made a lot of plays this spring that were outstanding. He's made a lot of real nice body-control plays. I wouldn't say he's a Gold Glove shortstop by any means, but he's got a year of experience under his belt, and I see a confident shortstop. And confidence in baseball goes a long way.'' With the speed he flashed as a wide receiver in high school, Brewer stole 42 bases in 49 attempts to rank fifth in the South Atlantic League and led the Power with seven triples in finishing the season with 11 home runs, 49 RBIs and a .251 average. He also committed 53 errors and struck out 170 times in 518 at-bats. In a Baseball America poll, Brewer, who turned 20 in December, is rated as the best athlete in the Brewers organization and its seventh-best prospect. In addition to Brewer, the Power roster includes four other 2007 veterans - infielder John Alonso and pitchers Roque Mercedes, Mike Ramlow and Jared Sutton. Outfielder Caleb Gindl joined the team for two games in the playoffs in September. The Power roster, announced Sunday, also includes 19 players who played at least part of last year at Helena, Mont., which posted a 48-28 record and won a division championship in the short-season Class A Pioneer League. "The good thing for me,'' Isom said from the Power's spring training base in Maryvale, "is that I was at Helena last year, and I'm seeing a lot of the same guys I saw last year. We had a very competitive club last year. They're out there bustin' their butts. They're a hard-working team.'' Mercedes, who split time between the Power and Helena, will pitch the Power's season opener at Hickory on Thursday. Mercedes was 0-4 with a 7.26 earned run average in 39 innings in Charleston, but pitched well at Helena, compiling a 7-4 mark and a 3.75 ERA in 84 innings. http://www.wvgazette.com/images/art/Permanent-Items/NNN.GIF POWER POINTS: Gindl and catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who have been assigned to the Power, ranked first and sixth, respectively, in Pioneer League hitting last year. Gindl, a 19-year-old native of Pace, Fla., batted .372, and Lucroy, a 21-year-old native of Umatilla, Fla., hit .342. Gindl is a fifth-round selection and Lucroy a third-rounder. ... The Power will arrive in Charleston Tuesday for an afternoon media day and play WVU Tech in an exhibition game at 7:05 Tuesday night at Appalachian Power Park. ... The team will open the season at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Hickory and play its home opener at 7:05 April 7 against Augusta as part of an eight-game season-opening homestand.

Nix was signed to a minor league deal this offseason (non 40-man), so options were not an issue after this past spring training.

From Rotoworld: Brewers reassigned LHP Chris Narveson, RHP Steve Bray, INF Ozzie Chavez and INF Abraham Nunez to minor league camp. We imagine both Narveson and Bray would have made the Tigers, not to mention a couple of other teams, but there was no room in Milwaukee's pen after the team loaded up on veteran relievers. Bray is the better bet to contribute in relief come June or July, but Narveson is adequate protection for the rotation. You knew about the above earlier, but I just wanted to comment on Steve Bray. How many teams are absolutely kicking themselves for passing on him in the Rule 5, and how lucky did the Brewers get in keeping him within the organization? From the Nashville site: In his first five pro seasons, Bray has posted a 2.97 career ERA and struck out 352 batters while walking only 79 in 348.2 innings. We were all calling this last November pre Rule 5. Fortunately, 29 other GM's missed the boat. One thing's for sure, unless real bad things happen, Bray will be added in-season this year or immediately after the '08 campaign.

2008 WEST VIRGINIA POWER ROSTER AS OF 3/30/08 # PITCHERS POS HT WT D.O.B. Resides Acquired 31 Evan Anundsen RHP 6'3 200 5/17/88 Columbine, CO 4th Round 2006 52 Rob Bryson RHP 6'1 200 12/11/87 New Castle, DE 31st Round 2006 24 Wes Etheridge RHP 6'1 185 8/12/84 Huntington Beach, CA 12th Round 2007 39 Corey Frerichs RHP 5'11 200 5/7/86 Willis, TX 30th Round 2007 45 Jose Garcia RHP 6'3 180 5/25/88 Santo Domingo, DR FA 2005 46 Pedro Lambertus RHP 6'3 190 6/4/88 Semana Santa, DR FA 2006 47 Roque Mercedes RHP 6'3 185 10/28/86 La Romana, DR FA 2004 20 Dan Merklinger LHP 6'1 195 11/18/85 West Orange, NJ 6th Round 2007 37 Curtis Pasma LHP 6'0 206 9/19/85 Madera, CA 36th Round 2007 23 Mike Ramlow LHP 6'6 185 3/2/86