[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n conjunction with the Detroit Tigers, the West Michigan Whitecaps released the team’s initial roster lineup for the 2014 season.
The roster features the Tigers’ first and second round selections from the 2013 draft in pitchers Jonathon Crawford and Kevin Ziomek as well as outfielder Ben Verlander, the younger brother of Tigers ace Justin Verlander. The Whitecaps are loaded with pitching prospects as the Tigers drafted players with college experience.
Crawford and Ziomek are among five Whitecaps players ranked by Baseball America as being in the Top 30 within Detroit’s organization. Crawford is ranked fifth while Ziomek is tenth. Detroit drafted Crawford 20th overall while Ziomek was 58th. Baseball America also has infielder Javier Betancourt, right-handed pitcher Zac Reininger and the 2013 Big East Pitcher of the Year Jeff Thompson ranked on their list.
Ziomek
Verlander
Crawford
Along with Crawford, Ziomek and Thompson the Whitecaps pitching rotation will also feature Austin Kubitza, Buck Farmer and Chad Green.
The Whitecaps will also feature an explosive offense this season. In addition to Verlander, a 2013 All-Star in the New York-Penn League, the outfield will also feature the 2012 NCAA batting champion Raph Rhymes and the speedy center field prospect, Austin Schotts.
Betancourt, who boasts a career batting average of .333 and was named the GCL Tigers’ Player of the Year last season, will be joined in the infield by Dominic Ficociello and Curt Powell. Ficociello and Powell are two of ten players returning to the Whitecaps this season.
The Whitecaps will also have a new manager this season in Andrew Graham. His history with the Whitecaps includes a Midwest League championship as a player in 2004. Graham’s coaching staff with feature another new addition in hitting coach Nelson Santovenia as well as second-year pitching coach Mike Henneman. A former All-Star closer in the MLB, Henneman will be tasked with developing the pitching prospects for the Detroit Tigers’ organization.
The West Michigan Whitecaps begin the 2014 season Thursday when they travel to Dayton for a four-game series before the home opener April 8 against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. For tickets and schedule information, please visit WhitecapsBaseball.com.
The Pit: Sports and Entertainment will be covering the West Michigan Whitecaps for the 2014 season, so be sure to follow The Pit on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for updates and news.
