Star-Gazette from Elmira, New York • 19

SPORTS Star-Gazette, Wednesday, June 20, 1 990 3C iVerdi confident of winning. pennant TMnpOTll Ml I III 1 I By KAREN TROXEL Star-Gazette 4 Ii. s' 4 vy "I think if we're a .500 ball club in two weeks, that should keep us in it this year. If we're in it, then we can win the pennant. 99 Mike Verdi, Pioneers' manager 25" according to Verdi.

Santamaria, a right-hander who pitched in the Gulf Coast League last year has durability Verdi is going to count on especially early in the season. "He's very strong. He's the type of kid who could throw five days in a row if you asked too," said Verdi. Santamaria, from the Dominican Republic, is one of Verdi's "puppies" young in age but with some baseball seasoning. Cedric Santiago is the other.

Santiago, who was the starter in Tuesday's season opener, is also 19 years old and was one of the highest players drafted out of Puerto Rico last year. The lefthander played in the Gulf Coast "We're here to win the pennant. We've already placed orders for our ring size." Those were the big words coming from Elmira Pioneers manager Mike Verdi Monday in predicting the outcome of the J990 New York-Penn League season. Those words are especially optimistic considering Verdi saw his 1989 Pioneers finish with a 30-46 record and 23 games out of first place. So, what's the reason for Verdi's optimism? Is it just normal pre season hype? Verdi feels strongly he has some ingredients in the talent department and that along with some changes in the structure of the league itself makes him feel his prediction is definitely possible.

Let's take a long look first at the talent. In the pitching department, where Verdi feels is the cornerstone of success, the second-year manager has a blend of youth and experience and lots of enthusiasm. Here's the youth first. First there's Silverio Santama-ria. Santamaria is "19 going on i 2 IX.

f. 4 A League in 1989 and is noted for his hard-throwing. From there, Verdi's pitching staff consists of college players drafted in the 1990 June selection and players who have been in the Red Sox organization for at least one year. Left-hander Jim Dennison is probably the most seasoned, having spent time in the Gulf Coast and Florida State leagues last year and part of this season. He is going to be a starter for Elmira after having some problems adjusting to a reliever role in Winter Haven this spring.

Big, strong right-hander Dave Ring (6-2, 220) has been pegged as the early-season stopper and comes to Elmira after spending last summer in the Gulf Coast League and having an excellent spring. Back for a repeat trip to Elmira is right-hander John Locker. Locker struggled last season in the NY-P with a 1-2 record and 3.29 ERA in 19 appearances out of the bullpen. Verdi says Locker's control is much better and has pitched back-to-back eight inning shutouts this spring. Coming straight to Elmira from the college ranks are righthanders Gar Finnvold from Florida State, Brian Young of Ohio University and Tim Smith of Boston College and left-hander Erik Plantenberg out of San Diego State.

In the catching ranks, Verdi is hoping John Lammon, a free agent signee late this spring, is the answer to the every day problems. "I like him a lot. He's a helluva hitter and he's got a quick release," Verdi said. Joe Demus is slated to be the backup catcher. The infield also looks to be an area where Verdi sees a lot of potential, stability and excitement.

At first base, David Alvarez, who played in Elmira last season, will team with Jason Friedman. Friedman has spent some time in Winter Haven but has been struggling recently but Ver- di requested him because of his attitude and work ethic. At second base, local favorite SIMON WHEELERStor-Goitt AUTOGRAPH TIME: Tim Southard, 1 3, of Horseheads collects some pre-season autographs from Cedric Santiago, left, and Jose Malave. league with some deceptive speed. Now there are the names to go with the talent prognosis and what about that Intangible Verdi is counting on? think we have an advantage that they're are three divisions in the league this year," said Verdi.

Elmira will play in the Western Conference of the New York-Penn League which will be made up of Auburn, Batavia and Geneva. Oneonta, Pittsfield, Utica and Wa-tertown will be in the Eastern Conference. The Stedler Division will consist of Jamestown, Erie, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Welland. "I think if we're a .500 ball club in two weeks, that should keep us in it this year," said Verdi.

"If we're in it, then we can win the pennant." equally high on his outfielders starting with Elmira veteran Jeff McNeely. Verdi feels McNeely, who hit .250 in Elmira and .406 in the Gulf Coast League last season, has a shot to lead the league in hitting and steal a few bases as well. Jose Lora, a 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic, led the extended spring training league in stolen bases with 19 and was named the Red Sox' most improved minor league player last year. Tim Graham, who's expected to see lots of action in center field, brings intelligence and contact hitting to the lineup. Jose Malave is the power hitter of the crew and according to Verdi shows a lot of potential to rack up big numbers in the Jeff Limoncelli will battle with top prospect Tim Davis.

Davis, out of Southern Illinois, has good range and a strong arm according to Verdi and can play shortstop as well. Utility man Larry Grant is penciled in as the every day third baseman, but can give it a run at either short or second. Randy Brown, out of the junior college ranks, perhaps brings the biggest sparkle to Verdi's eyes. "I just saw him for the first time Sunday and I'm in love," said Verdi. "He's got good reactions, range and the strongest arm I've seen in a long time.

He has all the tools. I haven't seen a shortstop like him in years." Ready to take a break from the praise. Don't count on it. Verdi's 7 SIMON WHEELERStor-Gazette GETTING READY: Elmira's Larry Grant gets ready for a workout and the season with some stretches Monday at Dunn Field. SAILORS expos HAMILTON REDBIRDS Major League Affliatlon: St.

Louis Cardinals. 1990 Manager: Luis Melen-dez. 1989 NY-P finish: 32-44, 21 games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. Returning playera: David Boss, rhp, Players to watch: Donavan Osborne, Ihp, UNLV, 1st-round pick, 1 1 th over aH and top-rated left-hander in the draft; Paul Ellis, catcher, UCLA, supplemental pick, and among the top five rated power-hitters in drsft; Rich Kimball, rhp, Florida State JAMESTOWN EXPOS Major League Affliatlon: Montreal Expos. 1990 Manager: Don Werner.

1989 NY-P finish: 44-42, Stedler Division winner and NY-P champion Returning player: Troy Weasel, rhp Playera to watch: 2nd-round pick Chris Haney, Ihp from North Carolina-Charlotte; 3rd-round pick Michael Mathiie, rhp; 4th-rounder Jeff Berry, outfield from San Diego 8th-rounder Steven Long, rhp; 7th-rounder Robert FHzpatrlck, Ga. Southern. GENEVA CUBS Major League Affliatlon: Chicago Cubs. 1990 Manager: Bill Hayes. 1989 NY-P finish: 36-39, 16', games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield.

Returning plsyers: Brad Erd-man, Luis Bemtez and German Diaz, If Players to wstch: Lance Dickson, Ihp, Arizona, 1st-round pick; 2nd-rounder Troy Bradford, rhp, Arizona; Tim Parker, rhp. Clem-son, 3rd-round pick; 8th-rounder Phil Dauphin outfield, Indiana U. ERIE SAILORS Major League Affliatlon: Independent. 1990 Manager: Mai Finchman. 1989 NY-P finish: 25-49 (Orioles).

27 games bsck of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. a Returning plsyers: none. Plsyers to wstch: Tommy Mitchefl, San Diego, is the younger brother of major leaguer Kevin Mitchell; Gary Daniels, outfield, fourth-round drsft pick from Brigham Young University, was NCAA leader in hits and rbi; Darren MacMillan, Brigham Young University; Mike Jockish, p. BATAVIA CLIPPERS Major League Affliatlom Philadelphia Phillies, 1 990 Manager: Dave Cash, roving instructor last year and coach for Batavia two years ago. 1989 NY-P finish: 37-39.

16 games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. Returning players: 1B Mike Owens; Steve Parris, Steve Bieser, of; Eulogio Perez, S3. Players to watch: Jeff Jackson, of. who was the top pick of thePhlHies ELMIRA PIONEERS Major League Affliatlon: Boston Red Sox. 1990 Manager: Mike Verdi.

1989 NY-P finish: 30-46. 23 games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. Returning Locker, rhp, 1-2, 3.29 ERA; Jeff Limoncelli, inf, ,190 In 9 games In Elmira, .182 in 14 games In the Gulf Coast League; Jeff McNeely, outfield, .250 In 61 games with 21 RBI and 16 stolen bases; Willie Dukes, outfield, .248 with 8 RBI in the GuH Coast League. Players to watch: Randy Brown Gar Finnvold, Ihp, from Florida State; and Erik Plantenberg. AUBURN ASTROS Major LMgu Atfliation: Houston Astros.

1990 Manager; Ricky Peters (base-running coach lor the As- tree' minor leagues). 1989 NY-P finish: 35-42. 18V4 games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. Returning players: none. Players to watch: David Allen, rhp, 8-2, 220 pounds from Rochester, Greece-Athens High School; Steve Powers, Itip, University of Missouri; Tony Gil-more, c.

University of Arkansas; Bob Hurlbutt. Monroe Community Coflege; Layne Lambert, int. UNLV; Vmce Roman, outfielder, Ithaca College. 'A Mm sScx 8) WELLAND PIRATES Major League Affliatlon: Pittsburgh Pirates. 1990 Manager: Jack Und.

1989 NY-P finish: 32-44, 21 games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. Returning players: Rob Peter- PITTSFIELD METS Major League Affliatlon: New YorkMets. 1990 Manager: Jim Eschen. 1989 NY-P finish: 63-23, Mc-Nemera Dtvtaion winner Pittsfield, lost to Jamestown In championships. Returning players: Alberto Castillo, catcher; pitchers Mike FreKas, rhp; Edgar Vasquez, rhp.

Plsyers to watch: Jeromy Bar-mtz, outfield, Oklahoma Slate University, No. 1 pick of the Mets; Peter Walker, rhp, 6-4. 220 out of of fifth-rounder; Mike Sciortlno, Ihp, Central Conn. State, WATERTOWN INDIANS Major League Affliatlon: Cleveland Indians. 1990 Manager: Jim Gabella (Burlington, C.

of the Applacht-an League 1989, 31-37, 7th piece In 1 0 team league.) 1989 NY-P finish: 47-30, seven games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. Returning players: Bobby Ryan, rhp, save, 20 IP, 16 k. 3.60 ERA. Plsyers to watch: John Cotton had 20 stolen bases for Burlington; Clyde Pougb had 6 homers and 37 RBI for Burlington; Brian Giles, outfield, hit Mike Davis hit .274 with 6 homers and 31 RBI; Jose Paulino Term hit .371, 26 RBI and 9 stolen bsses for the GuH Coast League. UTICA BLUE SOX Major League Affliatlon: Chicago White Sox.

1990 Manager Tommy Thompson. 1989 NY-P finish: 39-39, 15 games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. Returning players: Dave Gorman, rhp, last yesr's season- opener; Dean Tatar lan, 3b, hit .287 lest year; John Smith, rhp, hurt most of last season; Lance Sanders, ss. Players to watch: SS Mike Martin, 3rd-round pick; Rogetio Nunez, catcher, and Kevin Toiar, fhp, both stars on Rookie League last year; Ernesto Sentana, rhp ST. CATHERINES BLUE JAYS Major League Affliatlon: Toronto Blue Jays.

1990 Manager: Doug AuR. 1989 NY-P finish: 31-45. 22 games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. Returning players: Carlos Delgado, catcher, 17-year-old rookie; Sterling Stock, fhp; Rod Nellenbach, rhp, from Mansfield University. Players to watch: Pitchers Gregory Fiener, David Menhart, Michael Taylor; infieidert Andrew Carlton, Clro Ambrasio, Juan Querecuto; outfieldera Edgar Martinez, Jacinto Yorro.

ONEONTA YANKEES Major League Affliatlon: New York Yankees. 1 990 Manager: Trey Hinman. 1989 NY-P finish: 48-27, 4 games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. Returning players: Todd Ma-tone, trip, Minor League Player of the Year 1988, in 1989 was 3-9 with B.4S era, was 3-3 in Greensboro In 1990; Ricky Strickland, of. played in only 1 8 games in 1S89, hit .353.

Players to watch: Second-round pick Robert Eenhoorn, ss Irom Davidson College; 11th-round pick Richard Htnes, Ihp from Mississippi; fifth-rounder Rick Lantrlp, inf. from Fresno 8tate: seventh-round pick Jelal Leach, of; Michael Hanklrts, inf. NIAGARA FALLS RAPIDS Major League Affliatron: Detroit Tigers. 1990 Manager Auretio Rodriguez. 1989 NY-P finish: 43-33.

10 games back of McNamara Division winner Pittsfield. Returning players: Doug Mar-oero, Ihp, from Western Micrtl- gan, last year had a no-hKter in late August; Mario Moccia, first baseman from New Mexico. Players to watch: Francisco Alcantara, (hp, and Eddy Rodrl-quez, tip, both 19 year-olds and from the Dominican Republic; Bob Undorf from South Florida: Tim Klrt, outfield and 3B-C Sean Sadler, both of Missouri Baptist. Players to watch: Klrt Miller, no. 1 draft choice fifth overall, youngster; Michael Zimmerman, No.

2 pins pick, Brooklyn N.Y., rhp, Southern Alabama University; Tim Edge, Auburn Untversi-ty was PlH third pick..