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Bevos won't be playing longball

Pitching and defense could be hallmarks of remade ballclub

By jason vondersmith

The Portland Tribune, Apr 3, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

The Portland Beavers won’t be known for their power this year, as they were in 2006. This year will be about pitching and defense, and maybe an occasional Jack Cust three-run home run.

“We’ll have guys who give us good at-bats,” first-year manager Rick Renteria says. “Hopefully we’ll put the bat on the ball consistently and move the ball around.”

The Bevos open their 92nd Pacific Coast League baseball season at Fresno on Thursday. After two four-game series at Fresno and Sacramento, the home opener at PGE Park will be April 13 against Fresno.

The starting pitching rotation includes four pitchers who have taken the mound for Portland in the past, plus Ryan Ketchner. The starters: Jack Cassel, Ketchner, Jared Wells, Cesar Carrillo and Justin Germano.

The 22-year-old Carrillo is the San Diego Padres’ top pitching prospect. He’s coming off elbow surgery and “actually looks better – he has life to his pitches and motion to his changeup and breaking ball,” Renteria says. “He’ll be limited at the beginning, to around 65 to 70 pitches.”

Germano pitched here in 2005 before being traded. Wells, another prospect, had a tough inauguration in Triple-A last season.

Two-year Bevo Tim Stauffer, still recovering from a bicep injury, will pitch from the bullpen initially, along with potential starter Andrew Brown. The rest of the bullpen: Scott Strickland, Aaron Rakers and Royce Ring (middle relief), Justin Hampson (setup) and and Leo Rosales (closer).

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