After months as the only ones who hadn’t, Chatham and Harwich have released their rosters. It looks like Harwich did it yesterday, while the Anglers posted theirs today. I’ll get into much more detail when I get to their early looks. For now:
We’ve got four returnees from Chatham — Matt Harvey, Jacob Thompson, Kevin Scanlan and Addison Johnson, who played in ’07. Johnson missed all of last season at Clemson and has struggled this year, so he’ll be trying to work his way back into form. Scanlan only saw limited action.
The roster also includes five Cape Leaguers who players for other teams last year: Vanderbilt closer Russell Brewer (Hyannis ’08), UNC’s Patrick Johnson (Harwich ’08), South Carolina’s Whit Merrifield (Y-D ’08), Clemson’s Jeff Schaus (Cotuit ’08) and Baylor’s Shawn Tolleson (Y-D ’08). I don’t recall a team ever having that many players from other Cape League squads.
Some other names of note: Southern Cal freshman Ricky Oropesa, who’s hitting .318 with 12 home runs and Baylor freshman Logan Verrett, who has 60 strikeouts in 52 innings.
As for the Mariners, they’ll have two returnees from their championship squad — Notre Dame pitcher Brian Dupra and LSU shortstop D.J. LeMahieu. Keep in mind that LeMahieu is a draft-eligible sophomore who could go in the top two or three rounds. Harwich has two players from other teams: Alabama’s Ross Wilson (Bourne ’08) and North Carolina’s Nate Striz (Falmouth ’08).
Middle Tennessee State’s Bryce Brentz, who’s having an astounding season (.485, 27 home runs), is on the roster but has also been invited to Team USA. North Carolina’s Levi Michael and Virginia’s Phil Gosselin and Dan Grovatt have had great years in the ACC. LSU’s Leon Landry and Auburn’s Trent Mummey have been great in the SEC. Those guys alone should give Harwich a really strong offense.
The pitching staff features Fullerton ace Daniel Renken, who’s got a 2.42 ERA.
RELATED POSTS
Twelve games into the season, someone finally got the best of the Bourne Braves. Cotuit shut out the Braves 2-0 on Monday night at Doran Park, handing the hosts their first loss of the s...
Zach Neto and Spencer Jones It’s always fun to look back at Cape League championship teams for perspective on how much talent they had. The draft provides an annual opportunity to do so, and a...
I’m pretty sure you can add Tom Belza to your list of players leaving teams to play in Chatham. He was in Y-D last summer.
You’re right. I knew I recognized his name.