Lehigh Valley IronPigs possess veteran pitching, more speed

This season’s Lehigh Valley IronPigs will have a new look, especially when they take the field.

Five of the eight position players on the roster did not play in the Lehigh Valley last season.

The three position players returning are first baseman Andy Tracy, catcher Paul Hoover and right fielder John Mayberry Jr.


Tracy is coming off an All-Star year in which he hit 26 homers and had 96 RBIs, both second best in the International League. Both Hoover and Mayberry Jr. earned time with the Phillies.

Tracy, Mayberry and third baseman Cody Ransom, who started opening day for injured Yankee Alex Rodriguez last year, are expected to provide the power in the middle of the lineup.

Offensively, the IronPigs have improved their team speed with the addition of center fielder DeWayne Wise and left fielder Chris Duffy. Both have started on the major league level with the White Sox and Pirates, respectively.
“We can manufacture some runs now,” manager Dave Huppert said. “We’ve got some guys that run and steal. We don’t have to play station-to-station baseball.”
The new left side of the infield will include shortstop Brian Bocock the Giants’ opening day starter two seasons ago.

The IronPigs starting rotation, with Brian Mazone going on opening day Thursday at Syracuse, has a veteran flavor. Eight of the 14 pitchers are new to the Pigs.

“It’s exciting.” Mazzone said about the opening-day nod. “You kind of take it to the point where it’s in your hands to get this team off to a good start. I’ve made a lot of progress this off-season (in Mexico). I worked on a changeup. I’ve had a really good spring with those pitches.

“On paper we look pretty good,” he added. “Our starting staff is good; our bullpen’s got some arms. Offensively, we’ve got speed at the top, power in the middle and more speed at the bottom.”

Huppert will use a starting rotation of Mazzone, former Phillie Brandon Duckworth, Nate Bump, Joe Savery and Ryan Vogelsong. Savery will start tonight’s exhibition game against Class AA Reading at Coca-Cola Park. Ehrin Wassermann will be the closer.

“We’ve got quite of bit of experience on our pitching staff,” said Huppert, who indicated this year’s team is probably the most talented of his three in the Lehigh Valley.

Both Mazzone and Huppert said they’ve like to reward fans by getting out of the box quickly.

“I’m concerned about getting off to a good start, especially in our division. You’ve got to play pretty consistent ball from the beginning to be in the race.” Huppert said.

“We got off to a bad start that first year and the fans were still coming,” Mazzone said. “So we’re kind of excited that if we could put together a good start and get to late July or August and be in first place or right there, I think this place is going to start going nuts.”


IRONPIGS LINEUP

Probable starting lineup for opening day on Thursday at Syracuse:

C — Paul Hoover

1B — Andy Tracy

2B — Luis Maza or Wilson Valdez

SS — Brian Bocock

3B — Cody Ransom

RF — John Mayberry Jr.

CF — DeWayne Wise

LF — Chris Duffy

P — Brian Mazone

From the Express Times