Daytona Cubs Roster is Announced

DAYTONA BEACH- The Daytona Cubs 2009 roster includes six top ten draft picks including the Cubs first round selection in the 2006 draft, Tyler Colvin. Of the 25-man roster, seven players return from last year’s championship team. Marco Mateo, who made the 40-man roster, returns to Daytona after holding right handed hitters to a .208 average last year. Mark Reed was an All-Star and batted .256 in 48 games. Drew Rundle, who arrived late to Daytona, led the entire Northwest league in slugging percentage with a .563 mark. Russ Canzler was second on the team in home runs with 12 and RBI with 59.

Tyler Colvin led the Southern league in triples, was first on the Tennessee Smokies with 80 RBI and finished second with 14 home runs. Starlin Castro, rated the seventh best prospect in the Cubs organization by Baseball America, batted .311 last year in Mesa. Jovan Rosa led the Midwest League and the entire Cubs organization with 43 doubles in 2008. Marwin Gonzalez led the Boise Cubs with 43 RBI.

Buddy Bailey returns to Daytona after managing the Tennessee Smokies in 2008. This is Bailey’s second stint with the Daytona Cubs and his fourth year in the Cubs organization. Bailey managed the Venezuelan National team to a Caribbean World Series title this past winter.

Bailey is joined by hitting coach Richie Zisk, pitching coach Tom Pratt and trainer Bob Grimes. A former Major League All-Star, Zisk returns to Daytona for his thirteenth straight season. Zisk has been involved in the Cubs organization for all but two seasons since 1987. Tom Pratt returns as the Cubs pitching coach and is in his 10th year with the organization. Bob Grimes returns for a second straight season in Daytona and this year will mark his 25th in the organization.

The Daytona Cubs will open their season against the Brevard County Manatees at Space Coast Stadium on Thursday, April 9th at 7:05 p.m. The Cubs home opener will be Friday, April 10th against the Brevard County Manatees. The gates will open at 5:05 p.m.