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Affiliate: Chicago White Sox

Years in IL: 11

2002 Finish: 55-88, fourth in South (-24.5)

Manager: Nick Capra (2nd year) Career - 7 yrs. 372-392

Coaches: Curt Hasler (2nd year); Greg Walker (2nd year)

Stadium: Knights Stadium (10,000)

Probable Starters: 1B - Scott Morgan; 2B - Aaron Miles/Willie Harris; SS - Jorge Nunez; 3B - Tim Hummel; C - Miguel Oliva; DH - Mario Valenzuela; LF - Anthony Sanders; CF - Joe Borchard; RF - Cliff Brumbaugh.

Key pitchers: Starters - RH Jon Adkins, RH Jon Rauch, LH Josh Stewart, RH Brian Cooper. Relievers - LH Arnaldo Munoz, LH Dave Sanders, RH Ryan Kohlmeier, RH Edwin Almonte, RH Matt Ginter, RH Gary Majewski, LH Wade Parrish.

Top Prospects: OF Joe Borchard - Switch-hitter and former Stanford quarterback who is considered the parent Chicago White Sox' top prospect. Used mainly as a centerfielder, Borchard appeared in 117 games with the Knights last year, batting .272 with 20 home runs and 59 RBI. Needs to make better contact. Struck out 139 times in 438 plate appearances a year ago...INF Aaron Miles - Coming off MVP season in the Southern League at Birmingham. A switch-hitting second baseman, Miles batted .322 with nine home runs, 68 RBI and 25 stolen bases. He could wind up with the parent team because of his spring showing...C Miguel Olivo - One of the top throwing catchers in the minor leagues last year. Batted .306 and stole 29 bases for Double-A Birmingham last season...LHP Arnaldo Munoz - Considered a promising relief prospect despite his diminutive size at 5'9", 170 lbs. Has an outstanding curveball to go with a fastball in the 90s. Has struck out 249 batters in 202 innings of minor league ball. Was 6-0 with a 2.61 ERA at Double-A Birmingham last season.

Other Organizational Prospects: LHP Corwin Malone - Was the White Sox' top minor league pitcher two years ago. Last season, he was 10-7 with a 4.71 ERA at Birmingham and was sidelined toward the end of the season with a sore elbow...LHP Royce Ring - The White Sox' 2002 first-round pick in the first-year amateur player draft. A closer in college at San Diego State. Was 2-0 with a 3.91 ERA and five saves at Class A Winston-Salem last year.

Veterans to Watch: IF Tim Hummel - Versatile infielder who batted ..260 in 142 games with the Knights last season. Can play any of the four infield positions...OF Cliff Brumbaugh - Strong right-handed hitter who smacked 16 home runs and drove in 81 runs with Colorado Rockies' Triple-A Colorado Springs team a year ago. Signed as a free agent by the White Sox...1B/OF Scott Morgan - Appeared in 84 games with the Knights last year after being signed as a free agent. Batted .269 with nine homers and 34 RBI.

Items of Interest: Future Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. will help the Knights open the 2003 season on April 3 in the team's 2:15 p.m. home opener against Richmond. Ripken will be present to take part in the Opening Day festivities. Ripken will throw out the first pitch and fans attending the game will receive a commemorative baseball honoring Ripken. Ripken played for the Charlotte O's in parts of two seasons (1979-'80)...Nick Capra is back as the Knights' manager for the second consecutive season. Ended a 17-year professional playing career in 1995 with the Knights, then affiliated with the Florida Marlins. Capra is the first ex-Knights player to return as the team's manager.

Strengths of the Club: The bullpen could be one of the strongest in the International League. Edwin Almonte has 62 saves, including 26 with the Knights last year, in the past two seasons. Munoz and Sanders are highly-regarded prospects as relievers.

Weaknesses of the Club: There is no one glaring weakness although there will be some inexperience at some positions.

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