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Affiliate: Boston Red Sox
Years in IL: 31
2002 Finish: 60-84, fifth in North (-31.0)
Manager: Buddy Bailey (6th year) Career - 15 yrs. 1,012-951
Coaches: Mike Griffin (1st year); U.L. Washington (1st year)
Stadium: McCoy Stadium (10,031)
Probable Starters: 1B - Julio Zuleta; 2B - Angel Santos/James Lofton;3B - Earl Snyder/Donny Leon; SS - Freddy Sanchez; C - Chris Coste; DH - Donny Leon; LF - Andy Abad; CF - Cesar Crespo; RF - Lou Collier
Key Pitchers: Starters - RH Steve Woodard, RH Brandon Lyon, RH Paul Stewart, RH Ryan Rupe, LH Chris Elmore. Relievers - RH Justin Kaye, RH Hansel Izquierdo, RH Kris Foster, LH Kevin Tolar, RH Tom Davey, RH Andy Shibilo.Top Prospects: SS Freddy Sanchez - An Eastern League All-Star with Double-A Trenton, with whom he hit .328, was promoted to Pawtucket in mid-July and hit .300 with the PawSox. Earned September call-up to Boston and saw little action. One of top prospects in organization (ranked #4 in system by Baseball America)...2B Angel Santos - Hit .260 with 10 homers and 50 RBI for Pawtucket before strained MCL ended his season in August. Turns double play as well as anyone.
Other Organizational Prospects: 3B Kevin Youkilis - Highly regarded 3B may start season in Double-A but could be with PawSox by mid-season. Hit .310 for three clubs in 2002 - his first full professional season...SS Hanley Ramirez - Seen as perhaps the best young prospect in the organization (#1 according to BA); doubtful he'll be with PawSox before 2004, however. Hit .352 for Boston's Gulf Coast and NY-Penn League affiliates in 2002.
Veterans to Watch: 1B Julio Zuleta - Three-time minor league All-Star (including 2000 Triple-A All-Star Game) spent 11 seasons in Cubs' system, hit .293, 31 HR in 103 games for Triple-A Iowa last year. Has looked very strong in big league camp and could be up in Boston at some point this year...RHP Paul Stewart - Went 12-4 with 2.29 ERA in final 22 starts with Double-A Huntsville last year, wound up going 12-9 with 3.28 ERA. Just 24, he's still a prospect...OF Andy Abad - 30-year-old outfielder returns to PawSox after spending previous three seasons in Japan, Triple-A Sacramento and Triple-A Calgary. Was a popular player with PawSox from 1997-99, when he hit a combined .295, and will be a clubhouse leader.
Items of Interest: Former major leaguers Mike Griffin (Yankees, Cubs, Padres, Orioles, Reds) and U.L. Washington (Royals, Expos, Pirates) take over as pitching coach and hitting coach, respectively...This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pawtucket's first season in Triple-A, a season in which it won the Junior World Series led by Cecil Cooper, Rick Burleson, Juan Beniquez, Lynn McGlothen, Dick Pole and other future big-league stars...The PawSox will host 2004 Triple-A All-Star Game...Manager Buddy Bailey won his 1,000th career game last year. With 346 career wins, he ranks 2nd among all-time franchise skippers.
Strengths of the Club: Middle infield - Sanchez and Santos two of the top young players in organization...Power - Zuleta, Earl Snyder, Andy Abad, perhaps some others provide plenty of pop...Veteran pitching - Most of starting rotation has major league experience.
Weaknesses of the Club: Team speed, bullpen.
