SHOREBIRDS BREAK CAMP READY FOR 2010 SEASON

Orioles 1st Round Pick Matt Hobgood Headlines New Crop

Salisbury, MD – In conjunction with the Baltimore Orioles, the Delmarva Shorebirds are excited to release the “Break Camp Roster” for the 2010 season. The 15th Anniversary edition of the Shorebirds will feature five players ranked among the “Top 30 Prospects” according to Baseball America. The roster also features seven players that suited up for the Shorebirds last season.

Headlining the pitching staff this season will be Orioles first round selection in 2009 (fifth overall) Matt Hobgood. The Norco, California native went 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA last season for the Bluefield Orioles. Baseball America has tabbed him as the fifth best prospect in the Orioles farm system.

The lone Shorebirds returning starter is southpaw Nathan Moreau. The former University of Georgia star went 5-3 with a 3.61 ERA for the Shorebirds in 20 starts a year ago.

The two other high profile pitchers are Jake Cowan and Ryan Berry. Cowan is the 23rd best prospect in the Orioles system, while Berry is the 24th best prospect in the chain according to Baseball America. Cowan was selected in the 10th round of the 2009 draft, while Berry was the Orioles ninth round pick last year. Berry played his college baseball for perennial powerhouse Rice. He went 7-2 with a 2.42 ERA in 11 starts for the Owls last season.

The rest of the pitching staff includes: Jesse Beal, James Brandhorst, Bobby Bundy, Tony Butler, Josh Dowdy, Nick Haughian, Randy Henry, Ryan Palsha and Jake Smith.

Three catchers will patrol the plate this year. Michael Ohlman was the Orioles 11th round selection in 2009. Baseball America tabbed him as the 15th best prospect in the system. Justin Dalles was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 draft. The former South Carolina Gamecocks star was a Second Team All-SEC selection in 2009. The third catcher is Justin Stifler, who was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2009 out of Towson University.

The lone returning position player this year is Tyler Kolodny. The Woodland Hills, California native hit .226 in 107 games for the ‘Birds last season. He is expected to be the everyday first baseman this year.

The highest rated position player prospect is shortstop Garabez Rosa, who played in 11 games for the ‘Birds last season. Rosa is the 27th best prospect in the Orioles system according to Baseball America. He hit .218 with six home runs and 25 RBIs in 64 games for the Aberdeen Ironbirds last year.

The rest of the infielders are Levi Carolus, Gary Helmick, Tyler Kelly, Mike Mooney and Tyler Stampone.

The Shorebirds outfield will be anchored by Steve Bumbry, son of former Orioles great Al Bumbry. The younger Bumbry was selected in the 12th round of last year’s draft. He hit .234 for the Aberdeen Ironbirds.

The only returning outfielder is Brian Conley, who played in 29 games last season. The Gaithersburg, Maryland product and Towson University star spent time in Aberdeen, Delmarva and Bowie last year.

Mike Planeta and T.J. Baxter will also roam the Shorebirds outfield in 2010.

First year manager and former Shorebirds great Ryan Minor will guide the Shorebirds in 2010. The new pitching coach is Troy Mattes, who played for the Shorebirds in 1996. The new hitting coach is Mike Devereaux, who spent seven years as an outfielder for the Orioles.

The Shorebirds begin the 15th Anniversary season on the road on April 8th against the Greenville Drive. The team returns to Perdue Stadium for the home opener on April 16th at 7:05 p.m. against the Hagerstown Suns.