Pitching a priority for Miracle
One of the first priorities for new Fort Myers Miracle manager Jeff Smith, heading into Thursday’s Florida State League season opener, was selecting a starting pitcher.
That decision turned out to be easy.
At the end of Spring Training last week, Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gard-enhire optioned left-hander Francisco Liriano to the Miracle, the Twins’ Class A affiliate.
Liriano, 24, is scheduled to make two rehab starts in the minor leagues, with the first one coming in the Miracle’s home opener at 7:05 p.m. Thursday against the Sara-sota Reds at Hammond Stad-ium.
“It was an easy decision for me,” said Smith, a native of Naples. “I did have (Jeff Manship) scheduled as the opening day starter, but he’ll now go on Friday.”
Perhaps it’s fitting at the start of a new season that there is an emphasis on pitching from the top of the organization on down.
Though Liriano is expected to join the Twins after his two rehab starts, the Miracle feature a new corps of quality pitching prospects.
Manship, 23, posted a 15-6 combined record in his time at Beloit and Fort Myers last season, and is expected to anchor the staff. Among the other starting pitchers is left-hander Tyler Robertson, who went 9-5 at Beloit last season, and 18-year-old Deolis Guerra, who was acquired from the Mets in the Johan Santana trade.
Smith said strong pitching throughout the organization has been the key to success.
“The Twins have been successful because we’ve always had starting pitching. We’ve always stressed that,” he said. “I think you have to tip your cap to our scouts, it does seem like every year when you move five up, you got five quality starters coming up.”
Smith also is rising up the ranks as a manager. He takes over the Miracle as they begin their 17th season, replacing Kevin Boles.
Smith played for his father, Tom Smith, at Naples High and had a long stint as a minor league player from 1996 to 2004 before a major knee injury forced him to retire. He is the first person to play for the Miracle and then manage the team.
He guided the Beloit Snappers, the Twins’ low Class A affiliate, to a 153-125 record and two playoff appearances the past two seasons.
“I think one thing you’ll see is an aggressive style of play,” Smith said, “and hopefully we can get these guys up to New Britain and on from there to Minnesota in the next few years.”
Twelve players who passed through the Miracle last season have moved up to either the Double-A or Triple-A level. one of the more notable players lost is Erik Lis, who had 18 home runs and a Florida State League-best 97 RBI last season.
The Miracle, though, return a significant portion of position players from a team that went 40-30 in the second half of last season, finishing four games back in the West Division.
Third baseman Danny Valencia, who was drafted out of the University of Miami in 2006, is expected to be one of the Miracle’s top power threats. He batted .297 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI last season, splitting time between Beloit and Fort Myers.
Brian Dinkelman, who contributed to the Miracle’s second-half surge last season, said the team can use that experience as they begin a new year.
“I think it’s a good experience for the guys coming back this year to help the new guys out,” he said. “I’m excited to get started.”
Though the Miracle open their season Thursday night at Hammond, their traditional opening night festivities are Friday.
The Miracle is teaming up with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to raise money for the family of Lt. Mark Niedermeyer, a 14-year veteran of the sheriff’s department who collapsed during a charity football game March 21 and died.
The Miracle players and coaches will wear official Lee County Sheriff’s baseball caps for the game against the Reds. The hats will be autographed and auctioned off with all proceeds going directly to Niedermeyer’s family. He is survived by his wife and three children.
“Mark was an unsung hero in our community,” said Sgt. Jimmy Magas, who worked with Niedermeyer and was the coach of the football team. “He was the ideal father and a great overall person. With this dedication, it gives an opportunity for the community to give back to the Niedermeyer family.”
Manager Jeff Smith, who has two sons, said the Miracle are glad to take part in this event to honor Niedermeyer.
“When (general manager Steve Gliner) came to me and asked if the players would mind, it wasn’t even a question,” Smith said. “We’ll wear those hats with a lot of pride.”
Dunkin’ Donuts is offering fans a free general admission ticket to Friday’s game. Tickets are available at all area Dunkin’ Donuts locations.
The first pitch for Friday’s game against Sarasota is 7:05 p.m. with the first fireworks display of the season following the game.
Fort Myers Miracle 2008 Roster
Manager: Jeff Smith
Pitching coach: Eric Rasmussen
Hitting coach: Jim Dwyer
Trainer: Larry Bennese
Pitchers: Alex Burnett, x-Aaron Craig, Rob Delaney, Cole Devries, Matt Fox, Deolis Guerra, y-Francisco Liriano, Jose Lugo, Jeff Manship, Tyler Robertson, Anthony Slama, Danny Vais, x-Kyle Waldrop
Catchers: Allan de San Miguel, Rodolfo Palacios, Wilson Ramos
Infielders: Danny Berg, Brian Dinkelman, Toby Gardenhire, Yancarlos Ortiz, Whit Robbins, Danny Valencia, Johnny Woodard
Outfielders: Edward Ovalle, Juan Portes, Danny Santiesteban, Rene Tosoni
x-Disabled list y-Rehab