PORTLAND — The same cold temperatures that kept the Boston Red Sox from starting their season on Monday pushed the Portland Sea Dogs inside for a team workout on Tuesday. But even while indoors, the Red Sox’ Double-A players couldn’t escape a handful of reporters and photographers for Sea Dogs Media Day at Hadlock Field.
The Sea Dogs’ Opening Day roster includes 16 players that spent time in Portland last year, when the team finished a dismal 53-89. The returners are hoping for a better year in 2016.
“You go from first (in 2014) to worst. And we’re not afraid of that, to say that, ‘Hey, we had a rough year last year,'” said pitcher Mike McCarthy, who is starting his fourth year with the Sea Dogs.
“Last year was really tough. Losing more games than you win just makes it not fun,” infielder Jantzen Witte said. “If we have realistic expectations, I don’t think we’ll be disappointing the fans of the Sea Dogs this year.”
Witte started the year in Portland last year but ended it on the disabled list with a broken wrist. The Eastern League All-Star starter said he’s more ready for the cold April days and nights than he was a year ago.
“I didn’t have to go buy anthing new,” Witte said. “Last year I bought my ski mask, and had some beanies and a bunch of sleeves. I felt like I pretty much got everything that I already needed.”
Fellow returnee Mike Miller said he doesn’t mind the cold and even embraces the challenge.
It will be a change for new Sea Dogs mananger Carlos Febles, who like many of his players is moving up the organizational ranks from the Salem (Va.) Red Sox. Febles joked that what he is expecting of his first experience in Portland is “cold.”
Williams Jerez is returning to Portland this year, but he started last year with the Greenville (S.C.) Drive. The left-handed pitcher got a taste of the big leagues while spending part of spring training with the Red Sox, but he said he knows he’s about to get a taste of bitter cold when he takes the mound during this season’s forst month.
“Sometimes you don’t feel the feeling of the ball,” Jerez said of pitching in the cold, which he doesn’t have much experience doing. “You got to get used to it real quick. I might have to find a way to be ready in that situation.”
Jerez was added to the Red Sox’ 40-man roster this offseason, signaling to him that he’s on their radar as far as being a future major-league prospect. Jerez simply said he’s “ready” for whenever he gets a call to move up to Triple-A Pawtucket, or to Boston.
“I’m here to work. I’m going to work on everything that I need,” Jerez said. “I’m going to prepare myself really good and be ready. Because I’m ready. So we just need to play ball, that’s it.”
Miller spent part of his 2015 season in Pawtucket, and he’s itching to get back there this year.
“You’re always pushing to perform and to get to the next level. I don’t think I need any motivation to get back there,” Miller said. “I’m driven. I work hard. I want to get to the big leagues. Just got to trust the process, and have fun and let the things that happen, happen.”
Miller has helped his chances by becoming a utility-type player. A middle infielder by trade, Miller played some games at third base for the Sea Dogs last year and dabbled in center field in Pawtucket. He added some time at first base to his resume this spring training.
“I just want to be on the field playing,” Miller said. “(When) you love the game, you don’t care where you play.”
Miller will be in a Sea Dogs infield that includes newcomer Wendall Rijo. The 20-year old native of the Dominican Republic is the No. 15 prospect in the Red Sox system according to Baseball America — the highest ranking on the Sea Dogs’ Opening Day roster.
Five other Top 30 prospects will be starting in Portland — all pitchers. Jerez (No. 19) is among a group of pitchers ranked 18th to 21st, including Ty Buttrey, Teddy Stankiewicz and Kevin McEvoy. Luis Ysla is the No. 25 prospect, and also has the distinction of being the first player acquired by new Red Sox President of Baseball Operations, picking him up in a trade last summer from the San Francisco Giants’ organization.
Those newcomers will get their first exposure to the Sea Dogs’ fanbase at next Thursday’s home opener. Until then, they’ll just have to hear from the returning players about what to expect.
“They are really good fans,” Jerez said. “Last year when I was here, a lot of people came to the games. I like that. When you hear a lot of fans cheering you, that makes you happy. And that’s good motivation for you, because they all are here for us.”
“Based on what the other coaches are saying, and players, this is the place to be … other than the big leagues of course,” Febles said.
Febles said things have changed a lot since he was part of minor league media days in the Kansas City Royals organization in the mid-1990s, when it would just involve getting his picture taken and maybe talk to one TV reporter.
“I don’t remember seeing that many people asking questions,” Febles said.
Witte had Febles as a manager in Salem in 2014, and said he’s good at getting all the players focused and ready for game day. The second-year Sea Dogs infielder doesn’t need much help getting ready for this season to start.
“I’m hoping the weather will warm up a little bit, but if it doesn’t, who cares?” Witte said. “I just hope we get a good fan turnout.”
wkramlich@sunjournal.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
