This Blog is about the Sports History of Scranton, Pa. Also current minor league baseball team: The SWB Railriders!

Scranton Wilkes Barre Railriders 2013

The season for the SWB Railriders begins April 4th. The Manager will be Dave Miley and the coaching staff wil be the same as last year. former Yankees and Twins catcher Butch Wynegar will be the hitting coach. Scott Aldred will be the pitching coach. Frank Menechino will be an additional bench ocach. Miley has a stellar record with the Yankees. Mile’s Yankees won the Govenor’s Cup in 2008 and last year won the manager of the year, impressive because the Yankees has no real home field. Miley also won the award in 2007. Miley has posted a 1,973-1,610 record (.551 winning percentage). He managed the Reds for parts of three seasons.
Catchers
There is no roster set yet for the 2013 Railriders. Lot of things can and will happen in the months leading up to opening day. The Yankees decision to not resign Russell Martin has opened up some opportunities for younger players. Maybe Catcher, Gary Sanchez will be in Scranton but the more likely stop for him is AA Trenton. Sanchez is listed by BaseballAmerica.com as the Yankees #3 prospect. Austin Romine has a better shot at making the majors this year as a catcher. He is on the Yankees’ 40 man roster. Injuries slowed his 2012 season. If the Yankees sign or trade for a catcher look for Romine in Scranton.

Outfielders
Melky Mesa should benefit from starting the year in Scranton. He hit 9 HRs in 33 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but his low avg. and OBS shows he could use a lot of AAA at bats. He also could get hot and make a good 4th outfielder, he has all the skills. At 25 years old, Mesa needs to get a shot soon. Zoilo Almonte is 23 years old and spent last season in Trenton, he could be a fixture in Scranton next year. Almonte is a switch-hitting outfielder. He hit.277 last year in Trenton, while hitting 21 home runs and knocking in 70 runs. Zolio had 10 assists last year but had 11 errors. Russ Canzler was picked up from the Indians. He is 26 years old and played in 26 games last seasons for Cleveland. He could make the big league roster or he could be a fan favorite in Scranton. Russ is from Hazelton and NEPA loves home grown talent. Russ was also the International League’s MVP in 2011 while playing for Durham, Tampa’s AAA franchise. The Big Yankees also signed Matt Diaz. Could make it harder for a youngster to get time. Ramon Flores is on the active NY Yankee roster and could spend some time in Scranton if he does well in AA Trenton.

Infielders
Other than Corban Joseph, I don’t really know who will be in Scranton. Luke Martin and Jayson Nix are listed on the Railriders roster but that could change between now and April. Reegie Corona may spend some time here. According to the Scranton Times, Reegie has been re-signed by the Yankees after suffering a major injury.

Pitchers
Picher Adam Warren has a chance to make the big club, he pitched well for Scranton last year, he eats innings something the big club can use. He got his first experience in New York in 2012. David Phelps is another pitcher who may make the Bigs. He had some success in 2012. Dellin Betances seems like a long shot after being demoted to Trenton last year.