Brian Harper is new to managing Triple-A baseball, having been at the A-level the past five seasons. But he knows all about the challenges ahead of him as he directs the Salt Lake Bees.
"Some of the young guys are real happy to be here at this level," said Harper. "For them, this is a forward step in their careers and they are excited about being here. Other guys have spent some time in the majors and they can get frustrated because they want to get back. That's the way it always is in Triple-A."
The Bees are the top affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — a team that is pretty well stocked right now.
"We definitely have some guys that could have easily made the big league team in another organization that wasn't quite as strong," said Harper. "They just need to know that they have to perform here and when we get the call (from the Angels), they'll be ready."
The Bees, which started the season with three straight road wins before three consecutive road losses, will open the home season Friday night at Franklin Covey field against the Portland Beavers.
Salt Lake boasts the 2004 minor league player of the year in third baseman Dallas McPherson, who was expected to be an everyday player for the Angels the past season if not for injuries. The Bees also have a pair of young middle infielders who, according to Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA player projections, would outhit the current Angels starters at the major league level. They also have outstanding prospects at catcher, first base and in the outfield.
"We will be a good-hitting, aggressive team and should be fun to watch," predicted Harper.
Here's a closer look at the Bees' position players:
CATCHERS
Ryan Budde: Now in his third season in Salt Lake, the Oklahoma native will open the year as the backup. Budde, now 27, hit .230 in 58 games with the Stingers the pastseason.
Mike Napoli: A power-hitting 24-year-old prospect, Napoli led the Double-A Texas League this past season with 31 homers and 99 RBIs. He showed just as much pop in his bat in 2004, when he led his A-league in homers (29) and RBIs (118) while batting .289. He got off to a strong start in his first five games for the Bees with a homer, two doubles and a 286 average.
INFIELDERS
Eric Aybar: The switch-hitting shortstop is on the fast-track to the majors after starting his pro career with the Provo Angels in 2002. The 22-year-old Dominican Republic native hit .303 with 49 stolen bases for Double-A Arkansas last season. He opened the year on fire with the Bees, hitting .393 with 10 RBIs in Salt Lake's first six games, although he already has three fielding errors.
Howie Kendrick: Like Aybar, second baseman Kendrick is listed as one of Baseball America's Top 100 minor league prospects. The 22-year-old Floridian hit .342 for Arkansas last season and is off to an even hotter start with the Bees, hitting .462 through six games.
Dallas McPherson: The third baseman was limited to just 61 games with the Angels last season due to injury, but he hit .244 with eight homers and 26 RBIs. The 25-year-old from North Carolina had arthroscopic surgery on an impingement in his left knee that ended his season in late August. He is off to a slow start with the Bees, hitting just .167 through six games.
Kendry Morales: The first baseman is considered one of the best position playing prospects to ever come from Cuba to the United States. Another youngster (just 22), he hit .306 for Double-A Arkansas this past season with 17 homers and 54 RBIs in just 74 games. He is hitting only .231 through six games this year.
Adam Packovich: The middle-infielder played in 106 games for the Stingers the past season but may be hard pressed to match that feat this year if Aybar and Kendrick stick around. Through the first six games this season, he had just three plate appearances. He hit .269 for Salt Lake in 2005.
Brian Specht: Now in his third season in Salt Lake after hitting .308 last season and .237 in 2004. The 25-year-old from Colorado Springs played in four of the Bees' first six games, hitting .333.
OUTFIELDERS
Nick Gorneault: The 26-year-old had a big year for the Stingers in 2005, driving in a Pacific Coast League-best 108 runs while hitting .293. He had 26 homers and 26 doubles — both team highs — for Salt Lake. Off to a slower start this year, with just two RBIs through Salt Lake's first six games.
Tommy Murphy: After a strong Double-A season in Arkansas in 2005, he made the jump to the Bees. The 26-year-old from Florida led the Texas league this past season with 11 triples while hitting .288 with 17 homers and 76 RBIs. Off to a fast start with a .333 average for the Bees.
Curtis Pride: The team's oldest player at 37 spent most of the past season with the Stingers with a stint with the parent Angels. Hit .289 for Salt Lake with 56 RBIs in 82 games. Has played in 399 major league games in stints with Montreal, Detroit, Boston, Atlanta, the Yankees and Angels.
Reggie Willits: The switch-hitting 24-year-old stole 40 bases while hitting .304 this past season in Arkansas. The Oklahoma native has struggled so far with the Bees, hitting just .188 through six games. Has gone through the minor league ranks quickly after starting a pro career with the Provo Angels in 2003.
Friday: pitchers
Home Opener
Portland Beavers at Salt Lake Bees
Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Franklin Covey Field
Radio:
1230 AM
E-mail: lojo@desnews.com