2013 River Cats at a glance

Here's a rundown of key facets of the 2013 River Cats as they prepare to begin the season.

THE PARTICULARS

• 2012: 86-58, won Pacific Coast League South Division

• Manager: Steve Scarsone (first season; six minor-league seasons, 410 victories)

• Arrivals: C David Freitas, C Luke Montz, RHP Mike Ekstrom, RHP Brian Gordon, LHP Hideki Okajima, RHP Dan Otero, LHP Justin Thomas, LHP Andrew Werner, IF Scott Moore, IF Andy Parrino, OF Michael Choice, OF Conner Crumbliss

• Departures: RHP Graham Godfrey, LHP Fabio Castro, RHP Fautino De Los Santos, RHP Arnold Leon, RHP Jim Miller, RHP Tyson Ross, RHP Justin Souza, RHP Rich

Thompson, LHP Erick Threets, RHP Merkin Valdez, RHP Neil Wagner, IF Daric Barton, IF Chris Carter, OF Collin Cowgill, IF Josh Donaldson, IF Brandon Hicks, IF Luke Hughes, IF Kila Ka'aihue, OF Jermaine Mitchell, OF Brandon Moss, C Derek Norris, IF Stephen Parker,

C Anthony Recker, IF Adam Rosales

PROJECTED LINEUP

• Jemile Weeks, DH (.221, 20 RBIs, 50 walks, 16 steals in 118 games with A's in 2012)

• Andy Parrino, SS (.207, six RBIs, 17 walks in 55 games with the Padres)

• Grant Green, 2B (.296, 15 HRs, 75 RBIs, 13 steals in 125 games with River Cats)

• Shane Peterson, LF (.389, seven HRs, 23 RBIs in 38 games with River Cats)

• Michael Taylor, RF (.287, 12 HRs, 31 doubles, 67 RBIs in 120 games with River Cats)

• Michael Choice, CF (.287, 10 HRs, 15 doubles, 58 RBIs in 91 games with Double-A Midland)

• Scott Moore, 3B (.259, nine HRs, 11 doubles, 26 RBIs in 72 games with Astros)

• Luke Montz, 1B (.222, 29 HRs, 14 doubles, 74 RBIs in 123 games with Triple-A New Orleans)

• David Freitas, C (.333, two HRs, six doubles, 11 RBIs in 20 games with Double-A Midland)

PROJECTED ROTATION

• Bruce Billings, RHP (7-6, 3.98 ERA in 25 starts with River Cats)

• Sonny Gray, RHP (6-9, 4.14 ERA in 26 starts with Double-A Midland)

• Jesse Chavez, RHP (1-1, 8.44 ERA in nine games with Blue Jays; 8-5, 3.98 ERA in 19 games with Triple-A Las Vegas)

• Andrew Werner, LHP (2-3, 5.58 ERA in eight starts with the Padres)

• Justin Thomas, LHP (2-1, 3.45 ERA in 30 games with Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre)

KEY RELIEVERS

• Travis Banwart, RHP (9-5, 3.85 ERA in 32 games with River Cats)

• Pedro Figueroa, LHP (0-0, 3.32 ERA in 19 games with A's; 0-2, 2.62 ERA in 32 games with River Cats)

• Jordan Norberto, LHP (4-1, 2.77 ERA in 39 games with A's)

HOT SPOT

This hot spot doubles as a golden opportunity for catcher David Freitas (Elk Grove High School, Cosumnes River College), who grew up watching the A's and attending River Cats games. He was acquired by Oakland from Washington for catcher Kurt Suzuki and will work with a veteran staff that includes returnees Banwart and Billings. He and Luke Montz are the only catchers on the roster. Montz also can play first base and offers power.

BOTTOM LINE

Billings and Banwart return with the most wins and innings of anyone on the staff, a group that also includes Werner and Chavez, who both have won in the major leagues. The River Cats have five first-round picks on the roster: pitcher James Simmons, Weeks, Green, Choice and Gray. Of all the talented teams the River Cats have fielded, this could be the most star-studded. Scarsone said the River Cats' top players "don't want to be here long. They want to move up."

• Read more articles by Joe Davidson

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