Northwest Notes June 14, 2011

Indians announce 2011 roster

SPOKANE - The Texas Rangers assigned 30 players to Spokane to start the 2011 season, including a pair of high draft picks and a highly touted international pitching prospect.

The Indians will receive six players from the 2011 draft, highlighted by supplemental first round pick Zach Cone, an outfielder from the University of Georgia. Cone was one of the best defensive players in the draft, named to the SEC All-Defense team.

Will Lamb starred for Clemson on both the mound and at the plate in 2011, and was selected in the second round. He hit .348 as the Tigers centerfielder, but is expected to bring his mid-90s fastball out of the bullpen for the Indians this summer.

Additional 2011 draft picks reporting to Spokane include pitcher Kyle Hendricks (8th round), infielder Trever Adams (16th), infielder Ryan Rua (17th), and pitcher Chance Sossoman (21st).

The Indians also receive pitcher David Perez, one of the top Rangers prospects. Perez, from the Dominican Republic, posted a 1.41 ERA in the Dominican Summer League last year and walked only eight batters in 68 innings.

Outfielder Ruben Sierra Jr., the son of former major leaguer Ruben Sierra, hit .302 last season in the Arizona League for the Rangers.

Familiar faces coming back are Edwin Garcia, Juan Grullon, Chris Hanna, Carlos Melo, Brett Nicholas, Guillermo Pimental, Carson Vitale and Matt West.

Manager Tim Hulett will return for his 5th season with the Indians, who open the season on Friday, hosting Salem Keizer. Information: (509) 343-OTTO or spokaneindians.com