After a disappointing season in 2009, the Columbus Clippers look to rebound in 2010 under new manager Mike Sarbaugh.

Sarbaugh has come up through the system winning championships with Class A Mahoning Valley, Class A Kinston (N.C.), and Class AA Akron.

“He played for six years, he’s managed for seven years, so he’s very familiar with the Indian’s organization,” said Ken Schnacke, Clippers general manager and president.

Schnacke compared Sarbaugh to Trey Hillman, former manager of the Clippers, who is now the manager of the Kansas City Royals.

“My first impression was the way that he interacts with players and his mannerisms, how well he is organized and how he carries himself on the field,” Schnacke said of Sarbaugh.

Sarbaugh inherits a Clippers team that finished off the 2009 season with a 57-85 record. Many new prospects and a strong, young pitching staff provide optimism for the 2010 season.

Injuries plagued the Cleveland Indians early-on in 2009, prompting many of the Clippers to be called up to the major leagues.

“What most fans don’t realize is that when someone is hurt or traded at the Indians level, as many as seven players’ lives are impacted during the next 24 hours as you start to move players up the chain through the farm system,” Schnacke said.

If the Indians are injury-free, there are some talented players that could help to improve the team’s 2009 record.

Starting Pitching: Carlos Carrasco, Hector Rondon, Jeanmar Gomez, Yohan Pino, Scott Lewis

“We have a lot of young arms,” Sarbaugh said. “Carlos Carrasco, Hector Rondon and Jeanmar Gomez are all in that 22- to 24-year-old range.”

Carrasco, No. 52 on Baseball America’s top 100 prospects, throws a fastball in the mid-90s, which he compliments with a changeup and curveball. He led the International League in strikeouts last year.

Gomez was the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year in 2009. He threw the first perfect game in the history of the Akron franchise on May 21, 2009 at Trenton.

Scott Lewis, former Buckeye and 2003 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, could contribute if he can overcome injuries that held him back last year.

Relief Pitching: Carlton Smith, Steve Wright, Josh Tomlin, Josh Judy, Mike Gosling, Saul Rivera, Frank Herrmann, Jess Todd

Smith, Wright, Tomlin and Judy have moved from Class AA Akron to the Clippers to start the year.

Wright went 10-0 with a 2.32 ERA for Class AA Akron in 2009.

Tomlin pitched the most innings for Class AA Akron last year, posting a 14-9 record.

Herrmann posted a 2.96 ERA in 76 innings pitched for the Clippers in 2009.

Todd has major league experience with the Indians, but was sent to the Clippers after a mediocre spring.

Rivera joined the Clippers after spending four seasons with the Washington Nationals.

Catcher: Carlos Santana

Santana, ranked No. 26 in Baseball America’s top 100 prospects, had a strong year in Class AA Akron last year, earning the Eastern League Most Valuable Player award.

In 2008, he earned Most Valuable Player in the California League.

“Santana is a switch-hitter with a very strong arm, and is great defensively behind the plate.” Sarbaugh said.

Outfield: Trevor Crowe, Jose Constanza, Chris Gimenez, Shelley Duncan, Brian Horwitz

“Trevor Crowe has done well at every stop along the way. Having him at the top of the lineup is key for us,” Sarbaugh said.

Constanza brought some speed to the Clippers. He had a productive year in Class AA Akron last year with 49 stolen bases.

“Shelley Duncan will be playing some outfield, first base and DH. Having his bat in the lineup is big for us,” Sarbaugh said.

Last season, Duncan was the Most Valuable Player of the International League with 30 home runs and 99 runs-batted-in at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Horwitz played for the San Francisco Giants last year.

Infield: Brian Buscher, Jason Donald, Brian Bixler, Luis Rodriguez, Niuman Romero, Wes Hodges

The infield prospects have some major league experience.

Buscher played sparingly for the Minnesota Twins in the past three years and should play third base for Columbus.

Bixler played several positions for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008 and 2009.

Rodriguez played the last five years in the major leagues with the Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres.

Both Bixler and Rodriguez should be utility players for the Columbus Clippers in 2010.
Donald, shortstop, was acquired in the Cliff Lee trade.

Romero returns to the Clippers where he played all four infield positions in 2009, and Hodges has made the move to first base for the 2010 season.