Published: July 16, 2008 10:52 am            

LumberKings adjusting to pitching staff changes

CLINTON — In the past two weeks, the Clinton LumberKings have seen two of their pitching aces promoted, one being young flame thrower Neftali Feliz and the other hard throwing lefty Derek Holland. Feliz was promoted to Double-A Frisco and Holland went to High-A Bakersfield.

With both aces gone, the LumberKings starting rotation has some holes to fill.

“With Holland and Feliz, that’s a part of our business is them to progress and move on. The thing is that we are going to struggle with is having guys start making spot starts here and there until everyone gets acclimated.” pitching coach Danny Clark said.

Feliz has gone 1-0 with two starts for the Rough Riders, he has given up five earned runs and has struck out nine hitters in 11 innings of work. The most impressive stat for Feliz is that he reached 101 miles per hour in his debut with the club.

“I think they’re going to keep him at Double-A, obviously we’ve had some injuries at the major league level, if he really dominates at the Double-A level he might get a September call up. They really want him to show that he can dominate Double-A hitting.”

Derek Holland made his debut with the Bakersfield Blaze Monday night. Holland got the win and struck out five hitters. He also gave up three runs in six innings while only walking two.

“They are the guys that did the work. It’s exciting from a personal stand point and see him succeed and I see Holland doing well at the High-A level and believe he’ll be at double before the year is done.”

The Rangers second pick in the 2007 MLB Draft and 24th overall was Michael Main.

Main was drafted right out of DeLand High School in DeLand, Florida and had signed a letter of intent to head to Florida State but instead signed with the Rangers. The young 19-year-old right handed pitcher was already named the sixth best player in the Rangers organization by Baseball America.

So far this season Main has experienced a rash of injuries including a broken rib cage. He has gone 1-1 with 15 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings pitched in the Arizona League.

“That’s the first time I’ve seen him pitch was up in West Michigan except for spring training where I saw some of his bullpen sessions,” said Clark. “He has great poise on the mound. The things that sets him apart from other pitchers is being a 19-year-old kid coming up in A ball you get nervous but he has a great attitude and is mature for a 19 year old.”

Main will reunite with Blake Beavan as the two were teammates on the 2006 World Junior Championship Team that won a silver medal for Team USA. Also on that same team was Neil Ramirez a supplemental first round pick by the Rangers who just might be in a LumberKing uniform before the season is over.

When Main was drafted, the big debate on him was what position he was going to play. Main hit .457 with three home runs, 22 RBI’s and swiped 24 bases during his senior season in DeLand.

“His hitting days are over. Michael is obviously a big part of this organization as far as developing him into a front line starter, unless if someday down the road we become a National League team.”

Main will make his home debut at 7 p.m. tonight against Fort Wayne.

        

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