Eastern Division capsule
By Steve Batterson 

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Ten players return at Battle Creek, which also features the Yankees' top two picks in the 2003 draft, third baseman Eric Duncan and outfielder Estee Harris. Former Quad-City manager Mitch Seoane returns for his second season as the team's manager. . Dayton's roster includes outfielder Chris Dickerson, a cousin of former football star Eric Dickerson, and highly regarded catcher Miguel Perez, a .339 hitter last season for the Reds' short-season affiliate at Billings. . Left-handed pitcher Daniel Moore and infielder Colt Morton, the Padres' second- and third-round picks a year ago, join Fernando Valenzuela Jr. on the Fort Wayne roster. . At Lansing, 13 players return from a Cubs affiliate that won the Midwest League pennant a year ago. Ronald Bay and Sean Marshall are the most highly regarded pitchers, while outfielder Ryan Fitzgerald, a .381 hitter at Mesa last season, joins Brian Dopirak and Andrew Larsen as the top offensive prospects. . South Bend's roster includes six returning players, including outfielder Jeff Cook, who hit .279 for the Diamondbacks affiliate last season. Infielders Tila Reynolds and Dan Firlit and outfielder Lino Garcia also are back for the Silver Hawks. . At West Michigan, third baseman Kody Kirkland, shortstop Tony Giarratano and closer Eulogio De la Cruz are the Whitecaps' top prospects. Kirkland and Giarratano both batted over .300 last year in the New York-Penn League.
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- Steve Batterson