Published April 06, 2004
Lugs left to patch key roster losses

The Lansing Lugnuts must overcome key losses if they hope to repeat as Midwest League champions.

The Lugnuts arrived at Oldsmobile Park on Monday with several familiar faces, including nine from its final title roster. But pitcher Andy Sisco and center fielder Felix Pie weren't among them.

Sisco and Pie, rated by Baseball America as the Chicago Cubs' No. 4 and 5 overall prospects, respectively, were promoted to the Single A Daytona Cubs.

Manager Julio Garcia said neither will be replaced easily. The bulk of last season's team should compensate "but it's nice to have some guys who are familiar with the league," Garcia said.

In all, 13 of the 2004 Lugnuts have experience playing for Lansing.

Six of the returners are pitchers, easing the loss of Sisco. Last season's staff ranked second in the league with a 3.12 team earned run average, but no individual Lugnut was in the top 10.

This season's most promising pitcher is Sean Marshall, who joined Lansing just before its playoff run.

Replacing Pie isn't as promising, as the Cubs promoted Lansing's entire outfield. But Ryan Fitzgerald, who batted .381 last season for the Cubs rookie league team in Mesa, Ariz., will get the job.

Carlos Rojas, the projected starting shortstop, also spent all of last season in Mesa, hitting .235.

Returning first baseman Brian Dopirak and catcher Jake Fox both displayed solid hitting with power after joining Lansing late in 2003.

"We're going to have a pretty good staff. It's just a matter of whether we'll be able to score enough runs for them," Fox said. "But I think (the returning experience) should help us get off to a good start."Opening day