A total of 117 players who have worn or coached in a Boise Hawks uniform are currently associated with an affiliated baseball team in 2012.  A total of 24 players are at the Major League level.

Click on the following link to view the list. (Alumni Report)

Extended Spring Training has begun in Mesa, and thanks to ‘The Cub Reporter’s” correspondent, Arizona Phil, fans have been able to keep up with what the possible Boise Hawks (and Mesa Cubs)  are doing in the desert (through his unofficial box scores).

The squad opened with a 4-2 record during the first week of Extended, which included a pair of appearances by former Hawk, Rob Whitenack (’09) – who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.  The righty (pictured left) allowed three hits and struck out four in three innings of work.  Two other former Hawks – Sheldon McDonald (’11) and Charles Thomas (’11) had good outings – McDonald throwing five innings (over two appearances), allowing three hits and fanning 11, while Thomas allowed a hit and a run in a scoreless inning.

At the plate, both Javier Baez (’11) and Dan Vogelbach have impressed – Baez 5-for-10 with two triples, two homers and seven RBI, with Vogelbach going 3-for-12 with a double, homer, and four RBI.  2011 draft pick Danny Lockhart is 5-for-11 with a pair of doubles, while a pair of young Latin players have impressed – Jemier Candelario (6-for-13 with three doubles) and 2011 Arizona League all-star Gioskar Amaya (4-for-9, 3 BB)

Two players have been promoted from Extended – Oliver Zapata (’11) has been promoted to Peoria (as Reggie Golden is on the 7-Day DL), with Joe Zeller (‘10/’11) promoted to Daytona.

Roster Notes – at the Class A level, a total of 13 players are with the Daytona Cubs, the only former Hawks at the Advanced-A level.  The group includes Eduardo Figueroa (‘09/’10), Eric Jokisch (’10), Austin Kirk (‘08/’09), Matt Loosen (’10), Larry Suarez (‘09/’10), Joe Zeller (‘10/’11), Tony Zych (’11) (pictured right), Chad Noble (‘10/’11), Arismendy Alcantara (’10), Dustin Harrington (‘10/’11), Richard Jones (‘09/’10), Greg Rohan (’09), and Matt Szczur (’10).

At the Low-A level, all 19 former Hawks are with the Peoria Chiefs, including Kyler Burke (’07/’08/’11), Willengton Cruz (’11), Michael Jensen (’11), Luis Liria (’11), Andrew McKirahan (’11), Austin Reed (’11), Jose Rosario (’11), Bryce Shafer (’11), Yao-Lin Wang (‘10/’11), Ben Wells (’11), Rafael Lopez (’11), Ryan Cuneo (‘10/’11), Wes Darvill (‘10/’11), Zeke DeVoss (’11) (pictured left), Paul Hoilman (’11), Brad Zepenas (’11), Pin-Chieh Chen (‘10/’11), Reggie Golden (’11), Oliver Zapata (’11). Along with them is Kenny Socorro (’11) – who is serving as a player-coach for the Chiefs, currently on the 7-Day DL  and acting as first-base coach.

As the first weekend of the regular season has finished – a few things to recap for former Boise Hawks.

Congratulations to Ryan Flaherty (’08), who made his MLB debut on Saturday for the Baltimore Orioles (as a defensive replacement at third-base), becoming the 92nd former Hawk to play in the Big Leagues.

Sunday was a big day for Jeff Samardzija (’06 – pictured left), who tossed eight and two-third innings to help the Cubs to a 4-3 win over Washington, striking out eight.  Josh Harrison (’08 – pictured below) entered the game as a pinch-runner in the ninth, scoring the game-winning run on an Andrew McCutchen RBI single for the Pirates in a Sunday walk-off win over the Phillies.  Brett Jackson (’09) was also in the act at AAA, tripling in the winning run in the 10th of an Iowa win over Round Rock.

Today also was a downer for many former Hawks, as Baseball America released the latest transaction report – which included nine players who wore Boise uniforms – Hector Mayora (’11), Juan Serrano (’10), Cam Greathouse (’10/’11), Marquez Smith (’07), and Matt Camp (’06) by the Cubs, Felix Pie (’02) by the Indians, Andy Sisco (’02) and Ryan Acosta (’07) by the Dodgers, and Josh Lansford (’06/’09) by the Athletics.

On the flip side, 21 former Boise Hawks are currently on AA rosters – 17 with the Tennessee Smokies, the Cubs’ Southern League affiliate, inclduing Jeff Antigua (’09), Dallas Beeler (’10), Alberto Cabrera (’07), Marcus Hatley (’08/’10), Trey McNutt (’09), Brooks Raley (’10), Dae-Eun Rhee (’10), Ryan Searle (’09), Joe Zeller (’10/11), Michael Brenly (’08), Justin Bour (’10), Matt Cerda (’09), Jonathan Mota (’05), Rebel Ridling (’08), Elliot Soto (’09), Logan Watkins (’09), and Jae-Hoon Ha (’09).  Others at AA include Jesus Valdez (’05) in Harrisburg, Aaron Kurcz (’10) in Portland, Erik Hamren (’08) in San Antonio, and Hak-Ju Lee (’09) in Montgomery.

Opening Day has come and gone, including the Major League Debut of former Boise Hawk, Marwin Gonzalez, who went 0-for-3 as the starting shortstop for the Houston Astros.  Gonzalez, who had 43 RBI for the Hawks in 2008, became the 91st former Boise Hawk to play in the Big Leagues.

Also, Sean Marshall (pictured right) tossed a scoreless inning in the Reds victory over Miami – as the lefty, who pitched for Boise in 2003, is serving as Cincinnati’s closer.

The minor league season started on Thursday – with 22 former Boise Hawks starting the season at the AAA level, including Josh Vitters (’08) and Blake Lalli (’07), making their debuts for the Iowa Cubs.

Other AAA players in Iowa include Randy Wells (’02), Welington Castillo (’06), Alfredo Amezaga (’99), Tony Campana (’08), Jay Jackson (’08), Ty Wright (’07), Casey Coleman (’08), Brett Jackson (’09), Blake Parker (’07), and Chris Rusin (’09).  Other players at AAA include Mark Reed (’05) in Reno, Donnie Veal (’05) in Charlotte, Russ Canzler (’06) in Columbus, Brandon Guyer (’07) in Durham, Lou Montanez (’04) in Lehigh Valley, Tony Thomas (’07) in Pawtucket, Mitch Atkins (’05) in Syracuse, Darin Downs (’04/’05/’06) in Toldeo, and Dontrelle Willis (’01) in Norfolk.

A total of 20 (or 21) former Boise Hawks will be on MLB Opening Day rosters as the 2012 season opened tonight (not including the Seattle-Oakland series in Japan).

Included in the group are a pair of former teammates from the 2008 season who are poised to become the 91st and 92nd former Hawks to play in the Big Leagues.  Ryan Flaherty (pictured right) and Marwin Gonzalez (pictured below left) were the double play tandem on the ’08 team – as Gonzalez led the club in RBI, while Flaherty, a supplemental first-round pick, had seven home runs.  Both were Rule 5 draft picks this season – Flaherty landing with the Baltimore Orioles, with Gonzalez with the Houston Astros.

Four former Hawks will start the season on the disabled list – as Chris Carpenter, John Lackey, and Rich Hill are on the DL with the Boston Red Sox (Carpenter about to have surgery for an elbow issue – something he had issues with in college, while Lackey and Hill are coming back from Tommy John surgery and is expected back around the all-star break), and Al Alburquerque is on the DL with the Detroit Tigers (coming back from Tommy John surgery).

The 21st Hawk on the list is Tony Campana – who is officially on the Iowa Cubs roster, but is in Chicago, waiting to see if first-baseman (and former Everett Aquasox player) Bryan LaHair goes on the disabled list, and will be activated if the slugger is sent to the DL.

The Hawks in the Big Leagues – Ryan Flaherty (’08) – BAL; John Lackey (’99), Rich Hill (’02/’03), Chris Carpenter (’08) – BOS; Clay Rapada (’02/’03) – NYY; Joel Peralta (’00) – TB; Al Alburquerque (’07) – DET; Jerry Blevins (’04/’06), Josh Donaldson (’07) – OAK; Andrew Cashner (’08) – SD; Tyler Colvin (’06) – COL; Ronny Cedeno (’02) – NYM; Ricky Nolasco (’02) – MIA; Josh Harrison (’08) – PIT; Sean Marshall (’03) – CIN; Francisco Rodriguez (’99) – MIL; Marwin Gonzalez (’08) – HOU; Jeff Samardzija (’06), Steve Clevenger (’06/’07), Geovany Soto (’02), Tony Campana (’08) – CHC.

Look for an in-depth look at the former Hawks still in the minor league system in the coming days, once the minor league rosters are officially posted and set.

Last week marked the opening of Spring Training for the over 150 minor leaguers in the Cubs farm system – as players begin to battle for spots up and down the ladder.

With 11 former Hawks (now down to nine as two players have been sent back to minor league camp) on the Non-Roster Invitee list, the battles over the next four weeks will determine the rosters for Iowa, Tennessee, Daytona, and Peoria; which players will remain in Arizona for Extended Spring Training, and which players will be released.

Some interesting positional spots are up for grabs – including who will be the #1 catcher at Iowa, considering both Welington Castillo and Steve Clevenger are on the 40-man, both are up at MLB camp, and both doing well in their chase to be Geovany Soto’s back-up.  Michael Brenly should be the everyday backstop in Tennessee, with Micah Gibbs getting promoted to Daytona.

The first-base spot will be interesting, as both Rebel Ridling (who played some outfield as well at Tennessee) and Justin Bour had outstanding years at the AA and Advanced-A level.  Much of it may be predicated on Josh Vitters, who has been playing some first base and may land there at Iowa this season.  The battle for Daytona-Peoria will be between Ryan Cuneo, Richard Jones, and Paul Hoilman – all coming off solid 2011 seasons (with the wild card being #2 draft pick, Dan Vogelbach).

Up the middle, one would think that Junior Lake (skipped over Boise) would jump to AAA and play short, depending on what happens with Bobby Scales, Edgar Gonzalez, or many of the NRI’s the Cubs signed.  Elliot Soto would also factor in the mix, as many believe he is the best fielding shortstop in the chain.  I would expect Logan Watkins to get the promotion to Tennessee, as he has improved his game each year, having a monster second half last season at Daytona.

Third base seems to be the weakest position in the organization (unless Vitters remains at the hot corner).  Marquez Smith will most likely be the everyday 3B at Iowa (thinking that Vitters is moving to 1B), while no true 3B remains in the organization – Greg Rohan, Matt Cerda, Dustin Harrington, Arismendy Alcantara have all played there in the past.

Brett Jackson and Matt Szczur look to form a pretty formidable tandem in the outfield – most likely in Iowa this year (that is if they don’t make the big league roster).  Jae-Hoon Ha, still a youngster, will probably return to Tennessee, where he had a good season.  I like the former Hawks further down the ladder – Pin-Chieh Chen and Reggie Golden will make a great tandem in Peoria, while Oliver Zapata will probably return to Boise – a guy will a ton of upside.

WAIVER WIRE: Some comings and goings over the off-season – as the Cubs cut ties with six former Hawks (so far, the number will definitely grow) – pitchers Manolin DeLeon, Marcos Perez, and Jean Sandoval, catcher Carlos Romero, infielder Brandon May, and outfielder Jesus Morelli.

As the Cactus League and Grapefruit Leagues began in earnest today (Cubs lost a 12-10 decision to Oakland – with Welington Castillo hitting a home run), a bevy of former Boise Hawks are currently in Big League camp – trying to make the 25-man rosters that will break for the opening of the 2012 season.

In all, 34 former Hawks are currently on the 40-man rosters of a Major League club, while 18 other former Hawks are in Big League camp as Non Roster Invitees – encompassing 20 of the 30 MLB teams.

Players on the 40-man roster that are with new teams include Chris Carpenter with the Red Sox (compensation for Theo Epstein), Andrew Cashner with the Padres (part of the Anthony Rizzo deal), Tyler Colvin with the Rockies (trade for Ian Stewart), and Sean Marshall in Cincinnati (trade for Travis Wood), while Ryan Flaherty (Orioles) and Marwin Gonzalez (Astros) were grabbed in the Rule 5 Draft.

Others who have signed as free agents include Donnie Veal (White Sox), Ronny Cedeno (Mets), and Dontrelle Willis (Phillies).

Former Hawks on 40-Man Rosters:  Joel Peralta (’00), Robinson Chirinos (’02), Brandon Guyer (’07) – Tampa Bay; Ryan Flaherty (’08) – Baltimore; John Lackey (’97), Rich Hill (‘02/’03), Chris Carpenter (’08) – Boston; Donnie Veal (’05) – Chicago (AL); Al Alburquerque (’06) – Detroit; Russ Canzler (’06) – Cleveland; Jerry Blevins (’04), Josh Donaldson (’07) – Oakland; Andrew Cashner (’08), Erik Hamren (’08) – San Diego; Tyler Colvin (’06) – Colorado; Marwin Gonzalez (’08) – Houston; Francisco Rodriguez (’99) – Milwaukee; Sean Marshall (’03) – Cincinnati; Josh Harrison (’08) – Pittsburgh; Ronny Cedeno (’02) – New York (NL); Dontrelle Willis (’01) – Philadelphia; Jose Ceda (’07), Ricky Nolasco (’02) – Miami; Jeff Beliveau (’08), Alberto Cabrera (’07), Casey Coleman (’08), Jeff Samardzija (’06), Randy Wells (’02), Welington Castillo (’06), Steve Clevenger (‘06/’07), Geovany Soto (’02), Josh Vitters (‘07/’08), Tony Campana (’08), Matt Szczur (’10) – Chicago (NL).

Former Hawks in Camp as Non-Roster Invitees: Lou Montanez (’04) – Philadephia; Ramon Ortiz (’95) – San Francisco; Angel Guzman (’01) – Los Angeles (NL); Felix Pie (’02) – Cleveland, Darin Downs (‘04/’05/’06) – Detroit, Clay Rapada (‘02/’03) – New York (AL); Hak-Ju Lee (’09) – Tampa Bay; Jay Jackson (’08), Trey McNutt (’09), Blake Parker (’07), Dae-Eun Rhee (’10), Chris Rusin (’09), Michael Brenly (’08), Blake Lalli (’07), Alfredo Amazega (’99), Jonathan Mota (’05), Jae Hoon Ha (’09), Brett Jackson (’09) – Chicago (NL).

The Chicago Cubs announced today their final group of Non-Roster Invitees that will be headed to Big League Camp in Mesa, beginning February 18, bringing the total to 22 former Boise Hawks.

Jay Jackson (’08), Trey McNutt (’09), Blake Parker (’07), Dae-Eun Rhee (’10), Chris Rusin (’09), Michael Brenly (’08), Blake Lalli (’07), Alfredo Amezaga (’99), Jonathan Mota (’04), Jae-Hoon Ha (’09), and Brett Jackson (’09) were selected by the Cubs as NRI’s for Big League Camp, while 11 former Hawks currently on the Cubs 40-man roster –  Jeff Beliveau (’08), Alberto Cabrera (’07), Casey Coleman (’08), Jeff Samardzija (’06), Randy Wells (’02), Welington Castillo (’06), Steve Clevenger (’06), Geovany Soto (’02), Tony Campana (’08), Josh Vitters (’08), and Matt Szczur (’10) that will head to Spring Training.

Nearly every Cubs game this Spring will be carried online via MLB.com – with Pat Hughes and Keith Moreland calling all WGN simulcast games, while Len Kasper and Hawkstown Tonight contributor Mick Gillespie calling internet-only games.

It has been three months since the Boise Hawks saw their season ended in the Northwest League East Division Championship Series in Tri-City – and it was a nice break away from the game for me, focusing on my everyday job as Sports Information Director at The College of Idaho.

But I have kept my mind on the comings and goings during that time – including the Northwest League title for the Vancouver Canadians – just a week after Boise took 4-of-5 from the Blue Jays affiliate to earn a berth in the postseason.

The Chicago Cubs have made a big splash, hiring Theo Epstein and Jared Hoyer to head the baseball operations – with the talk of going after high-profile free agents the big question mark (with Albert Pujols and Jose Reyes off the market)…though the addition of David DeJesus and Ian Stewart hopefully just a start.

In Boise, the talk of a new multi-purpose stadium is still on-going – but there is a couple other news and notes in that realm in the region.  The Yakima Bears will not be the Vancouver Bears after all – as Clark County failed to pass an entertainment tax to help pay for a proposed new ball park…there is talk that the Bears (who will play in Yakima at least through 2012) may look across the river to both Hillsboro and Milwaukie, Ore., two municipalities that have expressed interest in professional baseball.  An to our East, the Pioneer League has shifted – as the lone team in Wyoming, the Casper Ghosts, have moved to Grand Junction, Colo. – where an upgraded facility awaits.

On the former Hawk front – both Ryan Flaherty (’08) and Marwin Gonzalez (’08) have been selected at the Major League Level in the 2011 Rule V Draft – Flaherty by the Orioles and Gonzalez by the Red Sox (then traded to the Astros).  Both players must remain on the MLB roster for the entire 2012 season or else they will be returned to the Cubs.  Also today, Tyler Colvin (’06) was traded to the Colorado Rockies (along with former 2nd-r0und pick D.J. LeMahieu) – which should be an interesting new beginning for the outfielder.

On the minor league front – Lou Montanez (’04) has selected to become a free agent after splitting time between the Cubs and AAA Iowa, while Darin Downs (’04, ’05, ’06) has signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers.  Look for more roster moves throughout the next two months, leading up to Spring Training.

During that same time – I plan on giving fans an idea of who might be headed to Boise next year and a position by position update for the Cubs and their farm system.  We’ll start with the catchers, through each of the infield positions, a look at the outfield, and then the pitchers – there are a lot of former Boise Hawks that will have an opportunity to move through the organization in 2012.  However, it is unclear whether we’ll see the record number of nine players reach t0 the Big Leagues – Al Alburquerque, Tony Campana, Josh Harrison, Robinson Chirinos, Russ Canzler, Steve Clevenger, Brandon Guyer, Chris Carpenter, and Erik Hamren, during the 2011 season – with 90 former Hawks having played in MLB.

A final thought – we (the Hawks) have begun to utilitze Linkedin more and more – and have started a group called Boise Hawks Connection Marketing…we’d love for folks to join us to talk about the business side of things, just as we talk about the baseball side of things here.

With an 8-2 victory over the Vancouver Canadians on Saturday afternoon – before one of the best crowds of the entire season, the Boise Hawks clinched a berth in the Northwest League East Divisional Series – meeting the Tri-City Dust Devils in a Best-of-3 match-up.

A four-run first inning was all the Hawks needed in the win – as Jean Sandoval and the bullpen continued an outstanding run, as Boise has allowed just 12 runs in the last six games, helping the squad win 5-of-6.  Ryan Cuneo had four hits, with Reggie Golden and Rafael Lopez each adding three hits in the clincher.  Hear Reggie Golden’s eighth inning homer and the final out here (http://yotestats.i8.com/hawks/highlights9-3-11.wma).

It’s on to the postseason for the first time since the 2006 season, when Salem-Keizer defeated Boise three games to one (before the split season model was adopted).  The Hawks have not won a league pennant since the 2004 season, when they swept the Best-of-5 series with Vancouver.

In the divisional series, Tri-City will be a formidable opponent, as the Hawks have won 4-of-6 against the Dust Devils at Memorial Stadium, but have lost 5-of-6 at Gesa Stadium, though four of the five losses have been by three runs or less.  Tri-City has the best pitching staff in the league, with a team ERA at 3.07 – with Christian Bergman, Tyler Gagnon, and Ben Alsup expected to be their three-man rotation against the Hawks, the trio allowing eight runs in 26 innings this season against Boise.  The Hawks will have to keep catcher Ryan Casteel, who hit .414 with seven doubles and six RBI against Boise, and OF Brian Humphries, who had two homers and nine RBI against the squad, in check.

Jose Rosario gets the ball for the Hawks in Game 1 – having allowed just one earned run in nine-plus innings this season against the Dust Devils.  Knuckleballer Joe Zeller will get the nod at windy Gesa Stadium in Game 2, while Ben Wells, coming off his best outing of the season on Friday night, would pitch Game 3.    Top hitters for the Hawks against the Dust Devils this season have been Willson Contreras (11-for-34 with four RBI) and Ryan Cuneo (4-for-11, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI).

Game 1 is set for 6:45 p.m. at Memorial Stadium – with Hawkstown Tonight coming to you live at 6 p.m. on 1350 KTIK-AM.  Game 2 (and Game 3, if necessary) will be at 8:15 p.m. (MT), with our pregame report at 8 p.m.

Probable Pitching Matchups – Game 1: Jose Rosario (6-3 3.53 ERA) vs. Christian Bergman (7-5 2.59 ERA), 6:45 p.m.; Game 2: Joe Zeller (2-0 1.95 ERA) vs. Tyler Gagnon (4-3 2.57 ERA), 8:15 p.m. (MT); Game 3 Ben Wells (4-4 4.66 ERA) vs. Ben Alsup (3-3 3.23 ERA), 8:15 p.m. (MT)

In the Western Division, Vancouver earned the second spot in the postseason, after Everett lost their season finale at Spokane, 4-2, giving the C’s the berth with the second best overall record.  Vancouver hosts Eugene in Game 1 on Monday afternoon, with Games 2 and 3 in Eugene on Tuesday and Wednesday.

If the Hawks win the divisional set, they would either open at home Friday vs. Vancouver, or open at Eugene on Thursday night.

On another note – congratulations to our media relations intern, Laura Verillo, who will be moving on to a position with the New York Yankees…the team decided to give her a ton of props in a true baseball way – with Shaving Cream Pies after Saturday’s game…luckily, it was captured on video and you can watch it here.