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Sunday, May 26, 2002

By Pohla Smith, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

The Washington Wild Things have a youngster writing his own version of "The Rookie" -- Joe Cuervo, who last played ball in 2001 at Seton Hall University.

	Dick White of Washington Federal Savings dons the home uniform, Jared Howton the batting uniform, and Allen Clay the away uniform. (Robert J. Pavuchak, Post-Gazette)

"[He's] hitting the ball better than anybody," Manager Jeff Isom said of this second baseman/outfielder halfway through the Frontier League team's spring training. "He's like eight or nine out of 10 at-bats in the simulated games, some doubles, homers. If everyone was hitting like him, we'd be sitting pretty."

Hitting has been Cuervo's forte for some time.

When this right-handed-hitting New Jersey native (his family now lives in Nevillewood) finished the 2001 season, he was among Seton Hall's top 10 one-season school leaders for hits (ninth), doubles (tied for fifth) and total bases (eighth). Cuervo, a 5-foot-8 185-pounder, also was named second-team All-Big East for the second year in a row.

Unfortunately for the Wild Things, Isom said, Cuervo was pretty much in a league of his own during the two-week spring camp, which will end with the regular-season opener Wednesday, the inaugural game for this new minor league team.

"It's still early," Isom said, "but the hitters are behind the pitchers. They need some time seeing live pitching in a game."

Isom's complaint, however, is really nothing for fans to worry about at this point. Every manager at every level of baseball complains that his hitters are behind the pitchers at the start of a season.

"So we're a little behind," Isom said, "but I think we're going to be competitive."

After some thought, the manager acknowledged there were some veterans of minor-league baseball also "swinging the bat pretty well": infielders Travis Copley, a left-handed hitter, and Frank Alfieri and outfielder Lee Morrison, who both bat right-handed. All three played for Isom last year, when he managed the Canton Crocodiles, forerunner of the Wild Things.

Also making him happy were spirited competitions for three spots in the five-man starting rotation and at second base and shortstop.

"Unfortunately for [the players], but fortunately for us, we have a lot of tough decisions to make," Isom said.

A week before the home opener against the Crocodiles, Isom was able to identify two of the five guys he expects to be starting pitchers. They are right-handers Matt Baber, who is 6-4, 230 pounds, and played in Canton last season, and David Bradley, (6-1, 175), who was with the Cincinnati Reds' affiliate in Dayton, Ohio, last year.

There were five others fighting for the other three spots, Isom said. They were left-hander Jared Howton, 6-3, 195, who played for the Reds' farm team in Billings, Mont., in 2001; Jason Hickman, 6-3, 210 and another left-hander, who played for Great Falls of the Pioneer League; right-hander Kevin Kuklis, 6-4, 200 and a veteran of Sioux City in the Northern League; right-hander Ben Ally, 6-2, 210, most recently with Batavia in the New York-Penn League; and right-hander Andy Heimbech, 6-2, 195, a resident of Grove City, Ohio, who did not play baseball last season.

Kuklis, Isom said, "was brought in as a reliever, but he is doing really well. We have to make a decision there."

Two pitchers who appeared to have it made as members of the bullpen, Isom said, were right-hander Robert Garvin, 6-1, 185, from Canton, and lefty Brett Giaudrone, 6-6, 225, who was with the Gateway Grizzlies last year.

A catcher with local connections, former Pitt player Doug Caraway, didn't make the first major cut. Barring a last-minute signing, that left the two catcher spots on the roster filled by Shaun Argento, 6-1, 215, a Canton veteran, and Anthony Taylor, 6-1, 218, of Louisville, Ky.

Isom said he'd probably carry 12 position players, including the catchers.

"In the infield, there will be four starters and two utility players, and there will be three outfielders," he said.

The aforementioned Travis Copley appeared to be set at first.

"Travis has been with me for two straight years, but if somebody steps up and plays better, we'd go with him," Isom said. "Otherwise, he's probably my starter."

Frank Alfieri also was the likely starter at third after playing well for Isom in parts of two seasons at Canton. "But, again, if somebody steps up ..."

Shortstop and second base were up for grabs, Isom said, and there were four players vying for the jobs after the first big cutdown. They included Chartiers Valley and Allegheny College graduate Brad Hensler (see accompanying story).

Talent was not the only thing that would go into the final decisions. Five outfielders also were on the roster.

"We must consider the salary cap and the classification system," he said.

"You're only allowed so many rookies, one-year players, two-year players and veterans. And you're only allowed three years in the league."

There is a complicated formula for determining what makes a full year.

Isom also said fans should expect turnover during the season, though he likes to keep a stable roster.

"There's always guys getting released from affiliated teams," he said. "All summer long there will be releases and signings. Any time you can upgrade, you do. There's no guarantees here. It's a business."