Villarreal Back For Indians Encore

Northwest League baseball teams such as Spokane rarely have the same starting pitcher for successive season openers.

Opening-night starters are commonly considered top prospects and likely candidates to advance from the short-season Class A NWL to at least long-season A the following year.

Modesto Villarreal, who started the Indians’ inaugural game last year and is scheduled to follow suit tonight at Everett, appeared to be someone with the ready-to-move-up label.

The lanky 6-foot-4 right-hander from Panama finished 8-2 with a 2.90 earned run average for a third-place Spokane team. He began this year with Class A Lansing (Mich.) of the Midwest League.

So why will Villarreal once again throw Spokane’s first pitch of the year?

There’s no need to consult the Psychic Hotline on this one.

“If Modesto had pitched well in Lansing you wouldn’t see him here again, right?” said new Indians manager Bob Herold.

“I hope Modesto does doubly what he did here last year, but the last time I saw him pitch (for Lansing) he had no confidence. They (parent club Kansas City Royals) want him to come here and get a fresh start.”

There was nothing wrong with Villarreal’s start last year in Yakima. During five innings he allowed nothing except an infield single.

Spokane’s start? That was a different matter. The Indians lost their opener 4-3, the exact score and outcome from the previous two openers in Yakima. All told, Spokane has lost four consecutive season openers - all to the Bears.

That won’t happen this year, because the NWL schedulemakers have thrown the dice and sent Yakima to defending North Division champion Bellingham to start the season. Spokane drew the AquaSox, who in recent years started against Bellingham.

The new scheduling trend continues Friday, when Spokane opens its home slate against Eugene rather than Yakima.

According to pitching coach Buster Keeton, 6-7 righty Ethan Stein and righty Aaron Lineweaver of Dallas Baptist will follow Villarreal in the starting rotation at Everett. Righty Stephen Huesten, a 10th-round selection from Long Beach State, is slated to pitch the home opener. Southpaw Scott Mullen, a seventh-rounder from Dallas Baptist, should pitch Saturday.

“We can’t stretch (most pitchers) out for more than two or three innings, so it doesn’t matter who starts right now,” Herold said.

One pitching concern popped up during the four-day minicamp. Taylor Myers, 18, a second-round choice from Green Valley (Nev.) High, will need to rest a sore elbow for at least 10 days. Myers was a projected starter.

Catching duties are mainly in the hands of Roman Escamilla (6-0, 202 pounds) of Texas while K.C. attempts to sign a top-level draft pick from Oklahoma. Utility player Kit Pellow of Arkansas can back up Escamilla.

Five outfielders are on the roster, but Indians returner Tony Miranda is limited to designated hitter duty while his right elbow heals from surgery.

Jeremy Giambi, Miranda’s former teammate at ‘95 College World Series champ Cal State Fullerton, and Carlos Beltran, the Royals’ No. 2 draftee last year, may be headliners. Beltran won’t start tonight because his knee is tender from surgery.

Giambi and first baseman Jason Layne of Texas are the lone left-handed bats available. That, however, is one more lefty than Spokane had last year.

Except for first base, Herold has at least two infielders at each position from which to choose.

Batting coach Jeff Garber said his players can handle the bat and adjust to Kansas City’s spray-around-the-ball-and-run style. Power may not be a strong point, but Spokane hasn’t been noted for the long ball of late.

“I would say that after two or three weeks we should be where we want,” Garber said.

Spokane has had five consecutive lower-division finishes - including three years in the cellar - since winning four consecutive league titles.

“Honestly, that doesn’t concern me very much,” Herold said. “But if we fall very far out of (the race), there will be some drudgery about it. If you’re winning, everybody’s happy.” , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: OPENING DAY PROJECTED LINEUP Name/Experience Pos. Kenderick Moore, University of Arkansas 2B Tony Miranda, 1995 Indians DH Jeremy Giambi, Cal State Fullerton RF Jason Layne, Texas 1B Brandon Berger, Eastern Kentucky LF Brett Taft, Alabama 3B Eric Sees, Stanford SS Roman Escamilla, Texas C Rick Pitts, ‘95 Gulf Coast CF Modesto Villarreal, ‘95 Indians P