Indians Check In Both Returnees Make Changes As Team Prepares For Opener

The first day of the Spokane Indians’ minicamp is always a time for introductions.

This year, even the returning Indians have a different look.

Merrell Ligons and Francisco Bautista, returnees from Spokane’s above-average 1997 baseball season, showed their new stuff as the Indians began their four-day camp Friday at Seafirst Stadium.

Ligons, a returner at shortstop, is taking a new stance at the plate.

“I’m not switch-hitting anymore,” Ligons said. “I decided to go with my strength, which is the right side.”

Bautista has adopted a more radical change. The reserve outfielder from ‘97 is now a pitcher.

“He has really come a long way, actually,” said Mark Littell, the minor league pitching instructor for the parent Kansas City Royals. “Francisco might actually surprise people.

“He has a ‘plus’ fastball,” Littell said. “Believe it or not, he has a ‘plus’ change-up.”

Bautista’s shift to the mound was welcome because the Indians opened their workouts with just seven other pitchers.

Projected starters Corey Thurman and Taylor Myers were missing, as was lefthander Jeremy Jackson. Thurman, another returner from ‘97, is en route by car from Lansing (Mich.) of the Midwest League. Myers remains in Lansing because of injuries on the Lugnuts’ staff.

Littell said more pitchers will arrive as they sign contracts. Kansas City selected five pitchers, as yet unsigned, in the first five rounds of the amateur draft.

Right-hander Monty Ward, a fourth-rounder, was in camp and adjusting to Spokane’s “high humidity” after a spirited workout. Ward, from bone-dry Lubbock, Texas, is projected as Spokane’s starter for Friday’s home opener against Everett.

The number of players in camp, 20, was one-third less than last year. That’s not necessarily a negative, said second-year Indians manager Jeff Garber.

“We don’t have the numbers we had last year, so everyone got to participate more,” Garber said.

“But we need to get more pitchers here.”

The catchers are limited, too, as ninth-rounder Paul Phillips and Pedro Herrera, who played in the rookie Gulf Coast League last year, are the only ones handling the duties.

Ligons anchors an infield that, for now, has Erick Gomez at first base, Corey Hart and Willy Ruiz at second, and Henry Calderon at third. Ben Slemmer, a freeagent signing, and Phillips can also play third.

The outfield is loaded with four college veterans.

“I’m sure everyone will get their fair share of innings,” said outfielder Mike Curry of South Carolina, a sixth-round selection. “I’m just looking forward to getting this season going.”

Jeremy Dodson of Baylor and Ryan Fry of Missouri hit two of the handful of home runs during batting practice.

Garber stuck to his Thursday prediction that the Indians will thrive on speed more than power.

New pitching coach Rick Mahler and new batting coach Steve Balboni made their first appearances. Also offering pointers were Royals minor league outfield instructor Sixto Lezcano and infield instructor Mike Jirschele.

Bob Hegman, Kansas City’s director of minor league operations, is expected in town on Sunday.

Practices, open to the public, will begin at 9:30 a.m. today and Sunday. Spokane opens the Northwest League season Tuesday at Boise.