Optimistic Indians ready to play ball

The scenario was common: batter pops a deep fly into center field where the ball is chased down and caught at the warning track nearly 395 yards away.

Tim Hulett’s response was the gem.

“Welcome to the big leagues, sweetie,” the new Spokane Indians head coach said with a smile.

He offered up some advice to go along with the lighthearted dig, too.

“Defense kills – get the ball on the ground.”

The 2007 Indians took the field for their second workout of the season on Sunday night under the lights of revamped Avista Stadium,where they will open their season Tuesday night against the Eugene Emeralds.

After winning the Northwest League title in 2005, the Indians struggled last season under manager Mike Micucci, finishing last in the East Division with a 26-50 record.

But the fresh coaching staff and roster are looking good from Hulett’s perspective.

“Today, I’m loving what I see,” the former first-round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox said. “We’ve played some great defense, we’ve done a little live stuff, and swung the bats pretty well, so I’m very pleased with what I’m seeing out there.”

Hulett, who played in parts of 12 major league seasons with the White Sox, Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals, anticipates the Indians’ biggest strength this season will be the pitching staff. Right-hander Fabio Castillo, who will start the opener, is expected to be the Indians’ top starter.

“(Castillo’s) a young guy who’s got explosive stuff,” Hulett said of the 19-year-old. “He’s mature beyond his years … he handles himself very well on the mound.”

A Dominican Republic native, Castillo signed with the Rangers organization when he was 16 for a bonus of around $250,000, and made his debut with the Rookie League Arizona Rangers last season. In his only start, he threw one-hit ball over three scoreless innings and struck out four. He went on to play with the Rangers’ Dominican Summer League club and worked 26 innings with a 3.46 ERA. In his best start, he gave up one hit in 5 2/3 innings, striking out 14 batters and walking none.

Righty Jacob Brigham and left-hander Michael Kirkman add depth on the mound, Hulett said.

Brigham, a Winter Garden, Fla., native, finished with a 3.70 ERA and 58 strikeouts for the Arizona League Rangers last season. Kirkman was acquired in the fifth round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, and has never given up a home run in his two-year career. In his 34.1 innings Kirkman has fanned 30 batters.

“(Brigham and Kirkham) are pretty good, both those guys are pretty solid guys,” Hulett said. “We haven’t seen a lot of guys throw yet, these guys are just getting some work in, but defensively we’re very strong up the middle and I think all the way around we’re pretty strong.”

Three players return from last season – pitcher Jose Jaimes, catcher Billy Killian and outfielder Steve Marquardt.

Right-hander Jaimes was 2-1 last season with the Indians before an injury sidelined him. In 16 innings, he struck out 18 and had a 2.25 ERA.

Hulett expects one or two more players will be brought in this week to round out the roster.

“I’ve been very pleased with the defensive part of it,” said Hulett. “We’ve got some good pitching and some good defense, and we’re going to score runs. I believe in this team offensively. (The Rangers officials) keep saying they’re going to get us some hitters, but I think we’ve got some guys who swing the bat right now.”

Four Rangers officials were on site, including Minor League hitting coordinator Mike Boulanger, who managed the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma RedHawks in 2006.

Boulanger, who made the trip to Spokane for the first time, was impressed with what he saw.

“I’ve been places – I won’t mention where – that the situation just isn’t good. This is a great place to come for these players,” Boulanger said. “They might think they’re a long way from Arlington when we’re not here watching, but the way things are now with technology we always know how these guys are doing … that’s the way things are now.”