Thornhill Reds Senior Baseball

The Reds dropped the 2013 GTBL opener against the visiting East York Bulldogs on Wednesday night, falling by a 7-3 count.

The shorthanded Reds were simply too thin for the upstart Bulldogs, and lacked the depth to compete over nine innings. Len Wood and Brad Crone had good nights with the stick, each collecting two hits in a losing effort.

Phil Owen(0-1) took the loss, after five plus innings of work, allowing all seven runs (three earned) and striking out four. Noah Frankel looked great in his first appearance, throwing three plus innings of one hit, shut out ball.

Reds next action is Wednesday at home against the Martingrove Sox.

The Thornhill Reds are excited to begin the 2013 season, with their GTBL opener on Wednesday night at Bishops Cross against the 1-0 East York Bulldogs.

With a number of players still in various parts of the world (US college or overseas) the Reds will slowly round into form over the next couple of weeks. Here is a look at the depth chart of the Reds for the upcoming GTBL season.

Infielders-

At first base the Reds will look to newcomer Mike Alati to handle most of the work. The big left handed hitter should be a great source of run production in the middle of the Reds order. He had some excellent years at Niagara University and with the Guelph Royals, and will put up good power numbers at senior.

Brad Crone and Brian MacDonald will also get some reps over at first.

Up the middle, the Reds are quite deep and talented. Three time GTBL all star SS Dan Lehmkuhl, can be counted on for solid all around play, leading the Reds in stolen bases in 2012. Paul Wilson has also been great for the Reds at both SS and 2B, and has hit over .300 in both his years of senior ball. Jeremiah Groulx comes into 2013 as the second baseman the Reds will trot out there the most. He has been terrific with the glove, and has hit .328 and .345 in his last two seasons. Also throw in GTBL rookie Argenis Paz at either SS or 2B, and the Reds have quite the middle infield combinations. The slick defender comes with an impressive baseball resume, and last played at the University of New Mexico. Argenis has already emerged as a hard working, team leader type player in the spring.

At third base the Reds will look to Chris Bloom to have another solid year, which earned him his first GTBL all star selection in 2012. The gritty defender and scrappy hitter hit .306 in league play last season, and is one of the Reds best base runners.

Cal Mui, Sherwin Ranjkesh, Tyler Cattapan and Dave Donaldson will all get some PT at the hot corner as well.

Behind the dish, the Reds have one of the top receivers in the GTBL in Tyler Cattapan. He has an above average arm, and is one of the top hitters in the Reds offense. He is currently in the NAIA world series with Point Park University of Pittsburgh PA. He has had a huge year at school, and the Reds are excited for his return in early June.

For the first part of the year Chris Bloom, Argenis Paz and Dan Lehmkuhl will handle some of the catching duties.

Read more: 2013 Reds ready to go

The Thornhill Reds added more talent over the past few days, including ex New Mexico State Aggie middle infielder Argenis Paz. Argenis will help solidify the Reds defensively and should be a great table setter for the big bats in the middle of the order. He comes with quite the impressive baseball resume, and the Reds are excited to have him on board for the 2013 provincial run.

The Thornhill Reds are excited about 2013, and have signed some excellent additions to help them work towards a provincial and GTBL championship.

Perhaps the biggest name in senior baseball, Justin Pennell is back home with the Reds for 2013. His resume is long, including a 2011 GTBL MVP, and numerous all star selections. The 2011 national home run derby champion will hit right in the heart of the talented Reds offense, and is an immediate difference maker.

Mike Alati will also give the Reds offense a boost in 2013, the former Niagara University all star, also posted some scary numbers in the IBL for Guelph in years past. Look for Mike to hit right in the middle of the Reds deep lineup.

On the mound, the Reds inked young right hander Brendan Horgan. Horgan, pitched for Toronto of the IBL in 2012, and is a High Park Junior product. He is expected to jump right in the mix for mound time in 2013.

More signings are right around the corner, stay tuned for updates.

Read more: Reds announce first wave of 2013 signings