Whitesoxclub.com | Chicago White sox News, whitesox Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div>CATCHER </div>\ No. 17 Chris Gimenez Age: 26 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 200 pounds Bats: Right Throws: Right Acquired: Selected in 19th round of the 2004 draft The skinny: He also plays first base, third base and outfield and used his first spring training invitation to upgrade his status as a prospect. He would be the Indians' first call-up if an injury occurs at catcher. \ No. 30 Wyatt Toregas Age: 26 -- Vitals: 5 feet 11, 200 pounds Bats: Right -- Throws: Right Acquired: Selected in 24th round of the 2004 draft The skinny: He is a catch-and-throw defensive specialist who is improving as a hitter. Like Gimenez, he could help the Indians this season. \ FIRST BASE \ No. 29 Jordan Brown Age: 25 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 205 pounds Bats: Left -- Throws: Right Acquired: Selected in fourth round of 2005 draft The skinny: Brown was MVP in the Carolina League in 2006 and the Eastern League in '07. He batted .281 at Buffalo last season and considers the performance a down year. A gap hitter, Huntington Park could add to his power numbers. \ No. 7 Michael Aubrey Age: 26 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 195 pounds Bats: Left -- Throws: Left Acquired: Selected in first round of 2003 draft (11th overall) The skinny: Aubrey split time with Akron, Buffalo and Cleveland last season. He batted .281 with the Bisons and is another contact hitter with gap power. He also is a possibility at designated hitter. \ No. 25 Andy Marte Age: 25 -- Vitals: 6 feet 1, 205 pounds Bats: Right -- Throws: Right Acquired: Jan. 27, 2006, in a seven-player trade with the Boston Red Sox The skinny: Marte was the third baseman of the future in the Cleveland system, but was dropped from the 40-man roster over the winter after batting .221 in 80 games last season. He will see time at first base and designated hitter. \ SECOND BASE \ No. 51 Luis Valbuena Age: 23 -- Vitals: 5 feet 10, 195 pounds Bats: Left -- Throws: Right Acquired: Dec. 10, 2008, in a trade with the Seattle Mariners The skinny: Valbuena jumped from double-A to triple-A to Seattle last season. He hit better than .300 in his minor-league stops, and has good defensive range and speed. \ SHORTSTOP \ No. 2 Andy Cannizaro Age: 30 -- Vitals: 5 feet 10, 170 pounds Bats: Right -- Throws: Right Acquired: Signed Nov. 21, 2008, to a minor-league contract The skinny: Cannizaro, who also plays second and third base, was the Clipper of the Year in 2006 while playing in the New York Yankees system. He ended the spring with a minor hamstring problem. \ No. 8 Wilson Valdez Age: 30 -- Vitals: 5 feet 11, 170 pounds Bats: Right -- Throws: Right Acquired: Signed Dec. 23, 2008, to a minor-league contract The skinny: The Indians are the eighth major-league system for this veteran, who hit .216 with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007 and played in South Korea and Japan last season. \ THIRD BASE \ No. 27 Wes Hodges Age: 24 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 205 pounds Bats: Right -- Throws: Right Acquired: Selected in second round of 2006 draft The skinny: Hodges has jumped a level in each of his first two seasons with the Indians . He was Eastern League rookie of the year in Akron in 2008, batting .290 with 18 home runs and 97 RBI. \ OUTFIELD \ No. 13 Matt LaPorta Age: 24 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 210 pounds Bats: Right -- Throws: Right Acquired: July 7, 2008, in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers The skinny: LaPorta, the seventh overall pick of the 2007 draft, was the key to the CC Sabathia trade. A two-time Southeastern Conference player of the year at Florida and a member of the United States Olympic team, he combined for 22 homers and 84 RBI at double-A Akron and Huntsville in 2008. \ No. 50 Michael Brantley Age: 21 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 200 pounds Bats: Left -- Throws: Left Acquired: Oct. 3, 2008, as player to be named in trade with Milwaukee The skinny: The second half of the Sabathia trade, Brantley is viewed as a potential leadoff and .300 hitter by the Indians . He is the son of former Seattle outfielder Mickey Brantley. \ No. 35 Stephen Head Age: 25 -- Vitals: 6 feet 3, 220 pounds Bats: Left -- Throws: Left Acquired: Selected in second round of 2006 draft The skinny: Head also plays first base and should be an option at designated hitter. He hit 13 home runs and batted .290 at Akron last season. \ George Lombard Age: 33 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 210 pounds Bats: Left -- Throws: Right Acquired: Signed Jan. 30, 2009, to a minor-league contract The skinny: He began his career in the Atlanta organization in 1994 and has played for Detroit, Tampa Bay and Washington. He played for the Clippers in 2007. He'll start the season on the temporary inactive list. \ STARTING PITCHERS \ No. 12 David Huff Age: 24 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 190 pounds Throws: Left -- Bats: Left Acquired: Selected in sandwich round of 2006 draft (39th overall) The skinny: Huff was a combined 11-5 in stops in Akron and Buffalo last season with a 2.52 ERA. He will be the opening-day starter against Louisville. \ No. 23 Aaron Laffey Age: 23 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 185 pounds Throws: Left -- Bats: Left Acquired: Selected in 16th round of 2003 draft The skinny: A sinkerball pitcher, Laffey split the 2008 season between Buffalo and Cleveland. He was the opening-day starter for the Bisons and posted a 5-7 record with a 4.23 ERA in 16 starts for the Indians . \ No. 26 Jeremy Sowers Age: 25 -- Vitals: 6 feet 1, 180 pounds Throws: Left -- Bats: Left Acquired: Selected in first round of 2004 draft (sixth overall) The skinny: Sowers started the 2008 season in Buffalo, but replaced the injured Jake Westbrook in the Cleveland rotation in June. In 22 games, he posted a 4-9 record with a 5.58 ERA. \ No. 15 Kirk Saarloos Age: 29 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 180 pounds Throws: Right -- Bats: Right Acquired: Signed Jan. 14, 2009, to a minor-league contract The skinny: Saarloos spent most of the season with triple-A Sacramento, and was 1-0 with a 5.47 ERA in eight games for Oakland. He also has pitched in the majors with Houston and Cincinnati. \ No. 24 Jack Cassel Age: 28 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 205 pounds Throws: Right -- Bats: Right Acquired: Signed Jan. 16, 2009, to a minor-league contract The skinny: Cassel is the brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel and Chicago White Sox minor-league pitcher Justin Cassel. He split last season with the Houston Astros and triple-A Round Rock. \ RELIEF PITCHERS \ No. 45 Vinnie Chulk Age: 30 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 195 pounds Throws: Right -- Bats: Right Acquired: Signed Feb. 3, 2009, to a minor-league contract The skinny: The last pitcher cut by the Indians in spring training, Chulk probably is in line to be the first call-up if a bullpen problem arises. He also has a contract out if no call comes by May 15. He pitched in the San Francisco bullpen for most of the past three seasons. \ No. 40 Matt Herges Age: 39 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 210 pounds Throws: Right -- Bats: Right Acquired: Signed Jan. 16, 2009, to a minor-league contract The skinny: Herges is entering his 18th professional season and is the team's most experienced player. He appeared in 58 games last season for Colorado, his sixth major-league club. \ No. 44 Rich Rundles Age: 27 -- Vitals: 6 feet 5, 210 pounds Throws: Left -- Bats: Left Acquired: Signed Jan. 22, 2007, to a minor-league contract The skinny: Outstanding in the Buffalo bullpen -- 5-4 with a 2.91 ERA -- Rundles made it to Cleveland in September after pitching nine minor-league seasons. He allowed one earned run in eight appearances for the Indians . \ No. 47 Tony Sipp Age: 25 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 190 pounds Throws: Left -- Bats: Left Acquired: Selected in 45th round of 2004 draft The skinny: The top relief prospect, Sipp had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in July 2007. He pitched 33 2/3 innings in 24 minor-league games last season. \ No. 39 John Meloan Age: 24 -- Vitals: 6 feet 3, 225 pounds Throws: Right -- Bats: Right Acquired: July 26, 2008, in trade with Los Angeles Dodgers The skinny: The power arm in the bullpen, Meloan started 20 games for triple-A Las Vegas before the trade. He worked out of the Buffalo bullpen and received a September call-up from Cleveland. \ No. 41 Greg Aquino Age: 31 -- Vitals: 6 feet 1, 190 pounds Throws: Right -- Bats: Right Acquired: Signed Jan. 14, 2009, to a minor-league contract The skinny: Aquino pitched for six teams last season, including nine games for Baltimore (0-0, 12.54 ERA). He also has pitched for Arizona and Milwaukee. \ No. 34 Tomo Ohka Age: 33 -- Vitals: 6 feet 1, 200 pounds Throws: Right -- Bats: Switch Acquired: Signed Dec. 5, 2008, to a minor-league contract The skinny: A one-time starter for Boston, Montreal, Washington, Milwaukee and Toronto, Ohka spent last season with triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox system. He is 50-63 with a 4.14 ERA in his big-league career. \ \ jmassie@dispatch.com

CATCHER

\ No. 17 Chris Gimenez

Age: 26 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 200 pounds

Bats: Right Throws: Right

Acquired: Selected in 19th round of the 2004 draft

The skinny: He also plays first base, third base and outfield and used his first spring training invitation to upgrade his status as a prospect. He would be the Indians' first call-up if an injury occurs at catcher.

\ No. 30 Wyatt Toregas

Age: 26 -- Vitals: 5 feet 11, 200 pounds

Bats: Right -- Throws: Right

Acquired: Selected in 24th round of the 2004 draft

The skinny: He is a catch-and-throw defensive specialist who is improving as a hitter. Like Gimenez, he could help the Indians this season.

FIRST BASE

\ No. 29 Jordan Brown

Age: 25 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 205 pounds

Bats: Left -- Throws: Right

Acquired: Selected in fourth round of 2005 draft

The skinny: Brown was MVP in the Carolina League in 2006 and the Eastern League in '07. He batted .281 at Buffalo last season and considers the performance a down year. A gap hitter, Huntington Park could add to his power numbers.

\ No. 7 Michael Aubrey

Age: 26 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 195 pounds

Bats: Left -- Throws: Left

Acquired: Selected in first round of 2003 draft (11th overall)

The skinny: Aubrey split time with Akron, Buffalo and Cleveland last season. He batted .281 with the Bisons and is another contact hitter with gap power. He also is a possibility at designated hitter.

\ No. 25 Andy Marte

Age: 25 -- Vitals: 6 feet 1, 205 pounds

Bats: Right -- Throws: Right

Acquired: Jan. 27, 2006, in a seven-player trade with the Boston Red Sox

The skinny: Marte was the third baseman of the future in the Cleveland system, but was dropped from the 40-man roster over the winter after batting .221 in 80 games last season. He will see time at first base and designated hitter.

SECOND BASE

\ No. 51 Luis Valbuena

Age: 23 -- Vitals: 5 feet 10, 195 pounds

Bats: Left -- Throws: Right

Acquired: Dec. 10, 2008, in a trade with the Seattle Mariners

The skinny: Valbuena jumped from double-A to triple-A to Seattle last season. He hit better than .300 in his minor-league stops, and has good defensive range and speed.

SHORTSTOP

\ No. 2 Andy Cannizaro

Age: 30 -- Vitals: 5 feet 10, 170 pounds

Bats: Right -- Throws: Right

Acquired: Signed Nov. 21, 2008, to a minor-league contract

The skinny: Cannizaro, who also plays second and third base, was the Clipper of the Year in 2006 while playing in the New York Yankees system. He ended the spring with a minor hamstring problem.

\ No. 8 Wilson Valdez

Age: 30 -- Vitals: 5 feet 11, 170 pounds

Bats: Right -- Throws: Right

Acquired: Signed Dec. 23, 2008, to a minor-league contract

The skinny: The Indians are the eighth major-league system for this veteran, who hit .216 with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007 and played in South Korea and Japan last season.

THIRD BASE

\ No. 27 Wes Hodges

Age: 24 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 205 pounds

Bats: Right -- Throws: Right

Acquired: Selected in second round of 2006 draft

The skinny: Hodges has jumped a level in each of his first two seasons with the Indians . He was Eastern League rookie of the year in Akron in 2008, batting .290 with 18 home runs and 97 RBI.

OUTFIELD

\ No. 13 Matt LaPorta

Age: 24 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 210 pounds

Bats: Right -- Throws: Right

Acquired: July 7, 2008, in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers

The skinny: LaPorta, the seventh overall pick of the 2007 draft, was the key to the CC Sabathia trade. A two-time Southeastern Conference player of the year at Florida and a member of the United States Olympic team, he combined for 22 homers and 84 RBI at double-A Akron and Huntsville in 2008.

\ No. 50 Michael Brantley

Age: 21 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 200 pounds

Bats: Left -- Throws: Left

Acquired: Oct. 3, 2008, as player to be named in trade with Milwaukee

The skinny: The second half of the Sabathia trade, Brantley is viewed as a potential leadoff and .300 hitter by the Indians . He is the son of former Seattle outfielder Mickey

Brantley.

\ No. 35 Stephen Head

Age: 25 -- Vitals: 6 feet 3, 220 pounds

Bats: Left -- Throws: Left

Acquired: Selected in second round of 2006 draft

The skinny: Head also plays first base and should be an option at designated hitter. He hit 13 home runs and batted .290 at Akron last season.

\ George Lombard

Age: 33 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 210 pounds

Bats: Left -- Throws: Right

Acquired: Signed Jan. 30, 2009, to a minor-league contract

The skinny: He began his career in the Atlanta organization in 1994 and has played for Detroit, Tampa Bay and Washington. He played for the Clippers in 2007. He'll start the season on the temporary inactive list.

STARTING PITCHERS

\ No. 12 David Huff

Age: 24 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 190 pounds

Throws: Left -- Bats: Left

Acquired: Selected in sandwich round of 2006 draft (39th overall)

The skinny: Huff was a combined 11-5 in stops in Akron and Buffalo last season with a 2.52 ERA. He will be the opening-day starter against Louisville.

\ No. 23 Aaron Laffey

Age: 23 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 185 pounds

Throws: Left -- Bats: Left

Acquired: Selected in 16th round of 2003 draft

The skinny: A sinkerball pitcher, Laffey split the 2008 season between Buffalo and Cleveland. He was the opening-day starter for the Bisons and posted a 5-7 record with a 4.23 ERA in 16 starts for the Indians .

\ No. 26 Jeremy Sowers

Age: 25 -- Vitals: 6 feet 1, 180 pounds

Throws: Left -- Bats: Left

Acquired: Selected in first round of 2004 draft (sixth overall)

The skinny: Sowers started the 2008 season in Buffalo, but replaced the injured Jake Westbrook in the Cleveland rotation in June. In 22 games, he posted a 4-9 record with a 5.58 ERA.

\ No. 15 Kirk Saarloos

Age: 29 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 180 pounds

Throws: Right -- Bats: Right

Acquired: Signed Jan. 14, 2009, to a minor-league contract

The skinny: Saarloos spent most of the season with triple-A Sacramento, and was 1-0 with a 5.47 ERA in eight games for Oakland. He also has pitched in the majors with Houston and Cincinnati.

\ No. 24 Jack Cassel

Age: 28 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 205 pounds

Throws: Right -- Bats: Right

Acquired: Signed Jan. 16, 2009, to a minor-league contract

The skinny: Cassel is the brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel and Chicago White Sox minor-league pitcher Justin Cassel. He split last season with the Houston Astros and triple-A Round Rock.

RELIEF PITCHERS

\ No. 45 Vinnie Chulk

Age: 30 -- Vitals: 6 feet 2, 195 pounds

Throws: Right -- Bats: Right

Acquired: Signed Feb. 3, 2009, to a minor-league contract

The skinny: The last pitcher cut by the Indians in spring training, Chulk probably is in line to be the first call-up if a bullpen problem arises. He also has a contract out if no call comes by May 15. He pitched in the San Francisco bullpen for most of the past three seasons.

\ No. 40 Matt Herges

Age: 39 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 210 pounds

Throws: Right -- Bats: Right

Acquired: Signed Jan. 16, 2009, to a minor-league contract

The skinny: Herges is entering his 18th professional season and is the team's most experienced player. He appeared in 58 games last season for Colorado, his sixth major-league club.

\ No. 44 Rich Rundles

Age: 27 -- Vitals: 6 feet 5, 210 pounds

Throws: Left -- Bats: Left

Acquired: Signed Jan. 22, 2007, to a minor-league contract

The skinny: Outstanding in the Buffalo bullpen -- 5-4 with a 2.91 ERA -- Rundles made it to Cleveland in September after pitching nine minor-league seasons. He allowed one earned run in eight appearances for the Indians .

\ No. 47 Tony Sipp

Age: 25 -- Vitals: 6 feet, 190 pounds

Throws: Left -- Bats: Left

Acquired: Selected in 45th round of 2004 draft

The skinny: The top relief prospect, Sipp had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in July 2007. He pitched 33 2/3 innings in 24 minor-league games last season.

\ No. 39 John Meloan

Age: 24 -- Vitals: 6 feet 3, 225 pounds

Throws: Right -- Bats: Right

Acquired: July 26, 2008, in trade with Los Angeles Dodgers

The skinny: The power arm in the bullpen, Meloan started 20 games for triple-A Las Vegas before the trade. He worked out of the Buffalo bullpen and received a September call-up from Cleveland.

\ No. 41 Greg Aquino

Age: 31 -- Vitals: 6 feet 1, 190 pounds

Throws: Right -- Bats: Right

Acquired: Signed Jan. 14, 2009, to a minor-league contract

The skinny: Aquino pitched for six teams last season, including nine games for Baltimore (0-0, 12.54 ERA). He also has pitched for Arizona and Milwaukee.

\ No. 34 Tomo Ohka

Age: 33 -- Vitals: 6 feet 1, 200 pounds

Throws: Right -- Bats: Switch

Acquired: Signed Dec. 5, 2008, to a minor-league contract

The skinny: A one-time starter for Boston, Montreal, Washington, Milwaukee and Toronto, Ohka spent last season with triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox system. He is 50-63 with a 4.14 ERA in his big-league career. \ \

jmassie@dispatch.com