Mat-Su roster complete

The beginning of the 2004 Alaska Baseball League seasons is a month away, and the Mat-Su Miners have put together their squad for the upcoming season.

"The roster is pretty much settled," Mat-Su head coach Mike Buchmiller said. "We are really excited. I feel like we have guys that can come up and play in this league."

The Miners currently have 26 collegiate players on the roster -- 13 pitchers and 13 position players. The roster is filled predominately by Division I players from perennial powerhouses such as Stanford and Miami.

Now that the roster is primarily set the task of the Mat-Su coaching staff is to watch the progress of each player, Buchmiller said.

"Obviously we monitor the guys as close as possible -- make sure everything is set," Buchmiller said. "Very important to stay on top."

He said coaches not only monitor the health of the players, but also the academic standing.

In his first recruiting effort as the head coach of the Mat-Su Miners, Buchmiller used the same formula that has led him to success in the past.

"I use several connections to get players from programs I trust," Buchmiller said. "A lot of guys try to sell you on players. I need to know these guys can come in and play at this level."

Buchmiller began his process by collecting a list of players recommended to him by trusted colleagues in collegiate baseball.

"I start the process by picking from them," Buchmiller said. "I pick the guys I know are established, and know 100 percent, can get the job done."

Buchmiller said the 2004 Miner roster has three main traits -- depth in pitching, versatility on defense and team speed.

"Pitching, defense and team speed -- that's how you are going to win in this league," Buchmiller said. "You can't teach speed. Speed doesn't go into a slump. And we have a big outfield. We need guys who can track it down."

With a new coaching staff, Buchmiller said he wanted to wipe the slate clean and start with a primarily new roster. He did keep a trio of players from last season on the roster.

Returning will be pitcher Jeff Gilmore and catchers Billy Munich and Brian Weller.

Buchmiller said Gilmore was eager to return and after playing a role in the recruiting process, the Miner mentor welcomed the Stanford pitcher to come back to the Valley. Gilmore spoke highly about his experience in Palmer and convinced Stanford standouts Matt Manship and John Hester to play for the Miners.

"He had offers from the Cape Cod League," Buchmiller said.

Buchmiller said despite other offers, Gilmore was eager to return to Palmer and the Miners are eager to have him

"He was such a great spokesman for the Mat-Su Miners," Buchmiller said.

Munich was invited back to Palmer after his 2003 ABL season was cut short due to injury. Buchmiller said he and Miner general manager Pete Christopher thought Munich deserved another opportunity to play in the ABL.

Former Palmer High School standout Brian Weller will also return.

Buchmiller has also had the opportunity to coach a pair of pitchers on the 2004 roster, in the past. Arizona right hander Derek Rodrigeuz and San Joaqin Delta Junior College right hander Chris Malone each played on Buchmiller's Las Vegas Desert Dogs club that advanced to the National Baseball Congress World Series.

The 2004 roster includes a core with a vast amount of experience on not only the collegiate level, but international level.

UC-Santa Barbara shortstop Chris Valaika won a gold medal as a part of the Team USA U-16 club and is hitting .343 this season. Valaika could start at shortstop for Mat-Su. Pittsburgh sophomore Ben Copeland is leading his club in hitting with a .384 average and should be a mainstay in the Miner outfield. After seeing nearly no action in his freshman season, Gilmore has returned to Stanford after a summer in the Valley to post a 7-2 record on a top-ranked Cardinal squad.

The Miners' will also boast freshman All-Americans such as Derek Decater and Manship.

Buchmiller said he is thrilled with the talent of each of the Miners and he already has a list of players who could fill spots on the roster in case of emergency.

"Any one of these guys could be a team MVP, Buchmiller said.

"We not only have a full roster, but a nice follow up list."