Season ends, but future shines bright for Myrtle Beach Pelicans - Myrtle Beach Sun News

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Myrtle Beach finished the season 73-70 including the playoffs, though the Pelicans were only 33-41 after the first half.

"I knew we were in for a big [challenge] in our second half when we didn't have those arms, but these guys stepped up and did a pretty good job," said Pelicans manager Jason Wood.

The Pelicans lost starters Robbie Erlin, Robbie Ross, Neil Ramirez and Joe Wieland, as well as reliever Johan Yan to promotions or trades over the course of the season.

"The pitching staff we had at the beginning of the year was exceptional," said outfielder Jared Prince, who was voted the Pelicans' 2011 Most Valuable Player by teammates and coaches. "They were exceptional guys and competitors and it was hard to lose with that crew. You always think you're going to win with whoever we have out there, but they were pretty darn good."

The talent is indicative of what can be expected in Myrtle Beach in the near future from a stacked Texas Rangers farm system.

The Pelicans weren't in a position to receive help on the postseason roster, as other teams in the Carolina League did, because five of the six Rangers minor-league affiliates made the playoffs, including low-A Hickory and Double-A Frisco.

Myrtle Beach's postseason appearance was its first in three years in its first season as a Texas affiliate. The Pelicans were an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves for their first 12 seasons beginning in 1999.

Of course, the Rangers appreciated the player development that led to the promotion of the highly-touted arms.

"I thought we took a big hit, and rightfully so," Wood said. "I think the development part of it was to move those pitchers and get them to the next level. That's one thing we did and we lost a couple really good arms in the trade, too. Those guys went on and did better things."

Erlin went 3-2 with a 2.14 ERA in nine starts for Myrtle Beach, went 5-2 with a 4.32 ERA in 11 games with Frisco, and posted a 1.38 ERA in six starts for the Double-A San Antonio Missions after being traded to the San Diego Padres for Mike Adams.

Wieland was also involved in the Adams trade. He went 6-3 with a 2.10 ERA in 14 games for Myrtle Beach, went 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA in seven starts with Frisco – throwing a no-hitter – and went 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA in five starts with San Antonio.

Ross, the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year, went 9-4 with a 2.26 ERA in Myrtle Beach and 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA in six starts for Frisco. Ramirez, who struck out nine and allowed one hit in 42/3 innings in the Pelicans' opener, went 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA in six starts in Frisco and 4-3 with a 3.63 ERA in 18 starts at Triple-A Round Rock.

Yan was 5-3 with a 1.52 ERA in 26 games for Myrtle Beach, converting all 10 of his save opportunities, and allowed just one earned run in 262/3 innings at Frisco for a 0.34 ERA.

The Pelicans' position players remained largely unchanged, though first baseman Chris McGuiness and third baseman Mike Olt were limited to 53 and 69 games, respectively, by injuries.

Olt still easily led the team in home runs with 14; outfielder Travis Adair had the team's best batting average at .305 in 71 games; Prince led the team in RBIs with 72, hits with 136 and doubles with 30 in 131 games; outfielder Ryan Strausborger led the team with nine triples; and Strausborger and shortstop Leury Garcia combined to steal 61 bases while being caught 24 times.

The talent level this year in Myrtle Beach is evidenced by the number of Pelicans selected for the roster of the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, the premier offseason showcase for Minor League Baseball's top prospects. Seven players were selected: Garcia, Olt, Strausborger and pitchers Miguel De Los Santos, Ryan Kelly, Ramirez and Yan. Olt, Strausborger, Prince and Ross were named to the Carolina League's postseason all-star squad.

"I had a good group of guys, had some talent here, and the pitching staff and the players I had in the first half were outstanding," said Wood, who was a professional manager for a full season for the first time. "These guys came every day and were ready to play and really looked forward to getting to the ballpark every day. It was really a lot of fun for my first year."

Wood said he expects to return to manage the Pelicans in 2012. "I have a pretty good inclination that I will be back and I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "This was a learning experience for me too as far as being my first year, and I really enjoyed every bit of it. I learned so much from the kids, it was outstanding and something to work on."