The Biscuits work out prior to Thursday’s season opener against the Mobile BayBears. (Staff Photo)

Staff Report
(April 8, 2010)

This time last year, Billy Gardner was contemplating the youth of his Montgomery Biscuits. His concerns had more to do with lack of experience rather than talent.

This year, he has a similar situation but with a better array of arms and even more talent, enough to challenge for the Southern League title.

“We are still young and we complemented them with some older players,” Gardner said. “This year, we have moved away from that. But there is a core group here who have moved through the system. There is a learning curve… the game speed quickens. They will see better pitching, 1-5, in a series. But they know how to win.”

The Biscuits open the 2010 season on Thursday against Mobile. Alex Torres is expected to take the mound for Montgomery’s opener.

“I think everyone gets excited about Opening Day,” Torres said. “There is a lot of team chemistry. These guys have stayed together going through the different levels.”

This year’s roster includes former Alabama star Emeel Salem, who will start in center for the Biscuits. He spent last year in High-A at Charlotte.

“This is a pretty good group who knows each other,” he said. “I think everyone is ready to play. We had a good training. Now it’s time to get in front of the fans and see how this all goes.”

Gardner says the Biscuits will have plenty of solid pitching including a group of hurlers in the bullpen who have been at this level and higher.

“We have bullpen experience,” Gardner said. “We have several who have pitched not only at this level but at the Triple A level. We have a lot of good players who have proven themselves. Our key is to pitch, throw the ball across the plate.”

Although not ready to compare the group that led Montgomery to back-to-back Southern League titles in 2006-07, Gardner says the latest influx of talent will compete.

“That was a special group with (Evan) Longoria and others,” Gardner said. “It would be tough to live up to that. We are going into a situation where we have good players moving through the system. Eventually, a lot of these will play in the Major Leagues.”