Welcome to the 'Cats Roar', the official email
newsletter of the New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Team

FanFest set for tomorrow!

The Rock Cats' fifth annual FanFest will be tomorrow -
one day after players report to minor league camp down
in Florida and just in time to start gearing up for
the 2004 season. Rocky and the 'Cats staff invite fans
to be their guests at New Britain Stadium for a
pre-season day devoted to baseball. Come tour the
stadium and clubhouse and enjoy complimentary
refreshments. As you tour the park, be sure to scope
out your favorite seats, because 2004 individual game
tickets go on sale at the Rock Cats' box office the
same day at 10 a.m. (860-224-8383).

Season Tickets and Group Outings on Sale Now!

Don't miss out on any of the upcoming 2004 home games
with the Rock Cats Season Ticket packages! From our 12
game coupon books to our Diamond Club Membership the
Rock Cats have what you need. Click here for details.

There is no better way to enjoy the excitement of Rock
Cats baseball action than with a Group. Whether it be
your company, school, camp, scouts, Little League,
religious organization or any other kind of group
imaginable, New Britain Stadium is the place to be for
family oriented fun! Let the Rock Cats host your next
Picnic or On-Field Performance. We can also help you
with your next Fundraiser! The possibilities are
endless! Give us a call @ (860) 224-8383

2004 Baseball America's Twins Top Ten Prospects

Baseball America released its annual top ten prospects
for the Minnesota Twins organization and many Rock
Cats are on the list. Seven of the top ten prospects
have played for the Rock Cats and more may make their
New Britain Stadium debuts in 2004.

Rock Cats catcher Joe Mauer was named the Twins' #1
Prospect for the third consecutive season. The Minor
League Player of the Year led the Rock Cats to the
Eastern League Playoffs last season after batting .341
in 73 games with New Britain.

Minnesota Twins Top Ten Prospects

1) JOE MAUER CATCHER

For the third straight year Joe Mauer was named the
top prospect in the Twins' system. Baseball America's
Minor League Player of the Year hit .339-5-85 between
Class-A Ft. Myers and Double-A New Britain, leading
both clubs to the playoffs. He also threw out 50
percent of basestealers. Mauer will be the starting
catcher for the Minnesota Twins this season completely
jumping Triple-A and going from New Britain to
Minnesota.

2) JUSTIN MORNEAU FIRST BASE

Former Rock Cats All-Star first baseman, Justin
Morneau is the number two prospect in the Twins'
organization. Morneau who helped the Rock Cats to an
Eastern League Championship in 2001, was the opening
day first baseman for the Rock Cats last year. He then
advanced to Triple-A Rochester where he hit .268-16-42
in 71 games with the Red Wings. He made his major
league debut in 2003 batting .226-4-16 in 40 games
with the Twins. Morneau, who led the Twins'
organization in home runs and slugging, will try and
make the club as a left-handed DH.

3) MATT MOSES THIRD BASE

The Twins' number one draft pick last year, Matt
Moses, was chosen as the third best prospect. Moses
batted .385 in his first professional season (rookie
ball) last year and is a few years away from New
Britain. He was rated as one of the best pure hitters
among 2003 high school draftees. Moses will probably
be in low Class-A Quad Cities this season.

4) J.D. DURBIN RHP

J.D. Durbin helped the Rock Cats to the 2003 Eastern
League Playoffs while leading the Twins' organization
in wins (15), strikeouts (139) and innings pitched
(182). He is one of the hardest throwers in the entire
organization with a blazing fastball in the mid 90's.
Nicknamed the "Real Deal," it appears Durbin will have
a bright future in Minnesota. The right-handed
fire-baller should begin the season in Triple-A but
there is a slight chance he could start in New Britain
to help perfect his changeup.

5) JESSE CRAIN RHP

Jesse Crain was one of the most dominating pitchers in
Rock Cats history during his brief stay in New Britain
last season. Crain only allowed 3 earned runs in 39
innings (10BB 56K) and recorded a remarkable 0.69 ERA
in 22 games with the Rock Cats. The right-hander then
moved on to Triple-A where he continued to dominate
hitters. Crain will have a chance to make the Twins'
bullpen or return to Rochester where he will close for
the Red Wings.

6) JASON BARTLETT SHORTSTOP

Jason Bartlett opened some eyes in his first full
season with the Minnesota Twins organization and has
quickly emerged as a top 10 prospect. The
slick-fielding shortstop was the best to cover the
position since Cristian Guzman in 1998. Bartlett, an
Eastern League All-Star, batted .296 and led the
Twins' system in runs, triples, walks and stolen
bases. He should begin the season in Triple-A and
eventually compete for a middle infield job in
Minnesota.

7) DENARD SPAN OUTFIELD

Denard Span is the Twins' number seven prospect. Span
is probably a few years away from playing with the
Rock Cats after being drafted in 2002. Span is rated
by Baseball America as the fastest baserunner and best
athlete in the Twins' organization. Span batted .271
with 14 stolen bases in 50 games with rookie level
Elizabethton.

8) JASON KUBEL OUTFIELD

Jason Kubel, the eighth ranked prospect, will be
starting in the Rock Cats outfield in 2004. Kubel is
coming off a solid season in the Florida State League
(.298-5-82) and tied for second in RBI's and finished
fourth in the league in batting. Many say that Kubel
is ready for a breakout year and that could happen
this season in New Britain.

9) GRANT BALFOUR RHP

Grant Balfour has pitched his way to the number nine
Twins' prospect. Balfour pitched for the Rock Cats in
2001 and was very impressive in the Eastern League.
Last year, he was solid in Triple-A going 5-2 with a
2.41 ERA and had the opportunity to pitch 17 games in
the major leagues with the Twins. Balfour will have a
chance to make the big league team in spring training.


10) MICHAEL RESTOVICH OUTFIELD

Michael Restovich, a very popular ex-Rock Cat with the
fans, rounds out the top ten prospects. Restovich was
a key factor in New Britain's Eastern League
Championship in 2001. He batted .275 with 16 home runs
and 72 RBI in Triple-A before heading to Minnesota and
hitting .283 in 24 games with the Twins. Restovich
will compete for a reserve outfield job in Minnesota
but most likely will return to Rochester.

We look forward to seeing you at the stadium this
season.

For more information visit www.rockcats.com.