2009 West Michigan Whitecaps Roster
Team Record: 81-59
Finished 3rd in the MWL's Eastern Division
Manager: Joe Depastino (81-59)
Affiliation: Detroit Tigers
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Ballpark: Fifth Third Ballpark
Attendance: 356,642, Avg. 5,245 in 68 home dates
Playoffs - Great Lakes Loons 2 games, West Michigan Whitecaps 1
The West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League ended the 2009 season with a record of 81 wins and 59 losses, finishing third in the league's Eastern Division.
The Whitecaps scored 693 runs and allowed 560 runs. Billy Nowlin led West Michigan with 13 home runs and drove in 77 runs. Gustavo Nunez paced all qualifying hitters on the roster with a .315 average. Casey Crosby topped the squad with 10 wins, while Luke Putkonen recorded a 3.14 ERA, best among pitchers with enough qualifying appearances.
Mauricio Robles, Casey Crosby, Adam Wilk, Brayan Villarreal, Melvin Mercedes, Jeremy Bonderman, Avisaíl García, Luke Putkonen and Hernán Pérez were all players from the 2009 West Michigan Whitecaps who played in the Major Leagues during their careers.
Joe Depastino served as manager.Click on column headings to sort.
| Player | Bats | Throws | Birth Date | Height | Weight | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Bonderman | R | R | October 28, 1982 | 6'0" | 210 | Kennewick, WA US |
| Ron Bourquin | L | R | April 29, 1985 | 6'3" | 215 | Canton, OH US |
| Joe Bowen | L | R | September 25, 1987 | 6'1" | 190 | Ocala, FL US |
| Alden Carrithers | L | R | November 14, 1984 | 5'10" | 170 | San Luis Obispo, CA US |
| Nicholas Cassavechia | R | R | December 18, 1985 | 6'0" | 185 | Dallas, TX US |
| Tyler Conn | L | L | November 9, 1985 | 6'1" | 180 | Hattiesburg, MS US |
| Erik Crichton | R | R | June 6, 1985 | 5'10" | 190 | Long Beach, CA US |
| Casey Crosby | R | L | September 17, 1988 | 6'5" | 225 | Maple Park, IL US |
| Brandon Douglas | R | R | August 27, 1985 | 6'0" | 200 | Knoxville, IA US |
| Angel Flores | R | R | August 16, 1986 | 6'0" | 200 | Manati, PR |
| Avisaíl García | R | R | June 12, 1991 | 6'4" | 250 | Anaco, Anzoategui VE |
| Jared Gayhart | L | R | October 29, 1986 | 6'3" | 195 | Katy, TX US |
| Mike Gosse | L | R | May 30, 1986 | 5'7" | 165 | Pitt Meadows, CA US |
| Ben Guez | R | R | January 24, 1987 | 5'11" | 180 | Houston, TX US |
| Brandon Hamilton | R | R | December 25, 1988 | 6'3" | 220 | Millbrook, AL US |
| Keith Hernandez | R | R | August 13, 1984 | 5'11" | 212 | Rio Rico, AZ US |
| Matt Hoffman | L | L | November 8, 1988 | 6'2" | 224 | Owasso, OK US |
| Victor Larez | R | R | May 28, 1987 | 6'3" | 160 | Cumana, Sucre VE |
| Jordan Lennerton | L | L | February 16, 1986 | 6'2" | 230 | Langley, BC CA |
| Melvin Mercedes | R | R | November 2, 1990 | 6'3" | 250 | El Seibo, DO |
| Jordan Newton | R | R | August 29, 1985 | 5'10" | 195 | Elizabethtown, KY US |
| Billy Nowlin | R | R | December 16, 1986 | 6'1" | 210 | Huntington Beach, CA US |
| Gustavo Nunez | S | R | February 8, 1988 | 5'11" | 189 | San Pedro de Macoris, San Pedro de Macoris DO |
| Luis Palacios | R | R | July 7, 1989 | 5'10" | 162 | Anaco, Anzoategui VE |
| Hernán Pérez | R | R | March 26, 1991 | 6'1" | 215 | Villa de Cura, Aragua VE |
| Bryan Pounds | R | R | October 4, 1985 | 6'0" | 195 | Houston, TX US |
| Luke Putkonen | R | R | May 10, 1986 | 6'6" | 215 | Wheaton, IL US |
| Mauricio Robles | L | L | March 5, 1989 | 5'10" | 215 | Valencia, Carabobo VE |
| Luis Salas | R | R | January 2, 1989 | 6'1" | 220 | Caracas, Distrito Federal VE |
| Luis Sanz | R | R | November 19, 1987 | 6'1" | 173 | Guatire, Miranda VE |
| Anthony Shawler | R | R | May 16, 1987 | 6'3" | 188 | |
| Mark Sorensen | R | R | February 21, 1986 | 6'3" | 205 | Northville, MI US |
| Tyler Stohr | L | R | September 19, 1986 | 6'2" | 210 | Newburgh, NY US |
| Chao Ting Tang | L | R | October 12, 1987 | 5'11" | 176 | Kaoshiung City, TW |
| Jade Todd | R | L | March 22, 1990 | 6'2" | 190 | Jefferson County, AL US |
| Brayan Villarreal | R | R | May 10, 1987 | 6'0" | 170 | La Guaira, Vargas VE |
| Rob Waite | R | R | January 9, 1987 | 6'3" | 210 | Fresno, CA US |
| Adam Wilk | L | L | December 9, 1987 | 6'2" | 180 | Anaheim, CA US |
| Brent Wyatt | S | R | January 25, 1985 | 5'10" | 185 | Kititas, WA US |
Average attendance is based upon the number of actual home dates where known (most leagues from 1992 and later). Where the number of home dates is not known, the average is calculated using half the team's total games.
