jjohnson@heraldsun.com; 419-6667
DURHAM — The Durham Bulls are open the 2010 season the same way they closed their Triple-A championship run a year ago — with Jeremy Hellickson as their starting pitcher.
The best pitching prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization will be on the mound today when the Bulls face the Norfolk Tides (7:15 p.m., WDNC-AM 620) in the season opener for both teams.
Hellickson was a key contributor a year ago for the Bulls when they won the International League championship, getting a victory in the first series of the playoffs and a no-decision in the second round.
But Hellickson pitched five scoreless innings against Memphis in the Triple-A Championship game, earning MVP honors.
During the regular season, Hellickson went 6-1 and struck out 70 batters in 571⁄3 innings. His ERA with the Bulls was 2.51 and he struck out at least 10 batters during a three-game stretch last August as the season was winding down. He was promoted from the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits after being selected as a mid-season Southern League All-Star.
Hellickson, who said he’s excited about starting his second opener.
“I don’t think there’s much you have to do different,” Hellickson said. “You go out there and have to be effective early because you’re on a pitch count. As far as special preparation, there’s not going to be anything different.”
Hellickson will be squaring off against Chris Tillman, who went 11-4 in 28 starts with Double-A Bowie in 2009.
The Bulls matched up with Norfolk during spring training, and Manager Charlie Montoyo saw considerable improvement in the Tides, who finished third in the South Division behind the Bulls and the Gwinnett Braves.
“Norfolk is going to be very good; ... they’re going to be tough,” Montoyo said.
The Bulls have reached the Governor’s Cup finals in each of Monotoyo’s first three seasons. He is optimistic about the upcoming season, especially with a lineup filled with many holdovers from the championship squad.
“Making it to finals three straight years — I don’t know how we’ve done, it but we have,” Montoyo said. “I’m very proud of that. I’m looking forward to that again.”
NOTES — After spending the 2009 season on the FM dial, the shuffling of radio station ownership that occurred in the fall will have the Bulls return to their long-time home on WDNC 620-AM for game broadcasts. Neil Solondz will continue to call the play-by-play for the Bulls. ... The Bulls open the season with four games at Norfolk, then play a three-game set in Gwinnett against the Braves before hosting the Tides on April 15 in the home opener at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
