Much has been made about the talent pool of the Tampa Bay Rays. Their Triple A affiliate in Durham is entering the 2008 season as the defending IL South Division Champions. All signs point to another successful campaign for the Bulls as they will start the season with one of the most highly touted prospects in all of baseball on their roster, third baseman Evan Longoria.

Here is a Bulls preview courtesy of the Durham Herald Sun.

Durham Bulls- 2007 record 80-63 (1st in IL South)

2007 Batting Leaders (Minimum 150 Plate Appearances)
BA: Jason Pridie .318
HR: Justin Ruggiano 20
RBI: Justin Ruggiano 73

2007 Pitching Leaders (Minimum 50 IP)
Wins: Mitch Talboy 13
ERA: Seth McClung 1.99
Saves: Chad Orvella 20

The ProJo’s Sean McAdam has the story this morning that outfielder Bobby Kielty will start the season with the PawSox.

That’s good news for fans as another Major Leaguer will, at least for a short time, be playing for Pawtucket. It’s also good news that Kielty chose not to opt for free agency for not making the big league club. Once Boston decides on the fate of Coco Crisp, Kielty will have a shot at the fourth outfielder spot, which was the Sox’ plan when they re-signed him.

Kielty realizes that he probably would have been, at best, a fourth outfielder for any other club in the big leagues. So why not make a trip to Pawtucket with a chance at making the Boston squad and celebrating another championship? Smart move.

Here are some news and notes form around the International League as teams wrap up their spring campaigns…

The Twins’ Fransisco Liriano will need more time to recover from his season-plus long injury as he will begin 2008 in the minors.

The Louisville Bats break camp on a positive note. The Bisons…not so much.

As he has throughout the spring, Chad Jennings form the Scranton Times-Tribune has plenty to talk about from Yankees camp.

In 2007 the Rochester Red Wings finished second in the International League’s North Division.

Here’s a look at the 2008 edition of the Red Wings courtesy of Jim Manderlaro of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle…

2008 Rochester Red Wings Preview

Rochester Red Wings- 2007 Record: 77-67 (2nd in IL North)
Manager: Stan Cliburn

2007 Batting Leaders (Minimum 150 Plate Appearances)
BA: Jose Morales .311
HR: Garrett Jones 13
RBI: Garrett Jones 70

2007 Pitching Leaders (Minimum 50 Innings)
Wins: Julio DePaula 12
ERA: Kevin Slowey 1.89
Saves : Bobby Korecky 35

Bartolo Colon had a solid outing last night in the Sox‘ 3-1 exhibition loss to the Dodgers. His future with the big club, however, is still in doubt.