EL1 Harrisburg Senators

Senators Announce 2009 Opening Day Roster

Published on April 5, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Harrisburg Senators News Release


The Harrisburg Senators released their 2009 opening day roster today, with 18 former Senators. The roster has three players that have appeared with the Nationals and all told, 22 of the 24 players on the Senators roster were with the Nationals organization last season.

The starting rotation features the Nationals number two prospect, according to Baseball America, LH Ross Detwiler. Detwiler was the Nationals number one pick in the 2007 draft out of Missouri State University. He is one of three Senators to have appeared in a major league game, as he made his debut in September 2007 pitching a scoreless inning against the Atlanta Braves. Joining Detwiler in the rotation is another left-hander that has pitched in the big leagues with the Nationals, Michael O'Connor. O'Connor has appeared in a total of 26 major league games, making 21 starts in 2006 going 3-8 with a 4.80ERA. Rounding out the rotation are former Senators LH Justin Jones, LH Cory VanAllen and RH Luis Atilano. Atilano is a former number one draft choice of the Atlanta Brave. All of the starters but Detwiler have played for the Senators.

The Sens bullpen is seven deep with all but one player having worn a Senators uniform. RH Zech Zinicola, the Nationals sixth round selection in the 2006 draft, leads the bullpen. He was the Nats Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2006.

Fans will see an experienced group in the field on a nightly basis as well. Nine of the twelve regular players have appeared in Harrisburg with the Senators before. Sens veterans Seth Bynum at 2B and SS Ian Desmond lead the group. Desmond is the Nats 19th best prospect according to Baseball America. The 17th best prospect, 1B Bill Rhinehart, returns to Harrisburg after finishing the 2008 campaign with the Sens.

Leonard Davis leads an experienced group in the OF. Davis is the Nationals 16th best prospect according to Baseball America. He appeared in ten games with the Sens in 2008 before being promoted to Columbus. Returning to round out the OF are Mike Daniel, Marvin Lowrance and Edgardo Baez.

Even with all the experience, the Senators average age is still just 25 years old and the average experience is just under five years. As the Senators open the 2009 season, the team is trying to snap their longest playoff drought in their modern era. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2002 when they fell in the finals.

The Senators are coming off their first winning season since 2002, going 73-69 last year.

John Stearns returns for a second consecutive season and third overall to manage the Sens. He's joined by a couple of former Senators, pitching coach Randy Tomlin and hitting coach Troy Gingrich. For the first time since 2004, the Senators have a new trainer, Atsushi Toriida, who spent last season with Potomac. Brad Lawson, strength and conditioning coordinator, rounds out the staff.

The Senators 2009 season gets underway Thursday, April 9th at Reading with the home opener Thursday, April 16 against the Reading Phillies. Tickets can be purchased online at senatorsbaseball.com or by calling 231-4444. For the most current information about the Senators including their roster please visit the Senators online.

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Eastern League Stories from April 5, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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