FSL1 Bradenton Marauders

Marauders Announce 2013 Roster

Published on April 2, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Bradenton Marauders News Release


Bradenton, Fla. - The Bradenton Marauders, High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, today announced their roster for the 2013 season. Outfielder Gregory Polanco and shortstop Alen Hanson will open the season in Manager Frank Kremblas' lineup as the Marauders try to return to the playoffs for the third time in four years.

Polanco had a breakout campaign for Low-A West Virginia in 2012. He hit .325 with 16 home runs and stole an organization-best 40 bases. He was named the Pirates Minor League Player-of-the-Year, a mid-season and post-season All-Star for the South Atlantic League, and the Most Outstanding Prospect in the SAL. Baseball America bestowed a number of preseason accolades on Polanco for the upcoming season, naming him the "Best Hitter for Average," "Best Athlete," "Best Defensive Outfielder," and the number four prospect in the Pirates organization.

Hanson was the top shortstop in the SAL according to a vote of league managers. A mid-season and post-season All-Star, Hanson raked to the tune of a .309 average, a league-best 13 triples, and 16 home runs. His 35 stolen bases were second only to Polanco in the Pirates system. Baseball America tabbed Hanson as the fifth-best prospect in the system for this year.

The Marauders pitching staff includes four returners from the 2012 team: righties Matt Benedict and Quinton Miller, and lefties Eliecer Navarro and Jhonathan Ramos. Right-handers Nick Kingham, Adrian Sampson, Robby Rowland, and Zack Von Rosenberg will join Benedict in the starting rotation. Left-handers Zac Fuesser and Robbie Kilcrease will bolster a bullpen that also includes righties Joan Montero and Zachary Thornton.

Behind the plate, Jacob Stallings and Elias Diaz each make the jump to Bradenton this season. Stallings played at State College after being drafted in the seventh round last June, while Diaz has spent the last two seasons with West Virginia.

In the infield, Hanson and 2012 Marauder Benji Gonzalez are joined by Eric Avila, Dan Gamache, Chris Lashmet, and Jose Osuna. Dan Grovatt and Carlos Mesa return in the outfield from the 2012 squad, joined by Polanco, Willy Garcia and Taylor Lewis.

The Marauders play their first home game on Friday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. All 140 Bradenton Marauders games will be streamed online at www.BradentonMarauders.com . For more information about the Bradenton Marauders, please call 941-747-3031, visit www.BradentonMarauders.com, or email MaraudersInfo@pirates.com.

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