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Zephyrs Unveil Opening Day Roster

April 6, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
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Metairie, LA - The New Orleans Zephyrs have released the preliminary Opening Day roster for the 2015 season, which includes both the Miami Marlins' Minor League Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year from 2014.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto was honored as the organization's Player of the Year after finishing eighth in the Southern League batting race with Jacksonville. Realmuto, a former third-round pick who made his Major League debut by playing in 11 games with Miami, established career highs in batting average, doubles, triples and RBI and ranked second among the league's catchers by throwing out 39% of attempted basestealers.

Left-hander Justin Nicolino also garnered Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher recognition after going 14-4 with a 2.85 ERA with Jacksonville. A second-round selection by the Blue Jays in 2010, Nicolino won the league's ERA crown, allowed the fewest baserunners per nine innings, tied for the league lead in starts and shutouts, and ranked second in innings pitched.

Also in the Zephyrs' starting rotation will be right-hander Jose Urena, who ranks fourth on Baseball America's list of Marlins prospects, just behind Realmuto and Nicolino. A Southern League All-Star last year, Urena ranked second in the league to Nicolino in both wins (13) and WHIP (1.14) while finishing second in strikeouts (121) and innings pitched (162.0).

Five other pitchers on the staff have Major League experience: right-handers Carter Capps, Nick Masset, Vin Mazzaro and Andre Rienzo and left-hander Pat Misch. Southpaws Adam Conley and Grant Dayton return to New Orleans for a second year, and will be joined on the staff by right-handers Ryan Chaffee and Robert Morey and lefties Pat Urckfitz and Fabian Williamson.

First baseman Justin Bour is back with the Zephyrs after splitting last season between New Orleans and Miami. He tied the Zephyrs franchise record for longest hitting streak to open a season at 14 games, and batted .306 with 18 home runs and 72 RBI between a 39-game stint with the Marlins. Also returning is second baseman Derek Dietrich, who clubbed seven home runs in only 21 games with the Zephyrs last year and hit five more with Miami. St. Amant native Reid Brignac has spent parts of the last seven seasons at the Major League level, Scott Sizemore has played in 166 games between Detroit, Oakland and the New York Yankees, and Miguel Rojas stepped into a midseason starting role on the Los Angeles Dodgers in his big league debut last year.

In the outfield, reigning Pacific Coast League stolen base leader Austin Wates returns after swiping 37 bags with Oklahoma City and New Orleans. Jordany Valdespin played in 61 games with the Z's before spending the second half in Miami. Cole Gillespie split last year at the Major League and Triple-A levels in the Seattle and Toronto organizations, and Brady Shoemaker makes the jump to Triple-A after ranking among last year's Southern League leaders in walks and on-base percentage.

Joining Realmuto behind the plate are veterans Jhonatan Solano, who played in 36 games with the Washington Nationals in 2012-13, and former Zephyr Vinny Rottino, a four-time PCL All-Star who spent the last two seasons in Japan and Korea.

The Zephyrs open the season on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. against the Omaha Storm Chasers. The first 1,000 adults ages 21 and up will receive a replica jersey courtesy of Silver Slipper Casino, and the first 3,000 fans will receive a magnet schedule compliments of The Blood Center. Opening Night festivities include $1 draft beers and sodas, performances by the 610 Stompers and postgame fireworks. Tickets can be purchased online, at the Zephyr Field box office, or by calling the Zephyrs at (504) 734-5155.

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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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