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SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

2019 Opening Day Roster Announced

April 2, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The West Virginia Power, in conjunction with the Seattle Mariners, is excited to announce its 2019 Opening Day roster, which includes four of the Mariners' top 30 prospects per Baseball America and MLB.com. Jarred Kelenic (#2), Julio Rodriguez (#4, Baseball America/#5, MLB.com) and Logan Gilbert (#6) are all amongst the top 10, while Nolan Hoffman (#23, Baseball America/#29, MLB.com) completes the touted quartet.

Kelenic and Rodriguez are two members of the Power's initial outfield, with Charlie McConnell, Ryan Ramiz and Cesar Trejo rounding out the five on the team's initial roster.

All five of the Kanawha Valley's newest outfielders have yet to make their full season debut, making up nearly half of the 11 total members who have not endured a full 140-game campaign. Gilbert and Hoffman are also a part of this core, along with right-handed hurlers Dayeison Arias, Bryan Pall and Jamal Wade, and catcher Jake Anchia. Pall and Gilbert will both be making their professional debuts after dealing with injuries in 2018.

The Power arms come packed with experience, including seven members who have played at the Low-A level or higher already in their careers. Right-handers Clay Chandler, Elias Espino, Ryne Inman and Devin Sweet have each experienced some form of full season baseball, as have southpaws Oliver Jaskie, Steven Moyers and Benjamin Onyshko.

Besides Anchia, Manny Pazos and Onil Pena will manage the West Virginia staff behind the dish. Pazos, a University of Pittsburgh alumnus, spent most of last year with High-A Modesto, but battled a hamstring injury that limited him to just 46 games. Pena, meanwhile, enters his sixth professional season after splitting 2018 between Short-Season Everett and Low-A Clinton, appearing in 57 games and averaging .208 with two homers and 17 RBI.

The infield is comprised of four players all with full-season expertise. Joseph Rosa, one of the Power's two switch hitters along with Cesar Izturis Jr., took on a full year with the LumberKings last season after serving as a journeyman for four affiliates in 2017. Izturis Jr. held a similar role in 2018, playing six games between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma, but saw most of his action in the AZL (50 games). Two 2018 draft picks fill out the Power dirt-minders, with Bobby Honeyman (29th round) and Ryne Ogren (12th round) completing the infield foursome.

All in all, the Power's roster includes 10 of the Mariners' selections from a season ago, as well as the New York Mets' 2018 first rounder in Kelenic (sixth overall pick), whom Seattle acquired in a trade last December for Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz and cash.

The Power offense contains four left-handed sluggers, six right-handed batters and two switch hitters, while the pitching staff possesses 10 righties and three left-handers.

The West Virginia Power opens its 15th season, and first as an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, on April 4 in Greenville, S.C., with the home opener slated for April 11 at Appalachian Power Park. The 2019 South Atlantic League All-Star Game is set for Tuesday, June 18, with a 7:35 p.m. first pitch. Full season, mini-plan packages and single-game tickets are on sale now. For tickets and more information on the 2019 season or the All-Star Game, please call (304) 344-BATS or visit wvpower.com.

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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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