CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans' roster set for opening day

Published on April 4, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are excited to announce the team's opening day roster for the 2009 season. The Pelicans open the '09 Carolina League campaign on Thursday, April 9 at 7:05 PM hosting the Wilmington Blue Rocks at BB&T Coastal Field.

Headlining the Pelicans' 2009 opening day roster are three of the top six prospects in the Atlanta Braves organization according to Baseball America. Outfielder Jason Heyward (#2) is one of the most highly-anticipated Braves prospects in recent years. Heyward made an appearance with Myrtle Beach at the end of last season, playing in seven games for the Pelicans after a strong showing in 120 performances at low Class A Rome in which he batted .323 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs. His power bat will be joined by first baseman Freddie Freeman (#5) who also showcased dominant offensive skills in Rome in 2008. Named Braves Minor League Organizational Player of the Year in his sophomore campaign, Freeman hit .316 with 18 HR and 95 RBIs in '08. At the forefront of the Pelicans' pitching staff is lefthander Cole Rohrbough (#6). In 18 combined appearances between Rome and Myrtle Beach last season, Rohrbough followed up a 2007 campaign that saw him earn the top ranking for prospects in the Appalachian League while with Danville.

The team's opening day roster includes 13 players who also have seen prior action in Myrtle Beach, including Heyward and Rohrbough. Other returning players are: RHP Michael Broadway, RHP Cory Gearrin, LHP Lee Hyde, RHP Craig Kimbrel, LHP Carlos Rivas, RHP Chris Vines, LHP Tyler Wilson, INF Randy Gress, INF Chad Lundahl and INF Robert Marcial. OF Quentin Davis is also back after spending 2008 with the AA Mississippi Braves.

Overall, Myrtle Beach's roster claims nine players named in Baseball America's top-30 prospects in the Braves system. In addition to Heyward, Freeman and Rohrbough, LHP Jeff Locke (#7), Kimbrel (#10), OF Cody Johnson (#12), LHP Edgar Osuna (#17), C Mathew Kennelly (#20) and LHP Chad Rodgers (#25) are all part of that exclusive list.

The Pelicans opening day squad also includes RHP Michael Mehlich, LHP Jose Ortegano, LHP Thomas Palica, C Benji Johnson, INF Michael Fisher, INF Donnell Linares, INF Cole Miles and INF Steven Shults.

Additionally, the Pelicans roster includes three players who will begin the year on the disabled list: Vines and Lundahl along with LHP Erik Cordier.

The 2009 Pelicans will be led by manager Rocket Wheeler who is back for his fourth season on the Grand Strand. The 2008 Carolina League Manager of the Year and Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year led the Pelicans to a franchise-best 89 wins last season. His staff this year includes third-year hitting coach Rick Albert and new pitching coach Guy Hansen who joins the Pelicans after spending two years with the AAA Richmond Braves of the International League. Also joining the staff this year is first-year trainer Chas Miller who arrives in Myrtle Beach after spending 2005 and 2006 with the Danville Braves and the last two years with the Rome Braves.

Wheeler and the 2009 Myrtle Beach Pelicans will be available to the media on Media Day, Tuesday, April 7. Media Day will begin with light refreshments for attending members of the media at 4 PM at BB&T Coastal Field. A team workout will take place later in the day at 7.

Pelicans single-game tickets, season tickets, mini-plans, flex books and group outings are on sale now. Tickets are still available for the season opener on April 9 and for the Jerome Bettis appearance on April 14. For more information, contact the Pelicans at (843) 918-6000 or toll-free at (877) 918-TIXX, visit the Pelicans Box Office at BB&T Coastal Field or log on to myrtlebeachpelicans.com.

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