PCL1 Round Rock Express

Express Finalizes 2008 Roster

Published on April 2, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express will begin the 2008 season with one of the most potent offenses in franchise history.

Round Rock unveiled its official 2008 Opening Day roster Wednesday which is highlighted by 12 players who appeared in the Major Leagues last year and six everyday players who hit .300 or better at the Triple-A level in 2007. The Express will begin the season with 26 active players.

Anchoring the team's powerful offense are newly added outfielders Reggie Abercrombie, Yordany Ramirez and Victor Diaz, all who batted .315 or higher with their respective Triple-A teams last year. Nick Gorneault, along with Abercrombie and Diaz, is also one of five Express players to reach double-digit figures in the home run category in 2007. The former Salt Lake Bee had 19 home runs to go along with 59 RBI and an appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Catcher J.R. House, who returns to Round Rock after a one-year departure into the Baltimore Orioles' organization, represents one of five Express players to reach the 50-RBI plateau in 2007. Returning first baseman Mark Saccomanno, Abercrombie, Diaz and Gorneault all reached the mark.

Lance Niekro, who spent parts of the last three seasons with the San Francisco Giants and hit .301 in 143 games for Triple-A Fresno, was signed to a minor league contract in January. He adds to a versatile infield that includes Danny Klassen, veteran David Newhan, Edwin Maysonet and Jonny Ash.

On the mound, Round Rock opens the season with 13 active pitchers, including seven from the 2007 squad. Right-handers Paul Estrada, Jared Gothreaux, Josh Miller, Fernando Nieve and Chad Reineke and left-handers Mark McLemore (DL) and Stephen Randolph all appeared for the Express last season. Randolph posted a 10-2 record and 1.94 ERA over 52 innings and Gothreaux logged a team-high 133 2/3 innings for Round Rock in 2007.

Round Rock opens the road against Iowa (Chi. Cubs) on April 3 before heading to Omaha (Kansas City) for a four-game set. The Express opens its 2008 home campaign against New Orleans on April 11 at 7:05 p.m. at The Dell Diamond.

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