
G-Braves Release 2004 Opening Day Roster
Published on April 2, 2004 under Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release
The Greenville Braves, who open their 21st and final season of play in Greenville on April 8th at Chattanooga, have released their opening day roster for the 2004 Southern League season. BRIAN SNITKER, who enters his third consecutive season as Field Manager, will have a club featuring nine returnees from 2003, including Greenville Player of the Year JAMES JURRIES.
Greenville's infield promises to be prospect-laden. In addition to first baseman Jurries, who set a franchise-record with 35 doubles last year, third baseman ANDY MARTE will make his "AA" debut. The 20-year old Marte is rated by Baseball America as the Atlanta Braves top prospect and the number-11 ranked overall prospect in all of minor league baseball. Up the middle, shortstop TONY PENA, JR. and second baseman AARON HERR will make up the keystone combination. Both sons of former major leaguers, the two paired at "A" Myrtle Beach in 2003.
The Braves outfield corps includes an old face playing a new position. KELLY JOHNSON, a former first-round draft pick, moves from shortstop to corner outfield in 2004. Johnson, who hit a solid .275 last season, will be joined by 2003 Southern League All-Star BILL McCARTHY, speedster ADAM STERN in center field and veteran CORY ALDRDIGE, who led Greenville in home runs last season with 16.
BRAYAN PENA, who is rated by Baseball America as the Braves top defensive catcher will work behind the plate in 2004, along with returning veteran J.C. BOSCAN.
Pitching will also continue to be a strength for the G-Braves. Two top-ten prospects will help to anchor the rotation. Lefthanders DAN MEYER and MACAY McBRIDE both are coming off outstanding 2003 campaigns at the class "A" level. Righthander DANIEL CURTIS returns to Greenville after pitching well in the second-half in 2003. Greenville's bullpen will be anchored by returnees KEVIN BARRY, ALEC ZUMWALT and JAMIE EMILIANO, who spent all of 2003 at "AAA" Richmond.
Following a seven-game roadtrip to open the season, the G-Braves play their 2004 home opener on Friday, April 16th at 7:15pm vs. Chattanooga in the opener of a seven-game homestand. The Braves "AA" franchise will be moving to Pearl, Mississippi, for the 2005 season.
G-BRAVES ROSTER BREAKDOWN:
Baseball America Prospect Rankings for Braves system: Marte (#1; #11 overall minors); Meyer (#5; #82 overall); McBride (#7); Johnson (#11), B.Pena (#25), Brett Evert (#27); Zach Miner (#28).
On Atlanta's 40-man roster: Evert, Johnson, T.Pena.
Lineage: Issac Iorg (son of former major league infielder Garth Iorg); Aaron Herr (son of Tommy Herr); Tony Pena, Jr. (son of Tony Sr.)
Southern League Stories from April 2, 2004
- Mudcats Release Opening Day Roster - Carolina Mudcats
- G-Braves Release 2004 Opening Day Roster - Mississippi Braves
- Diamond Jaxx To Host Memphis Redbirds in Exhibition Game - Jackson Generals
- Suns Opening Homestand next week - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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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