Greeneville Astros Set 2015 Opening Day Roster
June 22, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
GREENEVILLE, TN- The Houston Astros have set the initial 2015 Greeneville Astros Opening Day roster. This year's team of 33 players, led by new manager Lamarr Rogers, consists of 19 non-drafted free agent prospects and 14 players drafted by the Houston Astros. Eleven players are new to the Astros organization with 10 of them selected during the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft from June 5-7.
The 10 recently drafted players making their professional debuts with Greeneville, all from the collegiate ranks, include right-handed pitchers Ryan Deemes, Zac Grotz, Chris Murphy, and Makay Nelson as well as left-handers Steve Naemark and Alex Winkelman. New position players include outfielders Aaron Mizell and Myles Straw in addition to catcher Kevin Martir and first baseman Justin Garcia. Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Jacob Dorris, who also competed on the collegiate level, recently signed as a non-drafted free agent.
Fifteen of the players on this season's club have previously spent time playing in the minor leagues and have a combined 20 years of experience. Of those 15 players, the five players that spent time playing in Greeneville last year include right-handed pitchers Samil De Los Santos, Juan Delis, and Devonte German as well as infielders Randy Cesar and Connor Goedert.
In total, fourteen players, including De Los Santos, Delis, Cesar, and Goedert spent time with the Gulf Coast League Astros in 2014. The MVP of the GCL squad, outfielder Brauly Mejia, also jumped up to Class A Quad Cities for a brief time while left-handed pitcher Junior Garcia also pitched with the Short-Season A Tri-City ValleyCats.
Eight players on this year's Greeneville squad played with the Dominican Summer League Astros last year including 2014 DSL All-Star right-handed pitcher Erasmo Pinales. Other pitchers joining Pinales in the move to Greeneville include fellow right-hander Albert Abreu and lefties Yhoan Acosta, Salvador Montaño, and Cristhopher Santamaria. Meanwhile, the position players are catcher Gabriel Bracamonte and infielders Rodrigo Ayarza and Osvaldo Duarte.
The average age on the team is 20.63 years. The ages range from the five 19-year-old players to the 25-year-old Steve Naemark.
As a whole, the Astros have a total of 13 states and five countries represented on the Greeneville roster this season. There are 15 players from the United States with two each from Florida and Georgia. Meanwhile, there are 11 players from the Dominican Republic, three each from Panama and Venezuela, and one from Nicaragua.
The complete roster will be as follows, although it is still subject to change even after Appalachian League play begins on June 23:
Pitchers: RHP Albert Abreu, LHP Yhoan Acosta, RHP Brandon Culbreth, RHP Samil De Los Santos, RHP Ryan Deemes, RHP Juan Delis, RHP Jacob Dorris, LHP Junior Garcia, RHP Devonte German, RHP Zac Grotz, LHP Salvador Montaño, RHP Chris Murphy, LHP Steve Naemark, RHP Makay Nelson, RHP Erasmo Pinales, LHP Cristhopher Santamaria, LHP Ben Smith, LHP Alejandro Solarte, and LHP Alex Winkelman
Catchers: Marlon Avea, Gabriel Bracamonte, Kevin Martir, and Brian Peña
Infielders: Rodrigo Ayarza, Randy Cesar, Osvaldo Duarte, Justin Garcia, Connor Goedert, and Arturo Michelena
Outfielders: Brauly Mejia, Aaron Mizell, Luis Payano, and Myles Straw
The Greeneville Astros begin their season on Tuesday, June 23 on the road against the Bristol Pirates at 7:00pm. The home opener at Pioneer Park against the Pirates will be on Thursday, June 25 at 7:00pm. Tickets are available now at the Astros Administrative office, located at Pioneer Park on the campus of Tusculum College. The office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:30pm.
The Greeneville Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information on the Astros, call (423) 638-0411 or visit www.greenevilleastros.com.
Appalachian League Stories from June 22, 2015
- Greeneville Astros Set 2015 Opening Day Roster - Greeneville Astros
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