Guardians & Clippers Announce Opening Day Triple-A Roster
March 31, 2023 - International League (IL)
Columbus Clippers News Release
COLUMBUS, OH - The Columbus Clippers Opening Day roster has been set by the Cleveland Guardians with the International League schedule beginning today. Only one player on the Opening Day roster is making his Triple-A debut, while nearly a third of the roster will make their Cleveland organization debut.
On the mound, the Clippers will have a starting rotation fans should be very familiar with. LHP Konnor Pilkington is expected to be the Opening Day starter for the Clippers in his second year in the Guardians system. Pilkington split his season between Triple-A and the Majors, going 3-5 with a 5.88 ERA for the Clippers last year in 13 appearances and 1-2 with a 3.88 EA in Cleveland in 15 trips to the mound. The other four starters for the Clippers include LHPs Adam Scott and Logan Allen, and RHP's Peyton Battenfield and Tanner Bibee. All but Bibee started at least 13 games for the Clippers in 2022, Battenfield leading the team with 28 starts.
The Clippers bullpen will feature RHP's Brett Daniels, Michael Kelly, Kyle Marmon, Luis Oviedo, Thomas Ponticelli, Jhon Romero and Touki, Toussaint, along with LHP's Caleb Barager, Phillip Diehl and Daniel Norris. Only Daniels, Marmon, Oviedo and Ponticelli have pitched for Columbus, while the rest of the relief corps are in their first year with the Guardians, though they have combined for 366 Major League appearances.
Bo Naylor returns behind home plate and will be paired with veteran slugger Zack Collins and Eric Rodriguez to make up the catching contingent.
The infield will have some solid returners, in Tyler Freeman, David Fry, Brian Roccio and Daniel Schneemann. First baseman Micha Pries is the lone Clipper taking his maiden voyage at the Triple-A level.
The only Clippers outfielder who hasn't worn a Columbus uniform is veteran speedster Roman Quinn, a free agent signing by the Guardians. Jhonkensy Noel, Richie Palacios, Chris Roller and George Valera all played in Columbus last year.
The Clippers will be led by 3rd year manager Andy Tracy with a largely new staff; including pitching coach Owen Dew, hitting coach Junior Betances, bench coach Greg DiCenzo and strength coach Tyler Grisdale. Pitching strategist Cody Buckel and trainer Jeremy Heller return as the Clippers in those same roles.
The 2023 season begins March 31st in Des Moines, IA when the Clippers take on the Iowa Cubs in a three-game series. The Clippers home opener is April 4th at 6:15pm against the Charlotte Knights. For more information or to purchase tickets, log on to clippersbaseball.com or call (614) 462-5250.
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