PCL1 Reno Aces

Highly-Touted Prospects and Major League Veterans Fill Aces Opening Day Roster

Published on April 4, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Reno Aces News Release


RENO, Nev.- Set to begin its defense of the Pacific North Division championship in less than a week, the Reno Aces Baseball Club unveiled its 2012 Opening Day roster today, highlighted by many key returners and several highly-ranked prospects.

The 2012 Aces will open the season with several members of the Arizona Diamondbacks' 40-man roster, including two starting pitchers: Barry Enright and Joe Martinez. Two others with big-league experience will also be featured in the starting rotation: Chris Jakubauskas-who made 33 appearances for the Baltimore Orioles last season-and Zach Kroenke-who has split each of the last two seasons between Reno and Arizona.

The other half of the battery features University of Nevada product Konrad Schmidt and Mark Reed, who enjoyed a brief stint with the Aces a year ago. Former Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim catcher Ryan Budde will begin the season on the Disabled List.

The infield unit includes 2011 Pacific Coast League All-Star Cody Ransom and 2009 PCL Most Valuable Player Randy Ruiz. Rusty Ryal, who starred for the Aces in 2009 before earning a spot on the big-league roster, will begin the season on Reno's disabled list. Jake Elmore and Arizona's 2009 Organizational Player of the Year Ryan Wheeler will make their Triple-A debuts with the Aces, while Taylor Harbin and Tommy Manzella return to the Reno infield.

Roaming the outfield will 2011 Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove recipient Cole Gillespie, Ryan LaPensee, returner Evan Frey and A.J. Pollock, who was ranked by Baseball America as the Diamondbacks' fifth-best prospect.

The Aces bullpen will feature six pitchers with Major League experience, including Jonathan Albaladejo, Sam Demel, Jason Lane, Jensen Lewis, Daniel Stange and Mike Zagurski. Mike DeMark-who earned a pair of saves for the Aces in the 2011 postseason-and newcomer Bryan Woodall round out the relief corps.

The Aces begin the 2012 campaign on Thursday, April 5 at 6:35 p.m. On Opening Night, Whitney Myer will perform the National Anthem, and the club will unveil its 2011 Division Championship banner. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance for Opening Weekend at RenoAces.com, by calling (775) 334-7000 or visiting the Aces Ballpark Ticket Office.

Discounted full and partial season ticket packages also are available now. For up-to-date news and notes throughout the offseason, visit www.RenoAces.com, follow the club on Twitter (@aceball) or like the team on Facebook.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 4, 2012


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