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Indianapolis Indians

Indians Announce Preliminary Opening Day Roster

April 2, 2019 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - The Indianapolis Indians, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates, today announced their Opening Day roster for the 2019 season. Second-year manager Brian Esposito looks to build off a 73-67 record from 2018, a year in which Indy missed out on the International League West Division crown and IL wild card races by just a half-game.

The Indians boast nine of Pittsburgh's top-30 prospects, according to both Baseball America and MLB.com. Two of those top prospects, right-handers JT Brubaker (No. 27 BA/No. 21 MLB.com) and Mitch Keller (No. 1 BA/No. 1 MLB.com), will lead the rotation. Brubaker is scheduled as the Tribe's Opening Day starter in Columbus. Joining Brubaker and Keller in the rotation are two righties - Alex McRae and Rookie Davis.

Indy's bullpen will feature right-hander Clay Holmes (No. 17 BA/No. 23 MLB.com), who figures to be a multi-inning weapon for Esposito. Fellow righties Montana DuRapau, Michael Feliz, Geoff Hartlieb, Jesus Liranzo and Brandon Maurer, along with southpaws Sean Keselica, Tyler Lyons and Brandon Waddell, round out the relief corps.

Calling the shots behind the plate are catchers Steven Baron and Christian Kelley, both newcomers to Indianapolis. Baron owns 10 years of experience in the minors and has made brief major league appearances with Seattle (2015) and St. Louis (2018).

Every infield starter for Indianapolis comes with a high prospect ranking next to his name. Up the middle, the Indians will have shortstop Cole Tucker (No. 6 BA/No. 5 MLB.com) and second baseman Kevin Kramer (No. 5 BA/No. 6 MLB.com). Ke'Bryan Hayes (No. 2 BA/No. 2 MLB.com) will man the hot corner while Will Craig (No. 16 BA/No. 15 MLB.com) gets the nod at first base. Journeyman Jake Elmore and utilityman Erich Weiss are expected to share time around the infield, as well.

The Tribe outfield is led by Bryan Reynolds (No. 9 BA/No. 8 MLB.com) and Jason Martin (No. 10 BA/No. 11 MLB.com), the latter returning to Indianapolis after a midseason promotion from Double-A last season. Patrick Kivlehan is tabbed as Indy's primary right fielder, and Trayvon Robinson - returning to affiliated baseball for the first time since 2015 - will back up all three spots.

Overall, eight of Indy's 25 active players are currently members of Pittsburgh's 40-man roster. Eleven (six pitchers, five position players) have appeared in the big leagues, and 16 are age 25 or younger.

PITCHERS (13)

RHP JT Brubaker

RHP Rookie Davis

RHP Montana DuRapau

RHP Michael Feliz

RHP Geoff Hartlieb

RHP Clay Holmes

RHP Mitch Keller

RHP Jesus Liranzo

RHP Brandon Maurer

RHP Alex McRae

LHP Sean Keselica

LHP Tyler Lyons

LHP Brandon Waddell

POSITION PLAYERS (12)

C Steven Baron

C Christian Kelley

1B Will Craig

UTIL Jake Elmore

3B Ke'Bryan Hayes

2B Kevin Kramer

SS Cole Tucker

UTIL Erich Weiss

OF Patrick Kivlehan

OF Jason Martin

OF Bryan Reynolds

OF Trayvon Robinson

Single game tickets and details on group outings are available on IndyIndians.com or by calling the Victory Field Box Office at (317) 269-2282 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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