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Mavericks Announce Competitive 2013 Roster

April 4, 2013 - California League (CalL1)
High Desert Mavericks News Release


ADELANTO, Calif. (APRIL 4, 2013) - Baseball fans in the High Desert have an exciting year of baseball ahead of them. The newly released roster for the Seattle Mariners Advanced-A affiliate features three of the Seattle Mariners Top 30 prospects, according to Baseball America- outfielder Jabari Blash (24), shortstop Chris Taylor (28) and third baseman Ramon Morla (29). The Mavericks also have nine returning players who helped the 2012 squad to the best record in the California League last season.

Among the returnees are pitchers Tyler Blandford, Cameron Hobson, George Mieses, Trevor Miller and Brett Shankin. The pitching staff includes 12 pitchers who appeared on the Class-A Clinton club that last season had the best second-half record in the Midwest League and reached the divisional championship series. Left-hander Jordan Shipers, a mid-season Midwest League All-Star, threw the only no-hitter in the Midwest League last season.

"Mavericks fans will see a team accustomed to success, including several returning players from one of the best seasons in the history of the High Desert franchise," said team owner Dave Heller. "A talented and competitive team at the start of a new era of baseball in the High Desert will make for a memorable season at Mavericks Stadium."

The roster will also feature two Mariners 2012 draft picks. Fifth-round pick Chris Taylor was named the Mariners' Best Defensive Player from the 2012 Draft by Baseball America, which also named 28th round pick Matt Brazis the Mariners' Best Late-Round Pick for his impressive pro debut (0.65 ERA, 7 saves and 51-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 28 innings with rookie-level Pulaski and Class-A Clinton).

Five Mavericks were selected by Seattle in the top 10 rounds of the amateur draft, including 2009 supplemental first round pick Steven Baron. Baron, Patrick Brady, Michael McGee, Nate Melendres and Kevin Rivers are the position players with California League experience. Among 13 players from the 2012 Clinton squad were team MVP's Dan Paolini and Michael Dowd. Others being promoted from the LumberKings include sluggers Jabari Blash and Ji-Man Choi, who will be making their California League debuts this season.

Manager Jim Horner returns to head the Mavericks after spending the past two and a half seasons as the manger at Texas Tech University. He previously managed the Mavericks from 2008-2010. Lance Painter also returns to the High Desert for the first time since 2008 and will assume the pitching coach duties. Roy Howell returns from last year's staff and will be the team's hitting coach. Rounding out the staff will be trainer Tyler Moos and performance specialist Daniel Cobain.

The Mavericks open the 2013 season tonight at Lancaster and play their home opener Thursday, April 11, against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at Mavericks Stadium. The home opener will be a Thirsty Thursday and include a magnet schedule giveaway.

MAVERICKS TICKETS: Main Street Baseball is bringing its ticket policy - the most liberal ticket return policy in baseball - to the High Desert. Now, any ticket purchased for any game can be exchanged up to one hour prior to game time for similar seats to any future Mavericks game so long as space is available. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, by calling (760) 246-6287 (760-246-MAVS) or at HDMavs.com. Ticket packages start as low as $55 per seat for 10 games. For more information, call the Mavericks Front Office at (760) 246-6287 (760-246-MAVS).



California League Stories from April 4, 2013


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