SL1 Mississippi Braves

Mississippi Braves Announce 2012 Opening Day Roster

April 2, 2012 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


PEARL, MS-The Mississippi Braves, Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, are proud to unveil its Opening Day roster for the 2012 season which begins Thursday, April 5. The roster features many familiar faces including RHP Billy Bullock, LHP Luis Avilan, and C Mat Kennelly. The lineup also includes players from Gwinnett's Futures Game roster, some of which include newcomers C Christian Bethancourt, INF Phil Gosselin, and OF Todd Cunningham.

Rounding out the M-Braves pitching staff are a total of 13 pitchers. The seven right-handers, which will start the season with the team, include Billy Bullock, David Hale, Mark Lamm, Gary Moran, Cory Rasmus, Andy Russell, and Zeke Spruill. The six lefties starting in Mississippi are Luis Avilan, Ryan Buchter, Sean Gilmartin, Chris Jones, Chris Masters, and Richard Sullivan.

Billy Bullock, Zeke Spruill, Luis Avilan, Chris Masters, and Richard Sullivan all had stints with the M-Braves during the 2011 season.

Catchers Christian Bethancourt and Mat Kennelly will man the backstop for the M-Braves in 2012. Mat Kennelly spent almost the entire '11 season in Mississippi and played two games with AAA-Gwinnett while Bethancourt will make his AA-Mississippi debut this season.

Bethancourt is currently ranked as the ninth top prospect in the Braves Organization by Baseball America.

Mississippi's infield features five new faces for the upcoming season: Ian Gac, Phil Gosselin, Barrett Kleinknecht, Joe Leonardo, and Greg Paiml.

Todd Cunningham, Mycal Jones, Brahiam Maldonado, Adam Milligan, and Keenan Wiley will account for the Braves outfield during the 2012 season.

Mississippi's roster currently features 25 active players-the Southern League's new limit. Three players will begin the season on the disabled list: RHP Brett Cammons (formerly Brett Butts), infielder Ozzie Chavez, and outfielder L.V. Ware.

As for the M-Braves field staff, Manager Aaron Holbert will begin his first season at Trustmark Park, while Pitching Coach Mike Alvarez returns for his second year, and Hitting Coach Garey Ingram returns for his third season. Trainer Ricky Alcantara, and Strength and Conditioning Coach Will Townsley round out the rest of the staff.

The Mississippi Braves open the 2012 season on Thursday, April 5, with two back-to-back five-game series at Trustmark Park. April 5 through the 9 the Braves will face the Mobile BayBears and on April 10 through the 14 the Braves will take on the Montgomery Biscuits. First pitch for opening night is schedule for 7:00 PM.

Tickets start as low as $6 and can be purchased at Trustmark Park, the Mississippi Coliseum, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.mississippibraves.com or by phone at 601-932-8788 or 888-BRAVES4. Fans can also call Ticketmaster to place their orders at 601-355-5252.

Check out the Mississippi Braves Statistics



Southern League Stories from April 2, 2012


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