Omaha Royals roster set
Published on March 30, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, NE - The Omaha Royals Opening Day roster has been set by Kansas City, with several of the organization's top prospects set to begin the season with the Triple-A club.
One of the team's strongest areas appears to the outfield. Billy Butler, who won the Texas League batting title playing for Double-A Wichita in 2006 and is rated as Kansas City's 3rd-best prospect by Baseball America entering this season, is expected to start in left field. Shane Costa, named as Omaha's Player of the Year in 2006; Mitch Maier, a Texas League All-Star for Wichita in 2006 who's ranked by Baseball America as Kansas City's #6 prospect; and speedster Joey Gathright, obtained from Tampa Bay in a trade last season, make up the rest of a strong outfield corps.
Omaha's infield will again feature first baseman Justin Huber, a 24-year old Australian who has appeared in three Futures Games and is tabbed by Baseball America as the Royals #8 prospect. The middle infield will include Angel Berroa, optioned to Omaha by Kansas City this week, as well as Andres Blanco and Fernando Cortez. Mike Aviles returns for a second season at the hot corner for Omaha. Graham Koonce is a veteran first baseman/DH who has belted 122 home runs over the past five seasons, including a league-leading 34 homers for Sacramento in 2003, when he was named Pacific Coast League MVP.
Catcher Paul Phillips, one of the Royals most popular players who split each of the past three seasons between Omaha and Kansas City, will begin another campaign at the Triple-A level. Matt Tupman, who was promoted from Wichita to Omaha last July, will also work behind the plate for Omaha, while catcher Jared Price begins the season on the club's disabled list.
The Royals starting rotation includes right-hander Brian Bannister, acquired in an off-season trade with the New York Mets, and lefty Tyler Lumsden, a first-round pick out of Clemson in 2004. Baseball America ranks Lumsden at #5 and Bannister at #7 in its list of Kansas City's top 30 prospects. Righties Dewon Brazelton, Zach Day and Ben Hendrickson round out Omaha's rotation. The bullpen includes right-handers Roberto Giron, Thad Markray, Kenny Ray, Jason Shiell, Jason Standridge and Matt Wright. Neal Musser will be the lone southpaw in the 'pen.
The Royals open their 2007 Pacific Coast League season on Thursday, April 5th at Albuquerque, with the home opener at Rosenblatt Stadium slated for Friday, April 13th at 7:05 p.m., also vs. the Isotopes.
Pacific Coast League Stories from March 30, 2007
- Cards trump 'Birds, 6-2 - Memphis Redbirds
- Sky Sox Beat Rockies, 5-3 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Omaha Royals roster set - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Oakland hold off Sacramento in exhibition win - Sacramento River Cats
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