PCL1 Tacoma Rainiers

Rainiers Release 2016 Opening Day Roster

Published on April 4, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release


TACOMA, Wash. - The Tacoma Rainiers today announced their 2016 Opening Day roster ahead of the club's season-opener this Thursday, Apr. 7 against the Albuquerque Isotopes. Outfielder Boog Powell headlines a 25-man roster comprised of eight returning players and 17 newcomers.

Powell, ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the Mariners organization by Baseball America, makes his Tacoma debut after coming to Seattle as part of a six-player trade from Tampa Bay in early November 2015. Through 61 games with Double-A Montgomery last season, Powell hit .328 with 13 extra base hits and 22 RBI, earning a Southern League Mid-Season All-Star selection.

Joining Powell in the Cheney Stadium outfield this summer is Stefen Romero, who hit his way into the Rainiers record books in 2015. Romero's 37 doubles with Tacoma last season were the eighth most in a single campaign in franchise history, while his 79 RBI moved him into 15th place on Tacoma's career leaderboard.

Daniel Robertson and Dario Pizzano round out the Rainiers Opening Day outfield group. Robertson hit .265 in 60 games with Pacific Coast League rival Salt Lake in 2015, while Pizzano makes his Triple-A debut in his fifth professional season.

Left-handed pitcher James Paxton's Major League experience anchors the Rainiers starting rotation, having recorded 30 starts with Seattle over the last three years. The former fourth-round pick put together a 3.90 ERA in 13 starts with the Mariners last year while striking out 7.5 batters per nine innings pitched. He is flanked by right-hander and Redmond, Washington native, Adrian Sampson, who closed out 2015 with seven starts for the Rainiers.

Right-handers Cody Martin and Joe Wieland will also slot into Tacoma's starting rotation. Both Wieland and Martin sport sub-3.60 career minor league ERAs over 235 combined appearances and an assortment of Major League experience.

Among those making their Triple-A debut is left-handed pitcher Paul Fry, who was named the Mariners Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year in 2015 after combining to go 4-5 with nine saves and a 2.03 ERA in 50 games last season.

The Rainiers pitching staff is completed by right-handers Jonathan Aro, Casey Coleman, Justin De Fratus, Mayckol Guaipe, Steve Johnson, Blake Parker, and Donn Roach, along with left-hander David Rollins.

Five of the six infielders on the Rainiers Opening Day roster have combined for 644 games of Major League experience, led by 232 games from Mike Baxter. PCL regular Efren Navarro has spent all or parts of the last five years with Salt Lake, hitting .316 with 199 extra base hits and 307 RBI.

Shawn O'Malley and Chris Taylor return to the Rainiers infield in 2016 and are joined by Ed Lucas and Triple-A rookie Tyler Smith. O'Malley and Taylor both hit over .295 for Tacoma last season while combining for 71 RBI and 36 stolen bases.

Behind the plate the Rainiers will be represented by catchers Mike Zunino and Steven Lerud. In limited action with Tacoma last year, Zunino hit .317 with three home runs and eight RBI. Lerud notched time in 60 games with Triple-A Syracuse in 2015, driving in 23 runs while throwing out 32.7 percent of attempted base stealers.

The 2016 Tacoma Rainiers Opening Day roster can be seen in action at Cheney Stadium this Thursday, Apr. 7 as the club opens a four-game series with the Albuquerque Isotopes. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

All tickets, group outings, and suite packages for the team's 2016 campaign are available for purchase in-person at the Cheney Stadium Box Office, online at www.tacomarainiers.com, or over the phone at (253) 722-2027. The most up-to-date news and notes about the Rainiers throughout the season can be found by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) and liking the team on Facebook.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 4, 2016


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