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PCL1 Tacoma Rainiers

Rainiers Reveal 2011 Opening Day Roster

April 5, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tacoma Rainiers News Release


Tacoma, WA - The Tacoma Rainiers unveiled the team's Opening Day roster today, readying the defending Pacific Coast League champions for their season opener at Sacramento on Thursday, April 7.

The Rainiers welcome back 11 players from the club's 2010 PCL title-winning campaign, headlined by Mariners top prospect Dustin Ackley. Selected by Seattle as the second overall pick in the 2009 draft, Ackley enters the season ranked by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Mariners farm system and he returns to Tacoma after having made it all the way to Triple-A in his first full professional season.

Joining Ackley in the infield is Washington native Matt Tuiasosopo, who enters his fourth season donning a Rainiers uniform, and 22-year-old Alex Liddi in his Triple-A debut. The Italian-born Liddi enters the season ranked by Baseball America as the 13th-best prospect in the Mariners organization after being named team MVP with Double-A West Tennessee in 2010.

The Rainiers 2011 corps of outfielders is comprised of heavy hitters as outfielders Greg Halman, Mike Carp and PCL Championship Series MVP Mike Wilson all return to Tacoma this season. The three combined to hit 79 of Tacoma's PCL-best 185 home runs last season, with Halman leading the way with a team-high 33 homers in 2010. New addition Carlos Peguero rounds out the Rainiers outfield after leading the Southern League with 23 home runs with West Tennessee last season.

On the mound, Tacoma's pitching staff is fronted by left-hander Luke French, who has been tabbed as the team's Opening Day starter. The 2010 PCL All-Star was selected as the club's Pitcher of the Year after going 11-3 with a 2.94 ERA over three stints with Tacoma last season. Returning Rainiers Blake Beavan and Chris Seddon are expected to also fill spots in the Rainiers rotation alongside Tacoma newcomer Chaz Roe.

The remainder of the pitching staff is filled out by Mariners prospect Dan Cortes and Edward Paredes alongside veterans Denny Bautista, Manny Delcarmen, Justin Miller, Royce Ring and Chris Smith.

Tacoma officially starts their PCL title defense when the team begins an eight-game road trip with a four-game set at Sacramento on Thursday, April 7 at 7:05 p.m. The Rainiers return to Tacoma on Friday, April 15 to play their home opener in the fully renovated Cheney Stadium, which will also be against Sacramento. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. with Friday Night Fireworks immediately following the conclusion of the game. For season tickets, group or party deck information for the 2011 season, call (253) 752-7707, email tickets@tacomarainiers.com or visit our website at www.tacomarainiers.com .

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