SAL1 Rome Emperors

Rome Braves Announce 2019 Opening Day Roster

Published on April 2, 2019 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Rome Emperors News Release


ROME, GA - The Rome Braves, Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, have unveiled its opening day roster for the 2019 season which begins Thursday on the road in Kannapolis. As ranked by MLB Pipeline, the Rome club features two of the Atlanta Braves top 30 prospects including Trey Riley (20) and Jasseel De La Cruz (27).

The roster includes 11 of Atlanta's 2018 draft selections including Riley, a fifth-round pick out of John A. Logan College (IL) who struck out struck out 117 batters in 77 2/3 innings in his last collegiate season. Outfielder Andrew Moritz, a sixth-round pick out of UNC Greensboro last year, also highlights the Rome club. In three collegiate seasons, Moritz posted a .406 batting average with 59 extra-base hits and 10 home runs in 154 games.

Southpaw Jake Higginbotham, who was drafted by Atlanta in the 11th round out of Clemson last year, joins the Single-A club. With a 2.65 ERA at R-Danville, Higginbotham had the sixth lowest ERA among all Atlanta relief farmhands. Other high draft picks include RHP Nolan Kingham (12, 2018); RHP Victor Vodnik (14th, 2018), infielder Brendan Venter (13th, 2018) and infielder Greg Cullen (15th, 2018).

Four pitchers from last year's club are set to return along with five position players. In addition to De La Cruz, Rome fans will see familiar faces on the mound in fellow right-handers Kurt Hoekstra, Odalvi Javier and Alan Rangel. 2019 will see Hoekstra shift from the infield to the mound full time. Infielders Griffin Benson and Venter will take the field at State Mutual Stadium again along with outfielders Jose Bermudez, Justin Dean and Trey Harris.

There are currently 25 active players and one player on the injured list on the Rome Braves roster.

The Rome Braves home opener is set for Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 PM against the Greenville Drive. The Single-A Braves open the 2019 season on the road Thursday, April 4 at Kannapolis. After a four-game series against the Intimidators and a three-game set at Columbia, the Braves will return to State Mutual Stadium for the opening seven-game homestand. Season tickets, mini ticket plans and individual game tickets are on sale now.

Check out the Rome Emperors Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from April 2, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central