PCL1 Round Rock Express

Round Rock Unveils Roster for Season Opener

Published on April 9, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK - On the verge of opening up its 10th Anniversary Season, the Round Rock Express announced its 2009 Opening Day Roster on Thursday. The roster includes 13 returning players and 11 players featured on the Houston Astros' 40-man roster.

On the hill

Right-handed pitcher Felipe Paulino - who was named the Opening Day starter for tonight's season opener against the Iowa Cubs - leads a starting rotation that features three other right-handers who appeared at the Triple-A and Major League level in 2008. Jose Capellan, Jeff Fulchino and Alberto Arias all spent limited time in the big leagues. Right-hander Bud Norris is the lone newcomer to Triple-A among the starting staff. The 24-year-old was 3-8 with a 4.05 ERA over 80 innings with Double-A Corpus Christi last season.

Returning Pacific Coast League All-Star Josh Muecke highlights a strong Round Rock bullpen. Muecke posted eight wins and earned his first mid-season honor last season. The left-hander is joined by Round Rock native Ryan McKeller, right-handers Sammy Gervacio, Clay Hensley and Jeremy Johnson and left-hander Neal Musser.

Behind the dish

Lou Santangelo and J.R. Towles return behind the plate for the Express. Towles spent parts of the last two seasons with the Astros and batted .304 with seven homeruns in limited play with Round Rock last year.

Around the horn

In the field, Express 2008 MVP Mark Saccomanno returns to first base, making room for Chris Johnson to take over at third. Tommy Manzella and Edwin Maysonet return to the middle infield and Round Rock resident Matt Kata will be available in reserve. Drew Sutton - ranked as Houston's top middle-infield prospect by Baseball America - is also in the mix. Sutton batted .317 with 39 doubles and 102 runs in 133 games with Corpus Christi last season. Six out of Round Rock's seven infielders batted .297 or higher at the Double- or Triple-A level last season.

Round Rock's outfield features a combination of speed and power. Reggie Abercrombie batted .273 with 12 homers for the Express last year and hit .309 in limited play with Houston. Left-handed hitter Brian Bogusevic - Houston's best outfield prospect according to Baseball America - batted .371 with 46 hits in 42 games in the Texas League last year. Yordany Ramirez brings tremendous speed to the crew and veteran John Gall, who has logged time in the Major Leagues with St. Louis and Florida, is a lifetime .298 hitter in 1,024 minor league games.

Left-handed pitchers Chris Blazek and Mark McLemore, along with right-hander Chad Paronto, will start the year on the disabled list. Newly acquired right-hander Yorman Bazardo and outfielder Eli Iorg begin the 2009 season on the inactive list.

For a complete 2009 Round Rock Express roster, log on to roundrockexpress.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 9, 2009


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