Royals Set Opening Day Roster
Published on March 31, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, NE - The Omaha Royals Opening Day roster has been set by Kansas City. The Triple-A club's roster is a mix of familiar and new names. Manager Mike Jirschele returns for his sixth consecutive season and ninth overall, while pitching coach Tom Burgmeier is back for a third season and hitting coach Terry Bradshaw returns for his fifth campaign.
Fans will have their first chance to see the players opening the season with Omaha's 40th anniversary team during a workout open to the public this Wednesday, April 2nd. On Wednesday, Rosenblatt Stadium's gates will open at 2:30 p.m. and the workout is scheduled from 3:00 p.m.-5:15 p.m.
Omaha's roster includes six of Kansas City's Top 30 Prospects, as ranked by Baseball America. Those players are starters Luke Hochevar (#3) and Tyler Lumsden (#13), reliever Neal Musser (#20), outfielders Chris Lubanski (#16) and Mitch Maier (#23) and infielder Mike Aviles (#29).
Joining Hochevar and Lumsden on Omaha's pitching staff is Matt Wright, who was 10-5 for the Royals last season with a 4.06 ERA, which ranked seventh in the Pacific Coast League. Right-handers Kyle Davies and Brandon Duckworth and lefties Jorge De La Rosa and Mike Maroth are all veteran pitchers with Major League experience, most of it as starters.
In addition to Musser - who did not allow an earned run through his first 45-and-two-thirds innings with Omaha in 2007 - the Royals bullpen features Roberto Giron, who was solid for the club last season and Joel Peralta, who spent all of 2007 and most of 2006 with Kansas City. Also in the âpen are newcomers Brad Salmon, obtained by Kansas City from Cincinnati in a trade earlier this month and Chin-Hui Tsao (Cheen-Way Sow), who became the first Taiwanese-born pitcher to appear in the big leagues when he was with Colorado in 2003.
Joining Lubanski and Maier in Omaha's outfield are Shane Costa and Damon Hollins. Costa was named Omaha's Player of the Year in 2006, when he hit .342 and he batted .326 for the O-Royals last season. Hollins is a veteran who spent at least part of the 2004-2006 seasons in the Majors, before playing in Japan in 2007. Brian Buchanan, who also has several years of big league experience and played in Japan last season, can play outfield or first base, but will open the season on the disabled list.
Aviles, named Kansas City's Minor League Player of the Year and the Omaha POY in 2007, will be joined mostly by young veterans on the infield. First baseman Ryan Shealy, who's coming off a strong Spring Training with Kansas City, is looking to rebound from an injury-marred 2007. Shortstop Angel Berroa, the American League Rookie of the Year with Kansas City in 2003, will open with Omaha for a second straight year. Mike Stodolka, named as Double-A Wichita's Player of the Year in 2007 - his second season as a first baseman after being converted from a pitcher - will get his first taste of Triple-A. Dave Matranga, who bats right-handed and Jason Smith, a left-handed swinger, both have experience playing multiple infield positions.
24-year old Damaso Espino and 37-year old veteran Ken Huckaby comprise Omaha's catching corps. For more information, contact Kevin McNabb, Royals Director of Media Relations, at (402) 738-5103.
The Royals 2008 season opener is set for Rosenblatt Stadium on Thursday, April 3rd at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Albuquerque Isotopes. For tickets, call the Royals ticket office at (402) 738-5100, or order and print tickets online at www.oroyals.com and at www.Etix.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from March 31, 2008
- Beavers Announce Opening Day Roster - Portland Beavers
- Royals Set Opening Day Roster - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs Release Opening Roster - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Salt Lake Bees Announce 2008 Opening Day Roster - Salt Lake Bees
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