Myrtle Beach Pelicans Announce Opening Day Roster - Advanced-A

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – MYRTLE BEACH, SC – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Advanced-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, announced their opening day roster for the 2008 season today.  The Pelicans will open the 2008 Carolina League season on Friday, April 4^th at 7:05 PM on the road against the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

Headlining the Pelicans opening day roster is recent Braves’ acquisition Gorkys Hernandez.  The 20-year-old outfielder, who was acquired by the Braves during the off-season in a trade with the Tigers that sent Edgar Renteria to Detroit, was named the Midwest League’s Most Valuable Player following the 2007 season.  Currently rated by Baseball America as the #5 prospect in the Braves organization, Hernandez hit .293 for the West Michigan Whitecaps in 2007, while stealing 54 bases.  In 2006, he won the Gulf Coast League batting title by hitting a robust .327 for the GCL Tigers.

Advertisement 

Also on the 2008 opening day roster from Baseball America’s top-30 prospect list are RHP Tommy Hanson (#9), C Tyler Flowers (#12), SS Brandon Hicks (#14) and C Phillip Britton (#30).  Hanson spent part of the 2007 season with the Pelicans, appearing in 11 games with a record of 3-3 and an ERA of 4.20.  Hicks has made a rapid ascension to the advanced-A level after being selected by the Braves in the third round of the 2007 draft.  The 22-year-old had tremendous success in his first professional season, hitting .313 in 37 games for the Rome Braves after a mid-season promotion to the South Atlantic League.

“The Braves have always done a tremendous job cultivating talent through their minor league system;” said Pelicans’ General Manager North Johnson.  “We couldn’t be more excited for the prospect-laden group that will open the season on the Grand Strand.”

The Pelicans will have a familiar feel on opening day as 14 of the 25 players on the active roster appeared for the Pelicans in 2007.  Joining Hanson in a return to the Grand Strand are: RHP Brett Butts; LHP Bryan Dumesnil; LHP Kevin Gunderson; RHP Deunte Heath; RHP Jeff Lyman; RHP Ryne Reynoso; LHP Carlos Sencion; RHP Chris Vines; INF Derrick Arnold; INF Paul Bennett; INF Robert Marcial; OF Roberto Alvarez and OF Willie Cabrera.

The Pelicans opening day roster also includes: RHP Kyle Cofield; RHP Nick Fellman; RHP Gonzalo Lopez; RHP Ferdin Tejeda; INF Travis Jones; INF Ernesto Mejia and OF Jon Mark Owings.

In addition, the Pelicans roster includes five players that will begin the season on the disabled list.  Myrtle Beach fan favorite OF Quentin Davis leads the list, which also includes: LHP Lee Hyde; RHP Jose Santiago; LHP Jon Venters and LHP Tyler Wilson.

Returning for a third season at the helm of the Pelicans is manager Rocket Wheeler.  Wheeler, who took over as Pelicans’ manager in 2006 is 131-138 over the course of his first two seasons.  Legendary pitching coach Bruce Dal Canton returns for a 10^th season along with hitting coach Rick Albert who will spend a second season with Myrtle Beach.  The trio is joined by first-year trainer Greg Hall, who joins the team after serving in the same capacity with Rome during the 2007 season.

Wheeler, the coaching staff and players will be available to the media as the Pelicans hold 2008 Media Day on Tuesday, April 1^st.  Media Day will begin with media lunch at BB&T Coastal Field from Noon-12:45 PM.  Players and coaches will be available at 1 PM following a short welcome from Pelicans’ General Manager North Johnson.

If you like the daily news of the Raw Feed, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to the nation's only alternative professional sports magazine, SZ, with original features and great action photography in baseball, hockey, basketball, and football. Just $11.99 per year for an e-zine like youʼve never seen!