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Home , Anthony Bemboom, Austin Davis (baseball), Austin Hays, Benny Distefano, Blake Trahan, Bobby Bradley (pitcher)

2019 PREVIEW

April 4 in Buffalo, Charlotte, Columbus, Gwinnett, , Syracuse, Toledo April 11 Opening Day in Durham, , Louisville, Norfolk, Pawtucket, Rochester, & Scranton/Wilkes-Barre May 24 Online fan voting begins for Triple-A All-Star Game June 27 International League All-Star Team Announcement July 8 Triple-A Home Derby & Skills Competition in El Paso, Texas July 10 32nd Annual Triple-A All-Star Game in El Paso, Texas Aug. 27 League Postseason All-Star Team & Award Winners Announcement Sept. 2 End of Regular Season

Baseball’s Oldest 136th 87th Annual Governors’ Cup Playoffs - Round One Minor League Consecutive Season Sept. 4-5 West Division Winner at South Division Winner; North Division Winner at Wild Card Club Sept. 6-8 South Division Winner at West Division Winner; (as necessary) Wild Card Club at North Division Winner

87th Annual Governors’ Cup Playoffs - Championship Round Sept. 10-11 North/Wild Card Series Winner at West/South Division Series Winner Sept. 12-14 West/South Division Series Winner at North/Wild Card Series Winner (as necessary)

Triple-A National Championship Game

The captured their sixth Governors’ Cup championship in 2018. Sept. 17 IL Champion vs. PCL Champion in Memphis, Tennessee

LEAGUE ITEMS OF INTEREST IN 2019 IL HALL OF FAME WELCOMES SEVEN INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE TEAMS WILL LEAGUE TITLE FINALLY GO FOUR NEW MEMBERS IN 2019 ENTER 2019 WITH A NEW TO A TEAM PLAYING AT HOME? Earlier this offseason the IL announced that four men will enter When the season opens, seven of the circuit’s fourteen teams Beginning in 2008, a remarkable string of eleven (and counting) the circuit’s Hall of Fame in 2019, a class that per League will have a new manager leading the quest to capture the finals series have concluded with the Governors’ Cup being policy was expanded beyond the typical maximum of three coveted Governors’ Cup trophy, completing a wave of new awarded to a club playing away from home. The League’s inductees due to a tie among the top vote-getters. National faces sweeping into IL dugouts that has seen every team replace pre-determined playoff format alternates which semi-final Baseball Hall of Famer Bobby Cox, who won a Governors’ its manager at least once since 2016. Tony DeFrancesco winning entrant hosts the conclusion of each finals, but a Cup as manager of Syracuse, will be honored at retains his role as the Triple-A manager for the Mets as their combination of luck, coincidence, and even bad weather have in Gwinnett during Opening Weekend. Additional ceremonies affiliation shifts to Syracuse.Brady Williams will lead back- resulted in eleven straight “road” clinchings, despite there twice are planned later in the season to enshrine two-time IL All-Star to-back IL champion Durham, while Jay Bell takes over in being a back-to-back champion and only four franchises overall Sam “The Jet” Jethroe, two-time IL batting champion (and SWB hoping to give the team a fifth straight playoff run. The sharing the past eleven titles in total. Durham captured the last new manager of the PawSox) Billy McMillon, and 1992 other incoming skippers are Billy McMillon in Pawtucket, two Governors’ Cups at SWB’s PNC Field. The entire 2018 Sporting News Minor League Executive of the Year Lou in Columbus, Jody Davis in Louisville, and finals had to be played there due to an impending hurricane in Schwechheimer, who spent 37 years guiding operations in Gary Kendall in Norfolk. North Carolina. Pawtucket. 2019 INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW - NORTH DIVISION

BUFFALO BISONS LEHIGH VALLEY IRONPIGS Triple-A Affiliate of the Triple-A Affiliate of the

Manager: Bobby Meacham (3rd year in Buffalo) Manager: (2nd year in Lehigh Valley) Coaches: Corey Hart, Doug Mathis, Coaches: , Darryl Robinson, Steve Schrenk Governors’ Cups: 1933, 1936, 1957, 1961, 1998, 2004 Governors’ Cups: None 2018 Finish: 61-77, 6th in North (22.0 GB) 2018 Finish: 84-56, 1st in North / Lost in Gov.’ Cup First Round Ballpark: (16,600) Ballpark: Coca-Cola Park (10,100)

PROBABLE STARTERS: C - Reese McGuire; 1B - Rowdy Tellez; 2B - ; PROBABLE STARTERS: C - Deivi Grullon; 1B - Austin Listi; 2B - ; SS - Bo Bichette; 3B - ; LF - Anthony Alford, CF - Jonathan Davis, RF - Forrest Wall; SS - Malquin Canelo; 3B - ; LF - /Adam Hasely; CF - Shane Robinson; DH - Richard Urena. RF - ; DH - Matt McBride. KEY : Starters - RH Sean Reid-Foley, RH Trent Thornton, LH Thomas Pannone, KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH , LH , RH , RH , LH Shawn Morimando. Relievers - RH Javy Guerra, RH Conor Fisk, RH Drew Anderson, LH Ranger Suarez. Relievers - RH , RH Victor Arano, RH Justin Shafer, RH Dusty Isaacs, LH Matt Dermody. RH Tyler Gilbert, LH , LH , RH Josh Martin, RH Tyler Viza, RH Edgar Garcia. STRENGTHS: Defense should be above average with Rowdy Tellez at first and backstop Reese McGuire, STRENGTHS: Starting pitching is clearly the team’s most apparent strength at the start of the 2019 who returns to bring stability for the pitching staff. He’s been long praised for his blocking and game-call- campaign. All five projected starters in Lehigh Valley could see action in Philadelphia, and any could have ing ability and he possesses a plus arm to control the run game. Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette bring competed for a MLB rotation spot this spring in many other organizations...... The should also be familiarity with each other that solidifies the middle infield and Jonathan Davis proved in his month-plus a strength. Pedro Beato led the IL in saves last two seasons and became the franchise’s all-time leader in stint with the Bisons last season that he can cover plenty of ground in the outfield. saves in 2018. Victor Arano, if he starts the season here, has excellent stuff. Edgar Garcia has an electric . WEAKNESSES: Many hitters will be facing Triple-A pitching for the first time. The team could have as few as two players in the starting lineup that opened last season above -A...... Consistent power WEAKNESSES: There doesn’t appear to be much speed in Lehigh Valley’s projected Opening Day could also be an issue as Tellez (2016) and Biggio (2018) are the only two hitters with a 20+ homer season lineup. to their name and both of those came at Double-A...... Matt Dermody is the only lefty in the bullpen and he’s coming back off missing most of last season to injury. TOP PROSPECTS: Several of Philadelphia’s top prospects are slated to be with the IronPigs. Austi Listi was the organization’s 2018 minor league position player of the year. He will play several positions and is TOP PROSPECTS: One of the biggest questions in all of baseball is where will the reigning Minor known as an aggressive hitter...... Drew Anderson has had a tremendous spring. He has discovered a cutter, League Player of the Year, Jr., start the season and for how long? An oblique injury in which will serve as his third pitch...... Enyel De Los Santos has a live, short-armed delivery. He has the will likely delay the answer, but any time in the minors is sure to be short lived for the future makings of being a future bullpen piece for the Phillies...... Cole Irvin was the 2018 International League star...... The middle of the Bisons infield should boast two other top prospects with equally-strong baseball Most Valuable , leading the circuit in wins and ERA. He has a similar style to Tom Glavine. He bloodlines, Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio. Bichette is rated as the 11th best overall prospect by MLB.com uses all his pitches, though he doesn’t throw as hard as Glavine did...... LHP Ranger Suarez got a few MLB and collected 61 extra-base hits in Double-A last season. Biggio is coming off an MVP and looks last season, going 1-1 in four appearances for the Phillies...... 2017 first-round pick Rookie of the Year season where he amassed 26 homers and 99 RBI...... Anthony Alford and had a stellar second half last season...... Deivi Grullon needs to polish up his defensive abilities and game RHP Sean Reid-Foley are also both rated as top 15 prospects for Toronto and are expected to help lead the calling. He has a strong arm. Bisons both in the outfield and on the mound, respectively. COMING SOON: LHP Jo Jo Romero has a large collection of pitches. He just needs to refine four COMING SOON: Several pitchers that helped anchor Double-A New Hampshire’s league championship of them. He was 7-6 with a 3.80 ERA last season at Double-A Reading. He has yet to pitch above the last season figure into Buffalo’s plans later this year. 2016 first-rounder LHP T.J. Zeuch is sidelined to start Double-A level. the season due to injury, but projects to be with the Bisons this year...... Right-hander reached Triple-A briefly last year but spent the majority of 2018 with New Hampshire where he was 12-5 in 25 VETERANS TO WATCH: Jerad Eickhoff has struggled with injuries since the end of the 2017 season. starts...... Righty Zach Jackson held a 2.47 ERA in 43 relief appearances at Double-A last season. Known as a gutsy, great character guy, he could be the first one up if someone in Philadelphia’s rotation struggles or gets hurt...... Former 2nd-round draft pick Dylan Cozens has been with the IronPigs since VETERANS TO WATCH: It’s an extremely young team thanks to the Blue Jays commitment to rebuild 2017. He is a former International League All-Star, and he got his first taste of the majors last season their farm system. With that, infielder Eric Sogard and reliever Javy Guerra may be the only two over when was injured. 28-years-old on the squad. Sogard brings eight years and more than 500 MLB games of experience to the team while Guerra made 32 relief appearances with Miami a season ago...... It’s hard to call 24-year old ITEMS OF INTEREST: 2018 International League Manager of the Year Gary Jones returns for a sec- Rowdy Tellez a veteran, but he has already spent two full seasons at Triple-A. He brings an above-average ond season at the helm of the IronPigs...... The premier players in the Phillies’ farm system will be together glove to the first base position and took steps last season to improve hitting the ball to all fields. on April 2 when the IronPigs host the Double-A in the 12th annual U.S. 222 Show- ITEMS OF INTEREST: This season begins a new partnership with the Sahlen Packing Company to case exhibition game at Coca-Cola Park. The Phillies’ top affiliates are separated by a mere 40 miles on U.S. re-name the ballpark Sahlen Field. The Buffalo-based hot-dog manufacturer is celebrating its 150th year in Highway 222, and both are located within 70 miles of in Philadelphia. business. 2019 INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW - NORTH DIVISION

PAWTUCKET RED SOX Triple-A Affiliate of the Triple-A Affiliate of the

Manager: Billy McMillon (1st year in Pawtucket) Manager: Joel Skinner (2nd year in Rochester) Coaches: Bruce Crabbe, , Kevin Walker Coaches: Stu Cliburn, Mike McCarthy, Javier Valentin Governors’ Cups: 1973, 1984, 2012, 2014 Gov.’ Cups: 1939,1952,1955-56,1964,1971,1974,1988,1990,1997 2018 Finish: 66-73, 3rd in North (17.5 GB) 2018 Finish: 64-76, T-4th in North (20.0 GB) Ballpark: McCoy Stadium (10,031) Ballpark: (10,840)

PROBABLE STARTERS: C - Juan Centeno; 1B - Sam Travis; 2B - Tony Renda; SS - Tzu-Wei Lin; PROBABLE STARTERS: C - Tomas Telis; 1B - Zander Wiel; 2B - Ronald Torreyes; SS - ; 3B - Michael Chavis; LF - ; CF - Gorkys Hernandez; RF - Rusney Castillo; 3B - Mike Olt; LF - ; CF - LaMonte Wade; RF - Jon Kemmer; DH - Wilin Rosario. DH - Josh Ockimey. KEY PITCHERS: Starters - LH Stephen Gonsalves, RH , RH ; KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH Chandler Shepherd, RH Mike Shawaryn, RH , LH , RH Zack Littell; LH . Relievers - RH Fernando Romero, RH Josh Smith, RH Erasmo Ramirez. Relievers - RH Marcus Walden, RH Colton Brewer, RH , LH Andrew Vasquez, LH Justin Nicolino, RH Mike Morin, RH Preston Guilmet, RH Travis Lakins, LH Bobby Poyner, RH Jenrry Mejia, LH Dan Runzler, RH Carson Smith. LH Dario Alvarez, RH Jake Reed, RH D.J. Baxendale. STRENGTHS: The PawSox will have a veteran outfield. Rusney Castillo, Bryce Brentz and Gorkys STRENGTHS: The pitching staff should be strong. Many of the young, talented pitchers have taken their Hernandez have combined to appear in 2,212 games in the minors...... There’s a nice mixture of MLB lumps in Triple-A and in the big leagues. Hopefully they have learned from the experience and are much experience (Bobby Poyner, Marcus Walden) and promise (Travis Lakins) in the bullpen. The past few improved in 2019. seasons have seen the Red Sox dip into the Triple-A level for bullpen reinforcements on multiple occasions and this season figures to be no exception. WEAKNESSES: The offense could struggle especially early in the season as some of the prospects adjust to the International League, and there isn’t a lot of depth until the guys from Double-A are ready to WEAKNESSES: The starting rotation is short on proven commodities. Newcomer Erasmo Ramirez posted be promoted. The Red Wings do, however, have a lot of power potential...... There also are a lot of young a 6.50 ERA in 10 starts for Seattle last season. Ryan Weber has a career 5.01 ERA in 24 games (eight players, hitters and pitchers on the roster, who will be playing against opponents with much more experience. starts) at the MLB level. Two additional candidates for a promotion to Boston, Chandler Shepherd and Mike Shawaryn, have yet to throw a pitch above Triple-A. TOP PROSPECTS: Many of the top prospects on the Red Wings 2019 roster will be players that were there at some point in 2018 as well. The pitching staff should be comprised of quality young prospects who, TOP PROSPECTS: Following a 2018 season that saw him limited to just 46 games after receiving an with the exception of Lewis Thorpe, all saw big league time in 2018. LHP Stephen Gonsalves made his 80-game suspension for a positive PED test, Michael Chavis enters the 2019 campaign as a member of Boston’s 40-man roster. The 23-year-old led the Red Sox with four home runs during Grapefruit League Major League debut last August and went 2-2 in seven outings for the Twins. Kohl Stewart also debuted action – in 2017, he swatted 31 homers between Single-A Salem and Double-A Portland. Expect him to last August, and the former 4th overall selection in the 2013 draft went 2-1. Chase De Jong has eleven see time mainly at third base but don’t be surprised if he moves around to first base and second base. MLB appearances to his name with the Mariners (2017) and Twins (2018). Zack Littell is another pro- jected starter who made his big league debut in 2018. SS Nick Gordon and OF LaMonte Wade are among COMING SOON: LHP Darwinzon Hernandez, the 22-year-old native of Venezuela, will start the the position players returning to the Red Wings. OF Brent Rooker will be making his Triple-A debut if he year in Double-A Portland’s rotation. Hernandez struck out 12 in 11 innings during spring training and opens the 2019 season with Rochester. figures to be with the PawSox soon. Last season saw Hernandez fan 134 in 107 innings between Class-A Salem and Portland...... has been tabbed as the No. 1 prospect in the Red Sox farm system COMING SOON: Hard-throwing Jorge Alcala and former first-round pick should see time by . Dalbec mashed 32 homers between two levels in 2018. He joined the Red Sox after in Rochester during the 2019 season...... 2B Luis Arraez was added to Minnesota’s 40-man roster in the a standout pitching and hitting career at the University of Arizona...... A year ago, Durbin Feltman was offseason and should be spending the second half of this campaign with the Red Wings...... Luke Raley closing games fort Texas Christian University. If he continues to dominant the competition like he did is a power-hitting slugger acquired from the Dodgers organization at the July deadline last year...... Alex during his first foray in pro ball last summer – the 21-year-old struck out 36 in 23 innings that spanned Kirilloff, one of the top prospects in baseball, is expected to start in Double-A Pensacola and could jump to three levels – there’s a very good shot that he’ll land in Pawtucket by season’s end. Rochester at some point. VETERANS TO WATCH: When PawSox fans last saw Bryce Brentz, he led the International League VETERANS TO WATCH: Wilin Rosario returns to the after spending the past couple of in homers (31 in 2017). Originally selected by Boston in the supplemental round (36th overall) of the 2010 seasons playing in Korea and Japan...... Tomas Telis has spent parts of four seasons in the big leagues...... June Draft, Brentz spent the first 8 years of his pro career in the Red Sox organization before spending last Ronald Torreyes was signed by the Twins after spending parts of the last three seasons with the New York season with Triple-A Las Vegas. Brentz has ties to the two Governors’ Cup titles the PawSox have captured Yankees. this decade (2012, 2014)...... 31-year-old Rusney Castillo led the International League in hitting in 2018. His .319 average saw him become the first PawSox player to win the IL batting crown since Wade Boggs ITEMS OF INTEREST: Joel Skinner is back for a second season managing the ball club...... The Red in 1981. Castillo has earned a spot on the IL’s mid- and postseason All-Star teams in each of the past two Wings are teaming up with RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf and the Rochester School for seasons. the Deaf to host “Deaf Culture Day” on April 28. Players and coaches will wear American Sign Language ITEMS OF INTEREST: The PawSox will be “Celebrating Rhode Island” throughout 2019 with a jerseys and hats. Rochester has the largest per capita deaf population of any city in the United States. season-long celebration of fifty years of partnership between the city of Pawtucket and the Boston Red Sox. 2019 INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW - NORTH DIVISION International League Class Triple-A

CLUB COLORS Or Use Solid Color Process Simulation Thread Color* SCRANTON/WB RAILRIDERS SYRACUSE METSSyracuse Mets Blue PANTONE® 288 c 100 m 67 y 00 k 23 RA-2437 or MD-1167 Syracuse Mets Orange PANTONE 1655 c 00 m 63 y 91 k 00 RA-2236 or MD-1078

Triple-A Affiliate of the Triple-A Affiliate of the In lieuNEW of the Logo YORKColors shown, you mayMETS use the Club Colors or the PANTONE® Colors listed above. The colors shown on this page have not been evaluated by Pantone, Inc. for accuracy and may not match the PANTONE Color Standards. Consult current PANTONE Color Publications for accurate color. The CMYK values shown may not be equivalent to the ones cited in the current PANTONE Publications. PANTONE® is the property of Pantone, Inc. *Robison-Anton (RA) thread color information: 800-932-0250 Madeira (MD) thread color information: 800-225-3001 Manager: Jay Bell (1st year in Scranton/WB) Manager: Tony DeFrancesco (1st year in Syracuse, 2nd with Mets) Coaches: Doug Davis, , Tommy Phelps Coaches: Glenn Abbott, , Joel Chimelis, Benny Distefano Governors’ Cups: 2008, 2016 Governors’ Cups: 1935, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1954, 1969, 1970, 1976 2018 Finish: 73-65, Wild Card / Lost in Governors’ Cup Finals 2018 Finish (Chiefs): 64-76, T-4th in North (20.0 GB) Ballpark: PNC Field (10,000) Ballpark: NBT Bank Stadium (11,071)

Reproduce in blue, orange or black only • White body and sleeves with PRIMARY CLUB LOGO PRIMARY CLUB LOGO – ONE COLOR blue pinstripes. • Set-in sleeves. NUMBERS PROBABLE STARTERS: C - ; 1B - Mike Ford/Ryan McBroom; 2B - Thairo Estrada; PROBABLE STARTERS: C - Rene Rivera; 1B - Travis Taijero; 2B - Dilson• Herrera;Button down front SS - ; 3B - Gio Urshela, LF - ; CF - Billy Burns; RF - Matt Lipka; SS - Adeiny Hechavarria; 3B - David Thompson; LF - Tim Tebow; CF - Rajaiplacket. Davis; • Jersey Lettering "Mets" DH - Mike Ford/Ryan McBroom. RF - Carlos Gomez; DH - Rymer Liriano. ascending left to right. Orange letters with white inlines and blue outlines. KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH Chance Adams, RH Drew Hutchison, LH Nestor Cortes, Jr., KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH , LH Hector Santiago, RH Chris• "SYRACUSE" Flexen, Sleeve Emblem on left sleeve. RH David Hale, RH Brody Koerner. Relievers - RH Joe Harvey, RH Raynel Espinal, RH Cale Coshow, RH Drew Gagnon. Relievers - RH Tyler Bashlor, RH Jacob Rhame, RH Paul• Sewald,Blue numbers 4"high on the front and 8" high on the back LH , RH Danny Farquhar, LH , RH J.P. Feyereisen, RH Brady Lail. LH RyanFor reproduction O’Rourke, on dark or blue RHbackgrounds, Eric change Hanhold, the RH Arquimedes Caminero. blue outlines, center of "e", center of "s" and TM to orange. Reproduce in blue, orange or black only STRENGTHS: Few teams will be able to field as deep a lineup as the RailRiders, and even fewer will have STRENGTHSOFFICIAL HOME: Experience JERSEY LETTERING is a positive forOFFICIAL Syracuse. HOME JERSEY Having LETTERING –veterans ONE COLOR with Major League experienced OFFICIAL HOME JERSEY SLEEVE EMBLEM DETAIL a 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup like Tyler Wade and Clint Frazier...... Starting pitching looks good. should help the development of some of the younger guys on the team...... The were also Chance Adams, Nestor Cortes Jr., David Hale and Drew Hutchison have plenty of experience, and this able to build up organizational depth with the signing of free agents who have major-league talent, which group will get even better as currently injured stars heal up...... Infield defense is a strength. Gio Urshela should only further add to the excitement built up with having the Mets’ top Minor League affiliate back in manning third base and Tyler Wade and Thairo Estrada flipping between second and short? Not too shabby. New York. WEAKNESSES: The bullpen has a lot of experience too, but it just might not be as explosive as the times WEAKNESSES: Syracuse could have some trouble scoring runs. The pieces are there for a solid offense, last year that the RailRiders bullpen could roll out Cody Carroll (traded), Gio Gallegos (traded), (big leagues) and Tommy Kahnle (big leagues) in addition to holdovers Joe Harvey, Raynel Espinal butLOGO: consistency 2-3/16" high might becomeLOGO: 2-1/16" an high issue. LOGO: 2-3/16" high Common colors all caps and JP Feyereisen. TOP PROSPECTS: 1B is the top-ranked prospect in the New York Mets’ organization and TOP PROSPECTS: Clint Frazier lost most of last season to concussion symptoms. He did get into 48 the 51st-ranked prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB.com. With how well Alonso played in spring games with the RailRiders and batted .311 with a .963 OPS. He says he’s back to full health now, and will training there’s no guarantee he will be in Syracuse to start the season, and even if he does start the year in wait in SWB until a spot opens up in New York or until he forces his way there...... INF Thairo Estrada lost Triple-A, Alonso likely won’t stay long, but he will be a fun player to watch with his powerful swing. a season after surgeries stemming from an offseason incident where he was the victim of a robbery and was shot. After a good showing in big league spring training camp, the player who .301 with a .745 OPS in COMINGHOME SOON CAP : SS Andres GimenezROAD CAP is the second-rankedALTERNATE CAP prospect 1 in the New York Mets system, AUTHENTIC HEADWEAR MARK The trademark notices (“TM” or “®”) on these pages are for placement purposes only. Licensees will be apprised of the appropriate Trademarks are proprietary to entities. Double-A in 2017 appears to be back...... In an end-of-camp surprise, Tyler Wade will start the year back according to MLB.com,notice and for each he’s product the upon submission 30th-best of product materials prospect to Major League inBaseball all Properties of forbaseball, Quality Control review. according to BaseballAny use of these marksAmerica. must be approved by Properties. in SWB instead of in New York. The versatile utility man is a career .282 hitter with a .762 OPS over two Gimenez was a 2018 Mets Organization All-Star and was selected to participate in the 2018 Futures Syracuse 8/18 seasons at Triple-A...... This will be the third go-round for Chance Adams with the RailRiders. He is 15-10 Game. with a 3.82 ERA with SWB. Adams made his big league debut last season. VETERANS TO WATCH: OF Carlos Gómez is a two-time All-Star and has played in COMING SOON: RHP Jonathan Loaisiga will start the year in the big leagues with two spots open in the majors for nearly all of the last 12 seasons. Gómez made his major-league debut in 2007 with the New the Yankees starting rotation. The 24-year-old righty has yet to pitch in Triple-A, jumping the level last York Mets, the team that signed him as an international free agent in 2002 when he was 16 years old. Gó- year on his way to the majors...... 23-year-old RHP Mike King was the Yankees Minor League Pitcher of mez was named to the National League All-Star team in 2013 and 2014 while playing for the Milwaukee the Year after going 11-5 with a 1.79 ERA. He closed the year with the RailRiders, going 4-0 with a 1.15 Brewers and also won a National League in 2013...... OF has played in the ERA, and would’ve been a lock to begin this year in SWB if not for an injury. King hopes to be back in game action around May 1...... RHP and RHP Deivi Garcia both pitched just one game majors in each of the last 13 seasons. Davis was an important member of Cleveland’s 2016 team that won above High-A last year but are talented enough to move quickly. Abreu, part of the return from the Houston the American League Championship and made it to the . The 38-year-old is in his first season Astros in the Brian McCann deal, was added to the 40-man roster over the offseason and just needs to with the Mets organization and brings a wealth of experience that can help younger players on the roster. command his electric stuff better. Garcia had a 2.55 ERA and averaged 12.8 and 2.4 walks ITEMS OF INTEREST: 2019 is the inaugural season for the “Syracuse Mets”. Previously, the team’s per nine innings last year...... RHP Trevor Stephan, RHP Garrett Whitlock and RHP are a talented trio of starters who reached Double-A last season and could see Triple-A this year if all goes well. nickname was the Chiefs from 1934-1996, the SkyChiefs from 1997-2006, and then the Chiefs again from 2007-2018. Syracuse is the New York Mets’ Triple-A affiliate this season after an affiliation with the VETERANS TO WATCH: There are no shortage of veterans on the RailRiders. Most of the team is from 2009-2018...... One of Minor League Baseball’s most famous players is slated made up of veterans when it comes to time at the Triple-A level. to open the season in Syracuse. In just his third professional season Tim Tebow has reached the Triple-A ITEMS OF INTEREST: The franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary, honoring the SWB Red level. The 31-year-old former football star was named an Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star last year Barons, SWB Yankees and SWB RailRiders eras. During Red Barons reunion weekend May 31-June 2, the with Double-A Binghamton. Tebow’s 2018 season was cut short because of a hand injury, but he hit .273 in longtime manager Marc Bombard will have his number retired...... Jay Bell takes over as the team’s manag- 84 games with six home runs. er, the third skipper in the last three seasons. 2019 INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW - WEST DIVISION

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS Triple-A Affiliate of the Triple-A Affiliate of the

Manager: Tony Mansolino (1st year in Columbus) Manager: Brian Esposito (2nd year in Indianapolis) Coaches: Rigo Beltran, Kyle Hudson, Coaches: Bryan Hickerson, Ryan Long, Jon Schwind Governors’ Cups: 1979-81, 1987, 1991-92, 1996, 2010-11, 2015 Governors’ Cups: 1963, 2000 2018 Finish: 73-67, T-2nd in West (0.5 GB) 2018 Finish: 73-67, T-2nd in West (0.5 GB) Ballpark: Huntington Park (10,100) Ballpark: (14,500)

PROBABLE STARTERS: C - ; 1B - Bobby Bradley; 2B - ; SS - Eric Stamets; PROBABLE STARTERS: C - Steven Baron/Christian Kelley; 1B - ; 2B - Kevin Kramer; 3B - Yu-Cheng Chang; LF - Brandon Barnes, CF - , RF - Daniel Johnson, SS - ; 3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes; LF - Bryan Reynolds; CF - Jason Martin; RF - ; DH - Carlos Gonzalez. DH - Jose Osuna. KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH , RH Chih-Wei Hu, RH Shao-Ching Chiang, KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH , RH J.T. Brubaker, LH , RH Cody Anderson, RH Jefry Rodriguez. Relievers - RH Ben Taylor, RH Henry Martinez, LH Brandon Waddell, RH , RH . Relievers - RH Jesus Liranzo, LH Josh D. Smith, RH Nick Goody, RH Nick Wittgren. RH , LH Tyler Lyons, RH Alex McRae, RH , RH Dovydas Neverauskas. STRENGTHS: Huntington Park has ranked in the top two in the IL in homers per game every year since STRENGTHS: With three new faces starting in the infield and playing in Triple-A for the first time, one opening. Eric Haase is coming off the first 20 HR season for a Clipper since 2000. Bobby Bradley might see that situation as a weakness. But the talent level and hype between those three – 3B Ke’Bryan might be the most prolific homer-hitting lefty to take aim at Huntington Park’s 318-foot, right-field porch. Hayes, SS Cole Tucker and 1B Will Craig – in addition to 2B Kevin Kramer who finished third in the Yu Chang and Daniel Johnson both have seasons of 20+ homers under their belts, as well...... Starting pitching International League with a .311 average last year, should make Indianapolis’ infield a treat to watch...... will be a strength with Adam Plutko joined by Chih-Wei Hu, acquired in offseason trade from Tampa Bay). The rotation will be led by one of the better 1-2 punches in the IL, as well, with righties Mitch Keller and WEAKNESSES: In addition to having zero lefties in the projected rotation, the Columbus bullpen is JT Brubaker atop the staff. thin on left-handers, as well...... Several players are back from the lineup that produced the second highest WEAKNESSES: The bullpen will feature a lot of velocity between Jesus Liranzo, Dovydas Neverauskas, number of strikeouts in franchise history. Michael Feliz. As is the case with most Triple-A , harnessing the velocity is often the biggest chal- TOP PROSPECTS: Bobby Bradley got a taste of Triple-A with a month-long audition at the end of last lenge. Right-hander Geoff Hartlieb is also expected to be the in his first season at the Triple-A level. season, collecting 12 extra-base hits and 19 RBI in 32 games. He has totaled at least 23 HR and 83 RBI in each of his four full seasons, collecting a pair of MVPs (2016 , 2014 Arizona League). TOP PROSPECTS: Ranked as Pittsburgh’s No. 1 prospect by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline Bradley has been rated as the “Best Power Hitter” in the organization in each of the last four years and will and a consensus top 30 prospect in all of baseball, Mitch Keller should anchor the rotation. With a strong not turn 23-years-old until two months into the season...... Oscar Mercado joined the organization at the start to the season, should be the first called upon if the need arises in Pittsburgh...... Like trade deadline last season, coming over from St. Louis in exchange for a pair of lower level minor leaguers. Keller, SS Cole Tucker was protected from the this offseason. Despite having Indy’s 2018 A converted , he rates as the “Best Defensive Outfielder” in the system due to his unlimited range Team MVP, , in front of him on the shortstop depth chart, it is Tucker who is projected in center field. On the base paths, Mercado has totaled 196 SB in his career, swiping at least 33 in each of as the long-term shortstop for the Pirates. Expect the switch-hitting Tucker to bat leadoff, play impres- the last four seasons. sive defense at short and wreak havoc on the basepaths...... 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes is the son of longtime big leaguer . the recently-turned 22-year-old offers tantalizing ability at the hot corner. For a COMING SOON: Triston McKenzie missed the first two months of 2018, but dominated the Eastern second consecutive season last year, he took home Minor League Baseball’s Rawlings Gold Glove Award League upon returning to full health, posting a 2.68 ERA over 90.2 IP that was exactly on par with his for being the best defensive . His bat has started to catch up to an already-impressive glove. career ERA. The 2017 Carolina League Pitcher of the Year (186 SO in 143.0 IP) has been ranked as a He homered for the U.S. Team in the 2018 All-Star Futures Game and batted .323 over his final 74 games top 10 prospect in each of his four seasons since turning pro, with a that has been touted as the in Double-A last summer. best in the organization three years running...... Ernie Clement is entering his third pro season after being taken the 4th round of the 2017 draft. After a successful debut in the New York-Penn League in 2017, he COMING SOON: OF Bryan Reynolds was acquired by Pittsburgh from San Francisco in the Andrew played at three levels in 2018, topping out with 15 games in Akron. Clement owns the “Best Strike-Zone McCutchen trade last offseason. The 24-year-old Reynolds should reach Triple-A for the first time in his Discipline” among Cleveland farmhands, as evidenced by his career rate of 7%. career this season. A broken hamate bone forced him to miss 42 contests last year in Double-A, but he still VETERANS TO WATCH: Former NL batting champ Carlos Gonzalez was signed to a deal towards the managed a .302 average in 88 games with Altoona. end of spring training and will likely have some time in Columbus before he is ready to join Cleveland. VETERANS TO WATCH: Patrick Kivlehan and JB Shuck, and infielder Nick Franklin, Gonzalez owns a trophy case that includes three Gold Gloves (2010, 2012, 2013) and a pair of Silver Sluggers were all once top prospects with former organizations. The trio offers a wealth of experience and success (2010, 2015), to go along with three All-Star nods (2012, 2013, 2016), making him perhaps the most deco- rated Major Leaguer ever to play for Columbus...... Adam Plutko narrowly lost out on the final spot in the in the minors and should provide veteran clubhouse leadership to the up-and-coming youngsters littered Cleveland rotation. Plutko had a break-out 2018 season that saw him post a 1.70 ERA over 84.2 IP (5.18 throughout Indy’s roster. ERA in the IL from 2016-17), including a no-hitter and another game where he flirted with perfection. ITEMS OF INTEREST: For a second straight season, the Indians will be wearing Pirates-themed uni- ITEMS OF INTEREST: The “All-Huntington Park Team” as voted by the fans will be celebrated. Bobble forms as part of three Prospects Nights at Victory Field. head giveaways highlighting squad include , and Jesus Aguilar. 2019 INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW - WEST DIVISION

LOUISVILLE BATS Triple-A Affiliate of the Triple-A Affiliate of the

Manager: Jody Davis (1st year in Louisville) Manager: Doug Mientkiewicz (2nd year in Toledo) Coaches: Leon Durham, , Dick Schofield Coaches: Basilio Cabrera, , Governors’ Cups: 2001 Governors’ Cups: 1967, 2005, 2006 2018 Finish: 61-76, 4th in West (11.0 GB) 2018 Finish: 73-66, 1st in West / Lost in Gov.’ Cup First Round Ballpark: (13,131) Ballpark: Fifth Third Field (10,300)

PROBABLE STARTERS: C - Juan Graterol; 1B - Brian O’Grady; 2B - Josh VanMeter; PROBABLE STARTERS: C - ; 1B - Ronny Rodriguez; 2B - Brandon Dixon; SS - ; 3B - Christian Colon; LF - Phillip Ervin; CF - ; RF - Mason Williams; SS - ; 3B - Dawel Lugo; LF - Jacob Robson; CF - ; RF - Victor Reyes; DH - . DH - . KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH Tim Adleman, RH , LH Brandon Finnegan, KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH , LH , RH , RH Keury Mella, RH Jordan Johnson. Relievers - RH Jimmy Herget, LH Buddy Boshers, LH Matt Hall, LH Ryan Carpenter. Relievers - RH Sandy Baez, RH Zac Reininger, RH Matt Bowman, LH Ian Krol, LH Cody Reed, RH Anthony Bass, RH Jackson Stephens, LH Jose Manuel Fernandez, LH , RH Zac Houston, RH Louis Coleman, RH Sal Romano, RH Jesus Reyes. RH Jose Cisnero. STRENGTHS: The Bats bring back several of their pieces from the 2018 team, including infielders Brian STRENGTHS: The defending International League West Division champions bring back several familiar O’Grady and Josh VanMeter, who both had breakout campaigns with the Bats, as well as slick-fielding names from last year’s playoff squad. shortstop Blake Trahan and 2018 IL All-Star Mason Williams. Under new manager Jody Davis, the Bats return their full coaching staff from a year ago as well. WEAKNESSES: Last year’s West Division races was one of the closest in League history, with the Mud Hens narrowly edging out both Columbus and Indianapolis by just a half-game in the standings. Toledo WEAKNESSES: The pitching staff might have some question marks in terms of who fits into certain roles will be the team with the target on its back this season. heading into 2019, but the Bats have plenty of arms capable of getting the job done. After parting ways with Jose Lopez and Justin Nicolino in the offseason, the Bats will look to make up for the combined 275.3 TOP PROSPECTS: OF Daz Cameron, son of former MLB All-Star Mike Cameron, is a five-tool out- innings of work between those two starters. fielder who reached Triple-A last season. The 22-year-old is the No. 5 ranked prospect in the Tigers’ system according to MLB.com. Cameron was originally drafted by the Astros, but Houston dealt him to Detroit TOP PROSPECTS: Nick Senzel, rated the #6 prospect in all of baseball prior to the 2019 season, is during the 2017 season...... At just 21 years of age, SS Willi Castro reached Triple-A Toledo at the very end expected to begin the season with Louisville. In 44 games with the Bats last season, Senzel hit .310 with 20 of last season. Castro was in the Indians organization before coming to the Tigers in the trade that sent extra-base hits before being sidelined for the year with a finger injury he suffered on June 22...... Right- Leonys Martin to Cleveland. He is considered to be the No. 7 Tigers prospect...... RHP Beau Burrows, 22, handers Keury Mella and Jimmy Herget, who both spent significant time with Louisville in 2018, are is the No. 6 Tigers prospect. He spent most of last season with Double-A Erie. ranked #17-18 on the Reds’ prospect list, should return to Louisville this season. COMING SOON: 21-year-old starting pitcher is the No. 2 prospect in the Tigers COMING SOON: Outfielder TJ Friedl, who the Reds signed as an undrafted free agent, has a chance organization and will likely begin 2019 with Double-A Erie. He led all Tigers minor leaguers with 154 to play for the Bats’ outfield during the second half of 2019. He is currently ranked #13 in the Cincinnati strikeouts during the 2018 campaign. It is quite conceivable he could pitch his way to Toledo this sum- pipeline...... , rated the #5 prospect in the Reds organization, has a chance of appearing with mer...... Another pitcher with the capability to earn a promotion to Triple-A this season is . The the Bats in 2019. The right-hander went 10-7 in 26 starts between High-A Daytona and Double-A Pen- 23-year-old former University of Florida pitcher is likely to start the season at Double-A. He is the No. 10 sacola last season...... Right-handed starter Vladimir Gutierrez, #8 Reds prospect, and outfielder Jose Siri, Tigers’ prospect. #10 Reds prospect, both have shots at playing with the Bats in 2019 after strong campaigns at Double-A in 2018. VETERANS TO WATCH: Last May, Ronny Rodriguez was the hottest hitter in the IL. He earned VETERANS TO WATCH: The Bats will be bolstered by a group of veterans with significant big league honors as the circuit’s Player of the Month just as he was called to Detroit for his first stint as a big leaguer. experience. That group is spearheaded by journeyman and Bats mainstay Hernan Iribarren, who currently Rodriguez amassed 191 at-bats with the Tigers in 2018, posting a .225 batting average with five home ranks third place on the club’s all-time hits list. Iri is joined by outfielder Mason Williams, right-handers runs...... INF Dawel Lugo is another player who made his Major League debut with the Tigers during the Anthony Bass and Matt Bowman, as well as young players with some big league time including outfielder 2018 season. Lugo collected 137 hits for the Mud Hens, the fourth most of any hitter in the International Phillip Ervin, infielder Christian Colon and pitchers Cody Reed, Lucas Sims and Brandon Finnegan. League. ITEMS OF INTEREST: The Bats are the only club in Minor League Baseball, and ITEMS OF INTEREST: The Mud Hens are teaming up with Daktronics on the installation of a new as a whole, with a coaching staff that each played at least 10 seasons in the majors. Manager Jody Davis (10 2,500-square-foot LED video display and two new ribbon boards at Fifth Third Field. A total of approxi- seasons), pitching Jeff Fassero (16), hitting coach Leon Durham (10) and bench coach Dick Schofield mately 3,700 square feet of displays using more than 2.2 million LEDs have been at the ballpark...... Doug (14) bring a load of experience to the Louisville in 2019...... The Bats are celebrating their 20th season Mientkiewicz will return to lead the Hens for the 2019 season. Mike Hessman, Mud Hens and Minor at Louisville Slugger Field all season long, with special promotions and uniforms at the ballpark. This will League Baseball’s king will join the team as hitting coach. Completing the Hens coaching staff include re-branding as the “RiverBats” for 2 games as part of Throwback Weekend in July. are Juan Nieves as pitching coach and Basilio Cabrera as third base coach. 2019 INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW - SOUTH DIVISION

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS DURHAM BULLS Triple-A Affiliate of the Triple-A Affiliate of the

Manager: (3rd year in Charlotte) Manager: Brady Williams (1st year in Durham) Coaches: Steve McCatty, Frank Menechino, Guillermo Quiroz Coaches: Dan DeMent, Quinton McCracken, Richard Knapp Governors’ Cups: 1993, 1999 Governors’ Cups: 2002, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2018 2018 Finish: 64-75, 4th in South (15.0 GB) 2018 Finish: 79-60, 1st in South / Governors’ Cup Champions Ballpark: BB&T Ballpark (10,200) Ballpark: Durham Bulls Athletic Park (10,000)

PROBABLE STARTERS: C - Zack Collins/Seby Zavala; 1B - Matt Skole; 2B - Eddy Alvarez; PROBABLE STARTERS: C - Nick Ciuffo; 1B - Nate Lowe; 2B - Nick Solak; SS - Andrew Velazquez; SS - Danny Mendick; 3B - ; LF - Nicky Delmonico; CF - ; 3B - Christian Arroyo; LF - ; CF - Joe McCarthy; RF - Jake Smolinski; DH - Jason Coats. RF - ; DH - D.J. Peterson. KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH Jake Faria, RH Austin Pruitt, RH Andrew Moore, LH Ryan Merritt, KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH Dylan Cease, RH Spencer Adams, LH Jordan Guerrero, RH . Relievers - RH , LH Colin Poche, RH Mike Franco, LH , RH Donny Roach, RH Jordan Stephens. Relievers - RH Ian Hamilton, RH Evan Marshall, RH Andrew Kittredge, RH , RH Oliver Drake. RH Jose Ruiz, RH Juan Minaya, RH Thyago Vieira, LH Aaron Bummer, LH , LH Colton Turner. STRENGTHS: It’s usually about pitching with the Bulls because the Rays stockpile arms for all occasions. A few pitchers, such as Jake Faria, appear big-league ready yet may have to wait until a spot opens with the STRENGTHS: Pitching should be a strength for the Knights this season. The team’s rotation features four Rays. Brent Honeywell might be here to show he’s healed from surgery and ready to contribute in TB. returners, along with the third-best prospect in the organization. The bullpen will also feature a number of veteran arms that should help the team hold onto leads late in games...... Both on the projected WEAKNESSES: Besides Andrew Velazquez, there might be questions about team speed...... It also will be roster rank among the organization’s top fifteen prospects. interesting to see where power numbers develop, particularly depending on how long Nate Lowe is here. WEAKNESSES: The recent contract signed by Eloy Jimenez with the White Sox seemingly assures that TOP PROSPECTS: 1BNate Lowe has been on the rise. He turned in an impressive spring training, the 22-year-old phenom won’t be back with the Knights this season, leaving a big hole in the lineup. building on his 2018 time with the Bulls. His power is coveted...... Lefty reliever Colin Poche received the tag as the most unhittable pitcher in the minors last year. After a taste of reality in spring training, he could TOP PROSPECTS: RHP Dylan Cease ranks as the third-best prospect in the White Sox system by be back to bolster the Durham bullpen...... C Nick Ciuffo played for a couple of months for the Bulls in Baseball America. With a that sits in the mid-90’s, Cease is a future star who should be ready to 2018 before a call to the big leagues. He rates high in several defensive categories and will be back for more break-out at the Triple-A level this season. The 23-year-old right-hander went 12-2 with a 2.40 ERA and grooming...... INF/OF Andrew Velazquez is a dynamic player who led the IL with 29 stolen bases last sea- 160 strikeouts in 23 starts between High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham last year. He was son and also rapped 12 home runs before a September call to the Rays...... Joe McCarthy played a key role also a two-time White Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month as well as a Carolina League mid-sea- in the Governors’ Cup finals last September after missing a couple of months with a back injury. His reward son All-Star...... Catcher Zack Collins, who is the 12th-best prospect in the system according to Baseball was a spot on Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster...... Nick Solak, a 2016 second-round draftee, begins his second America, spent the entire 2018 campaign with the Double-A Barons and swatted 15 home runs in 122 season in the Rays organization. He was on hand for Durham’s 2018 postseason. Expect him to be ready to games. His 101 walks last season were the second-most in the minors. The 24-year-old backstop was select- showcase his skills, which include a power stroke after 19 home runs in Double-A last year. ed in the 1st round (10th overall) of the 2016 draft and he possesses the “Best Strike-Zone Discipline” in the organization (as rated by Baseball America). COMING SOON: A pair of highly touted starting pitchers who have already spent time in Triple-A are on the mend and could return from 2018 Tommy John surgeries. Brent Honeywell excelled during COMING SOON: 2B Nick Madrigal was the fourth overall draft pick in 2018, and he may continue to the 2017 season with Durham, but suffered his injury in 2018 spring training. Jose De Leon also spent move quickly through the organization. Baseball America ranks him among the game’s top 50 prospects. time with the Bulls, but he, too, had a lost 2018...... OF Jesus Sanchez might be ready for the jump after VETERANS TO WATCH: INF Alcides Escobar won a World Series with the Royals in 2015. The spending the last month of 2018 with Double-A Montgomery...... OF Josh Lowe, younger brother of Nate White Sox signed him to a minor league contract during the final week of spring training. Escobar’s 2015 Lowe, could make a bid to rise to Triple-A, largely depending on outfield depth in Tampa Bay. He was a campaign was one for the ages as he was an American League All-Star, the ALCS MVP, and a Rawlings first-round draft pick in 2016. Gold Glove Award winner at shortstop. The 32-year-old has appeared in nearly 1,500 games (1,467) over VETERANS TO WATCH: Kean Wong has been a key contributor for two years. He was the 2017 an 11-year MLB career...... Although he is still just 26 years old, former IL All-Star Nicky Delmonico is Triple-A National Championship Game MVP and was the IL’s Top Star winner at the 2018 Triple-A certainly a veteran to keep an eye on this season. Delmonico, who spent parts of 2016 and 2017 with the All-Star Game. Primarily a , he could be transitioning to the outfield to bolster his Knights, made the White Sox Opening Day roster last season and appeared in 88 games with the club in versatility...... INF Christian Arroyo had an injury-plagued 2018 but still is on big-league radars when he’s his first full season in the bigs. A fractured right hand, however, set him back...... Slugger Matt Skole is healthy...... OF Jake Smolinski has racked up more than 225 games in the big leagues, playing with the back with the organization for a second-consecutive season and will look to follow up a successful 2018 Rangers and Athletics...... OF Jason Coats is a capable power hitter with 42 home runs at the Triple-A campaign. Skole ranked among the leaders on the Knights last season in a number of offensive categories. level...... C Anthony Bemboom has spent parts of the past three seasons in Triple-A in the Pacific Coast Last May, Skole became the sixth player in White Sox franchise history to homer in his major league debut. League...... Infielder Jake Cronenworth arrived from Double-A last year and was a key member of the Bulls’ ITEMS OF INTEREST: This season will mark the sixth season for the Knights playing in Uptown postseason lineup. He could provide a versatile component to the lineup. Charlotte. BB&T Ballpark has been the most visited venue in all of Minor League Baseball since opening ITEMS OF INTEREST: Brady Williams becomes the manager of the two-time defending IL champion its gates on April 11, 2014...... The Knights will honor the 50th Anniversary of the 1969 Southern League Bulls. Williams had been the manager of Double-A Montgomery for five seasons. He fills the spot vacated Champion Charlotte Hornets on June 22. Members of the 1969 team will be recognized in a pre-game by , who took a big-league role with the . ceremony and the club will wear Hornets uniforms in that evening’s game. 2019 INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW - SOUTH DIVISION

GWINNETT STRIPERS Triple-A Affiliate of the Triple-A Affiliate of the

Manager: (3rd year in Gwinnett) Manager: Gary Kendall (1st year in Norfolk) Coaches: Einar Diaz, Bobby Magallanes, Mike Maroth Coaches: Butch Davis, Mike Griffin, Ramon Sambo Governors’ Cups: None Governors’ Cups: 1972, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985 2018 Finish: 70-69, 2nd in South (9.0 GB) 2018 Finish: 69-71, 3rd in South (10.5 GB) Ballpark: Coolray Field (10,427) Ballpark: (11,856)

PROBABLE STARTERS: C - Alex Jackson; 1B - Andy Wilkins; 2B - Pedro Florimon; SS - Luis Marte; PROBABLE STARTERS: C - ; 1B - ; 2B - Jack Reinheimer; 3B - Austin Riley; LF - Travis Demerritte; CF - Ryan LaMarre; RF - ; DH - Sean Kazmar. SS - Zach Vincej; 3B - ; LF - ; CF - ; RF - DJ Stewart; DH - Chris Bostick. KEY PITCHERS: Starters - RH Touki Toussaint, RH , LH Luiz Gohara, LH , RH Patrick Weigel. Relievers - RH Dan Winkler, RH Luke Jackson, RH Jacob Webb, LH Corbin Clouse, KEY PITCHERS: Starters - LH Josh Rogers, RH Luis Ortiz, RH Yefry Ramirez, RH Gabriel Ynoa, LH Grant Dayton, LH Thomas Burrows. LH Sean Gilmartin. Relievers - RH Cody Carroll, RH Evan Phillips, LH , RH Branden Kline, RH Josh Lucas, LH Luis Gonzalez. STRENGTHS: Pitching will be the central focus for Gwinnett. The Stripers may see no less than half a dozen of the organization’s best young arms. Three more arms, Ian Anderson, Kyle Muller and , STRENGTHS: Norfolk’s outfield should feature Austin Hays, DJ Stewart and Anthony Santander, three are all likely to begin the year with Double-A Mississippi and could rise to Triple-A before the year is done. youngsters who have all appeared near the top of Baltimore’s top prospect lists...... Norfolk’s bullpen should consist of several hard throwers, as LHP Tanner Scott and RHP Cody Carroll each throw consistently in WEAKNESSES: Outside of Austin Riley and Alex Jackson, the Gwinnett club may have to get creative the high 90’s. when it comes to run production. Atlanta’s pitching prospects have long outnumbered their position player counterparts. That could be a recurrent them again in 2019. WEAKNESSES: Power could be an issue. Only one player in Norfolk’s projected lineup has reached double digits in home runs at the Triple-A level, DJ Stewart, who hit 12 for the Tides in 2018. However, TOP PROSPECTS: No organization has as many talented young arms as the Braves. Gwinnett’s rotation Austin Hays and Ryan Mountcastle have both demonstrated power at the Double-A level. figures to house several of Atlanta’s highly touted pitching prospects working their way to the big leagues or back and forth from the big leagues for that matter. Mike Soroka (shoulder) is hoping to get healthy and TOP PROSPECTS: Ryan Mountcastle (Baltimore’s #2 prospect according to MLB.com) is slated to grab a spot in rotation, while Touki Toussaint, Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson, Kolby Allard, Patrick Weigel open the year as Norfolk’s after serving as Double-A Bowie’s third baseman in 2018. and others are hoping to do the same. Luiz Gohara is another name to watch. The former top lefty prospect Mountcastle was Baltimore’s 1st round draft pick in 2015...... Austin Hays (#4) had a monster spring for is looking for both health and consistency in what could be a make-or-break year in the organization...... the Orioles before being optioned to Norfolk, but he may open the year on the after suffering a Beyond that, top prospect Austin Riley will begin the year with Gwinnett. He has 20-homer potential and thumb injury late in spring...... DJ Stewart (#16) was an All-Star for the Tides in 2018 and is returning to may see time at third base, first base and left field in order to punch his ticket to Atlanta. Norfolk. COMING SOON: After a torrid spring, Cristian Pache may have accelerated his track to COMING SOON: Pitchers (#6), (#9) and (#12) have all the majors. Already an elite defender, Pache’s bat came alive in the spring as he hit well over .400 while enjoyed success at Double-A and could find themselves in Norfolk in the near future...... OF Yusníel flashing the power that many had been waiting to see since he signed as an international free agent three Diaz (#1), the centerpiece of the trade with the Dodgers in 2018, had a great spring in years ago. Pache figures to be one of Atlanta’s future cornerstones in the outfield, as does . The big league camp and could be ticketed for an early season promotion to the Tides. 2017 draftee could force his way to Triple-A by season’s end but is likely a little behind Pache as far as ETA in Gwinnett. VETERANS TO WATCH: Chance Sisco, 24, is relatively young to be considered a veteran, but he played in 63 games for Baltimore in 2018 and was an IL All-Star for the Tides in 2017. He hit .382 with VETERANS TO WATCH: The Braves optioned reliever Dan Winkler and slugger Adam Duvall to Gwinnett to begin the year. Both could play roles in Atlanta at some point over the 162-game grind, but four home runs during spring but will open the year behind the plate for Norfolk...... Jace Peterson, Chris Winkler seems most likely. He put up All-Star level numbers before fading in the second half. Given the Bostick, Zach Vincej and Jack Reinheimer all have previous Triple-A experience and can all play multiple state of the Braves bullpen, Winkler should get another chance to contribute. Duvall was a disappoint- positions, giving Tides manager Gary Kendall a lot of flexibility when he fills out a lineup. ing trade addition from the Reds last summer. He’ll try to get his career back on track and recapture the ITEMS OF INTEREST: For the first time since 2012, the Tides won’t be managed by Ron Johnson, as 30-homer power he showed with Cincinnati...... Lefty Grant Dayton is on the road back from Tommy Gary Kendall has joined the club after an eight-year run at Double-A Bowie. Kendall is entering his 20th John surgery and is hoping to impact Atlanta’s bullpen at some point in 2019 as well. season in the Orioles organization. As manager of Bowie, he set the club’s franchise record with 570 wins. ITEMS OF INTEREST: Legendary Braves manager and National Baseball Hall of Famer Bobby Cox Kendall led the Baysox to a postseason appearance in three of his eight seasons, including the franchise’s will be officially enshrined in the International League Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Coolray Field on lone Eastern League championship during the 2015 campaign...... A new LED lighting system has been April 6. He will be presented with “The Curtain Call” statue, throw out the honorary first pitch, and will be installed at Harbor Park. giving away replica “Hall of Fame” jerseys in the Stripers’ classic green to fans in attendance.