Tides announce Opening Day Roster

The Norfolk Tides and Baltimore Orioles have announced the Tides Opening Day roster for the 2019 season. The Tides will be managed by Gary Kendall, who has been promoted to Norfolk after an eight-year stint as the manager for the Double-A Bowie Baysox. Joining Kendall on the coaching staff are Pitching Coach Mike Griffin, Hitting Coach Butch Davis, Field Coach Ramon Sambo, Athletic Trainer Chris Poole and Strength Coach Trevor Howell.

Norfolk's pitching staff will consist of starters Josh Rogers (who will make the start in tonight's season opener at Gwinnett), Keegan Akin, Luis Ortiz, Yefry Ramírez and Gabriel Ynoa. The Tides bullpen will consist of Sean Gilmartin, Luis Gonzalez, Branden Kline, Josh Lucas, Evan Phillips, Tanner Scott, Matt Wotherspoon and Luis Ysla. 
The Tides opening roster features six infielders: Christopher Bostick, Ryan Mountcastle, Jace Peterson, Jack Reinheimer, Zach Vincej and Stevie Wilkerson. There are four outfielders on Norfolk's roster: Jaycob Brugman, Anthony Santander, DJ Stewart and Mason Williams. Carlos Pèrez and Chance Sisco will open the season as Norfolk's catchers. 
Three players are opening the season on Norfolk's Injured List: RHP Cody Carroll, C Pedro Perez and OF Austin Hays. 
The Tides opening roster features seven players ranked among Baltimore's Top 30 Prospects by MLB.com. That list includes IF Ryan Mountcastle (#2), OF Austin Hays (#4), LHP Keegan Akin (#6), OF DJ Stewart (#16), RHP Luis Ortiz (#19), RHP Cody Carroll (#21) and RHP Branden Kline (#22). 
Norfolk opens its season tonight at Gwinnett, with first pitch from Coolray Field slated for 7:05 pm. The game can be heard live on ESPN Radio 94.1 and watched live on MiLB.tv. The Tides open the home portion of their schedule on Thursday, April 11th with a 6:35 contest vs. the Toledo Mud Hens.