Clearwater Threshers 2014 Opening Day Roster Announced
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Philadelphia Phillies have announced the 2014 Clearwater Threshers Opening Day roster, with 12 position players and 12 pitchers being assigned to the High-A affiliate. A total of 15 players will be making their Threshers debut with nine players returning to Bright House Field.
Including right-hander Daniel Child, six of the 12 pitchers on the roster played in Clearwater in 2013. Child is ranked by Baseball America as the #30 prospect in the Phillies system, the highest such ranking on the Threshers roster. Baseball America also lists Child as having the best fastball from the Phillies 2013 draft.
Colton Murray will also be returning after a 2013 season in which the righty ranked second in the Florida State League for appearances, with 47. Colin Kleven, Ethan Stewart, Jordan Guth, and Lee Ridenhour all are returning Threshers.
Catcher Logan Moore was a 2013 FSL All-Star for the Threshers while fellow backstop Chad Carmen spent 2013 in Williamsport and Lakewood.
Infielder William Carmona hit .303 last year with Lakewood, which was fifth in the South Atlantic League. He also tied for seventh in doubles with 34. While in college, Carmona set the Stony Brook single-season RBI record with 73 in 2012, helping his school reach the College World Series.
Harold Martinez hit .272 last year in a full season with the Threshers, including .325 in the second half splitting his time between third and first base.
Outfielder Justin Parr is the fastest base runner from the 2013 Phillies draft, according to Baseball America. He was the 2014 recipient of the Phillies Bill Giles Award, given to an outstanding minor leaguer. Parr set a school record at the University of Illinois-Champagne, with a 33-game hitting streak during his senior year.
Leading the Threshers in 2014 for the first time will be Manager Nelson Prada. After spending his entire playing and managing career in the Twins system, Prada joined the Phillies organization in 2013 as manager of Williamsport. He has a winning record in six of his eight seasons as a minor-league manager.
Also new to the Clearwater staff is Coach Frank Cacciatore, who joined the Phillies player development staff in 2008. Pitching Coach Bob Milacki returns for his second season with the Threshers. Mickey Kozack will be the team's athletic trainer and Adam Belding will handle Strength & Conditioning duties.
Opening Night at Bright House Field is on Friday, April 4. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the 6:30 p.m. game time. The evening will be a red-carpet affair to premier the 2014 Clearwater Threshers season and will feature post-game fireworks.
The Threshers return to Clearwater on Sunday, April 6, for Bark At The Ballpark. A $5 ticket admits a canine companion and benefits the Humane Society of Pinellas.
For tickets please call 727-467-4457 or visit ThreshersBaseball.com.
Full Roster - alphabetical by position
Catchers:
Chad Carman
Logan Moore
Infielders:
William Carmona
Art Charles
Harold Martinez
Angelo Mora
Anthony Phillips
Casey Serna
Outfielders:
Nick Ferdinand
Pete Lavin
Justin Parr
Brian Pointer
Pitchers:
Colin Kleven
Miguel Nunez
Jon Prosinski
Jeb Stefan
Ethan Stewart
Chris Burgess
Daniel Child
Jordan Guth
Lino Martinez
Colton Murray
Lee Ridenhour
Kevin Walter
DL
OF Brandon Short
RHP Nic Hanson
RHP Steven Inch