HobbsDailyReport.com
HICKORY – A dozen players who played in Hickory last season are on the Crawdads’ opening roster for 2018.
The South Atlantic League (SAL) club’s roster was released on Tuesday by officials in Hickory and via the parent club (and new team ownership) Texas Rangers.
A 28-player roster was released – 15 pitchers, four catchers, five infielders and four outfielders – and the team’s opening game roster will carry 26 players with two players listed as inactive.
The Crawdads’ first appearance at L.P. Frans Stadium comes Monday at 6 p.m. in an exhibition game with the Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) Red Hawks. Gates open at 5 p.m.
The SAL season begins on April 12 with a visit by the West Virginia Power.
The 12 returning players from a year ago include pitchers A.J. Alexy, Reid Anderson, Dario Beltre, Demarcus Evans, Joe Kuzia, Sal Mendez, Tyler Phillips and Grant Zawadzki. Position players returning are Yohel Pozo, Ryan Dorow, Miguel Aparicio and Eric Jenkins.
Hickory’s roster has six players who are considered Top 30 prospects by MLB.com – outfielder Pedro Gonzalez (ninth), Alexy (16th), Aparicio (17th), Alex Speas (22nd), Sam Huff (24th) and Phillips (30th).
Tickets for Monday’s exhibition are all general admission and free compliments of the Catawba County Partnership for Children. The Catawba County Partnership for Children will be on site collecting donations for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
For more information on the Crawdads — including promotions, ticket books and group outings visit www.hickorycrawdads.com or contact the front office at (828) 322-3000.
FOR MORE ON THE ROSTER: https://www.milb.com/crawdads/news/2018-dads-opening-day-roster/c-269807144