Atlanta Braves Announce Columbus Clingstones 2026 Opening Day Roster

The Atlanta Braves announced today the Opening Day roster for the Columbus Clingstones ahead of the club's second season as the Double-A affiliate.

The roster is headlined by Owen Murphy, Atlanta's No. 6 prospect and features a mix of returning contributors, top prospects, and new additions. The Clingstones will be led by new manager Nestor Perez, who begins his first season in Columbus in 2026.

Columbus Clingstones Opening Day Roster (* = Braves 40-Man Roster):

RH Pitchers (13): Blane Abeyta, Garrett Baumann, Ryan Bourassa, Blayne Enlow, Drue Hackenberg, Elison Joseph, Tyler LaPorte, Jhancarlos Lara*, LJ McDonough, Owen Murphy, Shay Schanaman, Brett Sears, Luis Vargas.

LH Pitchers (3): Jack Dashwood, Herick Hernandez, Samuel Strickland.

Catchers (3): Archer Brookman, Tyler Tolve, Adam Zebrowski.

Infielders (7): Drew Compton, Cal Conley, Lizandro Espinoza, Jordan Groshans, David McCabe, Keshawn Ogans, Ambioris Tavarez.

Outfielders (4): Patrick Clohisy, Tristin English, Kevin Kilpatrick Jr., Ethan Workinger.

Six members of Atlanta’s Top 30 Prospects list (MLB.com) will begin the 2026 season with Columbus, led by Murphy, who will make his Double-A debut after going 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA over seven starts in 2025 following Tommy John surgery in 2024.

Four additional players will make their Double-A debuts with Columbus in 2026: right-hander Garrett Baumann, left-handers Herick Hernandez and Samuel Strickland, and catcher Archer Brookman.

Clingstones on Atlanta's Top 30 Prospects List (6):

Owen Murphy — No. 6

Garrett Baumann — No. 12

Herick Hernandez — No. 14

Drue Hackenberg — No. 16

Jhancarlos Lara — No. 17

Patrick Clohisy — No. 26

Lara is the lone member of the Clingstones' Opening Day roster currently listed on the Braves' 40-man roster.

Eleven players from the Clingstones’ inaugural Opening Day roster in 2025 return for 2026, including Blane Abeyta, Drue Hackenberg, Elison Joseph, Jhancarlos Lara, Adam Zebrowski, Drew Compton, Cal Conley, David McCabe, Keshawn Ogans, Kevin Kilpatrick Jr., and Ethan Workinger.

Among those back with Columbus, David McCabe returns after leading Braves minor leaguers in RBIs (71), doubles (27), walks (71), and total bases (200) in 2025. Ethan Workinger is also back after leading Columbus in home runs (16), RBIs (70), extra-base hits (37), and total bases (170) last season.

The Opening Day roster also features three Georgia-born players: Tolve (Atlanta), English (Stockbridge), and Kilpatrick Jr. (Stone Mountain).

Alongside Perez, the Clingstones will be led by pitching coach Mike Steed, hitting coach Grant Kay, coach Francisco Diaz, strength and conditioning coach Mike Wall, and athletic trainer Tyler Moos.

The Clingstones begin the 2026 season with the first Opening Night game at Synovus Park on Friday, April 3 against the Chattanooga Lookouts, first pitch is 7:06 p.m. ET. For tickets and more information, visit Clingstones.com. Listen to all Clingstones games on SportsVisions 92.1 FM or watch on MiLB.TV.