Fireflies Open 2026 with Top Draft Talent, 17 Returners from 2025 Playoff Run

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies, in conjunction with the Kansas City Royals, announced their 2026 Opening Day roster, highlighted by the Royals top three picks in the 2025 draft, Sean Gamble, Josh Hammond and Michael Lombardi alongside the organization’s No. 3 overall prospect, Kendry Chourio.

Columbia also brings back 17 players from its 2025 club that secured the franchise’s first-ever playoff berth and Carolina League South Division Championship, blending high-upside talent with a proven winning core.

"I’m thrilled to be back for our 10th season in Columbia,” manager David Noworyta said. “We’re excited to welcome back some familiar faces and introduce new talent to our great fan base. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone out at Segra Park this season.”

Coming off a playoff run and Carolina League South Division pennant, second-year manager David Noworyta will trot out a rotation with three of the Royals top 30 prospects in it. Kendry Chourio and Blake Wolters return to the club after making the playoff roster in 2025. Chourio is rated as the Royals third-best prospect and Wolters is the 24th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. When Chourio made his first start for the Fireflies July 31, he became the youngest pitcher to play in an affiliated game since Julio Urias made his debut in 2013. The Maracaibo native earned the victory in game two of the South Division Playoff Series after firing five one-run innings against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans September 11.

Michael Lombardi joins the pair to make his affiliated debut. Lombardi held a 2.14 ERA with a 15.64 K/9 while pacing the American Conference in saves (11) during the 2025 season. That prompted the Royals to take the Connecticut native with their third pick in the draft.

The Royals had an extra pick thanks to the Prospect Promotion Incentive in 2025, so Lombardi, Kansas City’s second-round pick, was their third selection at slot 61. The Royals first two picks, outfielder Sean Gamble and infielder Josh Hammond are also joining the Fireflies this season.

Gamble never hit under .333 in his final three seasons at IMG Academy in Florida and enjoyed a senior season where he clubbed .413 with 30 RBI. That prompted the Royals to pick the outfielder with the 23rd selection in the draft last summer. Five picks later, Kansas City opted to take another athletic high school bat. Hammond hit .471 with six round trippers as a senior at Wesleyan Christian Academy in 2025. The Royals were rewarded with a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick after Bobby Witt Jr. finished in the top three of AL MVP voting in 2024 and Hammond will join the Fireflies this summer thanks to that pick.

The Fireflies will also welcome Brooks Bryan (C, eighth round), Shane Van Damn (RHP, ninth round), Max Martin (RHP, 10th round), J.C. Vanek (INF, 14th round), Connor Rasmussen (INF, 15th round) and Randy Ramnarace (RHP, 16th round) from the 2025 draft. Rasmussen and Vanek both played for the Fireflies down the stretch in 2025 while the remaining four are making their affiliated debuts this season. Rasmussen, a Rock Hill native, is also the first South Carolina native to play for the Fireflies since Kipp Rollings, a Kershaw native, pitched for Columbia in 2021.

The club is also loaded with International Signees this year. Two of the top six prospects on the team were International Free Agents. Chourio and Yandel Ricardo were signed in separate classes. Ricardo was the 16th-ranked prospect in the 2024 signing class, which led to the Royals inking the switch-hitting shortstop to a $2.4 million deal. The Cuba native cruised through the Arizona Complex League in 2025, earning an All-Star nod after hitting .342 with a .438 on-base percentage. He also earned a promotion to Columbia June 23. The 19-year-old wowed the Midlands with great defense and speed on the basepaths in 50 games in the Carolina League. Ricardo swiped 31 bases between the ACL and Columbia last year.

Like in 2025, Columbia is returning over half of their roster from the previous season. This year, the Fireflies welcome 17 players from the 2025 roster back for the start of 2026. The pitching staff has nine returners: Chourio, Kyle DeGroat, Jose Gutierrez, Henson Leal, Yeri Perez, Darwin Rodriguez, Wolters, Jordan Woods and Hiro Wyatt. The team will also welcome eight bats back this year: Roni Cabrera, Josi Novas, Henry Ramos, Rasmussen, Ricardo, Stone Russell, Hyungchan Um and J.C. Vanek.

Columbia’s full Opening Day roster is available to view here.

The Fireflies Home Opener is Tuesday, April 7 at 7:05 pm against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Join the Fireflies at Segra Park for Neon night, including a neon rally towel giveaway Friday, April 10, 8-Bit Baseball Bash with a post-game fireworks show Saturday, April 11 and our first Budweiser Thirsty Thursday of the year with $1.50 hot dogs and Budweiser products. Buy your tickets now at FirefliesTickets.com.