Woodpeckers Release 2024 Opening Day Roster
Fayetteville, NC –The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, in conjunction with the Houston Astros, are excited to unveil the 2024 Opening Day Roster ahead of their Carolina League opener against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on April 5th at Pelicans Ballpark. The 30-man roster breaks down to 14 position players and 16 pitchers, along
Fayetteville, NC –The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, in conjunction with the Houston Astros, are excited to unveil the 2024 Opening Day Roster ahead of their Carolina League opener against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on April 5th at Pelicans Ballpark. The 30-man roster breaks down to 14 position players and 16 pitchers, along with seven returners from the 2023 squad and 23 newcomers who will make their Single-A debut with Fayetteville.
Top-30 prospects 3B/OF Waner Luciano, INF Chase Jaworsky and RHP Alimber Santa are featured in the roster, according to MLB.com.
Luciano was a Dominican Summer League All-Star in 2022 and ranked second in the Florida Complex League with 10 homers during the 2023 summer. Jaworsky was selected in the 5th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by Houston out of Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. As an 18-year-old during 2023 he batted .281 over nine games in the Florida Complex League and profiles as the primary shortstop for Fayetteville to begin the season.
Santa was Fayetteville’s Opening Day starter in 2023 and returns to the club after striking out 119 batters in 87.1 innings a year ago.
Other returning players from the 2023 club include INF Yamal Encarnacion, OF Luis Perez, C Juan Santander, RHP Amilcar Chirinos, RHP Sandy Mejia and RHP Ethan Pecko.
A full listing of the 2024 Woodpeckers roster is below:
Position Players: Oliver Carrillo, Xavier Casserilla, Yamal Encarnacion, Kenni Gomez, Alberto Hernandez, Chase Jaworsky, Waner Luciano, Alejandro Nunez, Nehomar Ochoa, Luis Perez, Anthony Sherwin
Catchers: Will Bush, Fernando Caldera, Juan Santander
Pitchers: Kelly Austin, Amilcar Chirinos, James Hicks, Colby Langford, Sandy Mejia, Abel Mercedes, Jackson Nezuh, Ethan Pecko, Alain Pena, Ben Petschke, Raimy Rodriguez, Wilmy Sanchez, Alimber Santa, Yeriel Santos, Juan Soto, Derek True
The Woodpeckers will be led by returning manager Ricky Rivera in his second season, along with pitching coach Zack Wilkins, hitting coach Andrew Cresci and development coach Jeff Calhoon.
The Woodpeckers home opener is on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:05 pm against the Charleston RiverDogs at Segra Stadium. Opening Night tickets are available now at fayettevillewoodpeckers.com.