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Lewis, Larnach Headline Opening Day Roster

Defending champions feature past two first round picks, nine top prospects
April 1, 2019

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Opening Day roster for the 2019 Fort Myers Miracle has been finalized by the Minnesota Twins. The 25-man roster is headlined by shortstop Royce Lewis and outfielder Trevor Larnach, the past two first round picks of the Twins (#1 overall in 2017 and #20 overall in

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Opening Day roster for the 2019 Fort Myers Miracle has been finalized by the Minnesota Twins. The 25-man roster is headlined by shortstop Royce Lewis and outfielder Trevor Larnach, the past two first round picks of the Twins (#1 overall in 2017 and #20 overall in 2018, respectively).
The roster features 13 pitchers and 12 position players, 15 of whom spent time with the Miracle in 2018. It also features nine of the top 28 prospects in the Twins organization, according to Baseball America. Three pitchers will open the season on the Injured List, two of whom appeared for the Miracle in 2018.  
Lewis, the #1 prospect in the organization, is one of the 15 returnees. He was promoted to the Miracle last season from Cedar Rapids on July 14 and hit .255 with five home runs and 21 RBI in 46 games. Overall, between the two levels he hit .292 with 14 home runs, 74 RBI, and 28 stolen bases.   
Larnach is ranked as the #5 prospect in the organization. After being drafted out of Oregon State University and leading the Beavers to a national championship last year, he hit .303 with five home runs and 26 RBI in 42 games between Rookie Elizabethton and Low-A Cedar Rapids.
The other prospects ranked by Baseball America include RHP Jhoan Duran (#7), C Ryan Jeffers (#9), 2B/3B Jose Miranda (#13), OF Akil Baddoo (#19), C Ben Rortvedt (#22), 2B Michael Helman (#27), and OF Aaron Whitefield (#28).
Manager Toby Gardenhire begins his first season leading the Miracle. He played for the Miracle in 2007 and 2008. Gardenhire, the son of former Twins and current Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire, led the Low-A Cedar Rapids Kernels last season. They finished 77-62 and qualified for the playoffs.
The Miracle open the 2019 season on Thursday, April 4 against the Charlotte Stone Crabs at Hammond Stadium. First pitch is 6:30 p.m. 
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2019 MIRACLE OPENING DAY ROSTER (Returners designated by )
PITCHERS (13+3 IL): Melvi Acosta, Charlie Barnes
, Edwar Colina* (IL), Randy Dobnak, Jhoan Duran, Calvin Faucher, Tom Hackimer, Hector Lujan, Bailey Ober, Alex Phillips, Johan Quezada, Alex Robinson* (IL), Bryan Sammons, Anthony Vizcaya, Tyler Watson, Lachlan Wells (IL)
CATCHERS (2): Ryan Jeffers, Ben Rortvedt
INFIELDERS (6): Travis Blankenhorn
, Ryan Costello, Lewin Diaz, Michael Helman, Royce Lewis, Jose Miranda
OUTFIELDERS (4): Akil Baddoo, Mark Contreras, Trevor Larnach, Aaron Whitefield