WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) - The Lexington Legends announce today the 2018 Opening Day roster. The roster includes 13 pitchers, three catchers, seven infielders and four outfielders. Four of the top five prospects in the Kansas City Royals organization will begin their 2018 campaign in Lexington.

 

"The Legends are thrilled to have some of the top prospects in the Royals organization this season. We expect to have a competitive team with players such as Nick Pratto, Seuly Matias, MJ Melendez and so many more," said Legends President/CEO Andy Shea. "We even have homegrown talent in Daniel Tillo, who began his collegiate career at the University of Kentucky. This is shaping up to look like a very exciting season in Lexington."

 

The number two prospect in the Royals organization, Nick Pratto, will begin his season in Lexington. Last season with Rookie-Level, AZL Royals, he batted it .247 with 15 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 34 RBI in 52 games. Pratto was a first round pick, and 14^th overall, by the Royals in the 2017 Draft.

 

Outfielder Seuly Matias is the Royals number three prospect and spent last season with the Burlington Royals batting .243 with 13 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 36 RBI. Matias made his professional debut in the Arizona League at 17 where he tied the league lead in home runs and ranked as the league's eighth-best prospect.

 

M.J. Melendez will be behind the plate for the Legends after spending last season in the Rookie-level Arizona League. He is the number four prospect in the Royals system and comes from a baseball background with his father, Mervyl Melendez, as the head coach at Florida International. He was drafted in the second round of the 2017 Draft by the Royals.

 

Carlos Hernandez spent last season at Rookie-level Burlington, finishing the season 1-4 and 5.49 ERA. Through 62 innings, he allowed 64 hits while striking out 62 and walking 27. His fastball can reach 97 mph and a curveball that can dip to 79 mph. 

 

Southpaw Daniel Tillo will see his first full season action with the Legends. In 2017, he split time between Burlington and the Rookie-level Royals in Arizona. He finished the season with a 3-2 record and a 4.42 ERA. He struck out 32 batters while walking 6. Tillo was a third round pick by the Royals in the 2017 Draft. 

 

Michael Gigliotti returns to Lexington after an impressive professional debut, which promoted him to be the number five prospect in the Royals organization. He started last season with Advanced-Rookie Burlington and spent the final month of the season in Lexington. He finished 2017 batting .320 with 13 doubles, four triples, four home runs and 38 RBI.

 

The full roster is below: 

 

PITCHERS:

Sal Biasi

Holden Capps

Garrett Davila

Dillon Drabble

Carlos Hernandez

Carter Hope

Joshua Mitchell

Julio Pinto

Collin Snider

Andres Sotillet

Daniel Tilo

Nolan Watson

Tyler Zuber

 

CATCHERS:

Julio Gonzalez

MJ Melendez

Sebastian Rivero

 

INFIELDERS: 

Ricky Aracena

Dennicher Carrasco

Jeison Guzman

Travis Jones

Oliver Nunez

Manny Olloque

Nick Pratto

 

OUTFIELDERS:

Marten Gasparini

Michael Gigliotti

Seuly Matias

Vance Vizcaino

 

The Legends, a Class A Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and member of the South Atlantic League, kickoff the 2018 season at Whitaker Bank Ballpark against the Charleston RiverDogs, an affiliate of the New York Yankee, on Opening Day - April 5, 2018. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit LexingtonLegends.com. All individual game tickets are now on sale.