The Modesto Nuts, in conjunction with the Seattle Mariners, have announced their 2019 roster. 2019's Opening Day roster features three top 30 prospects in the Mariners' system as rated by Baseball America. 14 players on the first roster of the year spent time with Modesto last season.
The Modesto Nuts, in conjunction with the Seattle Mariners, have announced their 2019 roster. 2019's Opening Day roster features three top 30 prospects in the Mariners' system as rated by Baseball America. 14 players on the first roster of the year spent time with Modesto last season.
Cal Raleigh is rated the tenth best prospect in the Mariners system according to Baseball America. The catcher was drafted in the third round out of Florida State in 2018. In his pro debut, Raleigh hit .288 with the Everett Aquasox (ss-A) in 38 games.
Nuts fans will welcome back the 2017 California League Championship MVP Joe Rizzo for his second Opening Day in Modesto. The 21-year-old 3B played in 123 games with the Nuts last season. Rizzo enters 2019 rated as the 22nd best prospect in the system according to Baseball America.
Joey Gerber will begin the 2019 season in the Nuts' bullpen rated as the 24th best prospect in the system according to Baseball America. After he was selected in the eighth round of the draft last season, the RHP worked in 22 games with a 2.10 ERA and an eye-popping 43 strikeouts in just 26 innings.
In the outfield, Anthony Jimenez, Luis Liberato, Jack Larsen, and Gareth Morgan return to Modesto. Morgan launched 19 home runs in 2018. Jimenez was second on the squad with 13 stolen bases. Liberato has played in 155 games with the Nuts over the last two seasons with 19 long balls, 31 doubles and 72 RBI. Larsen joined Modesto in August of last season. Overall, the SoCal native smacked 13 home runs in 2018.
On the mound, Ljay Newsome made 26 starts with the Nuts last season and begins 2019 back in the Modesto rotation. Austin Hutchison worked his way into the Nuts' starting rotation last season. The righty is back in the rotation this year after posting a 2.86 ERA in nine starts. Lefty Nick Wells also returns to the rotation after getting a midseason call up in 2018.
Sam Delaplane will begin the season in the Nuts' bullpen. Delaplane attended Leigh High School in San Jose before playing collegiately at Eastern Michigan University.
The Nuts' 2019 season begins on Thursday, April 4th in Lancaster before their home opener on April 11th against the Stockton Ports.
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About the Nuts:
The Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball team is the Class A-Advanced Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. For more information visit modestonuts.com or call 209-572-HITS (4487)
