Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon
Scores
All Scores Triple-A Scores Double-A Scores High-A Scores Single-A Scores Rookie Scores
Schedule
Complete Game Schedule Triple-A Schedule Double-A Schedule High-A Schedule Single-A Schedule Rookie Schedule Sync Schedules
Teams
Teams by Affiliate Teams by Name Teams by Class Teams by League Ballparks
Watch
Watch Games Subscribe Highlights Prospect Highlights Streaming FAQ Help Center Gameday Audio Podcast Bally Sports Live
Tickets
Tickets
Shop
MiLB Store Auctions Shop Copa Shop Marvel
Standings
Full Season Rookie Leagues Playoffs Playoff Procedures
Stats
Full Season Rookie Leagues Trending Players Top Prospect Stats
News
Pipeline Transactions Copa de la Diversión Baseball Traveler Malmö Oat Milkers MiLB App MiLB Newsletters Sweepstakes & Contests
Prospects
Top 100 Top 30 by Team Top 50 International Draft Top 250 Trending Players
Playoffs
MLB

Preliminary 2016 Chasers Roster Announced

Includes 11 2015 Chasers, Millard South & Husker alum Duensing
By Andrew Green
April 3, 2016

The Omaha Storm Chasers in conjunction with the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday announced their preliminary roster for the upcoming 5th Anniversary Season at Werner Park. The 25-man roster consists of 11 players who appeared in a game for Omaha last season, 14 who have Major League experience, and one Omaha Millard South High School graduate who went on to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Click here to view Storm Chasers' Preliminary Roster

 

Among Storm Chasers returnees are 2015 Pacific Coast League Batting Champion and Omaha Player of the Year Jose Martinez, who set a modern-day PCL record by recording a .384 batting average with Omaha last year. Infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield, the Storm Chasers' 2015 hits leader, also comes back to start the 2016 campaign with Omaha, along with outfielder Brett Eibner, who led the club with 19 longballs last season. Other 2015 Storm Chasers players returning include Omaha Pitcher of the Year Scott Alexander, as well as fellow hurlers Brian Flynn and Jonathan Dziedzic, and infielders Dusty Coleman, Cheslor Cuthbert and Balbino Fuenmayor.

An exciting group of newcomers also headline the initial 2016 roster, highlighted by former Nebraska Cornhuskers hurler and Omaha Millard South High School grad Brian Duensing and 2015 Pacific Coast League All-Star Cody Decker, who smashed 21 home runs in the PCL last season. Major League veterans in catcher Tony Cruz, pitcher John Lannan, infielder Clint Barmes and outfielder Travis Snider, who have combined to appear in 2,228 Major League contests, also bring a wealth of Big League experience to the squad.

In total the first Omaha roster boasts six of the Kansas City Royals' top 30 prospects according to Baseball America. Leading that group is Almonte (No. 4), the second-best pitching prospect in the system according to the publication, with Cuthbert (No. 10), outfielder Jorge Bonifacio (No. 11), Eibner (No. 17), Flynn (No. 23) and Martinez (No. 24) all garnering top 30 recognition as well.

The preliminary roster is subject to change before Opening Day. The season kicks off at Werner Park on Thursday, April 7 at 7:05 p.m. against the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Single-game tickets for Opening Day and all other 71 home dates are still available and can be purchased online at www.omahastormchasers.com/tickets, or by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100.

The preliminary roster is subject to change before Opening Day, with the season kicking off at Werner Park on Thursday, April 7 at 7:05 p.m. against the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Single-game tickets for Opening Day and all other 71 home dates are still available and can be purchased online by clicking here, or by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100.