Astros announce 2011 roster
Seventeen-year-old outfielder Ariel Ovando is one of those non-drafted free agents that could make a big impact for the Astros this summer. The 6'4 native of the Dominican Republic received the highest signing bonus in Houston Astros history last summer, and 2011 will be his first professional season.
Eight players from the 2011 MLB Draft, including five pitchers, will also be making their professional debuts with Greeneville. Left-handed pitcher Chris Lee, who was drafted in the fourth round out of Sante Fe CC in Gainesville, FL, headlines the list.
There will be several experienced players on the roster as well. Four players with previous experience in Greeneville will be returning along with 14 players that played under Lopez with the Gulf Coast League Astros last season.
Left-handed pitcher Ricardo Batista, who started 12 games for Greeneville last season, will be joined by returning right-handers Jamaine Cotton and Rodney Quintero. Catcher Luis Alvarez, who played in Greeneville during the 2009 season, will be returning after missing all of 2010 due to injury.
Among the promising players coming up from the GCL Astros is starting right-handed pitcher Jose Perdomo, a 2010 GCL All-Star. He is one of five players from Venezuela on the team.
As a whole, the Astros will be well represented internationally. There are a total of seven countries and territories represented on the Greeneville roster this season. The Dominican Republic matches Venezuela with five players, tied for the second most behind the fifteen players from the United States. Other places represented include Colombia, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the Virgin Islands.
The complete roster will be as follows:
Pitchers: LHP Ricardo Batista, RHP Jamaine Cotton, RHP Zachary Dando, RHP Danil Del Rio, RHP Mark Jones, LHP Chris Lee, LHP Jeremiah Meiners, RHP Luis Ordosgoitti, RHP Jose Perdomo, RHP Tyson Perez, RHP James Propst, RHP Rodney Quintero, LHP Paris Shewey, RHP Matison Smith and LHP Scott Zuloaga.
Catchers: Luis Alvarez, Ernesto Genoves and Cristian Moronta.
Infielders: Chase Davidson, Josh Magee, Chan Moon, Darwin Rivera, Ronald Sanchez, Ruben Sosa and Alex Todd.
Outfielders: Jose Monzon, Ariel Ovando, Jose Vargas and Garen Wright.
The Greeneville Astros begin their season on Tuesday, June 21st at Bristol, but fans in Greeneville can see all the new players during their home opener on Friday, June 24th at 7:00pm against the Johnson City Cardinals.
Tickets are available now at the Astros Administrative office, located at Pioneer Park on the campus of Tusculum College. The office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:30pm. For more information on the Astros, call (423) 638-0411.