Nats announce Opening Day roster

WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- The Potomac Nationals have announced their Opening Day roster for the 2008 season. Included in the list are the top two rated prospects in the Washington Nationals organization, Chris Marrero and Ross Detwiler. Also included on the roster is former 2007 second-round pick Jordan Zimmermann. Twenty of the twenty-five active players have spent time at the Advanced-A level or higher.

A pair of former first-round draft picks, Chris Marrero and Ross Detwiler, highlights the 2008 Opening Day roster. Marrero is considered the top rated hitting and overall prospect in the Nationals organization. In 2007 the 19-year-old hit .259 in 68 games for the P-Nats. Detwiler, regarded as the top pitching prospect in the Nationals organization, was called up to the Washington Nationals in September of last season appearing in one game and pitching a scoreless inning. The left-hander went 2-2 while posting a 4.22 ERA for Potomac in 2007.

The 2008 coaching staff is set with former Major Leaguer and World Series champion Randy Knorr returning to Potomac for his third season as manager.

A pair of former Major Leaguers will join Knorr. Lynchburg, Va. native, Randy Tomlin will return as the team's pitching coach while Jerry Browne will begin his first season as the team's new hitting coach. Athletic trainer Atsushi Toriida enters his first season with the P-Nats and sixth season overall in the Nationals organization.

The Potomac Nationals will host their annual Media Day on April 3, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. All media outlets interested in attending should contact Anthony Oppermann, Assistant General Manager, Marketing, and Media, either by phone at (703) 590-2311 ext. 221 or email at [email protected] in order to arrange for interviews and photographs. All members of the media who have already completed an application can obtain their credential for the 2008 season at Media Day. Applications as well as the Minor League Baseball terms and conditions form will be available for any media interested in acquiring a media credential for the 2008 season.

In addition, the P-Nats will be celebrating the unveiling of a new ballpark entity with a ribbon cutting ceremony presented by the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Pfitzner Stadium will open free to the public at 6:00 p.m. Fans will have their first opportunity to see the 2008 P-Nats during the team's open practice. Concessions will be open and the Potomac Nationals Box Office will extend their hours for the event, staying open to allow fans the opportunity to purchase tickets.

Single-game tickets as well as season tickets and ticket packages for the upcoming 2008 season are on sale now! For more information, call the Nationals ticket office at (703) 590-2311 ext. 215. The P-Nats kick off the 2008 season on the road against the Salem Avalanche on April 4 and celebrate Opening Day at Pfitzner Stadium on April 8 against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.