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MLB

Dragons Announce 2014 Roster

15 Returning Players on Roster, Last Two Reds First Round Draft Picks Coming to Dayton
By Dayton Dragons
April 1, 2014

DAYTON, OH - The Dayton Dragons announced their 2014 team roster today, as assigned by the Cincinnati Reds. 

The two most recent Cincinnati Reds first round draft picks are on the Dayton roster. Starting pitcher Nick Travieso, the Reds 2012 #1 pick, and outfielder Phillip Ervin, the top selection in 2013, are part of the 2014 Dragons.

The Dragons opening night roster includes 15 players who have previously played in Dayton. From the 2013 Dragons, returning players include Travieso and Ervin along with starting pitchers Ismael Guillon, Sal Romano, and Amir Garrett; relief pitchers Joel Bender, Alejandro Chacin, and Pedro Diaz; catchers Joe Hudson and Brandon Dailey; infielders Sammy Diaz and Tanner Rahier; and outfielders Beau Amaral and Jeff Gelalich. Sean Buckley played for the Dragons in 2012 but missed most of last season with an injury.

New faces to the Dragons in 2014 include starting pitcher Junior Morillo, relief pitchers Scott Brattvet, Evan Mitchell, Layne Somsen, Zack Weiss, and Daniel Wright; infielders Carlton Daal, Daniel Mateo, and Jamodrick McGruder; and outfielder Sebastian Elizalde.

A total of seven players who are rated by Baseball America among the Reds top 30 prospects are on the Dayton roster, including Ervin (#3) and Travieso (#8). Others include Guillen (#12), Garrett (#18), Romano (#25), Elizalde (#26), and Rahier (#27). Romano and Chacin both represented the Dragons in the 2013 Midwest League All-Star Game in Dayton.

Ervin was the 27th overall selection in the 2013 draft out of Samford University in Alabama. After signing with the Reds in June, he was assigned to Billings and batted .326 in 34 games, connecting on eight home runs and 29 RBI to go along with 12 stolen bases. He played in 12 games with the Dragons and hit .349 with one homer and six RBI before his season ended early due to a sprained wrist. Ervin, 21, became the first position player #1 draft pick to play for the Dragons since Devin Mesoraco in 2008. He became the fourth outfielder who was a number one pick to play for the Dragons, following Austin Kearns, Jay Bruce, and Drew Stubbs.

Travieso was the 14th overall selection in 2012 out of Archbishop McCarthy High School in the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida area. Travieso led his high school team to a #5 national ranking as a senior in 2012, lighting up the radar gun as high as 98 mph. Travieso joined the Dragons two months into the 2013 season. He made 17 starts for the Dragons, going 7-4 with a 4.63 ERA. He showed excellent command for a 19-year-old, walking just 27 batters in 82 innings. 

For the second straight year, the Dragons roster includes a key player from the defending champions of the College World Series. Zack Weiss was the set-up man out of the UCLA bullpen in 2013 as the Bruins won the national championship. Jeff Gelalich and Beau Amaral were important contributors to UCLA's success in 2012 as they finished as the #5 team in the country. Gelalich earned some 1st Team All-America honors.

Five position players who were everyday starters in Dayton for most of the 2013 season return. They include Gelalich, Amaral, Hudson, Rahier, and Diaz. Additionally, Buckley was an everyday player for the Dragons in 2012 and Ervin was a key member of the Dragons after he arrived in early August of 2013.

Amaral stole 40 bases, tied for second most in Dragons history. Meanwhile, four-fifths of the Dragons pitching rotation return from 2013 including Guillon, who led the Midwest League in strikeouts. Chacin anchored the Dragons bullpen in 2013, notching nine saves with an earned run average of 2.91.

The 2014 Dragons will be led by manager Jose Nieves, pitching coach Tony Fossas, and batting coach Luis Bolivar.

Dayton Dragons 2014 Roster

Catchers: Joe Hudson, Brendan Dailey

Infielders: Daniel Mateo (1b), Sammy Diaz (2b-ss), Jamodrick McGruder (2b), Carlton Daal (ss), Tanner Rahier (3b), Sean Buckley (1b/dh)

Outfielders: Phillip Ervin, Beau Amaral, Jeff Gelalich, Sebastian Elizalde

Starting Pitchers: Nick Travieso, Ismael Guillon, Sal Romano, Amir Garrett, Junior Morillo

Relief Pitchers: Joel Bender, Alejandro Chacin, Scott Brattvet, Pedro Diaz, Evan Mitchell, Layne Somsen, Zack Weiss, Daniel Wright.

The Dragons open the 2014 season on Thursday, April 3 against the West Michigan Whitecaps at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field. Call (937) 228-2287 for ticket information.

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