Initial 2019 Biloxi Shuckers Roster Announced

The first Biloxi Shuckers roster for 2019 was announced by the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. The 27-man roster will be brought down to 25 players before the Shuckers Opening Night game against the Birmingham Barons on April 4.
 The Shuckers pitching staff will include six players who logged innings for Biloxi in 2018. RHP Marcos Diplan, RHP Nattino Diplan, RHP Nate Griep, RHP Thomas Jankins, RHP Trey Supak and RHP Braden Webb all spent parts of the 2018 campaign with the Shuckers. Jankins and Griep were named 2018 Southern League Midseason All-Stars, while Griep was named a Southern League Postseason All-Star. The new hurlers for the Shuckers include 2018 Brewers MiLB Organizational All-Star RHP Luke Barker, RHP Johan Belisario, RHP Alec Bettinger, LHP Daniel Brown, RHP Aaron Kurcz, LHP Angel Perdomo and RHP Devin Williams. RHP Tyler Spurlin, who pitched for the Shuckers in 2016, will be back at Double-A after missing the last two seasons due to injury.
 On offense, INF Blake Allemand, INF Luis Aviles Jr., OF Trent Grisham, C Max McDowell and INF Weston Wilson return to Biloxi. OF Dillon Thomas, who was added to the Shuckers 2018 postseason roster, will be with the Shuckers to start the year. OF Cooper Hummel and C Robbie Rojas both earn promotions to Biloxi from within the Brewers system.
The other five position players for the Shuckers will be in their first season in the Brewers organization. C Alexander Alvarez comes to Biloxi from the Tampa Bay Rays after being acquired in the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft in 2018. INF C.J. Hinojosa, who was acquired by Milwaukee from San Francisco in exchange for C Erik Kratz on March 24, will be part of the Shuckers infield. Minor League free agents INF Bruce Caldwell (Yankees), INF Patrick Leonard (White Sox) and OF Michael O'Neill (Rangers) all bring experience to Biloxi after signing with the Brewers this offseason.
Full Roster: 
Pitchers (14): RHP Luke Barker, RHP Johan Belisario, RHP Alec Bettinger, LHP Daniel Brown, RHP Marcos Diplan, RHP Mattino Diplan, RHP Nate Griep, RHP Thomas Jankins, RHP Aaron Kurcz, LHP Angel Perdomo, RHP Tyler Spurlin, RHP Trey Supak, RHP Braden Webb, RHP Devin Williams. 
Catchers (3): Alexander Alvarez, Max McDowell, Robbie Rojas 
Infielders (6): Blake Allemand, Luis Aviles Jr., Bruce Caldwell, C.J. Hinojosa, Patrick Leonard, Weston Wilson 
Outfielders (4) : Trent Grisham, Cooper Hummel, Michael O'Neill, Dillon Thomas 
Biloxi takes on William Carey University in an exhibition game on Tuesday, April 2 at 6:35 pm at MGM Park. General admission tickets are on sale now for $10. Students and faculty from William Carey can purchase tickets for $8. The Shuckers open their fifth season on Thursday, April 4 at 6:35 pm against the Birmingham Barons at MGM Park.
 Full Season Shuck Nation memberships, Weekender Shuck Nation memberships and Group Outings for the 2019 Biloxi Shuckers season are on sale now and are available for purchase by calling 228-233-3465, online at biloxishuckers.com or by visiting the MGM Park front office. 
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi and will host the 2019 Southern League All-Star Game on June 18. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.