2014 Round Rock Express Roster Announced
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Texas Rangers and the Round Rock Express announced the Triple-A affiliate's 2014 roster Wednesday afternoon as the team breaks camp in Surprise, Arizona.
The 23-man roster features 14 pitchers, two catchers, four infielders and three outfielders. With the Pacific Coast League roster limits set at 25 active players, there is room for two players to be added before Opening Day.
Returning from the 2013 season is last season's Opening Day starter Nick Tepesch along with pitchers Lisalverto Bonilla, Cory Burns, Scott Richmond, Ryan Rodebaugh, Johan Yan and Neftali Feliz (rehab assignment in 2013), catcher Jose Felix, infielders Mike Bianucci and Alex Buchholz, and outfielder Jared Hoying.
New to the roster are pitchers Randy Henry, Doug Mathis, Roman Mendez, Rafael Perez, Aaron Poreda, Jimmy Reyes and Armando Rodriguez, catcher Brett Nicholas, infielders Brett Lillibridge and Andy Parrino, and outfielders Bryan Petersen and Brad Snyder.
The 2014 roster features just four players who are playing at the Triple-A level for the first time in their careers: Henry, Mendez, Nicholas and Reyes. The veteran-heavy roster features 11 players with Major League experience: Burns, Feliz, Mathis, Perez, Poreda, Richmond, Tepesch, Lillibridge, Parrino, Petersen and Snyder.
First-season Express manager Steve Buechele joins the staff after managing at Double-A Frisco the past four seasons. Also new to the Express coaching staff is hitting coach Justin Mashore, who spent 2013 with High-A Myrtle Beach. Returning to the coaching staff is pitching coach Brad Holman, coach Spike Owen, athletic trainer Jason Roberts and strength coach Ric Mabie.
The Express kick off its 15th season with a four-game series against the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Houston Astros affiliate) followed by a four-game series against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Colorado Rockies affiliate). For tickets and more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook and Twitter!