Cardinals announce 2014 Preliminary Roster

Springfield, MO - The St. Louis Cardinals and the Springfield Cardinals have announced the Preliminary Roster for the 2014 Springfield squad. The Cardinals 2014 Opening Day Roster will be finalized when Springfield starts the season at home this Thursday against the San Antonio Missions at 7:10pm.

Thirteen players on the Preliminary Roster spent at least a part of the 2013 campaign in Springfield. Included in this group is the Cardinals 2013 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, RHP Zach Petrick, who enjoyed a breakout campaign that included stops in Peoria, Palm Beach and Springfield last season.

Also making his return to Hammons Field will be OF James Ramsey, the Cardinals #3 outfield prospect and #8 overall prospect as ranked by Baseball America. Joining Ramsey in the outfield will be 2013 Texas League Midseason and Postseason All-Star LF Mike O'Neill, who is also on the Cardinals 40-Man Roster.

Other returning Cardinals include RHP Seth Blair, LHP Jonathan Cornelius, LHP Anthony Ferrara, LHP Dean Kiekhefer, LHP Danny Miranda, LHP Ryan Sherriff, C Cody Stanley, C Travis Tartamella, INF Matt Williams and LHP Justin Wright. Not with the Cardinals in 2013, but still a familiar face at Hammons Field, is returning INF Curt Smith, who played in Springfield in 2009 and 2010 when he was named a Texas League Midseason All-Star.

Among the group of first-year Springfield Cardinals is newly-signed INF Aledmys Diaz. A highly-touted prospect from Cuba, Diaz signed with St. Louis on March 9, 2014 and joined the Cardinals Major League Spring Training Camp. Another highly-ranked prospect making his first trip to Springfield will be 3B Patrick Wisdom, who is tabbed by Baseball America as the Cardinals top third base prospect and 13th-best prospect overall.

Also set to make his Hammons Field debut is RHP Sam Gaviglio, who suited up with Ferrara and Ramsey for Springfield Manager Mike Shildt in the prestigious Arizona Fall League last year. Gaviglio is one of eight 2013 Palm Beach Cardinals that will be getting their first taste of Double-A, including RHP Logan Billbrough, RHP Kurt Heyer, C Jonathan Keener, OF David Popkins, INF Jonathan Rodriguez, LHP Ronnie Shaban and Wisdom.

Adding some veteran experience to the roster are INF Greg Miclat and OF Rafael Ortega. Miclat, a former All-Star in the Baltimore Orioles system, was acquired by the Cardinals in the 2013 Rule 5 Draft from the Texas Rangers after spending the majority of last season with the Round Rock Express (Triple-A, Rangers). Ortega, claimed by the Cardinals off waivers in January, began his professional career as a 17-year old in 2008 in the Colorado Rockies system. He made his Major League debut in September, 2012 with the Rockies and played in 42 games with the Tulsa Drillers last year before missing the rest of the season due to injury.

For more information, visit SpringfieldCardinals.com or call the Front Office at (417) 863-0395.

Click here to view the complete 2014 Preliminary Roster.

Oder your Championship, Premium or Value Pack today and get a free specially-designed Commemorative 10th Season T-Shirt!

Brand-new Championship, Premium and Value Packs are available right now for the 2014 season. Each pack contains 10 games and comes with a specially-designed Commemorative 10th Season T-Shirt!

Championship Packs come in three different varieties - the Texas League Pack, the Prospect Pack and the Pick-A-Pack - and start at just $83.

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Click here for more information.

Individual Game Tickets are on sale right now; Guarantee your Promo Items with the Promo Club!

With Opening Night of the Cardinals 10th Season coming up on Thursday, April 3, Individual Game Tickets for all 70 home games this season are available right now on SpringfieldCardinals.com or by calling the Ticket Office at (417) 863-2143.

Although space is filling up quickly, it's not too late to sign up for the Promo Club - the only way to guarantee one of every Promotional Item on the 2014 Schedule! Season Ticket Holders have the exclusive option to join the Promo Club for the membership fee of just $85. You can now have your bobbleheads, caps, shirts and more guaranteed by enrolling in this club!

Space in the Promo Club is limited, so sign up for the club and a 2014 Ticket Plan today. Ticket Plans in 18, 35 and 70-game varieties are available right now and start at just $106.

For information about 2014 Season Ticket Plans, click below or call the Front Office at (417) 863-0395.

Click here to view the Springfield Cardinals 2014 Ticket Plans.

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