The 2013 Defending South Atlantic League Champions will open their 2014 campaign on Thursday April 3, against the Lakewood Blue Claws.
Luis Royas will return for his third season as the Sand Gnats manager, Marc Valdes will replace Frank Viola as the new pitching coach and Valentino Pascucci, former Mets slugger, will be the teams new hitting coach.
The roster will consist of returning pitchers Robert Gsellman and Tim Peterson, catcher Jeff Glenn, infielder Jorge Rivero and outfielder Stephan Sabol.
The team looks to be completely revamped for another run at the title, highlighted by the 2013 first round draft pick, first baseman Dominic Smith, who was ranked No. 92 on Baseball America’s top 101 prospect list and No. 37 on Keith Law’s ESPN top 100 prospect list, and the 2012 first round draft pick, shortstop, Gavin Cecchini.
Also on the roster will be, pitchers Robert Whalen, the 2013 Sterling Award winner, who posted a 1.87 ERA in 12 starts and Chris Flexen, the 2013 Pitcher of the Year, who went 8-1, with a 2.09 ERA. Both pitchers starred for the Kingsport Mets (R).
Without further ado, here is the 2014 Sand Gnats Opening Day Roster:
Pitchers
Dario Alvares, LHP
Robert Coles, RHP
Miller Diaz, RHP
Chris Flexen, RHP
Dawrin Frias, RHP
John Gant, RHP
Robert Gsellman, RHP
Ricky Knapp, RHP
Kevin McGowan, RHP
John Mincone, LHP
Akeel Morris, RHP
Tim Peterson, RHP
Robert Whalen, RHP
Catchers
Jeff Glenn, C
Colton Plaia, C
Infielders
Gavin Cecchini, SS
L.J. Mazzilli, 2B
Jeff McNeil, 2B
Matt Oberste, 1B
Jorge Rivero, 2B
Dominic Smith, 1B
Outfielders
Patrick Biondi, OF
Victor Cruzado, OF
Jared King, OF
Stephan Sabol, LF
With only five players returning from last seasons Championsip team, it would be safe to say that this season won’t be as special, but that might not be the case in 2014. There could be another possible run at the title with this bunch. The pitching staff has at least four top performers from last season with Whalen, Flexen, Gant, and Morris and the offense can be something special with potential all stars, Cecchini and Smith, and Brooklyn standouts L.J Mazzilli and Jared King. Should be an exciting 2014 season in Savannah. LGM!!
David, I also saw the Jon Leroux was headed towards Savannah.
Thanks Teddy will update once it’s official
I wonder where the Gnats play Matt Oberste now that Dominic Smith is at 1B to stay.
Matt played 1B & OF in college at Oklahoma but he also played 3B/SS in highschool. SS is completely out of the question but if he can handle 3B and spot start in the OF that’d be a plus.
It would be bitter sweet for him if he were plugged in at 3B since he grew up such a huge Wright fan(which is why he wears the #5). But the bitter part is he’d have no chance to make the Mets roster in the future as a 3B because his idol would be blocking him.
Well he has only seen action in two games and looks like so far 1B and DH is where they have started him. But so far they don’t have a true 3B so maybe he gets some chances there just to get in some games.