The Greeneville Astros have announced their 2010 roster. This year's team, led by new manager Ed Romero, consists of a mix of returning players, 2010 draft picks, players coming from the Tri-City ValleyCats, players coming up from the Gulf Coast League and a handful of undrafted free agents playing their first professional season.
Of the eight returning players, five are pitchers. They include lefties Garrett Bullock, Angel Gonzalez and Travis Smink. Right-handers returning are B.J. Hyatt and Juri Perez.
They will have a couple familiar faces behind the plate with 2009 11th rounder, Bubby Williams, and Luis Alvarez, both returning at catcher.
The only other returning player from 2009 is outfielder Ryan Humphrey, the 15th round pick from last season.
Four 2010 draft picks, which have only been part of the Astros organization for about a week and a half, are on the initial roster. Chris Wallace, a catcher from the University of Houston, was selected in the 16th round. Right-handed pitchers, Ryan Cole of St. Johns and Brian Streilein of Villanova, were selected in the 34th and 37th rounds respectively. Bryce Lane, an outfielder from Gulf Coast CC, was picked in the 41st round.
Right-hander Justin Harper, the 17th round selection in 2009, is coming from Tri-City along with infielder Johnny Medrano. Medrano spent the 2008 season on the disabled list while in Greeneville.
Players coming up from the Gulf Coast League Astros include two high-round 2009 draft picks and several non-drafted free agents. Outfielder Telvin Nash was selected in the 3rd round, and infielder Enrique Hernandez was the 6th round pick of last year's draft. Meanwhile, outfielder Emilio King and infielders Pedro Feliz and Ricardo Garcia are joined by pitchers Ricardo Batista and Euris Quezada as players coming from the Latin academies. Other NDFA include pitchers Jack Frawley, Philip Rorabaugh, and Andrea Lucati. Lucati, an Italian prospect, also spent the 2008 season in Greeneville.
Finally, the non-drafted free agents joining the Greeneville Astros for their first professional seasons domestically include Dominican Summer League products Ricardo Heredia, an outfielder, and Hector Rodriguez, an infielder. They are joined by pitcher Ruben Alaniz, a native of Texas, and infielders Jonathan Merritt, a product of the University of Alabama-Birmingham and Marcus Nidiffer, who played collegiately at Kentucky. Nidiffer is originally from Bristol and played at Tennessee High School.
The Greeneville Astros begin their season on Tuesday, June 22nd at Burlington, but fans in Greeneville can see all the new players during their home opener on Friday, June 26th at 7:00 against the Johnson City Cardinals.
An "Astros Extravaganza" where fans may come out and meet the team is planned for Sunday night from 6-8 p.m. at the downtown General Morgan Inn. Free food will be available.
For more information on the Astros, call (423) 638-0411 or visit http://www.greenevilleastros.com .
