FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 4, 2000
Contact: Bryan Dolgin, Director of Media & Public Relations
843-918-6016
The 2000 Myrtle Beach Pelicans Roster
MYRTLE BEACH, SC – – – – – – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans released their official roster today. The team consists of 25 active players (12 pitchers, 3 catchers, 6 infielders and 4 outfielders). The 2000 Pelicans are led by Brian Snitker (manager), Bruce Dal Canton (pitching coach) and Sixto Lezcano (coach).
Snitker and Dal Canton along with Mike Graus (trainer) are the returnees on the coaching staff. The 2000 Pelicans feature nine returning players from the 1999 Carolina League championship team. Jimmy Osting (RHP) leads the pitching staff. Osting, the fourth round selection of the Atlanta Braves in 1995 June free agent draft, was the A-Braves 1999 Minor League Pitcher of the Year (the Phil Niekro Award) and is tabbed as the A-Braves 8th best prospect according to Baseball America. He was 14-and-4 with a 2.88 ERA with the Macon Braves (Single-A) last season. The Pelicans pitching staff also features Matt McClendon (RHP), the A-Braves 11th best prospect according to Baseball America. The 1999 Pelicans wins leader, Will Fleck, returns to the 2000 Pelicans bullpen.
The Pelicans infielder crop features two A-Braves first round draft selections, Troy Cameron (1997 draft) and A.J. Zapp (1996 draft). Cameron, third baseman, tied Zapp, first baseman, with 22 home runs last season for the Macon Braves. Cameron led the M-Braves with 77 RBI and Zapp was second with 65. Travis Wilson, from New Zealand and a second baseman, was solid at the plate and in the field for the 1999 M-Braves. He was second on the team with a .309 batting average and had a 41 consecutive game errorless streak. Ryan Lehr, first baseman/designated hitter, returns to the Pelicans. He was second on the 1999 Pelicans squad with 14 home runs and 68 RBI.
The outfielders are a talented group. Junior Briganc, the A-Braves 7th best prospect according to Baseball America, returns from last year’s Pelicans team. He played part of spring training with the A-Braves and batted .333 (7-for-21) in 13 games played. Ryan Langerhans is touted as the A-Braves 12th best prospect and has the best outfield arm in the Braves minor league system according to Baseball America. He led the M-Braves with 120 hits and 30 doubles.
All three Pelicans catchers, Scott Bronowicz, Mark Mortimer and Steve Torrealba, were part of the 1999 Pelicans. Mortimer led the catchers with a .276 batting average and 31 RBI. Torrealba was one of nine 1999 Pelicans invited to the major league spring training camp.
The 2000 Pelicans feature one player from South Carolina. William Sylester, pitcher, was born in Darlington and resides in Florence. The 2000 Pelicans player roster consists of players from 12 different states and three different countries other than the United States. The oldest player is 24 and the youngest is 19.
There are eight 2000 Pelicans that were drafted in the top five rounds since 1995. The first opportunity for fans to meet the Pelicans is on Wednesday, April 5 from 6 to 8 PM at the “Meet The Pelicans” event to be held at Liberty Steakhouse & Brewery.
The Pelicans open the 2000 season versus the Lynchburg Hillcats (Pittsburgh Pirates) on Thursday, April 6 at 6:35 PM. The first 2,500 fans through the main gate of Coastal Federal Field will receive a Pelicans magnet schedule courtesy of Overtime Sports Café. Also, Sport!, the mascot formerly known as The Philly Phanatic, will entertain in between innings.
Tickets are still available by calling 843-918-6000, stopping by at the stadium box office or on-line at www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com.
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL-Digital, WRAL-FM, Microspace, the North Carolina News Network, DTV Plus, Wolfpack Sports Marketing, and Capitol Sports Management in Raleigh, NC; WJZY-TV and WFVT-TV in Charlotte, NC; WILM-TV in Wilmington, NC; WRAZ-TV and the Durham Bulls Baseball Club in Durham, NC; and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Club in Myrtle Beach, SC; Capitol Broadcasting Company also founded Local TV on Satellite in Raleigh, NC.
