DASH’S OPENING DAY ROSTER FEATURES 10 RETURNERS FROM 2015
ADAMS, AUSTIN HIGHLIGHT WINSTON-SALEM’S INITIAL 25-MAN ROSTER
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (April 5, 2016) – In conjunction with the Chicago White Sox, the Winston-Salem Dash have unveiled their 2016 roster, which features 10 players who contributed to the Dash’s 2015 second-half Southern Division championship.
Spencer Adams, who joined the Dash late last season, enters 2016 as the top prospect in the Winston-Salem clubhouse. Both Baseball America and MLB.com rank the 19-year-old as the third-best farmhand in the organization. Between Low-A Kannapolis and Winston-Salem in 2015, Adams posted a 12-5 record and a 2.99 earned run average in 129.1 innings.
Other returning pitchers include Matt Cooper, who boasted a 1.55 ERA between the Dash and Intimidators in 2015, Euclides Leyer, who will pitch for the Dash for a third consecutive season, and Andre Wheeler, who made 32 appearances with Winston-Salem in 2015. The Dash’s staff does have another returner of sorts in left-hander Blair Walters. Originally an 11th-round pick by the White Sox in 2011, Walters was part of a 2012 deadline deal. Since then, he has pitched within the Astros and Braves Minor League systems.
The Dash also welcome some talented newcomers to the pitching staff, including three important arms from Kannapolis’ 2015 club. Thad Lowry tied an Intimidators franchise record with 16 career victories, including 12 throughout his breakout season a year ago. Kelvis Valerio recorded a 4.23 earned run average in 33 appearances, fourth-most on the Intimidators. Connor Walsh was not too far behind with 29, and he logged a 4.92 ERA.
Both Danny Dopico and Jordan Stephens jump to the High-A level from short-season Great Falls. Dopico was the Voyagers’ closer, and he was 7-for-8 in save opportunities. A fifth-round pick last June, Stephens only surrendered one run over 17.2 innings with the Voyagers and the AZL White Sox.
Three hurlers who did not start their careers with the White Sox round out the Opening Day staff. Colin Kleven and Manny Martinez join the Sox from the Philadelphia organization. Kleven split the 2015 season between High-A and Double-A, while Martinez was in Low-A. Acquired in a trade with Oakland in August of 2014, Nolan Sanburn spent his first full season with the White Sox in Double-A Birmingham, but he will begin 2016 in the CL.
Offensively, several key cogs to the Dash’s postseason run are back for another stint in Winston-Salem. Former North Carolina State star Brett Austin, who debuted in Winston-Salem late last season, enters 2016 as one of the club’s two catchers. Both Nick Basto and Michael Danner played in all three games in the playoffs a year ago. Cleuluis Rondon, the best infield defender in the system per Baseball America, and Toby Thomas also contributed to the “Playoff Dash” in 2015.
A strong core of new offensive pieces will join these familiar faces on the Opening Day roster. Four important parts of last year’s Intimidators offense—infielder Ryan Leonards and outfielders Hunter Jones, Louie Lechich and Mason Robbins—have made the leap to High-A. Three new members of the organization round out the offense—infielder Marcus Davis, infielder Gerson Montilla and catcher Chris O’Dowd, who were last in the Minor Leagues with San Diego, Arizona and Atlanta, respectively.
The Dash’s disabled list features three players, all of whom have spent time in Winston-Salem: first baseman Keon Barnum, right-hander James Dykstra and left-hander Jace Fry.
Former Major League manager Joel Skinner, fresh off a four-year stint with Triple-A Charlotte, will lead Winston-Salem in 2016. Pitching coach Jose Bautista, hitting coach Charlie Poe, athletic trainer Josh Fallin and strength and conditioning coach George Timke join Skinner on the Dash’s field staff.
The Dash’s season begins this Thursday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. in Lynchburg. Following a week-long road trip, the Dash return to Winston-Salem for Opening Weekend against Salem. The home opener is set for Thursday, April 14, at 7 p.m. against the Salem Red Sox. Single-game tickets and season-ticket packages are still on sale, and fans can purchase them by calling (336) 714-2287 or visiting wsdash.com.
The Winston-Salem Dash are the Class-A Advanced Minor League affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 336-714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com.
