Myrtle Beach Pelicans Opening Day Roster (from Scott Lucas)

Here is the Opening Day roster for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, with added insights from Scott Lucas (@scottrlucas), who writes the minor league reports for the Newberg Report.



Myrtle Beach Pitchers
Cody Buckel
Ryan Bores
Cody Ege
Andrew Faulkner
Chi Chi Gonzalez
Ryan Harvey
Keone Kela
Jason Knapp
Jose Leclerc
Luis Parra
Victor Payano
Sam Stafford
Sam Wolff

Cody Buckel has overcome the yips and pitched well enough to merit an Opening Day assignment, although one level below where he began 2013.  I'm certainly not complaining.  Flamethrower Keone Kela jumps from Hickory after strong outings in the Arizona Fall League and winter ball.  Gonzalez had a shot at Frisco and should spent part of the season there.

Myrtle Beach Catchers
Jorge Alfaro
David Lyon

Alfaro stays in Myrtle Beach as expected. He ought to finish the season in Frisco.

Myrtle Beach Infielders
SS Hanser Alberto
1B Preston Beck
2B Chris Bostick
3B Joey Gallo
SS Edwin Garcia

Gallo was a lock for Myrtle Beach.  The 21-year-old Bostick is making his high-A debut after hitting .282/.354/.452 with Oakland's low-A squad.  Beck can also play outfield and has the arm for right field, but Myrtle needs someone at first. 

Myrtle Beach Outfielders
Royce Bolinger
Zach Cone
Chris Garia
Odubel Herrera
Nick Williams

Williams and Cone should be the two most frequently appearing names in the outfield lineup.  Williams has the best pure contact ability among last year's Hickory squad, while Cone is returning from an Achilles tear.  Herrera is sliding into a utility role after playing second base most of his career.  Garia sports two of the best wheels in the system but hit .156/.198/.193 in a brief spell at Hickory last August.