RiverDogs RunDown April 12-17

LEADING OFF

5 8 16

SERIES PREVIEW

NEW GROUP OF RIVERDOGS READY TO DEFEND TITLE

BY THE NUMBER

The RiverDogs continue their first homestand of the season by welcoming another in-state rival to The Joe. This will be the first meeting of the season between the clubs with three more series to follow. In 2021, the clubs played one another 36 times with the RiverDogs posting a 24-12 record in those contests. In games at The Joe, the Dogs went 11-7.

Columbia, an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, is led by manager Tony Pena Jr. The younger Pena played four seasons in MLB and was part of the big league staff for the Royals last season. His father, Tony Pena, was named to five all-star teams and won four Gold Gloves before managing the Royals from 2002-05. The Fireflies began the season by dropping two of three games against the Augusta GreenJackets. Outfielder Darryl Collins tormented the RiverDogs last season and is off to a hot start this year as well, batting .455 with three runs batted in. Their pitching staff was roughed up by Augusta, allowing 31 runs in 27.0 innings over the weekend.

The RiverDogs took two of three games from the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in their season-opening series. The squad almost pulled off a huge comeback, but left the bases loaded in both the eighth and ninth innings in a 7-6 loss on Sunday. Pitching has been the story for the RiverDogs so far this season as they lead all of Single-A baseball with a 2.67 earned run average. They have also allowed the fewest hits of any team in the Carolina League. At the plate, Mason Auer is 5-8 with three extrabase hits and Dru Baker is 5-10 with a team-leading four runs batted in. On the bump, 9 of the 13 pitchers used in the first series did not allow a run. Reliever Austin Vernon struck out seven hitters in 3.0 scoreless innings on opening night.

Tuesday, April 12, 7:05 p.m.: Dog Day presented by Twisted Tea: We wouldn’t dare end the tradition of bringing your four-legged friend to a game once per homestand! For the second straight season, the RiverDogs invite you to bring your pup to The Joe for each Tuesday home game. In addition, enjoy $2 hot dogs and beer and Twisted Tea adds a new twist to Tuesdays this season with goofy on-field games and fan-oriented fun throughout the game. Tuesday games are presented by 96.9 The Wolf.

Wednesday, April 13, 7:05 p.m.: Autism Advocacy Night/Pop It Toy Giveaway/Wicked Wednesday Wednes day presented by Wicked Weed: We will team with several local organizations that provide autism care and resources for this midweek contest featuring a sensory-friendly environment. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a Pop It toy. Also, make sure to keep an eye out for weekly wicked ticket deals. This week, Field View seats are $15 with the code:WDO413. Every Wednesday, we will also focus our attention on local businesses and food concepts. Rush Bowls will take over one of our concession stands for the night.

Thursday, April 14, 7:05 p.m.: Budweiser Thirsty Thursday: There is a reason Thursday nights at The Joe provide one of the best atmospheres in Minor League Baseball. It’s the first Thirsty Thursday of the new season! As always, $1 beers are available throughout the ballpark all night long.

Enjoy live music in the Ashley View Pub courtesy of a DJ Natty Heavy and DJ Dolla Menu. Bottoms up! Thursdays are presented by 95sx.

Friday, April 15, 7:05 p.m.: Friday Fireworks presented by REV Federal Credit Union/ Boeing Red Shirt Friday: The RiverDogs will shine a spotlight on active duty and retired military members and their families, while the team wears their brand new red alternates on the field. The red jerseys will be auctioned to fans at the end of the season. Following every Friday night contest make sure to stick around for the best fireworks show in the Lowcountry! This week’s fireworks will be set off to the tune of hit songs from the ‘80s. Fridays are presented by 103.5 WEZL and Live 5 News.

Saturday, April 16, 6:05 p.m.: Toilet Paper Night: Part Deuce/Saturdays Live at The Joe presented by Breeze Airways: It may have sounded like a crappy idea last year, but it turned out to be great so we thought we would roll out TP Night #2. All fans in attendance will receive a roll of toilet paper as soon as the final out is recorded. We’ll then count down and treat the ballpark like your high school math teacher’s house. In addition, we’ll celebrate our third-floor bathroom receiving a 10/10 rating on @charlestonbathroom by giving folks a rare glimpse of the luxurious lavatory.

Throughout the night, we will mix in plenty of games and contests involving toilet paper. Wipe your schedule clean for this one. After the game, stick around for a light show featuring our LED ballpark lights! Saturdays are presented by 92.5 Kickin’ Country, 101.7 Chuck FM and FOX 24.

Sunday, April 17, 5:05 p.m.: Easter at The Joe/ MUSC Health Family Sunday/Holy City Sunday: On Easter Sunday, the RiverDogs will hold a pre-game Easter egg hunt for all Kids Club members! You’ll want to make sure to bring the whole family to the ballpark to cap off every homestand.

Parking is free! Before, during and after each Sunday home game we will make it all about the kids.

From the video board to between innings contests and even the opportunity to run the bases, Sundays are sure to be a memorable day for the whole family. In addition, the team will be sporting their brand-new Holy City uniforms. Sundays are presented by Mix 95.9, Star 99.7 and ABC News 4.

Part of what makes Minor League Baseball so much fun is that the results on the field can vary wildly from one season to the next. Unlike the parent clubs who stock each farm team with talented prospects itching for a shot at “The Show”, the majority of players who arrive in cities small and large across the MiLB landscape are in that location for the first time. For that reason, it is extremely rare for one team to enjoy a prolonged period of success or become mired in a string of losing campaigns. The aforementioned facts are part of the reason why the championship delivered by the 2021 Charleston RiverDogs meant so much to the city. It had been 100 years since a professional baseball team that called the Holy City its home could celebrate a title. The odds would tell you that replicating last season’s success is unlikely, but the dawn of the season brings a new group of Tampa Bay Rays prospects to Charleston who plan on making history again.

The initial 2022 roster for the RiverDogs is short on experience, but full of young talent and speed. The group is highlighted by a pair of top 10 Rays infield prospects in Carson Williams and Willy Vasquez. The 18-year old Williams was Tampa Bay’s first round pick in the 2021 draft (28th overall) out of Torrey Pines High School in San Diego. He hit .282 in his professional debut last season. Vasquez made a favorable impression on RiverDogs fans last season in short order. Joining the team for the championship series, the native of the Dominican Republic lined a bases-clearing, three-run triple in Game 5 to help the squad pull away for a 9-2 win. He was voted as the FCL Rays MVP following a campaign in which he hit .288 with 11 extra-base hits and 31 RBI in 40 games.

The youthful theme continues with pitcher JJ Goss, a Competitive Balance Round A selection out of Cypress, Texas in 2019, who will open the season with the RiverDogs after missing much of the 2021 campaign with a shoulder injury. Another prep standout, Ryan Spikes was a 2021 third round pick of the Rays out of Parkview High in Lilburn, Georgia.

The 19-year-old hit .250 with three doubles and a home run in 11 games with the FCL Rays.

The outfield at The Joe will be manned by three high draft picks that enjoyed outstanding seasons in the FCL last year. Shane Sasaki was grabbed in the third round of the 2019 draft out of Iolani High School and hit .290 in 33 games last season. Sasaki also stole 22 bases to finish second in the circuit. Dru Baker was a fourth round pick out of Texas Tech last summer and posted a .289 average and 10 RBI in 12 games. Finally, Mason Auer heard his name called in the fifth round. The product of junior college powerhouse San Jacinto College, Auer posted a .265 average and 10 stolen bases in 11 contests.

Neraldo Catalina, Sandy Gaston, Antonio Jimenez, Victor Munoz and Juan Rivera each return to the Lowcountry after toeing the rubber for the RiverDogs last season. Gaston, a hard-throwing 20-year-old from Cuba, made 14 appearances in Charleston in 2021, going 2-1 with a 3.86 earned run average. Munoz posted a 2.79 ERA in three starts late in the season. Catchers Michael Berglund and Luis Leon, as well as infielder Jelfry Marte will be familiar position players to RiverDogs fans. Berglund was behind the plate in three of the five games in the championship series and appeared in 50 games total, throwing out 12 runners attempting to steal a base.

On the mound, a trio of 2021 draft picks figures to play a big part in recording outs. Lefthander Patrick Wicklander, an eighth-round choice from Arkansas, averaged nearly two strikeouts per inning and has not allowed a run in 11.1 professional innings. Seventh round pick Logan Workman, from Division II Lee University, allowed just one run in 10.1 innings for the FCL Rays. North Carolina Central product Austin Vernon, chosen in the 10th round, also allowed just one run in his 11.1 innings last season while recording 17 punchouts.

In total, the opening day roster features four players that are ranked by various publications as Top 30 Rays prospects. Infielders Williams (#7 Baseball America, #9 MLB Pipeline) and Vasquez (#10 in both) are both consensus top 10 selections. Joining them are a pair of pitchers in Gaston (#13 in both) and Goss (#17 Baseball America, #19 MLB Pipeline).

At this point in time, nobody can say with certainty how the 2022 season will play out.

However, we can promise that it will be a whole lot of fun finding out over the next six months. Grab some delicious food, take part in the crazy promotions and enjoy the entertaining unpredictability of Minor League Baseball.

Charleston RiverDogs 2022 Roster Single-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays No. 20 24 16 22 25 26 21 30 35 12 11 29 23 38 33 15 No. 8 28 10 No. 27 2 31 9 1 13 7 No. 19 5 17 6 No.

Pitchers (16) Catalina, Neraldo Cortorreal, Aneudy Fernandez, Christian Fields, Kamron Galue, Over Gaston, Sandy Goss, JJ Jimenez, Antonio Molina, Anthony Munoz, Victor Peoples, Ben Rivera, Juan Vernon, Austin Whitten, Kyle Wicklander, Patrick Workman, Logan Catchers (3) Berglund, Michael Dimon, Dawson Leon, Luis Infielders (7) Chevez, Freddvil Marte, Jelfry Seymour, Bobby Spikes, Ryan Turner, Gionti Vasquez, Willy Williams, Carson Outfielders (4) Auer, Mason Baker, Dru Manzueta, Oneill Sasaki, Shane Injured List (4) Schnell, Nick Theriot, Brayden Whittle, Daiveyon Wiles, Nathan

April 8 B R R R R R R R L R R L R R R R R B L R S B R S L R R R R B R R R R B L R R R

T R R R R R R R L R R R R R R L R T R R R T R R R R R R R T R R R R T R R R R

Ht 6'6 6'3 6'3 6'3 6'2 6'3 6'3 5'10 6'0 6'3 6'1 6'4 6'6 6'3 6'1 6'2 Ht 6'0 6'1 6'0 Ht 6'4 5'11 6'4 5'9 6'2 6'2 6'2 Ht 6'0 5'11 5'11 6'0 Ht 6'3 6'2 6'1 6'5

Wt 205 260 216 202 227 230 202 158 199 230 185 257 262 198 221 203 Wt 182 208 218 Wt 270 189 275 198 177 201 185 Wt 199 195 221 168 Wt 180 210 235 225

Birthplace El Seibo, DR Santo Domingo, DR Cabimas, VEN Dallas, TX Santa Barbara, VEN Matanzas, Cuba Houston, TX San Pedro de Macoris, DR

San Joaquin, VEN Mao, DR Columbia, TN San Cristobal, DR Raleigh, NC Manassas, VA San Jose, CA Chattanooga, TN Birthplace Corpus Christi, TX Lancaster, CA Maracay, VEN Birthplace Masaya, Nicaragua La Vega, DR Harvey, IL Conyers, GA Pine Bluff, AR Santo Domingo, DR San Diego, CA Birthplace Joplin, MO Tomball, TX Santo Domingo, DR Honolulu, HI Birthplace Indianapolis, IN Houston, TX Fresno, CA Overland Park, KS

Birthdate 06/21/00 12/13/99 08/11/99 09/24/98 07/31/01 12/16/01 12/25/00 05/06/01 01/12/02 12/25/00 05/01/01 06/04/98 02/08/99 09/22/98 12/31/99 12/06/98 Birthdate 07/18/97 05/17/99 09/10/98 Birthdate 03/13/00 03/27/01 10/07/98 03/13/03 08/17/00 09/06/01 06/25/03 Birthdate 03/01/21 03/22/00 02/07/01 07/01/00 Birthdate 03/27/00 12/19/96 11/11/99 07/02/98

2021 Club(s) FCL Rays/Charleston FCL Rays DNP - Injury FCL Rays FCL Rays FCL Rays/Charleston FCL Rays FCL Rays/Charleston FCL Rays FCL Rays/Charleston FCL Rays FCL Rays/Charleston FCL Rays FCL Rays FCL Rays FCL Rays 2021 Club(s) Charleston FCL Rays FCL Rays/Charleston 2021 Club(s) FCL Rays FCL Rays/Charleston FCL Rays FCL Rays FCL Rays/Bowling Green FCL Rays FCL Rays 2021 Club(s) FCL Rays FCL Rays FCL Rays FCL Rays 2021 Club(s) Charleston FCL Rays/Charleston DNP - Injury DNP - Injury

College None None None Texas Southern None None None None None None None None NC Central Virginia Arkansas Lee University College Cisco College None None College None None Wake Forest None None None None College San Jacinto Texas Tech None None College None Texas State Fresno CC Oklahoma

Acquired Trade/2019 Int. FA/2018 Int. FA/2016 20th/2021 Int. FA/2017 Int. FA/2018 CBA/2019 Int. FA/2018 Int. FA/2018 Int. FA/2017 22nd/2019 Int.FA/2019 10th/2021 UDFA/2021 8th/2021 7th/2021 Acquired 8th/2018 34th/2018 Int. FA/2015 Acquired Int. FA/2017 Int. FA/2017 13th/2021 3rd/2021 Trade/2018 Int. FA/2019 1st/2021 Acquired 5th/2021 4th/2021 Int. FA/2018 3rd/2019 Acquired 1st/2018 UDFA/2019 23rd/2018 8th/2019

3 • Blake Butera - Manager 18 • R.C. Lichtenstein - Pitching Coach 4 • Perry Roth - Hitting Coach 36 • Frank Jagoda - Bench Coach Ruben Santiago - Athletic Trainer Mia Salvemini - Strength and Conditioning Coach Steve Berhalter - Clubhouse Manager

Pronunciation Guide

Mason Auer (our) Freddvil Chevez (FRED-veel SHUH-vez) Aneudy Cortorreal (ahn-YOO-dee cort-OH-ree-al) Dawson Dimon (die-min) Kamron Fields (Cameron) Over Galue (oh-VAIR GAHL-oo-way) Sandy Gaston (SAHN-dee GAH-stone) Luis Leon (LOO-ees lee-OWN) R.C. Lichtenstein (lick-tin-stine) Oneill Manzueta (OH-kneel MAHN-zway-tuh) Jelfry Marte (Jeffrey) Victor Munoz (MOON-yoze) Frank Jagoda (juh-GO-duh) Gionti Turner (jee-ON-tee) Charleston RiverDogs 360 Fishburne St. • Charleston, SC 29403 Phone: 843.723.7241 • Fax: 843-723-2641 Email: admin@riverdogs.com

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GET TO KNOW CARSON WILLIAMS Hometown – San Diego, CA High School – Torrey Pines Acquired – Rays 2021 First Round Pick (28th overall)

The youngest player on the RiverDogs opening day roster is also the highest-rated according to multiple publications. The 18-year old Williams, is slotted inside the Top 10 list of Rays prospects by industry staples Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. As a senior in high school, the San Diego native posted a .425 batting average, 11 home runs, 34 steals and a .979 slugging percentage. Following that incredibly successful campaign, he was named MVP at Perfect Game’s Wood Bat Association Championship in the fall. Williams was committed to play collegiately at California, but passed on college ball to sign with the Rays and begin his pro career. The teenager is a talented defender at the shortstop position with a strong arm. In fact, some clubs considered drafting him as a pitcher thanks to a consistent 95 mph fastball. Williams is another addition to an already impressive stable of shortstops in the Rays farm system and will certainly be a player to watch throughout the summer at The Joe.

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9

Players returning from the team that won the RiverDogs first ever championship last season. They are Sandy Gaston, Antonio Jimenez, Victor Munoz, Juan Rivera, Neraldo Catalina, Michael Berglund, Luis Leon, Jelfry Marte and Willy Vasquez.

3

Number of Rays affiliates to win their league championship in 2021. Durham and Bowling Green joined the RiverDogs in achieving the feat while the FCL Rays finished with a league-best 42-15 record.

0

Runs allowed last season by 8th round draft pick Patrick Wicklander in his first professional action. The lefty starred on the mound at Arkansas in college.