Gwinnett’s monopoly on Minor League games being played is coming to an end as the rest of full season ball begin to ramp up. Let’s take a look at the roster and see whats in store for the Clingstones.
Starters
- Brett Sears, RHP
- Owen Murphy, RHP
- Ian Mejia, RHP
- Herick Hernandez, LHP
- Drue Hackenberg, RHP
- Garrett Baumann, RHP
By the looks of the roster Columbus starts the season with six starters headlined by Owen Murphy, who looks to continue his strong work following his return from Tommy John surgery. After making stops
at four different levels last season, Brett Sears starts the year in Columbus after making 15 appearances there last season before he was promoted to Gwinnett to finish the season. 26 year old Ian Mejia begins his fifth season of professional baseball and will return to Columbus after he made 24 appearances (17 starts) last season to the tune of a 2.62 ERA. Also included on the roster is the dynamic Herick Hernandez who put together another enormous strikeout rate season (11 K/9) season thanks to his 24” IVB fastball, and slider combination. Rounding out the rotation will be Drue Hackenberg who looks to rebound after a very difficult 2025, and Garrett Baumann who showed a massive increase in velocity in last season, and opened some eyes during Spring Training.
Relievers
- Blane Abeyta, RHP
- Ryan Bourassa, RHP
- Jack Dashwood, LHP
- Blayne Enlow, RHP
- Elison Joseph, RHP
- Tyler LaPorte, RHP
- Jhancarlos Lara, RHP
- LJ McDonough, RHP
- Shay Schanaman, RHP
- Samuel Strickland, LHP
- Luis Vargas, RHP
There is a ton of velocity located in the backend of this pitching staff. Jhancarlos Lara, Elison Joseph, and Luis Vargas lead the charge – all capable of sitting 97+ on the mound in pure relief roles. Blane Abeyta surprisingly returns to Columbus after a very strong 2025 with the Clingstones (2.29 ERA in 43 appearances). After 8 strong appearances in Columbus for Ryan Bourassa (0.82 ERA, 11 innings), Ryan starts the season in Columbus as well. Tyler LaPorte, LJ McDonough, Shay Schanaman, and Samuel Strickland add some unique release points and stability to his talented core of players. Jack Dashwood and Blayne Enlow are the two new additions to the organization.
Catchers
- Archer Brookman, RHB
- Tyler Tolve, LHB
- Adam Żebrowski, RHB
Columbus return a pair of catchers who were with the team last season in Adam Zebrowski, and Tyler Tolve. Tyler played in just 29 games last season, two with Columbus, while Zebrowski had a .638 OPS in 87 games for the Clingstones. Joining them will be the recently signed Archer Brookman who hit .230/.289/.299 in A+ ball last season for the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Infielders
- Drew Compton, S
- Cal Conley, S
- Lizandro Espinoza, RHB
- Jordan Groshans, RHB
- David McCabe, S
- Keshawn Ogans, RHB
- Ambioris Tavarez, RHB
Shortstop is the name of the game in the infield as the Clingstones boast five shortstops on the roster. Drew Compton, and David McCabe are the two first basemen on the roster, with David likely slotting in at DH. Jordan Groshans joins a group of players that have been with the Braves since they were acquired in Lizandro Espinoza, Keshawn Ogans, and Ambioris Tavarez.
Outfielders
- Patrick Clohisy, LHB
- Tristin English, RHB
- Kevin Kilpatrick, RHB
- Ethan Workinger, RHB
The outfield in Columbus is a mix of speed and power as Patrick Clohisy and Kevin Kilpatrick will roam the outfield catching everything in sight while Ethan Workinger and newly signed Tristin English look to provide Columbus with some sorely missed power.
We will have posts coming on Rome and Augusta later today, so stay tuned for that.
