Back in the swing
The players take their first workout at State Mutual Stadium to kick off the 2017 Rome Braves’ season.
Players work out at State Mutual Stadium to kick off the 2017 Rome Braves’ season.
In their first workout of the season, the Rome Braves trotted out an influx of talent and youth onto the field at State Mutual Stadium. The hope is that the budding talent will burst out after a few months of games under manager Randy Ingle and his staff.
The concept makes perfect sense to Rome Braves fans, especially after last season.
On the same day its 2017 opening day roster came out, the defending South Atlantic League Champions were optimistic. New and old players displayed excitement about the transition from spring training to the regular season.
“This is a very exciting part of the season just getting on the playing field and going against other teams,” Ingle said. “It was nice to have a few days rest after spring training, but now we are just ready for the season to start.”
The Braves begin their season Thursday against the West Virginia Power in Charleston, West Virginia.
They open their home schedule a week later.
It all comes seven months after Rome beat Lakeland to capture its second SAL crown.
Stars from that team such as Austin Riley, Touki Toussaint and Kolby Allard have moved up the ranks of the Atlanta Braves’ farm system, but a few key players like Matt Custred and Lucas Herbert remain.
They’ll be joined by a host of first-time Rome players.
Custred, a relief pitcher who owned a 3.18 ERA in 40 appearances last season, could not be happier to be back in Rome.
He said he was not only excited to talk to the new players, but also to keep working under the team’s coaching staff.
“It is just a relief to be out of spring training and back competing, especially with Rome,” Custred said, “I would like to see someone show me a coaching staff better than the one we have here.”
The new talent includes some of the organization’s top choices from the 2016 draft. Pitcher Ian Anderson was selected third overall in the draft, while pitcher Joey Wentz and catcher Ben Cumberland were taken in the second round.
Anderson and Wentz threw a simulated game before most of the players got onto the field Tuesday, each of them throwing an inning. Both players were in high school less than a year ago and are starting their first full season in the minors.
“This is just the coolest situation to walk into,” Anderson said. “We got a whole bunch of guys who are competitive, they want to win. I’m ecstatic to be around them for 142 games, and hopefully a few more.”
The young talent appears to be a key to Rome’s success, much like it was the season before. Ingle preached the importance of letting the talent develop for as long as it needs to and making sure the players are still working hard.
Most importantly, the Rome manager reiterated that the biggest goal is getting the talent ready for the call-up to the next classification and beyond. It is all part of the process in developing talent for the major leagues.
Of course, if Ingle and his team could bring another trophy to State Mutual Stadium, that would be pretty great as well.
“Last year, we had a lot of talent. But we are looking to have a lot of talent this year too,” Ingle said. “Our scouts do a fantastic job going out and finding these guys, and it is our job to mold them together, and we can’t wait.”