Defending the Atlantic League’s South Division title begins for ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Friday when the Dirty Birds travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to open the 2025 season.
The first pitch against the Lexington Legends is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Legends Field, with the Dirty Birds playing the first of a three-game series.
Although ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä is missing some key faces from the 2024 team that lost to the York Revolution in the Atlantic League championship series, such as power hitter Keon Barnum, manager PJ Phillips said during the Dirty Birds’ media day that new acquisitions this season will help provide that power.
Additionally, ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä expects to have a roster of speedy players who can steal bases.
“We’re pretty balanced,†Phillips said.
ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s roster was settled Thursday with just two active outfielders listed on the roster. They are Zach Daniels and Travis Demeritte. Daniels was with ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä last season.
Infielders signed are Alsander Womack, Joseph Rosa, James Nelson, JJ Matijevic, Bobby Bradley, Benjamin Blackwell and Angel Aguilar.
Bradley returns to the Dirty Birds after playing elsewhere in 2024. He was last with ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä in 2023.
“I’m excited just to continue my career and keep playing,†Bradley said. “Just coming into a competing team is always fun. I’m looking forward to having fun and winning some games.â€
Catchers are Jonathan Soto, Ariel Pestano Jr. and Rolando Marcano Jr.
Pitchers will be Nick Del Prado, Eddy Demurias, Michael DeSanti, Jimmy Endersby, John Henriquez, Jamison Hill, David Lebron, Lance Lusk, Kyle McGowin, Carlos Meza, Frank Moscatiello, Seth Nightingale, Joe Record, Samuel Reyes, Keyvius Sampson and Edison Suriel.
Suriel, Aguilar and Nightingale are inactive to start the series in Lexington.
“Everybody here expects to win,†said Nightingale, a returning relief pitcher from last season. “Everybody here wants to win. I believe everybody here is in the right mindset to do so and I believe we’re on the right path.â€
Del Prado is one of the newcomers to both the Dirty Birds and professional baseball after he concluded his college career at Florida Atlantic. ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s chemistry is strong, Del Prado said, for a group of players who have been together barely a week.
“Everyone is really nice and welcoming,†the Miami native said. “It was easy to come in, sit down in the locker room; everyone introduced themselves. No complaint there.â€
A relief pitcher, Del Prado said he’s still waiting to see what his role in the bullpen will be.
If the 2025 season is anything like its predecessor, then Phillips will have put together talent that will draw attention from MLB scouts.
Bringing in players midseason to replace those signed to MLB-affiliated teams is nothing new to Phillips.
“We got the right guys coming at the right time,†Phillips said. “We lost like eight guys in three weeks and that put a hole in us for a couple of months. We struck gold.â€
