A look at the AquaSox’s opening-day roster

Meet the opening day roster for the Everett AquaSox:

Starting pitchers

RHP George Kirby — 6-4, 200 lb — first-round pick (2019) — Elon

Kirby is an elite strike thrower, sporting a Division-I leading 17.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season for Elon. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound right-hander posted a 8-2 record and a 2.75 ERA this past college season, but after throwing 88 1/3 innings, his usage in Everett may be limited. He became the first player from Elon ever to be taken in the first round. The 21-year-old right-hander boasts a four-pitch mix: A fastball that sits in the low 90s but can tick up to as high as 98 mph, according to MLB Pipeline, and a curveball, changeup and slider.

LHP Brandon Williamson — 6-6, 210 lb — second-round pick — TCU

A 6-foot-5 lefty from TCU, Williamson underwent surgery to repair both of his labrums last fall. His fastball sits between 91-94 mph and can tick up to 96 mph at times. Williamson also mixes in a curveball and changeup.

RHP Tim Elliott — 6-2, 160 lb — fourth-round pick (2019) — Georgia

Elliott moved from the bullpen to the Bulldogs’ starting rotation in 2019. Similar to Kirby, he fits the Mariners’ “Control the Zone” mantra, with 99 strikeouts to 50 walks in 41 outings for Georgia. Elliott’s pinnacle as a college hurler came when he recorded a complete game, two-hit shutout in under 100 pitchers during a Super Regional game against Florida Atlantic.

RHP Damon Casetta-Stubbs — 6-4, 200 lb — 11th-round pick (2018) — West Virginia Power (single-A)

The Vancouver native forewent a commitment to Seattle University after being selected in the 11th round by Seattle and signing for $325,000, according to The Columbian. The 6-foot-4 right-hander posted a 13.50 ERA in 6 2/3 innings in the Arizona Rookie League and recorded a 7.11 ERA in 38 1/3 innings with the class-A West Virginia Power before being reassigned to Everett. He dazzled in his final start before his demotion, scattering three hits over six shutout innings while striking out seven and walking one.

LHP Jorge Benitez — 6-2, 160 lb — ninth-round pick (2017) — Everett AquaSox

Benitez joins the AquaSox to start the 2019 season after joining the team for two appearances at the end of last season. Benitez allowed a run over four innings in two Northwest League appearances last season but struggled in the Arizona Rookie League, posting a 7.82 ERA in 13 appearances (10 starts) in 2017. He recorded a 4.92 ERA in 13 outings (nine stats) in 2018.

RHP Juan Mercedes — 6-2, 190 lb — international signing (2017) — Modesto Nuts (high-A)

The 19-year-old right-hander posted a sub-2.50 ERA in two seasons in the Dominican Summer League before making his stateside debut in the Arizona Rookie League last year. Mercedes appeared twice with high-A Modesto, allowing just one run over four innings, before being reassigned to extended spring training.

RHP Kelvin Nunez, 6-1, 170 lb, international singing (2017), Bonao, Dominican Republic

Nunez posted a 2.89 ERA in 12 games (seven starts) for the Mariners’ Dominican Summer League team last year. He made one appearance for high-A Modesto this season, allowing an earned run over 1 2/3 innings in his stateside debut.

Bullpen

RHP Reid Morgan — 6-0, 185 lb — 13th-round pick (2019) — South Carolina

Morgan started his career at Oklahoma State before eventually transferring to San Jacinto College and ending up at South Carolina, where he compiled a 4-6 record and a 3.80 ERA. He was a starting pitcher for the Gamecocks, but will likely pitch out of the bullpen for the Mariners’ organization.

RHP Travis Kuhn — 5-10, 195 — 19th-round pick (2019) — San Diego

The 21-year-old reliever posted a 3.91 ERA in 23 appearances for the Torreros in 2019 as a redshirt sophomore.

RHP Reeves Martin — 5-10, 170 lb — 21st-round pick (2019) — New Orleans

The Tampa, Florida native was named a first team all-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association after converting 14-of-14 save opportunities while recording a 1.03 ERA in 29 appearances.

RHP Garrett Westberg — 6-2, 200 lb — 26th-round pick (2019) — Central Florida

A native of Federal Way, Westberg transferred to UCF from Tacoma Community College and posted a 3.61 ERA in 28 outings as a senior with the Knights. He attended Decatur High School.

RHP Brock Minich — 6-6, 220 lb — 27th-round pick (2019) — Nova Southeastern

Minich is the second Nova Southeastern product to play for the AquaSox in as many seasons, joining Jake Anchia. The 6-foot-6 right-hander posted a 2.55 ERA in 24 appearances for the Division-II Sharks.

RHP Kipp Rollings — 6-2, 190 lb — 24th-round pick (2019) — North Greenville

Playing for Division II North Grenville in Tigerville, South Carolina, Rollings struck out 24.6 percent of the batters he faced.

LHP Nate Fisher — 6-1, 205 lb — undrafted free agent (2019) — Nebraska

Fisher recorded a 3.27 ERA as one of the Cornhuskers’ weekend starters in his senior season.

RHP Ivan Fortunato — 6-1, 195 lb — international free agent (2015) — Everett AquaSox

The 20-year-old returns to Everett after posting a 3.83 ERA over 14 games, including three starts.

RHP Evan Johnson — 6-0, 170 lb — undrafted free agent (2019) — Creighton

The Gilbert, Iowa native posted a team-high nine wins and a 3.26 ERA for the Bluejays in 2019.

RHP Matt Martin — 6-1, 190 lb — undrafted free agent (2019) — Florida Southern

The Bartow, Florida native was a cog in the Mocs’ semifinal run to the Division-II College World Series, posting a 5.32 ERA in 16 games.

Catchers

Carter Bins — 6-0, 200 lb — 11th-round pick (2019) — Fresno State

Regarded as a defensive wizard behind the plate, Bins was MLB Pipeline’s 134th-ranked prospect heading into the draft but fell to the 11th round, where he signed for $350,000, a fifth-round slot value. The Fairfield, California native posted a .898 OPS (on-base-plus slugging) as a sophomore with the Bulldogs and a .811 OPS as junior. He threw out 19-of-39 runners (49 percent) stealing last season.

11th-rd @MLBDraft pick Carter Bins signs w/@Mariners for $350K ($225K counts towards bonus pool). @FresnoStateBSB backstop has chance to be plus receiver. Power over hit at plate.

— Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayo) June 11, 2019

Juan Camacho — 6-3, 215 lb — international free agent (2014) — Clinton (single-A)

The 6-foot-3 backstop returns to Everett after advancing to class-A Clinton in 2018, where he hit .290/.304/.405 in 40 games.

Dean Nevarez — 6-0, 220 lb — 19th-round pick (2018) — West Virigina (single-A)

Nevarez joins the AquaSox after hitting .195/.276/.439 for class-A West Virginia in 2019. The Tijuana, Mexico native harbors a fascinating back story, as reported by Kate Preusser of Lookout Landing.

Infielders

1B Robert Perez — 6-1, 170 lb — international free agent (2016) — DSL Mariners

The Venezuelan native played 15 games for Tacoma this season, posting a .300/.364/.520 slashline before being reassigned to Everett. He hit .248/.378/.448 for the Mariners’ Domincan Summer League team last season.

2B Patrick Frick — 6-2, 200 lb — 14th-round pick (2019) — Wake Forest

Frick was a breakout performer for the Demon Deacons in 2019, hitting .360/.474/.502 with 14 doubles and 38 RBI. He played middle infield and outfield over his three-year career at Wake Forest.

SS Cesar Izturis Jr. — 5-11, 145 lb — international free agent — Peoria (Arizona League)

The son of former big leaguer Cesar Izturis, the Barquisimeto, Venezuela native hit .215/.244/.283 with the single-A West Virginia Power this season before being reassigned to Everett.

3B Austin Shenton — 6-0, 195 lb — fifth-round pick (2019) — Florida International

The Bellingham native transferred to FIU from Bellevue College, where he briefly overlapped with current teammate Trent Tingelstad. Shenton hit .330/.425/.513 with 47 RBI and seven homers for the Panthers this season. With left-handed power, Shenton could be a beneficiary of the short porch in right field.

UTL Luis Joseph — 5-9, 160 lb — international free agent (2014) — AZL Mariners

The La Romana, Dominican Republic native is capable of playing many different positions on the diamond and hit .267/.290/.375 in the Arizona Rookie League in 37 games last year.

UTL Cash Gladfelter — 6-4, 200 lb – 27th-round pick (2018) – AZL Mariners

The Shippensburg (Division-II) product returns to the AquaSox after splitting time between the Arizona League and Everett last season. He hit .182/.338/.236 for the Frogs last year.

Outfielders

Trent Tingelstad — 5-10, 210 lb — 22nd-round pick (2019) — Louisiana-Monroe

Tingelstad, a Marysville Pilchuck graduate, spent two seasons at Everett CC before moving on to Division-I baseball at Louisiana-Monroe, where he led the Warhawks this season with a .353 batting average.

Cade Marlowe — 6-2, 200 lb — 20th-round pick (2019) — West Georgia

The left-handed swinger from Tifton, Georgia slashed .356 with 32 doubles, three triples, seven homers and 104 RBI over his four-year career at Division-II West Georgia.

DeAires Moses — 5-9, 170 lb — 19th-round pick (2016) — AZL Mariners

The Volunteer State Community College product hit .300/.462/.300 for the AZL Mariners last season. He was originally drafted in the 31st round in the 2014 draft by the Mariners but didn’t sign.

Miguel Perez — 6-2, 170 lb — international free agent (2016) — DSL Mariners

Perez hit .252/.340/.367 in the Dominican Summer League as a 17-year-old.