Bradenton Marauders | Top prospects McGuire, Meadows headline 2015 roster
BRADENTON -- Michael Ryan's message to the assembled guests inside Pirate City's dining hall wasn't to guarantee a Florida State League championship.
The new Bradenton Marauders manager took a different route with his speech at Tuesday's luncheon to introduce players and staff.
"I will guarantee that we will outwork, we will outplay, we will outexecute every team in this league," Ryan said.
However, Ryan did say the expectation is to win a championship.
But in keeping with the theme of outworking the opponent, the Marauders left the luncheon to work out.
Ryan said he didn't think anyone else in the Florida State League was doing anything like that.
Ryan's staff features pitching coach Scott Elarton and hitting coach Ryan Long. Both played in the major leagues.
"Our coaching staff is the only one in professional baseball to have all their coaches that have played in the major leagues," Ryan said.
Players for the 2015 Marauders were introduced, too. Shortstop Jacoby Jones, who belted 23 home runs for Class A West Virginia last season, and top Pirates prospects such as catcher Reese McGuire and outfielder Austin Meadows, first-round draft picks in 2013 by the Pirates, highlight the group.
"This is a cool thing for us because we get to kind of see some faces and then probably see the same people around the ballpark this year supporting us," said McGuire, who ranks No. 97 in Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list.
In addition to the luncheon event at Pirate City, the club, which opens its sixth season in Port St. Lucie against the Mets on Thursday, were scheduled to send players and coaches to Tarpon Pointe Grill and Tiki Bar for a fan meet and greet Tuesday evening.
"Pirate fans are diehard fans, which is awesome to be around," said Meadows, who ranks No. 41 in Baseball America's Top 100 Prospect list. "It's a great vibe to be around. ... And it's good to have the support."
While the support adds confidence to the group ahead of Saturday's home opener at McKechnie Field, having a manager like Ryan boosts morale, too.
"You give your best every day, and that's what he expects of you ... and holds you accountable to that," Meadows said. "That's the main thing. ... And also the chemistry part as well. That's a really big part, especially during the year because of the chemistry between you and the manager and also the team."
Ryan isn't too far removed from his playing days, having spent his last major league season with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim just five years ago. But an injury forced him to leave the game before he eventually found his way back via coaching.
"It's a little easier, because they're still watching guys on TV that I played against," Ryan said, "And I can relate stories as far as teammates I played with."
Mix in the MLB experience and Ryan and his coaching staff boast knowledge of what it takes to get to the majors.
And that quest begins Thursday.
This story was originally published April 7, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Bradenton Marauders | Top prospects McGuire, Meadows headline 2015 roster ."