CHATHAM, M.A. — The Chatham Anglers have released the team’s 2023 roster, featuring players from 20 states and three countries, representing 38 colleges and universities. The roster consists of both permanent and temporary players, and will update throughout the season.
Nine players return to Chatham from last year’s team, headlined by Oklahoma State’s Aidan Meola and Nova Southeastern’s Carlos Rey. In 2022, Meola appeared in four games with the Anglers before injury. Rey threw 21 innings for the A’s, the fourth most on the 2022 squad. Manager Tom Holliday returns to Chatham’s coaching staff. Holliday has managed the Anglers since 2018.
Of its 47 current names, Chatham will field 38 newcomers, highlighted by Vanderbilt’s Chris Maldonado. The shortstop averaged .327 at the plate for the Commodores his freshman year and recorded 25 runs. Alongside Maldonado, four more SEC representatives join the Anglers: South Carolina’s Matt Becker, Florida’s Deric Fabian, Louisiana State’s Griffin Herring, and Texas A&M’s Kaeden Kent.
One of 21 pitchers on the squad, Texas’ right-hander Tanner Witt is an exciting addition for the A’s despite missing most of 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Ranked as the No. 25 prospect entering the 2023 MLB Draft, per MLB.com, the former Freshman All-American and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honoree put up a 3.16 ERA in 57 innings before his injury.
Other Chatham arms include Jacksonville’s Evan Chrest, Nebraska’s Caleb Clark, Georgia Tech’s Aeden Finateri, Creighton’s Thomas Gross, South California’s Erick Hammond, Penn State’s Jordan Morales, St. John's Mario Pesca, and Rice’s Parker Smith.
The A's also added Oklahoma State’s Carson Benge, one of four Cowboys on the 2023 roster. As of May 29, 2023, the two-way righty has registered a .337 average with seven home runs and 43 RBIs. On the mound, Benge has pitched 35 innings, posting a 6.69 ERA under OSU’s head coach Josh Holliday, son of Tom.
The Anglers will look to rebound from their 15–20–9 record and 5th place finish in the Cape League's East Division. The A’s have missed the postseason each of the last two seasons.
Chatham starts its 2023 season against Cotuit at Lowell Park on June 10 at 5 p.m. The A’s 44 games will be broadcasted live on the
Cape Cod Baseball Network, with the Anglers Extra Pregame Show beginning coverage 20 minutes before first pitch.
Chatham's Cape Cod Baseball League team dates to 1923—the league has roots dating back to 1885—and the club has been known as the Anglers since 2010. The Cape Cod Baseball League's modern era began in 1963.