Pitcher Dom Hamel speaks to the press during the RailRiders’ media day at PNC Field in Moosic on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Manager Shelley Duncan talks to the press about the upcoming season during the RailRiders’ media day at PNC Field in Moosic on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Bench Coach Raul Dominguez talks to the press during the RailRiders’ media day at PNC Field in Moosic on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Pitcher Brendan Beck talks to the press about being named Opening Day starter during the RailRiders’ media day at PNC Field in Moosic on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crews work at installing the new video board at PNC Field in Moosic on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Players practice as work continues on the new video board at PNC Field in Moosic on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Pitcher Dom Hamel speaks to the press during the RailRiders’ media day at PNC Field in Moosic on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
MOOSIC — Shelley Duncan knows the nature of Triple-A baseball. The roster he currently has with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders could be completely different in two weeks.
For now, though, Duncan — back for his fourth season as manager — likes what he sees about this year’s team.
“We’ve got a really good group of guys in that locker room,” Duncan said Wednesday at Media Day at PNC Field. “The roster put together for us has a ton of talent, a ton of experience and a lot of things to look forward to. We’re really excited about this group. The chemistry they’ve built in spring training, the way they get along, is exciting.
“You still have to play the games and take things one day at a time. Our goal here is to make every single one of those players a better baseball player and get them to the big leagues. We love the way the roster is right now, but everyone knows it could be completely different in two weeks. You just have to appreciate the moment, appreciate what we’ve got right now. There’s some very fun baseball players to watch in that locker room. It should be exciting for the fans, exciting for us and something to really look forward to.”
Headlining the roster are outfielders Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones.
Dominguez, a.k.a. “The Martian,” spent all of last season in the majors with the New York Yankees. He is back in Triple-A because of the crowded outfield situation in the Bronx with a chance to play every day and continue to work on his game.
Jones, meanwhile, totaled 35 home runs and 80 RBIs in the minors last season, including 19 homers and 48 RBIs in 67 games with the RailRiders.
Also expected to be with the RailRiders is infielder Oswaldo Cabrera, who continues to work his way back from a fractured left ankle suffered during a slide into home plate in a game in Seattle last May.
Infielder Braden Shewmake and outfielder Duke Ellis are expected back. Shewmake played 85 games with the RailRiders last season and batted .244 with four home runs and 29 RBIs. Ellis appeared in 68 games with the RailRiders and batted .322 with three home runs, 22 RBIs and 36 stolen bases.
Some of the newcomers include infielders Ernesto Martinez Jr., who played for the Nashville Sounds last season; Jonathan Ornelas, who split time with the Round Rock Express and Gwinnett Stripers last season and also appeared in six major league games with the Texas Rangers (4) and Atlanta Braves (2); Max Schuemann, who played 101 games with the Athletics last season; outfielder Seth Brown, who appeared in 38 games with the Athletics; and catcher Payton Henry, who played last season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
“Our defense is amazing,” Duncan said. “All the infielders are shortstops except for the first baseman, so we’re going to move those guys around. As a manager, you’re getting to play a shortstop at second, short and third every single day, that’s lucky. Our outfield is extremely fast. Right now, it’s lined up that we can win games in multiple ways. That’s what you love to see. Very solid right now. You just hope it lasts.”
On the mound, two of the top prospects in the Yankees system are expected to be part of the staff. Righthander Carlos Lagrange is ranked No. 2 and earned the James P. Dawson Award as the most outstanding Yankees rookie in spring training. Fellow righty Elmer Rodriguez is No. 3 and coming off a season that saw him win 11 games and strike out 176 batters at three levels and be named by Baseball America as the Yankees’ 2025 Minor League Player of the Year.
Brendan Beck, the Yankees’ No. 22 prospect, returns after going a combined 13-5 last season with Double-A Somerset and the RailRiders with a 3.36 earned-run average and 123 strikeouts.
Beck has the honor of being the Opening Day starter when the RailRiders begin their season Friday at 1:05 p.m. at Buffalo.
A newcomer is Dom Hamel, who spent last season with Syracuse and was 4-6 with one save, a 5.32 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 31 games (11 starts).
“I’m fired up to be here,” said Hamel, who is expected to start the second game of the season Saturday in Buffalo. “It was a good offseason back home in Arizona. Worked on some stuff that I feel is going to contribute in the long run. It’s been awesome meeting all the new faces with the new org. Had a good time in camp meeting those varsity-level guys, obviously a lot of big names. Pickin’ brain from them. Just ready to get it going.”
Among the familiar faces back in the bullpen, which features no lefthanders, are Harrison Cohen, Zach Messinger and Eric Reyzelman.
“I’m super excited and super honored to be a part of this team,” Messinger said. “You look around at the names in the clubhouse and this team is going to be a really good one to be a part of. Lineup, pitching staff, bullpen, it’s shaped up to be a really good one.”
The RailRiders’ final roster will be released Friday at noon.
Last season, the RailRiders went 87-60. They won the second-half title, but lost in the International League final in three games to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
“That will never be taken out of the memory bank,” Duncan said. “But the focus will never be back on that. The focus is right now.”
After playing the first three games in Buffalo, the RailRiders head to Rochester for six games against the Red Wings on March 31-April 5. They return to PNC Field for their home-opening series against the Durham Bulls on April 7.
“We have a really, really good team on paper to start,” Duncan said. “But when I look around the league, this is probably, in all my years of Triple-A baseball, the strongest with teams across the board. It’s going to be a challenge. It’s not going to be easy for anyone. You’re going to face good pitching. Pitchers are going to face good hitters. It’s going to be really exciting.”