2016 Season

In preparation for the 2016 season, the franchise traded for Mark Pope, who spent last year in Winnipeg. The righty was acquired in early January in a trade with the Goldeyes.

Pope is a native of Marietta, Georgia and played at Walton High and the Georgia Institute of Technology before being drafted by the Padres in 2011. A 5th-round selection, Pope played in the San Diego organization in 2011 and 2012. He has also spent time with the Dodgers and Braves organizations and in the Frontier League.

Pope made 32 appearances as a relief man last year in Winnipeg, striking out 22 and walking just 4.

Prior to 2016

Selected in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB draft by the San Diego Padres out of Georgia Tech. At Georgia Tech, Pope was named second team All-American by Louisville Slugger in 2011 and first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference. Pope was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award and quarterfinalist for Pitcher of the Year. Holds the Georgia Tech modern record with four career complete-game shutouts. Was also selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 17th round of the 2008 Draft, but did not sign.

In 2011, Pope began the season with the Arizona League Padres, appearing in just one game before being sent to the single-A Eugene Emeralds. In Eugene, he went 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA in 10 games out of the bullpen and 29.0 innings pitched. In 2012 Pope spent the year with the single-A Lake Elsinore Storm, posting a 7-8 record with a 6.13 ERA in 30 games with 20 starts over 111.2 innings. He also appeared in one game in 2012 with the triple-A Tucson Padres, going 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in one game.