Las Vegas 51s finalize roster entering Thursday’s opener

Familiar faces litter the 51s’ opening day roster, which features 13 players who played in Las Vegas last season.

The 51s, who start the season Thursday at Cashman Field against the Fresno Grizzlies, will start with 13 pitchers and 13 position players. Catcher Jeff Glenn begins the season on the disabled list.

Former first-round picks Gavin Cecchini and Brandon Nimmo highlight the roster as the two highest-ranked prospects to break rank with the 51s.

Dilson Herrera, who is considered the Mets’ second baseman of the future and is no longer prospect eligible, also begins the season at Triple-A after finishing the year with the Mets.

Cecchini, a shortstop, will join him in the infield. He is the fourth-ranked prospect in the Mets’ system with Nimmo, an outfielder, coming in at fifth, per Baseball America.

Nimmo, who spent time in Las Vegas a season ago, was hampered by a partially torn tendon in his left foot this spring, but worked his way back from the injury by the end of spring training. Travis Taijeron, who led the 51s with 25 home runs and 71 RBIs last season, will join him in the outfield.

Las Vegas-native pitcher Paul Sewald moves up to the 51s from Double-A Binghamton. Sean Gilmartin, Rafael Montero and Erik Goeddel, at one point considered possibilities to break camp with the Mets, also join him on the pitching staff.

Manager Wally Backman returns for his fourth season and pitching coach Frank Viola and hitting coach Jack Voigt also return to the club.

Betsy Helfand can be reached at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @BetsyHelfand