In 2019 the Kannapolis Intimidators will sport a new look, and a new manager in Ryan Newman. Although this team lost eight South Atlantic League All-Stars in 2018, they will still enter the season loaded for bear.
The Kannapolis pitching rotation will be strong, with the front three starters all having been selected in the sixth round or earlier in their respective drafts. Getting the Opening Day start is Jonathan Stiever. The 6´2´´, 205-pound righthander was selected out of Indiana University in the fifth round last year. Stiever displayed immediate swing-and-miss stuff last year when he made his debut at Great Falls, striking out 39 hitters in 28 innings.