It feels like we waited longer for the Triple-A roster to show up this year than we have in the past, but a part of that may have been because the Cincinnati Reds had to decide on a roster move that was going to alter the Louisville Bats roster this year with just one day before the start of the MLB season and two days before the start of the International League season. But about 30 hours before Opening Day for Louisville the roster is here.
The rotation is going to start with Chase Petty (#5 prospect) taking the mound in the opener. He’ll be followed by Julian Aguiar (#10 prospect) on Saturday and then Davis Daniel on Sunday to round out the first series of the year against Omaha. Who will be in the rotation behind them hasn’t been announced yet. Guys like Brandon Leibrandt, Sam Benschoter, and Julian Garcia all have past starting experience and could fill things out.
With the position players you’ve got top 10 prospects Edwin Arroyo (#6) and Hector Rodriguez (#8) on the team. There are also a lot of guys who were highly rated prospects who have recently lost their prospect status due to too much time spent in the big leagues. There’s also a good mix of your veteran types, some with plenty of big league time under their belt.
The biggest surprise on the roster is catcher Dayne Leonard. The undrafted free agent signing last summer has only played in 20 games in his minor league career and they came in the Arizona Rookie League and Single-A Daytona. So he’s being asked to take a big step up in competition, though he’s also the guy who looks like the third catcher with the Bats right now. Everyone else on the roster seems like a guy you would have expected to be there based on their previous track record.
Louisville opens the season on Friday night at home against Omaha. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15pm ET.