The Indianapolis Indians have set their Opening Day roster. The Pittsburgh Pirates Triple-A roster will have more top prospects in the system than any of the other affiliates. Here’s a look at the players.
Pitchers
Cody Bolton
Mike Burrows
Osvaldo Bido
Tyler Chatwood
Yerry De Los Santos
J.C. Flowers
Carmen Mlodzinski
John O’Reilly
Luis Ortiz
Quinn Priester
Yohan Ramirez
Hunter Stratton
Colin Selby
Cam Alldred
Kent Emanuel
Angel Perdomo
Caleb Smith
Daniel Zamora
Priester, Burrows and Ortiz are top ten prospects in the system for almost any source you check. They will all be in the starting rotation. Smith will also be in the starting rotation. The fifth starter (and possibly sixth if they go with a six-man rotation) hasn’t been announced yet, but Emanuel and Bido seem like the most likely options, as everyone else is a reliever. Chatwood has started in the past, but not at all during the last two years. Mlodzinski and Bolton have been confirmed as relievers this year.
Catchers
Tyler Heineman
Grant Koch
Endy Rodriguez
Rodriguez is the top prospect in the system for most sources. He spent most of last year in Greensboro, but saw brief time with Altoona and even less time with Indianapolis last year. Despite the upper level inexperience, he might be in the majors by mid-season. Heineman will see plenty of time when Rodriguez is off for the day or playing another position possibly.
Infielders
Josh Bissonette
Nick Gonzales
Mark Mathias
Malcom Nunez
Chris Owings
Aaron Shackelford
Jared Triolo*
Gonzales is another top ten prospect in the system, while Nunez and Triolo aren’t far behind. However, Triolo is out for about two months due to a hamate injury. Mathias, Owings, Nunez and Gonzales should see the majority of the time from this group.
Outfielders
Miguel Andujar
Tucupita Marcano
Cal Mitchell
Travis Swaggerty
Chavez Young
All five of these players will see regular time. Marcano can play infield as well, while the DH spot will get the group plenty of extra at-bats.
Indianapolis opens up tonight. Our daily Prospect Watch will be posted shortly after the game ends.
