Opening Day down on the farm is Thursday for the top four teams in the Cubs system. The Daytona Cubs were the first of the Cubs farm teams to release their Opening Day roster and the other three teams followed suit Monday.
The I-Cubs Opening Day roster features nine players currently on the Cubs 40-man roster. Chris Carpenter will begin the year in Iowa’s pen.
The Smokies Opening Day roster features several of the top prospects in the Cubs’ system. Brett Jackson will begin his 2011 campaign in Double-A. Joining Jackson in Tennessee will be Trey McNutt, D.J. LeMahieu, Josh Vitters and Ryan Flaherty.
Matt Szczur and Hayden Simpson are on the Peoria Chiefs roster for Thursday’s opener.
Here are the Opening Day rosters down on the farm … Missing from the Opening Day rosters are Welington Castillo, Jay Jackson, Brad Snyder and Reggie Golden. Welington Castillo dealt with a hand injury toward the end of camp and Brad Snyder was slowed all spring by an oblique injury.
Augie Ojeda (back) and Todd Wellemeyer (hip) will stay behind at Fitch Park trying to get healthy from their spring injuries.
As for Jay Jackson and Welington Castillo, the Cubs have not officially said why they are not beginning the year with the I-Cubs.
Smaily Borges will remain with the Peoria Chiefs and was added to the coaching staff. Borges will serve as a player/coach on Casey Kopitzke’s staff.
Triple-A Iowa Cubs 2011 Opening Day Roster
Pitchers
Starters
- Austin Bibens-Dirx
- Robert Coello
- Casey Coleman
- Thomas Diamond
- J.R. Mathes
Bullpen
- Justin Berg
- Esmailin Caridad
- Chris Carpenter
- John Gaub
- Scott Maine
- Jake Muyco
- Jeff Stevens
Catchers
- Max Ramirez
- Chris Robinson
Infielders
- Matt Camp
- Bryan LaHair
- Scott Moore
- Bobby Scales
- Marquez Smith
Outfielders
- Tony Campana
- Luis Montanez
- Fernando Perez
- Ty Wright
Double-A Tennessee Smokies 2011 Opening Day Roster
Pitchers
- Ryan Buchter
- Alberto Cabrera
- David Cales
- Marco Carrillo
- Hung-Wen Chen
- Rafael Dolis
- Trey McNutt
- Blake Parker
- Brooks Raley
- Chris Rusin
- Kyle Smit
- Luke Summer
Catchers
- Steve Clevenger
- Mario Mercedes
Infielders
- Ryan Flaherty
- Marwin Gonzalez
- D.J. LeMahieu
- Blake Lalli
- Rebel Ridling
- Nate Samson
- Josh Vitters
Outfielders
- James Adduci
- Brett Jackson
- Matt Spencer
High Class-A Daytona Cubs 2011 Opening Day Roster
Pitchers
- Frank Batista
- Jeff Beliveau
- Brent Ebinger
- Tyrelle Harris
- Aaron Kurcz
- Jordan Latham
- Jeff Lorick
- Dae-Eun Rhee
- Kevin Rhoderick
- Zach Rosscup
- Ryan Searle
- Nick Struck
- Brett Wallach
- Rob Whitenack
Catchers
- Michael Brenly
- Chad Noble
- David Macias (IF/OF)
Infielders
- Justin Bour
- Matt Cerda
- Junior Lake
- Jake Opitz
- John Urick
- Logan Watkins
Outfielders
- Michael Burgess
- Evan Crawford
- Jae-Hoon Ha
- Nelson Perez
Low Class-A Peoria Chiefs 2011 Opening Day Roster
Pitchers
- Jeff Antigua
- Dallas Beeler
- Eduardo Figueroa
- Yohan Gonzalez
- Cameron Greathouse
- Marcus Hatley
- Graham Hicks
- Eric Jokisch
- Austin Kirk
- Robinson Lopez
- Juan Yasser Serrano
- Bryce Shafer
- Hayden Simpson
Catchers
- Sergio Burruel
- Micah Gibbs
Infielders
- Arismendy Alcantara
- Anthony Giansanti
- Richard Jones
- Pierre LePage
- Greg Rohan
- Elliot Soto
Outfielders
- Smaily Borges
- D.J. Fitgerald
- Rubi Silva
- Matt Szczur
For more on the Cubs system, check out the CCO’s Down on the Farm Reports.
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