The Iowa Cubs released its initial roster for the 2015 season Monday and it features two of the top prospects in not only the Cubs system but in all of baseball, Kris Bryant and Addison Russell.
The trio of Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Javier Baez will make the Iowa Cubs a must-follow team at the beginning of the season. Bryant is expected to make his big league debut, if all goes as planned, at some point in late April, early May. Once Bryant is up with the Cubs, the attention will turn to Addison Russell and when he will be called up to the majors.
Javier Baez figures to be recalled as soon as he makes the adjustments that he’s discussed with the front office.
From the release, the I-Cubs roster features eight players on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, 13 players with Major League experience and 14 players who previously played for the Iowa Cubs.
Iowa’s rotation will feature RHP Donn Roach, RHP Carlos Pimentel, LHP Eric Jokisch, RHP Barret Loux and RHP Yoanner Negrin with RHP Dallas Beeler on the disabled list. Donn Roach will take the ball on Opening Day for Iowa.
The I-Cubs kick off the 2015 season Thursday, April 9 at AutoZone Park in Memphis against the Redbirds. Iowa plays its first game at Principal Park on Friday, April 17. The I-Cubs welcome the Oklahoma City Dodgers to Des Moines for a four-game series.
The Cubs extended their Player Development Contract with the Iowa Cubs last fall that will keep the organization’s Triple-A affiliate in Iowa through the 2018 season. The Cubs and I-Cubs have the eighth longest current continuous affiliation in baseball. Iowa has been the Triple-A farm team of the Cubs since 1981. Iowa adopted the ‘Cubs’ nickname in 1982.
• Full Release from the Iowa Cubs
Coaching Staff
- Manager: Marty Pevey
- Pitching Coach: Mike Cather
- Hitting Coach: Brian Harper
- Assistant Hitting Coach: Leo Perez
- Athletic Trainer: Scott Barringer
Iowa Cubs 2015 Opening Day Roster
Pitchers
- RHP Donn Roach
- RHP Carlos Pimentel
- LHP Eric Jokisch
- RHP Barret Loux
- RHP Yoanner Negrin
- RHP Blake Parker
- RHP Brian Schlitter
- LHP Zac Rosscup
- RHP Blake Cooper
- LHP Drake Britton
- RHP Gonzalez Germen
- LHP Joseph Ortiz
- RHP Armando Rivero
Catchers
- Rafael Lopez
- Taylor Davis
Infielders
- Kris Bryant
- Addison Russell
- Javier Baez
- Mike Baxter
- Chris Valaika
- Jonathan Mota
Outfielders
- Junior Lake
- John Andreoli
- Adron Chambers
- Rubi Silva
Triple-A clubs can have a 38-man reserve roster and a 24-man active roster.