The Tennessee Smokies released its initial roster for the 2015 season Monday and it features nine of the top prospects in the Cubs system, including Albert Almora, C.J. Edwards and Kyle Schwarber.
Double-A Tennessee’s first roster of the year includes 14 pitchers, three catchers, six infielders and four outfielders. Along with Almora, Edwards and Schwarber, the Smokies’ roster includes LHP Rob Zastryzny, RHP Corey Black, RHP Ivan Pineyro, 1B Dan Vogelbach, INF Christian Villanueva and OF Bijan Rademacher.
C.J. Edwards is expected to front a rotation that features Rob Zastryzny, Corey Black, Ivan Pineyro and Felix Pena. RHP Pierce Johnson was held back in extended Spring Training with an undisclosed injury.
From the release, 16 players on the Smokies’ initial roster played for the Smokies at one point last season.
The Smokies’ reserve roster currently sits at 27 players. Double-A Tennessee can only have 24 players on its active roster.
The Cubs and Smokies extended their Player Development Agreement last summer that will keep the Cubs Double-A affiliate in East Tennessee through the 2018 season.
The Smokies open the 2015 season on the road against the Mississippi Braves on Thursday. Double-A Tennessee returns home following the five-game series and an off day. The Smokies’ first home game is against the Reds’ Double-A affiliate, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, on Wednesday, April 15 at 11:30am ET (10:30am CDT). Opening Night for the Smokies is Thursday, April 16 at 7:05pm ET (6:05pm CDT).
• Full Release from the Tennessee Smokies
Coaching Staff
- Manager: Buddy Bailey
- Pitching Coach: Storm Davis
- Hitting Coach: Desi Wilson
- Assistant Hitting Coach: Guillermo Martinez
- Athletic Trainer: Shane Nelson
Tennessee Smokies 2015 Opening Day Roster
Pitchers
- LHP Jeffry Antigua
- RHP Frank Batista
- RHP Corey Black
- LHP Hunter Cervenka
- RHP Fernando Cruz
- RHP C.J. Edwards
- RHP P.J. Francescon
- RHP Michael Jensen
- RHP Felix Pena
- RHP Stephen Perakslis
- RHP Ivan Pineyro
- RHP Andres Santiago
- LHP Rob Zastryzny
Catchers
- Erick Castillo
- Willson Contreras
- Kyle Schwarber
Infielders
- Stephen Bruno
- Ryan Dent
- Dustin Geiger
- Elliot Soto
- Christian Villanueva
- Dan Vogelbach
Outfielders
- Albert Almora
- Pin-Chieh Chen
- Anthony Giansanti
- Bijan Rademacher
• Official Tennessee Smokies 2015 Opening Day Roster
Double-A clubs can have a 37-man reserve roster and a 24-man active roster.