The cuts have been made. The rosters are being finalized. It is time for minor league baseball to kick off its season. Some of the players are just happy to have avoided being released. Others are ready to show they below at the higher level they expected. Here is what we know about opening day:
Lexington starts the season by showing off its arsenal of young pitching to the West Virginia Power. The first four games (which include a double header on Saturday) will feature the following rotation: Game 1- Jordan Lyle, Game 2 – Ross Seaton, Game 3 – Brad Dydalewicz, and Game 4 – Robert Bono.
Lancaster opens its season as a Houston affiliate. The California league has a reputation of being a hitter friendly league. Shane Wolf will be the first bus rider to get the chance to find that out as he gets the ball for opening day.
Corpus Christ is giving the opening day ball to Sergio Perez. Perez missed most of last season with two injuries (Groin & broken hand). He is excited about being healthy and returning to the mound.
“Coming here early and not missing (the first) month of the season, it’s nice,” Perez said. “I’m feeling good and ready to go.
“I try to take it as just a regular game. I know it’s the first one, but I’m going to go out there and just try to give the team a chance to win.”
Pitching coach Stan Boroski gives us a scouting report on what to expect from Perez:
Number one, he’s got great stuff. Number two, he’s an outstanding competitor. When you put those two things together, you have a chance to be special.
“He’s a little bit unique in how he throws the ball. It kind of comes out of his ear; it’s hard to pick up with the deception and all. He has a hard sinker when he has it going, he’s got a nice tight slider and he throws a changeup for strikes. And his competitiveness sets him apart.”
Round Rock will launch its 10th anniversary season by handing the ball to Felipe Paulino. At the helm will be Marc Bombard who is the winningest active manager in the minors.
The other thing about opening day is that just like the big leagues, hope is everywhere on opening day.
“There is going to be some good team energy,” Round Rock shortstop Tommy Manzella said. “I think there is going to be a different dynamic.”