Rawhide Unveil 2015 Roster!

 

VISALIA-The Visalia Rawhide will open their 2015 campaign at Recreation Ballpark with another exciting roster, as they look to defend their North Division championship.

Breland Almadova, who starred for Visalia during their thrilling late-season charge to the California League Finals and was awarded the Rawlings Gold Glove Award as the best center fielder in Minor League Baseball, will return to Tulare County and showcase his spectacular play again.

Blayne Weller, who was a key member of last year's starting rotation, also returns. Weller struck out 70 batters in 45 innings for the 'Hide in 2014, and K'd 16 in one game. Weller's 16-strikeout performance garnered him a runner-up vote in Minor League Baseball's Best Single-Game Performance Award at the end of the season.

Joey Krehbiel, meanwhile, will anchor the bullpen; he posted a 1.42 ERA with the Rawhide last year.

The Rawhide catching core will feature Michael Perez, who posted a .362 on-base percentage in South Bend last year, and Tyler Baker, who was called up for the California League Finals and homered in Game 4.

The infield sees an exciting mix of young talent and power potential, as 19-year-old Domingo Leyba, who posted an on-base percentage of nearly .400 in the Detroit Tigers' farm system in 2014, will team with Daniel Palka, who blasted 22 home runs in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League.

Visalia will benefit from the multiple trades the Arizona Diamondbacks have recently made; 5 members of their roster (Anthony Banda, Zach Godley, Joey Krehbiel, Domingo Leyba, and Todd Glaesmann) were acquired in trades over the past 2 years.

Other returners from the 2014 Division Champions include infielders Kevin Medrano, Fidel Pena, and George Roberts, and pitchers John Omahen, Keith Hessler, Daniel Gibson, and Johnny Shuttlesworth.

The Rawhide will be managed by J.R. House, who begins his first season in Visalia and his 2nd managerial year in the D-backs' system. House spent last season as skipper of the Hillsboro Hops, leading them to a 48-28 record and the Northwest League championship. Gil Heredia returns to the staff as Pitching Coach, and Jon Matthews will be the Hitting Coach.

With Opening Day set for this Thursday against High Desert, the Rawhide are full of anticipation to begin a new season. Tickets are available at RawhideBaseball.com, over the phone at 732-HIDE, or in person at the Ticket Window along Giddings Street.

Full Rawhide 2015 Opening Day Roster:

Pitchers:

Anthony Banda

Silvino Bracho

J.R. Bradley (Disabled List)

Ryan Doran

Daniel Gibson

Zach Godley

Keith Hessler

Jose Jose

Joey Krehbiel

John Omahen

Blake Perry (Disabled List)

Nick Sarianides

Johnny Shuttlesworth

Kevin Vance

Blayne Weller

 

Catchers:

Tyler Baker

Michael Perez

 

Infielders:

Kevin Cron

Domingo Leyba

Kevin Medrano

Fidel Pena

George Roberts

Jamie Westbrook

 

Outfielders:

Breland Almadova

Todd Glaesmann

Steward Ijames

Daniel Palka