RIVER BANDITS ROSTER SET FOR OPENING DAY

Following a season in which the River Bandits finished with the second most wins in franchise history, manager Johnny Rodriguez looks to take his team back to the postseason for the second straight year. The pitching staff is anchored by a pair of top-10 prospects according to Baseball America. A Cardinals supplemental first-round pick last season and local product from nearby Rock Falls, Ill., Seth Blair, leads the list of players assigned to the River Bandits.

Blair is currently ranked as the #8 prospect in the Cardinals organization. Right behind him in the rankings is Jordan Swagerty (#9), both right-handed pitchers. The pitching staff is comprised of 10 righties and three lefties; Anthony Ferrara, Kevin Siegrist and Justin Wright.

The team broke camp with a total of four catchers listed including returners Robert Stock, Cody Stanley and Roberto Espinoza. Juan Castillo is the lone new face to the staff of catchers. He hit .328 last season in 32 games splitting time between Johnson City and Batavia. Stock is slated to being the season on the disabled list.

On the infield, fans will see some fresh faces. Of the six infielders listed on the roster, three were drafted last season, Packy Elkins (37th round), Greg Garcia (7th round) and Victor Sanchez (26th round). Starlin Rodriguez has been placed on the Quad Cities roster, but he will begin the season on the disabled list. Yunier Castillo and Jonathan Rodriguez make up the rest of the infield.

There are three familiar faces in the outfield. Kyle Conley, Freddy Parejo and Michael Swinson all spent significant time with the River Bandits last summer. Nick Longmire was moved up from Batavia for the River Bandits' final playoff game last season. The other outfielder on the roster to start the season is Oscar Tavares.

The roster remains subject to change prior to opening day on Thursday, April 7 at Modern Woodmen Park. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. and the starting pitchers have not yet been announced.