BLUE WAHOOS WELL REPRESENTED IN BIG LEAGUE CAMP
Pitchers and catchers reporting to the Cincinnati Reds Spring Training Camp in Goodyear, Ariz. today signifies the unofficial start of the 2014 baseball season. The Blue Wahoos have plenty of representatives at the Reds Major League camp with 17 former players earning invitations. Ten players are heading to the desert on Cincinnati's 40-man roster while seven others received non-roster invitations.
Right-handed pitchers Tony Cingrani and Curtis Partch each made significant contributions to the big club in 2013 and are back with the Reds in spring camp this year. RHP Carlos Contreras, RHP Daniel Corcino and RHP Chad Rogers are a trio of former Wahoos hurlers who are part of the 40-man roster without any Major League service.
Five other position players are hoping to make an impact on the field and at the plate for the Reds. Outfielder Donald Lutz played in 34 games with Cincinnati in 2013, and he leads the group of position players with stops in Pensacola trying to make the cut. Standout catcher Tucker Barnhart, speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton, outfielder Ryan LaMarre and outfielder Yorman Rodriguez are the other position players joining Lutz on the Reds' 2014 initial 40-man roster.
Six additional pitchers and infielder Henry Rodriguez have non-roster invitations to Big League camp. The six hurlers are RHP Trevor Bell, RHP Tim Crabbe, RHP Drew Hayes, LHP Lee Hyde, RHP Michael Lorenzen and RHP Robert Stephenson. All six pitchers were part of the Wahoos during the 2013 campaign. Lorenzen and Stephenson were late additions to the Wahoos roster last season and they both could see time in Pensacola again in 2014.
All 17 of these players are likely to return to Pensacola when the Reds and Wahoos play in front of a sold out crowd at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on March 28th.
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos -
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. During the first two years of operation, the Blue Wahoos were awarded Best Minor League Experience, Southern League Community Service Award, Groundskeeper of the Year, Ballpark of the Year, Executive of the Year and Organization of the year. Fans may purchase tickets for the 2014 season by calling the box office at (850) 934-8444 or in person at the Hill-Kelly Dodge Pickup Window. Follow the Blue Wahoos at bluewahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos, and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.