Loons Announce 2014 Season Roster
MIDLAND, Mich. - The Los Angeles Dodgers have released the opening day roster for the eighth season of Great Lakes Loons baseball.
The squad features five players ranked in Baseball America's Top 31 Dodgers prospects - outfielder Jacob Scavuzzo (15), first baseman Justin Chigbogu (18), right-handed pitcher Zachary Bird (21), infielder Jesmuel Valentin (22) and right-handed pitcher Victor Arano - and three players in MLB.com's Top 20 Dodgers prospects - Bird (12), Scavuzzo (14) and catcher Kyle Farmer (20).
The Loons feature nine players drafted in the top 10 rounds of the June amateur draft - Valentin (1st rd., 2012), outfielder Alex Santana (2nd rd., 2011), Chigbogu (4th rd., 2012), outfielder Joey Curletta (6th rd., 2012), right-handed pitcher Jacob Rhame (6th rd., 2013), right-handed pitcher Brandon Martinez (7th rd., 2009), infielder Brandon Trinkwon (7th rd., 2013), Farmer (8th round, 2013) and Bird (9th rd., 2012).
Twelve players return to Midland from last year's team - right-handed pitchers Bird, James Campbell, Brandon Martinez and Jonathan Martinez, catcher Webster Rivas, infielders Paul Hoenecke, Trinkwon and Valentin and outfielder Malcolm Holland. Additionally, right-handed pitchers Campbell and Brandon Martinez and infielder Delvis Morales played for the Loons in 2012.
Thirteen-year veteran MLB catcher Bill Haselman begins his first season as the Loons' manager after piloting Inland Empire to a California League title last season in the Angels' organization. Bill Simas returns for his second season as pitching coach. Johnny Washington debuts as hitting coach. Kalie Swain (athletic trainer), Tyler Norton (strength and conditioning coach) and RJ Carvis (video coordinator) round out the staff.
The Loons' roster consists of 13 pitchers (Arano, James Baune, Bird, Campbell, Luis Chirinos, Greg Harris, Michael Johnson, Brandon Martinez, Jonathan Martinez, Jack McGeary, Mark Pope, Rhame and Francisco Villa), two catchers (Farmer and Rivas), six infielders (Chigbogu, Hoenecke, Morales, Dillon Moyer, Trinkwon and Valentin) and four outfielders (Curletta, Holland, Santana and Scavuzzo).
Three players on the Loons roster are the sons of former major leaguers - Moyer, who father is longtime MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer, Valentin, the son of former Dodger infielder Jose Valentin, and Harris, son of former MLB pitcher Greg Harris.
A full printable roster is attached to this release. An update will be made available prior to the season opener with updated uniform numbers.
The Loons open the season Thursday in Fort Wayne at 7:05 p.m. The after winning the first four season openers in team history, the Loons have dropped three straight. The Loons are 3-1 in road season openers. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 100.9-FM.
The new-look 2014 team returns to Dow Diamond for the home opener Tuesday, April 8 against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at 6:05 p.m. A myriad of fun activities are planned for fans during the Loons' Opening Day Celebration, presented by Consumer's Energy, beginning at 4:30 p.m. with a parade through Downtown Midland on Main Street featuring Loons players and coaches and the hilarious antics of Amazing Christopher. The first 5,000 fans will receive a magnet schedule, courtesy of Farm Bureau Insurance. Following the game, fans will be treated to a post-game Fireworks Loontacular, powered by Dow Corning.