Inland Empire 66ers Release 2014 Opening Day Roster
(San Bernardino, CA) - The defending California League Champion Inland Empire 66ers announced its 2014 Opening Day Roster today at San Manuel Stadium. The 66ers feature 25 players plus two pitchers and an infielder on the disabled list currently. Former Major League infielder Denny Hocking steps into the Field Manager's role with an Inland Empire roster that features exactly half of its members possessing prior playing experience with the ball club. Eight of those, Abel Baker, Cameron Bedrosian, Jairo Diaz, Brian Hernandez, Brennan Gowens, Sherman Johnson, Alex Keudell, and Danny Reynolds were active last September during the 66ers' sweep of the San Jose Giants en route to the franchise's sixth league title.
Inland Empire opens its fourth season as an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with a roster that features five of the Halos' top prospects according to industry standard Baseball America. That group includes 20-year-old shortstop Jose Rondon and catcher Cal Towey. Both players bypassed low-A ball after starring for the Angels' rookie affiliate in Orem, UT. Towey led all domestic-based minor leagues in 2013 with a .492 on-base percentage. Pitchers Cam Bedrosian, Kyle McGowin and outfielder Andrew Ray were also honored by the publication.
Bedrosian is the son of former Cy Young Award winner Steve Bedrosian and is one of two former first round picks with the club. The right-handed reliever joins outfielder Chevy Clarke as the club's top selections. Both prospects were chosen in the 2010 draft and hail from suburban Atlanta, GA.
Hocking will shepherd the Angels' Advanced Class-A team after guiding the organization's rookie-level Arizona League team in Tempe to a 30-26 record for the 2013 campaign. His efforts earned him the Preston Gomez Manager of the Year Award within the Los Angeles Angels' franchise. The veteran of 13 Major League seasons is no stranger to the Golden State nor its baseball namesake. The Torrance native batted .331 in the California League for the 1992 Visalia Oaks as a Minnesota Twins' farmhand
The road to winning back-to-back California League Championships begins when they visit the High Desert Mavericks on Thursday, April 3rd. The 66ers open at home a week later on Thursday, April 10th when they welcome the Mavericks to San Manuel Stadium. To purchase your 2014 season tickets, group ticket options, check the full promotional schedule, or to get more information, please contact the 66ers at 909-888-9922 or visit them online at www.66ers.com. All promotions and times subject to change.