29 Former Sea Dogs Open the Season in the Majors

The Road to the Show Runs Through Portland

April 5, 2012

The sheer number of former Portland Sea Dogs that are playing at the Major League level is impressive within itself. Although, the most remarkable thing is that all five Boston Red Sox starting pitchers that have been named out of spring training are former Sea Dogs.

This year's starting rotation for the Red Sox headlines Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz with Daniel Bard and Felix Doubront rounding out the five.

In that cluster of Sea Dogs, Jon Lester was tabbed as the Opening Day Starter for the Red Sox. Meanwhile, former Sea Dog Justin Masterson will handle the Opening Day duties as the starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians.

There are 28 former Sea Dogs sprinkled throughout Major League Baseball and two former Sea Dog managers now doing their instructing in "The Show." Fredi Gonzalez and Carlos Tosca are together in Atlanta for the 2012 season. Gonzalez leads the Braves' charge as the manager and Tosca will hold things down as one of the bench coaches for a second straight season.

Five of the Red Sox top 30 prospects, including Bryce Brentz and Anthony Ranaudo who are in the top five, will be hitting the field in Sea Dogs uniforms in 2012 so be on the lookout to see these players as they work their way towards the big league roster. Here are the 29 former Sea Dog players and two coaches spanning 14 different organizations on 2012 Opening Day rosters including 12 with the Boston Red Sox.

Boston Red Sox

Daniel Bard (2008)

Josh Beckett (2001)

Michael Bowden (2007, 2008)

Clay Buchholz (2007, 2008)

Felix Doubront (2009, 2010, 2011)

Jacoby Ellsbury (2006, 2007, 2010)

Adrian Gonzalez (2002)

Jon Lester (2005, 2007)

David Ortiz (2008) *Rehab

Dustin Pedroia (2005)

Kelly Shoppach (2003)