Trash Pandas reveal 2024 Opening Day Roster
MADISON, Alabama- The Rocket City Trash Pandas are proud to reveal their preliminary roster for the 2024 season. Beginning their fourth season in franchise history, the Trash Pandas are set to open the year on Friday, April 5 against the Tennessee Smokies (AA-Chicago Cubs). On the coaching side, the Trash
MADISON, Alabama- The Rocket City Trash Pandas are proud to reveal their preliminary roster for the 2024 season. Beginning their fourth season in franchise history, the Trash Pandas are set to open the year on Friday, April 5 against the Tennessee Smokies (AA-Chicago Cubs).
On the coaching side, the Trash Pandas welcome back Manager Andy Schatzley who begins his third season in Rocket City. The 2022 Southern League Manager of the Year be joined alongside Pitching Coach Michael Wuertz, Coach Dann Bilardello and Strength and Conditioning Coach David Robertson who also return to the staff.
The coaching staff is rounded out by Hitting Coach Joel Chimelis, Assistant Pitching Coach Doug Henry and Athletic Trainer Dylan Culwell who all enter their first seasons with the Trash Pandas.
On the 29-man roster to begin the season, several Trash Pandas players are featured on the Los Angeles Angels Top 30 Prospects list:
- OF Nelson Rada (No. 1)
- RHP Caden Dana (No. 2)
- INF Kyren Paris (No. 3)
- RHP Ben Joyce (No. 4)
- RHP Jack Kochanowicz (No. 9)
- RHP Victor Mederos (No. 15)
- INF Cole Fontenelle (No. 30)
The roster features 22 players returning to Rocket City from last year, headlined by infielder Kyren Paris. The Oakley, California native was a Southern League Postseason All-Star last season and set a single season Trash Pandas record with 45 stolen bases.
Outfielders David Calabrese and Tucker Flint return after combining for 28 home runs in 2023. Catcher Tyler Payne is also back after setting the Southern League on fire in the second half of last season with a .313 average.
On the mound, Rocket City will see their top three starters from 2023 return. Brett Kerry and Victor Mederos each led the team with 20 starts with Jack Kochanowicz behind them at 16.
Kerry will be the first player to appear in a game for the Trash Pandas in all four seasons of their existence.
Among the seven new faces on the Trash Pandas roster, two of them rank as the top prospects in the Angels farm system.
Outfielder Nelson Rada is the youngest player on the team at 18 years old, over two years younger than the second youngest on the roster. Rada enters his third season in professional baseball after hitting .276 with 48 RBI while stealing 55 bases at Single-A Inland Empire.
Rada was named Los Angeles Angels Minor League Player of the Year and earned a Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove Award after posting one error in the outfield.
Right-handed pitcher Caden Dana is also set to make his Trash Pandas debut for his third professional season. The 20-year-old split last season with Single-A Inland Empire and High-A Tri-City, collecting 14 total starts and 89 strikeouts during the season.
Also making their debuts with the Trash Pandas will be right-handed pitcher Alan Rangel, catcher Caleb Hamilton and infielders Sam Brown, Cole Fontenelle and Eric Wagaman.
Brown will make his professional debut with the Trash Pandas after being drafted in the 12th round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft and appearing in 10 spring training games with the Angels.
Rocket City Trash Pandas Preliminary Roster (As of April 2, 2024):
Right-Handed Pitchers (13): Ivan Armstrong, Chase Chaney, Caden Dana, Michael Darrell-Hicks, Mason Erla, Ben Joyce, Brett Kerry, Jack Kochanowicz, Victor Mederos, Luke Murphy, Alan Rangel, Hayden Seig, Kenyon Yovan
Left-Handed Pitchers (3): Jack Dashwood, Nick Jones, Eric Torres
Catchers (3): Myles Emmerson, Caleb Hamilton, Tyler Payne
Infielders (6): Sam Brown, Cole Fontenelle, Mac McCroskey, Kyren Paris, Arol Vera, Eric Wagaman
Outfielders (4): David Calabrese, Gustavo Campero, Tucker Flint, Nelson Rada
Hurtado dominates in Rocket City's 9-0 shutout of Wahoos on Wednesday
PENSACOLA, Fla. –The Rocket Trash Pandas (11-22) received a dominant pitching performance from Joel Hurtado (W, 3-2), shutting out the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (20-15) on Wednesday morning by a score of 9-0 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. José Quijada and Camden Minacci combined with Hurtado for the four-hit shutout, the first
Trash Pandas Unveil Two New Alternate Identities: The Bama Butts and Alabama White Sauce
MADISON, Ala. – Barbecue in Alabama isn't just food—it's part of our identity. The Rocket City Trash Pandas are thrilled to announce two new alternate identities for 2025, the Bama Butts and Alabama White Sauce! The identities will be unleashed and the team will wear these specialty uniforms during a
Big 'Ol Ballpark Fair returns to Toyota Field, May 15-25
MADISON, Alabama – The Rocket City Trash Pandas have partnered with Kissel Entertainment for the sixth annual Big Ol’ Ballpark Fair in the Toyota Field parking lot from Thursday, May 15, through Sunday, May 25. The Fair will be closed on Monday, May 19. Similar to previous years, the Big
Errors prove costly in 3-2 extra-inning loss in Pensacola on Tuesday
PENSACOLA, Fla. –The Rocket City Trash Pandas (10-22) lost 3-2 in 11 innings to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (20-14) in the opener of a six-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Three costly errors contributed to the defeat, as all three runs scored by Pensacola were unearned. Rocket City dropped to
Rada, Trash Pandas win series finale over Biscuits on Mother's Day
MADISON, Ala. – The Trash Pandas were four outs away from being swept at home by the Montgomery Biscuits before a two-out, two-run single from centerfielder Nelson Rada in the sixth inning propelled the home team to a 7-5 win in game two of a doubleheader. Rocket City dropped game
Trash Pandas and Biscuits postponed on Saturday, doubleheader scheduled for Sunday
MADISON, Ala. – Tonight's scheduled game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and Montgomery Biscuits has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a Sunday, May 11, doubleheader at Toyota Field featuring two seven-inning games. Game one starts at 12:05 p.m., and game
José Quijada joins Trash Pandas pitching staff, Travis Blankenhorn placed on IL
MADISON, Ala. – On Saturday, the Los Angeles Angels announced two roster moves that impacted the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Veteran left-handed reliever José Quijada was reinstated from the Triple-A Salt Lake Development List and transferred to Rocket City. Additionally, outfielder Travis Blankenhorn has been placed on the 7-day Injured
HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS: May 6-11 vs. Montgomery Biscuits
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for their third homestand of the 2025 season, welcoming the Tampa Bay Rays affiliate Montgomery Biscuits, May 6-11. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Tuesday, May 6 | First Pitch: 6:05 pm |
Trash Pandas salute Armed Forces, fall 4-1 to Biscuits on Friday
MADISON, Ala. – For the fourth straight night, the Montgomery Biscuits (17-13) defeated the Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-20), this time by a final of 4-1. The Trash Pandas used Friday to salute our military with SAIC Armed Forces Night, welcoming 5,475 fans into Toyota Field. The Biscuits started their
Veteran pitchers Sean Poppen and Jordan Holloway join Trash Pandas roster
MADISON, Ala. – On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Angels announced three roster moves that affected the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Veteran right-handed pitchers Sean Poppen and Jordan Holloway have joined the Trash Pandas roster from the ACL Angels, and in a corresponding move, RHP Ryan Costeiu has been transferred to
Ketchup homers, but Biscuits stop Pandas' win streak on Tuesday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-17) returned to Toyota Field on Tuesday night, but their three-game winning streak came to an end with a 3-2 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits (14-13). In the loss, Sam Brown had another big night offensively, reaching base safely three times and
Trash Pandas take series from Smokies with doubleheader sweep on Sunday
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After back-to-back rainouts on Friday and Saturday, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-16) swept a doubleheader against the Knoxville Smokies (12-13) on Sunday afternoon, winning 6-3 and 8-2 at Covenant Health Park. Sam Brown led the offense, going 5-for-8 with two triples, two doubles, and four RBIs,
Saturday night's game between Trash Pandas and Smokies canceled due to rain
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Saturday’s game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park has been canceled due to rain. Since a doubleheader is scheduled for Sunday, this game will not be made up, as the teams do not meet again in the first half
Trash Pandas postponed by rain in Knoxville on Friday night
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park on Friday night has been postponed due to rain. The Smokies announced late Friday night that a doubleheader has been scheduled for Sunday, starting at 11:30 am CT. The doubleheader will
Aldegheri tosses 7.0 shutout innings as Pandas beat Smokies 5-3
KNOXVILLE, Tenn – Sam Aldegheri (W, 1-1) tossed 7.0 shutout innings, allowing only five hits, as the Rocket City Trash Pandas (7-16) kicked off May with a 5-3 victory over the Knoxville Smokies (12-11) at Covenant Health Park on Thursday night. The game featured two starting pitchers named Sam, both
Spring Tune-Up Car Show rescheduled for May 31
MADISON, Ala – The Rocket City Spring Tune-Up Car Show will be held Saturday, May 31, from 9 am to 2 pm in the Toyota Field Parking Lot. The family-friendly event will showcase classic and modern modified vehicles, with concessions available from the Trash Pandas. Due to forecasted rain, the
Urena shines in 5-4 loss to Smokies on Wednesday night
KNOXVILLE, TN – In another tightly contested game on Wednesday night at Covenant Health Park, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-16) fought back in the ninth inning, trailing by three runs. They managed to score two runs but ultimately fell short, falling 5-4 to the Knoxville Smokies (12-10). Out of
Moore homers in return to Knoxville, but Pandas drop slugfest
KNOXVILLE, TN – Christian Moore hit his first home run of the 2025 season and recorded three hits for the second consecutive game in his return to Knoxville, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-15) lost a back-and-forth slugfest 9-6 to the Knoxville Smokies (11-10) on Tuesday night at Covenant
Trash Pandas drop Sunday's series finale to Barons, 3-2
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-14) lost Sunday's series finale against the Birmingham Barons (11-9) in front of 4,429 fans at Toyota Field. Birmingham won the series, taking four out of six games. Christian Moore continued to swing a hot bat in the loss, finishing 3-for-5 with
Trash Pandas stop skid, take down Barons 4-2 on Saturday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-13) received a career-best performance from starter Joel Hurtado (W, 1-1), and knocked off the Birmingham Barons (10-9) 4-2 on Saturday in front of 5,103 fans at Toyota Field. Coming off a strong outing in Montgomery, Hurtado threw 11 of his first
José Fermin promoted from Rocket City to Los Angeles on Saturday
MADISON, Ala. – On Saturday, the Los Angeles Angels announced the call-up of right-handed reliever José Fermin from the Rocket City Trash Pandas to the Major League roster. Fermin’s addition marks the 39th player from Rocket City to be promoted to the Majors, the third this year, and the 13th
Despite Denzer Guzman's career night, Pandas fall to Barons on Friday night
MADISON, Ala. – The Birmingham Barons (10-8) came from behind to defeat the Rocket City Trash Pandas (5-13), scoring four runs in the final two innings in front of 5,388 fans at Toyota Field on Friday night. Denzer Guzman extended his team-leading on-base streak to 13 games by recording his
Trash Pandas, Barons suspended on Thursday, game to resume Friday at 5:05 pm with regularly scheduled game to follow
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas and Birmingham Barons were interrupted twice by rain delays on Thursday night at Toyota Field, ultimately leading to its suspension with one out in the top of the eighth inning, with the Barons ahead 4-2. The two delays totaled 80 minutes, and
Homestand Highlights: April 22-27 vs. Birmingham Barons
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for their second homestand of the 2025 season, welcoming the Chicago White Sox affiliate Birmingham Barons, April 22-27. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Tuesday, April 22 | First Pitch: 6:05 pm |