Padres Announce 2018 Lake Elsinore Storm Roster

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - The Lake Elsinore Storm, in conjunction with the San Diego Padres, have announced their 2018 Opening Day roster, which includes six players listed as Padres Top 30 Prospects, as determined by MLB.com. Headlining this year's Storm roster is Cuban left-hander Adrian Morejon (No. 6), who ended his 2017 campaign in Fort Wayne. The 19-year-old is also ranked No. 50 on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list.
This season's roster is made up of 25 players from eight states and five countries, with players ranging in age from 18 to 24. Along with Morejon, a pair of pitchers in Pedro Avila (No. 26) and David Bednar (No.28) decorates what should be a formidable staff of arms. While with Fort Wayne for part of 2017, Avila set the Midwest League single game strikeout record with 17 punchouts. Bednar finds himself on the list after a dominant season with Fort Wayne before his midseason promotion to Lake Elsinore. Gerardo Reyes, a 2017 California League All-Star, returns to bolster the bullpen.
The 2018 Storm lineup will have some extra pop, headlined by infielder Hudson Potts (No. 17), the Padres' 1^st round draft choice in 2016 who slugged 20 home runs last season in the Midwest League. The outfield features a heavy dose of experience and talent, with Jorge Oña (No. 18) leading the way. He will be accompanied by Edward Olivares (No. 20), who was acquired this offseason from the Toronto Blue Jays in the Yangervis Solarte trade. Olivares connected for 17 home runs with the Lansing Lugnuts before a late promotion to the Dunedin Blue Jays, where he earned himself a championship ring. Buddy Reedthe Padres' 2^nd round pick in 2016, will join them alongside Taylor Kohlwey, who spent his 2017 season in Lake Elsinore.
Returning for his second year as Storm skipper is Edwin Rodriguez, the 15^th manager in team history. Rodriguez has 18 years of managerial experience, including parts of two seasons as skipper of the Florida Marlins from 2010-2011 in which the team went 78-85 under his direction. This is Edwin's second year in the San Diego organization since finishing his MLB playing career with the Padres in 1985. Rodriguez, the Ponce, Puerto Rico native, managed Team Puerto Rico in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classic to Silver Medal finishes.
The Storm field staff will include new hitting coach Doug Banks and new pitching coach Pete Zamora, along with returning coach Freddy Flores. Ricky Huerta is back as trainer and Jay Young is the new strength and conditioning coach.
 Lake Elsinore's 25^th Opening Night at The Diamond is set for Thursday, April 12^th with the team starting the season on the road in Stockton on Thursday, April 5^th. Tickets are available online at stormbaseball.com/tickets, by calling 951-245-HITS, and at The Diamond's ticket office. 
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Top Padres Prospects via MLB.com ranking
6. Adrian Morejon
17. Hudson Potts
18. Jorge Ona
20. Edward Oliveras
26. Pedro Avila
28. David Bednar
Returning Storm (11)
Pitchers: Elliot Ashbeck ('16), Pedro Avila ('17), Lake Bachar ('16), David Bednar ('17), Emmanuel Ramirez ('17), Gerardo Reyes ('16-'17), Blake Rogers ('15-'16); Catcher: Marcus Greene ('16); Infielders: Nate Easley ('17), Ruddy Giron ('16-'17); Outfielders: Taylor Kohlwey ('16-'17)
States (8)
California (2), Florida (2), Texas (2), Wisconsin (2), Arizona (1), Illinois (1), New York (1), Pennsylvania (1)
Countries (5)
United States (12), Dominican Republic (5), Venezuela (4), Cuba (3), Mexico (1)
Opening Day Ages
18: 1
19: 3
20: 1
21: 7
22: 6
23: 4
24: 3
How Acquired
Draft, HS: 3
Draft, College: 8
Non-drafted Free Agent: 4
International Free Agent: 4
Trade: 6
Padre Since
2012: 2
2013: 1
2014: 1
2015: 6
2016: 14
2017: 0
2018: 1
RHP: 12
LHP: 1
Right-handed hitters: 9
Left-handed hitters: 2
Switch hitters: 1
Team/Organization for majority of 2017 season
Arizona League: 1
Tri City: 6
Fort Wayne: 13
Lake Elsinore: 3
San Diego: 1
Other Organizations: 1