SALT LAKE CITY (March 31, 2018) - The Los Angeles Angels and Salt Lake Bees announced the expected roster for the start of the 2018 Pacific Coast League season. Because of scheduling, the Bees roster is subject to change before the Bees opener on Thursday, April 5.
SALT LAKE CITY (March 31, 2018) - The Los Angeles Angels and Salt Lake Bees announced the expected roster for the start of the 2018 Pacific Coast League season. Because of scheduling, the Bees roster is subject to change before the Bees opener on Thursday, April 5.
Familiar faces dot the roster as 16 of the 25 announced players have appeared in a Bees uniform in their career, while 16 have Major League experience during their careers. In total, the Bees roster has appeared in 2,936 MLB games, including 2,574 games in the field and another 355 pitching appearances with 72 starts. Of the players yet to make their Major League debut four rank in the Angels Top 30 prospects according to MLB.com.
The prospects are highlighted by pitcher Jaime Barria, the Angels seventh ranked prospect according to MLB.com. The Panamanian made his Bees debut in August last season, making three starts going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA. Barria will be joined by returning starters Parker Bridwell, Nick Tropeano and Troy Scribner. Bridwell is coming off a 2018 season in which he finished with a 10-3 record for the Angels. Tropeano started 13 games in 2016 for the Angels with a 3.56 ERA before undergoing surgery to repair a torn UCL and missing the 2017 season. Scribner was named a PCL All-Star with the Bees in 2017, posting an 11-4 record in Salt Lake before making his MLB debut with the Halos in August. Vicente Campos, Adam Hofackett, John Lamb, Osmer Morales and Eduardo Paredes round out the returning players to the Bees pitching staff.
Former BYU Cougar Taylor Cole highlights the new faces on the mound. Cole signed with the Angels as a free agent this offseason after making his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017. Cole is joined by Ralston Cash, Ian Krol and Félix Peña as new members of the Bees bullpen.
Both catchers on the roster have come through Smith's Ballpark during their careers. Juan Graterol was a member of the 2016 Bees team and spent most of 2017 with the Angels. Josè Briceño has made September appearances with the Bees each of the last two seasons.
The infield is led by power-hitter Chris Carter, who led the National League with 41 home runs with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016. The middle infield will be manned by David Fletcher, Jose Fernandez and Sherman Johnson. Recently acquired Ryan Schimpf is scheduled to join the Bees before Opening Day after being acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night.
Fan favorites Eric Young Jr. and Michael Hermosillo return to roam the Bees outfield in 2017. Young is a veteran of 610 MLB games and winner of the 2013 Lou Brock award for leading the National League with 46 steals. Hermosillo ranks tenth among Angels prospects and hit five home runs and stole nine bases in just 30 games with the Bees. Ben Revere ranks as the Bees most experienced player, coming to the team with 857 MLB games while Jabari Blash and Rymer Liriano bring another 158 big league appearances.
The Bees open up the 2018 season at home on Thursday against the Albuquerque Isotopes. The 70-game regular season schedule wraps up on Sept. 3. A full schedule including game times and promotions is available at www.slbees.com.
--slbees.com--
