Knights 2016 Opening Day Roster Revealed
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Key returning veterans and the organization's number one rated prospect -- 22-year-old Tim Anderson -- highlight the Charlotte Knights 2016 Opening Day roster for the club's All-Star Season at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte. The Knights, who will be managed by new skipper Julio Vinas, open the 2016 campaign tonight at 6:05 p.m. in Durham, NC against the Durham Bulls. Opening Knight at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte is set for Thursday, April 14th at 7:05 p.m. against the Bulls.
Selected by the Chicago White Sox in first round (17th overall) of the 2013 First Year Player Draft, Anderson -- Chicago's highly-touted prospect -- will make his Triple-A debut tonight with the Knights. Tabbed by Baseball America as the top-rated prospect and Best Athlete in the White Sox organization, Anderson compiled a .312 batting average with 12 triples, five home runs, 46 RBIs, and 49 stolen bases last season with the Double-A Birmingham Barons. A 2015 Southern League Mid-Season and Postseason All-Star, Anderson led the league in hits (160), runs scored (79), and stolen bases (49).
Joining Anderson in Charlotte's lineup this season will be outfielder Jacob May, who is ranked by Baseball America as the fifth-best prospect in Chicago's system. May, a product of Coastal Carolina University, hit .275 last year in 98 games for the Barons. The 24-year-old speedster -- who swiped 37 bags last year -- was originally selected by the White Sox in the third round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. A third-generation player, May is the grandson of 18-year major league veteran Lee May, the son of Lee May Jr., and the nephew of former White Sox slugger Carlos May.
Along with Anderson and May, the roster also features 3B Matt Davidson, who led the International League in home runs last season with 23. Davidson, who returns for his third consecutive campaign with the Knights, was a 2015 International League All-Star. Solid at the plate and in-the-field, Baseball America named Davidson as the Best Defensive Third Baseman in the International League last year. He enters this season with 123 career minor league home runs. Outfielder Jason Coats, who hit .271 with 17 home runs and 81 RBIs last year, is also a key member back with the Knights this season.
In all, 12 players on Charlotte's 2016 Opening Day roster have worn a Knights jersey before this season. Slugger Travis Ishikawa, who appeared in 34 games with the Knights in 2013, is back with the team. The Seattle, WA native spent parts of the past two seasons with the San Francisco Giants and was a key contributor to San Francisco's World Series winning team in 2014.
Speedster Leury Garcia, who hit .298 and swiped 30 bases with the Knights in 90 games last season, returns to the team for a second consecutive year. Garcia became just the 10th player in franchise history to steal at least 30 bases in a season last year. Venezuelan native Carlos Sanchez, who ranks fourth in franchise history in hits (287), returns to the Knights. The 23-year-old, who hit .344 in 29 games last season with the Knights, has spent parts of the past four season with Charlotte.
The starting rotation is anchored by 2015 International League Most Valuable Pitcher Erik Johnson, who posted an 11-8 record with a 2.37 ERA last season with the Knights. Johnson, 26, started the 2015 Triple-A Baseball All-Star Game last season in Omaha, NE. The California native was promoted to Chicago last year (September 1) and appeared in six games with the White Sox (3-1, 3.34 ERA). Returnees RHP Chris Beck and RHP Scott Carroll will join Johnson to possess a formidable top of the rotation. Carroll, who went 7-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 16 starts with the Knights last season, will get the nod tonight for the Knights in Durham. Former first-round draft pick Jacob Turner, who was on the Miami Marlins Opening Day roster two seasons ago, will also be a key member of Charlotte's rotation this season.
In the bullpen, familiar faces Terance Marin, Blake Smith, and Daniel Webb return for the 2016 campaign. RHPs Phillippe Aumont, Tommy Kahnle, and Chris Volstad, along with LHPs Will Lamb and Matt Purke round out an experienced Charlotte bullpen.
Catcher Kevan Smith is back with the Knights for a second straight year and will be joined behind the plate by catcher Hector Sanchez. Charlotte newcomers Daniel Fields, Danny Hayes, and Andy Parrino round out the team's position players. Hayes, 25, was selected by the White Sox in the 13th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. The Sacramento, CA native was rated by Baseball America as the Best Defensive First Baseman in the Southern League last season.
The Knights will be guided by Vinas, who led the Double-A Birmingham Barons to a 2013 Southern League Championship. The 2016 season will be the sixth in the Chicago White Sox organization for Vinas. The Miami, FL native managed Winston-Salem in 2011, Kannapolis in 2012, and Birmingham over the past three seasons (2013 to 2015). Vinas was rated by Baseball America as the Best Manager Prospect in the Southern League following the 2013 season. Hitting coach Andy Tomberlin and pitching coach Richard Dotson return to the staff, along with newcomer Tim Esmay (assistant coach).
Single-game tickets, season tickets, as well as partial season ticket plans for the 2016 All-Star Season, are on sale now and can be purchased in person at the BB&T Ballpark Ticket Office, online at CharlotteKnights.com, or by phone at 704-274-8282. Uptown Knights Are Better Than Ever!
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and