The New Orleans Baby Cakes, Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, have released the Opening Day roster for the 2017 season, which includes eight members of the Marlins' 40-man roster.Left-hander Justin Nicolino returns for a third season, becoming the first pitcher in New Orleans history to draw the Opening Day
The New Orleans Baby Cakes, Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, have released the Opening Day roster for the 2017 season, which includes eight members of the Marlins' 40-man roster.
Left-hander Justin Nicolino returns for a third season, becoming the first pitcher in New Orleans history to draw the Opening Day starting assignment in three straight seasons. The rotation is also set to feature right-handers Severino González, Vance Worley, Scott Copeland and Stephen Fife, all of whom have Major League experience. Other returnees on the pitching staff include right-handed relievers Brian Ellington and Drew Steckenrider, who will be joined in the bullpen by fellow righties Brandon Cunniff, Javy Guerra and Clayton Mortensen, and left-handers Hunter Cervenka, Raudel Lazo, Kelvin Marte and Greg Nappo.
Catcher Tomás Telis, who batted .310 in 91 games with New Orleans last year, returns as the pitching staff's primary batterymate with Ramón Cabrera and Carlos Paulino serving as backups.
Outfielder Destin Hood became the first New Orleans position player since 2011 to earn Triple-A All-Star honors by hitting .267 with 15 home runs and 80 RBI last year, and is back to anchor an outfield loaded with big league experience. Brandon Barnes and Matt den Dekker have each seen substantial time in the majors in recent years, as has Moises Sierra, who was leading the Southern League in hitting at the time of a season-ending injury last July. Isaac Galloway also returns to New Orleans after finishing fourth in the Pacific Coast League with 31 stolen bases.
J.T. Riddle, the third-rated infield prospect in the Marlins system according to MLB Pipeline, opens a season at Triple-A for the first time after posting the Southern League's longest hitting streak a year ago at 25 games. Third baseman Matt Juengel is back in New Orleans for a second season after leading the club in triples and ranking second in doubles and RBI in 2016. Ryan Jackson and Steve Lombardozzi, each with Major League experience, and Peter Mooney round out the infield.
The Baby Cakes take the field for the first time on Thursday at 7 p.m. against the Memphis Redbirds. The first 2,000 fans will receive an inaugural season hat courtesy of Silver Slipper Casino. Opening Night ceremonies include a military tribute before and after the national anthem performed by Irma Thomas, celebrity first pitches including the New Orleanians of the Year and Bobby Hebert, and a parade of our "Class of 2017" babies, with a fireworks show following the final out. Tickets can be purchased online, at the stadium box office, or by calling the Baby Cakes at (504) 734-5155.
