BayBears announce 2017 initial roster

MOBILE, Ala. (April 4, 2017) - The Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, announced their initial roster for the 2017 season Tuesday afternoon.
The roster includes the following players:

A digital version of the roster can be viewed and/or downloaded by clicking here.
The list features one player on the Angels 40-man roster, RHP Eduardo Paredes, who is the No. 16 prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline. Other Top 30 Angels prospects include IF David Fletcher (11), RHP Abel De Los Santos (19), RHP Osmer Morales (21), LHP Kevin Grendell (23), and OF Caleb Adams (28).
Additional notes from this year's initial roster:

• Twenty players spent last season at the Double-A level or higher.
• RHP Abel De Los Santos and RHP Brandon Peterson played in the Southern League last season with Pensacola and Chattanooga, respectively.
• RHP Eduardo Paredes is the longest-tenured Angels farmhand on the roster, despite being the youngest BayBears player (22 years, 1 month). He was signed as an international free agent on March 12, 2012, six days after his 17th birthday.
• LHP Chris O'Grady (26 years, 11 months) is the oldest player. The average age on the BayBears roster is 24 years old.
• RHP Tyler Carpenter is the tallest player at 6 feet 5 inches. OF Caleb Adams and IF David Fletcher are the shortest players at 5 feet 10 inches.
• RHP Jon Fitzsimmons, IF Zach Houchins, RHP Ivan Hernandez, RHP Eric Karch, RHP Osmer Morales, IF Hutton Moyer, and RHP Ronnie Muck are looking to make their Double-A debut.
• The majority of the roster hails from the United States (18). Five players are from Venezuela, two are from the Dominican Republic, RHP Jon Fitzsimmons is from Canada, and IF Angel Rosa is from Puerto Rico. Of the American born players, more come from California (six) than any other state.
• Although there are no Alabama natives on the roster, C Wade Wass was born and raised in nearby Pensacola, Fla., and played college baseball at the University of Alabama (2013-2014).

The roster is currently at 25 active players, which is the Southern League limit, and includes two players on the 7-day disabled list.
The BayBears begin the season on the road Thursday at 5:15 p.m. CT against the Chattanooga Lookouts. RHP Tyler Carpenter (0-0, -.-- ERA) is scheduled to be the Opening Day starter for Mobile. Coverage of the contest can be heard on the BayBears Broadcast Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App.
The BayBears open their 2017 home schedule at Hank Aaron Stadium on Wednesday, April 12 and host 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 4. Single-game tickets and ticket packages are currently on sale. Season tickets and group and hospitality offerings for the BayBears 2017 season can be reserved by calling (251) 479-BEAR (2327).
About the Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles of Anaheim and play their games at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The BayBears were founded in 1997 and have won four Southern League titles in 1998, 2004, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, the 1998 and 2011 championship squads were named Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. More than 160 former BayBears have reached the Major League level, including All-Stars Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Peavy, Carlos Gonzalez, and Justin Upton. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and Hank Aaron Stadium, please visit MobileBayBears.com, call (251) 479-BEAR (2327), or contact Steve Goldberg via email at [email protected].
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