Camden Minacci Propels Unique First Appearance Into Double-A Success
Trash Pandas right-handed pitcher Camden Minacci made his Trash Pandas debut on June 20 where he would pitch in front of the Toyota Field crowd for the first time. Facing the Biloxi Shuckers in the seventh inning, the first hitter the Orlando native would face at the Double-A level was
Trash Pandas right-handed pitcher Camden Minacci made his Trash Pandas debut on June 20 where he would pitch in front of the Toyota Field crowd for the first time.
Facing the Biloxi Shuckers in the seventh inning, the first hitter the Orlando native would face at the Double-A level was scripted in the perfect way.
Minacci stood in against his college roommate at Wake Forest and best friend in infielder Brock Wilken. The two played together collegiately at the same time from 2021-2023 until the pair would both be selected in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Wilken in the first round and Minacci in the sixth.
“It seemed very fitting, I remember jogging in from the bullpen and he was grinning from ear to ear,” Minacci said. “It was a very unique experience, and I was grateful that he was the very first guy I got to face.”
Before the at-bat got serious, the two had the chance to share one more laughing moment.
“The conversation before was he told me to just throw fastballs and I told him no,” Minacci said. “We’ve faced each other a ton and gone back and forth so it was another chapter in our friendship.”
Wilken drew a walk against his former teammate, but Minacci buckled down with a pair of strikeouts for a clean inning to open his Trash Pandas career.
That’s propelled Minacci to a strong start to his Double-A tenure as he holds a 3.18 ERA in 11 bullpen outings with five saves. Adding that last number onto his 11 saves from High-A Tri-City, Minacci is tied for fourth in all of minor league baseball in that category.
As he continues his season in Rocket City, Minacci has kept a similar routine that he had with High-A Tri-City.
“I’ve enjoyed the transition, I’m just trying to show up every day and do the same thing I did in High-A,” Minacci said. “Just using the process that I’ve been using and having it yield good results is promising and exciting.”
Being in the Trash Pandas clubhouse has helped ease the transition between levels for Minacci as the 22-year-old has had the chance to converse with players varying in age.
“It’s a really unique experience, we’ve got guys whose ages range and I feel like I’ve learned a significant amount from both ends,” Minacci said. “Being around guys like Caden Dana and Tyler Payne every day has been instrumental in my adjustment.”
Any questions Minacci has had since his arrival, he’s found the door is always open for bullpen coach Doug Henry and pitching coach Michael Wuertz.
“Getting to sit down in the bullpen with Doug every day and it’s huge to have someone that’s available,” Minacci said. “Both him and Michael are available, every time I’ve had a question, I can ask, and I’ve never been left empty handed about an answer.”
It only took until Minacci’s third appearance with the Trash Pandas for him to record his first Double-A save and he had the opportunity to slam the door 21 times at Wake Forest.
If he gets the chance, the right-hander is ready to “post up” and end the game.
“I always want the ball in the ninth inning and it’s just to post up and win the ballgame,” Minacci said. “ A lot of guys in the first eight innings put us in a good place to win and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to finish it up.”
The lights get even brighter when placed in front of a packed house at Toyota Field and Minacci has felt that energy from the fans early on.
“It’s been exhilarating, we’ve had some really good days, notably the Fourth of July game,” Minacci said. “I feel it every time, you definitely know the difference when you have 7,500 fans in the stands, so the presence of the Trash Panda nation has been felt.”
Pitching in Rocket City has also helped Minacci remember to be grateful for each day he gets to play the game he loves.
“Having fun every day is extremely important to me,” Minacci said. “I don’t want to find myself being upset playing baseball, it’s just a game and it’s a beautiful opportunity so I just want to dive headfirst into every day.”
Minacci credits the way Wake Forest develops players for allowing him to keep playing the game he loves at this level. After Minacci and Wilken went pro, Wake Forest saw three players selected in the top 10 of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft becoming just the second program to ever do so.
Watching the draft unfold from Rocket City, Minacci couldn’t have been happier to be a Demon Deacon.
“The player development they do over there is second to none,” Minacci said. “It proved itself with how many guys they had picked so high, I owe every bit of my success to the development I had at Wake Forest, those were the best three years of my life.”
Homestand Highlights: April 22-27 vs. Birmingham Barons
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for their second homestand of the 2025 season, welcoming the Chicago White Sox affiliate Birmingham Barons, April 22-27. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Tuesday, April 22 | First Pitch: 6:05 pm |
Pandas stop losing skid with matinee win on Wednesday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas used 12 Birmingham walks to cruise to a 5-1 win in front of 5,027 fans Wednesday afternoon at Toyota Field in a game that was delayed 1:17 due to rain. The game started as a pitchers’ duel between starting pitchers Mitch Farris
Klassen strikes out nine in Rocket City's 7-1 loss on Tuesday
MADISON, Ala. – Despite another impressive performance from starter George Klassen, who recorded nine strikeouts over 5.1 innings, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-11) lost their series opener to the Birmingham Barons (8-7) on Tuesday night, 7-1, at Toyota Field. This defeat marks the Trash Pandas' fourth consecutive loss and
Biscuits rally to beat Pandas in extras again on Sunday
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-10) suffered their third one-run loss and fifth defeat of the week against the Montgomery Biscuits (9-5) on Sunday afternoon, falling 5-4 in 10 innings. This extra-inning game marked the third in the week and fourth in 14 games for the Pandas.
Trash Pandas comeback falls short in 7-5 loss to Biscuits
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-9) scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning and had the tying run on base in the ninth inning but ultimately fell short in a 7-4 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits (8-5) on Saturday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The
Trash Pandas drop bizarre 13-12 decision to Biscuits in 11 innings
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-8) and Montgomery Biscuits (7-5) played their second-straight extra-inning game on Friday night that included a six-run inning, an 11-run inning, four position players pitching, and ultimately resulted in a Biscuits' 13-12 victory in 11 innings. Rocket City jumped out to a
Trash Pandas earn exciting 7-5 win in extras on Thursday
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-7) quickly took a commanding 5-0 lead in the first inning and ultimately broke their four-game losing streak with a 7-5 victory over the Montgomery Biscuits (6-5) on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The Trash Pandas wasted no time against Montgomery starter
Klassen strikes out eight in Wednesday's loss in Montgomery
MADISON, Ala. – George Klassen made his team-leading third start of the year on Wednesday morning in Montgomery and delivered his best performance to date. Unfortunately, it ended in a no-decision, as the Montgomery Biscuits defeated the Rocket City Trash Pandas 2-1, marking the Pandas' fourth consecutive loss. The 23-year-old
Pandas drop series opener in Montgomery
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas lost their first road game of the season on Tuesday night against the Montgomery Biscuits, 3-1 at Riverwalk Stadium. The Trash Pandas' pitching staff was great again, allowing just one earned run and striking out 11 batters, while Montgomery's pitchers struck out
Caleb Ketchup adds flavor to Trash Pandas Roster
MADISON, Ala. – The Los Angeles Angels made the following roster move on Tuesday that impacted the Rocket City Trash Pandas roster. Infielder Caleb Ketchup was transferred to Rocket City from High-A Tri-City, placing the roster at the maximum of 28 players. For the Dust Devils, the 23-year-old from Atlanta
Trash Pandas pitching strikes out 17 in Saturday loss to Smokies
MADISON, Ala. – Rocket City Trash Pandas' pitchers struck out 17 batters on Saturday night but lost game five of their six-game series against the Knoxville Smokies, 5-1, at Toyota Field. For the second time in the series, Rocket City was held hitless for the first six innings and managed
Guzman, Trash Pandas rally back to win Friday's nightcap, split doubleheader with Smokies
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Knoxville Smokies split a Friday night doubleheader in front of 4,945 fans at Toyota Field. The Trash Pandas rallied from a five-run deficit to win the second game 7-6 after the Smokies took the first game 4-0. Similar to their
Trash Pandas and Smokies postponed by rain on Thursday night
MADISON, Ala. – Tonight's scheduled 6:35 pm game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and Knoxville Smokies has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a Friday, April 11 doubleheader at Toyota Field featuring two seven-inning games, with game one starting at 4:05
Cole Fontenelle hits for the first cycle in Trash Pandas history in 4-3 win
MADISON, Ala. – Cole Fontenelle hit for the first cycle in Rocket City Trash Pandas history in Tuesday night’s 4-3 win over the Knoxville Smokies at Toyota Field. The 23-year-old from Sammamish, WA, entered his at-bat in the bottom of the eighth needing a double for the cycle, and on
Homestand Highlights - April 8-13 vs. Knoxville Smokies
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas continue their nine-game homestand on Tuesday night with six games against the newly renamed Knoxville Smokies at Toyota Field. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Tuesday, April 8 | First Pitch: 6:05 pm | Gates Open: 5:00
Former Trash Panda pitcher Michael Darrell Hicks "Launched to the League"
MADISON, Ala. – Former Trash Pandas pitcher Michael Darrell-Hicks had his contract selected by the Angels on Sunday and would become the 37th Rocket City player to make his major league debut. Darrell-Hicks was 6-4 with a 1.73 ERA over 30 relief outings in 2024 for the Trash Pandas, earning
Trash Pandas and Lookouts postponed on Sunday afternoon
MADISON, Ala. – Sunday’s scheduled 2:35 pm game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and Chattanooga Lookouts has been postponed due to field conditions and the potential threat of more inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when Chattanooga returns to Toyota Field from
Guzman's walk-off homer in ninth completes comeback for Rocket City on Saturday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas erased a six-run deficit on Saturday night and got a three-run walk-off home run from Denzer Guzman in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 8-6 at Toyota Field. No stranger to Toyota Field magic, Guzman's walk-off blast was
Trash Pandas welcome 6,597 fans on opening night, fall 9-1
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas opened their fifth season on Friday night, welcoming 6,597 fans to Toyota Field – the largest opening night crowd for the club since their inaugural home game on May 11, 2021. The Chattanooga Lookouts knocked off Rocket City 9-1 on the field.
Trash Pandas Homestand Highlights: April 4-6 vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas 2025 season begins at 6:35 pm on Friday, April 4, with a three-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts, Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, that runs through Sunday, April 6, at Toyota Field. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the
Trash Pandas unveil initial 2025 Opening Day Roster
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas, Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, are excited to announce the initial roster for the 2025 season. The fifth season of baseball at Toyota Field will include 22 players who have previously played for the Trash Pandas and 11 players ranked
Trash Pandas launch new offerings for fans in 2025
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas are excited to announce the addition of new delicious food items, new interactive options for fans to participate in the action at Toyota Field, and improved access to the ballpark for the fifth season of Trash Pandas baseball. “We’re super excited to
Hiroshi "Morris" Morioka joins Trash Pandas staff as Senior Manager of Promotions and Entertainment
MADISON, Ala – The Rocket City Trash Pandas are excited to announce the addition of Hiroshi "Morris" Morioka as the club's Senior Manager of Promotions and Entertainment for the 2025 season. Originally from Okayama, Japan, Morris brings over a decade of unique experience gained from working with professional basketball and
Toyota Field To Host Spring Tune-Up Car Show & Classic Car Day
MADISON, Ala. — The Rocket City Trash Pandas are excited to announce two upcoming events for automotive enthusiasts at Toyota Field. Classic Car Day is on April 27, and the Rocket City Spring Tune-Up is on May 3. Classic Car Day will be Sunday, April 27, at 2:35 pm as