After seeing the 2020 Minor League season get cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Dodgers return to action Thursday with a road matchup against the Round Rock Express.
Ahead of their first game of the season, the OKC Dodgers announced their initial 2021 roster. As per health and safety protocols, the team may carry as many as 33 players, although only 28 can be active.
What’s more, some players simultaneously will be part of the Major League taxi squad throughout the season. Thus, Triple-A Oklahoma City opens the year with 30 total players, which includes notable prospects Josiah Gray and DJ Peters.
Gray, the No. 2 prospect in the Dodgers organization per MLB Pipeline, was named the Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2019 after dominating across three levels. He continued developing last season at the alternate training site and will start for Oklahoma City on Opening Night.
Peters entered the 2021 season as the Dodgers’ No. 21 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline and made his big league debut on April 23. He went 0-for-5 in his brief Major League stint, but was happy to play his first game at Dodger Stadium.
Other notable players on Oklahoma City’s preliminary roster are Edwin Uceta and Omar Estévez, who additionally rank among the Dodgers’ top 30 prospects, checking in at Nos. 26 and 30, respectively.
Uceta, however, was recalled by L.A. as the corresponding move to Edwin Rios being placed on the 10-day injured list. The right-hander made his MLB debut with the Dodgers on April 30, logging two innings pitched against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Uceta is one of four OKC players currently on the Dodgers’ 40 man-roster. The others are Peters, Zach Reks and Phil Bickford, who recently was claimed off waivers from the Brewers.
2021 Oklahoma City Dodgers roster
Pitchers (17): Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Phil Bickford, Edward Cuello, Josiah Gray, Mike Kickham, Jordan Martinson, Ryan Moseley, Darien Nunez, James Pazos, Kevin Quackenbush, Yefry Ramirez, Logan Salow, Andrew Schwaab, Yaisel Sierra, Edwin Uceta, Cyrillo Watson, Aaron Wilkerson
Catchers (2): Tim Federowicz, Hamlet Marte
Infielders (7): Carlos Asuaje, Andy Burns, Matt Davidson, Omar Estévez, Rangel Ravelo, Cristian Santana, Elliot Soto
Outfielders (4): Drew Avans, DJ Peters, Zach Reks, Steven Souza Jr.
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