While the Los Angeles Dodgers began their 2016 regular-season schedule earlier in the week, their Minor League affiliates didn’t open their respective campaigns until Thursday. With that has come official roster announcements.
Triple-A Oklahoma City boasts several of the Dodgers’ top prospects, while High-A Rancho Cucamonga received an influx of young talent. As for Double-A Tulsa, they may be the Dodgers’ affiliate that packs the most offensive punch this season.
New Drillers manager Ryan Garko leads a team that returns 10 players from last year’s club, and five of the Dodgers’ top prospects. Starting pitchers Chris Anderson and Jeremy Kehrt are back for another campaign with the Drillers, so are Erisbel Arruebarrena, Ralston Cash, Caleb Dirks, Kyle Farmer and Adam Law, among others.
Meanwhile, Logan Bawcom, Chase De Jong, Red Patterson and recent signee Dale Thayer are part of the group of players who join the Drillers for the first time.
However, the most prominent newcomer is first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger. In 128 games with the Quakes last season, Bellinger hit .264/.336/.538 with 33 doubles, four triples, 30 home runs and 103 RBIs. Other notable prospects on the Tulsa roster are Willie Calhoun, Jacob Scavuzzo and Alex Verdugo.
Drillers 25-man active roster:
| # | Name | Pos | B/T | Height | Weight | MLB 40-man |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Chris Anderson | P | R/R | 6'3" | 245lbs | No |
| 45 | Scott Barlow | P | R/R | 6'3" | 170lbs | No |
| 28 | Logan Bawcom | P | R/R | 6'2" | 220lbs | No |
| 30 | Ralston Cash | P | R/R | 6'3" | 215lbs | No |
| 34 | Chase De Jong | P | L/R | 6'4" | 205lbs | No |
| 19 | Caleb Dirks | P | R/R | 6'3" | 220lbs | No |
| -- | Seth Frankoff | P | R/R | 6'5" | 210lbs | No |
| 15 | Felipe Gonzalez | P | R/R | 6'1" | 200lbs | No |
| 21 | Michael Johnson | P | L/L | 6'1" | 185lbs | No |
| 27 | Rob Rogers | P | R/R | 6'0" | 205lbs | No |
| 4 | Jordan Schafer | P | L/L | 6'1" | 205lbs | No |
| 36 | Dale Thayer | P | R/R | 6'0" | 210lbs | No |
| 17 | Kyle Farmer | C | R/R | 6'0" | 205lbs | No |
| 24 | Tyler Ogle | C | R/R | 5'10" | 210lbs | No |
| 10 | Cody Bellinger | 1B | L/L | 6'4" | 210lbs | No |
| 1 | Willie Calhoun | 2B | L/R | 5'8" | 187lbs | No |
| 16 | Brandon Trinkwon | 3B | L/R | 6'1" | 170lbs | No |
| 11 | Erisbel Arruebarrena | SS | R/R | 6'1" | 230lbs | No |
| 37 | Drew Maggi | IF | R/R | 6'0" | 192lbs | No |
| 6 | Devan Ahart | OF | L/R | 6'1" | 175lbs | No |
| 8 | Yadir Drake | OF | R/R | 6'0" | 200lbs | No |
| 2 | Adam Law | OF | R/R | 6'0" | 193lbs | No |
| 7 | Jacob Scavuzzo | OF | R/R | 6'4" | 185lbs | No |
| 3 | Alex Verdugo | OF | L/L | 6'0" | 205lbs | No |
