While the Los Angeles Dodgers and their Minor League affiliates begun their respective 2016 seasons, Low-A Great Lakes had Thursday’s opener postponed to Friday, but inclement weather forced the doubleheader to be rescheduled.
The Loons are scheduled to play their home opener at Dow Diamond on Saturday afternoon. This is the second straight year the Loons have seen their opener postponed, as their entire 2015 Opening Series was pushed back due to poor field conditions.
Great Lakes features a baker’s dozen worth of returning players, including right-hander and last year’s 16th-round draft pick Nolan Long, as well as outfielder Jordan Paroubeck, acquired in July 2015, who appeared in a pair of postseason contests with Great Lakes last September.
A few new faces could make an impact on this year’s club and their own stock. Cuban infielder Omar Estevez, signed in December for $6 million, joins the Loons on his first Minor League assignment.
He’ll be paired up the middle with 2015 fifth-rounder Brendon Davis. Outfielder Ariel Sandoval, who batted .325 for the Arizona League Dodgers last year, will be patrolling center field.
The Loons’ pitching staff is bolstered by several of last year’s draftees, including Andrew Sopko (seventh-round pick) and Kevin Brown (ninth), as well as 13th-rounder Michael Boyle, 26th-rounder Marcus Crescentini, 33rd-rounder Adam Bray and 40th-rounder Isaac Anderson.
Loons’ first-year manager Gil Velasquez retired from his playing career in 2015 and was an extra coach for the AZL Dodgers that summer.
He’s joined by pitching coach Bobby Cuellar, hitting coach John Valentin and assistant coach Fumi Ishibashi. The Loons finished 68-69 last season, earning a playoff appearance thanks to a strong first half, but were swept in the first round.
Loons complete Opening Day roster:
| # | Name | Pos | B/T | Height | Weight | MLB 40-man |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Isaac Anderson | P | R/R | 6'2" | 185lbs | No |
| 41 | Brian Bass | P | R/R | 6'4" | 200lbs | No |
| 11 | Michael Boyle | P | R/L | 6'3" | 200lbs | No |
| 36 | Adam Bray | P | R/R | 6'3" | 210lbs | No |
| 30 | Kevin Brown | P | R/R | 6'3" | 220lbs | No |
| 51 | Marcus Crescentini | P | R/R | 6'4" | 240lbs | No |
| 22 | Victor Gonzalez | P | L/L | 6'0" | 180lbs | No |
| 8 | Garrett Harrison | P | L/L | 6'3" | 200lbs | No |
| 23 | Alexander Hermeling | P | R/R | 6'5" | 220lbs | No |
| 52 | Nolan Long | P | R/R | 6'10" | 255lbs | No |
| 45 | Gavin Pittore | P | R/R | 6'3" | 230lbs | No |
| 19 | Dennis Santana | P | R/R | 6'2" | 160lbs | No |
| 16 | Andrew Sopko | P | R/R | 6'2" | 205lbs | No |
| 14 | Gage Green | C | L/R | 5'10" | 193lbs | No |
| 33 | Garrett Kennedy | C | L/R | 6'1" | 205lbs | No |
| 1 | Brant Whiting | C | L/R | 5'9" | 190lbs | No |
| 3 | Brendon Davis | SS | R/R | 6'4" | 165lbs | No |
| 10 | Nick Dean | 3B | R/R | 6'1" | 190lbs | No |
| 6 | Omar Estevez | 2B | R/R | 5'10" | 168lbs | No |
| 5 | Cristian Gomez | IF | R/R | 5'11" | 160lbs | No |
| 40 | Matt Jones | 1B | L/R | 6'7" | 250lbs | No |
| 25 | Federico Celli | OF | R/R | 6'3" | 215lbs | No |
| 9 | Logan Landon | OF | R/R | 6'2" | 180lbs | No |
| 24 | Jordan Paroubeck | OF | S/R | 6'2" | 190lbs | No |
| 15 | Ariel Sandoval | OF | R/R | 6'2" | 180lbs | No |
