The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Low-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes returned to action Tuesday for the first time since September 2019, defeating the Inland Empire 66ers, 3-1, at San Manuel Stadium behind a franchise-record 21 strikeouts.
Prior to the regular-season opener, the Quakes officially set their initial 30-man active roster, which includes notable Dodgers prospects Alex De Jesus and Jake Vogel.
De Jesus was part of the organization’s haul during the 2018-19 international signing period, and Vogel was selected in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft. They were ranked the Nos. 16 and 17 prospects in the Dodgers farm system entering the 2021 season by MLB Pipeline.
Other notable players on the Drillers’ roster include Kendall Williams, who was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for Ross Stripling last season, and Jimmy Lewis, a second-round draft pick in 2019.
Williams and Lewis additionally were ranked among the Dodgers’ top 30 prospects entering the 2021 season by MLB Pipeline, checking in at No. 25 and 28, respectively.
The Quakes are led by a new manager this season in John Shoemaker, who now is in his 45th year with the Dodgers organization. The 2021 campaign is his 28th as a Minor League manager, which includes two stints with Great Lakes from 2011-12 and 2018-19.
Shoemaker guided the Loons to one of their best seasons in franchise history in 2019 en route to Midwest League Manager of the Year honors.
Great Lakes posted a 81-55 record in the regular season that year, winning the first half Eastern Division Championship and solidifying their second consecutive postseason appearance.
2021 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes roster
Pitchers (17): Aldry Acosta, Jeisson Cabrera, Jacob Cantleberry, Hyun-Il Choi, Daniel Cruz, Franklin De La Paz, Carlos De Los Santos, Carlos Duran, Braydon Fisher, Cameron Gibbens, Jose Hernández, Jimmy Lewis, Robbie Peto, Adolfo Ramirez, Julian Smith, Gavin Stone, Kendall Williams
Catchers (2): Wladimir Chalo, Marco Hernandez
Infielders (6): Alex De Jesus, Sauryn Lao, Eddys Leonard, Brandon Lewis, Sam McWilliams, Jorbit Vivas
Outfielders (5): Aldrich de Jongh, Jonny DeLuca, Edwin Mateo, Jake Vogel, Brandon Wulff
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